~What Am I Feeling?~
~Chapter 2- The Sorting~
When the train halted, Albus and Scorpius suddenly silenced. The young boys had spent the whole train journey, chatting about nothing truly important. They had changed into their robes at the right time. Scorpius gradually became more and more confident throughout the time, still feeling slightly shy but Albus had completely relaxed him. Scorpius doesn't think he had ever talked to someone, other than his parents, as much as he had talked to Al in the past few hours.
Both stood up abruptly to look out the window, however they hardly got a good view of Hogwarts castle.
"Come on! Let's go get my bags and then get out of this train!" Albus said with excitement laced in his voice, reflecting on Scorpius.
"Okay… wait, I need to get my trunk." Scorpius struggled with picking up his heavy trunk as well as his owl. When Albus suddenly pulled the owl out his hands he breathed a sigh of relief.
Albus grabbed onto Scorpius' wrist, dragging him out the compartment. They were one of the first out and they sprinting down the corridor, giggling as Albus hauled Scorpius through the train. Scorpius was so excited himself, he almost ignored everyone else's emotions flooding through his being.
Albus found the compartment with his family members crowded inside.
He released Scorpius for a moment and charged forward, pushing past his family to fetch his suitcase. Scorpius didn't know who was who, though he noticed an older boy who looked quite like Albus and assumed it was James, Albus' brother, who he had told him about before. There was also a ginger girl, who looked the same age as them and a few blond girls.
"Who's that?" James questioned with furrowed eyebrows as he nodded towards Scorpius.
Scorpius blushed and lowered his head when Albus grinned, "A friend."
Albus was made to hand Scorpius back his owl when he picked up his own and quickly hurried the other boy out of the cubicle.
Albus and Scorpius were the first students out the door, onto the platform. They finally got the view of Hogwarts castle they wanted and it was hauntingly spectacular. The stars shone over the caste, only making the strong stone towers look even more magical.
Albus bit his lip with a grin on his face. He had heard so many stories about the wonders of Hogwarts from his parents, uncles and aunties and even grandparents. He had heard about all the wonderful, miraculous things involving Hogwarts. Even more recently, he had heard about it from his brother who had been there for two years and before that, from Teddy Lupin and his cousin Victoire.
Yes, he was nervous about which house he was going to be put into. James had been teasing him so much about being in Slytherin, it really scared him. He really didn't want to be in Slytherin, though he didn't actually admit how much he didn't want to be in Slytherin to Scorpius and he put up this excited façade, he was so frightened. But… that didn't matter so much now. He was so completely excited about going to Hogwarts. He just knew he was going to have the best time.
"Although I've grown up around wonderful magic, beautiful magic, this is the most magical thing I've ever seen." Albus nodded, glancing down at Scorpius with the biggest smile on his face.
Scorpius' heart warmed at Albus' sweet words and he gaped at the other boy, "That's such a lovely thing to say."
Albus' smile widened, when loud footsteps were heard from behind them. They both turned around abruptly.
Scorpius' lips parted when he saw a huge man standing there, wearing thick layers, a messy dark beard with thin patches of grey hair streamed through. Though, his face was soft and loving and there were only slight wrinkles rested in the corners of his eyes
"Hagrid!" Albus exclaimed , dropping his bag to the floor as he threw himself forward at the giant, wrapping his short arms around him.
Hagrid let out a throaty chuckle, softly hugging Albus back, "Well 'ello Al! It's nice to see ya finally 'ere at Hogwarts!"
"I haven't seen you for ages, Hagrid. We've all missed you." Albus said with a fake pout.
"Oh, I'm sorry! I've been a bit busy, Al," Hagrid suddenly diverted his gaze to Scorpius, "Well whose this 'andsome young bloke?"
Scorpius blushed yet again and hid behind his hair when Albus piped up, "This is my new friend, Scorpius!"
"Oh yeah? You Malfoy's kid?" The giant asked, nodding at Scorpius.
Scorpius noticed other students start to pile onto the lit platform and he answered as quickly as possible, "Y-yes, I am."
"Oh right, well it's nice to meet ya. I'll talk t'ya both later! Leave ya bags 'ere, I'll take 'em for the first years," Hagrid smiled warmly as Scorpius reluctantly let go of his owl, "Good luck with the sortin."
