A/N: I decided that I'm going to write one chapter for every year Albus, Rose, & Co. are at Hogwarts (2017-2024). The last chapter for this particular fanfic will take place on the train before their 7th year (September 2023). I don't know how often I will be able to upload a new chapter, so please 'follow' the story if you want to be alerted!

Thank you to everyone who favorited and reviewed the first chapter! 3


Chapter 2: Second Year

Albus Potter felt the familiar sensation of passing through the barrier into Platform 9 ¾. He could hear James laughing ahead of him, along with their mother's gentle scolding. He looked over his shoulder to see his father walking towards him with his younger sister, Lily, who once again was upset that her older brothers would be leaving for Hogwarts without her.

"Only one more year, Lily, and then you'll be able to run around the grounds of Hogwarts with your brothers," Harry reminded her gently.

Trying to ignore his sister's yearly jealous breakdown, Albus scanned the crowded platform for the two faces he wanted to see the most. He quickly spotted the top of his Uncle Ron's head and took off at a run, forgetting the trunk that lay by Harry's feet as he made his way through groups of people. He vaguely heard someone call his name—it sounded like Shiloh McManus, one of his Gryffindor dorm mates—but he was focused on the short mop of curly red hair he was approaching. Ron saw him coming and smiled at him, prodding his daughter with a finger.

"Albus!" Rose Weasley quickly turned around, throwing her arms around her cousin and best friend. He quickly squeezed her back before releasing her to greet his aunt and uncle, who were looking at them in amusement.

"You're off acting like you haven't seen him in weeks, Rosie. You were just at his birthday party two days ago," Ron chuckled as he ruffled Rose's hair. The tips of her ears turned pink and her hands flew up to try to tame her hair back down.

"He ran off like he couldn't wait to get away from us," Harry said as he walked up to the small group. His eyes playfully narrowed at Albus, who gave a shrug in return. Lily had detached herself from their father's arm and was now chatting animatedly with Hugo. Ginny walked up shortly after his arrival, her hands holding some Weasley Wizarding Wheezes products that she must have taken off of James.

"Last year he looked like he wanted to go home—until he got himself on the train," Ginny teased. Albus lightly flushed with embarrassment. Ginny turned toward Harry, shoving some of the contraband joke shop products in his hands. "Carry some of these, will you? James' pockets were overflowing, and I want to limit the amount of owls we'll be sent from the Headmaster this year." Harry chuckled as he stored some of the confiscated material in his cloak.

"It won't be the same without hearing Mom's regular Howlers," Albus mock-whispered to Rose.

"Remember when he and Rowan tried to contain the one she sent after Halloween last year? And it exploded?" Rose giggled.

"And I don't think James' eyebrows will ever be the same," came a voice from behind the two second years.

Rose and Albus spun around. Standing behind them was Scorpius, slightly taller than the last time they saw him. Standing slightly further behind him were Draco and Astoria Malfoy, who eyed Rose and Albus' families warily.

"Scorpius!" Rose cried out as she greeted her friend and housemate with a tight embrace. Albus noticed his Uncle Ron stiffen as he watched their exchange. Rose quickly moved to the side as Albus stuck his hand out to meet Scorpius with a handshake.

"Hello, Rose. Albus. How have you been?" Scorpius asked.

"Better, now that I can see you without sneaking out," Rose said with a bit of tone in her voice. She turned back momentarily to glare at Ron, who pretended not to have noticed. Albus laughed.

"Next time we'll just steal over to see you," Albus said good-naturedly.

"Next time, Scorpius is allowed to visit without the three of you resorting to sneaking around," Hermione cut in, giving Ron a stern look. Scorpius' cheeks tinged pink. Albus saw Draco raise an eyebrow—it appeared that he wasn't aware of what happened when Scorpius came to visit Albus for a few days in July.

The three heard Draco clear his throat. "Scorpius, we'll say our goodbyes here, so you can get on the Express with your friends," he said with a drawl. Scorpius broke away from Rose and Albus to be pulled into a tight embrace by his mother. Albus and Rose giggled as Astoria planted multiple kisses on his cheeks before releasing him. They swore they saw Draco roll his eyes before Scorpius gave him a quick departing hug.

"We'll see you at Christmas," Astoria reminded Scorpius. She and Draco gave a polite nod to Rose and Albus' parents before turning and leaving.

"That's progress," Scorpius observed. Rose gave him a questioning look. "When they picked me up this summer, Dad didn't even acknowledge I had you two as friends." He smiled as Rose and Albus chuckled.

