I know there is tons of Next Gen stories but I hope this one is enjoyable and original.

Disclaimer: I wish I owned the world of Harry Potter but unfortunately I don't. It's all J. K. Rowling's.

CHAPTER 1: ARRIVAL

From that very first September 1st 2009, when Harry James Potter and Ginevra Molly Potter brought Edward "Teddy" Remus Lupin to Platform 9 ¾, the family once again went into the spotlight of the Daily Prophet, Witch Weekly and many other magazines and papers. This time though, it was on the war heroes but slowly becoming more and more featured on the Next Generation and their mischievous ways at the famous magical school.

From a very young age, all the children were taught to stay out of the camera and to try not make big news of themselves, but really? What else can kids do but do the opposite of what they are told. Teddy, a metamorphagus, was known for being the first of the family (although not technically related) to start the school. Victoire, Dominique and Louis all were pointed out as being the only blond and most beautiful children due to their part-veela heritage. Molly and Lucy were daughters of the Minister for Magic – highlighted even more by the fact that Lucy Weasley never received a letter for Hogwarts. Fred and Roxanne were twins of the remaining half of the famous Weasley Twins and as Fred looked like his name sake, it was unusual that Roxanne was completely different by looking like her mother. Rose Weasley was a miniature of her mother in every way possible except from her hair which was fortunately, in her mother's eyes at least, perfectly straight and Weasley ginger. Hugo was a mix of his parents but closer in looks to his father along with chess skills that would put Ron to shame. Finally came the most famous of the Weasley-Potter children. James Sirius Potter, Albus Severus Potter and Lily Luna Potter. James basked in the glory and took the fame to his head. He had a reddish tinge to his unruly black hair and had bright brown eyes like his mother. He played quidditch as well as both his parents and captained the Gryffindor team from his fifth year to his seventh year. Albus was identical to his father with his messy black hair and green eyes but minus the scar and glasses – he was also extremely smart which surprised both his parents. Finally came Lily who was the youngest in her family bar Lucy by a few weeks. She was the only Potter to inherit red hair and also had her mother's brown eyes. Like many families, they had drama. Although with ten of the family all in Hogwarts at once, the drama is definitely hard to avoid.

So, 2022 was no different to most years. Reporters and fans crowded around the family as they pushed their trolleys towards their usual spot. James, Fred, Roxanne and Dominique were now in their 7th year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Roxanne proudly wore her Head Girl badge while the other three teased her. Even George joined in for a while until Angelina told him off. Albus stood with his arm around his girlfriend, Alice Longbottom, standing along with Rose and Scorpius who were his best friends (as well as family for one of them). Starting their fifth year meant the stress of doing O.W.L.s but that was still a whole year away. Louis, in his fourth year, was catching up with a group of his friends and, as Fleur noticed, he continually kept looking over to a girl standing with her parents. That girl was, of course, Sophia Larson. The one girl who just seemed uninterested in Louis. Hugo was talking with Lily and the Scamander twins as they readied themselves to start their third year. Molly II, who was in her sixth year now, was uninterested in reacquainting before getting on the train and instead sat on her trunk reading a book. As usual, Audrey and Lucy didn't attend the Platform – Audrey finding it unnerving to walk through a wall (being a muggle) and Lucy hating having to watch over 200 people get to go to a place that shattered her dreams. The train's whistle blew at 10:55 and everyone who wasn't already on the train rushed to squeeze through the door with their trunks and pets, or else stayed behind to wave goodbye to their friends and family. In one compartment, all ten children managed to fit themselves together to wave out the window to their family who they wouldn't see until Christmas.

"Right, scram." James ordered as soon as the train had chugged out of sight of the Platform.

"Why do we have to leave?" Louis argued. "We got on before you."

"We are older than you, so you need to listen. If you don't go now, there will be no compartments left and you'll be stuck with the Slytherins." Dominique said and shooed away her brother and younger cousins. Finally, only the four seventh years remained and Molly.

"Leave her, she's in her own world." Roxanne said as the two boys looked ready to complain. Roxanne may have been a few months younger than James and a few minutes younger than Fred, but she often acted the most mature.

"So, what's the plan for this year, guys?" Dominique asked them, undoing the two plaits her mother had done for her long blonde hair this morning. "It's our last year ever coming to this school. We need to make it our best year yet."

Fred and James shared a look then James pulled out a piece of parchment from his pocket and started to unfold it. "Fred and I started this list over summer." He explained and handed it to Fred once it was out flat.

Fred cleared his throat and read each point out loud, pausing in between for James to explain.

"1. Have a whole school party.

