Albus watched as his mother and father's waving forms turned into specks in the distance. He could feel a deep pit of dread in his stomach as his thoughts turned to Hogwarts, and the Sorting that was ticking closer and closer. Even with his father's reassurance that the Sorting Hat took your own choice into account, he couldn't help feel that by some twist of fate he would end up in Slytherin.

Of course he knew it wouldn't be that bad to be in Slytherin. His father had told him countless times that he mustn't be prejudiced against them. Albus knew, however, that if he ended up in Slytherin the rest of the wizarding world might not be so lenient.

"You coming, Albus?" Rose's voice said behind him, making him jump.

"Er, yeah. Where are we sitting?" Albus tried to calm his racing heart.

"Come on, there's some empty compartments near the back." Rose began marching down the hall with her nose in the air. Albus followed her, smirking as he remembered how she used to act when they were little. He was glad she wasn't quite as bossy nowadays.

Albus slid into the compartment after Rose, then slumped in his chair. His eyes widened and his mouth fell open as he caught sight of who they were sharing the compartment with. A boy sat across from him, amusement flickering across his face at the sight of Albus's expression. He had a pale, pointed face with stormy grey eyes that glinted in the light. His hair was a light blond, and his elegant fingers held on to a thick black book. Albus recognized him immediately. He was Scorpius Malfoy, the one person Uncle Ron had warned them away from.

Albus looked quickly between him and Rose, then narrowed his eyes at the latter. Rose gave Albus a sweet smile, and then turned her attention back to the other boy.

"Hello, my name is Rose Weasley." She stuck out her hand for him to shake. He clasped her hand, looking slightly bewildered at the formal introduction.

"And I'm Albus." Albus chimed in, before Rose made Scorpius tell them his full name, age, and any other information Rose might think useful. Scorpius appraised him for a moment; then he reached over and shook Albus's hand.

"Scorpius." He said simply. The two boys nodded at each other, and both unconsciously relaxed in their seats. Albus felt as though he had passed some sort of test.

There was a moment of silence. "So," Albus began awkwardly. "What house do you want to be in?"

Scorpius's face hardened. " Oh, I'm sure you know. I mean, since everyone knows everything about me, I'm sure to be in Slytherin. After all, with a whole family of former Death Eaters, I obviously will be just the same." He was breathing harder by the end of this, and his eyes glittered with an emotion Albus couldn't place.

"No need to be like that. He just asked you a question," Rose said sharply.

Scorpius sagged in his seat. He stared sheepishly down at the floor. "Sorry, I can get a tad defensive at times."

"It's all right. I can't even imagine what it must be like for you." Albus said biting his. He had heard the whispers about the Malfoys.

Rose broke back into the conversation. "So what classes are you most excited for?" she asked, changing the subject. "I'm really excited to start learning about Transfiguration and Arithmancy, although Mum said we wouldn't start that until third year. Do you think Potions will be hard? What about—"

"Do you play Quidditch?" Albus interrupted Rose's rant. She narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth to say something, but Scorpius cut in before she could start up again.

"Of course," he grinned. "I play Seeker. What about you?"

"Chaser. There's more action and I didn't really feel like having to live up to my dad."

Scorpius gave a bitter smile. "I can understand that." He let out a breath of air. "Although it's the opposite for me. Everyone thinks I'm hoping to be part of the next generation of Death Eaters."

Albus squirmed in his seat, feeling a little guilty about all the assumptions he had made. Everyone had always told him that Malfoys were evil and manipulative, always trying to bend you their way. Scorpius didn't seem like that at all.

The compartment door slid open, and a kindly, plump witch poked her head in. "Anything off the trolley, dears?" she asked.

"No thank you, we're—" Rose was cut off by Albus, who clapped his hand over her mouth.

"Yes, please!" He and Scorpius grabbed a handful of candy, and passed the witch some galleons. Rose rolled her eyes as they unloaded it back onto the seats.

They spent the rest of the trip eating candy and joking around. Scorpius was a little withdrawn at first, but as time went on he became more and more relaxed. Albus smiled to himself as he thought of what his uncle Ron would say when he found out that his daughter had become friends with a Malfoy. It was a shame that Albus wouldn't be home to see his uncle explode.

As the train ride went on, he forgot all about the Sorting. That is, until a prefect stuck his head in and said, "Squirts, you better get your robes on. Hogwarts is just around the corner."

Albus could hardly remember the rest of the train ride, he was so anxious. He kept imagining what would happen if he was put in Slytherin. He had never dreaded anything more. He barely remembered stepping off the train, until he was jolted back to reality when he heard the cry of "Firs' years! Firs' years, over here!" Forgetting for a moment the Sorting, he walked confidently over to where Hagrid stood, easy to find because of his bulk.

"Hello, Hagrid." Albus smiled up at him. "How are you doing?"

"Been good. Got some new creatures ter show yeh. Hello, Rose!"

Scorpius and Rose walked up next to Albus, Scorpius staying slightly in the shadows. Rose gave Hagrid a bright smile and a cheery wave. As more and more first years began to congregate, Albus became more and more edgy. He was very skittish as he and his classmates scrambled after Hagrid down a steep and rocky path.

"An' jus' around this corner here is Hogwarts!" Hagrid announced. Albus felt his mouth drop open as he caught his first sight of it. The castle was stationed at the top of a mountain. Its many windows glittered with lights, and its towers and turrets rose majestically above them. Feeling a grin spreading across his face, Albus practically ran over to the boats. His heart lifted as he stared up at it, the castle lights winking at him every which way he looked.

