Disclaimer: I think everyone knows this is all J.K.'s.
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Rose Weasley came skipping into the compartment with an armful of goodies from the trolly. "I've just spoken to a prefect! We're almost at Hogwarts!"
The group of first years in the compartment all leapt up and hurried to the window, shoving each other for a good view.
"Do you see it, Al?"
"No, how 'bout you Scorp?"
"I think I see something pointy above the trees…"
They all gazed around at each other, eyes shining with unsuppressed excitement. There was a bustle in the corridors outside, and squeals of merriment. The compartment door slammed open and a blonde boy rushed in. "We're almost there! We're almost there!"
"Oh, hello Lorcan." Rose smiled brightly.
"Hello Rose!" The boy grinned back, and held out a book. "Here's the book Dad sent. Careful, though. It's old, and Mum says she saw some Norwegian Humbufflers on it." And then he was gone.
"Scorpius gaped as the door closed behind Lorcan. "Hum-what?"
"Oh, that Lorcan Scamander. His mum is the publisher of Quibbler Magazine." Rose began rifling thru the book.
"You mean the old one full of rubbish?" Scorpius looked skeptical.
Rose pursed her lips at him. "It isn't! It's lovely. Perhaps it's not completely accurate, but Aunt Luna's very proud of it!"
Scorpius looked thoroughly abashed. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean anything by it. It's just, you know, I've heard that most of it's made up."
Al smirked. "Aunt Luna's wonderful, but she is a bit eccentric. She believes it all, though, so she doesn't technically make it up. She's still determined to find a Crumplehorned Snorkack, you know."
"Are you really related to her?"
"No, of course not. She's just a very good friend of the family," Rose replied. "She and our parents fought together during the war."
"She's my sister's Godmother, actually," Albus added.
"She's very nice. She and my dad were very good friends, as well," Alice Longbottom grinned.
Suddenly, they felt a definite slowing down of the train, and again rushed to the window. Outside was Hogsmeade Station, and against the dark trees they could see a giant shadow and a small light. Albus and Rose both yelped at the same time. "Hagrid!"
Hurriedly, the group gathered their belongings. Rose, Scorpius, and Albus wrestled their owl cages thru the crowded train corridor, and Alice followed behind, hanging on with one hand to Albus's trunk, so as not to get lost.
As soon as the exited the train they heard the booming voice calling out, "Firs' years! Firs' years over here! Firs'—oh! Albus, Rosie, how are yeh? And Miss Longbottom, nice to see yeh too. And who is this, eh? Yeh can't be a Malfoy?" Scorpius nodded shyly. "Well, if I didn't see it with me own eyes. Er…Firs' years! Firs' years follow me!" With a long que of first years following him behind, Hagrid led them down a winding road to a gigantic lake. Many first years "Ooohed" as they came upon it, no doubt wondering if they were to see the Giant Squid. They were led to a line of boats, and began filing in. Rose, Albus, Scorpius, Alice, and a girl they didn't recognize managed to get a boat together, and they began sailing across the water. The unfamiliar girl looked positively terrified and excited.
"Hello, my name's Rose Weasley," Rose promptly said, offering her hand. The girl shook it timidly.
"I'm Bertha Garrison." Her voice was a tiny thing, very much matching her small body. The others introduced themselves
"I don't know any Garrisons," Albus said. "Are you muggleborn, then?"
Sarah nodded silently.
"Oh, that's wonderful!"Rose exclaimed, clapping her hands. "My mum was muggleborn, you know. She was the greatest witch of her age!" she said proudly. "That's what it says in all the textbooks, anyway." Albus rolled his eyes.
Soon, they exited the boats and reached the castle doors, which were opened by an old, very short wizard.
"Hello!" he squeaked. "Welcome to Hogwarts! I am Professor Flitwick, Deputy Headmaster of Hogwarts, and I will be taking you into the Great Hall. I ask you all to mind your manners," he looked pointedly at a couple of giggling girls, "as you are sorted into your houses."
"How are we sorted?" Bertha asked, looking even more terrified, as did all of the other first years.
"I heard we have to fight off a rabid Sphinx!" a black boy said. He had a snearing nature about him, as did the girl beside him.
"Oh, don't be silly!" Rose snapped at him. "Sphinxes are completely immune to diseases, as you would know if you were to read your materials!"
The boy glared at her. "And who are you supposed to be? Hm, red hair, freckles. A Weasley, I presume?"
"Lay off, Zabini," Scorpius said smoothly. "You don't want to get beat on the first day of school."
"And what are you doing with those bloodtraitors, Malfoy. Your dad wouldn't be too pleased," the boy called Zabini smirked.
