A/N: J.K. Rowling owns anything and anyone you recognise as canon.
Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy watched his father, Draco Lucius Malfoy as he nodded curtly at a group of people. Scorpius had heard about them.
Harry and Ginny Potter with Ron and Hermione Weasley.
He noticed Ron mutter something to Harry, then to a red-headed girl nearby. Hermione said something, half amused, yet Ron added something else to the girl.
He sighed. He knew it. It was as plain as day.
They were talking about him.
A Malfoy.
The prejudice was annoying.
He was nothing like his father, instead, he had his mother's personality. He asked, without turning to father, "They're talking about me, aren't they? The Potters and Weasleys?"
Draco perked up then sighed, "Sorry son, just don't let it get to you."
Scorpius nodded. It was a habit. He was forced to agree with everything his father said. Whether he was talking to him, or someone else.
Just then, a boy, a Potter, pushed Scorpius out of his way as he ran toward his family, "Out of the way!"
Draco growled at him. Scorpius asked, "Potter, I'm guessing?"
Draco nodded and led his son toward the Hogwarts Express. The last thing that Draco said to him was, "Good luck in Slytherin, son."
Scorpius sighed inwardly, but nodded at the same time. As he sat down, alone in an empty compartment, he growled.
He wanted to be normal. He hated what he'd grown up with, the prejudice from Draco( :his father), and Lucius( :his grandfather)'s actions, the warnings about the Potters and Weasleys, the pressure of being in Slytherin.
Most times, he wished it would all just go away.
A head poked through and Albus Potter asked, "Can I sit here?"
Scorpius shrugged nonchalantly, "Go ahead. It's your choice, not mine."
Albus, immensely relieved, sat down across Scorpius and sighed. He introduced, "I'm Albus Potter, call me Al."
Scorpius then realized that someone who wasn't a Malfoy, was talking to him, and replied, "Sorry — I'm Scorpius Malfoy."
Al nodded at him. James poked his head through, "Al, there you—" He noticed Scorpius, who in response, didn't sigh, he was raised to not be affected by the prejudice. James glared at him as he turned to his brother, "You shouldn't be with his kind Al. He—"
Neither Scorpius nor Albus knew where the latter's confidence came from as he replied, "So what? Is it a crime to sit in the same compartment as a Malfoy? Because if it is, then someone should've told me sooner!" James left silently.
Scorpius gazed at him and said, "Thanks."
Al replied, "You're welcome."
After a while, Al said, "It's annoying, isn't it?" He turned to him as he elaborated, "Everyone thinks I'm going to be just like my dad, in Gryffindor, a great Quidditch player, "do great things" — whatever that's supposed to mean; Mr Ollivander kept looking at me like I'd saved his life or something!"
Scorpius nodded and added, "People think you and your siblings are going to hate me."
Al nodded, "It's not true, James might hate you, but I don't …"
Yet. Scorpius added instinctively as Albus ended, "…and Lils isn't starting for another two years."
A thought came to Scorpius which he asked, "Why are you telling me this?"
Albus shrugged, "I dunno. It's better than the silence."
The girl who Ron was talking to, came and asked, "Hey Al, can I join you?"
The boy nodded and scooted over so he was right across Scorpius. Rose sat down next to her cousin. She then took a deep breath, "I can't believe it. We're finally going to Hogwarts."
Albus nodded, "I know. Hu and Lils must be heartbroken."
She comforted, "They'll live. They've got each other."
Scorpius watched as they comforted each other from the pressure of Hogwarts. He was envious. They had each other, cousins, siblings, relatives. He stared out the window.
None of his relatives were his age. He only had one cousin, a girl: Aquila Zabini.
But Aquila and her parents, Aunt Daphne and Uncle Blaise, had chosen to live abroad. Scorpius and Aquila only saw each other during family reunions, which were rare. He sighed inwardly.
Rose, as she was called, got up, "You two better change into your robes. I'd say we're almost there."
She then exited.
Just as they were finished, James came in, "Come on Al. The others're waiting."
Al turned to Scorpius and asked, "You want to come with?"
Scorpius shook his head, knowing that Al would be the only one that'd want him there. Al exited with his brother.
Scorpius walked out of the train and heard a voice yell, "Firs' years this way! Firs' years with me!" Scorpius followed the voice as did Al and Rose.
All the way to the castle, Scorpius was thinking about why Potter had been so nice to him. He hadn't done anything for him. He wasn't family. So, why? Why had he talked to him? Why had he offered him to join his group? Why had he defended him?
