A/N Usual disclaimer, if you know already, it didn't write it, sadly. I do claim Becky and other new OCs as my own, though not the familiar surnames obviously. The idea for Comparative Cultures, however goes to the excellent whydoyouneedtoknow, and her fanfic Be Careful, which if you haven't read, what are you doing? Read it already – though after the new chapter [below]of The Very Strange Year, obviously!

Last time: The Sorting was about to begin

Professor Longbottom cleared his throat and read out the first name

'Avery, Tarquin', who was only on the stool for a fraction of a second before the Sorting Hat screamed out 'SLYTHERIN!'

Dimly, the rational part of Scorpius's mind, (the part that wasn't incoherent with sickening nerves) noted this was hardly a surprise, knowing what the Avery's claimed about their blood, and their reputation during the war

The next two names to be called out, 'Barker, Keeley' and 'Blake, Katie' went to Ravenclaw, whilst 'Cooper, Nancy' became the first Hufflepuff of their year.

Scorpius only half noticed these Sortings, as he was now staring at the ceiling, semi-oblivious to his surroundings.

It wasn't until 'Creevey, Callum' the small, excitable boy from the boats became the first Gryffindor that Scorpius was brought out of his reverie, partly by the deafening roar from Callum Creevey's new house and partly by what sounded like an angry hiss from Rose.

"What is it?" He asked, ignoring the fact that Becky and Albus were staring at him oddly.

"It's James! They're betting on who gets sorted where!" Rose whispered, displaying a surprising amount of anger for such a low volume.

"He's an idiot, Rosie, you knew that already. If you're that bothered just tell Victoire – she is head girl after all." Albus said.

"And besides, they're going to lose a fair bit of money in a bit aren't they?" Becky added, rolling her eyes and continuing when the other three looked utterly lost. "Well are any of them going to bet on Scorpius being a Gryffindor?"

"Don't count your Snidgets before they're hatched, Becky." Scorpius muttered.

"It doesn't matter." Albus said, with force. "Even if we're all in difference Houses, we can still be friends, right?" he asked.

The four of of them nodded, looking determined, when they heard a cough behind them. Guiltily, they turned, and realised the entire Great Hall was looking at them, including a very unimpressed Professor McGonagall.

"Becky Fletcher." Professor Longbottom repeated, a wry smile on his face.

"Oops." Becky whispered

The colour in her face drained away, and she looked, Scorpius thought, rather like a small blonde frightened rabbit. She walked towards the stool, bolstered by her friends whispered calls of 'good luck!"

Becky took a long time being sorted, and it looked as if she might have been having some sort of argument with the Sorting Hat. But eventually, after a false start that had looked rather like the start of 'HUFFLEPUFF!' The Sorting Hat cried out,

"GRYFFINDOR!"

And then a few Sortings later, it was Scorpius's turn.

He stepped forward, and became aware of a low buzzing in his ears. He wasn't sure if it was the blood pounding in his head, the muttered conversations of the older students, or a mixture of the two.

He didn't realise that he'd reached the Sorting stool until he nearly tripped over it. Professor Longbottom placed the hat on his head, which slipped over his eyes, something Scorpius was secretly glad for, as it meant he didn't have to look at anyone.

"So..." A little voice suddenly said in his ear, and it took all his 'pureblood' training not to fall off his seat in shock. "A Malfoy, eh? Haven't had one of those in a while...still only one place for you and that's SL-"

"NO!" Scorpius thought fiercely.

"No? No? You meant to say you don't want to be a Slytherin? There hasn't been a non-Slytherin Malfoy in almost a century! And you'd fit in so well! You want to prove yourself, someone has taught you to be cunning, a perfect Slytherin candidate in fact..."

"I know all of that. But Please! I wouldn't last five minutes!"

"Well..."Scorpius wasn't sure if the hat sounded dubious, or whether that was just his own imagination. He wasn't even sure if hats could sound dubious.

