Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

' "Ablus Severus," Harry said quietly, so that nobody but Ginny could hear, and she was tactful enough to pretend to be waving to rose, who was now on the train, "you were named for two headmasters of Hogwarts. One of them was a Slytherin and he was probably the bravest man I ever knew."

"But just say—"

"—then Slytherin House will have gained an excellent student, won't it? It doesn't matter to us, Al. But if it matter to you, you'll be able to choose Gryffindor over Slytherin. The Sorting Hat takes your choice into account."

"Really?"

"It did for me," said Harry. '

Chapter 1: The Hogwarts Express

Albus Potter thought on his fathers words as he settled into his cabin as the Hogwarts Express began to slowly pull away from Platform 9 3/4. The sound of children laughing and yelling "good-bye", "see you at break", and "I'll write you" to their parents multiplied as the train began to take off. The door to the cabin slid open and a girl with busy, auburn hair was standing in the doorway. She exhaled dramatically as she sat across from Albus.

"I swear," Rose Weasley began, "if I don't get Ravenclaw I am going to be distraught."

Albus laughed a little at his cousins predicament. "You do know Uncle Ron is making bets with everyone on what houses we'll be sorted in? Though no one wants to take it because he's playing it safe by saying we'll be sorted in Gryffindor."

Rose crossed her legs as she slipped a book out of her bag. It was Hogwarts, A History. "Well I'm sure my dad will have to just deal with whatever house I'm put into. As long as it isn't Slytherin." Rose's face crumpled as if an unpleasant smell had drifted right under her noise. Albus shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"What if I'm sorted in Slytherin?" His dad's words had helped clear his mind on the subject but it seemed that everyone else in his family, including the one he considered his closet friend, would hold it against him.

Ross scoffed. "You're a Potter. You'll be sorted into Gryffindor. Stop worrying about it, Al."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." But Albus wasn't sold. Something in his gut was telling him that he where he would be sorted.

A loud BANG echoed from down the hall, followed by laughter from several students. Albus stood up and poked his head out of the cabin.

He could see the shoes of faceless kids disappearing around the corner as his vision focused. Sitting at the end of the hall, was a young blonde boy sitting against the wall. Several other cabins had heads sticking out of them, investigating the commotion. Whispers and laughs began to slowly fill the cabin. The blonde boy remained seated, staring steadily at his shoes. Albus sighed and walked to the boy.

"Hey," he said as he crouched down. He held out a hand and smiled lightly. "My name is Albus. What's yours?"

The blonde boy looked suspiciously at Albus' hand. "My name is Scorpius."

If Albus was surprised, it didn't show on his face. He simply held his smile. "Nice to meet ya."

Scorpius' eyes narrowed slightly. "Did someone put you up to this, Potter?"

Albus frowned slightly. "You know, just because people expect us to not get along, doesn't mean that's true. I honestly don't care about our dad's problems with each other. Judge off character not off blood."

Albus stood and held his hand out again. "Come on, there's room in my cabin."

Scorpius' face relaxed as he took Albus' helping hand. "Thanks."

Eyes watched as a Potter and a Malfoy walked down the carriage and entered a cabin together.

Rose's eyes widened as she saw Scorpius enter behind her cousin. "What's he doing here?"

Albus took a seat. "Some kids were messing with him. Others in the hall were just laughing. It's kinda messed up."

Rose blew a strand of hair from her face. "Okay, but he's a Malfoy. Daddy says Malfoy's are traitors and dark magic supporters."

Scorpius was about to stand when Albus put a hand out. "And my dad once told us that everyone deserves a second chance. Regardless of who they may be related to. You don't even know Scorpius and you're bashing him."

Rose fell silent. She glared at Scorpius as she brought Hogwarts, A History back to her face, burying her nose into it's pages.

Scorpius finally broke the silence. "Did you happen to catch the last Hollyhead Harpies match?"

Albus spun excitedly to face Scorpius. "Of course I did! I'm a huge Winbourne Wasps fan. My mom isn't so happy about that because she played for the Harpies."

Scorpius began to blush. "Ginny Potter was my favorite seeker before she retired."

Rose's eyes momentarily flashed towards Scorpius before returning to the page she was. Album seemed to be the only one who noticed. He smirked. "So I'm sure you were upset when the Wasps beat the Harpies?"

Scorpius moaned and began to go off on a rant about how the Wasps only won because they are overly aggressive, Albus countered that it's all part of the game, and Rose sat and listened to the two boys go on excitedly as they began listing all the quidditch matches they have attended.

'Maybe Uncle Harry is right,' Rose thought to herself.

•••

The sky has darkened as the Hogwarts Express made it's trek along the English countryside. Rose had finally put her book down and decided to jump in the conversation with Albus and Scorpius. The three chatted, swapped embarrassing family stories, and bought sweets and sandwiches from the trolley as it came by. Eventually, they began talking about houses.

Scorpius was picking through a carton of Bertie Bott's Every Flavoured Beans as he spoke. "I know my father expects me to get into Slytherin. I wouldn't be surprised if he disowned me if I got placed elsewhere, like Hufflepuff."

Rose laughed at his joke. "I'm really set on getting into Ravenclaw. If I get put somewhere else, I don't know how I'll react. My dad is dead set on me getting into Gryffindor. My mom, however, wants me in whatever house I'll be happiest in."

Albus was about to speak when their cabin door slid open.

