Rose Weasley gazed around at the familiar sight. It was hardly the first time she'd visited the magical platform – in fact, for nearly as long as she could remember, every September, her entire family would head off the 9 ¾ platform to see one of her numerous cousins off. There was first Teddy (who she'd always counted as a cousin even though they weren't technically related by blood) and Victoire, then Dominique, Fred and Roxanne… The list went on. But this time was different, because this time, it was her turn to board the train to Hogwarts. Just the mere thought brought an excited smile to Rose's lips.
"I want to go too!" Lily's tearful complaint brought Rose back from her thoughts.
"Take us with you," Hugo begged.
"Don't worry, kids, we'll send you stuff from Hogwarts." James grinned, mussing up his hair surreptitiously. Ginny frowned in disapproval at her son, conjured a comb, and started running it through James' hair. She paid no attention to his indignant complaints of "Mum, let go, you're embarrassing me!" Fred watched his best friend's suffering from the side, cackling gleefully.
Rose glanced at her favourite cousin. Normally, Al would've jumped at a chance like this to tease James about his plight alongside with Fred. It would, after all, be a precious chance to get back at his older brother for all his needling. This time though, it seemed as if Al was too nervous to have the heart to partake in such frivolous proceedings.
Al had never been the most talkative at the best of times, having inherited his father's more quiet nature, and what with his nerves, he'd practically become mute.
"Al, relax, no one will care if you're sorted into Slytherin," Rose told her cousin in exasperation, correctly deducing the cause of his anxiety. After all, she'd grown up with Al, and knew him better than even own his parents did. Besides, James' teasing all summer about Al becoming a snake in the Lion's den, which had more than likely led to Al's paranoia, was also a dead giveaway.
At any rate, Al flushed, silently, and completely unintentionally, confirming Rose's guess.
"Al, listen, to her, she's talking sense." Harry Potter wrapped an arm around his son's shoulder, while winking at Rose. Rose grinned back at her good-natured uncle.
"Of course she's talking sense, she's Hermione's daughter." Ron said seriously.
"Ah, but she's your daughter too, Ronnie. Every day, I wake up and thank the heavens that Rosie inherited Hermione's brains." George Weasley, who was also here to see his children Fred and Roxanne off, teased.
"That's only because Ron has no brains to inherit from to start with," Ginny, having finally released James, who'd immediately ran off with Fred, muttered under her breath.
"Oi!"
The familiar family bickering seemed to have a soothing effect on Albus, and the tension slowly eased out of his shoulders. He soon joined into the conversation with a jibe at Ron of his own, something about getting hit by too many Bludgers while playing Keeper in school.
As the bickering went on, Rose started to lose interest, and she cast her glance around the platform. It was chaotic as usual. Everywhere, owls were screeching, cats were yowling, and toads – which had seen another rise in popularity after the wizarding public discovered that Neville Longbottom, revered War Hero, was in fact the proud owner of a toad – were croaking. Meanwhile, students were either biding excited farewells to their parents, or greeting their own friends loudly.
Then, Rose's eyes fell on a curious trio who were defying the normality. They were standing in a quiet corner of the platform, keeping to themselves. The trio, all blond, consisted of a man, a woman, and a boy who was quite evidently their son. As Rose watched, the woman hugged her son tightly, looking tearful. Then, the man bent down, and spoke to the boy for a few moments. They both looked very serious. Finally, the man embraced his son as well.
"Mum," Rose tugged on her mum's sleeve.
"Yes, dear?" Hermione looked to her daughter curiously.
"Who are they?"
Hermione followed her daughter's gaze, and her eyes brightened in recognition.
"That, dear, is Draco Malfoy, his wife Astoria Malfoy Nee Greengrass, and their son, Scorpius Malfoy." Hermione listed out, adopting her 'dispensing information' tone.
"Just tell us all their middle names too while you're at it." Ron snickered. His comment earned him a disparaging look from his wife, and he hastily stopped talking.
"Come to think of it, young Scorpius is starting his first year at Hogwarts as well, isn't he?" Harry remarked, having listened in to their conversation. The comment, while partly genuine, was mainly a subtle attempt at diffusing the tension between Mr. and Mrs. Weasley by redirecting the conversation.
"Huh, that's Malfoy's son, is it? Well, make sure you beat him in every test, Rosie," Ron told his daughter. Once again, this comment was only half genuine. While part of Ron really did want to see Draco Malfoy's son beaten by his daughter (old habits, after all, die hard) the main purpose of this statement was to continue what Harry had started, which was to say, distract Hermione. He, after many years of working together with Harry, had practically established a telepathic connection with his best mate, and immediately caught on to his plan. Unfortunately, his endeavour to redirect Hermione's attention only succeeded in further provoking her ire, as Hermione promptly proceeded to berate her husband on the foolishness of setting the children against each other before they even met.
But Rose wasn't listening to that. She was too busy watching the blond trio. Just then, Scorpius Malfoy happened to turn in her direction, and the two pairs of eyes met.
He has grey eyes. Rose remarked. She had never met anyone with grey eyes like his before. Before Rose had the time to draw any further conclusions, Scorpius turned away.
Rose's eyes lingered on him curiously long after he'd looked away.
So, we get a look at what goes on in Rose's head! Next, chapter, Scorpius' POV
Thanks to Sunshine72 and decoratingscheme for your support! :)