Chapter 1

Albus' POV

"Where do you think you'll get sorted?" Rose asked while finally putting down the book she was reading.

She had been reading for the past two hours! James, Lysander, and Dominique had left us alone for the time being. So here am I am, nervous and about to hypervinlate and she's reading a book instead of trying to comfort me! Honestly, has she no feelings?!

Merlin, I sound like a little girl.

"I don't know," I admitted, "Dad says it doesn't matter where… but I'm leaning towards Gryffindor," I told her, shaking my hair out of my eyes.

Rose's blue eyes nodded and looked out the window, and then back at me, "My dad will probably disown me if I'm placed in a house that's not Gryffindor!" She smiled, "Merlin, imagine his face if I get sorted into Hufflepuff? Or Slytherin? I might as well get used to not having a head!"

We laughed and I sighed, putting my head back, "I hope I get Gryffindor, that way, I'll be with the family. I don't think I would survive in any other house," I muttered.

Rose leaned forward and ruffled my hair, "I'm sure you'll be fine wherever you're placed, Al," she reassured me and looked out of the compartment. "Have you seen Lucy?"

I shook my head, "I'm not even sure I saw her on the platform," I told her.

Rose frowned and tucked a red strand of hair behind her ear, "I'm going to look for her."

I jumped up, "I'll come with you!"

She shook her head, stepping out of the compartment, "And then what, come back and it's filled with students? I don't think so. Save our seats," with a huff she exited the compartment.

I crossed my arms, annoyed, and leaned back. After a couple of minutes, I heard loud banging out in the hall and was about to investigate, when two students barged into my compartment, scaring me half to death. The two shut the door, slid on the floor, and pulled down the curtains, breathing heavily with wide grins on their faces.

One of the students was a boy with slicked back blonde hair, pale skin, and grey eyes; the other was a girl with short brown hair, fair skin, and hazel eyes. They seemed to notice me for the first time and scrambled up, their expressions heavily with guilt.

I stared at them, wide-eyed, and said, "Um?"

The boy cleared his throat and stuck out his hand, "Scorpius Malfoy," he greeted and I shook his hand.

The girl grinned and set her hands on her hips, "Amelia Zabini, at your service!" she exclaimed, throwing her dark hair behind her shoulder.

"Albus Potter, pleased to meet you," I said, wondering how they would react when they heard my name. I hoped they wouldn't run away in fear, like another kid did on the platform.

"Potter?" Scorpius repeated and glanced at Alice.

"Scorpius and Amelia you better get your arses out of there!" Someone banged on the compartment door and the two intruders panicked.

"Trouble?" I asked, trying to see who was banging on the door through the curtain, but to no avail.

"My brother," Amelia snickered, "We played a little prank on him… I think he's upset."

Suddenly the banging stopped and the three of us looked at each other confused. Amelia and Scorpius shared a terrified look.

"Alohomora," I recognized that voice.

The door swung open revealing a curious Rose with her wand in her hand, a confused Lucy, and a furious boy. The only way I could tell the boy was related to Amelia is because of their eyes, both had the same, almond shaped hazel eyes. Other than that, they didn't even look related. Alice's brother had black thick hair in a buzz cut, dark skin, and high cheek bones.

It took me a few seconds to realize he was soaking wet.

"Vincent… Fancy seeing you here," Amelia nervous smiled, trying to act casual.

"You're lucky I left my wand back in my jumper," He said through gritted teeth, glaring at both Scorpius and Amelia.

"Sorry, mate, it was just a joke," Scorpius clapped his hand on Vincent's shoulder and took it back after Vincent shot him a murderous glance.

"Here, I think I can help you dry off," Rose said, looking unsure. I was surprised. Rose was usually very quiet among others. "We can't get in trouble for doing spells…right?" she asked us, glancing at everyone. Her gaze lingered on Scorpius before heading back to Vincent.

"You've already done one, might as well do another," Vincent shrugged, smiling slightly.

Rose cracked a smile and narrowed her eyes, "You're only saying that because I'm going to help you. Okay," she took a deep breath and pointed her wand at Vincent, using both hands and her feet spread apart, "Ventus."

A strong gust of wind erupted from her wand, making her stumble back a few steps, but Lucy steadied her as she dried off Vincent. It didn't take more than a few minutes. Vincent, now completely dried, grinned.

"Vincent Zabini," he said, shaking her hand.

