Hello! I am a huge Harry Potter fan and have always fantasized about what happened to the kids of our heroes. Please read, review, and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I did not create the Harry Potter universe.

When Everything Changes

Chapter 1

The Beginning of Everything

Albus stared in awe at Hogwarts as it grew larger and larger in his vision. Beneath the boat he sat in, the water rippled silently, leaving a small glistening current behind him. Each boat held three first years, with the head boat carrying the half giant, Hagrid, and his dog. Albus had grown up in a magical family, but had never once seen something quite so spectacular.

"This is amazing," Rose breathed, her red hair blowing mildly in the wind. "It's even better than Mum and Dad described." She looked over at Albus and smiled, and then she moved her gaze to the third student occupying their boat. "Hello, I guess I was too caught up in the excitement to introduce myself. I'm Rose Weasley."

Albus felt bad for not acknowledging the girl earlier. "I'm Albus," he said, purposefully not mentioning his last name. He'd already gotten enough attention from it on the train. "We're cousins."

The girl smiled at them shyly. "Heidi Chang. It's nice to meet you, too." Heidi was a pretty Asian girl with tiny facial features and long brown hair.

"Are you excited for school?" Rose asked conversationally.

Albus rolled his eyes. "She's only asking because she's crazy in to school," he laughed. "Rosie's been dressed in her robes since before the train even set off!"

Heidi laughed. "Well I only just changed into my robes now, but I am really excited about Hogwarts. I can't wait for flying lessons. My mum played Quidditch at school and I intend to get on the team as soon as possible." Her voice was quiet and squeaky from the anxiety of meeting new people, but Albus could tell she was opening up a little now that a conversation had started.

"We have tons of Quidditch players for cousins at school!" Rose exclaimed. "Granted, not many of them made the team, but it's pretty difficult with only seven members per House."

"Yeah, that true. I heard Harry Potter made it as a first year, though. I want to be like that!" Heidi said. "I don't think I'm quite good enough for that, though. I just want some way to compare myself to him. My mum told me all about him. You know, you kind of look like him, Albus."

Albus blushed, feeling embarrassed. "How would you know?" he asked.

"The news, of course," Heidi giggled, rolling her eyes. Of course! he thought stupidly. The television was more of a recent invention within the wizarding world, and his parents had yet to get around to buying one. James had begged their parents for one when it first started getting more popular a few years before, but they had insisted it wouldn't be worth it.

Albus and Rose exchanged a glance. It was true, Albus looked almost exactly like his dad. He had the same black, untidy hair, and the same almond-shaped green eyes. Just about the only difference between Albus and his dad in looks was that his face was a little softer in shape, like his mum's, and his eyes weren't bad enough where he needed glasses. "Yeah," he replied awkwardly. "I guess I do look like him." Albus had known that his dad at fought in the war, but had never realized how great of a role he played until he'd gotten on the Hogwarts Express and told someone his surname. He knew that in less than an hour, Heidi would know who his dad was from the sorting ceremony, but he preferred to not be sitting next to her on a small boat when that freak out happened.

For the rest of the ride, Albus and Rose listened awkwardly as Heidi recounted all the information she knew about Harry Potter, and showed off the chocolate frog card she'd gotten on the train which so happened to be him. ("My mum doesn't let me buy chocolate frog cards because of the sugar, so I got as many as I could on the train just to be sure I found him.")

When the boat docked, Heidi cheerily said goodbye, and then ran off to find first years that better shared her interests. "Jeez," Rose muttered. "I hope she's not in my House." Albus silently agreed. That could be overwhelming.

Hagrid led the first years into the castle, and to a large set of doors where a woman with long wavy black hair stood waiting for them. "I can take it from here, Hagrid," she said nicely. Hagrid nodded, and he entered the room. The woman turned to the group of students and smiled. "Hello, I am Professor Scarcella, and I am your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, as well as the deputy headmistress. Soon you will be sorted into one of four Houses, known as Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Your Houses will be chosen based on your strengths and values, and become like your new family for the next seven years."

Albus gulped, but from a quick peek around he could see he wasn't the only one who was nervous. A blonde boy behind him was completely pale, and two identical girls were whispering anxiously that what if they were sorted into different Houses.

