The train drew out of sight and Albus sighed. Despite his father's comforting words back on the platform, he wasn't sure. He stared out the window, his trunk and owl cage beside him as he watched the train speed by rows upon rows of houses and more houses. This was going to be a long journey.

"Come on Al or all the compartments will be taken and we'll have to sit with some, other people." Rose interrupted his thoughts.

He knew what she meant. Although they were cousins and wanted to make friends, they had both agreed that the journey there wasn't the best time to sit awkwardly in a compartment, probably with older years that had already been sorted and not let a word pass between them for hours upon hours. Grabbing his trunk at one end, Rose helped him heave his trunk along the carriage, looking into each one. Rose had already bewitched her trunk to follow them and it did dutifully. They found an empty compartment at the end of the carriage they were in and dumped the trunk at the end. Neither of them had any more strength to try and put it up in the rack. Rose's suitcase was a lot lighter and so, between them, they just managed to put it up on the rack.

"It's a shame your mum forgot to teach me how to make it lighter." Albus panted as they collapsed onto the seats.

"Yes. Where's Tonks?" Rose asked.

Albus started. "She's still where I left her, by that window!"

They jumped to their feet and raced out of the compartment. Hurtling down the corridor, Albus came to the spot where he was sure he had left Tonks. But she was nowhere to be seen.

"Tonks?" Albus called. He was desperate to find her.

Sure enough, as she had been taught, there was a screeching sound and a rattling of bars in a compartment a few doors along. Tonks was in there, recognisable by her big grey eyes and brown streaked feathers, along with three other students, who appeared to be older than Rose and Albus. Looking at Rose who smiled encouragingly, Albus timidly opened the door and the nearest girl looked up. Tonks had been placed at the window.

"Excuse me." Albus said nervously.

"Yes, how can we help you?" the girl asked. She was wearing a red and yellow tie, Albus thought with relief. They had stumbled across a Gryffindor.

"Did you find that bird outside in the corridor? Because I think its mine."

"Yes, we were wondering who she belonged to. She's a beauty, isn't she?" Albus nodded.

"Thanks so much for looking after her."

The girl frowned suddenly. "How do I know that you're not just trying to steal her?"

"Let her out of the cage and I can prove it."

The girl did so, still frowning. Tonks hopped to the edge of the cage and looked around curiously. Albus held out his left, non-wand, arm.

"Tonks, here girl."

Obediently Tonks flew over and landed neatly on his arm. The girl smiled and handed Albus the cage. Nodding to her, Albus left the compartment and as he and Rose walked back to their compartment, he put Tonks back in her cage. She had seemed a little more anxious before but now she was settling down. Sitting down once more, there was silence for a few moments before it was broken by a boy stumbling into the compartment. He had light blonde hair that had been slicked back. There were several older students jeering at him and instinctively Rose and Albus drew their wands. Rose knew a few simple spells but that was the best any of them would be able to do.

"You're not wanted here Scorpius. You and that ridiculous family of yours. You have a great cheek to be coming here after what your family have a history of."

The boy stammered and Rose, against her better judgement, spoke up. "It doesn't matter about his past or his family; it's him you should get to know first."

The oldest girl in the group, whom Albus realised with a groan, was a Slytherin, turned Rose's way. "The cheek of a first year." She too drew her wand.

But before any spells could be cast, there was a loud cough. "Can I help you ladies and gentlemen?" It was a girl, who was clearly a lot older than the whole group. Albus smiled, relieved. It was Victoire, their oldest cousin, who had been made head girl over the summer. Now they were in safe hands.

The group of students muttered something unintelligible but Victoire had sharp ears. "I don't like people threatening my cousins or any students that have a limited use of magic and I will report you to Professor Scamander if you are seen to repeat it. Do you understand?"

There were quite a few nods and they left meekly. Albus grinned at Rose, if they were sent to the headmistress, Luna Scamander; they could imagine what a good time they would have. Although they would now have to address her as Professor, it would be good to be able to see her once in a while. Victoire turned to the trio.

"Hey Al and Rose." She smiled as the two grinned at her. She turned to Scorpius. "You must be Scorpius Malfoy?"

He nodded miserably. "Nice to meet you."

