Chapter 2: Houses

The feeling of peace didn't last long as Albus followed his fellow first years into the castle. They were lined up into alphabetical order according to their surnames, making Scorpius near the middle of the line and Rose and Albus near the end of it. In front and behind him were kids who Albus didn't recognize. He hated not knowing who was around him, made him feel isolated. He was almost relieved when Professor Longbottom appeared.

"Welcome, First-years, to your first year at Hogwarts. The start of term feast will begin shortly but before you can take your seats you must be sorted into your houses. This is a very important ceremony because, while you're here your house will be like your family. You will have your classes with your house, spend free time in your common room, and compete for the house cup together." He said, the speech sounding almost rehearsed and knowing Professor Longbottom, it probably was.

"The four houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has it's own proud history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. I hope each and everyone of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.

"The ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the whole school." He said, then quickly added, "But don't be worried. Just make sure you look alright and prepare yourself for the sorting and you'll be just fine." He sounded sincere now, instead of rehearsed as he looked over the first years. "I'll come back when we're ready for you." And with that he slipped back into the Great Hall.

"I hope I make it into Ravenclaw," He heard a girl say behind him.

"Really? I wanna be a Gryffindor. My dad was a Gryffindor."

It started like that and soon enough all the first years were buzzing with conversation. None of it made Albus feel any better. It seemed like an eternity before Professor Longbottom came back. "The ceremony's about to start, this way everyone." He motioned for them to follow.

Feeling as though his feet had been glued to the floor Albus and the rest of the first years followed him into the Great Hall. All of them, even the half-bloods and pureblood who you think would be used to magic, stared in awe at the ceiling. Thousands upon thousands of candles floated in what looked to be the night sky.

"It's just bewitched." Albus heard Rose whisper to someone. "My Mum told me how she read that in Hogwarts, A History."

They all stopped in front of an old wooden stool that had an odd looking old hat on it. The whole Hall went silent as everyone stared at the hat. Then, a rip opened wide and it started to sing.

"Come forth young children

You shouldn't worry.

I'm sure you'll all be great men and women.

Just don't think me the jury.

I'm but a simple old hat,

But I'll tell you where you should be at.

Perhaps in Gryffindor

Those daring and brave folk

Known for their chivalry and valor.

They'll never just choke.

Or Hufflepuff oh those Hufflepuffs

They're hardworking and soft spoken.

Though, they may not seem very tough.

They'll never ever be broken.

Or Ravenclaw might be your one true fit.

Answers come easy to these,

Almost as easy as wit.

For Ravenclaws good grades are such a breeze.

Slytherin is the last but certainly not the least.

Being resourceful and cunning

These kids just can't be leashed.

You can never quite tell when they're bluffing.

Step right up, step right up.

Don't be shy.

I won't cause a great stirrup.

Want to know what house you're in?

Well, you've got the right guy."

The whole hall burst into applause as the hat finished but soon enough that died down as Professor Longbottom unrolled a scroll. "Alright, when I call your name you'll step forward to be sorted." He explained and read off the list. "Allan, Ryan." He called and a short boy with light brown hair stepped forward. He almost looked like he was shaking as he sat down and the hat was placed over his head.

"RAVENCLAW!" The hat announced and the boy smiled and went off to join the only table that was clapping now.

"Ash, William." This time it was a plump boy with a crop of dirty blond hair who stumbled forward and the hat shouted; "HUFFLEPUFF!" It went on like that. Tina Egger was a Gryffindor. Kelsey Kesley was a Slytherin. Scorpius, much to Albus' disappointment was sorted into Slytherin. Before Albus knew, it was his turn.

"Potter, Albus." Professor Longbottom called and Albus stepped forward. Professor Longbottom gave him a friendly encouraging smile as he lowered the hat onto his head. For a moment nothing happened, and then Al heard a voice.

"Ah, another Potter." The hat said. "You're a lot like your father, you are. He was a good fit for both Slytherin and Gryffindor as well. Unlike your brother who was a pure Gryffindor through and through."

Albus' eyes unintentionally caught James' and despite himself. His brother was watching with subtle interest, a cruel smirk on his face. Merlin, Albus hated his brother. He was always acting like he was better than Albus. His entire childhood he had been trying to be more like James, but now, despite himself, he found he didn't want to be like James. He wanted to be better. He could be great in any house he was put in. It didn't matter to him as long as he was better then James. "Hey, could you out me in Slytherin?" He whispered to the hat and for a second he thought he heard a laugh.

"Slytherin!" The hat announced to the entire school.

Albus stood up, took a good look at James' shocked face, smiled and took his seat at the Slytherin table next to Sierra and Scorpius.

"I see you got over your sorting phobia." Sierra smirked at him.

"Yeah, I figured it didn't matter what house I'm in. As long as I'm better than James it's fine."

Sierra chuckled. "Well then, welcome to the best house in all of Hogwarts."

They went quiet to watch the rest of the sorting, the last to be sorted being Rose who was, of course, a Gryffindor.