Albus saw his father pull out an old pocket watch and glance at it. "It's about time for you to get on the train," he remarked. Albus and Rose quickly said goodbye to their parents, Ron holding Rose for a little too long for her liking, which she grumbled about as the three made their way onto the Hogwarts Express for their second year.

"Dad's being weird again," Rose mumbled as she and the boys found an empty compartment and walked in. "He lectured me the entire way here about sneaking around—as if it's a regular occurrence!"

Scorpius and Albus exchanged a look. Albus knew Scorpius was wondering what happened to the shy Rose he met on the train last year. Rose had come out of her shell and was more comfortable and less guarded around Scorpius—being housemates had only helped. She was now going into a rant about how unfair it was for Ron to keep her from visiting Scorpius while he was at the Potter's for a few days, especially considering he'd be leaving for home the morning of her birthday.

Albus remembered how she had emerged from the fireplace at Number 12 Grimmauld Place and rushed into Albus' room, surprising the boys. They had only been able to enjoy a couple hours' time together playing Exploding Snap until Ron had come stomping in, red-faced and angry, followed closely by Hermione, Harry, and Ginny. Ron was so angry about Rose sneaking out that he threatened to cancel the next day's festivities for Rose's birthday. Harry and Ginny didn't even know Rose had come into the house at all, and Albus received a light tongue-lashing from them that sent James' into a fit of glee.

"I mean, it's not like I'm like him and Mum, who snuck off with Uncle Harry all the time when they were students, and—"

"Rose," Albus cut his cousin off. "Care to sit and join us?" He motioned to the seat across from Scorpius and him. Rose still hadn't sat down, choosing to stand and continue her rant. Her ears flushed and she quickly plopped herself opposite Scorpius.

"Other than your father's sudden interest in your newfound sneakiness, how was your summer, Rose?" Scorpius asked her, nudging her with his foot.

"I know you're really asking me about my birthday," Rose replied with a roll of her eyes. "Albus made good on his delivery of your gift—it was brilliant."

"It was a stuffed eagle," Albus moaned from beside Scorpius. "How is that brilliant?"

"House pride, Albus. Or are you upset that she wouldn't have appreciated a stuffed lion?" Scorpius quipped from beside him. Albus stuck his tongue out at him.

"That lion Luna gave you is a laugh," Rose said with a smile. For his 12th birthday, Luna Lovegood, a close friend of the Potters, had given Albus a stuffed mounted lion's head. Albus had Harry mount it inside Albus' bedroom, across from his door. The lion alerted Albus to any visitors, which annoyed James, as he could no longer sneak in to cause chaos without the lion roaring. Rose was enamored with it.

"I just wish I had another to put in my room in Gryffindor. That way I could be guaranteed one James-free place all year long," Albus sighed.

"He's not that bad, Albus. He just likes a laugh," Rose reminded him. Albus ignored her.

There was a knock on the compartment door, and the group of three looked up to see two pairs of blue eyes regarding them. A boy and girl their age opened the compartment door and waved hello. They had a slight daydream quality about them that always reminded Rose a little of Luna Lovegood.

"Ella! Edgar! How have you been?" Rose asked as the two entered and sat next to her. Ella had her long straight brown hair pulled back into a ponytail that she absentmindedly played with, while her twin brother Edgar blew his long bangs out from in front of his eyes before flashing the group a smile.

"Long time no see, mate," Edgar said to Albus. "Felt weird sleeping without hearing your snores." His eyes danced with quiet amusement. Scorpius laughed and Albus' cheeks held a light blush.

"I can't wait to be back in Astronomy," Ella sighed beside Rose. "Where we live it's impossible to pick out more than a few constellations, so I couldn't study at all over the summer." She fixed her eyes on Rose. "How are you finding the gift I sent? I'm sorry it didn't arrive on your actual birthday—Egeus was recovering from a wing injury so I had to wait." Egeus was Ella and Edgar's shared Great Grey Owl, and Rose thought it shared the same dreamy expression that was often on the twins' faces when they weren't paying attention.

"It wasn't a problem. Thank you for thinking of me, Ella. And the journal was made with some very interesting magic—I showed Mum, and she wouldn't stop poking around it."

"What did Ella give you, Rose?" Scorpius asked, curious.

"A dream journal," Ella replied. "If a person writes their dreams in it, the book is enchanted to interpret them for you. It's wonderful for when you feel like a dream is trying to tell you something, but you don't know what that is. I have one, and when I wrote in it this summer, it told me I was worried about my mum." Ella's eyes looked a little sad at this, and Rose placed a hand on her roommate's shoulder.

