CHAPTER 3: The Letters

It was located in an unspotted place somewhere in the North Yorkshire Dales. The idyllic house was in the middle of wide wildflowers meadow, while in this late summer the late flowering perennials included autumn hawkbit, fleabane, devil's bit scabious, hemp agrimony, etc., all which were still in bloom that month. Of course the magic around made various magical herbs and fungi thrive here and there, well, including the gnomes actually. The two-story stone house with three chimneys was a classic countryside house listed as a 17th century cottage, standing alone bursting with charm and warmth even on this dark night.

They called it the Potter's Meadow. Harry built it soon after proposing to Ginny in 2002. Of course the inside and out decorations were all Ginny's artwork. With his history as well as being head of the Auror Department, Harry made sure that the house was invisible and safely warded. Only their family got access to the house and a few trusted family friends.

There were only two lights on in the two middle rooms on the first floor that could be seen from the outside. The house was beautifully built facing east where the morning sun always shone on the entire front side of the house. From the main entrance followed by a spacious reception hall, it could be seen a massive stone fireplace for the family floo-network and grand staircase leading to the second floor. Three bedrooms, a family bathroom, a fairly large reading area, and also a playroom were there. On the right wing there was a private drawing room, a modern vaulted dining room followed by a kitchen and laundry room, and at the north end beside the kitchen there was a large outdoor dining area for the whole family's gathering. The main wing on the left side of the house was a wide comfy sitting room with a high roof – the master bedroom with ensuite was on the west side followed by a main bathroom and study room. Harry and Ginny were sitting there side by side on the large cozy dark grey couch watching the muggle news - the white brick fireplace below gave the effect of a very warm and pleasant evening. Lily Luna Potter was reading comfortably to Harry's left – his daughter rested her head on his left thigh and had been drowning into the new potions book Hermione had given her.

"I still can't imagine how those muggles could live without magic," Ginny commented.

Harry smiled and turned to look at his wife. "We could try it. Now without the boys around, it won't be hard to handle I guess. We can go out of the country, you always say you want to see Greece, and just enjoy being muggles."

Ginny returned her husband's gaze seductively smiling, "Very attempting, Mr. Potter. Best scenario is we could just leave our daughter to my parents and just go there without her."

"I'm coming along! No more stories I'm left alone."

Harry laughed, "Oh, we're so sorry sweetheart. We thought you've already lost in your reading. What is it about, actually?"

"It's all about the basic ingredients and how to deal with it if you want to make the perfect potions."

Ginny sighed exasperatedly, "Are you really my daughter? Why wasting time with those? What would your Uncle George say?"

"Only potions Mummy, only potions. I will not turn into Aunt Hermione or worst Rose – so relax," she grinned. "Speaking of books, are you going to buy James' book tomorrow, Mum?"

"No darling. Actually I will take you and Hugo to Granny's house tomorrow. I have to submit this Appleby Arrows statistics article to the Prophet at noon and I will pick you guys up at 3, okay?"

"Excellent! Maybe Roxy and Lucy would be there too. I'll ask Aunt Angie tomorrow morning," she said excitedly. "Then, when will you buy the books?"

Ginny smiled knowingly, "You want to hunt those entire potion books again, don't you?" She chuckled, "How about Saturday? I want James to feel the effect of his foolishness a little bit longer, really. And your dad could come along on the weekend too."

Lily laughed, while Harry frowned. "Don't you think that's a bit harsh on him? He's already lost the broom."

"Well, hopefully that will make your son more mature and think twice before acting stupidly again." Ginny annoyed and murmured silently, "What was he thinking, putting his little sister inside the luggage. Clearly he wasn't thinking at all."

Harry sighed smilingly, "Why did every time James make a fool of himself, he became only my son? He's yours as well as mine, love." And when he heard his little daughter giggling, he added, "And remind us next time we are on your bad side, little-witch. I still can't believe you vanished all his stuff, including the broom."

"I didn't plan it, it just happened," Lily smiled sweetly.

"Oh you and your beautiful smile," Harry melted – bowed down and kissed the top of her head lovingly.

