"Selena!" Rose called out her window. "Selena!"

"Rose, we have to leave now," said Hermione as she entered. "You'll miss the train."

"But Selena still hasn't come back!" said Rose.

"We'll send her to school when she comes home," says Hermione hurriedly. "Come along now."

Rose had finished packing the day before, and all of her things were already in her parents' grey van. As she settled herself into one of the bucket seats, she watched as her father fiddled with the various knobs on the dashboard.

"I know it's one of these," he muttered as Hermione climbed into the driver's seat. "I just have to... aha!"

Music blasted through the speakers, deafening Rose and Hugo. Hermione quickly turned the volume all the way down.

"Volume, Ron," she reminded her husband patiently. "This one's for volume."

"Ah. Would have remembered that in a minute, you know."

"Of course you would have."

Hugo remained silent for the duration of the drive to King's Cross Station— his way of protesting that he had another year to go before he would be able to attend Hogwarts. When they arrived, however, Rose saw that Lily had taken an altogether different approach. She had a mulish set to her mouth, and she clutched a small suitcase that looked like it was packed to the brim.

"I've decided I'm going to Hogwarts this year," she told Hugo sternly. "Are you coming?"

Hugo looked at her with wide eyes. "Are we allowed to?"

Lily sighed. "Don't worry about that," she said dismissively. "It'll be fine."

Aunt Ginny laid a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Get ready to go through, dear," she said. "And you need to say goodbye to your brothers."

Lily lifted her chin regally. "Of course," she said, then walked off.

Hugo looked to Rose. "Is Lily really going to Hogwarts?" he asked nervously. "I'll go, I will, but I'm not all packed up."

"Lily's just playing pretend," said Rose. "Come on, let's go through the barrier. Remember to keep running!"

Hugo clutched his sister's hand, and together, they ran at the brick wall between platforms nine and ten.

The scene on the other side was just as busy as the Muggle station. "All aboard!" a man called gruffly. "All aboard the Hogwarts Express! Luggage over here, folks, you know the drill."

A scarlet steam engine sat on steel tracks. Smoke came from the top of it, filling the station with a thin layer of fog. Families were gathered around a large pile of trunks and bags that were quickly disappearing from view. They would be reappearing in the luggage compartment on the train, next to where the pets were kept for the duration of the trip. Rose caught sight of a trunk bearing the letters RMW in bright blue cursive, and then it too disappeared. Her parents must have sent her things ahead... all except Selena, that is.

Rose's parents came through the barrier next, still in mid-conversation. They stopped talking when they reached their children. Hermione squeezed Rose into a tight hug.

"Have a great year," she said, "and I expect you home for Christmas!"

"Yes, Mum," said Rose obediently.

Hugo hugged his sister exuberantly. "Send me letters?" he said, eyes wide and pleading.

"Of course," said Rose. "You behave for Mum and Dad, okay?"

He nodded glumly.

Finally, Rose received a hug from her father. "I'll keep you to that promise," he said gruffly. "Letters, and lots of them."

Rose nodded. She said a quick goodbye to Aunt Ginny and Uncle Harry before scampering onto the train. Albus had beaten her and was waiting in one of the compartments.

"Any sign of Scorpius?" asked Rose as she sat.

"Might not have boarded yet," said Albus. "James decided to go with O'Grady and his lot."

"Saves us another row," said Rose. James still hadn't accepted Scorpius as one of Rose and Albus' friends. The first time he saw the three of them together, he had attacked Scorpius, and not much had changed as the year progressed.

Scorpius opened the compartment door as the train rolled into motion. He was followed directly by Lysander and Lorcan.

"Your brother is in Slughorn's compartment," Scorpius told Albus as he sat, "and not as the newest member of the Slug Club."

The Slug Club was infamous throughout the school. Professor Slughorn seemed to have a knack for picking up wizards and witches who grew up to be truly great. An invitation into his club was a sign that he thought highly of you. Not that it meant that much, Rose was quick to point out. Slughorn tended to favor showy students in the upper levels. Not warranting an invitation to his group didn't say anything about your potential. And not just because she was already in her second year and hadn't heard anything from him...

"What'd he do now?" asked Albus wearily. "Was it that slime Uncle George got him?"

