As had became a family tradition the entire Weasley family had made their way to Ottery St Catchpole to await the beginning of the school year.

It was usually Albus' favourite time of the year, he loved being around his family at his grandparents home. But this year something was different. His father had been away for work a lot, and even when he had been around he was always busy, talking in private with the other adults.

Albus was used to his father being busy though, what he wasn't used to was the absence of his mother. England had failed to qualify for the world cup again, for the third consecutive time. The whole of the country was furious, and Ginny had been called in constantly to report on the fallout as players and coaches were sacked.

But most of all Albus was just stressed. This year was finally the year he was going to Hogwarts. And as much as he didn't want to admit it, even to himself, he was worried. He thought he was excited at first, but as September drew nearer he found that what had once been eager anticipation had been replaced by terror.

His cousin Rose surprisingly didn't share his concern. Usually she was the person worried about Hogwarts, but she seemed remarkably relaxed. And even had seemed to enjoy herself over the summer.

There was a knock at the door, he had been sharing the uppermost a room with James and Hugo.

Albus looked up from his bed and saw his mother's face peering around the door.

"Albus, are you going to come down for breakfast? The whole family is here. We are leaving to Diagon Alley soon."

Albus had forgotten.

"I – I just… Yeah of course. Give me a minute."

His mother nodded.

Albus climbed out of his bed and looked on the floor for a t-shirt he could wear down to lunch that was clean, and ideally didn't smell like sweat and James' body odour.

He made his way downstairs. His grandparents and the girls were already seated at the table, but all of his male cousins as well as most of his uncles were gone, with the exception of (unsurprisingly) Percy.

Albus took a seat next to Rose at the far end of the table, responding to her smile with a nod of his head and a weak grin of his own.

"I haven't seen a lot of you over the last few days Albus."

"I know. I've just had a lot to think about."

"Everything is going to be ok you know."

"What?"

"With Hogwarts, that is what you are worried about right. Hugo said-"

"It's not Hogwarts. I'm just feeling a bit sick is all."

Rose frowned. Albus wasn't sure why he lied to her. He was her oldest and closest friend. They had been born only months apart, and had spent the entirety of their childhoods together terrorising their younger siblings. Whilst being terrorised by James and Louis, of course.

Not long after he had taken a seat the long procession of males entered the room, dragging their broomsticks behind them. Albus noted with a little surprise that Lilly entered with them, covered in dirt, dragging one of her father's old broomsticks behind her. He was less surprised to see his cousin Roxanne at the back of the line, covered in bruises to go along with dirt and what appeared to be blood splattered on the front of her shirt.

It didn't take long for Albus to spot where the blood had come from. His brother took a seat across the table, with a broken nose and a black eye. The glare he gave Albus let him know better than to ask. But Albus had to duck his head to hide his grin.

Roxanne was even younger than Lily, the youngest of all his cousins, but she was possibly the most vicious. Albus had learnt this the hard way early that summer, when he had been caught by her playing with a beaters club she claimed was her dads.

He looked down to his shins, bruises still visible from where she had managed to clock him multiple times as he fled the room.

"Harry? Are you back already?"

Albus looked up at shock at his mothers word. He didn't know his father was in.

"Yeah Ginny, we had a minor incident. Some blood was spilled, eyes were -"

"A minor injury!" James shouted in indignation. "I copped a club to the face, Roxanne was upset because I dodged her bludger."

"Yeah," Roxanne started, "Well it isn't fair you get a better broom than me. How am I meant to hit you when your broom is so much better?"

"I was on Uncle Ron's old Cleansweep. You were on a Firebolt."

"Your broom was better. It is newer." Roxanne stated, crossing her arms stubbornly.

"Then how did you manage to catch me to hit me with the bat?"

"Because I am better at flying than you."

The glare James gave the young girl would have sent Albus himself running, but Roxanne was made of tougher stuff. She sat there, chin raised defiantly, refusing to break eye contact.

Hearing the commotion Albus' mother had made her way into the room. She was the only one in the house capable of getting James to calm down when he had gotten like this, as deep down he was terrified of getting in trouble from her.

She pointed her wand at James face and quickly said, "Episkey".

Albus watched as James' nose returned to its usual shape, and the bruising on his left eye faded away.

She turned to Roxanne, scolding her, "You're very lucky James didn't get seriously hurt."

Albus could tell Roxanne didn't find his mother anywhere near as terrifying as James did. But Roxanne didn't say anything, which allowed the tension at the table to finally pass.