Victoire had inherited her mother's silvery blonde hair and it glistened in the sun reflecting off the windows. Albus could see why Teddy was dating her. She stuck out her hand and Scorpius took it, uncertainly.

"I'm Victoire Weasley, the new head girl. As I said, if you have any more trouble with that group of Slytherins, don't hesitate to tell me, Robert Dougal the new head boy or your house prefects."

"Thanks."

"I must go." Victoire sighed. "I'm supposed to patrol for a bit. We've got a good six hours ahead of us so you can settle down for a long journey. Did dad give you his presents or did he forget again?"

Albus looked confused. "No, we haven't seen him for two months."

Victoire sighed, drew her wand and muttered something under her breath. Out from her wand came a silvery poodle and it flew out the window and raced away from the train in the direction they had come from.

"Was that –?" Albus asked breathlessly. He had often seen his parents produce a Speaker but never a Hogwarts student.

"Yeah, I got Aunt Hermione to teach me last year so I didn't need to keep using the Hogwarts owls. See you three later at the feast."

With that, she continued down the corridor and Albus went back into the compartment. Rose joined him but Scorpius hesitantly stood at the door. Rose motioned for him to come in but he shook his head.

"I can't, I can't be seen talking to you."

Albus looked confused. "Why not?"

Scorpius looked a little guilty. "Well you're Weasley/Potter. I'm a Malfoy, our families are supposed to hate each other. You saw how they treated me, my name is scum now. I wouldn't dare be seen with you guys who have as cool parents as Harry Potter and Hermione Weasley."

Albus stood up. "We don't mind. I don't think it's fair that they should prejudge you on your name. I don't think we've been properly introduced." He stuck out his hand. "I'm Albus Potter and this is Rose Weasley."

Scorpius shook his head. "I – I'm sorry. I'll see you two later, thanks for the help."

With that he dashed away towards where Victoire had disappeared and was soon out of sight. Confused, the pair went back into the carriage where they closed the window and released Tonks and Gideon, Rose's owl, named after Gideon Prewett, Molly's brother who was killed in the First Wizarding War. They nestled and were eager to explore their new surroundings of the carriage.

After a few hours, the sound of the sweet lady could be heard from the other end of the carriage. Rose and Albus dug in their pockets for the change their parents had given them for this particular moment. There was some cash in their trunks for the return journey but this was where they wanted to spend their money. They knew the range of sweets on offer, from James' description but they were met with a bigger surprise. The trolley was better than ever and overflowing with all of their favourite sweets.

Stuffing their pockets with Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans, Chocolate Frogs, Pumpkin Pasties, a copy of the day's Daily Prophet and many other delicacies, they paid the lady and made their way back to their compartment. They laid them on the seat and Albus opened the top of his suitcase. At the top lay the meal that his mother and sister had made for him and his brand new robes. He pulled both of these out and laid the robes to one side. Lily had decorated and Ginny had made his favourite chocolate chip cupcakes with vanilla icing. There were tuna sandwiches and cold chicken drumsticks to share with Rose who had also been given her own lunch. According to Albus' watch, it was gaining on two o'clock and so the pair settled down to start eating.

Within the short space of an hour, both had added to their already fast growing Chocolate Frog card collections. Albus couldn't wait to start trading and was eager to get the only one of the trio missing, his father. He had two of Ron and Hermione and there was just one frog left. He eyed it uncertainly but Rose smiled.

"How about this Al. If it's Uncle Harry or any you haven't got then you get the card and I get the frog. If its one that you have, regardless of whether I have it for not, I get the card and you get the frog, deal?"

He got up and hugged Rose. "Rosie you are the absolute best!"

"But I get to open it."

"Fair deal."

The silence could be cut with a knife. Slowly, Rose picked up the frog, turned it over and took off the wrapping. Before it could escape, she grabbed the enchanted frog as she handed Albus the card.

"It's Harry!" Albus exclaimed in delight. "Thanks Rosie!"

"No problem Al."