"Rose Weasley," Rose gestured to Lucy, "This is Lucy, my cousin, and over there is Al-"

"I'm Albus," I finished, standing up and shaking his hand.

Amelia her arm around Vincent, smiling wide at Rose and Lucy, "I'm Amelia, his sister. We're twins," she announced.

I looked at her curiously, "Twins?" I repeated.

She rolled her eyes, but kept smiling, "Fraternal, obviously."

Scorpius looked slightly annoyed, like Amelia did this all the time, "I'm Scorpius. Scorpius Malfoy."

He eyed Rose suspiciously and Rose turned uncomfortable when he introduced himself. Lucy did, as well. I cleared my throat, feeling the tension in the air rise. Scorpius stepped out the compartment, looking down the hall.

"I think we're going to be arriving soon; others are getting changed," Scorpius said, smoothing down his hair.

Amelia gasped, "Oh no, I don't even know where I put my robes…" She dashed away with Vincent chasing after her, yelling something about getting her back.

Scorpius grinned, nodded at all of us, and followed him, avoiding bumping into another student. Rose and Lucy stepped into the compartment. Lucy was like Rose, except a little quieter. Her hair was a short light brown mixed with light shades of red, her eyes green, and freckles thrown across her fair skin.

"That was… Interesting," Lucy stated, biting her lip. "That was Draco Malfoy's son, wasn't it?"

I nodded, "I think so," I said, and looked out the window. It was dark out and I think I could see the castle.

"My father told me he isn't to be played around with," Rose mumbled, "Scorpius, I mean."

"Are you really going to listen to him?" I asked with an eyebrow raised, "Is it because of his dad he said that? Rose, look at who our parents are… I doubt we should be the ones to judge others."

Rose merely shrugged and turned her attention to the window. With a roll of my eyes, I did too.

The train came to a stop and I could hardly contain my anxiety and excitement. Lucy, Rose, and I followed the other first years outside the train and stood in front of an abnormally tall, very hairy, familiar face. Hagrid.

"Alright, first years, follow me. We're taking the boats to the castle," he gestured for us to follow him, heading over to a black lake that turned into a river and lead into the castle.

The three of us, plus two others, settled into a small boat. We were all clearly afraid to fall into the black water; you couldn't even look through it. It was literally pitch black. Rose grabbed onto my as the boat lurched forward and followed the other bundle of boats behind us.

We couldn't see much, clouds were covering the moon so it was pretty dark. We heard strange animals and rustling in the bushes we passed by. I swear, I even saw a head poke out of the water, but Rose told me it was just my imagination.

Finally, we reached land and it took us a couple of minutes to get settled into a building. Neville Longbottom, a familiar teacher at Hogwarts, met us before the Great Hall. I longed to see it; my father told me so many stories about it. Longbottom told us about each house. He said Hufflepuff is for kind and fair. Ravenclaw is for quick-witted and students have a thirst for knowledge. Gryffindor is for those who have heart of gold and a brave mind. Finally, Slytherin, which is for ambitious, cunning folk who value self-preservation and power.

I was extremely nervous at that point.

He disappeared behind the doors and a few seconds later, the doors opened, revealing the Great Hall. The ceiling was high and matched the night skin, complete with stars and the moon. The walls were a rich, bronze color and decorated in a fancy, grand way. There were four long tables, all filled with older students sitting in their robes, sizing us all up. Ahead was a long table filled with teachers and a stool with a strange hat sitting on it?

Next to the stool was the new Headmaster, Headmaster Nicolas Solomon. He was a tall man with brown hair mixed with a few gray strands. His hands were behind his back and he studied us all, a look of amusement on his face.

We stopped before him as he introduced himself. He told us all about the background of each house, sort of dulling my excitement. History wasn't my thing. Rose on the other hand, had her hands pressed together and was bouncing on her houses. Lucy was rigid, staring straight ahead with her hands at her sides. I looked at the Gryffindor table, spotting James, Freddie, Molly and a few others of our family.

"And now we will start the Sorting Ceremony," Headmaster Solomon announced and I drew my attention back to the hat. Solomon held a long scroll in his hand and called out a name, "Jason Abbot?"

A short boy with blonde hair nervous stepped forward and slowly walked to the stool. He sat down and the old hat was placed on his head. After a brief moment, the strange hat opened it's… Mouth? Yes, it's mouth and announced,

"Ravenclaw!" With a jump, he stood and practically skipped to the Ravenclaw table, who cheered loudly.

