1. The Sorting Ceremony

"Albus, would you just calm down!"

James hollers from across the room. He's too busy practicing his Quidditch to even worry about my problem. School is approaching soon and I need to live up to the Potter expectation. I must be sorted into Gryffindor. It's my only option.

"James, shut up. You're already in Gryffindor. You have nothing to worry about."

"So? Why does this whole sorting ceremony have you acting all weird?"

"Because I have to be in Gryffindor like you."

"Whatever."

James went back to practicing seeking the Snitch. He actually was pretty good. He's trying out for seeker this year at Hogwarts. No doubt he'll make it.

"Albus, James, time for dinner," my mom yells from the kitchen. James and I leave the Quidditch Pitch we have in our yard and go join the rest of our family for dinner.

My mom begins to serve us dinner when in walks my dad. "Hello, Ginny, kids."

We all greet him in a polite way. I hardly talk the rest of the dinner. I keep seeing my father glance at me, like he knows something is the matter with me.

When mom goes to get the pie, my dad finally speaks up. "okay Albus, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," I lie.

"Then why can't you stop fidgeting?"

"I dunno."

"Nervous about the sorting ceremony tomorrow?"

"Did James tell you?"

"No, son. You're pretty easy to read."

I tell him the whole story about why I should be in Gryffindor, and all he did was laugh.

"Al, whether you're in Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin it doesn't matter. You'll be a great addition to any house you're sorted into."

This made me feel a lot better. I hardly worried about the ceremony for the rest of the night.

As the entire family got ready to leave for the platform, I double checked that I had everything. My 11 3/4 inch wand made from unicorn hair and yew, my textbooks, cauldron, and robes. Everything is in order.

"Al, let's go!"

I rush down to the car and drag my rucksack behind me. I lug it on top of James' and sit down. As we made are way to King's Cross, the lingering thought of sorting came back to me. I tried to push it away, but it stayed and interrupted my thoughts all day.

When we parked the car, our cousins, Rose and Hugo Weasley, knocked on our window. Rose looked about as happy as can be in her new robes. We greeted each other with a hug.

"How's it going Al?" she asks.

"I could be better. This whole ceremony is stressing me out."

"My dad said we're both going to be in Gryffidor!"

"Interesting."

"Yeah, I know!" She clearly did not see the whole situation I was dealing with.

Since we arrived early, the Potter family and the Weasley family all decided to gout to breakfast. It was sort of a good luck breakfast, what with school coming up. After breakfast we went back to the platform and all ran through. I pushed my trolly to the train and accidentally collided with another student.

"Oh man, I'm sorry," I say. When the kid stands up, I knew who he was. There was only one person I knew that had slick blonde hair.

"It's okay, oh hey Al!" Scorpius Malfoy says.

"Hey, Scorpius. Sorry I ran into you."

"It's no problem."

Scorpius and I met when we were about nine. Our fathers took us to a Quidditch match, Italy vs. England, and we've been friends ever since. Not many people liked Scorpius. I guess it had something to do with his father, Draco.

Rose and I eventually board the train and say our finally goodbyes. My father wanted to put the last word in.

"Al, if you're still worried about the whole sorting ceremony tonight, I have some advice. When I got sorted the hat was going to put me in Slytherin. But I told it I wanted to be anything but Slytherin. You can tell the hat what to do."

And with that last bit of advice, the train whistled and off we went.

Rose and I talked about the upcoming year and what we hoped would happen.

"I kinda hope I'm good at potions. I hope it's not hard," Rose said.

"Well, from what James said, Professor Hale is not too strict."

"Oh thank goodness!"

We talk about more classes when a rasp on the door startles us both. Scorpius is standing at the door.

"Can I sit with you? Everyone else said no." He begs.

"Sure, Scorpius," I say. He sits beside me.

Scorpius was telling us how he wanted to be in Slytherin and why. It's a house for the cunning, determined, and for students with ambition. As Scorpius kept talking about Slytherin, the more it sounded interesting. Maybe Slytherin isn't that bad.

"Guys, we're stopping!" Rose shouts.

I look out the window and see the beautiful castle. My home for the next 8 months. I cant wait to start school.

The first years are led to the boats on the lake. Rose, Scorpius, and I fill up one boat. We hardly talk on the whole ride. We just sit and admire the whole grounds. It's amazing that this place as been around for so long.

We finally arrive at the docks and are led to the entrance of the Great Hall. A tall man, most likely one of my soon-to-be professors, comes to greet us.

"Hell, first years." HIs voice sounds innocent and timid. "My name is Professor Longbottom, deputy headmaster and Herbology teacher. In a few minutes, I will escort you through the Great Hall and begin the Sorting Ceremony."

I start to feel nervous. "Well, here we go."

Professor Longbottom takes us through the Great Hall and we see all the tables for the houses and the professors. The headmistress, Professor McGonagall, sits upon this golden chair. I observe every student and could tell what house they belong to. I see James sitting at the Gryffindor table, eye-balling me. I hope he doses't do that all night. Professor Longbottom unravels a scroll with all the names of the first years.

"Rebecca Ackers!" Professor Longbottom says. A little nervous girl walks up to the stool and has the Sorting Hat placed on her head.

The Hat takes a second to think. "Ah, I see. Definitely...RAVENCLAW!"

Cheers and hoots come from one of the tables. Rebecca goes to sit with her new house. This process seems to drag on and on.

"Scorpius Malfoy!"

Scorpius walks up to the Hat, and It is place on his head.

"Hmm, a Malfoy eh? Let's see, very bright mind, caring, helpful. I must think about this. Okay better be...HUFFLEPUFF!"

Cheers from other Hufflepuffs fill the Hall. Scorpius makes his way to the Hufflepuff table. I kind hope I actually get Hufflepuff. Knowing a friend would be nice.

"Albus Potter!"

I walk to the stool and the Hat is placed on my head. I hear it say, "Potter, eh? You would fit in anywhere. Hmm. Your thoughts seem to know where you want to go though. Well then, better be...HUFFLEPUFF!"

Yes, I say to myself. I actually am okay about not being in Gryffindor. But my heart sank when I heard Rose's placement.

"SLYTHERIN!"

A/N: Hey guys! I hope you liked the first chapter of the story. Yeah i know i didnt put Rose and Al and Scorpius in the houses you thought, but I promise the story is going to be great. Please review

~Psycho