"-But I'm sure if you write Professor McGonagall and ask her, she'll let me come," Lily pouted the evening after she had watched brothers set off on the Hogwarts Express. "I'm only two years younger than the other students; that's not that bad."

"Lily, Professor McGonagall is the strictest Headmistress Hogwarts has ever seen," Harry smirked as him and Ginny set dinner on the table. "She'd write me a detention for even suggesting such a thing."

"But I want to go," Lily moaned. "I can't wait two more years!"

"Two years will fly by, Lily," Ginny told her daughter. "Before you know it, you'll be going off on the train, and poor daddy and I will be left all alone with an empty nest."

"We could always try for one more," Harry pointed out, grinning at his wife.

"You're absolutely barking," Ginny said. "Unless you would like to be the one to carry it for nine months, though I don't think they've invented a potion that could allow that quite yet."

"I'm bored, though," Lily sighed. "What am I supposed to do around here by myself?"

"Ron and I were talking and it was going to be a surprise," Harry said, handing Lily a plate of roast chicken and potatoes. "But since you seem dead set on moping the rest of the night, maybe this will cheer you up. The muggle carnival is in town, and since I'll be off of work by noon, we were thinking we take you, Hugo, Roxy and the twins there for the day."

"The muggle carnival?" Lily gasped. "With that big wheel that takes you around in a circle?"

"It's called a fairy wheel, dear," Ginny said.

"Ferris wheel, actually," Harry corrected his wife, smirking. "But yes, it's the place with all the rides. So if you think you can rough it out in this boring house until tomorrow-"

"I can!" Lily nodded eagerly.

"I wish the carnival was in town when the boys were here over the summer," Ginny said. "They loved it last time we took them, especially Al. Oh…the poor thing. He was so nervous today. I hope James doesn't give him a hard time."

"James has been getting better at knowing when to stop," Harry pointed out.

"When does Albus know where he's been Sorted?" Lily asked.

"The Sorting has probably finished by now," Harry said, looking at his watch. "Though he won't be able to write us until tonight when he's in his common room."

"I can't wait until I'm Sorted," Lily said. "I want to be a Gryffindor like you and mummy! Oh, but maybe being a Hufflepuff like Teddy would be fun. Where do you think I'll be put, daddy?"

"No clue," Harry said. "But wherever you're Sorted, it doesn't make a speck of difference to your mum and me."

"That's right," Ginny agreed. "The Houses don't define you as a person. Only you can do that."
"You guys always say that," Lily muttered.

"Because it's true," Ginny said.

"Yeah, yeah," Lily said dismissively as she finished her dinner. "Can I go play with your Quaffle, mum?"

"Only for a little bit, it's getting late," Ginny said.

"Thank you!" Lily said, rushing out to the yard.

"So," Ginny said as her and Harry began to clear the table. "What were you talking about with Al at the platform today?"

"He was still nervous about being put in Slytherin," Harry explained.

"Do you think he will be?" Ginny asked softly.

"I don't know," Harry said honestly.

"He's the most ambitious out of the three of them, you know?" Ginny said. "When he puts his mind to something, he makes sure it gets done."
"That's true," Harry agreed.

"With James we were both positive he was going to be in Gryffindor," Ginny sighed. "And we were right, weren't we?"

"We were right about Teddy going into Hufflepuff too," Harry added. "I suppose Albus is just a bit harder to read."

"Well," Ginny said firmly. "Wherever he's placed, he's going to do fantastic."

"Course he will," Harry smiled. "I have no doubt about it."

…..

"I'm not sitting next to Ron on a single ride at the carnival today," Ginny said early the next morning as she watched Harry get ready for work. "He got sick all over my shoes last time we went."

"That was hilarious," Harry grinned.

"I'm glad you thought so," Ginny snapped.

"I'll sit next to Ron on any rides we go on," Harry promised her, sitting down on the edge of the bed and pulling on his shoes."

