A/N: So here is chapter 3 as a good deed from my end since I revamped the story a little, spacing them out a little bit more so it isn't so much info all at once. I believe I had forgotten some of the Weasley grandchildren but please. There is way too many lol. So remember r/r and be kind. I would appreciate feedback :) take care and enjoy!
Disclaimer: Please, for reals. Do I have to do this all the time? I do not own Harry Potter; my only inventions are the offspring of the canon characters. I am but a whimsic Muggle.
Wagers and Sortings.
September 1st finally came. Everyone rushed to get ready while Lily and Hugo waited patiently, seeing as they were already packed. Lily snickered when James was frantic to find his broom(Lucy had hidden it last night) and bellowed at Lily for the prank in which she made a sad face and truthfully said she didn't know where it was since she didn't hide it. She began to sniffle and told James he was ruining her morning; Ginny yelled at him for not being responsible. He caught his sister's face and she flashed him a wicked grin and he couldn't help but begrudgingly admire his sister. He apologized to her, found his broom, and she admitted she knew it was hidden since Lucy did it. He began to roar and Lily had to endure her mother's wrath of not being entirely truthful. James was in the process of defending her when Harry announced it was time to leave for King's Cross. Argument forgotten and a truce formed, Lily and James ran to the car where Albus was waiting, shaking his head and thinking to himself though it sometimes sucked to be the middle child, today he was glad he was. They piled into the car and arrived to meet up with the other Weasleys and their friends. James and Louis and found their friends Lee Jordan Jr. and Elizabeth Wood. Albus along with Rose and Fred found Scorpius and the other Malfoys. Today the Malfoy family was joined by others; Narcissa Malfoy accompanied them since she was to journey with her son and daughter in law to visit the Muggle museums of London. And at Astoria Malfoy's side was her sister, Daphne Greengrass-Nott., who resembled her sister slightly from the facial features. She was taller, regal looking, with black hair framing her face. She had deep brown eyes flecked with specks of green; she stood next to her husband, Theodore Nott, whose face looked formidable despite being on the skinny and slightly annoyed that his nephew was best friends with Albus Potter and Rose Weasley. In front of them stood the twins, who were transfixed with everything around them.
Penelope Nott was looking over everyone in an almost analytical way. She saw some of the other girls who were giving her cousin longer looks than necessary. It was apparent that her cousin was growing up and it was looking good on him. She wrinkled her nose at the thought of him being handsome. He was an annoying git in her opinion, and he couldn't take a joke or criticism from her. She was also scrutinizing his best mate, Albus Potter. She noticed her twin giving him a second glance and she couldn't blame her. He had amazing eyes and from the card she got from the Chocolate Frog he resembled his own father from his youth so much she could swear they were twins. She knew Paulina wouldn't admit it, but she had developed a crush on the young boy. Although he was a Gryffindor and she had a feeling her dad would hate it should that crush come to something more, Penelope couldn't find it in her heart to tease her twin. Deep down she hoped that possibly there was a chance in the future for them to know each other better; maybe she should take her aunt Astoria's suggestion and get along better with her cousin. With that done, they would be able to frequent Malfoy Manor more and Paulina can see Albus outside of Hogwarts during their breaks.
She was shaken by Paulina, reminding her it was time to say goodbye. They hugged their father fiercely while their mother gave them delicate kisses on their cheeks. Their aunt was more expressive; she was weepy after she said goodbye to the youngest Potter, the only girl of that family. Penelope had heard that her aunt was close to the Potter family and she was slightly jealous. She looked for Lily Potter and found her saying goodbye to her parents and aunts and uncles. Merlin's sake there was so many, Penelope thought to herself. They practically ran Hogwarts. Her aunt gave her and Paulina a huge hug and kissed them repeatedly with entreaties of behaving and doing well in their studies. They were hugged last by their uncle who escorted them to board the train. They waved frantically and cried a bit as they engine was sounded, the whistle blew, and the train began to move. They stayed there until their parents vanished from sight.
The twins had waited until the last minute and saw the majority of the compartments were all full. They found one that was being occupied by Lily Potter, Hugo Weasley, and Lucy Weasley. Paulina looked at her twin with a decided look and Penelope nodded in a begrudging agreement. Paulina poked in and asked if they were welcome to join them. Lily grinned at them, recognizing them as Scorpius' cousins.