"Tried to hex me from behind," said Scorpius calmly. "Would've gotten me, too, if Lorcan hadn't been there."

Lorcan looked up, startled to hear his name. He had settled onto the floor and had immediately opened his Transfiguration book "What did I do?" he said.

"Hit James," said Lysander, then looked back to Rose, whose face was painted in horror. "Lorcan just reached out and smacked the wand out of his hand. It would have been funny if Slughorn wasn't so angry."

Lorcan looked up from his book once more. "I'm sorry, but what's buzzing?" he said, glancing around with obvious confusion.

Scorpius reached into his pocket and pulled out a small golden pyramid. "Sorry," he said, his brows coming together. "Dad just gave it to me. It's supposed to tell me when someone's hiding something. I dunno how to turn it off."

"A Dark Detector," said Rose. "How sensitive is it?"

Scorpius shrugged.

"It's probably just another compartment," said Rose briskly, "don't change the subject. James really attacked you?"

Shoving the pyramid back into his pocket, Scorpius nodded.

"I hope Slughorn tells Dad about it," said Albus. "James has to learn that he can't just do stuff like that."

"It's not a big deal," muttered Scorpius, not meeting anyone's eyes. "Does anyone have sweets? I'm craving some chocolate."

Rose exchanged a glance with Albus and decided not to push the subject with Scorpius. As it turned out, none of them had thought to bring sweets onboard, but they knew that the witch with the snack trolley would be around shortly. They took the time to catch up on everything that had happened over the past few months.

"We found Grandfather before he really started to worry," said Scorpius after Rose had told the twins about their encounter on Diagon Alley. "Mum tends to be a bit dramatic."

"Did he get you a racing broom anyway?" asked Albus eagerly.

Scorpius grinned. "If I make the house team, I'll get to pick one out," he said.

"Cameron said that Lisatt wanted smaller players," said Albus, "so you definitely have a shot!"

"I haven't been practicing," said Scorpius with a small frown. "Dad was busy when I was home, and I usually only fly with him."

"We'll get you into competitive shape," said Albus, eyes bright with excitement. "Tryouts won't be until next week, right? And I've been practicing loads, I can definitely work with you."

At last, the snack trolley arrived. Rose bought far more Licking Pixies than she was intending on eating on the train; she liked eating them while she studied and had forgotten to pick some up on her Diagon Alley trip. They had all forgotten about the Dark Detector until Scorpius put his coin purse back in his pocket and the buzzing increased.

"Is your bag making that noise?" asked the trolley witch with a small frown. "All luggage was supposed to be kept in the baggage car, you know."

"I don't have a bag," said Scorpius, "it's just my pocket."

The witch's eyes flicked up to the luggage racks over Scorpius' seat before she waddled off, her face set in a distinctly disapproving expression.

"Weird," muttered Scorpius, already examining a Chocolate Frog card he had received.

But Albus was frowning up at the luggage rack too. Rose looked up, and sure enough, there was a small bag sitting there.

"Is that yours?" she asked Lysander, already knowing that it was not. He hadn't brought a bag into the compartment with him, nor had Lorcan.

Scorpius stood, looking at the bag warily. "It's not mine," he said slowly. He drew his wand from his pocket, then used it to tentatively poke the bag. It didn't react in any way (which was good, seeing how it looked to be a standard overnight bag, but Rose never knew what to expect). Standing on his tiptoes, Scorpius swept his wand farther into the luggage rack—

Everyone froze. They had all heard the same thing: a soft squeak.

Suddenly, Scorpius yanked his hand back. From the tip of his wand dangled something Rose could almost make her eyes lock onto, but not quite. Something invisible.

And up with the baggage compartment, definitely not invisible, was Lily Potter.

"Lily!" cried Albus, leaping to his feet. "Let me—how did—you—"

"Let me down!" she squeaked. "I'm I'll smushed up here."

Scorpius extended his hand, which Lily took.

"Thanks," she said softly, a blush rising on her cheeks. She clambered down with a bit of difficulty. Then she brushed herself off and leaned against the compartment door.

"Hello Lorcan, Lysander," she said gracefully. "Won't this be fun?"

"Lily," said Albus sternly, but his sister continued.

"And you must be Scorpius Malfoy," she said, her tone lower. "I've heard about you, you know."