"I really want to be with my friends. With Becky Fletcher, and Rose Weasley and Albus Potter. I know the last two haven't been sorted yet, but please. Put me anywhere but Slytherin. Even Hufflepuff, I don't care! Just not Slytherin."

"You're not exactly proving your point, you certainly know what you want...but you're tenacious and loyal, so...but no, you're rather lazy to be a Hufflepuff, preferring natural talent making you a rather perfect candidate for Slytherin OR Ravenclaw, since you've got a decent brain as well...but...you're sure you don't want Slytherin?"

"Very sure."

"Very well... I suppose you are braver than I give you credit for... so if you're sure...and why does this seem familiar...better be GRYFFINDOR!"

There was a beat of stunned silence, then the Slytherins began to whisper, almost angrily, the buzz of shocked conversation spreading to the other houses. Then in a voice that could clearly be heard over the noise;

"HAH! They look like they've been Confunded – Good on you Malfoy!" Rose Weasley called.

Scorpius grinned, a huge smile that took over his face, and as people realised, they began to clap, slowly at first, then gathering into a roar that did Gryffindor's house animal proud.

He took a few step towards his new house, when there was a low laugh from a few people. Scorpius stopped at first confused, then looked up, realising he was still wearing the Sorting Hat. He ran back and gave the hat to Professor Longbottom who gave him a smile almost as big as the one Scorpius himself were, and said quietly, 'you're not the first, you know.'

Slightly puzzled, but resolving to ask either Albus or Rose at some point, if they get sorted into Gryffindor, don't get ahead of yourself Malfoy.

Becky tackled Scorpius as soon as he came to sit down, engulfing him in a surprisingly strong hug, considering her small frame, whilst some of the older Gryffindors looked on in astonishment.

"I told you, stupid" She said, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. She then turned to James and Lysander and Lorcan Scamander. "Pay up."

"What?" James asked. "No idea what your talking about kid – oh and I wouldn't sit next to Malfoy either – you don't know where it's been."

"That. Is the most horrible thing you have ever said to anyone James." a voice came flatly from behind. Albus squeezed in between his brother and Becky. "Don't think we won't get you for that. And," he continued glaring at Lorcan and Lysander, "the blue hair." he finally turned to his friends, and fellow first-year Gryffindors. "Why weren't you watching!?" he asked, mock-angrily.

"Your brother," Becky said sticking out her tongue. "But aren't they your cousins about to be sorted?"

Becky was right. The three Weasley were finally up to be sorted, Freddy, the boy at whom Albus had pulling faces earlier. The Sorting Hat hadn't even been on his hat a second before he was made a Gryffindor, and he ran to join the rest of his extended family. Lucy Weasley, the girl with the long red plait was up next, who still looked faintly green. She took a little longer to be sorted than her cousin, but she too became a Gryffindor.

Rose came last, with a ripple of laughter going around at the fact a third Weasley had come up to be sorted in as many minutes. Most people in the room had started to lose interest by now, and were waiting impatiently for the food, but Scorpius, Albus and Becky were all watching with bated breath. Again, Rose's sorted seemed to take forever, and it seemed as if at one point the Sorting Hat was about to call out a name when Rose shook her head, causing more laughter from those still watching. Still, she was eventually sorted, and with what Scorpius and Albus would later swear was the loudest call of 'GRYFFINDOR!' yet.

Finally, whilst Rose slipped in to the seat her cousin and new friends had saved for her, 'Zabini, Belinda,' Scorpius's cousin was sorted into Slytherin and the Sorting was complete. Professor Longbottom rolled up the Hat and took his seat at the staff table, after retuning the Sorting Hat to wherever it had come from.

"I hope McGonagall hurries up, I'm starving." James muttered to his friends, as the Headmistress to whom he referred stood up.

"First of all, I would like to say welcome to our new students, and welcome back to those retuning. However, I'm sure you are all ravenous, despite what you may have eaten on the train, so I shall save more official announcement for when certain students are not distracted by hunger." these words, delivered in a cuttingly dry tone, she directed along with a withering stare at James and the twins, who were currently drumming their hands on the table. "In the mean time," she smiled and stretched her arms out wide. "enjoy."