Suddenly they heard the floo blazing and not long after a lanky young wizard with a striking turquoise blue hair still wearing his long black Auror robe walked in. Edward Remus Lupin smiled brightly at the sight of his family before him.

"Teddy?" Lily looked up quickly. "Teddy, Teddy, Teddy, Teddy, Tedyyyyy!" and there suddenly the girl jumped hysterically at her brother.

"Lily Luna Potter! It's so inappropriate for a young lady – you could get hurt!" her mother reproached her.

Teddy burst out laughing, "People will think we haven't seen each other for at least a year, petal! You saw me last Friday."

"That's right," a sullen pout graced her beautiful face. "How come you're not seeing me this morning at the King's Cross!"

Teddy grimaced, "well, I was being distracted. And I have to go back to the office immediately or our dad will detain me."

Lily giggled, "I know what you were doing with Vic. Are you going to marry her?"

Teddy choked, "You don't even know what that means." He then turned to look at Ginny, "is she allowed saying something too mature like this?"

Ginny just sighed in despair, while Harry laughed even louder.

Lily innocently asked, "What's wrong with getting married? You two will be happy like Mummy and Daddy, and have many children who will call me Aunt Lily."

"Yeah Teddy, what's wrong with getting married?" Harry asked, laughing heartily at the pale face of his godson.

Pitying the young man Ginny cut out, "Alright little missy, get down now and stop making your brother uncomfortable."

When she finally went down, Teddy settled down in the big armchair on the right and Lily gracefully and happily sat on his brother's lap.

"Why're you so late, son? We're already done with dinner," Harry smiled.

"My team wanted to review and discuss tomorrow's planning again. And because this all about teamwork, being the smartest I have to be there."

Lily giggled, "It's called pompous, Teddy."

"No, petal, just stating the fact," he replied mischievously, then looked up to the two persons that had been his parents all his life. "You both have told her about the planning?"

"What planning?" Lily asked.

"No," Ginny answered. "We want you to have the privilege of telling her."

"What is it?" Lily getting impatient.

Teddy chuckled, "Well, we saw that you've been miserable these few days, and we're sure you'll feel even lonelier tonight, so I'll stay over."

Lily's excited screams told her family how happy she was. "Can you just stay forever? I have to sleep alone on the second floor now."

Teddy raised his eyebrow, "Afraid, petal? That's not very Gryffindor."

"Please…" She responded mockingly. "But indeed, it's very lonely upstairs."

"Well, as happy as I'd be if he lives with us forever, Teddy already has his own flat, sweetie," her father chimed in.

Lily looked even sadder – she gazed miserably at her godbrother, her lips trembled.

"Oh, don't look at me like that," Teddy moaned.

Harry chortled, "I know very well how that feels."

"You both are just too sappy at her," Ginny's annoyed. "Lily Luna stopped that instant."

"How about a week? Please Teddy, do it for me," she tried again.

"Alright," Teddy replied soon helplessly. "I'll stay in the Meadow for a week, Ginny."

Lily shouted ecstatically, hugging her brother tightly, while their Mum could only shake her head and Harry just kept laughing.

Suddenly something passed above them and stopped on the armchair Teddy and Lily were sitting on. It was James' large long-eared brown owl – in his leg James' scraggly writing was seen.

"Aragorn!" Lily shouted. Yeah, silly James named him after the main character of his favorite muggle movie, the Lord of The Ring.

"Well, this is first," Ginny said, surprised. "James never wrote this early, not even on the first day of school."

Before they could react, another owl came in, landing on Lily's lap. This time a British yellow barn owl – her heart-shaped face and pure white underparts looked so lovely. It was Rose's.

"Why Rose sent Levina to us?" Lily wondered, removing the letter from its feet. Brainy Rose named her owl after the inventor she admired, Levina Monkstanley – the unspeakable who invented the wand-lighting and wand-extinguishing charm, Lumos.

"I have no idea," Ginny looked aghast, James' letter was still in her hand. "Harry, do you think something bad happen?" She turned her scared face to her husband.

"Calm down, love. Just read it," Harry soothed her. "Teddy…" he then made an eye-contact at his godson encouraging him to open Rose's letter.

"Dear Godric! Harry, it's Albus," Ginny said with shock while reading.

