Sorry for my delay! Here it is the second chapter!
Chapter 2: Potions and friends
Along with Rose Weasley and the other first years from Slytherin and Ravenclaw, Albus Potter entered the potions classroom. It was reminiscent of the Slytherin dungeon. A wet place, underground with green stone walls. The biggest difference was the lack of windows. Albus silently shook his head as he glanced
"Seems the giant squid won't be paying me a visit."
Albus and Rose quickly chose a desk near the front of the room. They could clearly see Slughorn's messy desk full of papers, potions, scales and books. Professor Slughorn waved every into their seats, an affable smile on his face. "I know, I know. You are all very excited about your first class. And I am certain
you will be even more excited when I tell you what we will be brewing today!" Several Ravenclaws straightened up, eager to begin.
"I have planned for today the Forgetfulness Potion! Does anyone know
anything about this peculiar brew?" Rose's hand flew up in the air.
"The Forgetfulness Potion causes the drinker to suffer a short term loss of memory. It can be used in place of an Obliviate, but is less effective. However, its use requires less skill than a Memory Charm."
"Excellent Miss Weasley. You've inherited your mother's brains, I see. She was always one of my favorites." Slughorn beamed at Rose, who blushed. "Five points to Ravenclaw! Now, if everyone else will open their books to page fifteen?"
There was a rustling of papers as everyone flipped through their texts. One of Albus' year mates raised his hand, offering to read.
"What is you name m'boy?" Slughorn asked cheerily.
"Scorpius sir. Scorpius Malfoy."
"If you will begin Mr. Malfoy?" Albus was not sure, but he thought Slughorn's voice had grown somewhat colder.
Perhaps he had imagined it though. Certainly Scorpius showed no sign as he began reading.
"The Forgetfulness Potion is a potion which causes a variable degree of short term memory loss in the drinker."
"Very good then. If you would follow me." Slughorn lead them across the hall to a second room.
Inside was a cauldron, a set of scales and ingredients, just waiting to be used. The first years gathered around. Albus raised a hand, hoping to be able to do the first steps. He was surprised to find himself actually excited about brewing his first potion.
Slughorn nodded, waving Al onwards. The messy haired boy swallowed nervously, ignoring everyone's stares. Focus, he reminded himself, carefully measuring out the drops of Lethe water.
Horace Slughorn smiled at his young snake's determination. And those eyes! Ah, Lily would have been proud of her grandson. Maybe potion abilities skipped a generation?
"Um..Okay, so according to the book we should first add two drops of Lethe River
in the cauldron." Ignoring everyone's looks, Albus turned to the professor waiting for affirmation.
Slughorn raised a hand, turning to the class. "I am sorry to interrupt m'boy. But I want everyone to pay attention how we add the drops." The professor carefully added one drop to the cauldron. "We have to be very careful. The Forgetfulness Drought is not volatile, but it is never to early to learn good habits!" He chuckled at the students half-panicked glances.
Albus, Rose and another Ravenclaw student prepared the potion. When they
finished Horace checked it, and congratulated the students. A few Albus's
classmates frowned when homework was assigned - a report on the Forgetfulness Potion due Friday. Before Albus could leave, Slughorn called him over. "You're very good at potions m'boy. I hope to see even more of your work in the future." Albus smiled and chuckled. He felt a very good feeling inside him, a feeling of satisfaction. At least I was good at something, this peculiar thought pass through his mind.
Rose left the dungeons talking to a very small Ravenclaw girl, waving goodbye to Albus. He sighed, wishing he had more classes with her. He headed to the third floor and Defense against the Dark Arts, while Rose headed for the green houses and Herbology.
Heading to the classroom, Albus could not help but notice that Scorpius Malfoy was the only other Slytherin near him. Well, it was not as though I can spend the next seven years without talking to my housemates, Albus consoled him self, as he turned to talk to the son of his father's rival. He had heard about Scorpius before, of course. The son of Draco malfoy, the man who had spent his years at Hogwarts trying to make Albus' father's life miserable. But Scorpius seemed to be cut from a different cloth, and Albus had never heard either of his parents say a word against Astoria Greengrass, his mother. Albus was already in Slytherin, it wasn't possible for him to ruin his life even more now.
"Hi," Albus said, trying not to sound to stiff. "I'm Albus Potter."
The pale boy nodded. "Scorpius Malfoy," he replied. "How did you find potions?"
"I really liked it." Albus smiled, thinking back on the lesson. "It was a lot better than my parents made it out to be. Particularly my father, he hated potions!"
"I enjoyed it too," Scorpius admitted. 'I thought it might be different, brewing with a teacher instead of my father, but it was a lot of fun. I just wish I had gotten to do more..."
"Well, Slughorn seemed to want volunteers today. We'll probably be brewing on our own soon enough though."
"True." Scorpius nodded. "What other classes are you interested in? Personally, I'm curious about Transfiguration. My mother says it's hard, but very rewarding though."
Albus laughed. "She sounds like my Aunt Hermione! 'You have to work for anything worthwhile,' and stuff like that. Though I agree with you about Transfiguration. I mean, you need it if you want to become an animagus, and that would be really amazing to do. My grandparent was an animagus, a stag."
"Really?" he sounded amazed. "I wonder if I would be a bird. Could you imagine just flying, no broom required?" Scorpius' grey eyes seemed almost dreamy.
"Yeah," Albus agreed, "though even regular broom lying is amazing. Do you fly much?"
Scorpius shrugged. "I have a broom, but I don't get to use it as much as I'd like. Wish I could have brought it here, but school rules mean it's sitting in a shed at home." He scowled.
"Mine too," Albus nodded morosely. "it isn't fair that we have to wait a whole year to bring them here. It is not as though we can't fly! I mean, my Mum is a quiditch star! Shee plays for Holyhead Harpies, do you know her? She is Ginny Weasley!"
Scorpius nodded fiercely. "Exactly! I agree with you completely. I-" He broke off as they approached the classroom. The Gryffindor students were already there, scowling at the snakes. Albus did not mind though. For the first time since his sorting he was happy... happy with Slytherin.
The door opened and a familiar face appeared. Teddy Lupin was wearing dark brown robes and his hair was riot of colors. Red, yellow, blue and green streaks swirled around his crown. Several of the students gave their professor an odd look. Albus just rolled his eyes, used to his almost brother's odd hair styles.
"Come on in guys!" Ted called, grinning broadly. As the people entered he looked for Albus. "Hey Al... I mean... Mr. Potter!" He embraced the younger boy, quickly releasing him. "Good to see you."
"Hello Professor Tonks. Guess I'll have to remember to call you that now."
"Guess you will! Well, come on in!'
Albus smiled.