Professor McGonagall got to her feet and started to talk to the entire school. "Welcome new and old students to another year at Hogwarts. Before we start the feast I'd like to remind you new students how important each and every house is important to Hogwarts and each and every person is important to their house. I know some of you first years were very anxious about being sorted, I assure you, you're in the perfect place for you to learn and grow." Her eyes seemed to linger onto Albus and he shrunk in his chair. His dad must have told her how nervous he had been. "Well, that is all for now. Please, enjoy the feast." She clapped her hands and the golden plates in front of them filled with food.

"So," Sierra leaned across the table, picking a roll from the platter near Albus. "I haven't met you yet, blondie." She said to Scorpius.

"Oh, this is Scorpius," Albus introduced them.

"Well, hello there," She said absently with a mouth full of bread. "So, I take it you both are pure bloods?"

"Of course we are." Scorpius said indigently. "What're you?"

"Half-blood." She told him. "Dad's a wizard, Mum was a muggle."

"Was?" Albus asked.

She nodded and looked sad for a second. "She got sick while pregnant with my little sister." She said then went to change the subject as fast as she could. "So, I already know that Al didn't know what house he was gonna be in. What about you, Scorpy?"

Scorpius looked annoyed at the name. "My name is Scorpius not Scorpy. And of course I knew I was gonna be a Slytherin. I'm a Malfoy."

"And I'm a Potter," Albus rolled his eyes. "All Potters I know of have been Gryffindor. And my mum was a Weasley which you think would just increase my odds of being a Gryffindor."

Sierra gave a shrug. "I never really understood how a family could define what house your in. I mean, sure most of my family have been Slytherins. Well, everyone but my dad. He was a Hufflepuff."

"How in the world was a Hufflepuff born into a Slytherin family?" Scorpius asked.

"Because, Scorpy-boy, he wasn't cunning or manipulative. He's loyal and trustworthy. Works as the Minister's bodyguard actually."

Albus spit out his pumpkin juice. "You're dad is the auror that guards my uncle Percy?" He asked, shocked.

"Yeah, how do you think Lucy and I met first year. Right on the platform because our dad's were talking on and on and we got bored." Sierra grabbed some bacon and steak, stacking it onto her plate. That was when a ghost in bloody robes floated by. Sierra leaned in and whispered. "That's the Bloody Baron. He's our house ghost. Whatever you do, don't ask him why he's covered in blood. It's a touchy subject."

Albus got a good look at the ghost, who didn't seem to notice them, and looked straight back. "He seems mean."

"He can be, but I wouldn't be too afraid to ask him for help. Especially if you're having to deal with Peeves. The Baron is the only one who can handle that monster."

"Peeves?" Scorpius asked.

"Yeah, he's a poltergeist. Bloody nasty one if you ask me." Sierra shrugged.

The conversation carried on like that as the three kids stuffed themselves full of the delicious meal in front of them. Albus, himself, ate five servings of lamb chops and a steak while Seirra scarfed down anything that was meat. Scorpius on the other hand made it clear how much he detested their table manners and ate so slowly that he only had one slice of roast beef and some vegetables before he claimed he was full. Then there was dessert. Apple pies, peppermint creams, treacle tarts and even some desserts that Albus couldn't name. By the time Professor McGonagall got back onto her feet Albus felt like his stomach was the size of a bowling ball and that it would burst the second he tried to move.

"Just a few more words before I send you all off to bed. I would like to inform you first years, that the forest is forbidden to all pupils. And I'd like to remind a couple of our older students of that as well." He eyes lingered on the Gryffindor table where James and Louis were sitting. "Mr. Filch, our caretaker, has also asked me to remind you all that no magic should be used in between classes.

"Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of term. Anyone who was to try out please see Madame Hooch."

Albus looked towards Sierra who seemed to be bouncing in her seat out of excitement.

"And finally I'll like to remind all students that there is no reason to be wandering the corridors past curfew." She looked sternly towards the Slytherin table. "And with that, a bid you all goodnight."

The Hall burst into action as all the students stood and started walking out.

"First year Slytherins follow me!" Albus heard an unfamiliar voice called. He looked over and saw a fifth year with slicked back black hair and blue eyes.

"Whose that?" Albus asked Sierra.

"Oh, that's Allen Fisher. He's a prefect. You guys follow him, I'll see you tomorrow." She waved and with that was off with the rest of the older students.

Albus found it hard to keep up with the first years since he was so full and tired from the long day. He hardly noticed when Allen lead them down to the dungeons, he didn't even question when he spoke to a wall.

"Potestatem." He said clearly and the wall slid open to reveal the dungeon-like room with green furniture and windows that looked out onto what looked like the lake, only it was under the lake. "First years should be reminded that the password changes every fortnight. It'll be posted on the bulletin board." He said before directing the girls to their dormitories and the boys to theirs.

At the end of the hall they finally found their dormitory and finally got around to meeting their dorm mates, Andrew Ash (Twin to William Ash) and Brad Fisher (little brother to Allen Fisher). The four of them didn't spend too long on introductions before slipping into the four poster beds and drifting to food induced sleep.