Harry's heart sank, what is happening? He asked himself. Then he heard his daughter's surprised voice.

"Wow, Albus."

"Alright, you gave me a fright! What's going on? What's wrong with Albus?" Harry asked worriedly.

"It seems that he chose to be a Slytherin," Teddy answered thoughtfully.

"Chose? What exactly Rose wrote?" Ginny perplexed.

However, whatever conversation his wife and children had to say subsided from his ears. Harry's only interest was the fact that his son wanted to become a Slytherin. What has happened? He wondered.

As his thought wandered, a beautiful snowy white owl flew in and perched this time on Harry's shoulder. It still hit him shockingly how much Albus' owl resembled Hedwig. At his leg was written in Albus' script 'to Dad'.

"And then come Aris," Lily said giggling now. Albus named the owl Aristotle – a muggle scientist, 'though Albus was very sure the man was a wizard. For what reason was the name? Well, no one knew – It just got stuck in Albus' head. Lily, being generous to the beautiful owl called him Aris. Since then, only Albus had called his true name.

Harry took the letter and read it.

Hey Dad,

I'm writing on my desk in the Slytherin dorm right now. It's all green, but surprisingly it's really shooting. I remember the story about Uncle Ron's and your experience here. You forgot to mention that this dorm was a giant aquarium, Dad :)

Really, I think only just now I glimpse merpeople from my window. They were very fast, just like what you said about Triwizard's second task. Makes me wonder how it feels to go down there with gillyweed *kidding*.

Yeah, Dad

Can you see the irony of this situation? I was so worried yesterday – even more so this morning, but here I am enjoying this new experience. Like you said, the hat really considered my choice. Thankfully, I'm worthy enough as he said to be a Snake, ha-ha.

The hat wished me luck about my new friendship 'though. It is Scorpius Malfoy – he is my best friend. It just clicked, Dad. Like what you said about you and Uncle Ron.

I hope you're okay with all this – no, actually I know you'd be okay when I made that decision. I write because I just want you and Mum and Teddy and Lily to know how I feel – exciting. Also, I hope the whole family won't be so angry with me. I still have to face James and Freddie tomorrow. Hopefully, Rose will talk to them first so I don't have to do the hard part.

Well, that's it. I'll be grateful if Mum can make a little sense for James. I know I let him down. But, I can't just abandon a friend.

Love you Dad, Mum, Teddy, Lily.

Albus-

Smiling, Harry couldn't be more proud of his son. Of all his children – the kind-hearted and gentle Teddy, the passionate and adventurous James, the sweet loveable and entrancing Lily – Albus was the most sensitive, thoughtful, and determined of them all. All of those traits belonged to him. Sensitive Harry gave his life to face Voldemort that night in the forbidden forest. Thoughtful Harry chose the horcruxes more than the hollows that morning in the Shell Cottage. Determined Harry turned him – as Ginny always said – to go into all hero modes and save the wizarding world, just like his current job as the head Auror. Albus was truly a copy of him, but more clear-headed with a good self-preservation. He himself could easily become a Slytherin, but he chose the Gryffindor. So, if his son had chosen the snake, he would wholeheartedly support him. Now, he thoughtfully weighed all the future possibilities. 'Well, this turned out to be interesting indeed', he thought. He couldn't help but imagine what Draco would think about all this. And that made him meekly smile.

"Harry, you're smiling." His wife's voice brought him back to his family before him. Ginny was frantic, Teddy was curious, and Lily was waiting. "Everything's okay, then? Albus is all right?"

"Yeah, Gin." Harry smiled then chuckled, "He is happy."

"Wow," Teddy said, amazed.

Lily giggled.

Ginny, who had calmed down, took Albus' letter and started reading. Teddy went behind her and did the same. His little daughter though, approached him and sat happily in his lap. She's still giggling.

"What's so funny, angel?" Harry kissed her cheek affectionately. She smelled like vanilla, lilies, and treacle tart – so captivating.

Lily chuckled, "All this. Albus strikes this time and James undoubtedly loses."

Harry cackled following her. "So, what did Rose say in her letter?"

"Oh, you should read it, Daddy. But, read James's first." She took those letters from the table, and gave them to him. Together they read it silently.

