Albus Potter stared at his father in wonder.

"It did for me," said Harry.

Albus said his goodbyes to his family, somewhat mollified. But if the Sorting Hat would take his choice into account would that be like cheating? Did he want to be in a house he wasn't meant for?

His thoughts were interrupted when his cousin said, "We should find Frank."

"Yeah, I bet he's already found a compartment. But he's probably just sitting in it alone and terrified."
"I'll take the front end of the train, you take the back?" Rose proposed.

Al was reluctant to split up from her, but he shuffled away from his cousin, awkwardly peering into compartments, and blushing when people gaped at him.

Finally, in the second to last compartment, Al found his best friend sitting alone and looking rather lost. Frank and Al had known each other since they were babies. He was Al's first official friend, seeing as they were born only two weeks apart and Rose didn't come along for another six months. They both had dark hair and vibrant eyes, although Al's were green while Frank's were blue.

"Blimey, thank Merlin you're here," he exclaimed. "I was beginning to think I'd ride up to Hogwarts alone and you know how bad I get when I have too much time to think."

Al laughed. "Where did you think we'd go? Anyways, there's always your brother."

"Nah, he's a third year. Too cool to babysit me," Frank said with a shrug. Al knew this wasn't true; Peter didn't have a selfish bone in his body. He went to sit down, but then Frank reminded him that Rose was still wandering around.

"Oh right. Great, she's probably just freaking out," Al said, leaving the compartment.

He found Rose further down the hall, talking with someone. As he got closer, he recognized him as Draco Malfoy's son. And that they weren't talking, they were arguing. For someone so timid and sweet (at least among strangers), Rose found herself in the middle of trouble quite often.

"…but because you're arrogant-" Malfoy was saying.
"Oh I'm arrogant?" Her voice was getting kind of shrill. Rose had on her classic "angry" face: her cheeks were flushed, her chin was jutting out defiantly and her arms were crossed. She went off on Malfoy, something about judging the family and then poked him in the chest. Oh boy.

He spun around dramatically and almost bumped into Al. Although he seems to be a bit of a drama queen, he is rather intimidating. The Malfoy was much taller than Al and gave him a look filled with so much animosity it must have taken years to perfect.

He sauntered off and Al asked Rose what that had been all about, laughing.

"Oh I've just been having a lovely chat with…I don't even know his name. The Malfoy kid. Spoke with the bloke for two seconds and he gets all offended," Rose said, rolling her eyes and stalking into their compartment.

"What happened?" Frank asked. Rose's face clearly gave it away.

"So these awful girls are harassing me and who comes to my rescue other than tall, pale and snooty over there. Naturally, I'm surprised! You would be surprised too! Him, defending me? Well. He was a bit put off with the fact that I expected him to behave like the son of a Death Eater. Oh wait, he is. What does he expect?"

Frank looked terribly confused. Al's smile faded a little. From what Al could judge of the situation, Malfoy was just tired of people expecting him to be his father. That wasn't so strange. I could imagine that being difficult…

Rose was still ranting, going on more to herself than for Frank's benefit.

"So, Frank," Al said loudly, ready to switch the subject, "what House you hoping for?"

Rose rolled her eyes. She must have known Al was trying to shut her up- the three of them always talk about Houses, so it was no surprise when Frank said, "Well, of course I'm hoping for Gryffindor, but Hufflepuff would be good too." He was smirking, because they were both just pissing Rose off by casually going over something they had discussed a million times to avoid her complaining.

She huffed. "Fine, I won't tell you anymore. Your loss, it was just about to get good," she said, pulling a book from out of nowhere (she tended to do that) and burying herself in it.

Al and Frank discussed Quidditch and what Hogwarts would be like- with some interjections from Rose- through the journey. But as they pulled up to the Hogsmeade station, Al began to get nervous. He could see it in the others faces as well. This night would determine his next seven years and even beyond and what if it went wrong?

"SLYTHERIN!" the Hat bellowed. Peach, Margaret was Sorted and Al knew he was dangerously close to being called himself. He frantically searched around the room until he found the face he sought. James grinned at him, but then gave him a serious and encouraging nod, which somehow all in itself made him feel better.