"Well, well, well. I didn't believe the rumors but I guess I was wrong. A Potter hanging out with a Malfoy. What a sight."

A tall, lanky third year stepped into the cabin. He had emerald green eyes, messy auburn hair, and sported half-framed glasses.

Albus sighed. "What do you want, James?"

James held his hands up innocently. "I simply came by to say hello to my little brother and cousin." He winked at Scorpius. "Surely that's not a crime?"

Scorpius held his hand out. "My name is Scorpius."

James looked at his outstretched hand. He raised an eyebrow and then looked between Albus and Rose, both of whom were smiling. James shrugged. "James Sirius Potter." He enthusiastically shook Scorpius' hand and began to speak fast. "Albus is a bit of a pill but he's good people, Rose is more interested in books than she is people, and I have no idea what they'd do this year without me." James stopped shaking his hand and looked at him with deadly serious eyes. "And if anyone hurts them, they'll have to deal with me."

Scorpius swallowed nervously. "So far they're the nicest people I've met today. The others I met threw an exploding snap piece in my face."

James scowled darkly. He glanced at Albus. "This true?"

Albus nodded. "I didn't see who it was. They took off running when I came along to help."

"I know Malfoy's and Potter's have a rough history, Scorpius, but if Albus thinks you're good then you're good in my book. Just like I said," James shot that devilish wink at Scorpius, "don't hurt him." James turned to leave and then stopped, holding his hand on the door. "And if you remember who those kids were, let me know. Messing with first years is my thing."

Albus could've swore that James looked like a demon as he left their cabin. "And that was my older brother. That's the nicest he'll probably be all year."

"Is he mean or something?" Scorpius asked returning to his carton of Bertie Bott's.

Rose laughed a little. "I wouldn't say mean, necessarily. He's just… he's just James."

Scorpius raised an eyebrow at Albus, who explained. "One second he's incredibly nice to you and then three seconds later you have colored eyebrows. Or are quacking like a duck. He's harmless. I think."

A voice rang out across the train. 'Attention students, we will be pulling into Hogsmeade Station in approximately thirty minutes. Please change into your robes and leave your luggage and pets in their respective compartments and cabins. They will be taken care of during the Welcoming Feast. First years will be gathered at the end of the train platform and escorted to the Great Hall. Thank you and have a nice semester at Hogwarts."

Albus and Scorpius exited the cabin as Rose lowered the curtains and changed. After a few minutes, she opened the door and stepped out so that Albus and Scorpius could change. Eventually they were back in their cabin and in their black Hogwarts robes. They chatted more about houses, quidditch, the excitement of trying out for their houses quidditch teams their second year, and what classes they would be taking. The scenery outside began to change and eventually they were pulling into the Hogsmeade train station. The three made their way outside of their cabin and followed the progression of their fellow students and stood at the end of the platform where quite a large man stood.

"Firs' years," his voiced boomed out over the crowd of students. "Firs' years over 'ere."

Albus and Rose approached excitedly as Scorpius cautiously followed. This man was huge.

"Hi, Hagrid!" Rose threw her arms around the man, as much as his large frame would allow. "It's so great to see you again!"

Hagrid smiled at the two cousins and hugged Rose, sweeping Albus in as well. After nearly crushing their ribs he let go. "It's very nice to yeh two again. Now, let's get a move on then, eh? Wouldn't want to keep the others waiting."

The group of first years followed Hagrid along a small path that led to the edge of a great, black lake. "Ooh's" and "ahh's" reached Albus, Scorpius, and Rose's ears as they rounded a corner. The three were struck by the sight before them.

Looming over the lake was Hogwarts. The moon was hanging perfectly above the castle, flickering lights from the windows reflected off of the lakes glassy surface.

Albus couldn't take his eyes off of the castle. Albus never felt out of place in his life, but this was a different feeling. It was if as he had found himself, a small missing piece. The castle seemed to beckon him forth and offer all of its secrets, lessons, and more. Albus Potter was home.

The first years all climbed into boats at the edge of long, wide dock. As the last student, a gangly kid with freckles, stepped into the boat they began to be pulled along by magic.

There were four to a boat and Albus was unfamiliar with the kid in his boat alongside Scorpius and Rose. The unknown boy was pale and had almost pitch black hair. His eyes were golden and just like Albus, his eyes were glued to the castle that loomed above them.

The trip across the lake didn't last long enough for Albus. He wanted to memorize every detail of the castle. Hagrid escorted them through a side door and into the Entrance Happ. A set of giant, ornate doors stood to the right of the main staircase. Voices and laughter could be heard, muffled by the door.

A small man entered through a side door and stood in front of the students.

"Good evening, first years!" His voice was slightly squeaky but able to be loudly heard by every student. The noise died down. "My name is Professor Flitwick and I am the Deputy Headmaster here at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In just a few moments I will lead you all through these doors, into the Great Hall where your fellow peers and professors are waiting for the Sorting Ceremony to begin."

Excited murmurs began to fill the hall once more. The conversations mimicked Albus, Scorpius, and Rose's conversation from the train. Some of these kids looked slightly confused or were asking questions about the sorting. Albus assumed these were the muggleborn students.

The doors to the Great Hall began to slowly swing open.

Author's Note: I haven't worked on any fanfics in over a decade so I am a bit nervous about this. Recently been hyperfixating on the franchise again so I decided to try my hand at a next generation story. If you happen to read this, I hope you enjoy.