James, Lily, Albus, Hugo and Rose were soon joined in their compartment by Natalie Longbottom.
- And Daddy bought me a Honking Daffodil for my birthday!- finished Natalie
She had inherited her mother's big blue eyes and light blonde hair and Neville's clumsiness interest in Herbology.
- How are Aunty Luna and Uncle Nev?- inquired Rose
- They're fine, Mummy's still editing the latest edition of the Quibbler, she says it'll be a real hit!- she said while reaching for her trunk, knocking over the Potters' shared owl, Holly, in the process. Holly hooted indignantly and Natalie quickly righted the cage.
- Sorry- she told the snowy owl.
Holly hooted again. Lily looked out the window of the compartment that led into the corridor and saw a blonde boy, sitting on his trunk, all alone. Without waiting for the others' opinion, she got up and went out to talk to him, shutting the door behind her. The others, now playing a game of Exploding Snap, were too busy to notice her as she slipped out the door.
- Hello- she said to the pale boy- my name's Lily Potter, nice to meet you
He looked up at her in disbelief.
- Why are you talking to me, then, Lily Potter- he said, emphasising her surname with a little bit of something like jealousy.
- What do you mean? If you don't want to talk to me…
- No! That's not what I meant! It's just…nothing- he stammered- I'm Scorpius.
- Pleased to meet you, Scorpius- replied Lily, holding out her hand.
He shook it.
- You too.
- Why are you all alone?- she asked curiously
- I'm Scorpius Malfoy- he replied
- Malfoy? So your dad's…
- Yes, my father's Draco Malfoy. If you're going to go away, please do it now.
- Why would I want to do that?- asked Lily shocked- you seem nice enough to me
Scorpius smiled tentatively at her. She smiled back, pleased to have cheered him up.
- So, is it your first year, too?
- Yes it is
- Which house do you think you'll be in?
The tentative happiness was immediately extinguished from his face.
- Slytherin, probably- he said miserably- like my mum and dad
- Well, there's nothing wrong with that! Slytherin's a great house!
An unbelieving smile touched the corners of his lips.
- Yeah well…if you say so…
- Don't you want to be in Slytherin?
- No, I don't. I don't think like my parents or my grandparent or anybody! That's why I'm better off alone!- he was angry now, at himself mainly, for being so pathetic.
Lily looked as if she could read his thoughts.
- No, I guess you don't- she said thoughtfully- but there's nothing wrong with being different.
There was a commotion inside the compartment as the Snap cards exploded.
- Oi, where's Lily?- shouted Albus over the noise.
- I've got to go- apologised Lily- do you want to come into our compartment?
- No! I mean…I can't…bye.- he picked up his trunk and started dragging it down the corridor
- Bye
Lily slipped back into the compartment and coughed as she inhaled the smoke caused by the explosion.
- Lily! Where were you?
- Toilet- she muttered
- We're nearly there- interrupted Rose- we should get changed soon.
Everyone started rummaging in their trunks to extract their school robes. Lily felt very proud as she stood there, in her black robes with the Hogwart's emblem on her chest. She buckled her new cloak with the silver clasp and fidgeted with her pointed hat. They were nearly there!