Dear reader, many years have passed since my first story on Fanfiction. Since then I have graduated, started working as an accountant, met my partner and became a mother, I have a two year old son. After a long time of hesitation, I started writing again. English is not my first language so please forgive me for any spelling errors you may find in this story. I'm a little rusty. Thank you for taking the time to read this story, I hope we can grow together towards a beautiful story. Any feedback is very much appreciated.
Kings Cross
"Hurry up now, darling. We don't want you to be late."
Hermione ushers her daughter towards the barrier, Ron and Hugo in tow.
Thick white steam envelopes them when they step foot on the platform. Pushing her trunk further down, Rose can't help but smile from excitement when she sees the gleaming red and black of the Hogwarts Express.
She has been waiting so long for this day to come, having heard all kinds of stories about Hogwarts from her parents and other family members that went there before her.
A bit further down the platform she passes a family of 3. A blond boy is seen hugging his mother with what she assumes - because of the same striking blond hair - is the boy's father standing next to them. She feels a hand on her shoulder and looks up to see her father guiding her along with a scowl on his face. Those must be the Malfoys.
" Blimey, what DIDN'T you pack in your trunk, Rosie? This trunk must weigh almost as much as a Hungarian Horntail" Ron huffs while logging the trunk on board the train.
"Now, this is it. Can't believe you're going to Hogwarts already. It feels like just yesterday when you were walking around in nappies and now.. " Hermione sobs emotionally hugging Rose.
"Mummm.. i'll be just fine." Rose looks up to her dad slightly worried. Ron gives her a warm smile back.
"Allright allright, you've got everything with you right?"
"Yes, mum"
"Bag?"
"Yeah"
"Jumper?"
Rose smiles up at Hermione. She should know her own daughter came nothing but prepared today.
After meeting up with the Potters, Albus and Rose says their goodbyes to their parents and climb aboard the Hogwarts Express. Most of the compartments are already full but they do find one door open and peek inside. When Rose sees who's in the compartment, she hesitates to enter.
After all, she has heard many stories about the Malfloys and other sympathizers of the Dark Lord. She holds out a hand to stop Albus, but he has already entered.
"Albus.. " Rose whispers while swatting out her hand at Albus.
"Uhm hello. Are you expecting anybody else?" Albus asks politely.
"Yes, uhm, i mean no. Go ahead, it's just me." the blond boy answers.
Albus takes a seat across from the boy and Rose reluctantly sits down next to Albus, avoiding eye contact with the blond boy.
Albus sticks his hand out to the boy. "Albus, nice to meet you."
The boy shakes the hand. ".. and this is Rose, she's my cousin"
"Hi, I'm Scorp-"
"I know who you are, you're Scorpius Malfoy." Rose speaks out bluntly.
"Yes that's right. I must admit that I already knew who you are. My father has often told me about his years at Hogwarts. It doesn't take much effort to add 2 and 2 together. Red hair, spirited, must be a Weasley naturally accompanied by a Potter."
Rose huffs offended and turns her head towards the window.
Albus leans forward. "Listen, I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt here to get to know you without prejudice. That's what I'd like people to do in my case, too."
Rose looks at Albus with sympathy. It must be anything but easy being the son of the Harry Potter. The pressure he must feel on his shoulders to follow in his father's great footsteps..
She looks at Scorpius and, against all odds, also feels a glimmer of sympathy for the boy. Against his will, he carries a heavy past of all the unspeakable cruelties his family is responsible for. Rose hopes that Scorpius will not disappoint Albus and take this opportunity to prove that he is not the same as his predecessors.
In the back of her mind she hears Grandma Weasley say "don't judge a book by its cover, dear. You might be surprised by the contents."
There and then Rose decides to put aside her prejudices about Scorpius. "I hope I'm not going to regret this." she mumbles quietly.
"What's that, Rose? Albus asks.
Rose takes a box from her bag and holds it out to Scorpius.
"Jelly slug?"
Scorpius smiles and holds out his hand.
"Sweets they always.." he starts "..help you make friends" Rose finishes.
Hogwarts - great hall
"Alex Graham" calls Professor Biggins.
A small boy with sandy blond hair and freckles shuffles forward uncertainly. He seems very nervous because his hands don't stop shaking.
The boy climbs onto the stool and half collapses when the sorting hat is placed on his head. Rose sees him rocking back and forth on the stool with his eyes closed.
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
The relief is visible on the boy's face because it looks like he's been holding his breath all this time.
Clearly Rose is next in line, nerves mounting as she awaits her fate.
"Rose Granger-Weasley"
Rose carefully steps towards the stage, the last thing she wants to do is trip over her robe and make a fool of herself in front of the entire great hall.
"Ah, who do we have here." Rose looks around, it seems like she's the only one who can hear the hat right now.
"Determined, loyal, know-it-all, clearly your mother's daughter."
"Please Gryffindor, please Gryffindor" She whispers.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Rose breathes a sigh of relief.
"Thank Dumbledore." she whispers.
The Gryffindors cheer as they join them at the table.
Scorpius Malfoy is, of course, assigned to Slytherin. Judging by his reaction, he expected this too.
"No surprise there." says the second year sitting next to Rose.
"Albus Potter"
Rose anxiously watches Albus step forward quickly.
Unlike with the other students, the choice of the sorting hat does not seem to be so obvious. It takes him a lot longer to pronounce his decision.
Rose holds her breath..
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Oh no.." Rose let out the breath she was holding in. "This really can't be happening" Rose blinks.
Her eyes search for Albus, he has just sat down at the Slytherin table and receives congratulations from several housemates. After the ceremony and dinner, Rose flies after Albus in the hallway. He is having an animated talk with Scorpius.
"Albus, wait for me!"
Albus turns around and smiles at Rose.
"Hi, that went well, didn't it? Congratulations on joining Gryffindor, I know you always hoped for this."
"What do you mean it went well, did you bump your head on the way from the table to here? This is not good at all."
Albus gives her a surprised look.
"Rosie, did you stop for even a second to consider that this could be good for me? That I didn't feel obligated to go into Gryffindor just because my dad was. I don't have to live up to expectations from others. I am sorry to hear that you are clearly not happy with this outcome."
"That's not what I'm saying Al, it's just.. I find it hard to believe. I was hoping we could do this together.."
Scorpius wisely keeps a low profile. Rose looks from Albus to him.
"You better keep an eye out for him."
Scorpius nods.
With that said, Rose turns on her heel and joins the rest of the students to the Gryffindor Dorms.