Scorpius was not paying much (or any) attention to the first-years whom were all panicking about what they were supposed to do to get Sorted. Draco had already told Scorpius that you only had to try on a Hat. Although as they entered the Great Hall, Scorpius found that his father had forgotten to mention the crucial fact that the Sorting Hat sang.
Some of the other first-years looked terrified at the sight of the singing Hat. When it finished, the Hat bowed and everyone clapped. Then, Professor of Transfiguration and Deputy Headmistress Beatrix Vivier explained how the Sorting Ceremony worked. A few first-years looked relieved but others seemed a bit … disturbed … at the idea of trying on a singing Hat. Then, Professor Vivier held up the scroll of parchment and read aloud, "Angell, Priscilla!"
A dark haired girl swaggered over to the Sorting Hat — Rose was strongly reminded of some snobbish rich girl she had once read about — the Sorting Hat barely brushed her head before declaring —
"SLYTHERIN!"
Rose rolled her eyes. Priscilla Angell's confidence fade in the slightest as she cat-walked over to the Slytherin Table. She seemed to give off the impression that she had done this before.
Meanwhile, Albus caught sight of Lysander Scamander at the Slytherin Table. It may have been his imagination; but for a split second, Lysander looked a bit lonely, then reverted back to his impartial self.
"Awbrey, Marcus!"
The black haired boy seemed to be a professional at keeping his expression impartial as no-one felt he was nervous in the slightest. Scorpius believed this until Marcus Awbrey walked past him and Scorpius caught sight of his shaking hand. Calmly, but still shaking, the Sorting Hat covered his eyes and for a few moments, the Great Hall was enveloped in an expecting silence — that is, until —
"RAVENCLAW!"
The table second from the left clapped as Marcus Awbrey smiled before joining them.
"Benlows, Calvin!" became the first Gryffindor. Albus watched as his cousins Victoire and Dominique; her best friend Ally Longbottom; his older brother James cheered, along with his best friends, Fred Weasley II and Lorcan Scamander. As Calvin seated himself onto the Gryffindor table, Al hoped James would cheer for him too.
"Beverly, Necia!" reminded Rose of Luna Scamander and this was more profound as she joined Ravenclaw alongside Marcus.
The list went on — "Blyton, Letitia!" groaned and muttered something on her trip to the Hat where she became the third Ravenclaw. However, "Burnell, Adrian!" became the first Hufflepuff.
"Burton, Marissa!" joined Calvin Benlows in Gryffindor, but "Camville, Ace!" was destined for Ravenclaw.
The "Castell, " twins both became eager Slytherins, causing Scorpius to feel a bit nervous. A few Sortings that went back and forth between Slytherin and Gryffindor and a few Hufflepuffs later, Professor Vivier reached —
"Malfoy, Scorpius!"
Ignoring all the whispers and mutterings of the Great Hall, Scorpius sat down and placed the hat atop his head.
The hat spoke, but it seemed only Scorpius could hear it, "Ah, I haven't had a challenge in ages."
A challenge? I thought this was easy. I'm a Malfoy, don't I belong in Slytherin?
"Is that why you want to be in Slytherin?"
There's nothing about want. I have to be in Slytherin. Dad was, Mum was, Aunt Daphne and Uncle Blaise were, Aqui might as well have been.
"So I see. You'd do well in Slytherin…"
Phew!
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Whispers broke out into the hall. But the professor beside him didn't care, she lifted the hat and read out the next name as Scorpius made his way to the Gryffindor table. Albus noticed that neither James, nor Victoire, Fred or Lorcan cheered; although Dominique and Ally were only being polite. Despite this, Albus smiled at Scorpius and became so lost in thought about what'd happen if he wasn't put into Gryffindor that he'd zoned out of the Sortings, until some kid nudged him and Professor Vivier called —
"Potter, Albus!"
Al sat down and placed the Hat atop his head.
"Another Potter I see. You'd do well in Gryffindor, like your family…"
I thought this was my Sorting…
"However, there is potential in you my boy — yes, I see — like in your Father, a thirst to prove yourself…"
So? Are you going to put in Gryffindor or what? Just get it over and done with…
"Your mind says Gryffindor but I can hear your subconscious screaming — if that's what you want — alright, then…"
Albus closed his eyes, shutting everyone away from the world.
"SLYTHERIN!"
Whispers broke out again. Rose gaped. James and the other relatives watched on speechless as Al made his way to the Slytherin table, solemn.
His worst fears had come true.
He had broken the tradition.
Sadly, he failed to notice the intrigued look in Priscilla's eyes. It took a while for everyone to recover as the Sortings continued, "Stewart, " … "Taverner, " … "Thomas, " and soon, there weren't many first-years left.
