For those of you that reviewed my last chapter, thank you so much! They mean so much to me and are very encouraging when I'm having trouble writing. Also, thank you to anybody else who read my story. I hope you all enjoy this chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
Al bounded unto the train a few minutes after Rose with a newfound burst of energy. His eyes danced with animated exhilaration. His cheeks were flushed with excitement.
"We're going to Hogwarts!" He squealed, leaping from foot to foot. He grabbed Rose's hand with both of his, shaking it vigorously.
"Finally realized?" Rose replied sardonically with a slight smirk. Al blushed.
"Let's find a compartment. James and Fred were talking about dropping dung bombs in the corridor sometime in the middle of the ride. Fred said something about getting yelled at by Sara. James said that was why they were doing it. So what house are you hoping for? I've been doing some thinking, and I think Slytherin wouldn't be so bad… in fact, I might prefer it! Can you imagine- being the first Potter-Weasley in Slytherin! Imagine James's face! Uncle George would have a field day!"
Rose nodded her head absent-mindedly, peeking into the compartments as they passed them. She had a long, determined stride, and Al had to jog slightly to keep up, stumbling as he attempted to get her attention.
"Uh, Rose…there was an empty one back there…"
"Hmm?" Rose craned her neck, "Yes, I noticed."
"And another one… Are we looking for someone? 'Cause I think James meant it when he said we would wake up upside down from the ceiling if we bothered him or his friends…Rose slow down! I feel like your dad trying to get your mum's attention in a library…Rose what are you — Gah!"
Rose had come to a screeching, sudden stop. Al tumbled into her, muttering incoherent curses under his breath.
"Rose!" Annoyance colored his cheeks. Rose paid him no heed. She was fixated upon the hazy silhouette of a blonde boy in the otherwise empty compartment, so pale he seemed to be fading into the light of the window. He had an open book positioned on his knees, but he was gazing forlornly into hills. Rose felt a pang of sympathy. Obviously, no one wanted to sit with the Malfoy. Rose squared her shoulders and raised her chin. Ignoring Al's protests, she yanked the door open and marched in.
Scorpius Malfoy started, his eyes widening. He instinctively tightened his hands around his book. His eyes were faint clouds melting into rain, alight with mistrust and uncertainty.
"Hello! You're Scorpius Malfoy," Rose informed him as she dropped herself into the seat in front of the blonde boy. She leaned over and grabbed his hand that he had curled protectively to his side. She had a powerful grip and she shook it vigorously, raising her chin thoughtfully as she did so. "This is Al." She gestured towards him with her head. Al tentatively lingered behind the open door, bemused. Scorpius raised his eyebrows.
"Hello…" He slowly responded, carefully detaching his hand from hers and shifting away. Rose was undeterred.
"I'm Rose Weasley. We're going to be best friends." Al tripped over the entryway. Scorpius's head snapped up. Both of their eyes grew wide.
"Excuse me?" They yelped in unison. They whipped their necks to face each other, momentarily in agreement that the daughter of Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley had lost her mind. Albus then doubted if she had ever possessed one.
Rose was already digging into the backpack she brought with her unto the train, pulling out a copy of Little Women. "Just thought you'd both like to know."
"You're a Potter." Scorpius pointed to Albus. "You're a Weasley." He moved his finger to Rose, who had already begun reading. "Not just any Weasley. Ron Weasley's daughter."
"Your dad told us to avoid him! He told you to beat him on every test!" Al flapped his arms with energy.
"I will beat him on every test." Rose stated calmly.
"Excuse me!" Scorpius was affronted. "You can try!"
"Don't think I'll even need to." Rose flipped a page casually. Scorpius dropped his hands to his side, gawking at her.
"I told my dad I'd beat you on every test!"
"Funny, you didn't strike me as a liar."
"What else did your dad tell you about us?" Albus was curious. Scorpius was suddenly self-conscious, glancing downwards.