Content with what they had eaten, Albus and Rose settled down. It was now gone past three and Rose stepped outside to allow Albus to change. Slipping out of his robes, he looked out the window. The train was now speeding past fields and little villages which were growing further and further apart. He hastily slipped the robes on, fitting the tie and putting on the new shoes his parents had bought him. Albus felt slightly out of place. He had never gone to school before, preferring to be educated at home until his eleventh birthday. Lily would now be getting private tuition from Harry and Ginny, whereas Albus would be at the place that his father had called home and he had become close friends with his mother. He stepped outside the compartment to join Rose who was at the window. He noticed that she had tears silently streaming down her face.

"Rose, what's the matter?"

Hastily she returned to the compartment. "Oh nothing, I'm being silly, that's all."

Albus knew her better. "Come on Rose, there's no need to be ashamed of whatever it is. Are you feeling homesick?"

Rose nodded miserably. "I miss Hugo and mum and dad. I want to be back in the comfort of my own bed and not at some strange place where the only person I know is you."

"Come on Rose, you'll make friends easily. James is here, Dominique, Fred and Victoire are here. Louis will be here next year. You can see Hugo at Christmas, and your parents. Just remember that your parents met here, on the Hogwarts Express. Don't tell me you've forgotten the story!"

Rose smiled through her tears and furiously tried to rub them with the sleeve of her robe. "Mum's parting words on the train: you've got dirt on your nose, did you know? Right there. Priceless, I can't believe she had the nerve to at that age."

"Well apparently she was a complete show off and little know-it-all."

"That's the other thing I'm worried about. Our parents are so famous for what happened 19 years ago. Even dad already recognises I've got mum's brain and I don't want to be seen how she was seen, a stuck up girl trying to make her mark on the wizarding world until she was finally accepted by the coolest kid in the year."

Albus put an arm around her comfortingly. "Hey, don't worry about it. All you have to do is be yourself. I can motion to you if I think you're starting to act like your mum. Hopefully we'll be in the same house, that'll make it easier." Albus thought back to what his parents had said about their time at Hogwarts. "Your dad said that your mum kept sticking her hand up for all the answers. Do that, but not for all of them, even if you know the answer. Tell me a couple!"

Rose laughed and soon they were laughing quite hard. Albus was clever but not as smart as Rose. The sky outside was now getting darker and the tree clumps became thicker and thicker. Rose was sure they were getting nearer. Albus took out the Daily Prophet and scanned the pages for anything interesting. Towards the back, there was something that caught his eye and he nudged Rose, who was fixing her tie.

"Hey Rosie, look at this."

"What is it?"

Albus read the article out loud. "'Two major deaths hit the wizarding world hard. The two latest murders of Unspeakable Dennis Creevey and novelist Miranda Goshawk have been identified as the latest in a string of murders over the past few weeks. Creevey and Goshawk are the fifth and sixth victims of an unknown murder who leaves no trace of being there. Understandably, the Muggle police are baffled but the Muggle Prime Minister has been informed that the best people are on the case. Speaking from the Auror office, Christopher Abbot made a statement: "we are doing everything that we can to stop this unknown person or persons. If anyone has any clue as to whom it may be, please step forward so that we may get the job done quicker to prevent further loss of life." He also made it clear that every member of the wizarding community should be on the look out for abnormal behaviour and strange occurrences.'"

Albus stopped reading there. Rose looked aghast. "An unspeakable and a novelist. This is the first time the person's struck the Ministry. Do you think they'll get the person?"

Albus looked at her incredulously. "Come on Rose, we're talking about our parents here, they'll be caught before the year is out at the very latest. Come on, I think we're getting closer."

Packing the rest of the sweets into their trunks, Albus and Rose fought to get Rose's trunk closed. With the Undetectable Extension Charm on Albus' trunk, it was easily closed within seconds but Rose's took a lot longer. Clearly she too had bought some extra books but hadn't laid them out properly. They spent the next hour, unpacking and repacking her suitcase. Discovering a hidden zipped pocket in the side of the trunk and hiding some items in there, they finally managed to close the suitcase. Exhausted once more, they sat down on the seats. Soon enough, a voice was heard echoing throughout the train.

"We will be arriving at Hogsmeade Station for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in approximately five minutes. Please ensure that you are wearing your robes when you leave the train and that your trunk and animals are safely locked up. Your belongings will be brought up to the castle separately. Please note all first years should make their way towards the rear end of the train where Professor Hagrid will be waiting to escort you by boats. All other years should make their way to the front of the train where the Thestral-drawn carts will be waiting for you. Have a safe term."

