"So that's little Scorpius," said Ron under his breath. "Make sure you beat him in every test, Rosie. Thank God you inherited your mother's brains."
"Ron, for heaven's sake," said Hermione, half-stern, half-amused. "Don't try to turn them against each other before they've even started school!"
"You're right, sorry," said Ron, but unable to help himself, he added "don't get too friendly with him though, Rosie. Granddad Weasley would never forgive you if you married a pure-blood."
Rose looked at the small, pale boy, stood next to his father. 'There can't be so much wrong with just one little boy' she thought. She wasn't normally one to rebel against anything, especially not her father, but she felt determined to give Scorpius a chance, and when he asked if he could sit in hers and Albus' compartment on the packed train, she did not object at all when he sat next to her.
"I'm Rose," she offered him her hand and he shook it.
"Malfoy. Scorpius Malfoy." Scorpius turned to Albus.
"I'm presuming you're Potter?" he said, a little coldly. Harry had told his kids a bit about the Malfoys, although he had demanded they give Draco's son a chance.
"Yeah, Albus," he responded, trying not to sound too rude.
There was a little silence between the three.
"So," Rose piped up, "What house do you want to be in?"
"Slytherin." Scorpius told her quickly. "Like my father. Apparently it's the best place to be at Hogwarts."
Albus rolled his eyes and Rose glared at him. "I'm hoping to be in Gryffindor, personally. All my family were." Rose told Scorpius, trying not to sound as though she was being disrespectful of his opinions.
"I'm going to be in Gryffindor." Albus said, barely looking up from counting his money as he heard the sweets trolley come near.
"Well, you can't really be sure-" Rose started.
"Yes. I can." He stood up and paid the trolley lady for three chocolate frogs and a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans. He passed a chocolate frog to Rose, and grudgingly threw one to Scorpius, who nodded his thanks. Rose glared at him again, in a sort of 'Stop being a pratt' way. One of the many glares Hermione had passed onto her daughter.
"Oh for God's sake," Albus yelled, upon opening his chocolate frog. "I got another one of Dad's bloody cards! I swear; I have at least 15 in my room! I just want a Longbottom!"
Rose started laughing as Scorpius opened his own and gave a devilish grin. "Well, well well," He turned his card around to show Albus. "What do we have here?"
Albus' jaw dropped as the Neville walked into the centre of the card, holding a Mimblus Mimbletonia.
"I could give you it," Scorpius started, but Albus could tell there was an end. "But I'm not sure how much you really want it." He raised an eyebrow. "Five sickles."
"That's far too much." Albus demanded. "I bought you it, anyway."
"True, true... Okay, Three sickles and nine knuts or no deal."
Albus held Scorpius' gaze then dug his hand into his pocket and counted out the correct amount, then held his palm out. Scorpius took the money, then placed the card in Albus' hand. "Good doing business with you, Potter." He said, putting the money into his back pocket.
Albus grunted and pushed his back against the seat again, admiring his card.
Rose sighed. The boys obviously weren't going to be friends.