"I heard about what happened from Dad. Is your mother feeling any better?" Albus asked with concern. Ella and Edgar's mother, Fay Boot, was an Auror who worked closely with Harry in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Harry had informed Albus of her admission to St. Mungo's after she had been injured while on a mission. Albus didn't ask for details—Harry wouldn't have been able to tell him anyway, since most of the work in the Auror Department was top-secret.

Edgar spoke up. "Mum's out of St. Mungo's for now, but she hasn't returned to the Auror Office yet. I think Dad's trying to convince her to get off field work and take some office work for a while. They've been arguing about it since she came home. He even offered to get her a job at the Prophet." Their father, Terry Boot, had been an investigative reporter for the Daily Prophet following his retirement from the Auror Department a few years after the Second Wizarding War ended. Most of the Hogwarts war-era graduates who were extended job offers to become Aurors had left only after a few years of service, once the majority of Death Eaters had been rounded up. There were still many who remained working as Aurors, however, including people like Harry Potter and Fay Boot.

"That's too bad," Rose commented with sympathy.

Edgar shook his head. "Mum would never want to stop being an Auror. She said she planned to do so since she was a student signing up for her NEWTS and that she'd be an Auror until she was either too old or dead. Dad used to think the same way, but Mum said he quit right after we were born. Said it wasn't fair to us if we had both parents working dangerous jobs. Can't blame Mum, though—she loves being an Auror."

"Hey," a new voice called to the five students in the compartment. "I finally found you, Albus! I tried calling after you on the platform, but you ignored me for the Ravenclaws." Shiloh McManus mock-glared at Rose and Scorpius before he waved at the rest of the group and sat down in the spot on the other side of Albus, poking him in the side.

"I see your mother finally cornered you and cut that mop of yours," Albus returned the poke. Shiloh's hair, which had been darker and curlier than the sandy blonde hair of his older brothers, had previously been long enough to graze the tips of his ears when Albus last saw him. Now it was cropped short and Shiloh's brown eyes were visible without the fringe that had hidden them all last year. He also seemed to have grown taller, and Albus wondered if he'd be as tall as his older brother Corwin, who had been Teddy Lupin's best mate while they were at Hogwarts.

"She didn't," Shiloh answered. "We went out for my gran's birthday and I wanted to look nice for her."

"That's very sweet of you," Ella commented and Shiloh's cheeks pinked. The boys chuckled at his reaction.

Albus looked over to Rose and saw that she had fallen asleep, her head resting on the window. She didn't seem like she'd be waking up any time soon. He prodded Scorpius and nodded in her direction.

"Should we wake her?" Scorpius asked.

"We should let her sleep," Shiloh answered after a moment. Albus agreed. Rose had, as usual, stayed up the night before, most likely glancing at their second year textbooks.

"That's a shame. I know Brennan wanted to play a game of Wizard's Chess with her during the ride over. He's stuck on beating her in a match," Edgar mentioned. "Maybe if she wakes up she'll have time."

"I'm surprised she didn't go off to James' compartment," Albus whispered to Scorpius, who nodded in agreement. From beside him, Shiloh raised an eyebrow. Albus shook his head and Shiloh shrugged in response.

"Aren't she and Brennan also competing for the open Chaser position on the team?" Ella asked.

"I think so. There's a few positions open now that Alda Pucey and Fredric Mendel have graduated—one Chaser and one Beater," Scorpius explained.

"And you'll be trying out for the Beater position, right Scorp?" Albus asked.

"Maybe. Just so I can send some Bludgers at your big head," Scorpius teased. Albus had made it known to Scorpius all summer that he planned on trying out for Gryffindor's open Seeker spot. The younger Potter brother had even written letters to their former Seeker, Andrea Truman, for advice. When James—Gryffindor's new Keeper—had found out about their exchange, he teased Albus about fraternizing with an older woman.

"Freddie and Rowan will just have to protect me then," Albus replied. His older cousin Fred, now entering his fourth year, and James' mate Rowan Thomas, in his third, were Gryffindor's Beaters. James had practiced with the two all summer, along with Emmett Wood, who was one of Gryffindor's Chasers. There was only one truly open position on the team—Seeker—and Albus was gunning for it. He would even take a position on the reserve team if he had to.

"I thought I'd give the reserve team a go," Edgar commented. "Since there won't be an open Chaser position for a while…"

"Is everyone trying out for the team?" Shiloh asked incredulously. "I'd give it a go, but I'm awful on a broom. Guess I didn't inherit any Quidditch talent from Dad. Efron must have taken it all." The boys laughed.