"He said your parents were heroes. That they were brave, righteous, and loyal. That their kids would probably be too. And that I should probably avoid you." Al was quiet. Scorpius looked to Rose. Then to Albus, who appeared to be reflecting pensively. Then back to Rose. To Albus. To Rose.
"Is this some kind of joke? Because I don't find it very funny." The words leapt crisply from his pale, stiff lips. His eyes, swirling storm clouds, had hardened into faint gray stone.
Albus's emerald eyes shimmered with mirth. Having grown up with the soon to be infamous Rose Weasley, he had become used to her sudden decisions and stubbornness regarding them. He had learned to find amusement in them as soon as possible. He was attempting to snicker discreetly into his hand. "It's not a joke. But you have to admit, it's pretty dang hilarious."
Rose was not similarly amused. Irritation crept across the crease in her brow.
"You think we`re making fun of you?" Her words slipped from pursed mouth. "What do you take us for?"
Scorpius gaped. "What do I take you for? The children of my father's worst enemies in school, who he was sure would either want nothing to do with me or find pleasure in humiliating me, want to exchange friendship bracelets? What else are you hoping for? Harry Potter and Ron Weasley singing Celestina Warbeck to the Minister? Witch Weekly voting my dad most charming smile?"
Albus pathetically attempted to transform his guffaw into a cough. The result was a rough, mangled laugh. One that often burned in the throats of irredeemable alcoholics. Rose hurled a vicious glare in his direction.
"For your information Scorpius Malfoy, I mean what I say. And I don't go back on my word. You'll learn that eventually." She snapped her book shut. "Now I'm going to leave for a bit to find Roxanne. She wanted to introduce me to someone. When I get back, I expect you to be friends. You might as well try, because you're going to have to eventually. And you don't have much of a choice!" She fixed them both with a ferocious glare, before stomping out. She pushed Al unto the seat on the way out.
They sat in silence for a couple seconds.
"Our dads have already sung Celestina Warbeck in front of the minister." Al chirped cheerily as he threw his arms behind his head, tossing his legs upon the rest of his seat. "Kingsley Shacklebolt. When he was over at the Burrow last Christmas. My brother spiked their pumpkin juice. Professor Longbottom's too."
Scorpius stared.
"Him and Fred. They're a year above us. So what's your favorite Quidditch team? Mine's Puddlemere. 'Cept when my mum's in the room. Then it's the Harpies. When Uncle Ron's in the room, I just pretend I never liked Quidditch in the first place. Anything's better than pretending to be a Cannons fan."
Scorpius slowly shook his head, marveling at the universe`s inability to make a shred of sense.
"Hey Rose!" Louis called, extending his head from his compartment. His silky blond hair swept over his creamy forehead. Entering fourth year, and a Ravenclaw, he was already a Hogwarts heartthrob among boys and girls alike. He flashed her a charming smile that made two thirteen year old girls passing by Rose towards the bathroom giggle hysterically.
He was sitting with Dominique and an assortment of friends that were all teasing, laughing, and yelling at each other. He had to speak above the noise.
Victoire was entering her seventh year of Hogwarts as Head Girl (she was probably at the meeting). She was also a proud Ravenclaw, and the most stunning, ravishing, beautiful female to ever grace the halls of Hogwarts. She had soft, light strawberry blond hair, flowing down her back. It could be described as Fleur Delacour's hair caught in the sunrise. A light pink that was so natural and effortless that every single girl in her year had immediately despised and excluded her. Boys were too busy staring after her to even attempt to pay attention to her words. She appeared completely unaffected by it all. Rose was almost certain it was a lie, but most had no trouble believing it. This was mainly because Victoire didn't seem to need anyone when Teddy was there.
