I don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter two of Blood Ties. Read and Review.

Harry Potter was sitting down at an outdoor café in London, basking in the warm autumn air and feeling refreshed as a cool breeze blew past him. But even in his relaxation, he was still confused as to why he was there in the first place. He looked around waiting for the person who had called him to this place. It had only been an hour earlier when he had received a letter from the owl requesting his presence at the café.

Suddenly Harry's 'host' arrived at the table with two warm lattes.

"Hello Harry," said Draco Malfoy, "I know I saw you yesterday at the platform, but anyway how have been?"

"Good," replied Harry uneasily, "so erm Draco, I was wondering… why exactly did you call me here today?"

Draco sensed the suspicion in Harry's voice, but he continued on calmly anyway.

"Well I'm sure you know, with you being the head of the Aurors Department at the Ministry, that there was a massive break-out from Azkaban Prizon just last night."

"Yea," said Harry not sure where the conversation was going, and definitely not liking it.

The Night Earlier

Albus, Rose, and Scorpius entered the Great Hall of Hogwarts together along with the other first years. Rose was already making friends with some of the first years as they chatted about different things. Albus felt nervous again as he saw the number of people sitting. He looked at Scorpius who also looked nervous as his eyes wandered over to the Slytherin table. Albus had not taken an instant liking to Scorpius, he had known that wouldn't happen, Scorpius, although not as snobbish as his father, still seemed like he felt he was above Albus and Rose, although he didn't show it much. Albus could sense this in Draco's son, by the way he carried himself and by the look in his eyes.

However Albus had not taken a disliking to Scorpius either, despite what he had expected. In fact some points he made about Slytherin were both legitimate and interesting. And the fact that he managed to start an argument with Rose and not really lose, and not make Rose angry, brought Albus a good deal of respect towards his new 'friend'.

Suddenly, Albus realized that the sorting was about to begin, as a hush fell over the crowded room and a tall man with a deep voice began calling names.

"Aver, Timothy!" he called.

A boy with messy grey hair jumped up onto the seat as the Sorting Hat was placed on his head.

"Ahhh a new student with a fresh young mind," murmured the hat, "yes smart, very smart. And you're one that's not easily frightened either, that's good. Hmm overall though I'd say your cunning and sly, so I suppose you will be… SLYTHERIN!!"

The boy looked both surprised and smug. A mixture of expressions that neither Albus nor Rose had seen before.

The sorting continued in a strange order, it seemed that it was switching from alphabetical to reverse alphabetical each time. This didn't surprise Albus though because the headmaster Adrian Zederick was said to have a disdain for to much order. Pretty soon the man had come to the name Weasley.

"Weasley, Rose!" came the voice loudly.

Rose let out a small squeal of surprise and nervousness. She slowly walked up to the seat, and it was the first time that Albus had seen Rose nervous for quite some time.

The hat was placed on her head when she finally sat down.

"Hmm another Weasley ehh, I do like your family, each one in Gryffindor, and each one achieving great things because of it. Now let me see…" and the hat began muttering to itself so softly that even Rose couldn't hear it, "yes you have much courage, a common Weasley trait, but you have your mothers brain too. Hmm a tough decision, I did place your mother in Gryffindor, I sensed courage in her as well, and you have as much courage as both your parents put together. But the Ravenclaw house is in need of someone with your guts! And soooooooo… RAVENCLAW!!"

Rose was shocked. The Ravenclaw table cheered loudly as she slowly stood up from the chair, shaking the whole time. But then Rose gathered her wit and walked to the table, smiling. "Ravenclaw," she thought. She was happy for herself, even though she would have preferred Gryffindor, Ravenclaw would have everything she ever wanted in the Ravenclaw house, books, and people to talk to about all sorts of things. The main reason she had wanted to be in Gryffindor was to be with her more familiar friends and family, and of course to please her father. "I wonder what dad will say," she thought.

Albus was also shocked. He had wanted to be in the same house as Rose, but he had almost no chance of getting into Ravenclaw. While he wasn't a complete git, he definitely wasn't the brightest boy in the class either. He pondered about his and Rose's placement for quite some time, and he didn't even realize when his name was called. He felt a short jab from Scorpius' finger that made him snap back to reality and step forward and up to the chair.

The Sorting Hat was placed on Albus' head when it started muttering something about courage.

"Yes, you do have courage, but it is buried deep inside. That of course is the best kind of courage! And I sense that you want to be in Gryffindor so... GRYFFINDOR!!"

Albus felt the relief wash over him, he had wanted to be in Gryffindor even if Rose wasn't. He was so preoccupied with his relief that he could not even hear the loud cheers coming from the Gryffindor table. They were still cheering even after Albus had awoken from what seemed like hours of giddy tiredness. He felt his body untense as he walked to his table, where his brother James patted him on the back, James was far prouder of his brother than he was going to let on.

The cheers finally turned to silence as the next child was called. "HUFFLEPUFF!!"

More cheers.

"RAVENCLAW!!"

More cheers.

"SLYTHERIN!!"

More cheers.

The sorting was nearly complete when it was Scorpius' turn.

"Another Malfoy, hmmm I see. Yes I see the cunning that usually comes with your lot. Hmmm, a Pureblood too. Both parents in Slytherine, yes, yes... Ahh but I also see courage, more than your father, but yours is buried, just like the Potter boy. Indeed. Well I suppose it would be safest to put you in Slytherin… But what fun is that! GRYFFINDOR!!"