Thursday September 1st 2022:

"Son, can I come in?"

"Yeah, I am just packing!" Scorpius announced from behind the shut bedroom door, folding his t-shirt into his trunk.

Draco walked in and shook his head disapprovingly as he folded the shirt from Scorpius' hands properly. Scorpius sighed.

"I need to speak with you," Draco said.

Scorpius seated himself next to the open trunk on his bed. "Is it about my inability to fold properly?"

"Not at this moment, no," Draco said. "I need you to promise me something."

"I'll try," Scorpius said.

Draco frowned. "You need to do more than try. Do not rush into anything dangerous no matter what. Even if a friend is in trouble. That's what the professors are there for. Leave it up to them or call out the authorities. Do you understand me?"

"Is this about the whole robbery situation on my birthday? I told you I'm sor—"

"Scorpius, do you see this?" Draco reluctantly lifted the sleeve of his left arm, unveiling a long scar in the form of a skull and serpent.

"The Dark Mark of Voldemort?" Scorpius asked, uneasy from the mention of that name.

"Yes. Do you know when I got this?" Scorpius shook his head. "At the start of my sixth year of Hogwarts. I've seen things no child should ever see or do."

"I'd rather die than join somebody like him," Scorpius said.

"Well, let's hope it doesn't come to that," Draco said. "But do you understand what I am telling you?"

"Don't get involved in anything dangerous. Don't be evil, and call for proper authorities?"

"Precisely," Draco said. "I can't lose you too." He held Scorpius close to him as he squeezed his eyes shut.

"I'll be okay, Dad," Scorpius said, sort of embarrassed from the prolonged hug.

When Draco dislocated from the embrace, he helped with the rest of the unfolded and even already folded clothing, much to Scorpius' annoyance.

XXX

"I already told you I'm sorry," Albus groaned, dragging his luggage down the stairs.

"If you are really sorry, you will listen to me," Harry said, following his son downstairs.

Albus sighed and faced his father. "You said I should only fight when completely necessary. We were only defending ourselves."

"Did the robber attempt to attack you first?"

Albus hesitated. "Yes."

"That's not what Mr. Malfoy told me."

"But—"

"He has the ability to defend himself. Though you can easily argue he's not as spectacularly talented as he says he is," Harry said, muttering that last comment to himself; sounding like his teenaged Draco Malfoy's rival self.

James lowered the volume of the Wireless Wizarding Network from his spot on the couch nearby to contribute to the conversation. "Hogwarts isn't exactly the safest place to be either, but you have no problem bringing Al there again."

Albus was speechless; it was not at all common for James to not go against him during an argument.

"I realise that, James," Harry said. "That is why I am going to convince McGonagall and the professors to keep an extra close watch on you, Albus."

"What? You mean like what they did with Roger?" Albus said in horror. "Yes. You obviously need the extra guidance."

"But I already have professors and prefects constantly on my back." Harry shrugged with a "what can I tell ya?" sort of expression.

Albus groaned and dragged his fingers along his hair.

"Guys, stop fighting," Lily begged, setting her own luggage next to Albus'.

"We're not fighting, love. Just disagreeing," Harry said.

"Not much difference," Lily said.

Albus sat at the bottom of the staircase, and Harry helped Lily get organised. "Are you sure you're not upset with Scorpius?" Albus ultimately asked.

"No, I'm not," Harry said. "He was trying to defend you, and I am grateful for that."

Albus grinned fondly, thinking of Scorpius. "He'll be glad to hear it."

"Speaking of Scorpius, have you two finally shagged?" James asked loudly from across the room.

"Ewwww! Must you say it that way?" Lily said, scowling.

"Sorry, I meant "making love", James said, dryly.

"We're friends, James," Albus said, his face red.

"Ah yes. The good ol' 'can't shag because you're friends' rule," James said.

Fortunately for Albus, Harry interrupted by getting his returning-to-Hogwarts students to leave for King's Cross Station.

XXX

Albus stood at the secret passageway to platform nine and three-quarters, his eyes darting back and forth between the invisible barrier and his luggage in his cart.

"Something wrong, mate?"

That unforeseen voice gave Albus a jolt from his train of thought. "Scorpius!" he said gleefully.

"Albus!" Scorpius playfully cheered. "With the greetings out of the way, what's wrong?"

Albus observed everybody else's pets with sorrowful eyes. "This will be my first school year without Gerald."

"I'm sure he wouldn't want you to grieve over him and not enjoy yourself," Lily said. "He would want you to learn and have fun."

"You think so?" Albus asked.

"Yeah!" Lily and Scorpius joyously said together.

Not wasting any more time from their excitement of starting another year of Hogwarts, Scorpius and Lily ran towards the barrier so fast and close that they nearly collided into each other. Draco went next, and then the remaining Potters.

Emerging from the barrier, Scorpius saw Erika from a fair distance away, boarding on the train while saying goodbye to her mother and little brother. They met each other's eyes as soon Albus ran in behind him followed by their parents. Scorpius desperately wanted to tell Albus about him and Erika, but she wanted to keep a low profile for now since he had a growing fan base, and she would be getting unwanted attention. But it was very challenging to not tell anyone.

The Potters spotted Hermione and Ron among the bustling crowds and approached them.