"Of course! Come in. The others wanted their own compartment since they're older," she said scathingly. "But Rose, Al, and Scor will probably join us later." Paulina smiled and Penelope inquired who the others were as they sat down and Hugo managed to get their trunks settled in with her help. Lily rolled her eyes as she replied,
"My elder brother James. He's in 4th year and doesn't want to be seen with firsties as he called us. Stupid git. He's going to pay for that." Lucy laughed and whispered in her ear which had Lily laugh with a twinkling in her eyes. Hugo shook his head and spoke to Penelope,
"These two always wage a war against James and his friends and our cousin Louis. I wish James could just accept the fact that we will always lose when he faces these two monsters." Hugo chuckled as Lucy hit him while Lily beamed at his praise. Penelope couldn't help but smile broadly. She was liking these three a lot. She knew they were no doubt to be sorted into Gryffindor with the majority of their family. She wondered if any of them were sorted elsewhere when Paulina asked the very question that had been in Penelope's mind. Lily answered while Hugo was sighing in relief.
"Yes, Hugo's older sister Rose, who's in Al and Scor's year, was sorted into Ravenclaw where Lucy's older sister, Molly, is at now. It's her final year and she made prefect which she's angry about; she had her heart set on being Head Girl but they gave it a 7th year from Hufflepuff. Luce and I are hoping we get sorted elsewhere…" Hugo snorted.
"I do not want to be in Ravenclaw with Rose. I rather become Salazar Slytherin's son than deal with her. Bad enough I LIVE WITH THE BLOODY KNOW IT ALL!" he yelled in frustration which had Penelope giggling as she pictured a Weasley in Slytherin. Paulina looked slightly worried. She turned to Penelope,
"If we get separated, will we remain close, Penny?" Penelope looked at her twin in shock. "It's possible you know. I remember mother mentioning to father that in her year a set of twins were sorted into separate houses." Paulina looked worried which Penelope took for fear. She soothed her twin reassuringly,
"We're bound to be sorted in Slytherin. Don't worry about it." Hugo looked a bit disconcerted that these two pretty twins wanted to be in Slytherin, while Lily and Lucy looked at each other, random thoughts running through their minds. Paulina sighed and looked out the window, gazing at the scenery while Penelope found herself getting more acquainted with the others, whom she found she liked a lot more than she would care to admit. The door to the compartment opened and Paulina looked excitedly to who was entering and her smile became huge: it was Albus, Scorpius, and Rose. Penelope stifled a giggle which didn't go unnoticed by Lily, who looked from Paulina to Albus. She caught on quickly and winked at Penelope who grinned in return. Scorpius looked slightly annoyed when he made to introduce his cousins. Albus smiled and waved to them.
"I remember you two from Scor's house. Nice to see you again, Penelope and Paulina." Paulina smiled softly.
"You can call me Lina if you want. That's what Penny calls me." Penelope looked at her twin in shock. She never lets anyone call her that but her. She started to feel a little disgruntled when Lily piped up,
"I rather call Penny something else with an L so all us firsty girls can match!" Lucy snickered while Paulina giggled; Penelope was slightly affronted that Lily called her Penny without asking but she had to admire her boldness. She sneered and dared her to come up with a nickname. Lily paused slightly and grinned.