Albus couldn't help but smile when his father decided to take a seat at the table next to him. It had been ages since they had spoken.

"You and I are going to go and visit one of my old friends when we are in Diagon Alley."

"Just the two of us?"

"Yes just the two of us."

"Like without James?"

"Yes, without James," his father smiled, "Are the two of you having problems again?"

"Not particularly, I just..." Albus really wasn't sure why he didn't want to be around his brother, "I just don't want to be around him after the incident with Roxanne. He is bound to be in a foul mood."

His father laughed.

"Perhaps you are right. No it is just going to be the two of us. My friend owes me a favour, and I think I am going to cash it in. I've been waiting almost 20 years after all."

Albus wasn't sure what his dad was talking about. But he was definitely interested in finding out.

"It also is your birthday not long after school returns, I thought perhaps we could get you a present before you return to school? I know you had been looking at getting your own racing broom."

Albus thought for a moment. He had been looking at the new Comet broom that had been released in the lead up to the World Cup, but on the other hand he didn't really see the point, the Gryffindor Quidditch team was full of older students and was also very good, plus James had been selected in his position. He would never get to play, even though he was every bit as good as James.

"How about an Owl instead?" Albus asked.

"But we have a family owl Albus."

"I know, but I just would like my own one you know. That I don't have to share with James."

His father looked deep in thought.

"I couldn't take my broom to school anyway. First years aren't allowed brooms."

"No." His father grinned at him apparently deep in thought, "I suppose you couldn't."

His father took his attention away from Albus for a moment to scald James, who had started throwing knives at Teddy. As each one flew at him Teddy would transfigure it into a paper plane, sending it flying around their heads.

The rest of the breakfast passed in relative normalcy,atleast for the Weasley family anyway. James complained loudly to anyone who would listen about how he wasn't being bought the new Firebolt for school Quidditch this year, Rose talked to Molly and Lucy about schoolwork with Lily hanging on the fringes trying to soak it all in. Hugo and Uncle Ron were talking about the BIQL season. They made it to Chudley Cannon games basically every weekend. Albus went occasionally but it usually sucked. Hardly anyone ever turned up, so the atmosphere was flat, and Albus didn't have the heart to tell them that he thought the Gryffindor team might be able to beat them in a game.

Unable to find a conversation he wanted to participate in Albus turned his eyes onto his plate. His mother had piled it high with food, but hedidn't have much of an appetite for it. He proceded to pick at his bacon for the next hour, mostly just observing what was going on around him at the table.

When the clock struck 10, everyone started to make their way to the lounge room, leaving a giant mess for Albus' grandmother to clean up.

"Right," his Aunt Hermione started, "We have 9 Hogwarts students and 12 kids to keep a track of. James, Louis and Fred are to stick with Ron and Charlie. Victiore and Dominique with their parents. Lucy and Molly with theirs. Rose and Lily with Ginny and I. Roxanne with George. Please do make sure you keep an eye on her this time George, honestly."

Albus looked at his uncle who was winking at his daughter. Who had a massive cheeky grin on her face.

"That just leaves-"

His Aunt was interrupted before she could finish.

"Albus is coming with me. We are going first." Harry stated finally.

James glared at Albus. He didn't like it when Albus stole his father's attention. Albus usually would have recoiled at the look he had received, but today he didn't mind so much.

"Right," Hermione continued, "Ok. So we go in, get what we need, then meet back at the Leaky Cauldron at 2. Any questions?"

Everyone shook their heads.

Harry was the first to use the floo powder, but Albus followed shortly behind. He emerged into the leaky cauldron, which was as packed as always at this time of year.

His godfather had spotted him straight away. "Albus, Harry!"

Albus' father spoke first, "I'm sorry I really don't have time right now. We will be back in a few hours Neville, come join us then."

And with that Albus and his father quickly left the room and made their way onto the busy streets of Diagon Alley. As they made their way down the street Albus' Father began to speak.

"I just have to take care of one thing down Knockturn Alley first, for work. It won't be a moment. Make sure you stay close to me, it isn't exactly the most safe place in the world."

Albus smiled to himself, James would be so jealous when he heard that their father had taken him down Knockturn Alley. James tried to sneak off for a look every time the family was in London.

As they made a left turn into Knockturn Alley the difference was noticeable immediately. Whereas Diagon Alley was a clean, busy street with bright and varied shopfronts, Knockturn Alley was a dark and desolate place. There was less people and buildings. And there were many lots that simply had collapsed buildings that had been left where Albus assumed there had once been stores.

