Once changed the two boys went back to their compartment and talked for the remainder of the train ride, discussing whatever came to mind, such as quidditch and muggle contraptions that Albus was willing to explain in detail to the blond. Neither remembered a time where they talked so freely with another person. Scorpius had a theory that it had something to do with the fact that they didn't feel that fear of offending one another because, frankly, they didn't really give a damn.
Once the train pulled to a stop, the children piled out of the train, leaving behind their trunks to be dealt with. The pair continued on with their conversation, Albus explaining the wonders of a muggle television compared to a wizard television. It had taken many years but the wizarding community had decided to take another crack at the television, which got less backlash now that the muggles had become accustomed to seeing "magic" on their screen, yet still many of the more "traditional" wizards tended to stray away from anything inspired by muggles, including the Malfoys.
As the two stepped off the train, Albus' face split into a grin at the sight of his long time friend Rubeus Hagrid. Even at the age of 89 the half giant didn't look a day over 35 by human standards. Albus ran forward and wrapped his arms as far around Hagrid's waist as he could, the half giant hugged back enthusiastically "Well if it t'aint th' great Albus Potter, yu'v grown since I las' saw ye" he said placing his hand horizontally at where he remember Albus' height once being at.
Scorpius hesitated, unsure if it was too presumptuous of him to follow but when he saw the two talking, Albus looking around, before spotting Scorpius pointed at him then gestured him over. Scorpius was a bit reluctant to walk over, he knew that many people looked at him as if he was guilty of a crime simply because of what his father had done in the past, particularly those close to the Potter-Weasley family.
He realized he was slouching and staring at his feet nervously so he forced himself to stand up straight and looked into Hagrid's surprised eyes, although he couldn't keep the nervous quiver out of his voice "N...Nice to meet you" he greeted offering his hand with uncertainty. Hagrid seemed a bit thrown off by the new developement but smiled kindly "Any friend a Albus 's a friend a mine" he replied sincerely, he looked between the small pale hand and his own larger rougher hands before offering his index finger which Scorpius gripped and shook as if it were a hand, Scorpius laughed a bit awkwardly.
"Me name's Rubeus Hagrid, been the groundskeeper a Hogwarts since before yer father was a comin here, bu' I still remember those years like th' happened but a day ago" he said with an awkward laugh of his own, remembering only bad times when thinking of Draco Malfoy in Hogwarts. Hagrid stood up straight, gripped his own breeches and adjusted them "Well we best be off, don't want t' be late fer the sortin'" he said to the two with a kind smile. He faced the large group of confused first years and spoke in a large booming voice "First years come on this a way!" he called gesturing in the direction he was moving in.
Scorpius and Albus walked side by-side behind Hagrid, now surrounded by all of the first years who were just as memorized by the amazing scenery as they were. The two walked in a companionable silence but were also acutely aware of the many confused and judgemental stares they were receiving from quite a few of the first years. Although Scorpius was certain the more vicious stares were meant for him rather than Albus.
Hagrid stopped once they reached a large dock with dozens of small wooden boats that looked very sturdy considering how long they'd probably been sitting in the water "now everybody pair up!" Hagrid said clapping his hands to catch the children's attention "now, pick a' boat and climb on in, if ye nee' any help, don' be 'fraid ta ask" he instructed. Scorpius and Albus both looked at each other simultaneously and gave one another an awkward smile, Albus gestured towards the boat instead of asking verbally.
Scorpius nodded and shrugged, Albus smirked and stood straighter "After you master Malfoy" he said in a posh accent as if he were Scorpius' butler, the blonde chuckled "Why thank you kind sir" he replied in his own version of a posh tone which sounded a bit more practiced than Albus' considering how often he heard the real thing. Scorpius climbed into the boat with a bit of hesitation, first poking it with his foot to check how sturdy it was before slowly climbing in. Albus went in with as much hesitation, Scorpius offered his hand politely which Al was planning to reject until the boat began to rock the moment his foot was in the boat, in his fear of falling he grabbed Scorpius' hand. The blonde gripped Albus' hand with his own and put his other hand out to steady him but it was left mid-air with nothing to do when the boat steadied and he nervously got all the way into the boat. The dark-haired boy blushed slightly and took his hand back "Thanks" he mumbled. Scorpius simply nodded, staring at his lap.