"Well my middle name is Luna, after my godmother. How about I'm Loony and you're Loopy?" Everyone began to laugh while Penelope and Lily glared at each other before joining in the ruckus. They both agreed that Penny was better. The food trolley came soon after and all the youngsters bought everything and anything. Penelope bonded with Lucy and Lily while Rose and Paulina talked of various subjects they would be encountering and the boys talked of Quidditch since both Albus and Scorpius, as well as another cousin of theirs, Fred Weasley, were going to try out for the team this year. They each felt they were ready to try out and desperately wanted to show James and Louis they were better than them. Lily heard this last part and stated confidently,
"Whichever house I get sorted into, I will try out for the team. I think I am much better than the two of you!" She gloated while Lucy and Hugo egged her on and within moments Lily was making wagers with her brother and Scorpius. Rose was looking at Lily and asked,
"Don't you want to be in Gryffindor too, Lils? I rather thought that's what you wanted." Rose genuinely looked confused but not upset. Penelope was intrigued by this latest development. She had figured the only daughter of the Chosen One would want to follow in her father's footsteps. She had clearly misunderstood the Potter girl. Lily shrugged and replied,
"I'll go wherever the Sorting Hat puts me. But I won't stress over it like someone did," and she looks mischievously at Albus who turned red and chucked a frog at his sister. She laughed and Penelope hoped that Lily would get sorted into Slytherin with her; she clearly had the mindset and the ambition to rise above set expectations and Penelope found herself respecting Lily Potter and understanding why her aunt liked Lily above all the other Potter children. She was determined to be herself no matter what and Penelope wished she was already as set as Lily but then again Lily had grown up with various influences while she and Paulina had few people to take after. Paulina looked at Lily with admiration which she knew was mirrored in her own eyes. It dawned on the twins that Albus and Lily Potter were wise for their age; their parent's history and their entire family had them cautious and in Lily's case defiant as to what was expected of them. They didn't know much of their older brother but from what the twins gathered, the younger Potters were different. Rose was also on guard most of the time but not as much as her cousins, even Hugo was cautious, but he did what his uncle George and cousin Fred do: use humour to combat anything that comes their way. Lucy was still a mystery but she was a sweetheart from what they gathered.
They arrived at Hogwarts and Rose explained to them where to go, and told her brother off for not listening to her. He made a face and seemed relieved to be free from her scrutiny. Lily ran to hug a man big enough to be a giant that scared the wits of Paulina and Penelope. Lucy and Hugo waved to the giant. Seeing their shocked faces, Hugo explained that Rubeus Hagrid, the Care of Magical Creatures professor and gamekeeper, was a close friend of his parents and his uncle and aunt. They would see him from time to time and Lily had loved it when Hagrid would put her on his shoulders when she was younger. He slightly twirled her around now and she giggled with excitement. Paulina motioned to Penelope to look at Scorpius which she did. He seemed to stare of Lily with a weird look in his grey eyes and Penelope's own eyes widened in surprise. Paulina whispered in her ear,
"I don't think he even knows that he was looking at her like that. Let's not tease him, please?" Penelope agreed and she was somewhat excited at the thought of her cousin having a crush on her new friend. But it was a bit weird, a teenager liking an eleven year old; knowing her twin's feelings for Albus Potter, she understood the need for silence. She looked at Paulina and smiled and nodded her head towards Albus. Paulina blushed and pinched her twin who cried out softly in pain. They followed Lucy, Lily, and Hugo into a boat and they managed all to fit. Hagrid had enlarged the boat with a pink umbrella he carried since Lily didn't want to be separated from Penelope.
The first years all shouted in awe except Penelope who was silent and moved at the sight before her eyes. She had heard of Hogwarts all her life and here she was, finally with Paulina. Their new life was about to begin and she couldn't wait a moment longer. Her hands grazed Hugo's accidentally and he gripped her hand unconsciously. She didn't bother to pull her hand away since it brought her a comfort to know she wasn't the only one in awe and she felt the excitement flowing in her blood. A cruel short time later, the view was blocked by the cave where the first year boats entered and were awaited by the Headmistress, Pomona Sprout. After the explanation of what was to come and the importance of each house and how they would be like a family, they all entered the Great Hall which had candles floating in mid-air and the ceiling looking like the night sky, passing an obelisk commemorating the valiant efforts of those that perished in the second Great Wizarding War. She caught a glimpse of the last name Weasley and she wondered which of the Weasleys had died. She instantly felt saddened; she began to understand why her mother refused to talk of the war. People died, and some of them were students of the school who participated in the battle against the Dark Lord. Paulina clutched her hand as she too was moved by the grand monument.
They continued to hold hands when the Sorting Hat was brought out; all of them were surprised when it began to sing on how the four houses manage to bring few personal triumphs that unified the school as a whole and hoped that for the day all the Houses were truly united. They clapped when it stopped singing and all were silenced when the Transfiguration teacher Professor McGonagall called the first names.