"I'll have to leave early, by the way," Ginny told him. "I'm interviewing the new head coach of Ireland's national team. I don't think I'll be home before midnight tonight, by the way. I've got to go into the office and write the piece up as soon as the interview is done. It's running in tomorrow's issue of Quidditch Quarterly. Will you be alright with Lily tonight?"

"Sure, she'll probably tire herself out at the carnival," Harry said, getting to his feet as he grabbed his wand. "Alright, I'll be back soon. Just have to teach a few training classes and finish up a bit of paperwork." He leaned down and kissed Ginny. "You going back to bed?"

"No, I'm up, might as well do something," Ginny said. "I think I'll put together a couple of care packages for the boys."

Just then there was a loud pecking noise at the window, and the couple turned to see two familiar owls standing at the windowsill.

"Oh! Let them in!" Ginny said excitedly. "We can find out where Al was Sorted!"

Harry let his sons' owls inside, taking the attached letters from each.

"There are owl treats on the dresser," Harry told them, stroking their feathers. "Help yourselves."

He sat down next to his wife and quickly opened up his youngest son's letter.

Hi Mum and Dad,

I'm sure James will be telling you in his own letter, but hopefully you'll read my letter first so you hear it from me.

I've been Sorted into Slytherin. You were right dad, the hat did give me a choice. It told me that I would do well in Slytherin or Gryffindor.. You've both always said that what House you're sorted into doesn't matter, and I've decided I want to prove that. That's why I told the hat to put me in Slytherin. Everybody's really freaked out. James looked like he was going to pass out. I do wish I was with Rose, though. It's going to be strange being in a different House than her (she's a Gryffindor, by the way). During the feast, everybody kept staring at me and whispering. They're all shocked that Harry Potter's son wound up in Slytherin.

I really hope you guys aren't upset with me. I promise being in Slytherin won't suddenly turn me into some Dark wizard. In fact, if it makes you feel any better, I told off a second year in the common room for using the 'M' word. Scorpius Malfoy threatened to curse him too. By the way, he's not nearly as bad as I thought he'd be. He shares my dormitory and he seems quite decent.

I'll write to you both soon, tell Lily I say hello.

Love,

Albus

"Well," Ginny said, looking up at her husband. "There you go. We have a Slytherin in the family."

"Yeah," Harry said, still staring down at the letter. "We do."

"How do you feel?" Ginny asked.

"I couldn't be more proud," Harry said, grinning.

"Me too," Ginny said. "Although I suppose we should tell him not to rush into dueling."

"At least not until he's learned a few spells," Harry muttered.
Ginny raised an eyebrow.

"I'm kidding," Harry said quickly. He looked back down at the letter. "Not sure how to feel about him and Malfoy's son being friends, though."

"I'm sure his son is different than he is," Ginny reasoned. "And Malfoy's certainly stepped away from the Dark Arts, hasn't he?"

"I suppose," Harry agreed. He picked up James' letter. "I'm sure James is in a right state about this."

"Oh I bet," Ginny agreed as Harry tore open the envelope.

Hi mum and dad,

I promise I had nothing to do with what happened to Al. I told him I was only kidding about him being put in Slytherin! I didn't think he'd actually be put there! You'll have to speak to Professor McGonagall right away and get him switched out of that House and put into Gryffindor as soon as possible. I know they "say" you can't change Houses once you've been Sorted, but you must have some leverage. We can get Aunt Hermione involved as well; if the Minister of Magic says that Albus needs to switch Houses, then there should be no question. Don't worry, I'll send her a letter myself as soon as I finish this one.

Oh, by the way, Quidditch try-outs are at the end of the week, and Gryffindor needs a new Seeker, so wish me luck!

Write you later; tell Lily to keep out of my room!

James

"Why do these kids all think you can just waltz in and persuade McGonagall to do whatever you please?" Ginny asked, amused. "Imagine her face if you did that?"

"I'd rather go and face Voldemort again than do that," Harry chuckled.

…