"At least you're not getting rescued by the Giant Squid every semester," Albus remarked. Shiloh's second-oldest brother, Efron, was two years older than them and loved racing brooms. Unfortunately his desire for epic stunts sometimes landed him in the Black Lake, and Fred and Louis were always going off about how their friend and roommate had to be rescued.

"That's true! Mom and Dad warned him that they didn't want to hear about more than two Hospital Wing visits this year, or else they'd stop buying him brooms." Shiloh shook his head. His eldest brother, Corwin, had kept Efron out of trouble his first year at Hogwarts, but after Corwin graduated Efron was free to fly as much and as fast as he could—he was like a human Snitch.

There was a knock on the door, and suddenly James Potter was poking his head in. "Hello, sweet little second years!" he bellowed. Scorpius and Albus waved their hands frantically to shush him, but it was too late—Rose's eyelids fluttered open and she was awake in seconds, looking at James in confusion.

"Sorry to wake you, Rosie." James looked sheepish. "Just wanted to say a quick hello as I passed by on my way to find Louis. Feel free to reenter your state of slumber."

Rose gave James a small smile. "It's alright. I think I'll stay awake." She stretched out in the spot she sat.

"Louis isn't sitting with your lot?" Albus asked his older brother. James shook his head.

"The twat is off with Perrine. He had been sitting with us until she walked by with a group of girls in our year. Then he took off like the love-struck fool he is," James said somewhat bitterly. He wasn't happy when people ditched him, and Albus guessed that he'd probably left to go tell Louis off.

"Perrine, as in, Perrine Bendtsen?" Shiloh asked. James nodded. "She is fit. Good for Louis." Shiloh chuckled. With her large brown eyes and long wavy dark brown hair, Perrine Bendsten was considered one of the better-looking girls in James' year. Louis had been pining after her since she began her second year after seeing her tell of another student for terrorizing a first year, and he had finally asked her out in January. The two had been together since, usually off somewhere snogging. Fred had been slightly miffed at their relationship for the first few months, because Louis wouldn't go to Hogsmeade with him, citing that it was unfair because Perrine was a second year and couldn't come with. As a result, Fred became close friends with Shiloh's older brother Efron, who was one of his dorm mates.

"Oh, Rose. Roxanne wanted to see you. We're about eight compartments that way," James jerked his thumb to the right. "I think she wants to talk Quidditch with you…or about the newest Weasley addition to Hogwarts." Rose knew immediately that James was referring to their younger cousin Lucy, who was terrified of starting school. "Elyzabeth's with her, too," he added, pulling a face.

"And she's the other reason you left, isn't it?" Rose asked. Roxanne's friend and dorm mate, Elyzabeth Couman, and James did not get along very well. Rose thought it was a shame because the two were a bit similar: they loved pranks. Fred didn't like her much either, since her pranks were normally targeted at the two Gryffindor boys. However, the boys promised to remain civil around her because she was Roxanne's closest friend in Slytherin, and Fred would put up with anyone if they meant something to his sister.

"Maybe," James said cheekily. He looked down the corridor and gave a very friendly hello to a Ravenclaw girl who walked past him. "Well, I'll be off then." James headed off in the same direction as the Ravenclaw, who Rose identified by the infamous braided pigtails as Abigail Younge.

"I'll be back in a bit," Rose said as she stood up to leave. She went off in the direction of where Roxanne was, secretly hoping that Emmett Wood was also in the compartment.

"She falls asleep on us and then she leaves," Edgar observed neutrally.

"If Roxanne's asking for her, it's probably for advice about Lucy," Albus said with a small sigh. "Our cousin Lucy's been a wreck for the last few days. So far she's had a break down over what house she may end up in, having Uncle Neville as a professor, and just riding the Hogwarts Express."

"That's too bad. Doesn't she have a sister who's already attending?" Shiloh asked.

"Yeah. Molly, who's in Ravenclaw, but she's busy being a Prefect or something," Albus replied. Molly, who had received her Prefect badge this summer, had become hyper-focused on her new responsibilities, and had last been seen chatting with Head Girl Zoe Morgenstern. Lucy, feeling alone and ignored by her older sister, had attached herself to Roxanne and Louis—that is, until Louis left to be with his girlfriend.

"It's nice that your cousins look out for each other," Ella commented. Scorpius felt a small ping of jealousy as he realized he was the only one in the compartment who didn't have any close family members attending Hogwarts. He had two cousins on his mother's side—his Aunt Daphne's twins—but they were several years younger than him. He didn't want to admit it, but he was sometimes envious of Rose and Albus for growing up in such a large, fun family.