The next few minutes were a blur for Scorpius. Hundreds of students piled off the train and the mix of emotions emitted was something almost too much to bare. Albus had clutched onto his arm, so they didn't get separated. He felt anxiety but excitement come from Albus, as well as many others around him. There were others feeling slightly more relaxed, Scorpius assumed they were older.
When a couple came past, the feeling of young love and infatuation overcame Scorpius, something which he had never experienced before. He stared after them with wide eyes, as a warm fuzzy feeling overcame his chest. He liked it. It was a nice feeling. Something completely unexplainable but positively wonderful.
He hoped he would feel that for someone one day.
Soon enough, Albus and Scorpius were ushered onto a boat with other's of their age. They clasped onto each other again, desperate to not let each other go. However, when the boat started to float gracefully by itself towards Hogwarts, they could breath a sigh of relief.
Sitting opposite the friends on the boat were a boy and a girl. The boy was quite bulky, mousy short hair sitting on his head. The girl was, in contrast, a tiny person with thick black hair and sweet smile.
Albus was the first to talk.
"It's amazing, isn't it? I love it. Can't wait to spend the next part of my life here." Albus said confidently, to Scorpius and the other two.
"It really is!" The girl perked up, grinning widely, "I'm Henrietta Anderson. You?"
"This is Scorpius," Albus said gesturing towards the blonde boy but also being careful not to say his name, "And I'm Albus. Albus Potter."
"The Albus Potter?" The other boy said with lips parted, "Harry Potter's son, Albus Potter? Didn't know you were coming to Hogwarts."
"Yeah, well, I don't won't it to be a big deal or anything," Albus shrugged, Scorpius watching and feeling his embarrassment, "What's your name?"
"Michael Alfock. Pureblood." He nodded proudly, tilting his head up slightly.
"Oh, alright then," Albus leaned towards Scorpius, whispering in his ear, "Slytherin."
Scorpius bit his lip to contain a giggle when Michael frowned, "What are you laughing at?"
Scorpius gasped slightly, shaking his head quickly, "N-nothing."
The rest of the boat journey was spent in conversation, mostly between Albus and Henrietta, Scorpius slipping in a comment every once in a while. Michael scowled most the time. They admired Hogwarts castle as the boat crept closer and closer and it only glowed even more, but also became even bigger and slightly more daunting.
Soon, Scorpius and Albus were put onto carriages, with Henrietta in fact and were taking the final part of their journey to Hogwarts. They had become quieter at this point and Scorpius could feel the nervousness radiating off Albus and Henrietta. It only made him even more edgy.
Finally, they arrived at the castle. Albus still clasped tightly onto Scorpius' arm. Even through all this anxiety, Scorpius still felt happy that he suddenly had a friend. And he was overjoyed that it was Albus.
Before they knew it, they were waddling down the middle of the great hall, older students staring them down. Albus noticed a few of his family members sitting on the Gryffindor table, including his smirking brother.
Scorpius' eyes were scanning the room in fascination. Despite all the rushing emotions trying to distract him, he was in awe with the great hall. The glittering night sky floated above them, the stars mirroring those of outside. The room was plated with gold and Scorpius smiled when he saw Professor McGonagall who Albus had told him a lot about on the way there.
The first years gathered around the front of the hall. Scorpius craned his head in order to see the Sorting Hat sitting on a chair.
It sang this year's song loud and clear, Scorpius listening intently to the descriptions of each house. Scorpius was almost convinced he was going to be placed in Ravenclaw and he knew he would be absolutely fine there, but he thought Albus may be put in Gryffindor. He liked Albus and he thought he might have been his only chance of making friends. He hoped and prayed like his life depended on it through the rest of the song, wanting Albus and him to be together.
"Anderson, Henrietta!"
The black haired girl shakily made her way up to the stool. A brown haired teacher, neither Scorpius nor Albus recognised, placed the sorting hat on Henrietta's head.
A moment later the sorting hat confidently yelled out, "HUFFLEPUFF!"
And so the sorting continued. Claps erupted after every person was sorted. Michael was sorted into Slytherin, as predicted by Albus, who had nudged Scorpius at that point.
When it came to Scorpius, he though he was going to explode. The room had gone completely quiet at the mention of a 'Malfoy' being sorted and anticipated the result. But all these emotions from his year as well as from everyone else was too overwhelming and almost too much for Scorpius. He was feeling so dizzy as he heard his name called. Albus urged him forward and the blonde slowly walked up.
He noticed McGonagall giving him a concerned look and understood that she knew. His parents had told her about his power and she said she would give Scorpius as much support and help him in every way she could.
