Disclaimer: I do not own anything that is obviously J.K. Rowling's. But that would be really awesome if I did.
A/N: SOOOOOOOO sorry this took so long to write. Very busy with the 2nd semester starting. Blame my math teacher! He's killing me with homework and such! I'll try to make more time to write. But school has to come first!
The three of us hopped of the train and instantly were bombarded with an amazing view of the ancient castle. The highest tiers of the towers seemed to be holding the sky in place connected with the Earth.
As we looked at our new school with gaping mouths, I heard a familiar voice, "First years, over 'ere. Come on now. Ain't got all day. Yeh can stare at it as much as you want for the next 7 years, but not tonight. We gotta yeh to the sorting." It was Hagrid. Rose and I had only seen him during the summer breaks when he came to see my father, and Rose's parents. He was quite emotional when it came to those three. They had been very been very kind to him when they were our age.
Rose, Scorpius, and I exchanged glances. "Let's go say hello to Hagrid," Rose said leading us up to the towering half-giant.
"Rose, Albus. How are yeh. And who might this be?" He said gesturing to Scorpius. "I'm not surprised you lot 'ave already made friends on the way 'ere, considering how popular yeh parents are now." I thought I saw a tear in his eye.
Scorpius cleared his throat. 'I'm Scorpius Malfoy. Nice to meet you." Scorpius held out his hand for Hagrid to shake. I could see Hagrid's eyes widen at the sudden realization of who this kid's father was, but he treated him just the same as he did us. He must have known that if he had gained Rose's and my trust, he must be a decent person.
"I expect yeh didn't forget my invitation for tea at my place on Friday did yeh?" Hagrid asked with a wink and a smile. "Of course yer invited too, Scorpius. Any friend of Rose Weasley and Albus Potter is a friend of mine." Scorpius beamed at the fact that he would be included.
"Of course we didn't forget, Hagrid." I assured.
"Your dad reminded you before you got on the train." Rose corrected.
"Shut up," I hissed under my breath.
Hagrid and Scorpius chuckled together.
"Well. Yeh better get a boat before they're all gone." He said ushering us to an empty boat.
"But Hagrid. There's no oars. How are we going to get across?" I asked without thinking.
Rose and Scorpius each kind of did a little face palm. "Seriously, Albus. Are you that thick? Are you sure you're the son Harry Potter? We're going to a school of magic. Don't you think the boats would move by magic?" Rose said. (I think the logic side of her brain is on steroids)
"Oh." I said feeling stupid.
"Maybe he's adopted," Scorpius suggested.
Rose and I gave him a quizzical look for a second and burst out laughing. Despite how stupid I felt, it was easy to be myself around my cousin and most likely new best friend.
Once everyone was in a boat, Hagrid held out his pink umbrella (a very manly color I must say) and the boats simultaneously moved forward gliding across the lake. Scorpius and Rose gave me identical looks that seemed to say, "I told you so," Well, I told them they could bugger off and I left it at that.
The boats soon reached the other side and Scorpius was the first one out. When Rose stepped out of the boat, she slipped and sunk ankle deep into the shallow shore. Scorpius caught her arm before she could fall backwards into the water. I made my way out careful not to slip.
Now Rose was jumping up and down complaining about her cold feet. I smiled to myself as Scorpius rolled his eyes. We began to walk up to the castle with the rest of the first years. Rose decided she could only hop because of the cold state her feet were in. "Wait for me!" She cried after us, as she was falling behind, because of her walking impediment.
I started to laugh as she almost toppled over, but caught herself.
"Come on guys, stop walking so fast!" Rose complained.
I laughed again as Scorpius replied with, "Stop hopping so slow."
That earned Scorpius a glare, but I was the one who was reprimanded. "Al! It's not funny." She was getting increasingly annoyed.
I just shrugged my shoulders to myself still thinking it was very funny. Rose decided to take a different approach. Since I was her cousin I was very used to her complaining. Scorpius, however, was an only child, and has never had to endure any complaining but his own.
"Scorpius….Slow down…" Rose complained.
I could see Scorpius was already annoyed with her complaining. "All right! Fine!" He said throwing his hands into the air, and performing a drying charm. Apparently it worked, and Rose stopped her complaining looking grateful.
We reached the castle and were ushered into a room that James had told me was connected to the Great Hall. Professor Longbottom came out and introduced himself. I remember him visiting my parents. They had all been in Gryffindor together. He explained that when our names were called, we were to sit on the stool, and a hat would be placed on our heads declaring what house we were sorted into. He explained our houses would be a sort of adopted family. Our triumphs would earn us house points, and any rule-breaking on our parts will lose our house points. At the end of the year, the house will be awarded the house cup.
Professor Longbottom led us out into the Great Hall. I immediately saw James at the Gryffindor table pointing me out to all of his friends. I started to feel pressured. I tried to look anywhere but at James. I tried to look for the rest of the Weasley/Potter clan.
I saw Fred laughing next to James. He was a 4th year and James was in his 2nd year. Down the Gryffindor table farther I saw Dominique, a 5th year, sitting with her friends. Dominique always seemed to keep Fred and James in line. She definitely inherited her father's leadership skills. Then again, Fred inherited his father's mischievousness. So did James.
