Chapter Four
Albus's POV
My legs felt like jelly as Rose, Thalia, Scorpius and I walked over to the sound of Rebeus Hagrid's booming voice.
"Hello, Hagrid!" Rose greeted politely.
"'Ello Rose, Albus," he greeted my cousin and I. I greeted him back.
"An' 'o are these, Rosie?" Hagrid asked, gesturing a giant hand to Thalia and Scorpius.
"Oh, these are our new friends, Thalia Wilcox," Thalia waved to him with a grin, "And this is Scorpius Malfoy," Scorpius greeted Hagrid, a little bit shyly.
"Nice ta meet yah two. Now, come on o'er, firs' years, firs' years! O'er 'ere, o'er 'ere!" He bellowed.
Scorpius addressed me. "Who was that?"
"Oh, a good friend of our families. Hagrid taught mine and Rose's parents back then, and he still teaches."
"Cool." He smiled. He was more of a shy person, I guessed, since he didn't talk a lot, unlike Lily, Rose, and pretty much every other female cousin I had. Well, it was sort of nice, he did talk, but only when it was necessary and he didn't babble on and on. I was starting to like Scorp.
As we boarded the boats, I tried to sit with the other three, but two other first years already boarded a boat with Scorpius and Rose, leaving me with Thalia and two strangers. She and I didn't talk on the train except for when I had wrongly prejudiced Scorpius (I swear, it's my Uncle Ron's fault for filling my head with squash!) and she'd given me a little speech. Thalia was bold and outgoing, that much was true. It's not that I didn't like Thalia, I DO like her; she was nice, I guess she just took me by surprise, since no one but my parents and Rose lectured me, and I didn't think anyone else but my family had the power to do that. Thalia was surprising.
As our boat set off, Thalia spoke to me. Regarding me, she said, "I haven't heard you speak to me the whole ride. I've talked to Scorpius and Rose, but I haven't really got to know you."
She wants to get to know me? Trying to hide my surprise, I decided to play it cool. Making my face as neutral as possible, I asked, "What would you like to know about me?"
She looked thoughtful. "Anything, I guess."
I thought hard. "My full name is Albus Severus Potter, I'm named after two Headmasters of Hogwarts, my parents are Harry Potter and Ginny Weasly-Potter. My birthday is March 13. I have an older brother named James that is two years older than me and a younger sister named Lily who is two years younger than me. I have about a bazillion cousins I'm not even bothering to count and about half as many aunts and uncles. My favourite cousin is Rose-don't tell any of my other cousins that-and my favourite color is blue. I love my family, but I find it hard to try to live up to everyone's expectations because since Harry Potter is my Dad, they expect any offspring if the Chosen One to be as brilliant as himself. Since James has been letting them down so far-" Thalia laughed, I grinned, "They're expecting me to be bloody amazing. That's one thing I hate."
She smiled. "My full name is Thalia Isabelle Wilcox, I have NO idea who I'm named after, and my mum is Sally Wilcox. My birthday is June 20. I have no siblings or cousins- that I'm aware of-but I have a grandma and grandpa. My favourite colour is teal. One thing I hate is my mum and my grandparents keeping secrets about my life from me." I raised an eyebrow. What could be that big a secret to keep from your own granddaughter?
"Well, what are they keeping from you?" I asked.
"Well," She said, biting her lip. "They're not telling me about who my dad is. You see, him and my mum divorced before I was born. The reason? I have no clue," She shook her head, her brown hair swishing back and forth. "My mum's a Squib, because Gran and Grampa are wizards. Whenever I ask about him, they just stiffen and avoid the subject." She sighed. "I don't even know if he was a Muggle or a wizard." She sounded crestfallen, for the first time I had ever met her.
I put my arm around her. "Hey, it's going to be fine, I'm sure you'll find out who he is soon enough. Now," My heart racing at the sight of her blue-grey eyes as she looked up hopefully at me-wait, what? No, I just met her. No way could I fancy her right now...but those eyes...
Knocking myself out of my reverie, I tried again. "Now, we have to worry about which house we'll get sorted in." My fear of being put in Slytherin rose up again. Oh, Merlin.
Thalia looked at me thoughtfully. "Well, I have NO idea whatsoever in which house I'll be put in, but I hope it's with you, Rose and Scorpius." I smiled at her.
