Albus Potter and the Bedlam Cave
Chapter One: Nineteen Years Later
Albus Potter was the son of a legend. The stares that focused on him as they entered the Hogwarts express did not make him feel comfortable as people started to speak in hushed tones. James, Albus' brother couldn't have loved it more. James "I'm the first son of Harry Potter" Potter was the main event as friends seemed to flock to him instantly. Albus was a bit shyer than James and his sister Lily. It would seem they inherited there father's bravery while he seem to poses the same unruly dark hair and the green eyes that he shared both with his father and grandmother.
"Come on Al, Victoire wants us to sit with her since it is likely to be one of the last times she will be riding the Hogwarts express." Rose Weasley, Albus' cousin of the same age, as the two made there way into there cousins cabin.
Rose seemed to be a lot like her mother except for the dark burgundy hair color that both she and James shared. Victoire was in contrast with all of them having straight blonde silvery hair that ended at her waist.
"Al, Rose I'm so glad to see you! Are you already for classes?" Victoire said speaking in an accent that spoke of her British heritage rather then in the tongue of her mother which only came out when she was in a fit of rage or talking about romance which could be brought about any number of ways while in the company of her boyfriend Teddy Tonks Harry Potter's godson.
"Well I think so, but I wish I had something to calm my nerves I feel like I could puke at any moment." Albus said as he played with the wand in his robes.
"Oh come on Al Hogwarts is one of the safest places on earth and think of all the classes we could take!" Rose said with a light filling her brown eyes.
"I wish I was as brave as you are Rose." Albus said sinking into his chair. "James says that I will be placed into Slytherin."
"Well Al I have been at Hogwarts for six years and I must say that Slytherin isn't as half as bad as Uncle Ron has made it out to be. I even dated a Slytherin boy for a time before Teddy. 'E 'ad ze most gorgeous blue eyez I 'ave ever zeen." Victoire said in a day dream as both of her cousins began to look at her funny.
"Is it true Victoire?" Albus said as both of his cousins gave him a questioning look. "Not about the Slytherin boy I mean what they say about the American exchange students?"
"Yes about a four or five of them are coming here from the states. I don't know how they are going to adapt though?" Victoire explained.
"Well I didn't think we were that different from the Americans." Albus stated questionably.
"It's not a matter of cultural difference Al. They train there Witches and Wizards at a very young age. They train in mostly wandless magic as the magical creatures there are not very adaptable for wand cores. Most of them train only on a singular branch of magic. Divination, Legilimency, Occlumency, Kinesis..." Rose said with a thrill in her voice.
"Wow It must be hard for the Americans." Albus said as he looked out the window of their cart.
"Al for heavens sake you are still stuck on what will happen if you end up in Skytherin if you want I cant teach you a spell that mom taught me that could help you feel better."
"Ok I think that will be good Rose." Al said as he set himself up.
"All right point your wand at your self and repeat after me." Rose explained as Al followed her instructions. "Animus Exorior."
"Animus Exorior!" Al said as a blue mist filled his eyes and mouth seeming to absorb into his pores.
"Did that make you feel better Al?" Victoire asked as she noticed Al was now completely knocked out.
"Well mom said that the relief matches the casters anxiety." Rose said shaking Al without avail.
"Al must be really anxious." Victoire said with a laugh.
At that moment a blond boy passed there cart for a moment before backtracking and looking in on the group. Rose had seen this boy on platform 9 and 3/4's and he was described as not being trustworthy by her parents. This was Scorpius Malfoy who seemed to have a gentler face than that of his father.
"Hello." Scorpius said faintly.
"Good afternoon." Rose said with a teaspoon of venom.
"Well I'll be on my way then." Scorpius said as he walked out of view with his head down.
Rose turned to her window and Victoire noticed that Rose's ears where turning a bright shade of crimson. Victoire had to ponder for a moment. As her uncle Ron seemed to glow the same shade of red when upset or when bashful which mimicked the same way her accent came and went. Then Victoire giggled as she saw her cousin restrain a smile.
"What?" Rose squealed.
"Oh' notin'" Victoire said her accent coming full on.
Al woke up as the train stopped and he, along with rose and the rest of the first years coming to Hogwarts. The exceptionally aged yet still very much able game keeper, Rubeus Hagrid, took the first years on the boat ride to the castle like he did with many of the students' parents in the past.
Albus and Rose rode to Rose's delight and dismay with Scorpius and a small dark haired boy who's hair seemed curly yet puffy like the down of a baby chick. The entire boat ride was awkward to say the least. Rose and Scorpius both wanted to say something to the other but couldn't bulk up the courage to do it. Al was more or less plagued by doubt about living up to the honor of his family while the other boy stared deeply at the water in the lake as if trying to read something in between the ripples of water.
"Hello." Albus sparked toward the gazing boy.
"Oh hello, I'm sorry I tend not to be much of a talker. I do apologize if I were rude." the boy said with a faint smile. "My name is Volubilis Lovegood by the way."
"My name is Albus, this is my cousin Rose and he is Scorpius Malfoy." Albus said not wanting to reveal his last name.
"Wait did you say your last name was Lovegood. Our parents used to be friends with Luna Lovegood when they were in school. Are you related to her?" Rose questioned.
"She's me mum." Volubilis said his smile growing a centimeter bigger.
"Wow but I thought she got married to Rolf Scamander. Are you his son?" Rose said as Volubilis' smile decreased just a bit.
"Yeah... Mum's always been a little odd she said taking his last name would diminish her identity. She did love dad though... He died last summer." Volubilis said with a small laugh. "They were on vacation and of all things he got attacked by a shark. I guess that's what he gets for his animagus form being a sea lion."
There was another moment of all encompassing awkward silence. Rose's ears where caught in a turbulent war between her absolute tactlessness and the stares from Scorpius.
"I'm sorry Volubilis I think my grandmother told me about it. My Grandma has always been a nature enthusiast she enjoys reading the essays your parents write." Scorpius said as Volubilis began to feel comfortable and Rose for the first time actually met Scorpius' gaze.
"So does anybody have any hopes for house placement." Rose asked as she noticed her cousin seemed to sink down into the boat.
"Well I think I should be placed either in Ravenclaw or Slytherin I have ambitions to be a banker when I grow up so I think those houses could be good for me." Scorpius said as Al seemed to twitch a little bit at the name of his parents dreaded rival house.
"Me myself hope for Gryfindor both my parents enjoyed the house. What about you Volubilis?" Rose asked boasting with pride.
"Well it doesn't really matter for me... There are times when I think I'm brave. I would like to think I am witty, but I also value power. But I guess I appreciate fairness to... I think I would be happy anywhere." Volubilis said with little enthusiasm.
"Gryfindor!" Al said nearly screaming as Scorpius gave him a friendly look.