"Honestly, is there ever going to be a time where you guys are not here early?" Harry asked his friends. "Where's your award already?"

Hermione rolled her eyes and double-checked everything her children needed while Hugo tried to push her off from straightening his Hufflepuff tie.

"You think with that being a ritual all of these years, Ron over here would have less bags under his eyes," Ginny teased.

"You're one to talk, Gin. What with that sleep crease on your face," Ron said.

"I don't have a sleep crease on my face," Ginny said. But that did not stop her from double checking in her compact mirror. Ron laughed and Ginny repeatedly punched him in the arm.

While Hermione was preoccupied with checking with her children, Ron whispered to Harry, "Hermione wouldn't want me telling you this, but we just got here about a minute ago. She was a mess."

"Oh really?" Harry said, amused.

"What's this about Hermione not wanting others to know about?" Ginny eavesdropped.

"Oh bugger off. That is between me and Harry," Ron said.

"Rude," Ginny said. "Oi! Hermione!" Ron went pale.

"So, it is true: the famous Harry Potter and the prior chosen one of he who must not be named now chummy chummy!" said an unwanted figure followed by flashing cameras and a scribbling enchanted quill, fixating on Draco and Harry while speaking.

Countless sighs and rolling of the eyes emitted from the group, although Ron could not help but be relieved from Rita Skeeter's disruption of his wife's possible, upcoming anger.

"Tell me, what sparked this unexpected blossoming of a friendship?" Rita interrogated. "Is it because of the titles given to you both? The reputation of being the chosen ones?"

"Sod off, Skeeter," Draco said. "Keep nosing into other people's business and you could be squashed. Like a beetle." He gave Rita an intent knowing look.

Harry smirked, and so did Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Albus.

Rita scrunched up her nose. "Clearly both have an unstable aggression from their unhealthy, tragic pasts." She looked to her quill and gave it a que with her index finger. "Well, that is all I need from you two."

"They didn't really say anything," Albus said.

"It's quality above quantity, young man," Rita said, leaning down to the young Potter like he was a young child.

"I'm not sure if that—"

"Do you read my work?" Rita interrupted.

"I don't read the Prophet," Albus said sneeringly.

"That's a shame because I believe that you will be taking a particular fancy to my upcoming article. You and your schoolmate here," Rita said with a wink. Albus and Scorpius squinted.

"That is right, my dear fans!" Rita announced to the public surrounding her. "I will be stopping over for a visit at Hogwarts: School of Witchcraft and Wizardry this upcoming week for a juicy scoop."

"About what exactly?" Ginny asked, sceptical.

"That is a surprise, Mrs. Potter," Rita said, giving Ginny a distasteful look. She shoved her way through the crowds with her fans and cameraman following alongside her.

Following her leave, every parent in the group gave their advice and warning for Rita before giving their hugs and saying their goodbyes.

XXX

"What do you think Rita is going for in this school?" Dominic asked, boarding off of the Hogwarts Express onto the platform of Hogsmeade station.

"We told you. We don't know," Albus said.

"I think it's obvious," Rose said. "She was interested in uncle Harry and Mr. Malfoy at King's Cross. This upcoming article has to do with them I'll bet. That would explain why she was so interested in Albus and Scorpius."

"So, you think she'll be interviewing Albus and I?" Scorpius said.

"Without a doubt," Rose said.

Albus tensed up. "This can't be good. She did an article on James when he first started Hogwarts. She spread a lot of rumors. Most of them not being true, of course."

"She already did so many about me and my family," Scorpius said spiritlessly.

"Have the surname Potter and Skeeter will be all over you," Rose said. "You're next, Lily."

Lily shrugged.

"You're all making this sound like such a terrible thing," Hugo said, joining the group.

"That's because it is," Rose said.

"She's just doing her job. Sure she exaggerates, but that's what journalists do. Besides, her articles are actually enjoyable."

"Exaggerating is the understatement of the century."

"Do you have to be judgemental towards everything?" Hugo growled. "I'm not being judgemental, it's a fact."

"It's called an opinion! Perhaps you've heard of it?"

"Don't talk to me like that! You should treat your older sibling with respect!"

"But not your younger sibling?"

"Come on guys, don't fight," Lily said. "Let's just get into the carriage."

"I am not in the mood to sit with her," Hugo said.

"Whatever, piss off," Rose said. "If that's the way you're going to be." Hugo stormed off to the next carriage.

"Kinda harsh, Rose," Dominic said.

"Maybe. Maybe not," Rose said.

"Bloody hell, what's with all the fighting today?" Lily said. "I'm going to sit with him to make him feel better."

They watched as Lily sat next to Hugo – who already appeared happier than before – speaking with a fellow Hufflepuff, Shanti Creevey.

In their own carriage sat Albus, Scorpius, Rose, her new friend from Ravenclaw, and Dominic. "Hey, Erika!" Scorpius called out.

Erika turned around seeing Scorpius and smiled brightly. She filled in the sixth spot in the carriage and he wanted to hold her hand. It's almost as if Albus could sense that feeling because the thought made him drain of all energy.

"I suggest telling him before it's too late," Rose whispered, leaning towards Albus' shoulder. Albus pretended he did not comprehend what Rose was speaking about.