Lily, Scorpius, and Hugo were not late but the people who stood in the back turned to look at them. McGonagall stood at the front with the sorting hat as the scratchy voice of the hat rang out:

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 you bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can top them all.

There's nothing hidden in you 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 Gryffindor's apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuff's are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

If you've a steady 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!

McGonagall spoke. "Let the Sorting begin! First, HANNAH ABBOT!" Snickers could be heard among the other children. No one knew that McGonagall could be that rowdy. And then the cheers from Hufflepuff. "Bert Macimillan, ahhh yes I remember your dad often insulting one of my favorite students intelligence. Potter that is. Go on then, put the hat on." The hat was quite for a second, considering whether or not Bert was to be Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw. Then the hat coughed twice, for it was still recovering from being burned by Voldemort during the second wizard war and then declared Bert a Hufflepuff.

As McGonagall looked up to call Lily Potter she saw that she was standing next to Scorpius Malfoy. McGonagall clammed up only for a moment vividly remembering the events that took place last year. McGonagall had called upon Scorpius Malfoy. The hat had barely touched his head before shouting SLYTHERIN! The room quieted quickly in all her years teaching at Hogwarts. That was the loudest the hat had spoken for anyone. McGonagall as well as the other teachers who had been at Hogwarts during the time of Riddle took a sharp breath. The hat had not been that loud nor quick since Tom Riddle's first year. The hat knew this as well. Even as Scorpius had approached the hat detected hatred and mutiny. Even in Scorpius' first year the hat knew that it was witnessing the next Voldemort.

Minerva's trance did not go unnoticed by the other teachers. Neville whispered her name to snap her out of her trance. McGonagall proceeded as if nothing had happened. "LILY POTTER!" The hat was quiet for a good 4 seconds. The hat was in a dilemma you see, Lily would excel in all of the Houses. If you were near Scorpius you would hear him muttering Slytherin repeatedly. Hugo of course was silent.

Scorpius exhaled a miniscule puff of breath. Lily was to be in Gryffindor. There was a great roar from the Gryffindor, James leading the pack. "That's right Lily! Forget about that prat you met on the train! Gryffindor power!" And then the last to be sorted walked to the hat. McGonagall looked upon Hugo with kind eyes. "Red hair of course. How could I expect anything less from the son of a Weasley?" This comment got a laugh from everyone.

The Gryffindors laugh reminisced in the memory of Ronald Weasley, Harry Potter's friend, who had assisted in the demise of the Dark Lord. The Slytherin laugh was mean spirited. This laugh was led by Bethany Parkinson daughter of Pansy, for she had heard of how Draco often teased and tormented Harry.

Hugo lifted the hat upon his head hoping to be in Gryffindor. He knew he wouldn't, for he was to shy. Nether the less the hat shouted GRYFFINDOR!

And that was it. Scorpius lost one of his one true friend (Lily) to Gryffindor.

Afterwards Lily snuck away from James to talk to him. "Don't be sad Scorpius. We can still be friends." Scorpius turned away from her. "We can't. James would never allow it." Lily huffed. "James can't tell either of us what to do. Besides, it's not only your choice Scorpius. It's mine too, and I choose you." Suddenly Scorpius straightened up. James had spotted them and was preparing his entourage to attack. He then turned to Lily. "Follow me, don't ask questions."

Scorpius took many detours because he knew James would find him on the Marauders Map. Then he set off some wildfire whiz-bangs in various hallways so that James would not be able to reach the room of requirement. He and Lily stepped in. The Room of Requirement was an empty broom closet. Just big enough for the two enough to fit in, and small enough that they were so close he could kiss her.

He paused to catch his breath. "Lily, we can't have this friendship. Ask your friend Rose. We tried the same thing, in fact we made progress. Rose and I..." He sighed at the thought, but his eyes slid back into focus. "Rose and I dated for two months before your brother James found out. I'm honestly not ready to tell you what happened. I'm sure one of your fellow housemates will fill you in. But trust me when I say you are not ready for the humiliation." Lily looked up at him and smiled. "Your so sweet Scorpius." Then she scooted closer. "But we'll just have to take the chance."

And then she kissed him. Slow and sweet. Scorpius liked how she kissed. She used her whole body but never rushed thing. Her lips tasted like mint ice cream. Scorpius didn't want it to stop. He was getting tingles all over. He was about to try for tongue but she stopped. She spoke "I hope we're in agreement because I have to go. You took me away before I could get the password and from what I've been told the Fat Lady doesn't make exceptions." Scorpius nodded mutely. See you round Lily he thought. But she was already gone.