A massive bald man in a black cloak had spotted his father and made his way over. Al's father spoke first.

"Cleaned up the mess?"

"Yeah, caught everyone we can. Still haven't found a way to tie it to that fucking weasel Thicknesse yet."

"Watch the language Mr. Burke. I have my son with me."

"My apologies, Harry. You know what it is like on the scene sometimes. Do you have any news of my brother?"

"I agreed we would keep him off the record for questioning right? We have him in a holding cell at the ministry. I plan to talk to him later today."

"Right. Thank you. And the girl?"

"I have put my best people on it."

The bald man his father had called Mr. Burke didn't look pleased, "Not Weasley and Lupin surely."

"You needn't worry, Ron will have your answers in a few days."

The man frowned. He walked off leaving Albus and his father, who was deep in thought.

"Dad, why doesn't he like Ron and Teddy?"

"Ron has a very interesting way of dealing with problems. I'd better tell him Warner will havehis eye on him today, just in case."

He quickly scribbled a few words onto a piece of parchment then waved his wand, turning it into a paper plane and watching as it flew overhead back into Diagon Alley.

"Right," his father said, "Let's go see Mr. Ollivander."

"The wandmaker? I thought he didn't work anymore."

"He will for me, I'm sure of it."

Albus was taken by the hand and lead back into Diagon Alley. He breathed a sigh of relief, even the air tasted fresher somehow. And the smell of rotten wood was replaced by fresh baked food and steaming off of potions.

Albus was lead down Diagon Ally and past Ollivanders, to a little house just a few steps off the main street, they walked through the gate which creaked as it opened and up to the small set of steps. His father knocked on the door 3 times.

"I'm coming, hang on, hang on." A crotchety voice called out from inside.

The door swung open, and a hobbled old man was standing in the open doorway.

"Mr. Potter, I must admit I expected to see you sooner than this. When your first son started at Hogwarts I saw you take him into my shop. The work in there is passable sure, but Justin is still a novice, in the larger picture. My last apprentice was much more talented. Shame you had to come steal him from me."

The man had a wry smile as he turned his silver eyes onto Albus.

"And this is your younger boy. Looks remarkably like you did when you first came to me before you went to Hogwarts." He continued after seeing the confused look on Albus' face, "Yes, yes. I can remember it like it was only yesterday. Holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, nice and supple. Very unusual wand, though hard to argue with the results. Of course it was later destroyed, but no matter."

The man gave his father an ugly look, but didn't seem to expect a response, He lead them inside and began rummaging through a chest, pulling out narrow boxes. Continuing to speak as he did so.

"Your brother's wand on the other hand I suspect is still intact, Mahogany, Unicorn tail hair, 11 inches and pliable. Identical to your grandfathers actually. Most curious… Of course, I say identical, but really the two are nothing alike, just as no two unicorns are alike. But still it is atleast an interesting thing to note."

He continue digging into the chest as he spoke.

"Your mother on the other hand favoured a yew and phoenix Feather wand, 11 inches. Great for hexes and curses. Remarkably powerful wand, and remarkably similar to the one that gave your father that scar."

Albus looked at his father who had an uncomfortable grimmace on his face. "Oh yes I sold that one aswell." Ollivander continued with a melancholy look on his face, "If I had only known what that wand was going to do. Truly terrible, great of course, but terrible."

"Ahh here try this one."

He handed Albus a box.

"Yew and unicorn tail, 12 inches. Very pliable."

Albus held it in his arm.

"Give it a wave Albus." His father told him.

Albus did, and Ollivanders coach was lit on fire.

Ollivander put it out with a wave of his wand, before digging back into his chest looking completely unpertubed.

"I'm a little out of practice evidently." He continued with a small chuckle, "No, no, definitely not. Hmmm… Let's see. Yes, how about this. Mahogany and phoenix feather, 8 inches, quite whippy."

This time Ollivander snatched it back almost immediately. "Oh heaven's no. Imagine the thought.."

They continued like this for what felt like hours, Ollivander would give Albus a wand, let him hold it for a moment, before taking it off him, muttering to himself and beginning to dig around in the chest before surfacing once more with a new wand.

"Hmmm you are very difficult Mr. Potter, very difficult indeed. Not to worry, we will sort you out in no time."

Not a long time later however it was apparent that even Ollivander was frustrated.

"Mr. Potter can you come with me for a moment?"

When Albus started to follow him he was stopped however, "Not you Mr Potter, other Mr Potter."

