A/N: So I know the Scorpius/Albus ship has only just started to blossom with the release of The Cursed Child, but I've shipped them for years now and I've been meaning to write fanfiction for a while. The story will start of young but the main plot will be in years 6-7, so stay tuned. Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: All characters, the wizarding world and opening italics belong to J. K. Rowling.

"What if I'm in Slytherin?"

The whisper was for his father alone, and Harry knew that only the moment of departure could have forced Albus to reveal how great and sincere that fear was.

Harry crouched down so that Albus's face was slightly above his own. Alone of Harry's three children, Albus had inherited Lily's eyes.

"Albus Severus," Harry said quietly, so that nobody but Ginny could hear, and she was tactful enough to pretend to be waving to Rose, who was now on the train, "you were named for two headmasters of Hogwarts. One of them was a Slytherin and he was probably the bravest man I ever knew."

"But just say—"

"—then Slytherin House will have gained an excellent student, won't it? It doesn't matter to us, Al. But if it matters to you, you'll be able to choose Gryffindor over Slytherin. The Sorting Hat takes your choice into account."

"Really?"

"It did for me," said Harry.

He had never told any of his children that before, and he saw the wonder in Albus's face when he said it. But now the doors were slamming all along the scarlet train, and the blurred outlines of parents were swarming forward for final kisses, last-minute reminders. Albus jumped into the carriage and Ginny closed the door behind him. Students were hanging from the windows nearest them. A great number of faces, both on the train and off, seemed to be turned towards Harry.

"Why are they staring?" demanded Albus as he and Rose craned around to look at the other students.

"Don't let it worry you," said Ron. "It's me. I'm extremely famous."

Albus, Rose, Hugo, and Lily laughed. The train began to move, and Harry walked alongside it, watching his son's thin face, already ablaze with excitement. Harry kept smiling and waving, even though it was like a little bereavement, watching his son glide away from him. . . .

The last trace of steam evaporated in the autumn air. The train rounded a corner. Harry's hand was still raised in farewell.

"He'll be all right," murmured Ginny.

...

Albus stood leaning out the window a while longer, and closed his eyes as the wind lashed soothingly across his face as the train gained velocity.

This was it. He was finally going to Hogwarts. He didn't after sit at home with Lily listening to James' big-headed tales each Christmas and Summer. He will experience the magic for himself – Oh! The magic. Albus smirked as he silently swore to himself, the first thing he was going to do was jinx James for his teasing. He thought of everyone in the Gryffindor common room laughing at the oh-so-popular troublemaker beaten by his little brother.

And he will be in Gryffindor. He was so determined. But why should he worry? He was courageous after all… wasn't he?

He remembered how easily he had just given in to James' taunts, how scared he had been of the "harmless" thestrals.

Pull yourself together, Al. He told himself. Of course you'll be in Gryffindor. Just persuade the hat, like Dad did.

Albus pondered this a moment further. His beginning and end will be in Gryffindor. And he will use any means to achieve his end.

A voice snatched Albus' attention back to the train.

"Aren't you coming, Al?" It was Rose. James had already ran off to God knows where.

"Uh, yeah, sure." he replied, suddenly nervous about who his new school friends will be. Rose had already lectured him on finding suitable people. She seemed to think the friends you make on the train will be your friends for school life – just like what happened to their parents.

Each loaded with a heavy trunk and owl cage, Rose and Albus struggled past already full compartments.

On their way down they came across James' compartment (obviously full) who was lounging on a seat, feet propped on the windowsill, taking no notice of his cousin or brother.

"Prat." Albus muttered as they continued searching for a seat.

When they finally came across an almost deserted compartment, save for one blond-haired first year, Albus opened the door without hesitation.

"D'ya mind if we sit here?" he asked the boy cautiously, while Rose made a disapproving noise and tugged his arm.

"Al," she whispered, quiet enough for the new boy not to hear, "That's the Malfoy kid my Dad told me about, let's move on."

But before she could hastily shuffle away, "the Malfoy kid" sighed in relief at not being left alone and clucked, "Of course. I don't bite."

Gladly, Albus entered the small room and, after stowing away his trunk and Caspian, his eagle owl, in the overhead compartment, he shook Malfoy's hand, "Hey, I'm Albus," he offered.

"Scorpius," the blonde boy replied, smiling.

It was then that Albus noticed that rose still hovered at the door nervously, scowling at Scorpius.

"Rose?" he asked, gesturing for her to sit down, as he took his own seat.

"Uh, actually, I think I'm just gonnna go find Teddy" she blurted, hastily scampering down the corridor.

"But you heard James; he's snogging his girlfriend!" Albus called after.

"You can go too, if you want." Scorpius muttered with flushed cheeks.

"Why would I do that?"

"Everyone else does. I'm a Malfoy."

"So? No one chooses their parents. It's annoying being a Potter unless you're James."

Scorpius blinked in surprise, "I didn't realise. I'm sorry."

A stretched, awkward silence permeated the small room like a hushed library.

Eventually, Albus broke the silence, "So...uh- What house are you gonna be in?"

"W-What? I'm obviously a Slytherin, my whole family was." Scorpius looked confused.

Albus chuckled slightly, "What house your in doesn't depend on your family. My Dad's godfather, Sirius Black, was a Gryffindor and his whole family was Slytherin."

"It's quite rare though."

Albus stuck his chin out confidently, "'The sorting Hat takes your choice into account.' You could always persuade it to put you in Gryffindor, like me."

"How do you know your Gryffindor already?"

"Because I am determined to prove my brother wrong."

"Yeah, well… Good luck. I don't mind being Slytherin though: it will keep my Grandfather off my back."

"Your Grandfather? Lucius Malfoy." Albus asked with a pained expression, suddenly hesitant to carry on with this conversation. "He was a Death Eater, wasn't he? Why isn't he in Askaban?"

Scorpius looked slightly offended, "He's not the kindest person in the world, but he's still family. And I don't know. Your Dad is the Head of Magical Law Enforcement, why don't you ask him?"

"Sorry, I didn't mean anything by it." he replied sheepishly.

Scorpius smirked slightly and began to giggle, Albus joined in uncertainly. Soon, the laughter died down slowly, and another awkward silence stretched before them.

Thankfully, an inviting voice from the door drew their attention: "Anything from the trolly, dears?"

Happily, the two new Hogwarts students spend the rest of their long journey sharing sweets and sharing tales.

A/N: Okay, so I'm not sure about my writing style. I'm sure you can predict what happens in the next chapter: The Sorting. But please review and tell me what you think. :)