The new students were once more astonished by another display of Hogwarts's magic, as the golden plates in front of them filled with foods of every sort they could imagine. There was a flurry of movement which spread across the room as students of all ages tucked in heartily.

"Blimey, she's not one to cross is she?" Becky said as she gestured at the Staff table with the mash potato spoon.

"The headmistress? No, she certainly isn't, is she James?" said the girl who answered Becky's question, scowling at James Potter. Scorpius had to look down at his plate hastily to hide his blush, for the girl was stunningly beautiful, with light, strawberry blonde hair. Still he paid attention to her conversation, as it seemed to be good idea to listen advice given by someone wearing a head-girl badge.

"Look Victoire, I don't know what you're talking about. McGonagall has never taken points off me unfairly." James said, with an overly innocent look on his face, as Scorpius noticed out the corner of his eye.

"The key word is unfairly. Just because she used to be Head of Gryffindor house doesn't mean she won't hesitate to take points of you. Nor, come to think of it will I." Scorpius suspected that Victoire was grinning wickedly, when Albus nudged him in the ribs, whispering, 'this should be good'. Scorpius looked up and found that they were both in fact correct.

"I mean, it is head girl's privilege, no duty, to take points where she sees fit."Victoire continued, tossing her hair over her shoulder."

"Oh come on, Vix, you wouldn't take points from your own house. You wouldn't give me a detention either, not when you can't give a good enough reason."

Victoire glowered at James.

"You mean terrorising first-year students, betting on the sorting and turning your brother's hair turquoise wasn't enough? Don't even get me started on you telling everyone about me and Teddy." her glower, impressively in place up to this point faltered slightly on the word Teddy, James, seeing his chance took it.

"Come on! Like Teddy never mucked around at school? And his hair is turquoise-you can't complain." Unfortunately, James's attempt to butter up his cousin, as Scorpius belatedly realised the two must be from their familiarity, failed dismally.

"I might not complain, no James." the wicked smile returned to Victoire's face, and the Scamanders started edge away. "But I think Aunt Ginny wouldn't be very happy with the way you've been acting, and it's not even the start of term proper yet."

James blanched. "You wouldn't. Please Victoire, I'm sorry, I'll do anything you want, just don't tell mum!"

"I'll hold you to that," Victoire said with a truly malicious grin, over the gale of laughter following James's reaction, blowing a kiss at her cousin.

"Are your family always like that?" Scorpius asked Albus and Rose having finally grabbed something to eat. Albus nodded, his mouth full whilst Rose snickered.

"You should see everyone at Christmas. It's amazing we haven't actually destroyed anywhere yet. Not hungry?"She added, seeing that Scorpius only had some bread, cheese, crisps and a piece of chocolate on his plate.

"Not hungry." He confirmed playing with the bread crust. Becky, seeing what it was he had on his plate laughed.

"What are you, a mouse or something?" She smiled, looking scarily like Victoire considering their lack of relation and turned to Rose and Albus. "Fits him pretty well actually doesn't it? Eats cheese and chocolate, quiet, tries not to get noticed...it's better than Scorpius at least isn't it?"

Scorpius buried his head in his hands, ignoring the laughs from his so-called friends. Any nickname but that.

"Mouse Malfoy?" He heard Albus saying. "quicker anyway, and you're right Becky, it does suit him. It's not that bad. Mouse." he finished, answering the newly christened 'Mouse's' groan. Dimly, they could just about make out what he was saying.

"No! Not again, it was bad enough when cousin Nathaniel and Mina used to call me that! God hates me."

"Um...Scorpius?"Rose asked tentatively. "If you really don't like it, we won't call you Mouse, but why not?"

He sighed. How on earth could he explain when he didn't know the reason himself? He eventually decided on the most simple reason he could give. After all, it wasn't as if they'd been disowned...just disappeared.