Teddy and Victoire had been best friends for as long as they could remember. It didn't change when Teddy left for Hogwarts and was sorted into Gryffindor. They would always pick up right where they left off. Talking until two in the morning, defending each other against anybody. Victoire followed the rules religiously, but Teddy had a mischievous side and was the only one who could convince her to participate in his occasional practical jokes. They were never discovered- a Gryffindor and a Ravenclaw were an unbeatable combination. Two years ago, a couple weeks before he graduated, they became a couple. It was recorded that over 5 years about 647 galleons worth of bets had been exchanged in Hogwarts over them. They were the power couple of the Daily Prophet, and everyone believed they were perfection. Victoire was sensitive and kind, and the default babysitter along with Teddy for all the cousins as they grew from diapers to Hogwarts robes. She radiated a silent power- an unquestioned strength coupled with her Veela charm. Victoire and Teddy appeared to be infallible, so Rose guessed they were hiding many insecurities, pains, and fears behind their golden shells.
Where Victoire was pure, elegant, and graceful, Dominique was vibrant, vigorous, and spirited. She was color where Victoire was white. She was entering her fifth year of Hogwarts and was a Gryffindor to the bone. She had also, to the pride of her father Bill, been appointed Quidditch Captain in only fourth year. Her hair shone the brightest of all the cousins. Like lush streams of smoldering sunlight. It was sharply cut at her jawline. She had freckles filling her cheeks and nose, and a muscled body she had earned from hours upon her broom beating bludgers, waking up earlier and going to bed later than anyone else. She was tough on her teammates but fair. Fierce, but people respected and trusted her. She had high standards for herself and others, and Rose had realized that standards were something which people would always find a way of meeting if they wanted to. She said what she said and knew who she was. People forgot how beautiful she was when they saw Victoire, but they could never forget her.
"Where's Al? Did James and Fred ditch you? What about Roxanne? Do you want to come sit with us?"
"No, that's fine." Rose smiled. "We're already sitting with our new friend."
"That's great!" Louis beamed, "What's their name?"
"Scorpius Malfoy." The smile on his face fell faster than Aunt Ginny's when she received a letter about James's latest exploits.
"Malfoy? Is he bothering you?" His voice dipped several octaves. He began rolling up his sleeves. Rose snorted.
"No, but these questions are beginning to." She placed her hands on her hips, miffed. "And these assumptions." She muttered. She spun on her heel, leaving him to goggle after her.
"Anything from the trolley boys?"
The plump lady smiled hesitantly, her eyes lingering upon Albus's wiry frame. He was occupied with smacking his wand against a picture in a muggle book Hermione had given him, attempting to make it move. Scorpius was fervently staring out the window. When her gaze drifted to Scorpius her smile soured, twisting into pained disgust she veiled in unconvincing cheeriness.
"Are you lost dear?" Albus flinched, shaken out of his reverie. He raised his head, befuddled.
"Isn't this the train going to Hogwarts?" He looked momentarily alarmed, before realizing he was being absolutely stupid. The lady giggled uneasily, glancing again at Scorpius's hunched frame.
"I'm holding him hostage." Scorpius examined his fingernails evenly. His tone remained unaltered. "I'm hoping to get a ransom from his family." The woman looked horrified. Al snickered.
"We'll take four packages of Bernie Botts Every Flavour Beans, twenty chocolate frogs, and a couple licorice wands." Albus told her, cheeks dimpling. Scorpius looked ready to argue when Albus revealed several golden coins, before offering a weak smile.
They broke into the chocolates with zeal. They took turns trying Every Flavour Beans, bursting into peals of laughter at each other's faces when they consumed particularly atrocious flavours.
"So your cousin…Rose, right?"
"Yeah, that's her."
"She's insane."
"Absolutely barmy."
"Mental."
"Bonkers."
"Off her rocker."
"There's no way we could be friends!"
"Definitely not."
"So let me tell you about the time she dressed up as a gnome and refused to leave the garden…"
What characters are you hoping to see? What houses do you hope they will be sorted into? What Celestina Warbeck song do you think Ron, Harry, and Neville sang to Kingsley? How long do you think James was grounded? I'd love to hear what you think!