2. Do a classic prank each month.

3. Make a time capsule.

4. Win the Quidditch Cup.

5. Have an epic final House Party.

6. Try every single pick-up line.

7. Possibly get a girlfriend after number six.

8. Don't tell the girls this one.

9. Set off fireworks in every classroom.

10. Find the Room of Requirement that dad/Uncle Harry mentioned once.

11. Ditch class but don't let on to Roxy when you plan on doing it.

12. Get a toilet seat.

13. Go swimming in the Black Lake.

14. Improve reputation.

15. Do well in N.E.W.T.s"

Both Roxanne and Dominique gave them a confused look. "Number 8?" Dominique asked.

"Fred is going to lose his virginity this year." James smirked. Fred hit his arm. "So is James."

"So, who's Head Boy?" Dominique asked, turning to face Roxanne. "Or will you need to wait to find out. I hope he's cute. Maybe he'll be Joshua Wentworth? Or maybe Michael Clearwater-Jefferson? Or Olly Wood Jr.?"

While the two girls started debating the hottest and smartest guys in their year, Fred and James pretended to gag but eventually joined in the conversation too.

"I don't get why you don't visit over the holidays." Albus said as he set up the Wizard Chess board again for their second round. They had spent their first hour or so playing Wizard Chess and discussing their summer holidays. Rose had been able to tell Scorpius and Alice about both hers and most of Albus' summer while Alice had told of how she spent most of her time helping out her mum in the Leaky Cauldron since her siblings had gotten extremely annoying. She had her older brother, Frank, who was in his last year. Then Lauren and Nicholas in 3rd year. Her youngest sister, Amy, was starting 1st this year and that was their whole family. Scorpius stayed silent throughout it all until finally Albus asked what he did over summer. He had admitted that he was home alone for the majority as his parents were rarely at home. He had sent owls to Albus but not once did he complain or let on that he was lonely.

"I need permission to use the floo and I highly doubt that my father would appreciate me heading to a Potter's or Weasley's house. No offence, but you know how he is." Scorpius sighed, ordering one of the pawns to move.

All three of them had to nod. They had heard stories from their parents but it was easy to forget that Scorpius was related to the boy who caused so much damage. He was a Gryffindor and an honest and loyal one at that. He did alright in his classes, not just as well as his two best friends but also not too far behind. He played quidditch and he would never say a bad word about neither friend nor foe.

"Come to ours over Christmas." Rose suggested. "Tell your dad you are staying at school and he'll never know the difference."

"That's a great idea!" Albus agreed. "You'll have fun, and you won't be alone."

Scorpius didn't look so sure but he nodded anyway. "If your parents are okay with it then sure." He smiled a little. "I would love to come."

"Well," Rose smiled, "Now that that's sorted, who's ready for their O.W.L.s?" She asked while Scorpius and Alice just groaned.

When Scorpius and Rose left for a prefect meeting, Albus moved to sit opposite Alice. "Do you not find it strange that we didn't get picked as prefects? Neither of us have ever gotten in trouble, we do really well in all classes, we take part in extra activities… Your dad picks the prefects, why didn't he pick you at least?"

Alice smiled and tapped the side of her nose. "McGonagall helps dad pick, mind you. Remember though, they aren't just thinking of prefects, they are thinking of possible Head Boys and Girls so they can't just choose based on current points."

He chuckled but nodded. "So in other words, you won't tell me why they were chosen unless I guess by your clues." He asked and she nodded.

They easily fell into conversation. Talking about school, stories they forgot when talking of summer, and plans for Christmas. Albus found himself thanking that Alice wasn't like Frank or Lauren who were extremely similar to their father. He didn't think he'd be able to gaze at the face of his House Head every day through his daughter.

"Albus. Albus!" Alice laughed, shoving him lightly. "Stop dreaming, we're at the castle."

He blinked a few times before coming into reality. "Right, yes. Where are-?" He didn't have to finish as Rose and Scorpius interrupted by walking into the compartment. "The password is Gillyweed this year." Rose said, grabbing her trunk and the cage with her cat in it.

"Let's go get a carriage before they all disappear." Scorpius said, leading them outside. The horse of hooves and neighs could be heard but none of the four of them could see the beasts that pulled the carriages. "It's hard to believe that threstals pull these carriages when you can't see them." Scorpius mused, voicing what the others were thinking.

They got in one and it began to move, pulling them towards the castle.

"It always looks so beautiful and majestic." Alice smiled softly, looking out the window.

"I know what you mean." Rose agreed. "It's like first year all over again."

The boys nodded and all was peaceful until the carriages came to a halt and three people sprinted past, shouting and shoving to get to the castle first.

"Good to know James is getting more mature." Albus muttered, the other three laughing at his attitude to his older brother.

"Well, I think we should follow his example and go to the Great Hall, the sooner we get there, the sooner we can eat." Rose grinned.