Day 1
The Sorting Ceremony was stunning. New students were amazed by everything around them and at the same time anxious about finding out what their House would be. However few of them looked absolutely cool as if they already knew. Among these was of course Scorpius Malfoy, who simply knew he's going to Slytherin. On the other hand Albus Potter was so far from being cool about the Sorting that he wasn't even sure if his body would move when they called his name. Fortunately it did. Professor put the Sorting Hat on his head and everyone awaited the same choice as ever in his family, but the Hat remained silent. Albus stirred anxiously on the chair.
"Hmm, interesting... very interesting indeed," spoke the Hat finally. "And also unusual... It happens rarely, that you fit into two Houses." old Hat didn't have to say which two Houses for Albus already knew the answer.
"Yes," responded Hat to his thoughts. "Your father had the same choice before him and he chose Gryffindor, but with you it is different. Even I have difficulty deciding which House would be more fitting." The Sorting Hat fell silent to occasionally make deep "Hmmm".
Albus could hear the word spreading fast and the Great Hall was soon filled with whispering of all students and some professors. He became more restless as if that was even possible. He wanted to tell the Hat to put him in Gryffindor because everyone expected it, not because he wanted to go there. Unfortunately he was too afraid to speak.
"No," said the Hat, for he knew his thoughts. "I have decided. I see what you truly want." In that moment Great Hall felt silent. Everyone pricked up their ears. Hat paused, as if he was enjoying this moment, and then passed his sentence. "Slytherin."
It took everyone just a little moment to process it and then the Great Hall exploded. Everyone was talking loudly about him as he slowly approached the table. He took a seat near the end of the table next to other first year's students and tried to ignore all the stares. Even after that the hubbub didn't stop until Headmaster McGonagall silenced everyone. A few more students were then sorted to Houses, Rose Weasley among them. The Sorting Hat sent her to Gryffindor without one word. Albus thought it little unfair. He tried to smile at her when she gave him a worried look. After that only one student was sent to Slytherin and he sat next some of his friends.
Albus was left sitting at the end of the table. After headmasters speech, to which Albus paid no attention, dinner appeared on all tables. "So we got ourselves Potter!" he heard some older boy saying. Another said something about him being the new Hatstall, but he didn't know what it meant. It was probably something mocking. He ate his dinner slowly and if someone else was talking to him he didn't notice it. He started to realize what being in Slytherin actually meant. How is he going to tell his parents? And how will he survive here?
An old, bald professor was waiting for them after dinner. He introduced himself as Horace Slughorn. Albus thought he didn't look like he belonged to Slytherin at all. Maybe that's good, he hoped. Professor Slughorn welcomed them with words he obviously used every year. He then introduced them to the Slytherin prefect Greengrass and excused himself. The prefect with pale skin and dark greasy hair led them to their common room.
Its entrance was located behind a stone wall in the dungeons. A password was required to enter it. They walked through a gloomy passage that ended in the common room. Albus was the last to enter because he tried to stay out of every ones site. He was absolutely amazed by what he saw inside. There were greenish lamps and chairs, black leather sofas, skulls, dark wood cupboards and medieval tapestries on walls. As they were all standing there admiring everything around he noticed that it was pretty cold down here. He thought it to be very fitting. 'It is funny,' he thought. 'That's how I'll be feeling here, cold and alone.' Anyhow, he always liked cold, so he didn't mind.
Prefect Greengrass wasted no time showing them other rooms. He simply told them where to find what and then left. For a while they were standing there awkwardly. Most of them didn't know each other and so a few skulked away. Some decided to go find their dormitory and those who didn't, went to find their older siblings or gathered around Malfoy and his friends. No one paid Albus attention anymore. He really appreciated it and stood there for a while. Unnoticed he watched Malfoy and his group. He was a perfect copy of his father. His hair was covered by tons of hair gel to make a perfect hairstyle. He was self-confident and proud. And above all he belonged to Malfoy family. And that counted for more than being Potter in Slytherin. In that moment Albus felt a strange feeling of envy growing inside of him. Despite the fact that Malfoy family was at loosing site in the War, they were still one of the most important families. Now Scorpius Malfoy was standing in front of him, surrounded by his friends and he son of Harry Potter was hiding in a corner alone. It made him feel vulnerable. He must be very careful around that one. Albus decided that he saw all he needed. Before he could draw anyone's attention, he sneaked away to the boy's dormitory.
In contrary to all his expectations it looked comfortable and provided him with privacy too. There were ancient four-poster beds with green silk hangings and silver lanterns hanging from the ceilings. Not only that beds hangings hid you from looks of other students, there were also many alcoves. Of course every grade had its own separated room and it took him while to find his. After he did he chose bed in the corner where no one could bother him. Few students were nearby but didn't seem to care about him or anyone else. He unpacked some of his things. Later when more of his classmates filled the room, he climbed into bed. His thoughts about being in Slytherin were haunting him long after everyone else fell asleep. Part of him always knew this is where he belonged. Yet his rational part did everything to deny it. He was scared. Really, really scared. No one will accept it easily that was clear to him. How will he tell his parents he didn't know yet, but he had time to figure that one out. What he was afraid of more were other students. Not just Slytherins but students from Gryffindor too. What will his brother say about this? When he started to think that he will get no sleep at all tonight he heard soft sound of lapping water. He didn't know where it came from but it was very relaxing and it actually helped him to fall asleep.