"Lily!" cried Albus.

"Mum and Dad had this huge row about you last spring, did you know?"

"Lily Luna Potter!" said Albus fiercely. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm going to Hogwarts," his sister replied, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Lily," said Rose gently, "that's all well and good, but you're not quite old enough."

Lily set her mouth in a stubborn line. "But I've made it on the train," she said, "and they wouldn't have let me on unless they were going to let me go to school."

Albus groaned. "It doesn't work that way!" he said. "Lily, does Dad know where you are?"

Lily was suddenly very interested in a bit of dirt under one of her fingernails.

"Oh, bloody hell," Albus muttered. "Rose could you— I hate that they take our owls. Bloody brilliant idea. What now?"

"You don't have to do anything," said Lily, hopefully. "They really won't mind—"

"Ask Slughorn," suggested Scorpius suddenly. "He should have an owl. Tell your parents Lily's okay and they can pick her up at the Hogsmeade station."

Lily began to pout as Albus nodded. "Good idea. You keep an eye on Lily—"

"I don't need anyone to watch me!" she protested.

"— and Rose and I will go to Slughorn," Albus finished.

They had to go as far as to threaten Lily with a Full-Body Bind before she would agree to remain quietly in the compartment. Rose and Albus hurried into the corridor in search of Professor Slughorn and his group of students.

They found him at the opposite end of the train. James was sitting in the compartment, along with other students, including one of the boys Scorpius had avoided in the Apothecary, Tobias Krimp.

"Excuse me, Professor Slughorn," said Albus quietly after opening the door. "Could we... borrow your owl?"

James buried his face in his hands as the other students chuckled. Professor Slughorn raised his gray brows.

"Of all the reasons a student has come to my compartment," he said, "why on earth do you need my owl?"

By this point, Albus' cheeks were bright red. "My little sister snuck on the train and I need to tell my parents where she is," he muttered, staring at the ground.

There was a moment of silence, then Professor Slughorn burst out in deep laughter. He dabbed at his eyes with a handkerchief as all of the students began to chuckle as well. All, that is, except for James, whose face was frozen in horror.

"You – your— your little sister is here?" he said, gasping for air. "On the train? Right now?"

Albus nodded glumly.

"Well, for Merlin's sake, bring her over!" Slughorn cried.

"I— excuse me?"

"You heard me," said Slughorn. "I'm afraid I checked my owl in with the others, but I would be thrilled to meet the little minx. I'll watch her until we get to the school."

"We— we'll bring her right over," said Albus hopelessly.

"Wonderful!" Slughorn then turned to James. "You may go," he said dismissively. "I don't expect to see you attacking anyone else on the train, now. Keep it in the classroom."

James seemed at a loss for words as he stepped out of the compartment. He trailed behind Rose and Albus as they headed back to their compartment. Finally, he spoke.

"Mum and Dad must be freaking out," he said quietly.

"I think that's a fair assumption," said Albus.

Lily was reading over Lorcan's shoulder when Rose opened the door to the compartment.

"Tell me you and Al sent an owl," said Scorpius pleadingly, looking dubiously at Rose's expression.

"Slughorn would like to see Lily," said Rose, exasperated.

Lily grinned deviously as everybody looked at her in surprise. "Told you he wouldn't be mad," she said in a singsong tone. She sprung up from her seat and slid past Rose into the corridor.

"James!" she cried. "Look, I'm going to Hogwarts!"

"Oh, Lily," sighed James. "What have you done?"

"I can't wait to be sorted," she chattered on, ignoring her brother's question. "I really hope I don't get Hufflepuff. I mean, Ravenclaw at least means you're super smart, right?"

"We'll take her back," said Albus glumly. "She's our problem anyway."

Rose returned to her seat in the compartment and immediately began unwrapping a chocolate bar. She had planned on waiting until after she had her lunch, but if there was ever a time for sweets, it was now.

"Slughorn thought she was a little minx," explained Rose between bites. "He wanted to meet her. Said he'd look after her 'til we get to school."

"She's...very chatty, isn't she?" said Scorpius tentatively.

"You could say that."

"At least I can tell Dad that his gift isn't broken," said Scorpius, patting his pocket, which had stopped buzzing. "I think I'll leave out the part about Lily hiding in the luggage rack, though."