"Well, my whole family's been in Gryffindor, except for Victiore, Dominique, Lucy and Molly. They're the brainy kids." Thalia laughed. "But, I'm sort of scared to be put into Slytherin. There's nothing wrong with the house, it's just that, everyone's expecting me to follow in the rest of my family's footsteps, and if I'm not in Gryffindor, or at least Ravenclaw, people are going to be disappointed." I finished.
"Hey, if you're not what people expect you to be, so what? You're not the exact replica of Harry Potter, are you? You're not gonna turn out to be this massive hero who hunts down Dark Wizards. You're Albus Potter, and you can be anything you freakin' wish to be!" She yelled it a bit too loudly, and it attracted some strange looks from other first years.
"Shh, keep it down, will you? I appreciate it, but you don't exactly have to scream it to the world." She crossed her arms in front of her chest, looking a lot like Rose, whenever I got something right and she didn't. I just managed to stifle a laugh as we spotted the looming silhouette of Hogwarts. Everyone gasped in awe, as we took in the massive towers, the perfect turrets, and the grounds. It certainly was breathtaking.
We stepped out of our boat and caught up with Scorpius and Rose. We didn't speak; we just stared in awe at the grand castle as we approached it. The doors swung open a brightly lit foyer greeted us, along with a round-faced teacher, whom I recognized as Rose's and my 'Uncle' Neville. He took us all in and smiled at Rose and I especially.
"Good evening, first years, my name is Professor Longbottom. You will be Sorted shortly into one of the four Houses. The four are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. The Sorting will place you into the appropriate house according to your qualities." He paused to give us first years a sweeping look, "I will be back in a moment."
Everyone around us was whispering frantically, trying to ask each other which House they want to be in. Before I could turn to the other three, who seemed to be trembling in their trousers as much as I was, the doors of the Great Hall swung open. There was silence, and Nev-ahem, Professor Longbottom led us straight through the middle of the Hall. The enchanted ceiling was huge; I could barely turn my neck enough to see it all. I turned to see my friends' reactions; they were all doing the same thing I was, taking it all in with a giant comical 'O' on their faces. There were four grand tables and one at the back of the Hall, where all of the teachers sat. I caught my brother James's eye at the Gryffindor table. He gave me a thumbs up and I smiled back queasily. Those Cauldron cakes I ate on the train were forcing its way up my throat.
The Hat sung its song, and soon names were being called to get Sorted. After a while, "Malfoy, Scorpius!" was called. I patted him on the back encouragingly. Everyone seemed eager to see what the outcome of this junior Malfoy's Sorting would be as the pale blond shakily walked up to the Hat and placed it on his head. After about 5 minutes, the Hat made its decision.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Everyone seemed shocked, even the teachers. I realized everyone would be gaping at him until someone did something. So, I yelled out, "YEAH! SCORPIUS! WOO HOO!" and started clapping. Thalia and Rose followed my lead and pretty soon the Hall was full of applause at the first Malfoy to be Sorted into Gryffindor. After a few more names, (Olliver, John: RAVENCLAW!) my name was called.
I once again felt stares, and I looked back at my three friends and made my way to the Hat. I placed it on my head, glad not having to face the stares again. As the Hat covered my bespectacled eyes, I heard a voice.
Another Potter, eh? Where are we going to put you?
Please not Slytherin, Please not Slytherin.
Not Slytherin? Why not? You're very ambitious, perfect material for Slytherin...
NO, NO, NO, NO.
Hey, you didn't let me finish. Yeesh! You are very ambitious, but your kind and brave heart overpowers your ambitiousness. Yes, perfect ambition for Slytherin, lots of loyalty for Hufflepuff, and tons of wittiness for Ravenclaw...but your pure heart is the bigger percentage. Just like your father. So, I should put you in...
Brace yourself, Al, brace yourself.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
I opened my eyes and took the Hat off my head. With a grin that stretched from one ear to another, I practically skipped over to the Gryffindor table where the applause and cheers were the loudest. I pulled a seat next to Scorpius and was clapped on the back by James.
"Good job, little bro. I knew you were Gryffindor material." He said.
I rolled my eyes. "James, you said that I was going to end up in Slytherin."
He grinned. "I was testing you, little brother. And you passed."