"My cousin and his girlfriend used to call me it, but I haven't seen them in over a year. I don't even know where they are. And they didn't say goodbye. So, I suppose it's because it reminds me of them." He swallowed, as tears pricked his eyes. He looked up at his new friends, expecting them to be laughing, but to his surprise they were looking at him thoughtfully.

"Fair enough, we'll just have to find another nickname then, I guess." Albus said, and the girls nodded.

Scorpius didn't know what made him look more carefully at the staff table just then, but what he saw nearly made his mouth drop open. Still he wasn't going to say anything just yet. He didn't have to wait long – the second the last person had finished their pudding, Professor McGonagall stood up to make the official notices for the start of the year.

"As I have previously said, welcome all to this year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Firstly, I would like to tell all first-year students that the Forbidden Forest at the edge of the grounds is out-of-bounds, and to remind older students who seem to be oddly forgetful of the fact." Here she directed her words to James and Co., who responded with their best, 'who, me?' expressions. "Mr Filch would like to make it very clear that any products bought at Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes, are banned, and join the list of contraband not permitted at the school."

Professor McGonagall cleared her throat and continued in a brisker, but brighter, manner,

"I would also like to welcome new Professor for Defence Against the Dark Arts, Professor Nat Carter, who takes the post now that Professor Spinnet has left to spend more time with her family. He is joined this year by Professor Minna Grey who takes new subject Comparative Cultures, which replaces Muggle Studies, and is now compulsory thanks to a new educational reform introduced this year."

Both new teachers smiled and waved as McGonagall introduced them, and the pupils applauded politely (even if some of the Slytherins looked a little disgruntled at the idea of Comparative Cultures)– except one. Scorpius's grin was so wide he thought it probably touched his ears – something his friends noticed.

"What's up with you Malfoy?" Rose asked. He gestured to the new professors.

"My cousin – Nathaniel and his girlfriend Mina?" He said, wondering how long it would take his friends to realise why it was he was so happy.

"Oh!" Rose gave a small noise of understanding. Becky and Albus weren't far behind.

"The new DADA professor's your cousin?" Albus asked, "And the Comparative Cultures professor's his girlfriend?"

Scorpius nodded, then frowned at the wicked grin that lit up Becky's face.

"What?"

"Well..." she started, her face suspiciously innocent. "You said it was because it reminded of your cousin that you didn't like the nickname Mouse any more right?"

"Yes..." Scorpius answered warily.

"And now you know where they are, it shouldn't matter, right?"

Scorpius slumped in defeat.

"You're not going to listen to me are you?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

"Nope." his friends chorused, grinning madly. "Mouse." Becky added quickly. Luckily, before Scorpius could make a retort he'd regret, the prefects started to call the first-years to follow them to the common room.

As they left though, they had to pass the remaining staff in the hall. It wasn't for very long, but he had to brush past Min and Nat, and their whispers made his heart swell with pride.

"Told you so, brat." Min muttered, tweaking at his ear

"And don't worry about your dad – he gets uppity, we'll fettle him." Nat said, smiling proudly, although something seemed a little off.

All in all, it was a very satisfactory day, Scorpius decided as he mounted one of the many staircases up to the Gryffindor common room. Not only had he been sorted into the house he'd always felt a secret longing for,, but he'd made new friends, and found out where the first real friends he'd ever made were after over a year. (If he could call his cousin a friend).

He only had time to change into his pyjamas and register his new dorm-mates, Callum Creevey, Bradley Thomas, Freddy Weasley, and of course, Albus, before collapsing into his four-poster bed with scarlet hangings, fast asleep before his head hit the pillow.

A/N This is a revamped chapter. Very little has actually been changed, except Becky's surname (for plot reasons) and to expand and alter Scorpius' Sorting conversation. I've been meaning to do this for a while, but after a delightful (and my first negative) reviewer UG and guest, I might add, reviewed with 'all in Gryffinbore? *yawn*', it prompted me to finally change it. So thanks UG!