"Just because your dad's still stuck in the dark ages doesn't mean we all are. My dad's fine with muggleborns and 'bloodtraitors', as you call them." Scorpius took Rose's arm, which was now armed, and pulled her farther into the line, with their friends following. "He's not worth it, Rose. He's a jolly old prat, really. And ugly to boot."
Rose grinned at him, and willingly followed alongside him as Flitwick led them into the Great Hall, skipping all the way.
The Great Hall was grander than they had ever imagined. Looking up, Rose recognized the charmed ceiling she'd read about in Hogwarts: A History. She pointed up, and began chattering to Scorpius about all of the enchantments, and he listened happily. Albus, who was now walking beside her groaned, and tried covering her mouth. "Please, Rose, I feel nauseated. Please, just shut up!"
She glared at him, and huffily shut her mouth. Her sour attitude wasn't to be long-lasting, however, as Flitwick swished his wand, and a three legged stool swept into the room, carrying a rather tattered-looking hat. Everyone in the room seemed to lean forward anxiously as a rip in the hat began to move.
You've probably heard of me before
I've been here for years on end!
I'm better than any hat in the store
So listen, your ears do lend!
I'll tell you of brave Gryffindor,
Who does cherish most of all
The courage to stand thru all that's in store
To bring all that is wrong to its fall
Of Ravenclaw, who makes minds into art,
Will you measure up to size?
Do you have the wits, the brains, the smarts
To enter the house of the wise?
Or, perhaps, you favor that strong devotion
You believe that friends are enough?
If this is the case, then I have the notion
You belong in good Hufflepuff!
The last of these houses belongs Slytherin
Who just wants to get to the top!
With cunning and smarts and great ambition
There's nothing that can a Slytherin stop!
All of these houses are fine on their own
For great traits they all can boast
But none can really stand alone
For as a group, they gain the most.
Please listen to my wise song
For I've seen more than any
The best way to prosper long
Is to work together with many!
Here now, I draw to the end,
As a new Hogwarts year does begin
I bid adieu, my fine friends
Until, next year, we meet again!
Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the hats song ended, and the students burst into applause. Rose just grinned at Scorpius and Albus. "So much for a rabid Sphinx, hm?" They snickered, and glanced at Zabini.
Professor Flitwick unrolled a scroll, that continued onto the floor. "Angrid, Linx." A small, weasel looking boy approached the hat, and set it on his head. After a few moments, it shouted "Ravenclaw!" and the boy scurried off. Professor Flitwick continued to call out names, and reached Alice Longbottom. Alice warily approached the hat, and placed it on her head, which was engulfed in tatty fabric. With a shout, it called out "Hufflepuff!" and Alice blushed as she took off the hat and joined her table. Her friends all clapped excitedly. All too soon, it was Scorpius's turn. Rose heard a few angry hisses, and saw her cousin James glaring at her friend. She glared at him, and stuck out her tongue, which he saw, and turned away. The hat was much to big for Scorpius, and nearly reached his neck. It was the longest sorting yet, and Rose was sure it would never make up it's mind, when, with a shout, it bellowed, "Gryffindor!". The room was dead silent, and even the House ghosts seemed to be gaping. Then, with unprecedented gusto, the room erupted in cheers, and Rose hugged Albus excitedly. Albus, on the other hand, looked decidedly ill. There was only one person preceding him now, and when the hat shouted "Hufflepuff" for a sandy-haired boy, and Albus's name was called out, he stood as still as a statue.
"Potter, Albus?" Flitwick now looked down the line in search of him. Rose kicked Al, and he scuttled forward. He placed the hat on his head, and screwed up his face.
Oh, a Potter. Oh, I do love a Potter. You're always so difficult to place. Yes, yes, you are brave, just like your parents. Traditionally, you should be in Gryffindor, of course. But you have the makings of a Slytherin, just like your father. And smart to boot! But where to put you. Yes, yes. Slytherin would be wonderful with you in it. They have a bad reputation, I know, but that doesn't mean they all are bad eggs. I don't hear any argument! Your father had some choice words to say…no?
I don't care, Albus thought, Father says it doesn't matter. Slytherin isn't too bad, I suppose.
Are you quite certain? If you are, better be….
"SLYTHERIN!"
There wasn't a sound in the Great Hall as Albus joined the Slytherin table. He glanced at his brother, who was glaring heatedly at him, with a crushed piece of bread in his palm. He mouthed a "Sorry!" and returned his gaze to the proceedings.
Lorcan Scamander was sorted into Ravenclaw, and soon it was Rose's turn. She approached the hat with full confidence, and grinned at her friends before placing it on her head. It was another long wait, before the hall erupted with a loud, "RAVENCLAW!"
She skipped to her table, where she promptly pulled out a book, and showed it to a neighbor. Albus and Scorpius glanced at each other and grinned.
And then the wise sorting hat was retired, and the feast began.
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