At the Hufflepuff table I saw Molly sitting with Roxanne. Molly was a 5th year, and Roxanne was a second year with James. Roxanne was Fred's little sister, and was a bit mischievous herself. If James was formulating an evil plan in a class, Roxy was usually in on it. Molly was a lot like her father Percy, except more carefree.
At the Ravenclaw table I saw Victoire sitting with her beauty queen friends, and I even caught her waving enthusiastically at Rose. This was her last year at Hogwarts. There was also her younger brother Louis, a 4th year with Fred. He was somewhat shy, but had many of the girls swooning over him because of the looks he inherited from his mother, and his allure he inherited from his dad.
Lastly, at the Slytherin table sat my cousin Lucy. She was a third year, and was currently sending a wad of ink covered parchment into another third year's face. All of her friends sniggered. I began to pity her victim, but that feeling dispersed when the third year sent the same wad of parchment flying through the air only to collide with Lucy's face. She quickly cleaned herself up with a flick of her wand, and patted the seat next to her for the third year boy to sit next to her. They fell into easy conversation and laughed quietly with each other. Maybe Slytherin wasn't so bad after all…
Professor Longbottom began calling off names. I heard names like Abshire, Abrey, Aden, and Andrews being called, and I seemed to tune it out for a while. Outside of my thoughts I could hear Gryffindor and Ravenclaw being called. A couple Hufflepuffs and few Slytherins were named too. I snapped out of my trance when a familiar name was spoken. "Malfoy, Scorpius." Scorpius marched up to the stool and Professor Longbottom laid the hat upon his head. After about 3 minutes, the hat screamed, "GRYFFINDOR!"
The whole room grew so quiet that you could've heard a pin drop. Scorpius held his head high and strode over to the table scanning with his eyes for a spot to sit. Fred and James's mouths were dropped open as if they couldn't believe their eyes. Dom patted the spot next to her. She had always had a soft spot for misfit types. She was one herself. Both Victoire and Louis were Ravenclaws and she was a Gryffindor. Louis and Victoire also got their mother's silvery blonde hair color, while Dom got a mix of flaming red and slivery blonde. The three of them all did inherit their mother's magnetic personality and their father's charm, though. It was good for Dom to take Scorpius under her wing. People would warm up to him faster. Dom gave Fred and James a look that said that if they performed any pranks on Scorpius that were sociably scarring, they were going to have to answer to her. They looked at each other with wide eyes. They seemed to get the message.
Longbottom continued to call more names. Soon and even more familiar name was called, "Potter, Albus!" My heart sped up. I walked to the stool as calmly as possible, but I still felt my knees begin to quake. The hat was slipped on over my eyes, and I was thankful I wasn't able to see the countless pairs of eyes watching me with interest.
"Ah. Interesting. Very different from the elder Potter." The hat mused.
I chortled. "You can say that again."
"But where to put you? Your brother was easy. I was slipped onto his head and he nearly demanded he be in Gryffindor. Very bold for a first year." The hat laughed at the memory.
"Can I ask you a question?"
"I suppose. Ask away."
"Why did you put Scorpius in Gryffindor when his whole family has been in Slytherin?"
The hat paused. "He is very different from his relatives before him. His values were true, his loyalty strong, and bravery unfaltering. Draco raised him well. Your brother and cousin may have to watch themselves with that kind of boy walking around their common room."
"Now, where to put you? You don't detest Slytherin like your brother did and father before him. Although the house had changed much since the famous Harry Potter attended Hogwarts. I understand you have a cousin in Slytherin?"
"Yes. Lucy Weasley. My uncle Percy's youngest daughter."
"So. You wouldn't be opposed it I sorted you there?" The hat clarified.
"I'd like to be sorted into the house I'm most suited for and will thrive in best."
"That's what I'm here for. I see intelligence but not that of a witty, logical Ravenclaw. I see loyalty, but not the same as a just and fair Hufflepuff. I see bravery, but not quite as chivalrous and daring as a Gryffindor. Quite ambitious I see; cunning too. Potential for a great leader, though the skill has not been exercised. Resourceful. Self-preservation is the key in your thoughts of success too. Also, a certain disregard for rules. Taking notes from the older Potter are you now?"
"Possibly." I replied in a cocky fashion.
"Well, I think I've come to a decision. Better be…SLYTHERIN!"
The room grew quiet again, but not nearly as extreme as Scorpius's sorting result. Most of my cousins were clapping and smiling. Fred was red in the face from excessive laughter, as James was continuously slamming his forehead on the table in front of him. Scorpius pointed to James and then gave me a thumbs up. Apparently he approved of my indirect abuse of my brother. I took a seat next to Lucy as she and her friends gave me pats on the back and one armed hugs.
"Glad to have you on the team, Al. Oh, this is great! Now James can't make fun of me about being a snake without directly insulting you; his own flesh and blood." Lucy said relishing the moment.
Rose was called. "Ooo, this should be good!"Lucy squealed.