With that the message finished and there was a silence throughout the train. Suddenly there was a burst of chatter and the excitement could be felt. Eager to catch a sight of the station, Rose and Albus hurriedly put Gideon and Tonks back in their cages and rushed outside into the corridor. There were several other first years who had thought similarly and had their noses pressed against the windows. The windows were steamed up so Albus used his robe sleeve to wipe away the steam from the nearest window. It was impossible to find the castle behind all the trees but Albus could swear he saw a few lights. It was finally here! This was his day of reckoning and the day that he would finally find the place where he belonged. The train slowed down until it finally stopped at a station marked: Hogsmeade. Eager to explore this new surrounding, Albus and Rose ran for the nearest door and opened it. The cold Scottish air was bracing and a slight welcome from the hot inside of the train. They heard a voice over the chatter.

"First years, over here!"

Towards the rear of the train, they spotted Hagrid who was as large as ever. Fighting through the throng of excited students, they made their way to the front. As soon as Hagrid realised who they were, they were soon the firmest of friends. When all the first years had arrived, some looking more nervous than others, Hagrid led the first years down a path to the shore where several boats were waiting. Albus and Rose immediately got into one and waved for Scorpius to come over. He ignored them and got in with three other people into another boat. The duo was soon joined by two other girls. Once all the first years were in, the boats set off without a word. The lake was calm and the moonlight glistened on the water. As they turned the corner, Hogwarts castle came into sight. 19 years later and still the signs of the fight were there. Lights shone from all over the castle and there was a great collection of sighs as it came fully into view. Albus knew now what James had meant by it was hard to describe. Tall towers dominated the skyline, almost blocking the moon. Albus saw the Quidditch pitch James had talked about to his left. Since the original had been destroyed in the Battle of Hogwarts, it had been reconstructed to be exactly like the original with no changes. Something Albus knew was new was a smaller tower that stood up in the middle of the Entrance Courtyard. It was hard to see from the angle they were coming from but Albus knew it was there. It was a column on which all the names of every Hogwarts student, staff member, ex-student and member of the Order of the Phoenix who had fought in the Battle of Hogwarts. The one's who had died, thankfully, took up only one side of the ornate marble column, but the rest of it was covered with the names. Albus had promised himself to go and visit it at least once a month to read the list over and over again to remind himself of why he was free and alive.

There was a bump as the boats came to the edge of the lake. Now back on dry land, everyone scrambled out of the boats and Hagrid led the way up the grassy bank and up the stone steps. They were impossibly wide but at a good sloping angle. By the time, they reached the top, it was a quite a way down to the bottom where the boats had mysteriously disappeared. Albus looked back up at Hagrid who knocked on the great oak door that now stood before them. Soon enough, a tall, thin man opened the door and turned to Hagrid.

"Thank you Hagrid, I'll take them from here."

He beckoned them all to come inside. Albus and Rose fell into step with the first people and they crossed the threshold into the castle and the Entrance Hall. They climbed a few flights of stairs and then the man stopped.

"Welcome all to your very first year at Hogwarts. My name is Professor Thomas." Albus looked at Rose in excitement. This must be Dean Thomas, one of Harry's room mates when they were at Hogwarts together. "The sorting ceremony will begin momentarily. While you are at Hogwarts, your house will be like your family. Good behaviour and work will earn you points; rule breaking will lose you points. There are four houses here at Hogwarts named after the four founders of Hogwarts: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Within these houses, there are sub-sections of houses which you will be allocated to when you arrive at your house. Your sub-section will be your closer 'family' as it were. They are named after the greatest wizards and witches from within the houses over time. These sub-sections are mixed over the years and genders. Please wait here while I check that everything is ready for you."

