"So that's little Scorpius," said Ron under his breath. "Make sure you beat him in every test, Rosie. Thank God you inherited your mother's brains." Rose nodded vaguely, not looking toward the Malfoy family, now trotting away toward the opposite end of the scarlet train before her. She gazed rapturously at the scene before her, only distantly aware of her mother chiding her father.
Finally, after all her parents' talk of secret passageways and ghosts and tiny professors, of ancient, singing hats and wand movements that would cause an eruption of small, yellow canaries, Rose would be going to Hogwarts. Her hand brushed against her brand new school robes as her father placed a hand on her shoulder, saying "Don't get too friendly with him though, Rosie. Granddad Weasley would never forgive you if you married a pureblood." Again, Rose nodded in a dreamy sort of manner, still imbibing the prospect of the adventures that lay before her. She bounced excitedly on the balls of her feet as James hurried back to their party, speaking quickly and, to her, incoherently about Teddy Tonks and her cousin, Victoire. After what seemed a large span of time, Harry, James' father, consulted his watch.
"It's nearly eleven, you'd better get on board," he said, storing his hands in his pockets and looking around at them all. Rose, beaming, pecked her parents on their cheeks, gave her curly-haired brother, Hugo, a one-armed hug and dashed forward, her luggage cart banging in front of her. She was met by Victoire at the door, a shining prefect badge gleaming on her chest. Her silvery hair shimmered in the autumn light and illuminated her pearly teeth.
"Rosie!" she exclaimed brightly. "Cette façon; this way, or you won't get a good compartment!" Rose thanked her fleetingly and sped up the steps into a long hallway where students in muggle-clad attire were congregated. Heart swelling, Rose set off down the hall, looking into each compartment for a place for her to sit. The loneliest compartment she came across was occupied by a boy about her age with white-blond hair and a pale face. Rose tentatively slid the compartment door open and poked her curly-brown head inside.
"Hullo," she said softly looking toward the boy. He looked up sharply from his knees into her freckled face and gave her a sort of half-willing wave. Rose frowned a little at her less than welcome greeting. "May I sit down?"
"Sure," was all the boy managed and leaned his head against his the window. Rose open her mouth once more but was interrupted by James, who half fell into her compartment, cried "Come on! Let's go wave everyone g'bye" and grabbed Rose by the arm, pulling her away from her luggage and the gloomy boy. Rose hurtled out of the compartment, tripping a little on her robes and flung her head out the window, waving to her family and the Potters. She watched as Albus scampered hurriedly into the train and a loud, high-pitched whistle blew over the goodbyes of parents and students.
Rose did not wait for her parents to slide away from view, but returned to her compartment where the boy sat, gazing out the window with fearful gray eyes.
"Sorry about that," said Rose when she entered the compartment once again. "I was just saying goodbye to my mom and dad and brother." When he did not answer, Rose frowned a little. "So, why didn't you say goodbye to your family?" The boy glanced in her direction.
"I didn't want to," he mumbled, slouching ever more in his seat.
"Oh." Rose pulled on her father's old trunk handle and yanked it upward. The initials RBW glinted feebly in the fluorescent lighting. Arching her back, she attempted to raise the trunk to the trunk space above, but was easily conquered by its weight. Staggering, Rose felt some added support from the other side of the trunk.
"Thanks," she grunted to the boy and together they lifted the trunk up into its holding place. Rose saw the boy nod modestly.
"Whose trunk was that?" he asked as he reseated himself by the window. Rose smiled, grateful for some conversation.
"My dad's. We have the same initials, so he said I could have it." The boy nodded again.
"What's your name?"
"Rose Bernadette Weasley. My dad's is Ron Bilius Weasley. See? They're the same! What's your name?" The boy frowned at this questions; he paused for a moment, cocking his head slightly as if wondering if she could be trusted with something so personal. At that moment, dark-haired little Albus stumbled into the compartment, breathless and fearful.
"Rosie!" he cried, looking relieved. "Hi, I've been looking all over for you. James says I can't sit with him, can I sit with you?" Rose looked over to her nameless companion.
"Would you mind?" she asked apologetically. Still frowning the boy shrugged and looked out the window as Albus took a seat next to Rose. "Anyway," she said, directing her attention back onto the boy. "What's your name?" The boy hesitated again, flashing his gray eyes upon Albus' green and then onto Rose's blue.
"Scorpius Cygnus." Albus seemed to sit up straighter at this. He narrowed his eyes slightly.
"That's a really-" Rose began.
"You're a Malfoy?" Albus shot at the boy; he nodded, looking slightly bewildered. Albus's mouth became thin and his eyes darted upon Rose, who was shooting Albus a curious look. "Rose, come on, let's go find another compartment," he muttered reaching for Rose's hand.
"Albus, what's the matter with you? I don't want to leave," Rose said, looking indignant and withdrew her hand from his.
"Rose." Rose looked up at the sound of her name, spoken with quiet tenderness and sympathy. Scorpius was looking paler than usual and his face seemed strained. "Go on. He's right; our…our families don't mix." Rose crossed her arms and leaned farther into her seat, determined not to be ordered about by anyone.
"I don't care," she said defiantly. "If you have a problem with it, Al, you go on. I'm staying." Now it was Albus' turn to look strained. "Don't you worry about me. I'll be fine." Albus hesitated a moment, glancing between Scorpius and Rose. Rose raised her eyebrows at him and he left, closing the compartment door with a small click. Looking back to her companion, Rose saw that Scorpius was grinning.