"He might think it's funny," said Rose glumly. "Uncle Harry will be livid. Have you ever seen him angry?"

Scorpius paused, then said, "Yes, once."

When it was clear that Scorpius did not intend to elaborate further, Lysander yawned loudly, stretching his arms over his head.

"You missed a great birthday party," he said cheerfully.

"Dad didn't want me going," said Scorpius glumly. "Thanks for the invitation, though. It was... interesting."

"Mum made the stationary," said Lysander, "though it doesn't usually sing."

"Uncle Charlie was there," said Lorcan, "which was nice."

"He's the one who works with the dragons," Rose reminded Scorpius. They had discussed her extended family before, but Scorpius had trouble keeping everyone straight in his head.

Scorpius groaned. "Oh, don't mention dragons," he pleaded. "Mum and Dad had a huge row about them the other day. Apparently the Ministry is messing around with regulations again."

Albus slammed the door of the compartment open, then shut it violently behind him. Plopping down into his seat, he grabbed part of Rose's unwrapped chocolate and shoved it in his mouth. He didn't seem to be in the mood to talk about the Lily situation.

"Does your dad work at the Ministry?" Rose asked Scorpius. "I don't think you've mentioned what he does."

"Yeah, I guess," said Scorpius. His face was drawn. "He goes there every day, at least. Hell if I know what he actually does."

"I get that," said Rose. "I mean, I know what Dad does most of the time, but Mum seems to do a bit of everything. What department is he in?"

"He's… he's an Unspeakable."

Rose's eyebrows shot up. "An Unspeakable?" she cried, her voice jumping up an octave. She had spent many days at her mother's office and had met a large number of Ministry workers, but she didn't recall ever meeting one of the employees assigned to the Department of Mysteries.

"It doesn't matter," muttered Scorpius. "We don't talk about it."

Rose searched for something to say, some way to ease the sudden tension, but her mind was drawing a blank. Instead, she began noisily unwrapping a Licking Pixie, whose crystalized sugar wings beat erratically until Rose gave them two quick taps. She pretended to be very interested in the design of the pixie's hair until Lorcan began to laugh, fully immersed in a passage from his book.

The rest of the train ride flew by. Rose managed to get a quick nap in by leaning against the door of the compartment. Albus woke her up in time to change into her school robes, which was when she rediscovered the invisibility cloak that Lily had used to hide in the luggage rack.

"I don't think it's Dad's," said Albus as Rose handed the cloak to him. "You can almost see past it. See?"

Rose could see what looked like the shadow of Albus' arm waving behind the cloak. "It might be one of his others," she said. "He's got lots of stuff like that. Or it may just be one of Uncle George's items."

The train pulled into Hogsmeade station after the sun had fully set. As Rose climbed off amidst the bustle of other students, she saw a man standing under one of the lanterns. It was Uncle Harry, as immobile as the pole that held the lantern above his head.

"Is my daughter on that train?" he asked hotly before Rose could say hello.

"She's with Professor Slughorn," said Rose. "He didn't have his owl– we tried to..." She trailed off awkwardly.

Albus jogged up behind Rose. "This may belong to you, Dad," he said, giving his father the invisibility cloak tentatively.

Uncle Harry took it with a curt nod of thanks. His eyes had just locked on something behind Rose and Albus. Professor Slughorn was now crossing the crowded station, one hand on Lily's shoulder.

"So good to see you, m'boy," said Slughorn when he was with in hearing distance. "I believe that this little one here is yours."

"Yes," said Harry swiftly, "and Ginny is in quite a state. I must get home."

Without another word, he put a hand on Lily's shoulder and disappeared.

"I thought you couldn't Disapparate on Hogwarts grounds," said Albus as he and Rose rejoined the other students.

"We're technically on Hogsmeade grounds," replied Rose. "The rules are different here."

Lorcan, Lysander, and Scorpius had already found their way to the carriages meant to take the older students to the castle. Rose and Albus climbed in beside them, both glancing nervously at the harnesses handing in midair in front of the carriage. The harnesses stuck straight out, as if supported by the air around them.

"A bit eerie," remarked Scorpius, looking at the harnesses.