Shiloh suggested that they all play a game of Exploding Snap, and the five of them crowded around for a game. Albus was excited—after a years of Fred and James tricking him into playing, usually to try to get Albus singed by the cards, Albus had become somewhat good at the game. Ella opted out after a few rounds, pulling out a sketchbook and settling back with a piece of charcoal. Sooner than they anticipated, the elderly witch from Honeydukes was at their compartment and asked, "Anything from the trolley, dears?"

Figuring that Rose might be too busy comforting a distraught Lucy, Albus purchased a handful of Chocolate Frogs for her. He also bought a Pumpkin Pasty and a bag of Jelly Slugs for himself. Scorpius bought another bag of Sugar Quills and immediately began nibbling on one. Edgar and Ella shared a short glance before Edgar purchased a Cauldron Cake, splitting it in half and handing a piece to his sister. Shiloh politely declined from purchasing any sweets, pulling a small bag of homemade cookies from his pocket. "Mum made them for me," he explained sheepishly before digging in.

There was a small commotion outside of their compartment door that caught Albus' attention: Rose and Roxanne were leading a nervous-looking Lucy down the small hallway. He swallowed the remains of a Jelly Slug before sticking his head out the door. "Rosie? Roxie? What are you doing?"

Lucy practically ran into Albus' arms, hugging the boy around the middle. Albus heard Shiloh and Edgar chuckling and felt a blush of embarrassment. He wouldn't hear the end of this, he bet. Lucy looked up at him. "Please, Al! Let me stay with you!"

He heard Roxanne let out a frustrated grunt. "Lucy, leave Al alone and come on."

"Yeah, Lucy. Please? We only want to help you meet some other first years," Rose begged from beside their cousin. She shot Albus an exasperated glance.

"Lucy, I bet it will be more fun for you if you make some friends," Albus coaxed her. "Rose and I felt loads better after we met Scorpius. You should let the girls help you out."

Lucy, one of the smallest Weasley cousins, shook her head. Her wavy bright orange hair whipped around and her face scrunched up. Albus had a feeling Lucy would not be landing herself in Gryffindor at this rate.

"Please, Lucy? I won't be able to sleep at night if you don't at least try to make friends. I'll stay up with worry," Roxanne cajoled. Albus and Rose knew that she wasn't being exactly truthful with that statement, but Roxanne had a keen persuasive ability, and they hope it was enough to persuade Lucy into being a little less afraid and, well, clingy.

"Okay, fine. I don't want you lot to worry so much," Lucy mumbled, her cheeks bright red. Albus could see the satisfaction of achievement in Rose's eyes as she led their cousin into the compartment over. He listened to her briefly introduce Lucy to a few other first years before she walked back to stand next to Roxanne.

"Thank goodness that's over. I can't believe Molly couldn't take the time to help her baby sister," Rose grumbled.

"I'll have Dominique talk to her. I don't think Molly will listen to anyone of us who's younger," Roxanne mused. Her brown eyes narrowed in thought, and she absentmindedly tugged on her red curls. She had a set of brassy red curls that were small and tight. The years prior, she wore her hair in braids, but this year she wanted to go the natural route. The other day Albus had overheard Roxanne tell Rose that she liked the way it felt to have the wind blow through her curls instead of whipping tiny braids into her face.

"She's busy—new responsibilities and all that," Rose said casually. Roxanne rolled her eyes.

"You don't need to make excuses for her, Rose. Anyway, I'm off to go back to the gang before Elyzabeth and Freddie get into another row. See you!" Roxanne quickly hugged Rose and then ruffled Albus' hair before running back to her compartment. Albus and Rose reentered their own compartment, where Scorpius handed Rose the pile of Chocolate Frogs Albus had bought her.

"Shiloh's been eyeing them, so I thought I'd guard them for you," Scorpius explained. Rose glanced at Shiloh, who looked away in embarrassment.

"Would you like one, Shiloh?" Rose asked. Before he could answer her, Rose had tossed a sweet at him. He mumbled a thank you and she smiled.

"Cheers to second year," Rose said enthusiastically as she tore into one of many Chocolate Frogs. Albus and the others muttered cheers in response. She pulled out the card and smiled. "I got Mum!" She lovingly tucked Hermione Granger-Weasley's Chocolate Frog card into her pants pocket. Albus caught Scorpius' eye and grinned: some things never changed.