With that, Professor Thomas disappeared without a trace. Some people were staring at the spot he had just vacated. Chatter rose up and it seemed that everyone was discussing the houses and sub-sections. Albus knew that James was in Weasley section, named after all the Weasley's who had fought in the Battle of Hogwarts. Victoire had been placed in Dumbledore, named after the person who was believed to be the greatest wizard of all time. Albus and Rose knew all the sub-sections for Gryffindor and Ravenclaw but they weren't so sure about Hufflepuff and Slytherin. But before the two could confer any longer, Professor Thomas apparated into the same spot he had disapparated from. Without another word, the doors at the far end of the room swung open and Professor Thomas motioned for them to get into a line. Albus and Rose stuck together and Albus ended up behind Rose and in front of a boy with untidy, bright blue hair. Recognising the 'symptoms', Albus realised he was a metamorphmagus, like Teddy Lupin. He felt sorry for the boy, who was looking terrified and wanted to change his hair but didn't seem to be able to. Again, he saw the boy trying to screw up his face as if he was concentrating.

But before he could turn around and talk to him, the line started to move and they were in the Great Hall. Thousands of candles floated mid-air and four long pine tables ran the length of the hall. At the end of the hall, the teacher's table ran the width of the hall. He could see Professor Scamander, in her usual bright turquoise robes, right in the middle. Her dirty-blonde hair was almost at her hip again and she surveyed the new first years with interest. She caught Albus' eye and winked and he smiled back at her. Albus looked to his left to find the Gryffindor table. He couldn't spot James or Victoire there but he would find them later. He could see Rose was looking with a frown on her face but before they could say anything, they reached the end. They spread out in a line in front of the steps where a very old hat was now being placed on a stool. Albus knew that this was the Sorting Hat, who sorted each student into the houses. Everyone was staring at it, so Albus too. Soon enough, the brim opened wide and the hat started to sing:

Peace we have at last my dear friends.

Peace has fallen on our race, our kind.

But not without a terrible loss

Which we will be reminded of this year.

The four houses do justice to thousands of years ago

But the sub-sections do justice to the recent past:

Gryffindor, where bound the brave at heart.

Where the future Harry Potters and Albus Dumbledore's go.

Ravenclaw, where the brainiest are placed.

Where the future Terry Boots and Luna Scamander lie.

Hufflepuff, where the kind and seeking belong.

Where the future Hannah Abbots and Cedric Diggorys await.

Slytherin, where the worst of the kind are left.

Where the future Voldemorts and Draco Malfoys are left to their fate.

But each house does not live up to its name,

For there may be among you, an anomaly or two.

There may be a Gryffindor, who is as scared as a mouse,

Or a Slytherin with a sincere heart.

Do not take literally your placing,

For you may have a different fate.

But those who quake and tremble with fear do not.

Your house will be where you truly belong.

If your not sure then do not worry, I've done it before.

You're in safe hands, though I have none,

For I am the sorting hat.

With that, the hat fell silent and there was a confused smattering of applause from around the hall. When it finally died down, Professor Thomas stepped up to the platform with a scroll in his hand.

"Now when I call your name, please step forward. I will place the Sorting Hat on your head and you will be sorted. Do not worry if it takes a long time until you are sorted, some are done quicker than others. Adams, Hubert."

A tall boy with a mop of shocking white hair stepped forward. He clearly looked comfortable and quickly the hat declared him: "Slytherin!"

The next few students were divided between Slytherin and Hufflepuff until 'Bletchley, Fern' became the first Gryffindor. Albus turned around to see James towards the front of the table jumping up and down. Albus winked at James who gave him a big thumbs-up. The list continued down and Albus paid little attention to the hat until Professor Thomas read: 'Lupin, Harry'. Albus looked astonished. The metamorphmagus boy he had seen was now making his way to the hat. He turned to Rose.

"Do you think –?"

"We'll have to ask him one day. Maybe Remus had another brother or a cousin he never told Uncle Harry about."

To confirm his allegiances and which family he came from, Harry was soon placed in Gryffindor. The next name on the list was one of the people Albus was most anxious to find the result of: 'Malfoy, Scorpius'. Scorpius was clearly terrified and Albus gave him a small smile as he sat down. Scorpius was on the stool for a long time until the unexpected happened. The sorting hat was declaring him: "Gryffindor!" there was a dead silence. Everyone had heard Scorpius' father mentioned by the Sorting Hat as being a Slytherin. Scorpius had gone even paler than before and Professor Thomas, who was also slightly astonished, had to take the hat off Scorpius and give him a little push towards the Gryffindor table. Albus turned helplessly in James and Victoire's area. Motioning for them to clap, Victoire started to clap followed uncertainly by James. Soon the Gryffindor table was all clapping as Scorpius took his place next to Harry Lupin, whose hair was a pleasant light brown now.

