Chapter Two - New Beginnings

The train had been chugging along the tracks towards Hogwarts for about four hours. Scorpius was reading his favorite book, Quidditch Through the Ages, and Gelert had been snoozing soundly, when a boy with messy black hair knocked on the compartment door. He looked to be about the same age and behind him was a girl with thick, wavy red hair. Scorpius could have sworn that he had seen them before. Gelert woke with a start, and Scorpius put his book down so that he could open the door.

"Yes?" Scorpius asked the dark haired boy.

"Er, uh, hi. I'm Albus," the boy started. "And this is my cousin, Rose," Albus said as he pointed to the girl that was behind him. "We're first-years too. Can we come in?" he asked. Scorpius thought for a moment before speaking.

"Um, yeah sure," he replied. Scorpius then looked back at Gelert. "If that's okay with you, of course." Gelert sleepily nodded and a small yawn escaped from his mouth.

"Thanks," Albus said gratefully and sat next to Scorpius while Rose sat down next to Gelert. "My brother, James, kicked us out of our compartment. He's a third-year, you see, and he wanted to make room for his friends so, naturally, we got the boot," he explained. Scorpius nodded in understanding, but then noticed that the girl named Rose had been staring at him. It was as if she was scrutinizing him.

"What?" Scorpius asked her with a perplexed look on his face.

"I think that I've seen you before. Let me think a moment. Oh yes! You're Scorpius Malfoy, aren't you?" Rose exclaimed. "My father told me to be better than you in everything. Though I can't imagine why." Scorpius' eyebrows furrowed at what at Rose had said. "But to me you seem perfectly fine," she quickly added. Scorpius turned slightly away from her and rolled his eyes. 'This girl is a nutter,' he thought.

"Well that's nice," Scorpius said, slightly irked. Seeing that he was a little put out, Rose quickly changed the subject.

"So what Houses do you all think you'll be sorted into?" She inquired. "Albus and I are probably going to get into Gryffindor. My mother and father were both in Gryffindor, as were his." Hearing this, Scorpius grew a little apprehensive. Gryffindor House was the sworn enemy of Slytherin House. Maybe Albus' and Rose's opinions of him would change if they learned that both of his parents had been in Slytherin.

"I'll probably get into Slytherin since both my mum and dad were in Slytherin," Scorpius replied, deciding to take the chance. Rose looked a little taken back, but Albus had an expression of acceptance.

"Oh that's cool, and then if you do get into Slytherin, then we'll know someone in another House," Albus chirped. "What about you Gelert? What House do you think you'll get into?" Gelert, who had been half-asleep, woke up once again and rubbed his eyes.

"Pardon?" He asked groggily.

"What House do you think you'll get into?" Albus repeated.

"Oh, er, probably Slytherin. I'm just like Scorpius, you know. Both me mum and dad were in Slytherin too," Gelert replied once he had woken up a little bit more. Albus nodded, but Rose still had that slightly distraught look on her face. Scorpius found it to be extremely rude.

"So do you two like Quidditch?" Albus asked Gelert and Scorpius.

"Of course!" Scorpius replied with a large grin. "It looks like wicked fun too. I've always wanted to be a beater."

"I like to watch it and to read about it, but I'd rather not play. I'm not one for athletics," Gelert replied sheepishly.

"A beater, eh? I've always wanted to play too. That's pretty cool. And that's okay Gelert. Rose here doesn't like Quidditch much. My dad and my granddad were Seekers for Gryffindor and my mum was on the Holyhead Harpies. Quidditch runs the family you see," Albus boasted proudly. Scoripus' eyes grew wide.

"Who are your mum and dad?" Scorpius asked curiously.

"My dad is Harry Potter and my mum is Ginny Potter," Albus replied.

"Bloody hell, that's pretty amazing," Scorpius said in amazement. Scorpius had no idea that Albus' parents were famous. He especially didn't expect that his father was the famous Harry Potter. Scorpius was thankful that Albus didn't act pompous or that he should get special treatment because of who his parents were.

For the duration of the rest of the train ride, Scorpius and Albus heatedly discussed Quidditch, while Rose dove into one of her books, and Gelert fell asleep again. When Albus and Scorpius had barely begun to discuss whether or not the Chudley Cannons would come back from the bottom this season, the Hogwarts Express came to a lurching halt.

"We're here," Scoripus said softly.

A.N. Thanks to everyone who has read "Relapse"! Also, I never mentioned this in the two chapters previous, but, if anyone would like to review this, please do! It would mean a lot as this is my first time writing a fanfic by myself. I'd kind of like to know if I'm any good at this _