A/N - So here starts the actual story beginning the day after the epilogue. For reference please be aware that I had movieGinny in mind when writing and I just don't like that Ginny incarnation as much. I should also clarify that though the story will eventually revolve around Harry and Draco and a developing friendship that's a few chapters off. Thank you to those who have read and followed. If you read please feel free to comment whether you like it or not, again all I ask is that you be constructive because that's what will help me improve. Thanks in advance and enjoy :)

An owl tapped at the window; Harry stood up to let it in. The small tawny bird flew to a chair and held out its leg. Harry took the message, gave the bird a pet on the head, and a quick treat. It hooted softly then flew back out the window.

"Gin," he called, "First letter from Al is here. And it looks like one from James is right behind it."

Again an owl flew in and perched itself on the chair back stretching out its leg. Harry removed that letter as well, rewarding the owl the same way he had the other.

Ginny entered the room. "Ok I'm here, which letter shall we read first?"

"Well Al's arrived first and it is his first year and first ever letter from Hogwarts so I say we read it first."

Ginny nodded her agreement as Harry unrolled the parchment and began to read.

Dear Mum and Dad,

I'm here. This place is huge. James says I'm sure to get lost every day for a week and I think he might be right I really don't want to lose House points before I even get a chance to win any. So Dad, Rose and I talked on the train I hope you don't mind but I told her what you told me about the Sorting Hat.

"What about the Sorting Hat?" Ginny questioned.

Harry looked a bit uncomfortable that he'd never shared this particular story with her before, but he shrugged and told her.

"Wait, you were almost a Slytherin? And you never told me? Does anyone else know? Let me guess you've told everyone but me? No wonder Al has been so worried about being placed there. How could you have told him that?" Ginny was working herself up into a right nasty fit when Harry reached out and took her hand.

"I just told him about it at 9 ¾ when he told us he was worried about that. I wanted him to know that the Sorting Hat will take your feelings into consideration. I was attempting to comfort him after James and Ron had worked him into a lather over stupid House assignments."

"Stupid House assignments, only someone who was supposed to be a Slytherin could say that."

"Ginny that may just be the most ridiculous thing you've ever said," he shook his head.

"Oh you're right Slytherins are all about House pride, that's where it all began wasn't it?"she nearly yelled again.

Harry shook his head, grateful that Lily had gone home with Ron and Hermione the day before to spend time with Hugo. "Ginny you know even Dumbledore wasn't fully in favor of the idea of Houses."

"Because he always had such wonderful thoughts and ideas, the man sent you to your death when you were barely more than a child."

"Ginny!"

She took a deep breath before replying, "Sorry, I know you revere the man, and I know that if it weren't for his machinations we'd all be living in hiding in another country with Voldemort ruling here all but honestly Harry!"

"Honestly what? You still want to change Al's name don't you. You never liked my choice."

"Oh you know I'm fine with Albus but-"

"Yeah there's that but, will you never forgive me for naming our child after Snape? Why must you discount everything he did?"

"I don't but he was a Slytherin."

Again Harry just shook his head, he was never going to understand Ginny and Ron's eternal loathing of any and all things Slytherin. This hatred seemed to grow through the years rather than diminish as you would expect of the feelings of a school rivalry to fade.

"No answer for that right because you can't possibly defend those snakes, especially since you were supposed to be one of them. It explains so much about you, and why you keep secrets so well. Amazingly it probably makes you a better Auror, all that sneakiness."

This wasn't going to get any better, he had to get her off this diatribe. "Ginny do you want to hear the rest of Al's letter or not?"

"I'm not so sure I do."

"Really and what exactly will you do if our son was sorted into the house of snakes? Disown him as your brother threatened to do? Did you lie to him on the platform when you told him with me that it wouldn't matter where he was placed we love him? Were you just putting on a show of being a tolerant witch?" Harry had had enough, he was so tired of fighting, it seemed to be all they did anymore. They could put on a good front on the rare occasions when they were in public or when they were with family but it seemed each day things grew more tense at home. He knew it was as much his fault as Ginny's probably more as he was the one with so many secrets.

She was appalled, "I would never! How could you even say such a thing?"

"You know I know Ron says he's joking when he makes comments like that but I also know he and you have this irrational hatred of Slytherin house."

"Irrational?!" she screamed, "It was a Slytherin that was at fault when I nearly died in the chamber."

"And it was his wife a fellow Slytherin that risked her own life lying to Voldemort telling him I was dead which allowed me to escape and finish him off."

"You know she only did that to save her precious son."

"And would you do any less to save any of our children from death or worse?"

That stopped her for a moment, just long enough for him to hold up the letter while cocking one eyebrow. Ginny looked for a moment like she was going to say something more but sat back in her chair and nodded curtly.

She was so sure she'd be sorted into Gryffindor because all Weasley's have been, but she really wanted to be in Ravenclaw, so I told her what you told me and guess what she's in Ravenclaw and I can tell she is thrilled. You might want to warn Uncle Ron though I know how he felt about her being in Gryffindor.

Harry looked at Ginny pointedly wordlessly daring her to say "at least she's not a snake" but she remained silent.

I know I know Mum you're wanting to know why I didn't tell you about my Sorting first since we sort in alphabetical order.

Harry stifled a laugh as Ginny rolled her eyes.

I was still nervous when Professor Aceron put the hat on my head. It started talking right away, talking about where to put me. It said what I thought it would that I would fit in Slytherin well but as I was a Potter and a Weasley I would fit well in Gryffindor as well. I took a deep breath and told the hat that if it thought I belonged in Slytherin then sort me there. The hat laughed Dad, I swear it laughed and said with bravery like that I had to be in Gryffindor. I'm a Gryffindor Dad! And I've already made a friend or two. A bloke I met on the train was also sorted into Gryffindor and we get on really well. I have my first school chum. Well it's late and I have to start classes in the morning so I'd better get to bed. I want to start early so I have time in case I get lost going to my first class. I love you both! Al

"He met someone on the train?" Ginny laughed, "Oh boy is history repeating itself, it's just like you and Ron. And I'm sure Rose was in the compartment with them, a new golden trio. I can just see it now."

