Author's Note:
First up, this chapter and half of the next one are sort of introducing everything that's happening, so it might be a bit little kid sounding. But trust me it gets a LOT better. They're barely teenagers yet, so this is pretty tame, but I'll skip their younger years and the actual stuff starts happening in the next chapter, and even more in the third. If you do think that this chapter needs to be redone, changed somehow, or even removed all together, I'd love if you could please take the poll on my profile! And I will change it accordingly. Thank you!
CHANGES: For the story, I decided to change the Hogwarts entry age to 13 so pretend that the Deathly Hallows Epilogue is titled "21 Years Later" instead, kay? Haha. But other than that, that's the only change I've made to the original Harry Potter storyline so far.
I obviously don't own Harry Potter, nor am I J.K. Rowling.
Chapter 1:
On Sunday September 1st 2019 at king's cross station on platform, 9 and 3/4, there was a hustle and bustle going on. Wizarding parents and their students were sharing their last good-byes before the children boarded the Express train to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Amongst the crowd of families was a group which stood out for a number of reasons. Firstly, was the extravagant amount of people banded together. Secondly, was the fact that a number of them were famous in the wizarding world. And thirdly was the flaming red, and Jet black hair that covered the heads of almost all of them.
They were, without a doubt, the Weasley-Potter clan.
Rose Weasley was extremely excited. She was (FINALLY!) starting Hogwarts.
Four years ago the Ministry of Magic changed the Hogwarts entrance age to thirteen due to the declining literacy and numeracy abilities of the students. The added two years were to ensure all future students would have more time to be properly educated in reading, writing and mathematics.
Rose was with her family on the platform. They had just met up with the Potter's. She greeted her cousin (and best friend) Albus with a smile.
Rose noticed the gawking stares from the other children and their parents. She ignored them the best she could. She was fairly used to it by now but it still was rather irritating. They were all staring because her Mother, Hermione Weasley, Father, Ron Weasley, and Uncle, Harry Potter were hero's a billion years ago. She had heard all the stories countless times from various family members. The three, alongside many others, were participants in the Battle of Hogwarts. Her parents and Uncle were even more renowned due to their combined efforts towards the destruction and defeat of the evil and notorious, Dark Lord Voldemort.
After a slightly tearful goodbye from their mothers and siblings, Rose and her cousins were soon on their way.
Rose was sitting in a compartment with Albus, Victoire, James and James' friend Allister Morgan, and each was in different conversations.
James, Rose and Victoire were talking about Victoire's new relationship with Teddy, while Albus and Allister swapped chocolate frog cards.
They all chatted merrily for about twenty minutes before a few more of James and Allister's friends turned up and they left for another carriage. Victoire also left shortly after, leaving Rose and Albus.
They had just started a game of Wizards Chess when there was a knock on the compartment door.
"Come in", Rose said.
A blonde handsome boy the same age as them slid the compartment door open. It was the boy who Rose noticed on the platform. The one her father told her to stay away from and to beat at every test. The boy whose family had been her family's enemy when they attended Hogwarts.
"Uh..Hello", he greeted them nervously not looking at them, "I was just wondering if I could sit with you.."
"Of course", Rose and Albus answered at the same time.
He looked up to Albus and then to Rose. It seemed to take him a second to realise their answer.
"R-really?" he stammered, looking surprised.
"Sure! I take it the other compartments are full?" Albus replied, wondering why the boy seemed to doubt their answer.
"Uh yeah," he said "Well...sort of."
He slid the door fully open dragging a large wheeled trunk and a cat cage in with him.
"I'm Scorpius by the way."
He extended his hand out to Rose and they shook hands and then he turned to Albus who followed suit. He sat down and pulled a book out of his bag.
"I'm Albus Potter and this is my cousin Rose Weasley," he elaborated. "So you're Malfoy's son?"
Albus and Rose had grown up around their parents calling Draco "Malfoy", and it stuck. He didn't realise it sounded rude. Fortunately Scorpius was used to people addressing him as such by now so he didn't see it as rude...It just annoyed him that that was who people always associated him with. Malfoy's son. As if it didn't matter who he was, he was the son of Draco Malfoy and that explained enough to know what he would be like.
It also annoyed Scorpius because although the name Malfoy used to be one that was regarded with respect, it was now quite the opposite. So assumptions were made, and dislike was automatic.
"Uhm..yeah" Scorpius answered looking down, trying to hide his bitterness and shame towards his lineage. His gaze turned to the window and stayed there.
Rose, sensing his discomfort, continued the game. For a while, except for the mumbled orders and the occasional whacking noises from the chess pieces, the three sat in silence.
After the game, which Rose skillfully won due to her father's teachings, she spoke to Scorpius.
"So how come earlier you said the compartments were 'sort of' empty?" she asked.
He withdrew from his deep thoughts and turned to her.
"Um.. well a lot of them were.." he replied, "but the ones that weren't...well…I just wasn't welcome there."
Rose puzzled expression asked the question before she could speak it, so Scorpius continued.
"I'm a Malfoy and as you've noticed it's pretty obvious" he explained his expression turning slightly sour, "My grandfather was a Death Eater and my father has done things in the past he is ashamed of. People grow and change and they learn. He was only a child and confused teenager when he did the things he did. He regrets them and has worked hard to make up for the past. However doesn't seem to be enough for people as they obviously still hold grudges against our family name. As for my grandfather, My father and I alike, despise him and have no contact with him in Azkaban nor do we wish to." He glared at the wall before adding sarcastically, "But because I'm a Malfoy, I must be Death Eater scum."