With every Sorting, Rose grew more and more nervous. She failed to keep track of what anyone was saying — the world seemed to blur — Rose couldn't make anything out, she felt terribly light-headed, until Professor Vivier snapped her back to reality.
"Weasley, Rose!"
Rose gulped inwardly but sat down as the Hat covered her eyes.
Please put me in Gryffindor, please put me in Gryffindor, please put me in Gryffindor!
"Oh, and why?"
Because Dad said if I'm not in Gryffindor, he'll disinherit me!
"Ah, young pressure. Well then, it's best to not disappoint your father, eh?"
Phew!
"RAVENCLAW!"
Rose sat down for a few moments, trying to collect her self before she made her way to the Ravenclaws.
Her worst fear was going to come true.
She would be disinherited.
Scorpius, Albus and Rose all sat at their respective Tables, all lost in thought of disappointing their parents; the rest of the Sorting Ceremony unimportant. However, Scorpius eventually snapped back to reality when the last kid to be Sorted, Gavin Wood, sat down across him at the Gryffindor Table.
Headmaster Dumbledore stood up and gave a speech, although what he said, Scorpius didn't know. He was still trying to let sink in the results of his Sorting.
He noticed that whilst Albus Potter tried to converse with some Slytherins; one a first-year girl (Hanwell, was it?) and the other a third year boy — like himself, Rose Weasley looked completely lost and alone, despite Estelle Taverner's attempts to cheer her up by making a monster out of the food.
None of the Gryffindors acknowledged Scorpius' existence as he quietly joined in the Feast.
Later on, Scorpius was shocked to find himself in the Gryffindor Common Room, instead of Slytherin. He looked around, it must've been a dream, but it wasn't.
He was in Gryffindor, and that was that. Just like Al was in Slytherin and that girl in Ravenclaw.
What would his family think?
More importantly, what would his father think?
Draco would be furious, maybe Scorpius would be disinherited.
Later that night, Scorpius could not sleep. He stared up at his four poster bed. From where the red, scarlet, curtains hung, instead of green, like they should've been. He sat up to see if anyone was awake. They weren't.
Slipping on his shoes, he set off to find Al, to figure out why he'd been so kind to him, and perhaps even, if he was lucky, why he was sorted into Gryffindor instead of Slytherin.
Scorpius thought and thought. But he could not find why Albus Potter had been so kind to him.
Why he had been treated that way?
Wasn't he a Potter and Scorpius a Malfoy? Weren't Potters and Malfoys supposed to detest each other? Maybe Al didn't know that…
No, Potter knew it, his brother had proved that.
But then, why?
Why did he do it? Couldn't he just be normal and hate Scorpius? Like he was supposed to?
Just before he turned a corner, he heard voices, Rose was near-sobbing, "This is so unfair! I'm going to be disowned! I know it, I just know it!"
James' voice, jokingly added, "Of course you do, you're in Ravenclaw, aren't you?"
That set Rose off. She was sobbing quietly. Al whisper-yelled, "Will you two shush? We could be heard!"
Scorpius didn't say anything, in case he might set Rose off who had silenced for now.
He stood there silent and still, listening close. For what reason, Scorpius was not sure.
From behind him, Scorpius heard footsteps approaching. Not wanting to get caught, Scorpius hid behind the tapestry that hung on the wall opposite.
Just as Argus Filch stepped on the spot where Scorpius had previously stood, a crooked smile etched itself upon his face. Scorpius was miraculously silent but that was not what Filch had discovered.
"Ssh Rosie, don't listen to James!" Albus whisper-comforted.
Rose was still sobbing. James did not sound sorry at all, "Come on, it's this way."
Al, Rose and James turned the corner only to come face to face with their caretaker: Argus Filch.
Argus' creepy grin did not fade. He lowered to James' level, staring at him in the face, lantern still in one hand.
"Well, well, well, James Potter." He chuckled, "I'm going to enjoy this. Who's idea was it, eh? You Potter? Or your little brother?"
Maybe he wanted to get even with Al, or maybe it just his Gryffindor courage, but for some reason, Scorpius stepped out from behind the tapestry, "No! It's … it's my fault."
James' stare stiffened and Rose stared but Al smiled slightly. He ignored Rose's tears, "Another one, eh? And a Malfoy too! Come on then you lot. Arminger'll set you right."
He turned around, but just then, another adult approached, "Hey, what's going on here?"
James grinned, "Alright! We're saved!"
Professor Neville Longbottom approached the group, guided by wand-light. He smiled at Filch, glad that he had the authority to roam the corridors at night and not get caught, "Hello Filch. Beautiful night, no?"
Filch growled but Neville turned serious, "Well? Anyone want to tell me what's going on?"
