Everything is J.K. Rowlings. I only claim the plot. Everything else is hers, all the characters and the magic, all of it. Please let me know what you think though, I encourage feed back, just be nice about it!

Names

The Potter family rushed through the crowds at King's' Cross Station, making their way to Platform 9 ¾ , James was teasing Albus once more about being put into Slytherin and Albus protested as was expected. No one knew about the plan Rose and he had transpired at the beginning of the summer. Neither of them thought the idea of Slytherin to be so terrible. But, in his family it was expected that the thought of Slytherin was appalling and so Albus acted like it was. Really the only reason he was protesting so loudly to draw the attention of his father. He knew his father wouldn't care where he ended up but he wanted his father to tell him anyway.

The family went through the wall and met up with the Weasley's. It was hard to miss them, their red hair stood out through the mist. Albus hugged Rose and they shared a secret look. Albus enjoyed having a secret that was just between him and his best friend and cousin, Rose Weasley. Albus tuned back into the adults conversation, in case they said something important, and heard them discussing a muggle drivers test.

Rose turned to say goodbye to her father and mother.

"If you're not in Gryffindor, we'll disinherit you," Ron said, "but no pressure." Rose and Albus shared horrified looks as was to be expected as Hermione admonished Ron.

That comment was one of the reasons why Rose and Albus had hatched their plan. They didn't like people judging others just based on the simple fact of what house they were in, Rose especially hated it.

Sharing another look the cousins were brought out of their thoughts by Ron saying, "Look who it is."

Everyone turned to see a trio of people standing off to the side. The young boy resembled the older blonde man just as much as Albus resembled his father.

"So that is little Scorpius," Ron was saying. "Make sure you beat him in every test, Rosie. Thank God you inherited your mother's brains." Hermione, again, admonished her husband for the comment but she smiled slightly while she did so. You could tell that she silently agreed with Ron in her hopes that Rose beat her old school rivals son.

Rose and Albus observed the young blonde boy from afar. Little did Scorpius know, he was crucial to their plans as well. They knew that if anyone else would understand he would, even without meeting him. He had the pressure of such a distinct family name just as much as they did. He too was surround by infamous stories of his parents past and how it was thrust upon him as well. Now that they knew what he looked like, thanks to Ron, their plan was made much easier.

James reappeared just then, he and Lilly had both inherited the Weasley hair while Albus had his father's raven black hair. He began talking about Victoire and Teddy snogging, little did he know but Rose and Albus had seen them at it earlier this summer and so it was old news to them but they acted like they didn't so as not to raise suspicion.

After a few more parting words everyone started climbing onto the train, Albus had yet to receive his father's unknowing assurance and so as he said goodbye to his father he dropped his voice and whispered, "What if I am in Slytherin?"

"Albus Severus, you were named for two headmasters of Hogwarts. One of them was a Slytherin and he was probably the bravest man I ever knew." This was much like what Albus expected his father to say and so he pushed a little harder.

"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."

This was not what Albus was expecting but actually even better. "Really?

"It did for me."

With that Albus went to join Rose on the train, going over this new information. He couldn't wait to tell Rose, even more assurance that their plan would work. He greeted her and watched as people started to stare at his father. Knowing the reason but playing his innocent card he asked what people were looking at. Earning Ron's joke that it was him, which wouldn't have been far off if Harry hadn't also been there.

Rose and Albus made their way down the train compartments after changing into their robes. The hallways were pretty empty at this point and so the two walked down easily, taking in the magical train that was taking them to Hogwarts while discreetly trying to find their unknowing third member. Ten minutes later they found him.

A scuffle and a shout at the end of the train drew their attention and they saw the young pale, blonde boy in the process of being roughed up by three other boys who looked in their fourth or fifth year.

"What is going on here?" Rose calls out in her most authoritative voice. Hearing the voice the boys stop but noticing Rose and Albus they just smirk.

"What do you two care? I would think you would appreciate us carrying on your parents work, taking out the Death Eaters," the boy in the middle with curly brown hair says.

"Don't assume that you know our parents, and don't assume that any student is a Death Eater simply because of what his grandfather and father did. Not only that, but he is only eleven years old against three boys like yourself who are clearly much older. That doesn't seem fair does it? You should all be ashamed of yourself."

The boys stared at her as she glared at them all in turn. When Rose wanted to be she could be incredibly convincing. Slowly the boys started walking away mumbling amongst themselves about the crazy first year.

Once they were gone Albus and Rose turned to Scorpius.

"What do you want? Don't expect me to thank you, you didn't have to do that," he sneered as he picked up his trunk and owl cage. He was already in his robes as were Rose and Albus.

"We don't expect a thank you. And yes we did have to because I won't stand for bullies," Rose responded. The boy simply glanced us over once more but said nothing. "Now, what is your name?"

The boy stared at her. "You already know who I am, so why ask that?"

"I am simply giving you a chance. I know you by a name yes, but that might not be the name you wish." The boy stared at her in confusion. "You see, you, like myself and my cousin, have a lot of pressure that goes with our names. I am offering you the chance to leave that pressure behind and join us in a friendship. So think before you answer, because depending on how you answer is how we will treat you. You can answer the way that is expected and we will treat you the way others expect, or you can tell us who you want to be and we will treat you accordingly as a friend. Now, what is your name?"

The boy stared at Rose, and then Albus, with a new look of curiosity and even a glimmer of hope. He realized what they were offering him and realized how much he wanted that. To be treated as just himself, not as the son and grandson of former Death Eaters. So after a moment, Scorpius Malfoy smiled, a true, genuine smile.

"Scorpius. Just Scorpius."

Rose and Albus grinned widely.

"Well Scorpius, it's nice to meet you. I'm Rose, just Rose."

"And I'm Albus, just Albus."

The three of them grinned at each other at this new freedom they were experiencing.

"Now, how about we find a compartment, I feel like we will have a lot to talk about," Albus said gesturing to the coincidentally empty compartment beside them. The three walked in.

Scorpius couldn't get over the fact that he may have just made his first true friends. And while Rose and Albus needed Scorpius for their plan they couldn't get over the joy of having him as a friend as well. The three sat in companionable silence, occasionally discussing Quidditch, which they all loved dearly. When the trolley lady came by they each bought a lot of sweets and as they ate their sweets, Albus decided now was the time to lead the discussion to houses and their plan.

"What house do you think you'll be in, Scorp?" Albus asked.

"Slytherin, I suppose, my whole family's been in there. Don't see why I'll be any different."

Rose and Albus exchanged another look and Albus turned back to Scorpius.

"Well, Scorp, we have a proposition to make to you."