Harry chuckled as he lay the letter on the table and picked up the parchment from James. "He was worried about not finding friends, worried that James reputation would precede him much as Fred and George's preceded Ron. He wasn't sure anyone would want their kid to be friends with one of those troublemaking Potter boys. James has done all he can to prove he's a not just the son of 'the Boy Who Lived, the Chosen One' and just as much a Weasley. Well that and his grandfather's son for any families that might recall my dad."

Ginny smiled and shook her head, "And I'm sure George is supplying him with plenty of help. You still have the map don't you?"

"Last I checked, and that was when we got home from the station yesterday."

"Good," she sighed in relief, "the last thing he needs is that map."

"Oh I put it under several wards before we left. Thought about bringing it with me and keeping it on me, but I wouldn't be surprised if he managed to pickpocket it from me so I didn't risk it."

"Well come on let's see what he has to say."

Harry held the letter out to her, "Would you like to read it?"

"No you go ahead."

Mum and Dad,

You have to do something. Al is making friends with Malfoy.

Ginny sat up straight on the edge of her chair, "He WHAT?"

"Now Gin, I'm sure James is exaggerating, you know how he is. Al probably just said hi or stood near him before Sorting." Harry wasn't sure he believed what he was saying and wasn't sure if he'd rather be right or that Al and Scorpius really become friends. It could be bloody awkward in the family but wouldn't it be wonderful if the new generation could truly live the life of tolerance and acceptance that his generation and those that preceded them spoke about.

Ginny sat back again, "You're right besides the Malfoy boy has to be a Slytherin so they'll only have a few classes together. Keep reading, let's see what it is that James has so misinterpreted this time.

It started on the train, I nearly sent you a Howler then. That Malfoy kid was wandering the halls trying to find a place to sit and no one would let him in, not even the Slytherins.

"That poor kid," Harry said.

"Poor kid?" Ginny echoed questioningly.

"Yes, poor kid. Why should he be condemned for the things his father and grandparents did?"

"Harry he's a Malfoy." Ginny rolled her eyes as if the answer were obvious.

"So which of your relatives would you have wanted to judged by? Let's see Fred and George and their craziness, or Percy and his snobbery and aresholeness?"

"That's not even close to the same thing and you know it!" She objected.

"What I know is that even the oldest pureblood wizarding families have had children raised in an atmosphere of "Purebloods are better than anyone else" and still come out not only tolerant but on the side of the half bloods, muggle borns, and blood traitors. Two names immediately pop to mind Sirius and Andromeda. Would you want others to judge Teddy for his relation to the Black and Malfoy families?"

An exasperated sigh escaped Ginny as she stood and stalked to the kitchen, "Again not the same thing. Teddy has been raised better than that."

"Oh really and can you be sure? I mean Andromeda is a Black, the sister of Narcissa and Bellatrix. She was raised in that environment so why don't you judge her the same way?" Harry asked hoping to make her see some sense.

"Harry you can be such a dolt sometimes, Dromeda has proven herself," she said rolling her eyes as if the answer was obvious.

"And Scorpius hasn't but how can he when he's judged immediately for his last name, for his family heritage?"

"Whatever I'm sure the Slytherins will take him right in when he proves he's just like Daddy."

"Sure that'll make him popular there considering his father and grandmother turned on Voldemort at the end. The Malfoy name is mud no matter which side of the war you were on. It's one thing for Draco and his parents to deal with that, it's the fallout from their own actions. Astoria was willing to take it on amazingly enough but this child wasn't even born. So simply by being a child of that family he should be scorned and left to himself, a life of loneliness and misery? Ginny you're not that heartless."

Again she sighed, "He's still a Malfoy."

"And should be allowed to be judged for his own actions only. Let the child alone Ginny."

"As long as he leaves our kids alone."

Harry shook his head in disbelief.

"Just keep reading, we both need to get to work and I have to pick up Lily then drop her at Mom's on the way."

He came to our compartment. I told him to bugger off but Al invited him in and then so did Rose. I couldn't stand to be in the same room with that so I took off. He stayed with them the whole trip, when I came back to get my robes before we got off the train they were all laughing together. I tried to talk to Al and Rose, tell him the kid was no good and they should stay away from him but they refused to listen. And Dad he's in Gryffindor, that filthy Malfoy prat got sorted into Gryffindor. The whole table was in shock when he was sorted, no one said a word. We're petitioning Headmaster Flitwick to move him out, resort him. The hat just got it wrong this time. Al is Gryffindor too which I'm sure you know by now. I moved over to make room for him but he went and sat by the prat instead. Dad you have to talk to him. Mum come on. Send a letter to the Headmaster please. Fix this! James

"Well at least one of our children has some sense," Ginny muttered.

Harry stood up and stalked out of the room, turning only momentarily. "Have you ever stopped to think that that attitude is why our oldest son has become a total git? Have you ever thought about the fact that what you're doing, judging that child and his parents who we haven't seen or talked to in almost two decades, is exactly what they did to us? You're judging him based on who he is, on who his family is, all on his name. Isn't that what the whole bloody war was about, tolerance and acceptance of all no matter who they are or what their heritage?"

Ginny opened her mouth but Harry cut her off, "Don't, don't even bother to say it's different because it's not. Except that now you're on the wrong side of the argument. I'll be staying in London tonight." With that he swept out the door and Disapparated.