The hat was placed upon Scorpius' head and he was almost shocked when he heard a voice whispering in his ear.
"Ah, ah… interesting. What an interesting power," The hat muttered, making Scorpius gulp, "Feeling other's emotions… certainly made you more mature. And extremely clever too. How could you not be? You can understand people just by being around them… extraordinary. Although, not extremely sociable… stayed at home most of your childhood I see. You read for company… kept the company of house elves… funny, I'm glad I took a second look at you and didn't put you straight in Slytherin. You are nothing like your forefathers… Good intentioned, clever, mature… I will like to see you grow… reach your full potential… friends with the new Potter already?" Confusion overtook Scorpius. Albus? "Hmmm, I think you have an interesting future together… The only place for you is RAVENCLAW!"
The silence in the room still burnt through. Scorpius felt the confusion of many students. But what surprised him most was the instant acceptation of all his peers as soon as they found out he was not a Slytherin. It almost upset him to think that people felt that badly towards him. But Scorpius wasn't going to waste his time with people who just accepted him for his name or house; he was just happy that he suddenly felt a certain relief for him.
Slowly claps erupted through the room as Scorpius stood from the stool and crept towards the Ravenclaw table. He passed Albus who clapped him on the shoulder and grinned widely at the blonde. He took a seat next to an older girl with mousy hair, who smiled warmly at Scorpius.
"Potter, Albus!"
Albus took a deep breath, turning his head towards the Gryffindor table. He saw his brother sitting up and watching with great interest. McGonagall smiled at him as he stepped up and sat down. He closed his eyes as he felt the hat take it's place upon his head.
The anticipated voice in his ear came and he only bit his lip, "Ah, the second Potter arrives. Hm, strange, how different you are to your brother. Though you're more kind hearted, you're not as confident. Confident in appearance, but deep down you are so uncertain on yourself, so unsure of who you are. You have been very nervous today. You have some brains, from your mother I would think."
As Scorpius watched Albus sit there with his eyes tightly clasped and worrying his bottom lip with his teeth, he thought how perfect he would be in Gryffindor. He knew Albus was meant to be there. From what he had seen so far he had all the qualities of a fine Gryffindor. Maybe he and Albus… would not quite stay friends, despite what the sorting hat said and where the hat put Albus.
"You are different from your father in some ways, but also similar. Hmm, worried about being in Slytherin hm?" Albus gasped slightly, his eyes snapping open, "Much like your father. Though, you would not fit into Slytherin. I don't think it would help you reach your full potential… hmmm, you've met the young Malfoy…" Albus frowned ever so slightly. Why was he mentioning Scorpius? "There's something drawing you together… something I would like to see unfold… You're going to have an interesting future together. Mm, I guess then I will have to put you in RAVENCLAW!"
Albus immediately grinned, knowing he was in the same house as Scorpius. He didn't think too much about what the sorting hat had said, or the fact that really he wasn't that suited to Ravenclaw; it was something that would come up in many years time.
Scorpius was shocked really. His own shock overrode the others around him. Although he was sure Albus was quite smart, he was almost sure Albus would be put in Gryffindor. It just made more sense. He was the son of Harry Potter, Gryffindor extraordinaire. His brother was in Gryffindor, alongside most the relatives which were already in Hogwarts. But… why wasn't Albus?
The shaggy haired boy bounced towards the Ravenclaw table, happiness springing off him. He wasn't in Slytherin! And he was with Scorpius who he really liked and would like to stay friends with. Everything was going so smoothly.
Albus took a seat next to Scorpius and threw his arms around him. Scorpius froze in surprise but still ended up smiling.
"I'm not letting you go now," Albus smirked cheekily, "You're stuck with me now."
Scorpius giggled and shook his head, "I think I'm okay with that."
And so, they turned to the rest of their house and started to get acquainted and settle into Hogwarts.
~X~
A/N: I absolutely looooooooved writing that chapter! I loved writing the little whispers of the sorting hat. Basically there is going to be this question through it: Should Albus really have been put in Gryffindor? I'll let you answer that question for now ;)
Please leave a review! This is still a new story and it's always amazing to have encouragement when it comes to new stories! Really motivates you to continue! Thanks for the reviews last chapter!
Hope you all enjoyed that chapter! I certainly enjoyed writing it!
Next chapter:: Scorpius is called to Professor McGonagall's office... already.