Summary:

Rose could be described - to some extent - as a typical Hogwarts student. She was a Gryffindor, Prefect, Chaser, one of the brightest in her year and a registered Animagus (taking the form of a red vixen).

Life has thrown some things at her, but with the tight bonds of her friends and family, she's made it through. Little did she know that this year her life will change completely, and things will never be the same again.

Join our favourite Weasley as she realises that her sweet sixteenth year of life isn't going to be quite a straightforward as she'd hoped.

So I'm doing a prologue on how the quartet featured in this story first met, where they were sorted and how they all became friends. Set after the Deathly Hallows epilogue.

Rose glanced over at her cousin. Albus was sitting in the corner of the compartment, staring absently out of the window. Rose had long since given up on trying to get him to speak, but it didn't mean that she wasn't worried - quite the contrary.

She had tried to read her favourite Muggle novel, but in the end just shut it and sat worrying about her cousin and what house she would be sorted in. The book lay in her lap. Anyone who looked at it could tell that it was read the most out of all of Rose's books, as the spine was bent and the front cover bearing sings of dried teardrops. Rose could usually sit reading it for hours, and the walls around her could come crashing down and the young girl would not have passed any heed. Today, however, was different.

Rose had always hoped to be in Gryffindor, a hope that had increased as every family member before her had been sorted into said house. Also - even though she knew that her father was joking - she did not want to be disowned. She supposed there was also the chance of her being sorted into Ravenclaw. If this was so, she hoped that nobody would mind. Her father had said "thank God you inherited your mother's brains" so that must mean that he was proud, right?

The sound of the compartment door being slid open dragged Rose from her musing. She looked towards the door expectantly. A girl - another first year - stood in the doorway. She had a nervous air about her. There was a polite, shy smile on her rather round face, and her long blonde hair, which was a shade lighter than honey-blonde, fell across her face, she turned her glasz eyes on Rose and spoke softly.

"Hi. I'm Alice Longbottom. I think everywhere else is full, so ..."

She trailed off. Rose, understanding, patted the seat beside her with a smile.

"Thanks," said Alice gratefully, now struggling to get her trunk into the luggage rack. Rose tried to help her, but couldn't manage it. This was when Albus finally unglued his eyes from the compartment window and went to help the two struggling girls. He smiled at them, almost as shyly as Alice had.

The three of them sat down.

"I'm Rose," Rose told Alice. "And this is my cousin-"

Albus took over. "Albus. Nice to meet you."

"Likewise," said Alice shyly, her cheeks tingeing a little pink, most likely because she was in the presence of Harry Potter's son and niece.

"Our parents knew each other, didn't they?" Rose asked, trying to break the ice a little more.

Alice's flush suddenly turned to one of pride as she told them about how her father had killed Nagini. Rose knew this story already. She smiled a little at the other girl, and then turned her eyes to Albus. Her cousin was once again staring out of the window.

"Are you ok?" she asked him quietly.

"Fine," he said, then he turned to face her. "Just a little nervous about the sorting."

His unconvincing smile told Rose that this wasn't the whole truth, but she dropped the subject.

Alice finished telling them about her father's beheading of Voldemort's snake as the compartment door slid open again.

Rose recognised the boy standing in the doorway immediately. He stood taller than the three sitting in the compartment, his face was slightly pointed, and his smile was fearful and nervous.

"What do you want?" said Albus, with hatred Rose had never thought him capable. Rose was willing to give the boy a chance, as her mother had said, "don't turn them against each other before they've even started school!" but then she realised that Albus and Scorpius had been turned against each other since before they were born. Rose felt immensely proud of her mother for encouraging her to give Scorpius a chance, after what Lucius had done to the family …

"Everywhere else was full," said Scorpius. His voice was soft, polite and completely empty of coldness and all other things normally present in Malfoys' voices. "I'm not supposed to even talk to any of you … but if I could sit here you'd be helping me out a lot.

Rose, ready to tell the boy no and to get out, suddenly met his eyes and felt short of breath. It was a complete shock. His eyes were a perfect blend of grey and blue, and, like his voice, were not cold. Rose had been unfortunate enough to have looked into both Lucius and Draco Malfoys' eyes. They were both identical, a stone cold grey. Scorpius's eyes, however, were different, and it was that that startled her.

She forced a smile. "We don't mind."

Scorpius smiled gratefully, putting his trunk in the luggage rack and sitting beside Rose. He kept his eyes averted from Albus, who was glaring pointedly at him, and addressed Rose instead.