Rolling my eyes again at him, I turned to Scorpius. "How does it feel to be defying tradition, mate?" I inquired. He'd told me that every single family member of his had been Sorted into Slytherin.
He smiled. "Quite good, actually. My grandfather isn't going to be pleased. Oh well. Who needs him." I laughed along with him.
"Weasley, Rose!" Nevi-(darn it!) Professor Longbottom called.
Everyone else was holding their breath, just like they did for me. I watched as my cousin shakily walked up to the three-legged stool the Hat was on, her auburn curls bouncing. She sat down and put the Hat on. After a while, the Hat bellowed, "GRYFFINDOR!" and Rose came to the Gryffindor table, smiling as applause filled the Great Hall.
"Great job, Rosie." I said as she sat down next to me.
"Yeah, great job, Rose. You were excellent." Scorpius told her. They had seemed to develop a closer friendship during the boat ride. She beamed at both of us.
"Thank you, you two." She said as Veronica Weston was sorted into Hufflepuff.
"Wilcox, Thalia," I watched as Thalia walked uneasily up to the Hat and placed it on her head. I was holding my breath like Rose and Scorpius were doing, hoping she would get Gryffindor like the three of us were. After a few moments, the Hat bellowed:
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Beaming, she ran to the Gryffindor table, where the applause and cheering was the loudest. Rose hugged her, Scorpius patted her on the back and I smiled at her. "Good job, Thalia. I wasn't surprised you made it to Gryffindor. What with all the yelling you've been doing to me, I'd say you are pretty brave." I joked. She playfully punched me in the arm and turned around to talk to Rose.
Professor McGonagall stood up. "Quiet, down, quiet down," She said and the Great Hall fell silent. "I welcome you back to a new school year at Hogwarts. I hope you find it an enlightening experience. Now," She said, waving her arms and food appeared. "Let the opening feast begin!"
Scorpius, I, and just about every Gryffindor guy started chowing down. The girls-*cough, cough* Rose, Thalia- just rolled their eyes at us, muttered something about boys being pigs and started eating. I snorted. Girls.
When the feast was done, two Gryffindor prefects-my cousin Dominique and another bloke named Ryan Boot- led us up a flight of stairs until we came to a portrait of a quite obese lady.
"Okay, this is the Fat Lady. Whenever you need to get inside Gryffindor Tower-" Dominique started.
"Which you'll have to a lot," Ryan interrupted cheekily.
After giving him a smack up the head, Dominique continued. "As I was saying, whenever you need to get inside Gryffindor Tower, you need to give the Fat Lady a password. It will change, and when it does, we'll inform you the new one. Now pay attention, you have to remember it, or else you have to wait for someone else to help you out." She turned to the portrait. "Hippogriff."
"You may enter." The Fat Lady responded, and the portrait swung open, revealing a passage way. My breath caught in my throat as I took in the room we just entered.
There were scarlet sofas surrounding a warm, blazing fireplace. On one wall, there was a giant banner with a golden lion set against red. There were to spiralling staircases, where I supposed led to the dormitories.
"Okay, this is the Common room," Ryan explained, motioning around the large room. "You can chill, study, read, whatever you want in here, but there's always the library for the reading and studying, right?" He joked, earning another smack from Dominique.
"And, the staircase on your right leads up to the girl's dormitories. Boys aren't allowed up there, as there's a curse that blocks you from getting farther than the first step. Same goes for the girls at the boy's dorms, on the left." Dominique said. "You can go unpack now in your dormitories."
After saying goodnight to Thalia and Rose, Scorpius and I went up the left staircase and were greeted by a room with five four-poster beds with curtains surrounding each one. I found out that Scorpius and I were sharing the room with Frank Longbottom, Michael Finnigan, and Justin Thomas. Each were pretty interesting to get to know and after a long session of sharing facts about each other and eating Bertie Blott's Every Flavour Beans-I got soap, blech- we decided to go to sleep.
Lying on my bed, I turned to Scorpius, who was taking out a few of his personal belongings from his trunk. "Hey, mate?"
"Yeah?"
"D'you think this will be the best seven years of our lives?" I asked.
He grinned. "Hell yeah, mate. Hell yeah."
A/N: What d'you think? Loved it? Hated it? Please R&R! Next chapter will fast forward five years; into their sixth year! Yay!