After that awkward sorting, the next sorting went a lot quicker. Sooner than he would have liked, "Potter, Albus" was read out by Professor Thomas. Rose smiled encouragingly as, shakily, Albus walked up to the stool. He stood down and the sorting hat was placed on his head. Suddenly Albus heard a little voice in his ears:

"Ah, another Potter. Interesting, very interesting. Curious mind and plenty of talent and mischief. Clever but unwilling to see it. So where to place you?"

"Not Slytherin, please not Slytherin." Albus whispered, grabbing the edge of the seat tightly.

"Not Slytherin? Oh no my boy. You may have the middle name boy but you're not Slytherin material. You're better suited where you were always destined to be: Gryffindor!"

The last word was shouted so loud that it rang in Albus' ears. Grinning all over with the sound of James, Fred and Victoire whooping, he took the hat off, placed it down on the stool and walked towards the Gryffindor table where he gave James a high-five and sat down next to Charlotte Parker, the last Gryffindor to join the table. Albus diverted his attention from the Sorting to see how many new Gryffindors there were. Quickly counting, he surmised seven boys so far and six girls. Ravenclaw seemed to have gained the least amount of students, but as Albus turned his attention back to the sorting, Ravenclaw were getting a few more students. Soon, the one name cropped up eventually that Albus had been eagerly waiting for: "Weasley, Rose." Albus leaned forward in his seat, two more Gryffindors had joined the table and Albus wanted Rose to have a seat. Rose was on the stool for some time. As she sat there on the stool, the sorting hat was debating in her ears:

"Very, very sharp mind like your mother. But you have so much Gryffindor blood in your family, should I put you there?"

"Please Gryffindor, please Gryffindor." Rose whispered to herself. She had not heard the conversation Albus and Harry had had on platform 9 ¾ but she had guessed that it might work.

"You're so suited to Ravenclaw. Yet you are so bold Miss Weasley, and have such a career ahead of you. I see so much of both of your parents in you Miss Weasley. Well, if I could see it in them, then I do see it in you: Gryffindor!"

Again, shouted out to the whole room Albus stood up cheering as Rose calmly walked down the steps to join Albus at the Gryffindor table. She saw Victoire and James briefly before being engulfed by Albus in a bone-crunching hug. The final sorting was done and the chatter rose up again. Soon Professor Scamander stood up and there was silence over the hall.

"Now, before we become engulfed in our delicious feast. I would like to make a few announcements. First years should be aware, that the Forbidden Forest is completely out of bounds and that the memorial in the Entrance Courtyard may only have flowers or other appropriate decorations placed at the foot. It is not to be misused or ruined as it is part of the history of our school and holds many sad memories for many of the staff here. If you are not aware, copies of a collaborative book made by myself, the Head of Magical Law Enforcement Hermione Weasley, Minister for Magic Kingsley Shacklebolt, Aurors Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, and many others can be found in the library. Our caretaker, Mr Filch, has asked me to remind you that magic is forbidden in the corridors and there is a list of banned items which can be found on the door of his office on the second floor. Quidditch trials will take place in the third week of term. Anyone wishing to enter may submit their name to the house prefects or their head of sub-section which is posted in the common rooms. Now let the feast begin!"

With those words, the empty platters filled and Albus was confronted with so many different foods. Piles upon piles of chicken drumsticks, chipolatas, potatoes, peas and many other foods were in mountains in front of him. After Albus had thought he couldn't eat any more came the puddings. Mountains of ice cream and boats of chocolate sauce were dotted down the table. Giant treacle tarts and pieces of chocolate and vanilla cake greeted Albus. Not wanting to waste any of it, he decided to take more. Meanwhile Rose had struck up a conversation with Harry Lupin.

"So, who's your father?"

"John Lupin, a Muggle, my cousin was Remus Lupin, the first wizard in the family. I never met him; I think he was killed in the Battle of Hogwarts with his wife Nymphadora. I guess I had the wizard gene too."

