"Look who it is," Ron nodded his head at the blonde family after he caught the eye of Harry.
Draco caught the look and nodded back. He wasn't as friendly with the Potters as he was the Weasleys, and even then "friendly" was a stretch. He and the Weasleys got along for the sake of their children. They still spatted over childish things on occasion. Only to have one of their children force them to make up when the one wanted to see the other.
Scorpius had grown considerably, looking far too much like his father, "Come on Rose!" He called from where he was standing with his parents.
She rolled her eyes, "Hold on!"
"Make sure you beat him in all your classes, Rosie!"
"Dad!" She giggled, but she knew it would probably happen, though Scorpius was almost as smart. He was okay... ya know, for being a stupid boy.
"Ron!" said Hermione, amused. "Don't try to pin them against each other just yet!"
"Sorry," he replied sheepishly, "Just don't let this friendship grow anymore, Rosie. I don't want to see you marrying a pureblood." He was only half joking.
The adults continued to speak to their children, mostly Ginny trying to reign in her son James from terrorizing his brother. It didn't work and he had poor Albus frightened before James took off to find his friends. Probably to explain the fact that he would have to sit with his family on the way there this year. He had promised to watch out for them, much to his dismay.
Rose's parents said their farewells and Rose was excited to get going, following Scorpius on to the train quickly.
"I can' believe we're finally going to Hogwarts!" She squealed.
"I know!" He replied excitedly, even though he was more drawn back about it.
When Scorpius was trying to move his bags James pulled Rose aside, "Does he really have to sit with us, Rosie? You're a Weasley and he's a Malfoy."
"He's my friend!"
"But he's not ours," James grumbled out as Albus quietly stood by his side. "As the oldest I say 'no' and that's final!"
"Well then I can just go sit with him if you really have a problem with it." Rose moved away from James.
James knew his parents asked him to look out for the newbies, Rose and Albus, and his mother would kill him if he fell back on that promise to do so. "Fine, if it means that much to you."
"Thank you James," she smiled victoriously as she ran out to here Scorpius was standing.
"Well come on!"
"Are you sure they don't mind?"
"Not at all," she lied convincingly, a large smile tugging at her lips.
"Okay!" He had a hard time believing that James would ever accept him, but he would work through it.
He sat next to Rose in the train compartment. He was quiet as James joked around, the Weasley in him ever present in his silly manner. Rose would speak to him, but the other boys were more reluctant. Though Albus was kind enough, James was the only problem. But James was older and he knew more of their parents history than anyone else.
The ride there was tense at times, but definitely manageable.
The boat ride to the castle is what made Rose sick, her motion sickness hitting her hard as the water lapped at the sides of the boat, rocking it gently. It didn't help that under her was pitch black dark water, the color of the normally clear water forming from the dark sky above.
After that they were put on carriages, "This seems like an awful lot of different type of travel just to get to one place," Scorpius whispered to Rose.
"But it's so fascinating! What do you think pulls these carriages?" She asked, her eyes still blinded with innocence.
"Magic?" Scorpius smiled.
Rose just laughed in return, but her eyes grew wide as the castle came in view. "Whoa..."
The castle was simply...magical. There was no other way to describe it yet both children chided themselves for thinking such things. Of course it was magical, it was a school for witches and wizards.
They were lead inside where the wonder of it all grew.
The entrance hall was huge, the walls made of stone and lit by flaming torches that cast flicking shadows. A large marble staircase stood out in the large room, leading to the upper levels of the castle. The other, older students were already gathered in the Great Hall and the three students made of a Potter, Weasley, and Malfoy could hear the excited buzz of voices.
Professor McGonagall, the headmistress spoke, "Welcome to Hogwarts!"
She took in the faces of the first years, excitement and nervousness was evident in their faces.
"A banquet be held shortly. But first we must take care of more pressing matters, you each will be sorted into your houses. Your house is very important. Your house shares common room, a table in the Great Hall, and classes. Each house has different characteristics that the sorting hat will be able to find from within you. He'll place you in the best suited house for you. There are four houses Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Along with these houses come a point system. Good deeds and behavior earns you points, while misbehaving deducts them. The end of the ear brings the House Cup, the house with the most points attains this offer."
She looked at the big doors that separated them form the Great Hall, " I do suppose they should be ready for you. Now don't let the older students bother you too much, they were all here at one point."
The doors opened and she motioned for the group of first years to follow her. They were reluctant at first but one student took and deep breath and lead the way, the rest followed like sheep, still uneasy.