The caretaker smiled, hoping the power of being a teacher would go to Neville's head and pointed at Scorpius, "This brat decided to call his friends out for a midnight stroll. I was about to take'em to Arminger."
Neville chuckled, "All these years and you haven't altered in the slightest Filch. But there's no need, I'll take care of them. You get some rest. Go on." Filch growled but obeyed.
Neville turned around to face the students. Scorpius looked at the children. James, Al and Rose all seemed to know him. How?
"Come on you four. Off to my office." He marched away, with the other four right behind him.
Scorpius stood still and quiet, trying his best to fit in with the dark shadows of the night as he watched Professor Longbottom chat with the kids. The topic had gone from someone named "Frank" coming to Hogwarts to someone named "Ally" who apparently, was already at Hogwarts.
Then — "So, was Filch telling the truth?"
Scorpius perked up. James turned sheepish, "It was my fault to be honest."
Neville folded his arms, "Why?"
Scorpius and Neville nearly jumped when Al and Rose started complaining about not being in Gryffindor. Neville calmed them down and then asked, "How come Filch said that it was him then?" He jerked his head towards Scorpius.
James' eyes seemed to harden.
"Because I told him so Professor." Scorpius stared at his feet.
"And where you telling the truth in doing so?"
"No Sir."
"Then why were you out of bed at this time?"
"I couldn't sleep."
"Any ideas why?"
"There's been a lot on my mind."
"Elaborations?"
"I wish not to Sir."
"Alright."
Scorpius sighed in relief and appreciation. Thank Merlin Professor Longbottom wasn't at all nosy.
Neville sighed, then said, "C'mere."
Scorpius looked up to see Neville gesturing towards him. He obeyed and stood near Al, but stayed a reasonable distance away.
Neville bent down to their level, "Look, the first year is always the hardest. But don't worry. Everything always works out in the end. I mean, look at me, I was hopeless when I began but now I'm Head of Gryffindor and Herbology Professor!"
Albus and Rose smiled slightly as Scorpius wondered what he meant by "hopeless". Neville carried on, "You've got each other, and James, Fred, Victoire, Dominique, Ally, Lorcan and Lysander."
Scorpius blinked at the many names that had just been listed. Who were they? Probably Weasleys.
Al recalled, "Oh, yea! Sander's in Slytherin too!"
Neville nodded, smiling. The young Potter cheered up immediately, "Thanks Neville!"
Scorpius' eyes widened.
Did Potter just call his Herbology Professor by his first name?
Scorpius looked over at Rose who looked down. He had a somewhat strange urge to comfort her. After all, he knew how lonely it must be for her.
The Herbology Professor hugged Rose, rubbing her back, "Ron and Hermione will be proud of you Rosie. You'll see."
He let go and she wiped her tears. Neville stood up straight, "Come on, off to bed you three. A big day tomorrow."
He then instructed James to take Scorpius with him up to Gryffindor Tower whilst Neville himself showed Rose and Al to their respective dorms.
As they parted ways, Scorpius felt it was best to keep his distance and not make any unnecessary noise. James seemed annoyed enough just being in his vicinity.
When Scorpius finally remembered the tapestry that would lead them upstairs to the corridor where the Gryffindor common room was, James stopped and turned around; his expression dark.
Scorpius should've taken a step back, but the stupid spirit of Godric Gryffindor inside him, just wouldn't give in. Scorpius took a deep breath, preparing himself for what was about to come.
James roughly grabbed the front of Scorpius' shirt and pushed him against the wall with all his might, "The Sorting Hat was obviously mistaken; scum like you should stay in Slytherin — but I warn you, if you come within ten feet of any of my family or friends — you'll be on your way to St. Mungo's faster than you can blink."
Scorpius, in immense pain, knew that James was not lying.
James then threw him onto the floor and added, "Another thing; if my brother approaches you, ignore him. He's an idiot — but go near him and it'll be the last thing you ever do."
Scorpius gave a weak nod. James then headed upstairs. When Scorpius was sure that James was back in his dormitory, only then did Scorpius pull himself up and walked up the stairs; on the way shedding a tear but smiling and saying to himself, "It's going to be a long year…"
Scorpius wiped his eye and took a deep breath. He had promised himself that he would not let anyone get to him. Draco had enough troubles as it was; Scorpius would take some of the pain for his father. He would let the people at Hogwarts walk all over him if he had to just so that they could vent out their anger on the Malfoy name without further troubling his father. But Scorpius had also promised himself that he would not let his father find out about any tribulation that was to come — he would be fine.
Since, that was all that she had ever wanted from her grandson.