When he looked at Rose, he realized that she was becoming nervous as well. She had suddenly started her breathing exercises and was trying to calm herself down. A queasy looking boy with unbrushed brown hair squeaked, "What if we belong in no House?"

"Or what if we have qualities of every House?" a boy with dark skin asked confidentially, startling everyone. "My parents have told me the qualities each House possesses, and I believe I could be part of all of them. Do we get our pick, then?"

Professor Scarcella glared at the boy. "Well aren't you a humble Hufflepuff."

A few of the students started giggling, and the boy frowned angrily. "Well maybe I don't want to be a Hufflepuff," he protested. "We all know Gryffindor's the best House, anyways!"

The ferocity in Professor Scarcella's eyes grew, sending shivers down Albus's spine. "What is your name?"

"Garry Jordan," said the boy proudly.

"Well, Mr. Jordan, I am pleased to inform you that we have something called the House Cup here at Hogwarts. You earn points by doing well in school and behaving yourself, and lose points with any rule breaking or talking back. Whichever House you end up with will start the Cup with negative ten points."

Garry's mouth fell open, and a boy with slicked blonde hair snickered. "I'd hate to be in your House, Jordan. Glad I'll be Slytherin, and not your so called greatest House."

"Oh, shove off, Malfoy. Maybe you'll end up in Hufflepuff!" Garry exclaimed, getting himself all riled up.

"Be quiet at once, Mr. Jordan. Five more points for your House." Then, the professor looked at all the first years and her expression softened. "Not one House is better or worse than the other," she assured them. "Hufflepuff is a fine House, if you end up there. You are placed where you will most succeed as a witch or wizard."

"I'd still rather not be Slytherin," Albus whispered quietly to Rose.

"Me too, but don't even worry about it. You'll be fine." Rose gave him a tiny smile, but it didn't reassure him. Despite her words, he couldn't believe Rose. Not when she'd just been freaking out herself. Of course, even if Rose wasn't a Gryffindor she was guaranteed Ravenclaw. It wasn't fair when her alternate possibility meant she was a genius, when his alternate House meant he was evil.

Professor Scarcella told everyone to line up, and then they entered the Great Hall. As they walked down the center pathway, Albus noticed four incredibly long tables, each holding hundreds of students. Most people stared at the new students, probably curious about which would be the newest members to their Houses. On the far right he spotted his brother James pointing at him with his friends. Albus felt embarrassed. He was absolutely sure they were gossiping about how he wouldn't be Gryffindor. He wasn't brave enough. He felt too scared.

When he looked ahead, he realized they were approaching a large pointed hat sitting on a wooden stool. Oh no. He knew what this was. He could feel his heart beginning to thump faster, and his palms were getting sweaty.

When they reached the head of the room, everyone shifted their eyes from the new students to the old hat. The hat started to move, twitching its point, and then opened up a hole in the middle as if it were a mouth. Albus heard it take a deep breath, clear its throat, and then begin to sing.

Oh, however many years ago
this school was run by four
two witches, two wizards
all with skills galore

Each had a very different view
of how to run this school
so each agreed to split their pupils
and then grew a diverse pool

Old Slytherin
before he broke away
was as ambitious as one could be
he honored those as worthy as he
and taught tirelessly day to day

Wise Ravenclaw
she valued study
book smarts were the key
she surrounded herself with those who could see
so clear and not so muddy

Young Hufflepuff
she was so kind
friendship is what she loved best
she celebrated loyalty, what a fest!
enhancing both her heart and mind

Brave Gryffindor
the man was so bold
to him cowards are a pest
he valued chivalry more than a treasure chest
his students glow like gold

Four great Houses are part of Hogwarts,
the greatest school in Britain
when you come and put me on your head
your future will be written

The entire room stood and cheered as the hat took its bow. Although Albus and Rose clapped politely, most of the other first years were too queasy or confused on why there was a singing hat to even attempt to applaud. Garry Jordan was clapping wildly, absolutely bursting with excitement, but he was definitely the only one. As the cheering died down, Professor Scarcella stepped forward, and pulled a scroll out of her robes. After she unraveled it, she cleared her throat and the students quieted themselves. Albus wasn't sure if he was ready, but whether he liked it or not, the sorting had finally begun.

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