James' letter was very short and messy.

Mum! Dad!

Albus sorted into Slytherin! This is not funny, the worst joke ever! If he wants to take revenge for all those pranks, then he's mad. What was he thinking?! Clearly he wasn't thinking at all!

What should I do? What could I do? I've already given Neville the look, but he just didn't get it.

Mum, can you do something? DAD, DO SOMETHING!

James-

Harry burst out laughing followed by Lily. Sometimes his first born was so much like his mother. Well, James had always been the drama queen in the family. It was funny 'though how frantic he was right now, when yesterday he mischievously didn't stop taunting his little brother.

Now, he read his niece's letter.

Dear Uncle Harry & Aunt Ginny,

I'm writing this as soon as I get to my dorm. I don't even have time to make friends. Well, this is more important than that. And also Albus and I have already made new friends on the train which was leading into this previous sorting event.

First of all, Albus sorted into Slytherin. Now don't panic, because that's all his own conscious decision. We all know Albus; he could be anything but reckless. Therefore I chose Ravenclaw, so that I can be close enough with them both. I've been doing my research that most of the Slytherin classes are with the Ravenclaw.

The form 'them both' here refers to Albus and Scorpius Malfoy. He is our new friend. He is nice, a bit lonely, but definitely not evil like what my Dad said.

So, here we are being noble like Gryffindor and as loyal as Hufflepuff choosing over our friend's side. In the end it doesn't matter what our house is; what matters is what kind of person we are (those are mum's words by the way, so please tell her that – if she's going funny). And Scorpius is a good person, so Albus and I want to be his friend.

Don't worry I'll handle James and Fred tomorrow. Louis is fine – well of course he is! Because, he won their bet. Those silly boys!

Right, I still have to write to Mum and Dad. Like I said, if they got funny, please help me to make them understand. Especially my Dad, Uncle Harry.

Send my kiss to Lily and Teddy.

Love from Ravenclaw,

Rose-

Harry smiled and hugged Lily even tighter. "I knew I can always depend on your brilliant cousin."

"But, we have to write to James, too. To make sure he is okay. Can I write to him too, Daddy?"

"Of course, my love," Harry smiled encouragingly. He then looked up to see his wife and godson. Teddy was serene; an admiration was in the corner of his hazel eyes – Remus' eyes. Ginny was speechless; still couldn't grasp the whole thing fully. Harry tried to decipher her mood, "Gin?"

She sighed, "Well, Lily. I think we should buy all James' books on Tuesday – soon is better. I changed my mind; I'll buy him all new ones."

Lily laughed, "Yeah, Mum. Losing broom and losing Albus to Slytherin, we should make it easier for him."

Ginny shook her head. "Albus Severus…," she gripped, wondering, "What are we going to do with you?"

"He's happy, Ginny," Teddy responded. "Come to think of it, Slytherin is quite suitable for him. I always thought he's too sensible for his age."

"And in there, he doesn't have to deal with James every day, Mum," Lily added.

Ginny smiled, "Oh, I know he's happy and content – all clearly seen in this letter. I'm talking about his nature. See, he's just like his father." She looked Harry straight in the eye, grinning, "I won't be surprised anymore by every detentions that comes or even if he decides to follow you to be Auror."

They all laughed heartily. Then, they decided to reply to all letters right away, and went to rest. Lily asked Teddy to sleep with her in her room. She had a lot on her mind, so if she's alone she's sure she won't sleep until morning. Teddy only agreed without objection. All lights went out from the rooms. The Potters slept soundly at the quiet meadow in their beautiful house dreaming of their wonderful Slytherin family member.

A/N: Thanks for all who've been reading, followed, and even reviewed. I love Harry Potter's fanfictions, read lots and lots for so many years, and this's my first time to finally brave enough to write the Next Generation in my point of imagination. Please be nice about the way I wrote, because English isn't my first language. But I'm trying hard, he-he. Anyway I'll try to finish this story - I know the feeling to all unfinished stories of fanfic :) - however this'll be a long journey of Scorpius' life. So just enjoy! -M.E.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter - this all belong to the wonderful and brilliant J.K. Rowling