Albus S. Potter was tired of doing nothing. The stories he had heard when he was a child were just fascinating. The adventures his father, uncle and aunt lived were what all children would want. Unfortunately, Hogwarts was now safe and boring. The most exciting thing to do was quidditch and now was off-season. He had dreamed so much about his live in Hogwarts and it turned up being a great disappointment.
In their first year, he mentioned this to Rose but regret it immediately. She said, in an annoying tone, he should be more grateful, that their parents risk their lives saving the wizard word for them and when he mumbled "They got all the fun" she hit his neck with the book she was caring, "1.000 potions you should know if you want to become an Auror" from Freya F. Dashwood.
However, three years passed since them and Albus has not changed his mind, although he never talked about it with Rose. While the train was leading them to the school, it was all that occupied his mind. He wondered which boring class was waiting for him. When they finally arrived, Albus thought he had saw some brooms flying in the bright sky but washed it off his mind. It was impossible, except for McGonagall no one could arrived to Hogwarts in other way of transport.
He took a carriage with his sister and his cousins but he kept quiet and no one bothered him. Rose was finishing the biography of Merlin, Lily and Hugo were distracted with each other, excited about the new classes they were going to have. He looked at the boat guiding the new and naïve students and remembered when he was one of them; he was so amazed with the school.
When the carriage reached the castle he quickly went to the great hall. Life there could be boring, but the food was amazing and he would not miss dinner for anything in the world. He sat at the Gryffindor table and watched the tables being slowly occupied, the noise talking taking place.
When everyone finally sat down, Professor McGonagall stood up. That was when Albus finally noticed new people among the teachers dressing funnily; he wondered who could be those guests. She welcomed all and the new students got into the room. It would be like every year if it was not for the three boys with them who were clearly older. Also, Mr. Longbottom was leading them instead of Mr. Flitwick thought that could be because of the age, Flitwick was old and recently it was taking ages for him to cross the great hall. Rose gave him a nudge. Albus was so focused on those three he haven't noted she was on his side.
"The black-haired one is red. It's funny, he seems a bit scary but so fragile at the same time. It's like he is afraid of us."
"He is embarrassed," Albus agreed focusing on him "but I think I would be too, he is clearly older, everybody noticed it."
"Well, the cute blond one do not seems embarrassed, I think he is even enjoying it" She smiled a little and blushed.
"I can see blonds are you type," James pointed grinning "but I think your blond boyfriend will not like seeing you flirting with others blonds."
Rose got really red and snapped "I don't have a boyfriend."
"Well, that guy don't seem to think that way" James pointed to the other corner of the hall, at the Slytherin table where Scorpius Malfoy was staring at them. Noting he had been caught he turned his head to the other side and pretended to be talking with whoever was seating by his side.
Rose and Scorpius had a really interesting story. She had decided to hate Scorpius since she first time she saw him, in the station to Hogwarts. It was mainly because Ron said to. But suddenly in their second year they became close friends. Albus asked several times how this had happened but she always would answer the same vaguely thing: She had no prejudices so it was possible for her to get to know him better and discovered that he is actually a really nice person.
Her evasive answers lead James to make a theory in which they were dating but couldn't tell anyone because their families hated each other. A Romeo and Juliet story. Honestly, Albus didn't believed that; he thought the reason she was not telling anything was because they met breaking a rule and that would be terrible for her reputation. However, he truly believed she liked him; actually, it was pretty obvious they had a crush on each other.
Mr. Longbottom announced the first name, Albus was so profoundly lost in his thoughts he jumped a little. Rose raised an eyebrow, but he ignored looking the strange new guy approach The Sorting Hat.
"Nico di Angelo" Longbottom had said.
He sat and had the Hat put in his head. The Hat thought for a while, and announced, its voice projected to reach all the Great Hall.
"Hufflepuff!"
Albus noticed Professor Longbottom seemed astonished, Albus was himself a bit surprised as well even though he had never met di Angelo before. Somehow he could tell the boy was darker, maybe as a Slytherin. On the other hand, his father once told him the choices were taken in consideration, perhaps that boy chose it.