At the Gryffindor table, Albus and James blocked out the names that didn't matter. They waited for Lily's name to come up; Scorpius was also anxious because he had a feeling where she was going and it wasn't going to be Gryffindor. She always had the cunning mind but in an innocent nature. That just would make her more endearing and probably would help bridge that gap that still existed at times between the houses. He found himself wondering what kind of woman Lily would grow up to be. He then remembered she was but 11 years old! What was the matter with him? His thoughts were halted when he heard the name Paulina Nott. He looked up and saw his younger cousin about to be sorted. He already knew that the twins were meant to be Slytherin. It made him happy that his cousins got along well with a bunch of Gryffindors. He chuckled but stopped when he heard a loud proclamation:
"GRYFFINDOR!" He heard a gasp across from him and from a few from the crowd which were no doubt Penelope and Lily. Paulina looked nervous but also confident. She smiled weakly at her twin who was shocked. Penelope then looked at her shrewdly for some reason which caused Paulina blushed. She sat herself to the space next Scorpius and Albus was in front of her. He looked at her questioningly and she smiled. This is what she wanted, he realized. He found it odd but then she looked anxious when Penelope's name was announced. She sat down looking determined and the hat hadn't been on her head for a second before it declared her a Slytherin. She got up and strutted to her new house while Paulina laughed. Penelope stuck her tongue out and rolled her eyes. Something was going on and for the first time Scorpius began to care on what his cousins were up to. Other first years were placed throughout the 4 houses when Professor McGonagall called out,
"Potter, Lily!" The whisperings began and he heard James and Louis begin to make wagers and Scorpius placed his.
"10 Galleons, Slytherin." James looked at him scathingly while Louis grinned and wrote it down. Albus looked at him and put down the same bet. James looked ready to kill his brother; for all his boasting he didn't want anyone in his family in Slytherin despite his taunts. They turned to see the outcome and Scorpius held his breath. If he knew his little Flower (did he really think that? Damn.), she was about to make him 10 Galleons richer and deep down, proud. The Sorting Hat took a few seconds; Lily began to grin and the hat made its decision:
"SLYTHERIN!" Shocks were heard all over; but a whoop next to him and a "HELL YEAH!" from the Slytherin table, shook everyone into awareness. James began to swear, Louis began to laugh, and Albus and Scorpius were demanding their money. They all looked to see Lily strutting to seat herself next to Penelope and the girls began to chatter. Occasionally they waved to the Gryffindor table and to Rose and Molly at Ravenclaw, who were stunned. Molly looked at Lily with a scolding look while Rose shook her head with a smile. She should have known Lily wanted to be different from everyone else. Paulina turned to Scorpius and grinned.
"Isn't it wonderful? I have a feeling Lily wanted this. Sneaky girl she is, her and Penelope will be monsters!" Paulina was giggling and Scorpius couldn't help but agree. Albus tickled Paulina on her arm and she laughed harder.
"I'm afraid James isn't thrilled with the outcome." James snorted in rage and set the table laughing some more. Fred was now taking wagers on which house Hugo and Lucy will be sorted into and James was too discouraged to take part. Albus gave his older brother a withering look,
"You're just upset that you can't watch over her like you have been stating all summer and keep the boys away from her."
"Believe me, I can still do that despite her being a Slytherin. No boy will think of her in any way other than our little sister!" James was furious and Albus couldn't help but shrug. He trusted his sister and agreed on one part of James' declaration: no boy will go near her. Hugo's name was called out and was immediately sorted into Gryffindor. He whooped with joy at being separated from his sister and sat himself next to Fred, exclaiming,
"Only Lily would do this. She's making history as we speak! I wish I was cunning like her but I have to satisfy myself with being brave." He grinned cheekily at Paulina and she smiled in agreement. Lucy's name was then called and the wager of her being a Hufflepuff was the popular vote. The Sorting Hat was with Lucy for a few seconds when she was pronounced,
"SLYTHERIN!" Another round of gasps echoed the hall and Lucy grinned in triumph. Molly looked like she was about to faint and cries of joy were heard from Lily and Penelope. For a brief moment, Paulina looked a bit sad of her being left out. A newly minted Gryffindor, Lyla Thomas, hugged her and Paulina looked relieved. After the Sorting Hat was taken away, Headmaster Sprout made the necessary advisements, with rolling her eyes occasionally at Argus Filch's reminder that all products from Weasley Wizarding Wheezes were indefinitely banned. At this Fred and Hugo snorted into their goblets and then the feast began. Occasionally Paulina would make faces at the Slytherin table while Lily and Penelope would smirk and pull faces too. Scorpius saw some of the Slytherins from his year glare at Lily and he feared for her in the common room. She wasn't used to such evil and prejudices and he hoped that indeed her inner Slytherin would keep her from harm.