"I know who you two are, of course," he said, with a small, rather nervous chuckle. "But … are you a Longbottom? You have that sort of face …"

"Yeah," said Alice, with a small smile. "I'm Alice Longbottom."

Scorpius nodded. Nobody mentioned the fact that his great aunt had tortured Alice's grandparents into insanity. Rose was glad that Albus didn't.

After a few moments of silence, the witch pushing the trolley appeared. Rose, Alice and Scorpius bought food to share, and Albus took a few Chocolate Frogs, a Pumpkin Pasty and a Cauldron Cake to himself in silence, without looking at any of them.

Rose, Alice and Scorpius told each other more about themselves, and traded Chocolate Frog cards. Such fun she was having that Rose nearly forgot about her cousin, sitting moodily in silence as far away from the other three as possible.

Rose looked through all the Chocolate Frog cards that they had accumulated together as the other three changed into their robes. Darkness had fallen, and, as they drew close to Hogsmeade Station, even Albus forgot, in his excitement, that he was supposed to be shooting pointed glares at Scorpius every few minutes.

They scrambled out of the train eagerly, Alice tripping over her robes. Rose helped the other girl up and the four of them (much to Albus's disgust) headed towards the huge figure of Hagrid, who was calling "Firs' years, over here! All firs' years to me! Firs' years …"

"Hello Albus," he said, as the four of them stopped in front of him. "And Rosie. Made friend's already?"

Rose smiled and nodded. "This is Alice Longbottom and Scorpius Malfoy."

Albus made a noise as she said Scorpius's name. She glared at her cousin.

"Knew all of yer parents, o' course," said Hagrid. "All good people -" he leaned towards Scorpius and dropped his voice. "-whatever people might say."

Scorpius smiled at the half-giant and followed the other three to one of the boats. Their fellow first years were just as excited as they were. One of the Muggleborn girls, who had strawberry blonde hair, was terrified that she would fall into the lake, as Dennis Creevey had done in his first year.

The fleet of boats set off across the Black Lake. Rose stared intently towards where she would see Hogwarts. There was a collective gasp from the first years. Hogwarts was more amazing than James could ever have described it. It was set on a cliff, and Rose reflected on how much it had survived. It was the most beautiful building she had ever seen.

The boats hit the edge of the lake with a thud, and the first years nearly fell into the water in their eagerness to get out.

Rose smiled as she climbed out of her boat first, helping the others. They followed Hagrid to the Entrance Hall.

"The firs' years, Professor" said Hagrid to Professor Longbottom, who was waiting for them. Alice looked everywhere but her father as he replied, "Thanks, Hagrid."

Professor Longbottom explained to them about the four houses and the tradition of Hogwarts. Rose wasn't really listening, and neither were any of the others. She already knew plenty about Hogwarts.

They were left standing in the Entrance Hall, and the ghosts arrived. A few of them commented on how much Albus looked like his father, or which house they hoped they'd be in. The ghosts drifted through the door just as it opened.

"Follow me," said Professor Longbottom with a smile.

They obeyed, forming a line behind him. The students already in the Great Hall looked around at the first years filing in.

Rose looked around at them all. Victoire caught her eye and beamed.

The first years stood nervously, waiting for the hat to start singing. Rose heard the first couple of lines before being overcome by nervousness and not paying ay attention anymore. When the applause rang out, she joined it a second late.

Professor Longbottom took out the list and started calling the first years' names.

"Byrne, William" became the first Ravenclaw. He walked over to the applauding table, sitting beside a girl with the same ginger hair; probably his sister.

The nervous group of first years became smaller. Rose felt like her insides were in knots.

"Longbottom, Alice"

Rose shot her friend a reassuring smile. Alice exchanged a look with her father before sitting on the stool. The hat stayed on her head for five seconds before deciding, "GRYFFINDOR!"

Another two students were sorted, then;

"Malfoy, Scorpius"

Scorpius, looking as nervous as Rose felt, sat on the stool. The hat was placed on his head. It took a whole minute to decide, before shouting, "GRYFFINDOR!"

The hat's shout rang in the silence. Nobody clapped; nobody made a sound. It was becoming unbearable.

Then, finally, the Gryffindor table began to clap, starting with Alice. Scorpius got up and sat beside her. They smiled at each other.

Everything returned back to normal then.

"Potter, Albus."

Albus looked worse than Scorpius had. Rose felt her worry for her cousin return, mixed with the nervousness and loneliness; for she was now standing alone.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Albus looked as if he was positively glowing with happiness. He walked towards the Gryffindor table as fast as he possibly could, and sat on the other side of Alice, pointedly ignoring Albus. James, who was sitting close by, cuffed him on the shoulder.

There was one more student sorted until Rose's name was called.

"Weasley, Rose"

She sat on the three-legged stool and the hat was placed on her head.

The muttering in her ear began at once; "Hmm … we have another Weasley … most of you can be sorted into Gryffindor straight away, but you're like you're mother aren't you? Great brain, and great courage …. Gryffindor or Ravenclaw? Hmm …. better be GRYFFINDOR!"

Rose nearly skipped to the Gryffindor table, sitting in between Alice and Scorpius to put more distance between the two boys. The sorting finished with "Zeller, Lucy" who became a Hufflepuff, the hat and stool were taken away, and Professor McGonagall stood up to greet them.

There was a collective gasp from the Muggleborn first years as the food appeared. The girl with strawberry-blonde hair that had been afraid of falling into the black lake, who was sitting across from Rose, looked awed, still drinking the Great Hall in and trying to come to terms with the fact that food had just appeared out of nowhere.

Albus, who most unfortunately took after Rose's father when it came to food, wasted no time in digging in, and his mouth was soon full to bursting.

Rose ate her food more delicately, savouring the flavours. The house elves were good at cooking; there was no denying it.

Alice arranged her food perfectly on the plate before popping it into her mouth. She had a smile on her face, and started chatting animatedly to the girl with strawberry-blonde hair across from them, who it transpired was called Amy.

Scorpius, however, did not eat much at all. He was playing with his food, and looking a mixture of pleased and fearful. When Rose asked him what was wrong, he said in a low voice, "Don't think Dad's going to be too happy about this."

He indicated the table he was sitting at and Rose understood. She grimaced and then returned to her food, shooting glances at the taller boy every minute or so.

If he was lucky enough to have parents who loved him just as much as Rose's loved her; he'd be fine.

The five Gryffindor first year girls stayed up for a half hour, talking. They got along well. Rose liked the other three girls; twins, Aisha and Samantha Thomas, and Amy Thompson, the same girl Alice had been talking to.

When they had finally succumbed to tiredness, they'd climbed into their respective four poster beds and fallen asleep almost instantly.

The first day dawned unusually sunny for September, and Rose and Alice walked down to breakfast to find Albus and Scorpius already there. Albus was sitting beside his brother and Scorpius sat a way away, chewing toast mechanically. Rose and Alice sat on either side of Scorpius.

"Morning," he said, with a slight smile.

"Morning," Rose and Alice echoed, a fraction of a second after each other.

They ate in silence after that. When the post arrived, Rose found that her owl, Angel, had brought a letter for her. It was from her mother.

Rose,

Congratulations to you and Albus on getting into Gryffindor; everybody's so proud. We were surprised when we heard that Draco Malfoy's son was sorted into Gryffindor too. I know your father would have some difficulty if you were to become friends, but we don't mind. It's not like you can completely avoid him when you're in the same year and house.

Look out for Albus will you? I know you're usually very close anyway, but we don't want James to get to him, do we?

Your father and Hugo send their love,

Mum

Rose folded her letter and put it in one of her textbooks. Then she looked over to Scorpius, who had also gotten a letter; a letter in an angry red envelope; a howler.

Scorpius's hands were trembling as he opened it, and Draco Malfoy's voice echoed around the Great Hall, telling Scorpius that he had brought shame on the Malfoys and was lucky not to be disowned. Then a much kinder, softer and feminine voice said, "Don't worry about your father, dear. He's just a little shocked. We'll see you at Christmas …"

It was too late to console Scorpius, however. He looked on the verge of tears.

"Why don't you change to Slytherin?" said Albus suddenly, in the same cold, sneering voice full of hatred as the previous day. "It'd do everyone a favour."

Then Scorpius succumbed to the tears that had obviously been building up. Rose sent an icy glare at her cousin, tugged at Alice's sleeve to get her to follow suit, and followed Scorpius out of the Great Hall.

"I can't believe him!" she fumed, as she and Alice walked along the hallway.

"D'you think Scorpius is all right?" Alice asked, in a quite low, scared tone.

"I suppose he'll be ok," Rose murmured. "It's not the worst howler I've heard …"

The two girls checked in every room that they passed, and finally found their friend in the empty Charms classroom, sitting on one of the desks, his head hung low.

He looked up at the sound of the door clicking shut. His face was stained with them, though it seemed that the tears no longer seeped down his cheeks.

The two girls sat next to him. Rose fished a handkerchief out of her pocket and passed it over to Scorpius. He took it.

"Don't mind Albus," said Alice. "He's just being …"

She trailed off, unable to think of a word that described what Albus was being.

"Like James," Rose supplied grimly. It was true; James was the one who would ridicule someone over their family, not Albus.

Alice nodded. Even if she had only met James once; she had heard plenty to know what he was like; the perfect namesake for his grandfather.

"Thanks," Scorpius muttered, after a moment's silence. "You guys are great."

"Any time," said Alice, with a smile.

"Your welcome, Scorpius," Rose added.

"Call me Scorp," he said, stowing the handkerchief in his pocket. "Scorpius is too long - and terrible."

"You sound like Al," said Rose. Albus hated being called Albus, and thought that Albus Severus was the worst name one could have. "His full name is Albus Severus Potter. How weird does that sound?"

"Mine's Scorpius Hypernion," said Scorpius, with a slight grimace. "How weird does that sound?"

"Very," said Rose. "Maybe you and Al aren't as different as you think."

She slipped from the table and stood before the other two.

Scorpius frowned. "What d'you mean?"

Rose did not elaborate, but headed towards the door, opening it, and saying, just before she disappeared through it, "We'll be late for Transfiguration."

It was Thursday. The common room was almost empty, apart from four people. Rose, Alice and Scorpius were sitting on the couch. Scorpius was staring into the embers of the fire and Alice and Rose were talking, while Rose read a book.

Albus was sitting alone in the other corner of the common room, desperately trying to get his essay, which was due for the next day, finished. He ran a hand through his hair, making it even messier than it had been, looking frustrated. He had refused help from the other three, even though he obviously needed it. Rose, though still angry at her cousin, was worried. She was hardly paying any attention to the conversation she and Alice were having, and she lifted her eyes from the book to glance at Albus.

Alice realised this; sighed and sank into a seat across from Albus.

"What is your problem?" she demanded.

"I thought that was clear," said Albus coolly, his eyebrows raising.

"It doesn't take a genius to work out that Scorpius is different," snapped Alice coldly.

"It's his family that I have the most problem with," said Albus. "You know his grandfather's in Azkaban, don't you?"

Alice nodded. Rose shut her book with a loud snap.

"You're not going to tell her …?"

"I am," said Albus firmly. "You two hate me because I'm not giving him a chance, when I have perfectly good reason not to."

He turned back to Alice, whose eyebrows were now hidden in her hair.

"My Mum and Dad used to live in Grimmauld Place," he said. "They got married just after Mum left Hogwarts, and moved in …. They had twins."

Scorpius shifted uncomfortably in his seat next to Rose.

"Lucius Malfoy tried to kill them all," Albus continued, in a low voice. "Even Ron and Hermione - they were staying there. Obviously, the twins died, and everyone else survived."

Silent tears were pouring down Rose's cheeks, Alice was wiping hers away with her sleeve, Scorpius's eyes were brimming with them, but none fell, and Albus had turned his head away, meaning that he too was crying.

"What were they called?" Alice asked, breaking the silence. "The twins."

It was Rose who answered.

"Rose," she whispered, another tear rolling down her cheek. "And Hugo."

She leaned back against what she had thought to be the back of the couch, but was actually Scorpius's shoulder. He didn't bat an eyelid, and turned to Albus, who was looking (or rather glaring), in his direction.

"I knew," said Scorpius softly. "And you should know that I've never been more ashamed of anything but my father and grandfather; how disgusted I am to have their blood running through my veins. And you should know too that I truly am different. The Sorting Hat knew that - why'd you think I ended up in Gryffindor? - Rose and Alice know it, but you don't. And you should; so I'm telling you."

His voice, soft and quiet as it was, was filled with emotion, a mixture of anger at his family and sadness at being, once again, misunderstood.

There was more silence; this one even more unbearable as the last. Albus broke it, speaking in the low voice that he had adopted in the last fifteen minutes.

"I'm sorry," he murmured. "For not giving you a chance. It was ignorant of me. I just wish I'd have gotten a chance to meet them; you know? My brother and sister …"

Shaking his head, he trailed off, before repeating; "I'm sorry."

Scorpius half-smiled. "Apology accepted."

Then he gently eased Rose off of his shoulder, and he and Albus hugged as if they were brothers, or friends for a lot longer than two minutes.

Ta da! What do you think? I'm proud of myself; I've never been a writer of long one-shots - if this can be counted as a one-shot. I was wondering if I should plunge straight into the story, but I opted against it. Sorry for not putting in a speech or Sorting Hat song - I'm not good at writing that sort of thing. Hope I've built some personalities in this. Go read the first chapter now, and don't forget to review along the way :)