This story was inspired by a number of other fanfics, not all of which I can remember right now. However, I know that at least one of them was by Jess.91, so kudos to her! :D Anyway, I have 6 chapters planned for this, one for each year that Lily and Scorpius are both in the school. The rating is for language, and for a little angry exchange between Scorpius and James later in the story. Enjoy, and don't forget to review!

That was the first time...

Sorting Hat

My thoughts of her to start with were not great.

I watched as she was sorted into Gryffindor, along with the rest of her family. Hardly surprising really. I mean, the Hat wasn't really going to separate her, mark her as different to the other Potters and Weasleys, was it? That would be near heresy. All the Potter-Weasley clan have to go into Gryffindor – I don't know why they even bother putting the hat on those kids.

James Potter, arrogant bastard that he is, glanced over at my own cousin as she was sorted into Slytherin. The look on his face said that she shouldn't have expected any "better", because her aunt married a Malfoy. Better in his definition meaning anything outside of Slytherin. Better than bloody Gryffindor. Bravery can easily translated as stupidity if you look at its face value. That's what my dad and granddad always told me. Mostly granddad. Dad mostly just stays quiet, and nods occasionally. Still, I knew I'd always be in Slytherin. It's in my blood. There's nothing wrong with using your brain to work things out rather than just rushing in, "all guns blazing" as the muggle would say. That's what the Gryffindors do. I guess they're just jealous that they don't have the intelligence for Ravenclaw or Slytherin, nor the supposed loyalty for Hufflepuff. The Hat seriously considered making me wear blue, but I said no. Slytherin is where I belong.

But anyway, back to her. She was tiny. Really tiny. Like, mouse-tiny. Of course, most of the first years were small, but her! The only person shorter than her was that Creevey kid, who'd also been sorted into Gryffindor. His uncle had been a war hero too, except he hadn't survived the Battle of Hogwarts. Colin Creevey, one of the underage students who'd stayed to fight. Now that was bravery, I could grudgingly admit to myself – staying to fight when you knew you would most likely die, yet you actually had a real excuse to not be there.

I noticed her eyes wandering to the great, golden plaque that stood behind the Headmistress' chair. Hundreds of names of those who had died in this very school, years ago now. In the Entrance Hall was yet another plaque, larger still, with those who had been killed outside the school in the more recent fight against the Dark Lord, and another at the top of the first flight of stairs detailing those who'd died in the First War. Then there was that other monument, in the middle of the lake. Except... well, I don't really like thinking about that one.

I watched as an expression of sadness crossed across her face, most likely as she picked out names she'd been told stories about as a younger kid. Fred Weasley, Colin Creevey, Nymphadora and Remus Lupin... I'd heard stories about them too. Less complimentary, probably. Fred failing half his OWLs because he'd spent too much time playing pranks. Colin with his incessant photography. Nymphadora with her garish hair colour and clumsiness. Remus... the werewolf. Had almost killed Severus Snape. I wondered if she knew these things. Probably doesn't want to. Probably prefers her perfect image of perfect war heroes who died so that we could live on. All that shit. Not that she'd ever talk to a Slytherin at any rate, even if she did want to know. I'm sure her father could sugar coat the stories to continue her image of perfection.

Oh crap. She's noticed me looking at her. I remember the thought coming to the forefront of my mind as I met her eyes for a moment. Even from across the room I could tell that she had dark brown eyes. Not that I looked for long. I quickly went back to my food, chewing steadily and letting the talk of quidditch wash in and out of my ears.

That was the first time I saw her.

As it seemed quite popular with my other story, I will do the same for this. Either my top one or two reviewers, announced by me after chapter 5 is published, will be able to request a banner for me to make, for one of their stories. More details on this will be coming later! But for now, all you need to do to be in with a chance is review! :D