Chapter 2

The Sorting

Disclaimer: I do not own the world or characters of Harry Potter. However, I do claim ownership over any original characters that may appear in this story.

The group of first-years huddled in the corridor in front of the Great Hall. Albus looked around at the varying emotions of his future classmates. Some were whispering in hushed tones, foreheads crinkled with concern while others were joking and laughing, perfectly at ease. Albus wished he could feel light-hearted but he was worried. He could feel his hands getting clammy as Luna Scamander emerged from the great hall. Luna was around his parents' age and, according to the stories, fought with them in Dumbledore's Army. Her long, blonde hair was woven into a braid that reached right below her waist, interlaced throughout it were small flowers, some that Albus had never seen before. Scorpius leaned over to Rose and whispered, "Is that Loony Lovegood?"

"Her name is…" Rose started but was cut off.

"Actually my name is Luna Scamander, or Luna Lovegood. I'd prefer you call me that unless you want me to feed you to the Flesh-Eating Slugs." She said with a raised eyebrow and an airy voice. It was almost creepy, Albus thought, the sweetness of her voice combined with the meaning of her threat.

Scorpius turned a hideous shade of red and stammered, "I'm… I'm sorry." She seemed pleased with his apology and continued.

"First-years today you will be sorted into one of four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin. I am the head of Ravenclaw and will be escorting you into the Great Hall. There, you will wait until the Sorting Hat calls your name and selects what house you will be spending the next seven years of your life in. Good luck!" She said with a smile. With that she turned and opened the wide, double doors to the Great Hall.

The room erupted in cheers as the group walked to the front of the room, where a tattered looking hat was sitting upon a stool. As Headmaster McGonagall welcomed the new students and made announcements about forbidden areas, Albus scanned the crowd for James. Eventually he found him, his unruly black hair giving him away. He tried to make eye contact, but James was engrossed in a conversation with the girl sitting to his right. Albus sighed, always the charming one.

"Scorpius Malfoy." Rang McGonagall. Rose gave him a polite nudge, and he stumbled to the empty stool. Albus could hear the whispers radiating through out the room, "Death Eater", "Voldemort sympathizer", the name calling continued as McGonagall dropped the hat onto his head. His eyes were closed in concentration as if he could will the Sorting Hat to put him in something other than Slytherin.

"GRYFFINDOR." Rang the Sorting Hat. Scorpius was wide-eyed but relieved. The entire room was silent, no cheers or whoops for the son of Draco Malfoy. Albus didn't think he minded the silence though; he wasn't one for that kind of attention. Maybe that's why Albus liked him so much. He took his seat on the end of the Gryffindor table and was given a weary smile by the guy next to him.

People continued to get sorted, though none as awkward as Scorpius. Finally, with a roll of her eyes she said loudly, "ALBUS POTTER". Cheers rang out, but Albus kept his head down. He didn't like the attention that his fathers' fame had brought. James had always used it to his advantage, getting girls to swoon over him as soon as he said his last name. But Albus didn't want that fame. He just wanted to be Albus. Too much pressure came with his last name, too many expectations. He plopped on the stool and felt the soft fabric surround his head.

"Ah another Potter…" The voice echoed in his head.

"Not Gryffindor, not Gryffindor." Albus whispered.

"Not Gryffindor?" The hat sounded surprised, "Your father must have taught you this trick, eh? But your chivalry… and your courage… You're the perfect fit for Gryffindor. It's in your blood."

"Not Gryffindor, not Gryffindor. Please not Gryffindor." Albus pleaded.

The Sorting Hat paused, as if taking a deep breath, and then shouted the one word that would determine his life for the next seven years.

Thanks for reading! Reviews are welcome! (: