Disclaimer - Harry Potter and all of the character belong to J.K. Rowling.

-Chapter One-

A New Journey

Thick, white steam engulfed the large platform as it poured out of a scarlet train that sat, waiting, on the tracks. Families were bustling around and wading their way through the thick mist, to find their friends.

At first glance, this platform would look rather ordinary. People bidding friends and family farewell as they boarded the scarlet train. Parents hugging their children goodbye and telling them to behave. But the closer you look, the more peculiar it started to appear. Owls screeched and flapped their wings against their cages that sat on trolleys full of large trunks, some of these were bearing a rather odd emblem (a shield, divided into four, with a lion, a snake, a badger, and an eagle, one in each corner and in the middle was a large 'H').

One of the most unusual things about this platform, was that it was sporting the number 'nine and three-quarters,' and right below that, was a solid, brick wall, or, was it solid? Every now and then a human would seemingly walk right through it, as if it wasn't there at all.

The people on the platform took no notice of this (though some were looking right at it) and instead, were chatting happily amongst themselves. The excited squeals of young children could faintly be heard of the noise of others, talking on the platform. One voice however, could be heard quite clearly, as it stood out from the rest.

'Thestrals are nothing to worry about,' the voice was calm and reassuring, 'they're gentle things, there's nothing scary about them. Anyway, you won't be going up to the school in the carriages, you'll be going in the boats.'

Harry Potter smiled down at his son, as his wife Ginny kissed his son Albus goodbye.

'See you at Christmas.'

'Bye, Al,' said Harry, as his son hugged him. 'Don't forget Hagrid's invited you to tea next Friday. Don't mess with Peeve's. Don't duel anyone 'til you've learned how. And don't let James wind you up,' Harry looked over at his other son as he said the last part.

'What if I'm in Slytherin?'

The whisper was directed at 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 knelt down so that Albus' face was slightly above his own. Alone of Harry's three children, James, Albus and Lily, Albus had inherited his mother, Lily's bright green eyes.

'Albus Severus,' Harry said quietly, so that nobody but Ginny could hear, who was waving at Rose Weasley, who was already on the train, 'you were named after two headmasters of Hogwarts. One of them was in 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 or Slytherin. The Sorting Hat takes your choice into account.'

'Really?'

'It did for me,' said Harry, thinking back to his first year.

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

'Why are they all staring?' Demanded Albus, as he and Rose craned round to look at the other students.

'Don't let it worry you,' Ron Weasley said, appearing at Harry's side, 'it's me. I'm extremely famous.'

Albus, Rose, Hugo and Lily all 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, placing a hand on his shoulder.

As Harry looked at her, he lowered his hand absent-mindedly and touched the lightning bolt-shaped scar on his forehead.

'I know he will.'

The scar had not pained Harry for nineteen years. All was well.

Albus and Rose made their way down the corridor of the Hogwarts Express, looking for an empty compartment. Occasionally they were stopped by people, Albus had never seen before.

'You must be Albus, James' brother! Good to meet you!' Said a tall, lanky redhead, after blocking their path down the corridor.

'Albus! Isn't it? You look like very much like your brother, would you care to join us?' A girl with bushy, bushy black hair had almost fallen out of her compartment to greet him, and looked rather offended when he kindly declined her offer.

Soon he and Rose found an empty compartment, right at the end of the train. Stowing away their luggage, Albus sat on the cushioned seat, adjacent to Rose, who turned and looked out the window absent-mindedly. Albus followed her gaze. Flying past their window were the sights of London, but soon, as the train pushed onward and they reached the outskirts of the city, small houses and shrubbery, took the scene.

'I hope I get put in Gryffindor,' Rose said suddenly and she turned to face Albus, who had hoped she wouldn't bring this up. Even after what his father had said, he still had some worries.

'Being in Gryffindor would be nice,' he tried to sound confident, but wasn't sure if he was pulling it off, 'but the other houses are just as good.'

At that moment, James opened the door to the compartment and stepped inside, saving his little brother from the conversation.

'Hey, Al and Rose' he said with a smug look on his face.

'Hey, James,' replied Rose happily, as Albus gave his brother a slight nod.

'I just wanted to make sure you're all settled in,' James was looking at Albus as he spoke, 'and if you are...' He trailed off and waited for his brothers response, and after Albus nodded, he continued, 'I am going to sit with some friends,' James quickly raised his hand to stop Albus' smart comment, 'I hear you've already met some of them,' he said smiling. 'If you need anything, I'm four compartments down, to the left.'

James turned on his heel, and walked out the door, but stopped suddenly and turned around to face his brother once more.

'I almost forgot to ask,' he said, a huge grin forming on his face, 'make sure to tell the Slytherin table, I said hi.'

With that, James dashed out of sight before Albus could react. He sat there with his mouth open, wanting to yell at his brother, but didn't want to draw attention from the other students on the train.

Albus sighed, 'he's such a - '

'Excuse me?' And unfamiliar voice said, cutting Albus off.

Albus and Rose both turned their attention to the doorway, where a skinny, eleven-year-old boy stood. His hair was short and messy, and his hazel eyes were wide and darting between Rose and Albus. His hand was grasping his shirt, that looked a bit big for him, tightly as he took a small step closer.

'I - I got on the train late and the other compartments are full,' the boys eyes were still darting between Rose and Albus, 'may I sit with you?'

Albus politely nodded and gestured the boy to sit down, which he did, on the same seat as Albus, though pushed right up in the corner.

Not wanting to seem rude, the boy turned his body to face the other two students. It seemed as though he wanted to speak, as he kept opening his mouth and then closing it again. Albus noticed this and gave him a friendly, encouraging smile.

'I'm Arthur Reed, by the way,' he finally managed to say, though it was barely a whisper, and he extended his hand towards Rose.

'Rose Weasley,' she murmured shyly, shaking Arthur's hand once, before dropping it.

Arthur then moved his hand towards Albus, who shook it firmly/

'I'm, Albus Potter,' Arthur suddenly let of Albus' hand, leaving Albus holding a limp hand. Arthur stared at him with a dumbfounded expression on his face.

'Potter...' He whispered, 'are… You the son of Harry Potter?' Albus nodded, releasing Arthur's hand.

'One of them,' he grinned, but he could feel the tips of his ears turning pink.

'That must be awesome, having the famous, Harry Potter as your dad!' Arthur seemed very excited with this discovery and seemed to forget about being nervous.

'He's a bit of a tool, really,' James Potter had reappeared in the doorway, accompanied by, whom Albus assumed was, a friend. Both of them stood, grinning into the compartment.

Rose, Arthur and Albus, couldn't contain their laughter.

'That would be the other son of Harry Potter,' Albus stated, turning back to Arthur, 'his name is James, and he's the one who's a tool,' he laughed.

James shot Albus a look, which Albus read as 'I'm going to get you back' and fell silent. James slowly took a step into the compartment and held out his hand to Arthur.

'Yes, I am, James Potter,' he said, with a manner of great importance, 'and you are?'

Arthur slowly took James' hand, 'I'm - I'm, Arthur Reed,' it looked as though he tried to give a smile, but his nerves must of come back again and got the better of him.

'Good to meet you, Arthur!' James beamed down, before turning to Albus, 'now you be nice to him, Al, I don't want to have to pull you in line,' he winked before turning on his heel, and walking back out the door.

Albus saw the boy James was with, give a slight nod towards the compartment, before James swung back around.

'Oh, and by the way, this is Mark Fuller, a third-year.'

'I'm glad you finally made a friend, James!' Albus said, getting up and quickly giving his brother a pat on the back, 'congratulation!' A large grin spread across his face.

'Oh, buzz off!' James pushed Albus off of him, as the others laughed, he then turned to Mark, 'if you are still seeker for Hufflepuff next year, I give you permission to knock my brother off his broom, if he makes the team,' James turned and winked at Albus, before him and Mark disappeared down the corridor.

'Don't you worry, James!' Albus called after him, 'I will make the team!' Albus sat back in his chair, and embarrassment welled up inside him, and hoped the whole train hadn't heard him.

As the train pushed on, closer to Hogwarts, the three of them decided, it would be best to talk about something other than the school for a bit and try and take their minds off the upcoming sorting ceremony.

Out of the train's window, the scenery had taken on a change. The buildings and outskirts of London had been replaced with lush green fields, which held animals that stood, grazing on the grass.

'So, you like Quidditch?' Arthur asked, turning to Albus.

'Yeah, but I haven't been to see any games yet.'

Albus turned and looked out the window, and started watching the passing, green fields, fighting hard not to think about the four houses of Hogwarts.

'What Quidditch team do you go for?' Rose asked, eager to keep the conversation going.

'Well, my family all goes for England, but I prefer Australia,'

Arthur blushed slightly, 'even though they haven't been going the best lately...' he trailed off.