The two jumped slightly as the boat began to move forward on its own, both boys turned around in time to see a new set of boats appear out of thin air in place of the boats that had just left. They watched curiously as more students began climbing into the boats, some more gracefully than others. One boy yelped and unceremoniously fell sideways out of the boat, but instead of splashing into the murky water below, an invisible force pushed him right side up. The boy looked around in shock, many of the students stared at the boy in a similar state of shock. The rest of the students began to pile in, with much more confidence, many began to purposely throw themselves over the side only to be pushed back into place.
Hagrid was use to this after so many years, so he waited patiently for the students to settle down, he glanced at a large pocket watch that was specially made to fit in his large palm "alrigh' thats 'nough, don't want ta be late fer the sortin' ceremony now" he said in the best authoritative voice he could. He walked over to a huge boat that was off to the side made specifically to hold his large form, as he passed he purposefully picked up one child who had yet to climb in the boat, looking noticeably afraid. The girl yelped in surprise and was placed easily into the boat, she gripped the sides of the boat in fear before slowly relaxing.
Hagrid climbed into his own boat once all the smaller boats had pushed off the docks with no student left behind, he pointed his wand at his own boat and in a moment it magically moved into action and glided in front of the large group. The small boats jerked into motion as well when Hagrid's boat began to glide across the water as if attached to one another with invisible ropes.
The group let out a collective gasp as the castle came into their sights, the Hogwarts castle was lit in such a way that it took one's breath away. "Its... so beautiful..." Scorpius whispered from beside the young Potter who could only nod in agreement. The group was silent for a few lovely moments before they broke out into loud whispering to one another. The boats pulled up along the opposite side of the lake where everyone began to climb out, once on shore the boats receded of their own accord back to where they'd come from.
Hagrid gestured for them to follow and lead them along a short walk way, through a pair of huge oak doors, and into the entrance hall. The hall was lit by torches that hung along the walls, the students looked around in wonder; Stone walls, moving paintings, and high ceiling, it was a bit intimidating. Standing by another set of double doors was a round-faced buck toothed wizard who was about average height and draped in green robes, the robes had different plants embroidered into the sleeves and a humorous looking Mandrake on bottom right hem of his cloak. Albus' eyes lit up and he had to refrain from grinning at the sight of his godfather, Neville Longbottom.
When the two made eye contact, the ebony haired professor grinned and mouthed a "hello" before turning to the large group "Hello, my name is Professor Longbottom, I will be your Herbology professor this year but remember, I'm also your Deputy headmaster" he said the last bit in a more threatening voice, well he tried to. A few students snickered openly at their goofy looking deputy headmaster, receiving a sharp look from both Albus and Hagrid, Neville acted as if he didn't hear the snickering. "I'll lead you all in and call you up one by one, you'll sit on the stool set up, I'll place the sorting hat on your head, and then you just head off to your designated house's table, then we can get on to the feast" he instructed "Once the feast is over, the Headmistress will tell you what to do" he added and with a flick of his wand the doors swung open.
Neville took a deep steadying breath, still uncomfortable with being the center of attention even after all this time and everything he'd been through, and walked through the doors, leading the children behind him. The children stared about the room in awe, staring at night sky above their head, dotted with floating candles while older children at their respective house tables pointed out different first years who they guaranteed would be placed in their house based on appearance alone. Scorpius felt uncomfortable from the sneers he was receiving from the Slytherin table but stared straight ahead determined to keep his pride rather than showing weakness, a trait inherited from his Malfoy blood. Of course they weren't the only table looking at him as if he were a smudge on their boot, many students from both the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw tables were staring at him in such a way and even a hand full of Hufflepuffs.
Albus looked at the Hufflepuff table in hopes of seeing familiar faces and spotted the bleach blond hair of his cousin Victoire who gripped Albus' arm and squeezed reassuringly as he passed her, he grinned back gratefully. He then looked at the Gryffindor table and spotted his brother James who smirked at him and gave a thumbs up, beside him sat their cousin Louis Weasley whose bleach blonde hair matched that of his older sister, he glanced along the Gryffindor table in search of Louis and Victoire's younger sister who was the only child of Charlie and Fleur Weasley whose hair was bright red like most of the Weasley children but was unable to spot her.