The Hufflepuff table cheered, glad the first one was theirs. Di Angelo joined their table quietly and looking to the ground, but, as soon as he reached the table he was able to witness some of the famous Hufflepuff hospitality and amiability as some boys started talking to him, making truly interested questions about his live.
The Sorting Hat proceeded and every table cheered when new students were selected for their Houses. The second of the older ones to be sorted was other boy called Jake Mason witch ended up in Ravenclaw and easily get on well with his new colleagues. Finally, the blonde one Rose found cute was sorted. The Hat barely touched his head and shouted.
"Gryffindor!"
We cheered and I could swear I saw my cousin blushing next to me. James probably saw that to because he pushed everyone by his side to open some space and called the new student to seat with us. Rose did not know where to hide.
Will Solace ended up being a really nice guy. We soon discovered those three were American students which wanted to attend to some classes they didn't have in their country, the ones more related to Celtic magic.
"You know" He smiled brightly "There are several American students who would love learning Ancient Runes, for example. But no school offers that so we talked to our teachers and they agreed with us. So we came to study and, if we were lucky, do some research about the druids. They," he pointed to the guests sitting with our professors "came to see how your school works, and what they could improve inspired on you. Oh, I just wish they start doing emphasis in Celtic magic, it would be amazing spread our horizons beyond the magic coming from the natives."
"But" Rose said for the first time "it seems amazing learning so many different magical traditions."
"Yes, it is! But it's not everyone how is great at indigenes sourcery. Of course, we do have classes of European magic, but we wanted to specialize on it. It's the only thing I can do properly: healing magic. European healing magic."
"How it is the indigenes sourcery?" Rose seemed truly interested.
Will hesitated and them opened a smile "It's not just one tradition, it's several traditions. We learn a bit of everything in the first years and in the finals ones we choose in which one we want to specialize. I have a friend how is amazing at Cherokee magic, she can put magic on her voice and when she does it, it's really hard to avoid her charm."
"What do you mean?"
"Once she was make me dance like a monkey for a prank." The ones near him laughed at the idea "She can be very persuasive."
"So it's like Imperius, she can control others actions." It was an statement, not a question. Rose was shocked. "How can it be allowed?"
Will seemed nervous, he avoid her gaze.
"I- I don't know how it works, it- it may not be like that Imp- imper- impes…"
"Imperius" Rose said in low tone. "It's a course. A forbidden course."
"I'm sorry" Will whispered.
"For what?" I asked.
"I- I don't know. I think it's a habit ask for forgiveness when people get uncomfortable because of me." He finally raise his gaze.
"So… tell us about your friends" James said changing to a lighter subject.
"Why spoil it?" he smiled "you must meet them in flesh, you'll love them."
"We will, but there will not be many opportunities since we're not in the same House. You know? I'm curious, please satisfy it" James said with the look his mom called 'intimidating puppy' because at the same time it intimidate the person and make they pity him. However, Will did not seemed to catch it because he was looking really interested, as if James had just given him some amazing information, and not James was asking for it.
"What's this thing with the Houses? Why they separate you? Do you hate each other?" Will asked.
"Didn't you heard the Hat?" Rose raised an eyebrow "He just sang it!"
"I'm sorry, Rose. I think you're the only person who payed attention at the Hat in your first year. The rest of us were too scared to listen to it." Albus joked, elbowing her.
"Listen, Will" James started "There are four Houses. Each one corresponding to one of our founders. Shortening the story, each house has the characteristics each founder had thought to be the most important in witches and wizards."
"So, Gryffindor is?" Will asked.
"Bravery, mainly." Albus said.
"So, am I brave?" Will seemed confused.
"It seems you are." Rose smiled.
Once I read J.K. Rowling had said that she imagined the American's School of Magic teaching the native's sourcery. I don't if she actually said that (I cant ever remember where I read it), but I liked the idea, so here it is. I hope you liked it!