Rose had to agree once the carriages began moving of their own accord.

"So little Fred gets sorted this year," said Albus as they bounced up the uneven dirt path. "I hope he's in Gryffindor."

"He's fairly brainy," said Lorcan. "Maybe he'll be in Ravenclaw like Lucy and Molly."

"One of our cousins," explained Rose, seeing Scorpius' confusion.

"Rose, I still don't see how you ended up in Gryffindor," said Lorcan lightly. "You're smarter than half the people I know in my house."

Rose wanted to say that she was smarter than all of them – her finals scores had showed that she was top of the class— but she restrained herself. Her mother had always said that it was rude to brag. Besides, she liked her spot in Gryffindor.

Then her Sorting flashed back into her mind, and the words of the Sorting Hat echoed in her memory. You could excel in Ravenclaw, where intelligence is cherished above all else, the Hat had said. Your parents were fine Gryffindors—and you could do great things in the coming years—but I fear your surroundings might hinder….

She hadn't dwelled on it last year, but over the summer it had begun to bug her. What was it that the Sorting Hat feared her surroundings might hinder? But now wasn't the time to think about it. The castle was coming into view, and with it, the start of the new year.

Walking the halls felt different as a second year. Rose had not fought her way across the lake in a small, rickety boat. She strode in the Great Hall proudly and sat at her old spot at the Gryffindor table. There was the nagging feeling that someone was missing. After a moment, Rose realized that she had begun to look around for Dmitri.

"Don't give me that look," complained James as he sat, seeing Albus' glare. "It's not like I tried to kill him or anything! It was a little jinx. I bet he's already over it."

Albus rolled his eyes. "Just –" he began, but the doors to the Hall opened again. The first years had arrived.

Rose tuned Professor Flitwick out as he made preliminary announcements. She picked little Fred out of the crowd of anxious first years. He, along with all the others, was staring at the tattered Sorting Hat sitting on a stool at the front of the room.

When he was finished explaining how the sorting would go, a hush fell over the room. All eyes were on the hat.

The slit over the brim opened and the hat began to sing:

When I was only scraps of fabric,

No one then suspected

That I'd become a hat like this,

Treasured, not neglected.

That I'd become a cherished thing

For those newly Hogswarted,

But here I am, and there you are,

All eager to be sorted.

You may end up in Ravenclaw

With knowledge as your kinship.

You'll fly on wings of books, and then

You'll learn about true friendship.

Hufflepuffs, they'll soar around

With kindness everlasting.

Those friendly badgers look about

For new spells to be casting.

If you're put in Gryffindor,

You're sure to be well-loved

For those with natural bravery

Are never pushed or shoved.

And finally, there's Slytherin:

The snakes of true ambition.

They'll take the path straight to the top,

As is their house tradition.

But so I don't seem prejudiced

'Gainst one house or the next,

I'll say this much: they all are fair;

Not one of them is best.

Not one of them shall rise above

The others, not this year,

For one from each shall be the best

So take that in good cheer.

After a hesitant moment, the room broke into applause. It had been an odd way to conclude the Sorting Hat's song. Before Rose could ask Lysander what he thought of it, Professor McGonagall clapped her hands for attention.

"The sorting will now commence," she said sternly. "I will have silence, if you please."

The quiet conversations died down as Professor Flitwick unfurled scroll with the first years names.

"Aberford, Bianca!"

The first years stepped up to the Sorting Hat as Professor Flitwick called each name. Whenever a student was placed in Gryffindor, Rose hooted along with her housemates. She liked being on this side of the Sorting much better.

It finally came time for "Weasley, Fred!" to step forward. He did so quickly, taking clipped, measured steps to the stool. Once upon Fred's head, the Sorting Hat paused for a moment, then shouted out, "HUFFLEPUFF!"

Rose sat surprised for a moment, then joined in with the rest of the clapping school. The Hufflepuff table was exceptionally loud in welcoming its newest member.

Fred looked perfectly composed as he joined the Hufflepuff table, except for a dark flush that had filled his cheeks. Older students clapped him on the back as he sat, finally showing a grin.

Fred was the second to last student to be sorted. After Zelenski, Orion was put in Slytherin, the entire room relaxed into casual chatter. The sorting was complete. The feast could begin.