The group stopped in front of where the stool and worn hat sat perched, Neville moved beside the stool with a tightly rolled scroll in his hand, but instead of speaking as the children expected, a seam in the hat seemingly began to rip itself open and began to sing:
Another year has gone,
another year is spent,
And still I sit upon this stool
to be used for what I'm meant.
Its a simple job,
Done but only once a year,
But an important job nonetheless
So won't you lend your ear.
I am placed upon your heads
And take a peek inside your mind,
To decide what your house shall be
Based on what I find.
Are you a Gryffindor,
Where the brave and daring reign?
Or are you a Slytherin
Where the ambitious find their domain?
Perhaps a Ravenclaw,
In which the book smart find their place,
Or the underestimated Hufflepuff
Who welcome loyalty into their base.
Step forward one by one,
Do not fear my ancient grin,
I will only take a peek,
Now let the sorting begin.
Neville finally moved forward and opened the scroll with a fwip and so, as the hat had sung, the sorting began. Professor Longbottom read off the list and the students went up one by one, some only sat for mere seconds before the hat called out their house in a loud booming voice others sat on the stool for 1 or 2 minutes, different expressions passing over their face as the hat quietly spoke into their ear. Albus didn't catch most of the names, only a few stood out to him as they were placed into their house.
One girl, Samantha Burke, had the hat placed on her head for only a millisecond before the hat shouted "RAVENCLAW!" the girl visibly flinched and her head shot around to look at the Slytherin's table where she made eye contact with an older boy who had the same deep green eyes and dark brown hair, but the boy merely sneered and looked away in disgust. She looked pained but walked towards the applauding table, a slack to her shoulders.
A boy by the name of Devin Darker, who had dark black hair, piercing blue eyes and a face that seemed fixed permanently into a smug smirk plopped down on the stool confidently. The hat barely touched his head before calling out "SLYTHERIN!", a loud roar came from the Slytherin table as the handsome boy slipped off the stool and swaggered over to the table where he was patted on the back. A few more students were called before another name jumped out at him "Dean Aberforth Finnigan!" Professor Longbottom called, a hint of a smile on his face as he recognized the three names. The sandy haired lad stepped up to the stool where he sat and had the hat placed on his head, the sorting hat seemed to be in deep thought before finally shouting out "Hufflepuff!" the boy stood with a small smile and sighed in relief before going over to the cheering table he'd been designated to.
Albus began to fidget nervously as the list came closer and closer to the Ps, he glanced over at the blond who looked even more nervous than he did. He hesitated a moment before reaching over and gripped Scorpius' pale wrist, causing him to jump and look over at Albus who smiled as reassuringly as he could and gave a gentle squeeze. Scorpius gave another jerk as his name was called next, he smiled back gently before staring forward, straightening his back and walked towards the stool confidently, allowing Albus' hand to slip from his wrist but felt a small surge of confidence as their fingers skimmed across one another.
He strode up to the stool with almost as much confidence as that Darker boy, although his confidence came from somewhere he couldn't place more so than in the certainty of what would happen next. Scorpius could feel the eyes of the other students burning into him, he thought maybe it was just his imagination that it seemed much quieter but his paranoia was not far from the truth. Scorpius could feel his heart in his throat now as he turned and squirmed himself onto the high stool, it felt like ages before the large hat was finally placed on his head. He bit the inside of his cheek to refrain the gasp that wanted to slip from his lips at the shock of a voice that seemed to be whispering right into his mind, but he knew better than that. He closed his eyes and seemed to using all his will to cover up as much of his mind as he could but the Sorting Hat simply chuckled "You can hide nothing from me Mr. Malfoy" the voice whispered against his ear.
Albus stood, clenching and unclenching his fists, now nervous not for himself but for Scorpius. The quiet exchange going on between the Sorting Hat and the blond seemed go on forever, something no one had expected. Everyone had assumed a Malfoy would immediately be placed in Slytherin, but that didn't appear to be the case. The sorting of Scorpius Malfoy was now nearing 4 minutes, one minute longer and it would be considered a hatstall, but just as people were beginning to believe this would be the first hatstall in almost 70 years, the hat opened its large seam.
It had made its decision.