They took in the room with awe. Thousands of candles floated amongst the room, above those the ceiling was a dark sky with shining stars. It was beautiful, completely unreal. None of the students could believe the place they were in. Even the ones that had heard the descriptions thousands of times still were amazed.
Five tables were in the room. Four were on the floor while a fifth was in the front of the room, turned in the opposite way. That fifth one was for the staff while the other four were for the four different houses McGonagall has just spoke of. The students were lead up to the front of the room, near the fifth table.
The first years shuffled their way there. And there stood a stool with an ugly, pointed hat on it. This must be the sorting hat, thought Rose, how interesting.
Do I really want to put that gross thing on my head, it'll ruin my hair, Scorpius thought as he raised a hand to play with a tuff of his blonde hair.
Rose had asked hundreds of questions about the sorting hat. Her father had tried to tell her all the secrets, but her mother didn't want him to ruin all the surprise. But, James had let something slip...could it really sing?
Her question was answered once the students quieted down.
"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty, But don't judge on what you see, I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black, your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat and I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring nerve, and chivalry Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffis are true and unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"
The sorting began shortly. They listened as strangers were sorted into the houses. Then...
"Malfoy, Scorpius!"
The boy gulped as he shot a look at Rose. She returned the look, but forced herself to smile. It couldn't be that bad...right?
He sat his bottom on the stool and had the hat placed on his head. He heard a voice speaking to him, debating between two houses. Scorpius was leaning towards one. He was begging, no not begging (Malfoys didn't beg), persuading the hat to see his way.
Finally he did and called out,"SLYTHERIN!"
A smile grew on his face. He wouldn't be the Malfoy that broke tradition. Well...certain ones. He walked over to the table decorated in silver and green, greeted by the smiling faces of younger students, and the scowls of the older. Must be something you grow into, that scowl, he thought to himself.
Down the line came "Potter, Albus!"
He was terrified that he would be placed in the same house that Scorpius was so happy to be in. He couldn't be a Slytherin, he just couldn't!
The hat spoke to just him. No Slytherin? You sound just like your father. And just like your father... "GRYFFINDOR!"
A huge sigh of relief escape the small boy when he hopped down from the stool.
He walked over the the red and gold table filled with happy faces. His older brother shot him a smile from afar.
More names were called and Rose hated more and more that her last name started with a W. Finally it got to her.
"Weasley, Rose!"
Another that I'm torn between two houses. You'd be wonderful in Ravenclaw, a brain like your mother. But I see that Gryffindor has caught your eye. Yes? Very well. "GRYFFINDOR!"
She smiled broadly as she meandered her way to the Gryffindor table, happily joining her cousin.
The feast that was brought out was magnificent. It had every food they could ever want, and more! Many of the first years stuffed themselves until they were bursting.
After some speeches from professors and the headmistress they were free to go explore the rest of the castle, but not without a guide of course. The Gryffindor prefect gathered all the first years of his house. The same went for all the other houses as well and soon there were four masses of people trying to move through the doorway. The Gryffindors and Slytherins got a little too close and some older students started to bicker between the two houses. Rose and Scorpius took advantage of the proximity and sought each other out.
"Hey!" Rose yelled when she found her friend.
He replied less enthusiastically, "Hey..."
"This is going to be so much fun! I can't wait to just explore the castle by myself."
"Yourself?"
"Hmm..." She pretended to think about this," I think I could bring someone along too."
Scorpius smiled, "Is that someone me?"
"Well duh!"
"Can I tell you something?" Scorpius whispered, suddenly serious.
Rose smiled as she looked around, taking everything in, a big smile on her face, "Of course."
"Promise you won't tell anyone?"
"I swear!" He took in a deep breath and looked around for any of the Potters, making sure they weren't within hearing range, "The sorting hat...it wanted to place me in Ravenclaw."
Rose was confused, "It wanted to put me there too. So why are you in Slytherin?"
"Dad said the hat listens to what you want, I wanted to be in the same house as him."
"You know that makes us rivals, right?"
"No, that makes our houses rivals, not us," he smiled at the girl in front of him, hopeful that that fact wouldn't change.
And he stayed hopeful even as her group of Gryffindors started to move and she turned her back to him, following the others up to the Gryffindor common room.
-Author's Note-
This is based off the Epilogue. The song was taken from pages 92 and 93 from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and I do not own that!
Hope you enjoy! Reviews make me smile:)