The doors to the Hogwarts Express closed behind Rose Molly Weasley with a soft thud. Glancing back, her heart gave a soft skip as the scarlet train lurched forwards slowly and began its journey to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, to which Rose was about to begin her magical education. She quickly leaned out a vacant window and waved to her parents, Ron and Hermione. Her father's arm was wrapped around her mother's shoulders, a classic grin plastered on his face. Her mother looked like she was about to cry, but she waved back to her daughter and blew her a kiss.
"We love you, Rose!" she called, leaning forward out of Ron's arms.
"I love you too!" Rose called back, her voice trembling slightly. She only just realised how much she would miss her father's immature personality and infectious smile. She would miss her mother's caring nature and the way she always knew how to solve a problem, no matter how hard it was for Rose. It was hard.
Rose waved to her Aunty Ginny, Uncle Harry, her cousin Lily and her younger brother Hugo, and gave them a brave smile. They all waved back until the train disappeared around the corner and Rose could not see them anymore.
"Hey Rosie," her cousin, Albus Potter said. He approached her, looking just as timid as she felt. Albus resembled his father in every way possible; untidy black hair, almond shaped green eyes and a a skinny frame. He was the eleven year old version of his father, Harry.
"Hey Al," Rose smiled. "You ready for Hogwarts?"
Al nodded reluctantly. "Yeah, I just hope I'm not in Slytherin."
"Same," Rose breathed. "I'll see you later, Al."
Albus nodded and continued walking down the train corridor. Rose flipped her curly brown hair over her shoulder and walked in the opposite direction. Every carriage was filled until Rose found a carriage that held a solitary passenger. It was a boy.
She slid the door open timidly. The boy turned his head to her. Bleach blonde hair fell over the forehead of a young boy who looked to be about the same age. He was already wearing his Hogwarts robes, like Rose. His piercing grey eyes looked at her quizzically.
"Do you mind? I can't find another carriage." Rose asked shyly.
The boy shook his head. "No, not at all."
Rose took a seat opposite him and closest to the door. She wanted to say something but her shyness was too strong. The blonde boy had gone back to staring out the window.
Finally, Rose found her voice. "I'm Rose, by the way, Rose Weasley."
The boy turned to look back at her. "Weasley?"
Rose nodded, keeping her eyes on her hands.
"But you don't have the red hair my father told me about."
Rose looked up. He was smiling slightly.
"My father has red hair. My mother has brown hair," Rose replied, feeling dumb. "Who's your father?"
The boy's mouth twisted slightly into a frown. "Draco Malfoy. My name's Scorpius Malfoy."
Rose looked at him, stunned. Then, she laughed.
"What's funny?" he demanded angrily.
"My father told me to beat you in every test before we left," she giggled.
Scorpius watched her, and then began to laugh with her.