'Well, while "Mr Equal" over here, doesn't have a team,' she glanced at Albus, 'I go for Bulgaria.'

'I just can't decide who I like more!' Albus piped up, turning to Rose 'I just don't want to have to change teams, after I had already picked one,' he looked back out the window for a second, before turning his attention to Arthur.

'Have you learnt any spells?' He asked, changing the subject and making Arthurs ears turn pink.

'I've learnt what I could from the school books we had to get and also some that I got for background reading,' Arthur answered in a whisper, looking at the ground, 'but I haven't performed any, because of the underage law -'

'Have you read all the books?' Albus questioned before he could stop himself, 'already?'

'Yes,' he said quietly, his face now turning red.

Albus opened his mouth to say that he had too, but was cut off by a loud clattering that was coming from the corridor. Albus looked at the door to see, a small, plump women, with a warming smile, slide it open.

'Anything of the trolley, my dears?' She asked cheerily.

Arthur shook his head and Albus heard him murmur, 'I don't have any money,' while her and Rose jumped to their feet and went to the cart. Albus scanned the sweets, and decided that he would get a few things, such as; Chocolate Frogs, Bertie Bott's Every Flavoured Beans, Pumpkin Pasties, Cauldron Cakes and a few other strange things, while Rose opted for a few Chocolate Frogs.

After taking his arm full of sweets back to his seat, Albus dumped it all beside him and hearing what Arthur had said before, offered him some.

'I - I couldn't,' he stammered.

'No, please,' Albus retorted, ' it'll be my pleasure,' he smiled and passed Arthur a chocolate frog, who turned red with embarrassment and whispered 'thank you.'

As darkness started to descend, the scenery outside the train changed, yet again. Now, instead of lush, green fields, dense trees were bunched together. Their trunks and branches twisted at odd angles, while long, dead blades of grass wound their way up them.

The trio changed into their Hogwarts robes, as James had come and told them that they should be arriving soon. As the train got closer and closer to the wizarding school, the excitement and nerves, grew high in the compartment. Albus and Arthur sat quietly, finishing off the sweets Albus had bought, while Rose looked out the window, into the oncoming darkness, jigging her legs.

A voice then sounded through the train; 'we will be arriving at Hogwarts in five minutes time. Please leave your luggage on the train, as it will be taken up to the school separately.'

At this, Albus, Rose and Arthur heard movement in the corridor. The three of them stood up in silence and joined the bustling crowd of students.

Soon, the train started to slow down, until it finally came to a stop. Albus made his way to one of the doors, along with all the other Hogwarts students; Rose and Arthur followed him from behind.

Finally, they managed to get to the door, and they stepped out onto the small, dark platform. The cold, night air whipped their faces and Albus looked around him. He could see a lot of the older students walking away from the platform and disappearing into the darkness, while all of the new students stood around, huddle together, looking more nervous than ever.

Albus swung around, when he heard some of the other students gasp, and he saw an enormous silhouette of, what looked to be, a very large man. In his hand, he looked to be holding an extinguished lantern.

'Firs' years!' A booming voice called, 'firs' years, follow me!' At that moment, a bright, orange flame sparked in the lantern and it illuminated all around it, and the giant of a man became visible. His beaming face was hardly visible through his thick, tangled, bushy hair, and his hands, that were the size of dust-bin lids, could barely hold the lantern properly.

'Hi, Hagrid!' Albus called when Hagrid caught his eye and Hagrid waved his spare hand in response.

'C'mon now, follow me, mind yer step! All firs' years, follow me!' With one last wave of his massive hand, Hagrid turned on his heel and started to walk down a steep narrow path, all of the first years began to follow, tripping, slipping and stumbling in the dark.

'You know him?' Arthur asked, grabbing onto Albus' robes as he slipped on a rock.

'Yeah,' Albus said, taking on notice, 'he's a good friend of my dads. He's like family,' Albus beamed as he looked at the half-giant, leading the students, 'that reminds me. We're having tea with him on Friday,' he gestured at Rose and himself, 'if you would like to join us, I'm sure that would be ok.'

A look of happiness and shock crept onto Arthurs face, it was as if no one had invited him anywhere before and he slowly nodded.

'Sounds great!'

The students continued to follow Hagrid, down the pathway. It was very dark, trees stood on either side and even when Albus strained his eyes, he couldn't see through them. The only light was that of the lantern Hagrid was carrying. Soon, the trees started to thin out as the path started to even out and they came closer to a bend in the path.

As they rounded the corner, a synchronized gasp came from all the students.

