Sorry this Chapter might be a bit slow, guys, but the story line's gonna pick up after this! Thanks, happy reading. Caspre. x

Chapter 2

First Year

It was the night of the Sorting. The Great Hall was glowing with life, anticipation and magic. Rose stood amidst her fellow First Years, her homesickness having been replaced with nerves that made her stomach feel hollow and her head light. She looked up at the magnificent ceiling that was mimicking the weather battering the castle from the outside, and was certain she was hallucinating as the slightly muted thunder growled at her. Or had her mother mentioned something about a simple enchantment? She had no idea; her mind was wiped clear of any insignificant fact in her life up to this moment. The Sorting was the ultimate test of who you were- Rose wasn't sure that she wanted to find out, in case she realized she wasn't someone she wanted to be. Furthermore, whichever house she would be put in, she would have to stay with for the next seven years. It was only natural to feel a bit jittery.

"You'll be fine." Scorpius whispered in her ear, causing her to jump slightly, "Whatever house you're in will be where you belong- you'll feel right at home."

Scorpius himself had a feeling that he already knew where he was going. His family were quite proud of their Slytherin routes, and as he had said to Rose earlier on, families have similar traits.

But although his whole family was very proud of their almost complete 'collection', even they couldn't deny that it wasn't exactly the most pleasant house. Scorpius wasn't sure he wanted to be in the least popular house- he could already see that the three other houses preferred to stay out of their way. For once he just wanted to be accepted- he thought that getting away from home would make this opportunity achievable. He thought he was a good person, he knew he was.

But what if your opinion of yourself isn't reliable? Scorpius knew it wasn't easy to look deep inside yourself and see your faults, but he was sure he wasn't a bad enough person to be in Slytherin.

Well...he thought he was sure.

However, when his name was called out and he left with one last smile to Rose, who couldn't quite manage one in return, he didn't have much hope.

"Slytherin is in your blood." His father had told him. And so had his mother. And his Grandmother and so would his Grandfather had he been alive.

As the hat's low rim engulfed him in darkness, Rose watched on tenterhooks, hoping whatever house he was in, she would follow.

"SLYTHERIN!" It bellowed. Rose's stomach sank. She knew enough of Slytherin to know that she wasn't a possible candidate. As the hat was pulled off of Scorpius' head, she tried to read his face, but he showed no reaction, just headed for the table that was applauding him. The hisses from the other tables cut through her like a knife.

But he was so sweet…She thought to herself sadly.

As Scorpius crossed the Great Hall, he caught sight of his sister at the Slytherin table, but decided against sitting next to her- she had already looked away. As he sat down, he caught sight of Rose in the crowd, watching him with eyes that full of sadness once again. That look cut through him like a knife.

After a long wait, and to no one's surprise, Rose was sorted into Gryffindor.

"A proper Weasley through and through," James called over the applause as she took a seat next to him. He smiled, but it didn't reach his hazel eyes. Rose didn't answer, just watched Albus watching the empty plate in front of him with anticipation.

"The food doesn't come up until the Sorting's done, Al." James rolled his eyes, and looked to Rose. She was watching Scorpius talking to one of the other First Year Slytherins. James narrowed his eyes briefly, but didn't say anything.

Across the hall, Scorpius was half-listening to Horatio Winters, a boy his age, who was talking about the Head of Slytherin, Professor Artex.

"Apparently she's been here for over thirty years, but look at her! Doesn't look a day over twenty-nine- I bet she's got the Potions Teacher to cook her up some anti-ageing broth or something…"

"…another Weasley and Potter. And apparently there's two more on the way. I wonder how many Blood-Traitors this school can take?"

He rolled his eyes and silently hated his sister for being just how their parents wanted to be. Even halfway down the table from her he could hear a group of Third Year Slytherins discussing the famous Weasleys and Potters, descendants of the Heroes who saved them and everyone else from the Darkest Wizards on Earth.

"Not so impressive though are they?" Said one haughty looking boy, who was sitting rather close to his sister, "One's a skinny runt and the other's a tubby loser."

"And did you see the girl's hair?"

"The colour! Bright orange...like an anti-diorrea potion-"

"Or maybe just bad diorrea."

With a jolt Scorpius realized they were talking about Rose. Rose Weasley...he had heard her full name when they called her up, but it hadn't registered. She was a Weasley, Ron and Hermione Weasley's daughter. He sat there and took it in.

"Are you all right?" Horatio asked, and Scorpius realized he'd clenched both his fists either side of his golden plate, in anger at the idiots talking about Rose.

They tittered to themselves quietly as the final names were called for the Sorting, and the Headmaster, Professor McGonagall, an ageing woman dressed in Tartan robes, rose to her feet.

"Just a few notices." She said shortly, "To our new students, the Forest is out of bounds and any of you interested in trying out for the House Quidditch teams the tryouts will be a few weeks from now- ask the Team Captains for further details. To the rest of you, the Caretaker, Mr Filch has resigned-"

There were whoops and cheers- some people actually applauded. She didn't look amused- although was that a twitch in her cheek or a suppressed smile?

"Apparently he couldn't stop the floods of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes infiltrating the school. I hope you realize how hard he's worked to keep this school clean and to limit the chaos."

"Dirty Squib." Someone from nearby hissed.

"Anyway, we hope to hire a new caretaker shortly. But for now, keep the madness to a minimum, would you?" The more she spoke, the more Scorpius liked her relationship with the students, as if their crazy minds were beyond her understanding, "Also, please welcome our new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Lovegood."

The students applauded politely, but as the woman stood up and made her identity known, the clapping died out- she was wearing a stuffed Ravenclaw on her head.

"Like old times." Professor McGonagall sighed. A teacher near the end of the table, with round cheeks and bright eyes said to the teacher next to him: "My Gran had a hat like that!"

So far, Scorpius wasn't that impressed by the Staff, but he supposed he'd have to give them a chance. From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Rose and her cousins waving wildly to Professor Lovegood, who raised a hand dreamily back, before sitting down.

--

After dinner, the First Years were filing out to be lead to their Dormitories. Rose and Scorpius met in the queue.

"Keep with your house, Gryffindors!" One prefect called impatiently, but Rose ignored her. She smiled a small smile at Scorpius, who felt his mouth go dry.

"Shame about the houses." He said lightly. She nodded shyly.

"Doesn't mean we can't be frie-"

"Rose." It was sharp, sharp enough to cut through their conversation. Both their heads turned towards James, who was pushing through the small children, his eyes blazing. Upon reaching Rose, he grabbed her wrist and without a glance at Scorpius, he pulled her through the crowd.

"Wait," She gasped, looking at him as if she'd never seen him before, "What are you doing?"

She didn't even get a chance to have one last look at Scorpius before she was swallowed by the crowd.

And that was how it began.