"She was a metamorphmagus too."

Harry looked confused. "A what?"

"She could change her appearance too."

Harry looked relieved at this news. "My father married a Muggle born who carried the gene but she died when I was very young. She was a bit of an experimenter. One day, she was practising a new spell she thought she had devised but it went disastrously wrong. The only thing we could find of her was bits of his hair."

Rose looked shocked. "But that's dreadful!"

"I know. I was five so I don't remember her that much. When I was first born, apparently my hair kept changing every hour. When I was growing up, I thought I was some sort of freak and when I got to Hogwarts, everybody would laugh at me. I thought it was some kind of condition. My father had no idea that mum carried the gene."

Albus chipped in. "My dad has the same name as you, Harry. His godson, Teddy, is a metamorphmagus as well and he left Hogwarts as head boy last year. Everyone was a bit envious apparently that he could change his hair at will."

Harry's jaw dropped open. "You're Harry Potter's son?"

Albus grimaced. "Albus Potter, nice to meet you."

"I'm named after him. My mother was a lady called Susan Yates and she found out all about the Battle and wanted to name her son after someone with such a distinctive and amazing story. My father was made to read the book my mum found and promptly agreed. So if Remus was my cousin…"

"That makes Teddy your first cousin once removed." Rose finished off promptly. Harry looked at her flabbergasted. "I do the maths quite easily."

"She's got her mother's brains." Albus explained. "This is Rose Weasley; her parents are Ron Weasley of the auror office and Weasley Wizard Wheezes and Hermione Weasley, Head of Magical Law Enforcement."

Harry looked even more shocked then he had before. "Wow. You guys are like practically royalty round here then."

Rose shook her head. "We don't think of ourselves like that. We want to think ourselves as normal wizards and witches who just happen to have famous parents. Very famous in Albus' case. His mother is Ginny Potter, captain of the Holyhead Harpies, the all-female Quidditch team."

There was an awkward silence as Harry looked from Albus to Rose and back again. Before any of them could speak, Professor Scamander tapped her glass.

"Now that we are all well-watered and fed, its time for bed. Your timetables will be given to you tomorrow morning during breakfast."

Slowly and groaning, everyone got up from the table. The Gryffindor prefects beckoned them to follow them and meekly, the first years followed in pairs. Clearly the years above were also eager to get to the dormitories so they raced on ahead. Up the staircases they went and often they were almost caught out by moving staircases. Worn out and shattered as they climbed the seventh and final staircase, they reached a portrait of a very fat lady who stared the prefect at the front in the eye.

"Password."

"Albus Dumbledore." The prefect replied solidly.

The portrait swung open to reveal a large hole which they all clambered through. The prefect lead the first years to the side as the older years streamed past them up the spiral staircase. There were several squashy armchairs and a large roaring fire. A chess set could be seen in the corner and there was a large window seat, big enough for at least three people. When the last of the years were going up, the prefect began to talk.

"Welcome first years to the Gryffindor common room and to Gryffindor tower. Your dormitories are up the staircase where everyone has just gone through. Boys, take the first left and it is the first doors either side of you. Girls, it is the same on your right. There are four sub-sections here in Gryffindor tower: Dumbledore, Weasley, McGonagall and Potter. They are named after the four greatest families and members of staff of recent times. These names change every thirty years although the system has only been in use since Professor Scamander became headmistress of the school two years ago. I will read out your names, your dormitory number and your sub-section, so please listen carefully. Fern Bletchley – 1 – McGonagall. Christopher Chuck – 2 – Weasley. Elizabeth Finnigan – 2 – Dumbledore. Danielle Grogan – 2 – Weasley. Theodore Harrison – 1 – McGonagall. Lucy Longbottom – 2 – McGonagall. Harry Lupin – 1 – Potter. Scorpius Malfoy – 1 – Weasley. Isabelle Osseo – 1 – Dumbledore. Albus Potter – 1 – Dumbledore." Albus grinned happily. That meant he was in the same sub-section as Victoire! "Klaus Rockwell – 2 – Potter and Rose Weasley – 2 – Potter. You will find that all of your belongings have already been taken up to your various dormitories. Any queries about your dormitories need to be taken to Professor Thomas, who is head of Gryffindor. If you are stuck with any work, do feel free to come and speak to myself, Winston Freeman, or Sandra Ely, the other Gryffindor prefect. This year's head girl and boy are Victoire Weasley of Gryffindor, sub-section Dumbledore and Robert Dougal of Hufflepuff, sub-section Abbot. If you are scared to go to a teacher, they are your next best option beside us prefects. There are two prefects per house per fifth and sixth year. The first sub-section group meetings will take place in here tomorrow straight after lessons finish, be sure to be here and on time. The morning bell will be rung at eight o'clock. Breakfast will begin at eight thirty promptly tomorrow. Lessons commence at nine fifteen."