'There she is,' Hagrid stated, 'Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!'

It was magnificent.

The large castle stood atop a high mountain, which sat across a great black lack. It had many turrets and towers, with windows plaster all around it, shining bright, making it stand out against that starry night sky.

Hagrid suddenly stopped, causing some of the student to bump into each other, and pointed at a fleet of small, wooden boats, that were bobbing in the water, near the shore.

'Only four to a boat!' He called, 'an' no more, we don' wan' an accident!' Albus clambered into one of the boats, with Rose, Arthur and a boy with blond hair and glasses, whose name was Lucas.

Hagrid looked around at all the boats and made sure that all the students had got in. He then looked back around at the castle and shouted 'FORWARD!'

The boat Albus was in gave a slight lurch before moving forward, gliding silently across the glass lake, as one with the other boats.

Everyone stared in silence, in awe at the towering castle, taking in every detail, as they got closer and closer.

'Watch yer head, now!' Hagrid called, as the first boats approached the rocky cliff; everyone bowed their heads as they were carried through a large opening in the cliffs face. The dark tunnel they had entered seemed to be taking them right underneath the castle. The walls were covered in small torches that illuminated the moss that clung to the rocks and the thin vines that hung low, from the ceiling.

Soon, they reached, what seemed to be an underground harbour, where they slowly and carefully climbed out, onto the rocky platform. Albus watched, as some of the students had to change their footing several times, to avoid slipping and falling into the water.

Hagrid quickly went and checked all of the boats, to make sure everyone had gotten safely to shore, before gesturing the students to follow him, and they did. They followed his lamp up another steep rocky passageway, grasping the walls to help pull themselves up. The passage soon ended, and brought them out to a damp area of grass, which sat in the shadow of the castle, that loomed above them.

Still following the half-giant, they walked up a flight of stone stairs and mustered around a large oak door, standing shoulder-to-shoulder.

Hagrid turned and once again scanned the students to make sure they were all still there, before slamming his fist three times on the castle door.

Immediately, the door swung open, and the warmth of inside the castle, spilled out, onto the students. A small, dwarf of a man, stood cheerily in the entrance, standing on the balls of his feet, to try and see all of the first-years.

'Thank you, Hagrid!' The man said in a squeaky voice.

'No problem, Professor Flitwick, sir.'

"Please, if you would kindly follow me,' he said, looking around Hagrids enormous body.

Professor Flitwick pushed the door wide open, and led the students into the large Entrance Hall, before waving his wand and closing the door behind them. It was huge. Flaming torches lined the walls and lit up the stone room and filled it with warmth. The ceiling was almost to high to distinguish and an elegant, marble staircase, which led to the upper floors, could be seen directly ahead of them.

Albus looked around the magnificent hall, admiring all of it. He could hear the voices of the rest of the school through the large doors to his right. He looked over at Arthur, whom, he could see, was taking in the sight as well.

'Welcome to Hogwarts!' Said the squeaky voice of Professor Flitwick, which pulled Albus' attention away from the Entrance Halls beauty, 'in a moment, you will pass through these doors and enter the Great Hall. There, you will be sorted into your houses. At Hogwarts, there are four houses; Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. While here, your house will be like your family. You will sleep in the same dormitory, have classes with them and spend your free time with them.

'You are also able to earn points for your house, by proving yourself in classes, for your behaviour and for all of your triumphs. Any rule breaking, on the other hand, will lose you points. The house with the most points at the end of the year will win the House Cup!' Professor Flitwick beamed at all of the students, before leaning in and saying in a quieter voice, 'personally, I hope Ravenclaw will continue their winning streak, for the third year in a row!' His face swelled with proudness and he pushed his chest out.

'Now, please wait here, until I come back.'

With that, Professor Flitwick disappeared and the conversation about the school houses began. Albus kept quiet, as he was still very nervous about the sorting. He didn't want to be in Slytherin, no matter what his father had said, and he also wanted to be in the same house as Rose and his new friend, Arthur. But what if they were put into Slytherin? What if he got put in a different house altogether? What would he do then? All of these thoughts were whirling around his head. He quickly glanced at Arthur, who was also staying quiet, and Albus gathered he too, was deep in thought.

Soon, Professor Flitwick reappeared, and the conversations died down, almost immediately. Albus, trying to shake his nerves, looked up, along with the rest of the first-years, who seemed to be giving the Professor, their full attention.

'We are ready for you!' He then turned on his heel and marched the students towards the large door. It was time to be sorted.