"Well, look who it is." Albus said.
"Is that Lorcan and Lysander Scamander?" Rose said.
"Hello, friends!" Lorcan said.
"Are you ready for a delightful feast today?" Lysander said.
"Yep," Albus said. "I'm nervous about the Sorting, though…"
"Ah yes, sorting. Lorcan and I have high hopes that we will be Ravenclaws." Lysander said.
"If not, who knows what will happen?" Lorcan said.
"Oh, mother will be most disappointed if we are not Ravenclaw…" Lysander said. Rose laughed.
"Don't worry guys. I'm positive you guys will be in Ravenclaw." Rose said.
"Why thank you, Rose," Lorcan said.
"Well, we shall see you around." Lysander said. The two headed off closer to the lake.
"Rose and Albus, is that you?" A rough voice said.
"Hagrid!" Albus yelled. Albus gave Hagrid a hug as did Rose.
"You two are growin' up so fast. I remember when I saw your parents on this platform, and I got ready ter take them to the castle on boats."
"Boats?" Rose said. "Nobody said anything about water."
Due to a very unfortunate incident that had happened 3 years prior, James Potter had nearly drowned Rose with an Aqua Eructo spell. Ever since, Rose had been afraid of any bodies of water bigger than her bathtub.
"Oh no. You know I don't do well with water." Rose stepped back.
"Relax," Hagrid said. It's totally safe. The monster in the lake doesn't usually come out at this time…"
"Hagrid," Albus said. "You're not helping…"
"Oh. Right. Sorry." Hagrid said. "Don't worry, Rose. We are wizards."
"Don't think I've forgotten y-you've g-gotten expelled, H-Hagrid!" Rose said.
"Alright, then. Would you rather fly a broom over the lake, then?"
Another thing Rose was afraid of was flying.
"Boat please."
After Albus managed to drag Rose onto the boat with Hagrid ("Hagrid? How much does he weigh?!?!"), they rowed themselves to a great view of the Hogwarts Castle.
Upon seeing the castle, Rose forgot her fear and was awestruck by the giant castle in front of them. The many towers and windows mesmerized both Albus and Rose.
"Wow…" Rose said. "This is fifty times bigger than the Burrow!"
Upon arriving inside the castle, they stood inside the foyer outside the Great Hall.
"Hey, look," Albus said, pointing to Scorpius.
"Albus, what did I tell you?" Rose said. "He cannot be trusted. Now just find new friends, but not Scorpius."
"Jeez, Rose, lighten up."
Rose glared then turned her attention to Headmistress Sprout.
"Isn't that the old Herbology teacher dad told us about?"
"Shh!"
"I'm sure you all know of this," Professor Sprout said. "But you will soon be sorted into your houses. Do not worry if you are not sorted into your desired house… Well… the Sorting Hat has his ways." She smiled and opened the doors to the Grand Hall. Rose was more amazed by the Grand Hall than she was by the castle. The ceiling projected the sky above it, and had candles floating overhead.
"This is so cool!" Albus said.
"Look! Headmaster Prince!" Rose said.
Headmaster Prince was the new headmaster who had taken over after McGonagall retired. It was a well-known fact that Professor Prince was a distant cousin of Severus Snape, which excited Albus.
"He's related to Severus Snape, right?" Albus asked Rose.
"Yep," Rose said. "He's related to one of the greatest people Uncle Harry knew."
Rose's eyes flickered to Scorpius. He seemed very bored, like he could be anywhere but there. Rose wondered how someone could not be fascinated by this magnificent hall.
"Welcome students," Headmaster Prince said. "to another year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am grateful that everyone is here and ready for another magical year. Well then, let us start the sorting ceremonies!"
Hagrid brought out the Sorting Hat and placed it on a table. As soon as it was placed, it burst into song:
"Ah, another year at Hogwarts!
With my song I shall begin
The wonderful story of our beloved school
Hogwarts' past should live in our hearts
Founded by four as the records say
Godric, Helga, Rowena, and Salazar yes
The four namesakes of our four houses
When one turns to bad and breaks off
Slytherin, yes, starts a battle
His heir who came many years later
Was struck down twice by a famous man
Harry Potter is his name! Bless his soul
Who nearly gave his life to save us all
You've heard this story all too many times I'm sure
Of how He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was defeated
By the simple magic of love
Though many have lost someone they knew
Hogwarts is here now that is true
So today let us bring joy
To the kids who love to learn
About their abilities
Magic! It's what has brought us here
To this wonderful school, we call Hogwarts"
The whole Grand Hall burst into applause, some cheering and whooping. But then Headmaster Prince signaled everyone to quiet down, and that's when everyone knew that Sorting was about to take place.
"Alright," Professor Sprout said. "When I call your name, please come up and sit on this stool. Lorcan Scamander!"
Lysander wished his brother good luck as Lorcan sat down on the stool.
"Well, what a bright mind," The Sorting Hat said. "And you're Luna's son, correct? Ah yes, then you shall go to… Ravenclaw!"
The Ravenclaw table cheered as Lorcan sat down at the end of the table.
"Lysander Scamander!"
The Sorting Hat didn't even need to think twice about Lysander's Sorting.
"Yes, the desire for knowledge tells me enough. You are also in Ravenclaw!" Once again, the Ravenclaw table cheered and Lorcan gave Lysander a high-five.
"Albus Potter!"
The muttering started up again, which annoyed Rose. Albus tentatively went to the Sorting Hat and sat down in the seat.
"Oh? You're Potter's other boy, aren't you. This will be easy. Gryffindor!" The Gryffindor table cheered loudly as Albus went to sit down next to James, who patted his back.
"Scorpius Malfoy."
Rose looked at Scorpius. His bored expression had not changed from the last time she glanced at him.
"A Malfoy, are you? Well then, you belong in Slytherin!" The Slytherin table cheered. Scorpius tried to force a smile, but Rose could tell it was clearly fake.
"Rosemary Weasley."
Rose walked to the stool to be sorted. I'd better be in Gryffindor…
"A Weasley! Yes, you're in Gryffindor!" The Gryffindor table cheered again, and Rose sat down next to Albus. She could not help but catch another glance at Scorpius, who had now been looking at her. She turned back quickly.
"Alright," Headmaster Prince said. "Let the feast… begin."