Albus watched as his father followed Mr Ollivander into another room. Albus was starting to get worried. He sat in nervous wait for them to return, what if I can't get a wand. What if I am not allowed to go to Hogwarts.

"I have one more wand to try Mr Potter." Ollivander said as he re-entered the room, "But I must confess upfront, I didn't make this wand. It is the work of my prior apprentice. And it uses a wood I use sparingly and a core I do not practice with."

He pulled out a narrow black box. And opened it, revealing a deep brown wand. It was smooth except for the handle, which was made up of a coiled snake and an eagles wings.

"Elder and Thestral hair, 14 inches. Quite flexible."

Albus took hold of the wand and felt a warmth spread from his fingers through his entire body, he raised the wand above his head and brought it down, blue and green sparks shooting out of the end of it.

"Oh bravo," Ollivander cried, "yes indeed, oh, very good. Well, well, well… How curious… How very curious."

He took the wand off Albus and put it back into the box all the while muttering to himself, "Curious… Curious..."

"What's curious?" Albus asked.

"It is a rare person to take a wand made of Elder Mr Potter. In all my years I have only sold 3. And to combine that with a core of Thestral hair, especially to someone so young. Who hasn't seen death? I imagine."

He continued after a moments thought, "Yes I think we can expect great things from you Mr Potter. I dare say you might manage to live up to that first name of yours after all."

Albus left the house with his father, Albus was simply relieved to have a wand, but his father looked somewhat frazzled.

"We are short on time Albus, we will go get you your robes, and I will go and get your other stuff while you get fitted, we have no time to mess around, we are supposed to be back in the Leaky Cauldron already."

So Albus made his way alone into Madam Malkins shop.

"Hogwarts, dear? Got the lot here. Another boy being fitted right now."

Albus was lead into the back of the shop where a boy with a pale pointed face was standing on a footstool while another witch pinned his robesup as they strived to make them fit.

"Hullo," Said the boy, "You Hogwarts aswell?"

"Yes," Albus replied.

"My mother is next door buying my books, my father is up the street looking at wands, he says it is a lot tougher to find a good wand now Ollivander is gone. Then I think I am going to take him to look at racing brooms. It sucks that we aren't allowed our own in first year, but I like to look at them anyway."

Something about the boys mannerisms reminded him of his cousin Rose.

"Do you fly?"

"Oh yeah, often enough."

"Cool, Play Quidditch?"

"Yeah of course."

"I do aswell. I'm not very good though," the boy laughed, "Father says if I keep improving I might get goodd enough to play for the house team when I am older though, I hope he is right. Do you know what house you will be in yet?"

"No." Albus wasn't really sure what to say.

"Well no one really knows until they get there, do they, but I'll probably be in Slytherin. All my family has been. It wouldn't be so bad to be in the other houses though, especially Ravenclaw."

They looked up to the window and saw a blonde man in an overcoat knocking on the window and tapping the watch on his arm.

"Oh that's my dad." The boy gave his father a wave and a grin.

Madam Malkins came in again, and helped the boy off the footstool. But on his way out the door the boy called back, "see you on the train."

Soon after Albus' father came back and collected him, paying for the robes on their way out the door. He had a trolley full of books and in a cage perched a pitch black Owl.

"I had a snowy Owl, it felt right." His father had explained as they made their way back to the Leaky Cauldron.

"Where have you two been?" Aunt Hermione asked as they made their way back inside.

"Albus proved difficult to purchase a wand for. It's ok though. We got everything."

Albus took a seat next to Rose at one of the tables. She was already holding her wand and playing with it absent mindedly while reading a copy of Standard Book of Spells Grade 1.

"Have a good day?" Albus asked her.

"Hmm? Oh yes. Quite, Mum let me buy a couple extra books. You know, for light reading."

Albus looked at the pile of books beside her and scoffed, "Light reading?"

"Well yes. Expectations for us are very high Albus. I mean I'm a Weasley and my mother was Head Girl. And you are a Potter AND a Weasley. We need to perform well from day one."

Albus shook his head and stood up, going over to his godfather Neville at the bar to try and get some food, as his stomach was now rumbling seeing as he wasn't so nervous.

The entire family eventually made it back to the Leaky Cauldron about an hour after they were supposed too, Roxanne and Fred were last to arrive, and after a meal together with Neville they all travelled back to the Burrow together.

Later that evening Albus was lying in bed mulling over what Rose had said. There was a lot of expectations on them. She was right. But he didn't think it was fair.

With an exasperated sigh he stood up and made his way to his desk. He pulled his wand and his spellbook out of his bag and he started to read.