"Annabel Brown?" Solomon called and tall girl stepped forward.

After a few seconds, the hat called out, "Gryffindor!" and the Gryffindor yelled and cheered.

Several more students were called, most going to Gryffindor, a few to Hufflepuff, a bunch to Ravenclaw, and a handful to Slytherin. Us first years standing up were now cut in half, each and every one of us silent, trying not to let our anxiety get the best of us.

"Scorpius Malfoy?"

A few people whispered about him and gave him wary stares. He calmly walked up to the stool and sat down. The hat was barely on his head before proclaiming he most definitely belonged in Slytherin. With a half smirk, he went over to his table.

A few names were called and then, "Arianna Pock?"

A shaking brunette sat on the stool, and the hat almost immediately shouted, "Gryffindor!"

With a drop in my stomach, I realized I could be next. I closed my eyes, hoping the Headmaster wouldn't call my name. I wasn't ready yet, my thoughts were scattered. If he called my name, would I even remember how to move my legs?

"Albus Potter?" Headmaster Solomon called out and my heart stopped.

"Merlin, I jinxed it," I muttered and Rose nudged me.

I remembered how to walk once I took my first step. Whispers broke out through the tables and teachers studied me intently. My hands clenched and unclenched as I made my way through the small crowd and stepped up to sit on the stool. Solomon glanced at me curiously before placing the hat on my head.

"Oh, another Potter? Didn't I have one of you just last year?" It said and I jumped, surprised that his voice rang in my head. "You are different than your brother. You have a stronger need to prove yourself. You have ambition and a brave heart. You are a determined boy, are you not? And for your efforts and actions of being a boy who knows how to get what he wants…

Slytherin!"

My heart stopped. Another wave of whispers broke out and it took Slytherin a few seconds to realize where the hat had placed me before they erupted into loud cheers, all of them standing up. The hat is never wrong, my dad's words repeated in my head and I stood, holding my chin up. I walked over to the Slytherin table, smiling slightly and shaking a few students hands as they greeted me. I sat across Scorpius, who smirked at me.

"Potter, it's great to have you in our house," a girl with long black hair said, shaking my head, "I'm Jenny Flint, Slytherin's Head Girl. If you need any help, come to me, or if anyone is bothering her. Down there's Bernard Jacobs, he's the Head Boy. You can go to him, as well."

I grinned, "Thank you, I will."

A few other first years greeted me and as someone got placed into Gryffindor; my eyes met James, who studied me carefully. I couldn't read his expression, which scared me. My brother was always readable. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I turned my attention back to the Sorting Ceremony, where another girl got placed into Hufflepuff.

"Lucy Weasley?"

Lucy, as shy as ever, slowly went up to the chair. With a blush creeping on her cheeks, the hat called out Hufflepuff. She sent an apologetic look to Rose and skipped off to her table

"Rose Weasley!"

Rose, as fearless as ever, went up the stool with her chin high. The hat was on her head for a few moments before sorting her into Gryffindor. With a satisfied smile, she skipped over to the cheering Gryffindors, and the students near her gave her pats on the back. Something told me I might lose Rose, my best friend since we were born, but when she met my eyes and gave me a sly smile, I knew I hadn't.

Only a few more names were called before there were only two first years left.

"Amelia Zabini?"

Amelia, with a nervousness I didn't see on the train, shakily sat down on the stool. Scorpius and I watched her closely. The hat was on her head for a quite a while.

"Gryffindor!"

She shared the same astonished look as Scorpius and her brother. The Gryffindor table cheered and she walked to the table, right after running down and giving her brother a tight hug. She sat next to Rose, who smiled at her.

Vincent was called and the hat was on his head for a minute. Scorpius frowned at him, probably thinking he wasn't going to be placed into Slytherin.

"Slytherin!"

Vincent looked at Amelia shortly before heading to our table. Scorpius grinned and punched Vincent's shoulder as he sat next to me. Finally, the Sorting Ceremony was over. Headmaster Solomon recited a small speech and with a clap of his hands, loads of food appeared on the tables. We all dived in, all of us starving.

After talking to everyone and having several conversations with Vincent and Scorpius, I figured that Slytherin wasn't so bad. If I was placed here, that meant I belong here… and looking around, I decided I had no problem with that.

Tell me what you think? Any suggestions on POVs I should do?