Like Scorpius and I, she had an internal conversation with the hat. After about 2 minutes the Hat yelled. "RAVENCLAW!"
This was no surprise. It was a tossup between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. Just like her mother. (Ha. Take that Rose. I can think it and you can't hurt me!)
McGonagall stood up and cleared her throat. The hall quieted immediately. "As you older students are surely aware." She looked pointed at Fred and James. They gave her innocent little smiles, and it took all of my strength for me to refrain from bursting out in laughter. "The dark forest, also known as the forbidden forest, located on the border of the school grounds, is strictly prohibited to any student of any age. Also, Mr. Filch has posted the products banned from the premises. This includes any Weasley Wizard Wheezes products."
McGonagall smiled, and all members of the Weasley/Potter clan exchanged evil grins. Everyone knew that Uncle George personally gave "care packages" to the older cousins full of troublesome Weasley Wizard Wheezes products that were handpicked just for Dear Old Mr. Filch. Uncle George always said that it he couldn't be at Hogwarts to cause Filch physical and emotional damage, then he would just have to allow the next generation the pleasure of doing so. "The full list is posted on the door to Mr. Filch's office. On another note, the first Hogsmeade trip for 3rd years and older is scheduled for October 12th. Well, that seems to be the end of my required formal speech, so as a great wizard once said, "Tuck in!"
Platters, dishes, and trays appeared in the hundreds along each of the four tables. Seeing the endless supply of Roast Beef, potatoes, carrots, and sausages made me realize just how hungry I was since the small breakfast my mum had made this morning. I began shoveling food vigorously onto my plate. After it was on my plate, I began inhaling it. I hardly even tasted it.
I felt Lucy nudge me in the side. She pointed at the Ravenclaw table at Rose. I imagined I looked almost identical to her. She was also forcefully shoveling food into her mouth. Her mother always said she had my Uncle Ron's appetite. Though, she was one of those people that could eat anything they wanted, and not gain an ounce in the morning.
Once the last bite was devoured, the plates and remains of the abundant dinner disappeared. McGonagall stepped up to the podium once more to announce that the prefects were to escort the first years to their respective dormitories.
Dominique was the prefect for Gryffindor house and I could see Scorpius walking next to her as she led the first years out. Molly was a prefect also for Hufflepuff, and seemed to take great pride in the task of leading first years. I saw Rose chatting girlishly with Victoire and her friends. Rose seemed to have dragged Louis into the conversation too. Having Rose with him seemed to make him come out of his shell a bit in front of his classmates. Rose was definitely meant to be in Ravenclaw.
The Slytherin prefects stood up and motioned for the rest of the house to join them. I saw The Gryffindors and Ravenclaws make their way up the stairs as we made our way down. I made sure to follow closely behind Lucy and her friends. The Hufflepuffs were following behind us with Molly leading. They soon veered to the left as we kept going straight.
We were headed to the dungeons. I shivered as I recalled all of the creepy stories James had filled my head with about this place. The prefects stopped in front of what seemed to be a normal looking wall. One of the girl Slytherin prefects turned to say, "Everyone, the password is Black Mamba. The password changes regularly, so be sure to keep up with the passwords." He turned back the wall to recite the password once more. The wall slid to the side almost soundlessly, and revealed a shadowy room filled with a hazy green light. The dungeons were found underneath the Black Lake.
The older students, including Lucy, dispersed to lounge on the couches or go up to their dormitories. This left me with the rest of my first year classmates, and the prefects. This time one of the boys decided to explain. "Well, girls, your dormitory is on the left, and boys; your dormitory is on the right. Your things are already up there thanks to the house elves. Any questions?"He took a short pause. "No? Okay. Have fun, and run along." He sprinted towards the couch and jumped on it, almost squashing a girl underneath him. She didn't seem surprised by this behavior so I assumed she was his girlfriend.
My classmates (now roommates) ran up the stairs eagerly, and I followed. I was the last one in the dormitory and everyone seemed to have claimed their beds. I sat down on the only remaining one. One of the other boys walked up to me giving me a little wave. "Hey. I'm Kyle Zabini. I figured you'd want a bed by the window so I saved you the one next to mine."
"Thanks. Yeah, I wasn't exactly planning to be in this house...no offence." I said remembering that Kyle's father was in my father's year and was a Slytherin. "It just hasn't quite sunk in yet."
Kyle laughed. "None taken. I was expecting Scorpius to be my roommate for the next seven years. Look how that turned out."
"Guess you just have to settle for me then." I said with a false sigh.
"Oh. I know. It's just such a letdown." Kyle replied with a clever gleam in his eye.
I yawned reminding myself just how tired I was. I looked around to see the rest of my roommates already in their pajamas talking quietly to those around them. Kyle raised his eyebrows at me. "What do you think? Time to get some sleep before our first full day at Hogwarts?" It was Friday, which meant that we had 2 days before classes began on Monday. We wouldn't always be so lucky, so most students planned to make it an early night and take advantage of the back-to-school weekend.
"Sounds like a good plan." I said smiling. "Goodnight Kyle."
He returned the smile. "Goodnight Albus."
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