A/N: I know what you're probably thinking: "Another one? Seriously?" And the answer is yes, another one. I will get back around to my two Hermione stories eventually, I promise.

Now, this story was inspired by an English project. We had to pick a book and write "the next chapter" of it, explaining what happened after the end of the book. So I chose Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I decided to turn it into a story, but I wanted to post a chapter to see if you guys would like it. I have the second chapter done, and I've started on the third one, so updates shouldn't take too long.

Also, this is my first attempt at a next generation fic, so I hope you enjoy it. Let me know what you think, and if I should continue!

Chapter One: The Castle

When Albus stepped onto the Hogwarts Express after speaking with his dad, he immediately went in search of Rose. They'd grown up together, and, being the children of the Golden Trio, were going to stick together just like their parents had. It was nice going into a school where he already knew some people, like his brother, Rose, and his cousin Victoire. He could only hope they would all be in the same house. He really didn't want to be in Slytherin.

He walked the length of the train, looking in every compartment for Rose. There were a lot of people going to Hogwarts, some older, many younger. The younger students looked nervous, huddled closely together and talking quietly. The older students were more relaxed, lounging across the different compartments and chatting lazily or excitedly with their friends. He waved to James as he passed, but continued on in search of his best friend. He finally found Rose in the very end compartment, reading a book. If his dad or uncle Ron were here, they would say she was exactly like her mother. She glanced up when he entered and offered up a reassuring smile.

"Hey, Al. Are you excited?" She marked her place in her book and placed it on the window ledge.

"Hi, Rose," he replied, sitting down across from her and placing his legs across the gap on her lap. "I'm nervous. But excited too."

"I can't wait. Can you believe that we're going to the school that our parents went, finally? They're basically celebrities! Everyone knows them, which means everyone will know us. It's going to be so cool," Rose grinned. The grin faded a moment later. "But what if they don't like us because of it?"

Albus thought about this seriously. He had wondered the same thing many times. They were, after all, the descendents of three war heroes. They had already received a ton of attention from the Daily Prophet, as well as many magazines, since the day they were born. It was possible for people to be jealous of them, and not want to talk to them. Albus especially, being the son of Harry Potter, the man who defeated Voldemort. However, he simply shrugged it off. James was already a student at Hogwarts, and he was popular. "It'll be okay. I'm more worried about the sorting ceremony than anything else. I don't want to be in Slytherin. I want to be a Gryfindor, like my dad, mom, and brother."

Rose gave him a stern look. "Don't talk like that. Not all Slytherins are bad. Remember the stories of Severus Snape, and how he was a spy for the Order of the Phoenix? He was a Slytherin."

Albus sighed, knowing she was right. But he would also remember his father's words. He had a choice, and the Sorting Hat wouldn't take that away, would it?

The next few hours of the train ride passed quickly, with the two eleven-year-olds talking about everything from classes to the Great Hall and all of the delicious food, and Rose reading her book while Albus changed into his robes. When the train stopped at Hogsmeade, the students poured out from the train, leaving their trunks behind to be brought up to the castle later.

The older students began filing toward the carriages, which looked to be pulling themselves. Albus, however, knew the truth. Although he couldn't see them, he knew the Thestrals were the ones pulling the carriages.

The first and second years stood hesitantly, not quite sure what to do. The second years got a clue when they realized that some of the braver ones were also heading toward the carriages, following older brothers and sisters. That left just the first years standing around uncertainly, waiting for someone to tell them what to do. It didn't take long.

"First years! First years, this way!" A deep voice called out, and Rose and Albus headed toward it to see a very large man beckoning them over. A line of many eleven-year-olds trailed over to him hesitantly.

"That's Hagrid," Rose whispered to Albus as they waited for the rush of people to pass. "My dad told me loads about him."

"Mine too," Albus responded quietly. He gripped Rose's arm as they followed their fellow first years to the lake, where many small rowboats were docked and waiting.

Hagrid instructed them to go four to a boat, which they all obeyed quietly. Rose and Albus were in a boat with a small, brown-haired, olive-skinned, pig-tailed girl and the small, pale, blonde-haired boy from Platform 9 ¾.

The boy's grey eyes were pointed away from them, studying the lake around them as the boats moved forward on their own. Rose, being the friendly person she was, immediately introduced herself to him, as well as the other young girl.

"Hello. I'm Rose Weasly," she smiled, offering a hand to the blonde boy and then to the brunette girl, who both shook it before responding.

"Katherine Zabini," the girl replied with a shy smile. Albus recognized the name Zabini from his parents' stories. So this must be Blaise Zabini's kid. The family was pure-blooded, but this little girl seemed friendly enough, like the typical stereotypes of pure-blooded families.

"Scorpius Malfoy," the boy told them with a slight smirk, which the children of the Golden Trio had learned to be the "Malfoy smirk." They had heard many stories of this boy's family, and how his father was the Golden Trio's rival, as well as a Death Eater. Rose smiled shyly at Scorpius, blushing slightly. Albus knew where this was going, and elbowed her in the side.

"Remember what your dad told you," he whispered to her, to which she responded with a glare before turning back to the other two kids.

"And you are?" Katherine asked, looking at Albus.

"Oh! Albus Potter," he told her, shaking her offered hand. A look of recognition flashed across her and Scorpius' faces, but only for a moment.

"Nice to meet you," Katherine smiled. Scorpius simply nodded. Albus gave them a small smile before turning to the front of the boat. What he saw left him speechless. He gestured forward and heard the others all take a collective breath.

"Whoa," Rose gasped. "That's incredible!" Scorpius and Katherine simply nodded, awed looks on their faces. The kids in other boats were silent as well, most likely taking in what would basically be their new home for the next seven years.

Against the dark blue sky, situated high above them, was a huge, beautiful castle. The towers stood tall, and lights sparkled from all the windows. So this was Hogwarts castle, and it was simply beautiful. Albus was excited to start the next seven years of his life if it was going to be in this incredible place.

Before too long, the boats docked at the edge of the lake, and the giant squid popped its head from the water to watch the small new students make the trek to the castle for the very first time.

A/N: I know that it doesn't mention that Blaise has any kids, but I kind of invented one for him. She's only the first of a bunch of OC's I'm making for this story. Anyway, hope you enjoyed. Review please, and the next chapter should be up soon. I just have to revise it.