With that, Winston Freeman dismissed the first years and they made their way up the spiral staircase. Waving goodbye to each other, Rose and Albus made their way into their various dormitories. Albus pushed open the door on his left marked '1' and went inside. He immediately spotted his bed, one by a large window, where Tonks was perched. He quickly let her out of her cage and opened the window. She nipped him affectionately and flew out to go to the Owlery.

"Nice owl you've got." Harry said behind Albus.

Albus jumped at his voice. "Oh thanks, she's called Tonks after Nymphadora Tonks. All our family pets are named after people who died in the year 1997-1998. Her full name is Tonks Nymphadora Hedwig Potter. Hedwig was my father's owl who saved his life by taking a killing curse for him at the beginning of his seventh year."

As he unpacked his trunk, Albus studied the final member of the dormitory, Theodore Harrison. He was a tall boy with crazy blonde hair that stuck out at odd angles. It was a dirty blonde with brown highlights and he had broad shoulders, just right for a beater Albus thought. As he started to unpack, there was a small continuous noise coming from one corner of the room. Turning around from his trunk, he saw Scorpius Malfoy sitting on his bed with his head in his hands. Albus couldn't fully hear what he was saying but it sounded like: "he's going to kill me; he's going to kill me." Sensing the boy's distress, Albus went and sat down next to him.

"Are you alright Scorpius?"

Scorpius turned to face him, his cheeks stained with tears. "No, I'm not. My father is going to kill me when he hears that I've been placed in Gryffindor. My family will disown me. My whole family on my father's side have been put into Slytherin. They were expecting me to be in Slytherin. Now I'm in Gryffindor, if I tell him…"

The clearly upset boy burst into tears and the others were all gathered around him. Theodore nodded in understanding. "That explains a lot. When everyone heard the word 'Malfoy' they would have presumed automatic Slytherin placement. But with you being put into Gryffindor, no-one clapped to start because everyone was so shocked with the Sorting Hat's decision."

Albus turned to him. "Are you –?"

Theodore nodded. "Muggle born? Yeah. I was so surprised when Professor Scamander turned up on my doorstep."

"What do I do Albus?" Albus thought about it and looked to Harry for help. Harry had no idea either and shrugged his shoulders and there was an awkward silence. Eventually Albus spoke.

"We must sleep now, but in the morning, I can talk to my older brother James. He may be able to give some advice. Or Dominique might be a better choice." Answering Harry, Scorpius and Theodore's confused looks, "I have three cousins further up in the school as well as an older brother in the second year and a cousin in our year, Rose Weasley. We can sort it out for you. I know Professor Scamander too; she may be able to postpone sending the letters home."

Scorpius looked startled. "Letters, what letters?"

"Every first year has a letter sent home on the morning after the sorting; informing the parents or guardians which house they have been sorted into. I'll go before breakfast."

Scorpius looked gratefully at Albus. "Thanks Albus."

"Hey, call me Al, everyone does nowadays."

After a short and awkward pause, everyone went back to their unpacking. At the top of Albus' trunk, lay a Gryffindor scarf and several Gryffindor ties to be worn for the rest of the year and his school career. As he climbed into bed, Albus reached into his trouser pocket and drew out what looked like a gold Galleon. Pressing his thumb to the coin, a little screen appeared and Albus typed quickly. They had last been in use 19 years ago, but Albus hoped that it would get through soon enough. Worrying about Scorpius and his parents, Albus fell asleep, dreaming of screaming parents and crying children.