Rose was next to him, wringing her hands.

"Oh Al, don't worry, you're far too nice to get into Slytherin. And you haven't got much ambition or anything like that. No offense. I mean if you want any of that- Oh what am I even saying! I'm just so nervous!" she wasn't even looking at him, her eyes were glued to the Hat.
Neville's eyes found his own, as he joyously read, "Potter, Albus." As expected, a chorus of whispers and gasps filled the Hall.

Oh Merlin, how's that 'walking' thing go again? Rose had to shove him a little towards the Hat, but once on his way he re-mastered the use of his legs, and shakily sat on the stool.

"Oh, oh oh oh oh. You are something else. A Potter and a Weasley. Not like your brother, or your mother though are, you? No you most resemble your father. But then there's something different about you, too."

What's that?

"That's something you'll have to find out for your self. And I think you can do it best in GRYFFINDOR!"

The Gryffindor table erupted in triumphant cheers. Rose looked like she might burst into tears. James was roaring the loudest though and ran forward to accept his little brother.

"Knew you had it in you," he said grinning.

"Then why'd you make me doubt it so much?" Al said, but he couldn't help but break out into a huge smile.

Frank was called up to the Hat and his father patted him on the back when he was Sorted into Gryffindor. He beamed and sat next to Al. They giggled like little girls and high fived. They were here, at Hogwarts, in the House of their fathers!

After the ceremony and the Feast, as the prefects began ushering the first years out of the Hall, Al spotted Malfoy waiting with a crowd of Ravenclaws. Something came over him (must be that Gryffindor courage) and he ran over to where he stood.

"Malfoy," he called, and the other boy looked so surprised he didn't have time to put on a haughty expression.

"About what happened with Rose…earlier…on the train?" Al waited for Malfoy to acknowledge that he understood what he was saying, but all he seemed to be able to do was nod.

"I just wanted to say, that I-just I know what it feels like. To have people always staring at you. And for everyone to expect you to be your dad…I-I get it."

"Yeah, it must be real difficult for you to have to deal with all that admiration," he said, bitterly. But then he seemed to regret his words and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. Thanks for coming over here," he said, looking a little uncomfortable, but sincere.

"Uh, its okay. But look at it this way, all you can do is exceed their expectations." How am I supposed to live up to my dad?

"I guess…. I'm Scorpius. Don't laugh," he said, but he had a hint of a smile on his face.

"I won't laugh if you don't laugh. Albus," he said extending his hand. Scorpius shook it. "Most people just call me Al."

"I don't think there's any suitable nickname for me. Scorp? That sounds awful," he was laughing now.

"Pius?" Al said laughing.

"Ha. Ha." Scorpius said, but he smiled a genuine smile.

Rose awkwardly approached them, her hazel eyes brimming with confusion. "Al, everyone's heading back to their common rooms now," she said, ignoring Scorpius. "You don't want to fall behind and get lost.

His face was cold as well. "Nice talking with you Al. Glad to see not everyone in your family is a totally stuck-up arse," he blatantly looked at Rose, then turned and sauntered away.

"What was that?" Rose asked. Her hair looked redder than normal in the light of the candles. Her hair was usually in some quasi state- some kind of auburn, brown with strong red tones- but tonight it was looking pretty ginger, not to mention bushier than usual. The stress of the evening must be manifesting in her hair.

"I was just introducing myself," Al said.

"Why? Didn't you hear anything I said earlier? And he just called me an, well you know!" Rose was uncomfortable with saying bad words.

"Sorry, Rose. He seems like an alright bloke to me and I don't have any reason to be his enemy," Al said.

"Yes, you-"

"Look, Rosie, He's not going to be my best friend, I simply introduced myself. I promise, I will never love him more than I love you," he said with a smile, putting his hand on her shoulder.

"Oh Merlin, if there is ever a day where I have to compete with Malfoy for your attention, I pay have to dive into a Devil's Snare. Promise that'll never be called into question!"

"I do so solemnly swear."