First Year

Chapter One: First Impressions aren't all what they seem.

Scorpius POV

My father always told me to judge people on how they are and not how their families were. He told me be good and kind and people will love you for you.

Well, Merlin, was he wrong.

"Scorpius, are you ok?" Danny Parker asked me, as the trained jolted suddenly.

No, I wasn't. I was a nervous wreck inside. "Yeah, sure. This is Hogwarts, yeah. Course," I lie, managing a weak smile.

"I know, mate. This is going to be great!" Blake Zabini told us, giddy.

They launched into a conversation about what subjects they think they'll like and hate. I liked the idea of Transfiguration and flying. I knew this guy, who just left Hogwarts, was a Metamorphmagus orphis. Teddy Lupin. We were related but have never had anything to do with each other. Because I'm a Malfoy.

I've always wanted to change myself. Not necessarily my appearance but... My name. I mean, Scorpius? I think my parents must've had too much Fire whiskey.

But Malfoy was much, much worse...

"Oh, Al! I can't find an empty compartment! We'll have to sit with James," a girl's voice said.

"Uh, just our luck. He's just going to waffle on about Quidditch," a male voice groaned.

"Oh, look there's an empty one right there! Quick lets grab it!" the girl exclaimed. They walked on past our compartment, the boy tripping over his own feet.

"Albus Potter, you clumsy boy!" the girl cried, exasperated.

Potter?! Eek.

My father also said to stay well away from the Potter/ Weasley Clan.

"They're perfectly nice people, Scorpius," he told me (almost begrudgingly)," But they don't like Malfoys. When I was a young boy, I made many, many stupid mistakes. Unforgivable mistakes."

I turned very slowly, just to look at them through the glass of the compartment door. A girl with bright red, bushy hair and a freckly face was berating Potter. Rose Weasley, I realized. I started to sweat, my anxiety rising quickly.

I mean, I knew that there would be Weasley/ Potters at Hogwarts already but having TWO in the same year sounded like my kind of hell.

"They don't like Malfoys, Scorpius."

I honestly didn't think things could get much worse.

Rose POV

"Albus Potter, you clumsy boy!" I exclaimed, half exasperated, half teasing.

"It's not my fault that I'm possibly the most uncoordinated wizard in the whole wide world!" Al said, lifting a hand up, indicating that I should help him up.

I suddenly got a cold shiver down my spine, as if we were being watched.

I turned my head slowly, to see a blonde haired boy staring at us, while his friends were engaged in a giddy conversation.

As soon as he spotted that I found him staring, he blushed pink and turned away quickly.

Why was he staring...

Malfoy, the name came to mind, Scorpius Malfoy.

'Make sure you beat him in every test, Rosie."

My competiveness suddenly flared and I felt a strong surge of determination and pride course through my veins.

I will, Dad. Don't you worry. I will.

"Earth to Rosie!" Al frantically waved his hand in front of my face.

I shook myself. "Sorry, Al," I said and helped him up and we finally got the free compartment.

"I can't be in Slytherin," Al blathered on. "I'm not cunning, or determined. I'm surprised James isn't in Slytherin actually. I mean, I'm not your normal outgoing type of brave. I'm not a daredevil. I'm not freakishly smart, like you, so definitely not Ravenclaw. And I'm not hard working, that's what mum says. She says I'm too lazy. What if I'm not in any house?! They're going to have to home school me! Oh god!" Al hyperventilated.

"What on earth are you talking about?"

Both Al and myself jumped about a hundred feet in the air. A girl with short brown hair was staring at us inquisitively.

"My name's Clarabelle Ivory Rogers, and I'm a muffleborn," she introduced herself, sticking out a hand.

Al was still staring at her, so I decided to take on the role of correcting her . "Um... Don't you mean 'muggleborn'?" I asked her.

She nodded and sat down beside a still staring Al. "Yes, that. I'm that. But before, what were you talking about?"

Al finally recovered. "Er.. The Hogwarts Houses. You know, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin."

Clarabelle looked a little confused. "Right... And what houses are you going to be in?"

"Well, I'm hoping to be in Gryffindor," I said. Al nodded.

"Cool. I'm going to be in Slytherin. It sounds pretty cool," Clarabelle told us, matter-of-factly.

Al had to hide his amused smile. "That's not possible," he told her. "Slytherin only accepts Pure-Bloods. And you're... Er..."

"Muggleborn?"

"Yeah."

"Ok. I still want to be in Slytherin though," she told us.

Al gave me a strange look which clearly said what a strange girl. Indeed she was. She wore black converse with stripy tights and a pair of dungarees. She had a green bow in her cropped hair. Her trunk was bright green with blue flowers painted on it.

Suddenly, Clarabelle let out a huge sigh. "I've made you think I'm completely mad, haven't I? I'm not very good with first impressions! It's just that I'm so nervous and I don't know anyone. I haven't even asked your names! I don't anything about magic or Hogwarts or anything! Everyone is going to think I'm stupid. A stupid muggleborn."

"Not at all!" Al assured her. "You know Rosie's mum is a muggleborn and she-Ow!"

I gave Al a sharp kick to the shin. I didn't want him telling Clarabelle that my mother was a war hero. Or that his dad was once the Chosen One.

For once, I wanted someone to judge me. For me.

Al gave me a dirty look. "What I was going to say was that Rosie's mum is a muggleborn and one of the smartest witches around. My dad's mum was a muggleborn and she was also highly intelligent," he explained.

Clarabelle brightened up a bit. "Oh?"

"Yeah," I nodded. "By the way, I'm Rose Weasley and this is Al Potter."

Clarabelle grinned. "Wicked. You know, I hope we might turn out to be pretty good mates."

Al laughed. "Why not?"

Why not?

"Quidditch sounds fascinating!" Clarabelle exclaimed.

Al nodded enthusiastically, while stuffing a chocolate frog into his gob. "I' ish."

We laughed and broke into the Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans. The trolley had just been past and we bought lots of sweets to show off Clarabelle. Thankfully, there wasn't a chocolate frog card with either Mum, Dad or Uncle Harry on it.

Clarabelle eyed the beans with uncertainty. "I'm guessing that they're not like ordinary jelly beans."

I laughed. "They're not. They have every different flavor known to man."

"Even vomit, bogey and dog poo," Al said, taking a big handful.

"Er... I'm good," Clarabelle laughed, pushing the box away from her. I took cautious nibbles at each bean while Al stuffed in many at one time.

Clarabelle seemed pretty cool. She had a great sense of humor and seemed really keen on learning as much as possible about the wizarding world.

"I think we should get changed into our uniforms, don't you think?" I asked.

"Yeah, ok," Al shrugged and got his trunk. "I'll change in the loo."

As Clarabelle and I changed my excitement peaked. It was really happening! I was finally going to Hogwarts. There would be exams and spells, clubs and feasts. New friends and different classes.

"There you are, Cousin Rose," James said. "Where's Al? And who's this?"

"Al's in the loo, getting changed. This is Clarabelle Rogers," I told him, fastening up the lace of my shoe.

"Well, hello. I'm James Potter, Albus's extremely attractive older brother," James introduced himself. I rolled my eyes.

Clarabelle didn't look that impressed. "Charmed, I'm sure," she said.

James didn't like that. "Well, whatever. I'm off to find Fred. Good luck, little first years," he sneered.

He swaggered off, and Al entered the compartment moments later, looking slightly confused. "Why does James looked seriously peed off?"

I shrugged. "He was being a bit of arse," I said.

"Yeah, not sure I'm that keen on your brother, Al."

Al laughed. "You wouldn't be the first."

And then the train stopped.