The two looked at each other, their eyebrows raised.
Rose pondered over Scorpius' words. "He obviously is touchy on the subject of all that" she thought. "I s'pose I could understand though. It would be hard growing up knowing your grandfather was a horrible man - and even worse when almost everyone assumed you would turn the same. He seems very mature and well-spoken for his age.."
"That's really unfair," She responded sympathetically.
"Yeah, I hate how people assume things of others because of their family name," Added Albus. "I mean everyone accepts our family to live up to the famous golden trio. They expect Rose, the rest of the family and I to be these big heroic Gryffindors and do all these big heroic things. Although that is slightly different to your case, but we can understand where you're coming from."
"I bloody hate stereotypes," scowled Rose as she nodded in agreement with her cousin, "I'm useless at everything and I don't see myself getting into Gryffindor! So I hope the wizarding world is set for disappointment!"
The two boys chuckled. "You aren't useless at everything Rosie,"Albus said. "You're really smart and mature for your age, great at Quidditch and an awesome friend ...slash cousin", He added with a laugh.
Rose laughed too, "Thanks Al."
"So what house do you wanna get in?" Albus questioned her previous statement.
"I'm not sure..Ravenclaw would be alright I think but I dunno if I'm quite smart enough. I'd be pretty happy with Hufflepuff to be honest."
"What about you?"
"I don't know either really, But what you said sounds about right for me too," Albus replied. "What about you Scorpius?
"I'd like Hufflepuff.." answered the blonde boy, turning slightly pink. "I - I haven't told anyone that because.. well you know.. They say Hufflepuff's are a load of duffers. But I think it'd suit me much more to be honest."
"Everyone's probably expecting Slytherin from me," he added with a scowl.
Rose gave him a warm, understanding smile, "Don't worry. Like I said before, everyone expects Gryffindor of me and Al. He might get in, but I'm a right wimp. So I won't be. But anyone that gets upset by it can get stuff. Don't worry about what people think."
He returned her smile.
"Thanks for letting me sit in your compartment," he acknowledged them both. "When I went to sit in the others they either kicked me out or harassed me till I left. I'm really glad you guys aren't the same. Especially considering the history of our families. I appreciate your acceptance."
"Yeah I suppose it is pretty random huh?" said Albus. "This whole Potter-Malfoy-Weasley getting along well thing we've got goin' on."
Rose giggled, "Yeah, I suppose it is str-"
"BlURgHRRRgg." Albus's stomach growled loudly interrupting her.
She let out a small laugh and suddenly realised that she, too, was getting hungry.
The three continued their conversation for another half an hour and then the compartment door slid open.
"Anything from the trolley dears?" said a plump, kind-faced old witch pushing a large silver trolley packed with wizarding sweets, chocolate, drinks and other treats.
"Yes please!" Albus shouted desperately as he jumped up, nearly scaring the poor old lady half to death.
The other two chuckled.
The acquaintance between the three soon turned into a friendship throughout the long winding journey to Hogwarts.
They had just hopped off the train that arrived at Hogsmeade station and the three were carrying their animals and trunks to the first year pile.
"Ooo I'm so excited!" Said Rose "We're finally nearly at Hogwarts!" She beamed.
"I can't wait to explore it.. All the stories we've heard! Only thing I'm not looking forward to is that prat Goyle, the caretaker." Albus said.
"Yeah, from what I've heard about him from Ted he sounds like a real assho-"
"Rosie!" there came a voice from behind them, "Don't let your mother hear you say that - She'd think you heard it from me! Not to mention you'd have a numb backside for two weeks!"
The three spun around to see Teddy Lupin standing there grinning at them next to their red-haired Uncle George.
"Ted! Uncle George!" The two exclaimed in unison as they rushed over to embrace them.
"What are you guys doing here?" Albus queeried happily. He thought of how Ted must have apparated there as they had seen him at platform 9 and 3/4 before they left.
"Well, as you should know by now Al, I do live here", said George jokingly as he hugged his nephew.
Uncle George had a large house in Hogsmeade, affordable thanks to his ever growing joke shop, Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.
The business was so large now that there were now 8 stores throughout Europe.
"Who's your friend?" asked Ted.
Rosie replied, "Oh, This is Scorpius. Scorpius Malfoy."
Rosie noticed her George's expression changed slightly at hearing the name but Teddy cheerfully greeted the pale blonde boy.
"Good to meet you Scorpius." Ted said as he shook his hand.
"Same to you" said Scorpius with a nod and a small smile.
"Be careful hanging around with these too, you might get into a bit of mischief" Ted added cheekily.
"Oh shush Teddy, you can't talk" Rosie scolded jokingly, before smirking and adding "We're adventurous, that's all."
"So why are you both here?" said Albus.
"Your Uncle and I thought we would come and see you before you go on the boats to the castle to be sorted." explained Ted happily, "Although I am here for an entirely different reason as well, but you will find that out soon enough of course."
"What do you-" Rose started but Ted interrupted her.
"Now run along you three or Hagrid could leave without you," He gave them a slight push in the direction of the crowd of students.
"I will see you two at Christmas!" Said Uncle George, as they retreated in the direction of Hogsmeade, "Enjoy your first term! I will send you some dungbombs to ensure the protection of the Weasley-Potter name. You've a lot to live up to after all!" he added with a mischievous grin as they disappeared into the growing darkness.
Thanks heaps for reading! I know it seems sort of little kiddish but trust me it isn't at all. They are thirteen at the moment after all. It gets much better, I promise ;) Please let me know what you think and don't forget to take the poll about this story on my profile page pleaaaase! :) x.