"Now, hurry up in ter these boats! I'm sure yeh don' wanna miss yer Sortin'."

Albus fought to keep his balance as he climbed into a small, rocky boat that smelled like mildew. As they glided across the lake, Albus kept his eyes wide open, searching for the giant squid. Rose had to yank his head down when they passed under the cliff. Albus, Rose and Scorpius huddled together as they proceeded through a dark tunnel.

Soon the boats were bumping up against the other side of the lake in a sort of underground harbor. Then, his heart in his mouth, Albus clambered up the passageway. Albus wished that he were still in the boat when they finally reached the castle door and Hagrid knocked three times.

The door swung open to reveal Professor Longbottom, a close family friend of the Potters. He gave a secretive smile to Albus and Rose, and beckoned them in. Gasps of awe were heard throughout the group as they saw the size of the entrance hall. To him it felt even bigger than the Ministry of Magic.

However he didn't have much time to see it as they were ushered into a small, drafty chamber off of the hall. The group clustered tightly together, and Albus felt glad he wasn't the only one who was nervous.

"Welcome," Professor Longbottom addressed them. "In a moment, you will be sorted into one of the four houses here at Hogwarts. The houses are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. The Sorting will begin in a few moments—so luckily for you there is a few minutes to prepare yourself. I will be back soon."

It seemed like Professor Longbottom had just left when he came back in. Rose had to prod him along as they walked into a set of double doors into the Great Hall. Feeling his legs shake, Albus kept his eyes trained firmly on the back of the dark head in front of him, so he didn't have to look at the sea of faces.

Professor Longbottom placed a little stool in front of the line of first years, and placed a ragged old hat on top of it. Albus stared at it, waiting for something to happen. Then a rip appeared at the brim of the hat, and it began to sing:

Oh, I've sorted many students

Since the time of the founders four

I've searched inside their very soul

Through their hopes and dreams and fears,

I'll know just where to put you,

So don't you ever fear,

Just put me on your head and you will see.

Where you'll need to be.

Perhaps you'll be in Gryffindor,

Where those with courage and nerve,

Will always be preferred.

Or you might be in wise old Ravenclaw,

If you have the keenest mind,

Those with wit and genius will be with their own kind.

Or you'll find yourself in sly Slytherin,

Where those with cunning and ambition,
Will always be in the right condition.

Or maybe you'll be in Hufflepuff,

If you're kind and loyal,

Those who are hard workers, will always have enough.

So put me on your head and see, don't be afraid to try,

For I'm the Sorting Hat and I know where you need to be.

Albus clapped along with the rest of the school as the hat finished its song. Its "mouth" closed, and Professor Longbottom held a long scroll and began to read of names. "Barclay, Delilah!"

And so the Sorting began. Albus watched as his classmates were Sorted, trying hard not to think of his own. Time flew by, as soon as it was Scorpius walking up to the stool.

The hall became deathly quiet; glares were shot at Scorpius from all over the room. He ignored them, and confidently put on the hat. Everything was deafeningly silent. The hat opened its mouth and yelled:

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Albus saw Scorpius smile brightly as he bounded down to the Gryffindor table. He seemed not to notice as only a few half-hearted claps echoed throughout the room along with a few gasps. Everyone seemed taken aback by this sudden turn of events. But Albus hardly had time to feel bad for his friend when his own name was being called out.

"Potter, Albus!"

The Great Hall erupted into whispers as Scorpius was forgotten.

"Another Potter? Oh, I hope he's with us!"

"Do you think he can get me his dad's autograph?"

"Just what we need, another arrogant toad."

Albus sat down on the stool numbly, barely even registering the hushed tones of conversation around him. Darkness fell over his eyes as the Sorting Hat slid onto his head. He heard a small voice in his ear, and strained to hear what it was saying.

"Hmm, I see you have a sharp mind. But Ravenclaw wouldn't do for you, oh, not at all. You are however very courageous. Perhaps Gryffindor?"

Albus had never felt so scared in his life. But now that he was about to be Sorted, he thought he understood his father's words better. Though he still didn't want to be in Slytherin, he knew he wouldn't die if he weren't put in there. It didn't matter what house the hat put him in, as long as it was the best place for him.

Just put me in the house that will suit me the best, he thought.

"Well, aren't you an unusual one? Everyone else is begging to be put in a certain house. Would Slytherin suit you? Hmm. Well, out of all the houses, I suppose this one would be best. You better be….GRYFFYNDOR!"

Albus grinned widely as he stumbled off the stage and plopped down next to Scorpius, who gave him a wide smile. He was in Gryffindor! Albus had never been so happy or so relieved. James reached down the table and high-fived him, saying, "Looks like Slytherin didn't want you after all! But really, who could blame them?"

Albus rolled his eyes, still smiling and watched as Rose sat on the stool, her face pale with her freckles standing out. The hat slipped over her face. The hall was silent for a few moments as everyone stared at her. After what seemed like an eternity, the hat shouted, "GRYFFINDOR!"

Everyone cheered, Albus and Scorpius loudest of all. Rose, shaking sat next to him and stared down at the table. "I thought for sure it would be Ravenclaw," she said, a note of relief in her voice. "I'm glad I'm not there, I don't think I could stand being away from all you."

The rest of the night passed by in a blur. Albus could barely keep his eyes open as the headmistress made a quick speech and sent them off to their dormitories. When he finally collapsed into bed, he couldn't prevent a happy smile from spreading across his face.