Very long chapter to write. You better appreciate this people!

Love you all xxx

~Sophie

Rose

She sat in an awkward silence with Albus in the compartment after changing into her robes. How could he say that to Scorpius?! Sure, he was a Malfoy, but he seemed different to her. In a good way.

Shaking her head softly, she drew a book from her bag. It had a silvery cover and was all about space. She couldn’t wait to take Astronomy at Hogwarts. Actually, she couldn’t wait to be there.

All of a sudden the train jarred to a halt. She sat there in shock for a few moments, then sprung into action. Bag over shoulder, book into bag, trunk upright, uniform tidy, cat cage in hands. She mentally checked everything off in her head as she got up and then followed Albus out of the carriage.

Speeding up a little, she started walking beside her cousin. He was silent in thought, so she gently hip bumped him.

“Ow!” he complained, but smirked slightly. “How are you doing Rose?”

“Well I’m not peeing my pants with excitement yet so that’s a good thing.” She managed to get a proper smile out of him then.

They neared a large hairy man with a dark trenchcoat on that hugged his abnormally large figure. As a smile broke out under his beard, and he gazed down at them with kind eyes, she supposed he must be Hagrid.

“You look familiar” he rumbled, puzzled expression on his face. Then he burst into laughter, and Rose realized he must have been joking.

“Harry and Ginny’s” he stated, pointing to Albus.

“Hermione and Ron’s” he said, indicating Rose.

Albus smiled up at Hagrid, mopey mood gone at the presence of his father’s old friend. “Dad talks about you all the time. You’re Hagrid. I’m Albus, Severus, Potter.”

“Good name” Hagrid approved, and then turned. “And the lovely red headed lass?”

“Rose Weasley” she smiled politely.

“Pleasure” he winked, then faced the whole mass of first years. “Right this way young-uns. We’re taking a special route to the castle!”

A few moments later they had boarded boats. Rose was sitting with Albus and a weedy brown haired boy called Wilbur Banks at the present. Then the boat nearly tipped as a pretty platinum blonde haired girl jumped on.

“Rosie!” she beamed, hugging her cousin. “Oh thank goodness I thought I wouldn’t know anyone. Apart from Victorie of course. Too busy for me though, off snogging that Teddy Lupin!” She snorted, immaculate nostrils flaring.

“Nice to see you too Min” Rose laughed.

“I’m so thrilled to be going to Hogwarts....” Dominique chattered away as the vessels slowly bobbed across the lake.

Suddenly through the darkness the large form of a castle appeared. Rose’s hazel eyes grew like a sun rising as she got her first proper sight of Hogwarts. The many turrets and spires, the lights twinkling....even Min’s voice died away at the sight.

Rose turned her head and caught the eye of Scorpius Malfoy who was in another boat. She giggled at the dopey expression on his face. His head turned at her voice and a cocky expression replaced his dopey one and he winked at her. She felt her cheeks heat, so turned back to the front.

Soon they were clambering up the stone steps to the Front Doors. Faint voices drifted from the Great Hall. Hagrid opened the doors into the Entrance Hall. Rose gaped at the splendour, exchanging gobsmacked faces with Min.

The half-giant left, leaving the first years to get used to their surroundings. Then a door creaked open, and a nice faced lady with strawberry blonde hair in a ponytail entered. Her brown eyes surveyed them all.

“Hello” she spoke in a quiet yet crisp tone that silenced them instantly. “I am Professor Bell, and may I say Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! I hope you will enjoy your next seven years here, for they will start once you enter the hall and are sorted into your houses. May I remind each of you that the houses all have their good and bad attributes. So if you please follow me.”

She strode off with the crowd hurrying in her wake. Rose gave Albus an ‘Eek, this is it!’ look before the twin doors were flung open

The group padded along slowly down the aisle to the front of the room. Rose admired the stunning ceiling and floating candles. Curious people were peering at her from all angles. She tried not to shrink into her shoes.

At the front was the floppy grey hat on the rickety stool, just like her mother had described. Professor Bell turned and addressed the gathering.

“Today is a great day as we welcome new pupils to Hogwarts. The Sorting Hat will determine whether you have a cunning, brave, smart or kind mind. Then you will be sent to your respective houses. Let the Sorting Begin!” She stepped back and uncurled a long scroll with names on it, then waited expectantly. A tear opened in the hat. No wait, a mouth? And it began to sing.

“Oh you may not think me pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

if you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folks use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!”

A couple of the teachers, including Professor Bell, had an amused look on their faces at the conclusion. Rose overheard a drift of conversation about ‘Harry Potter’s kids’ and ‘another generation’. Then a short rap from one of the teachers and the hall was quiet again. Professor Bell uncurled a scroll and read from a list of names.

“Acron, Finley” she announced. A smug dark haired boy sauntered up and sat down. The hat was placed on his head and it yelled “SLYTHERIN!”

The green and silver table roared and Finley ran over.

Banks, Wilbur, the guy from the boat was next. He was sorted into Hufflepuff and it continued. Rose listened intently as Malfoy, Scorpius went up.

“GRYFFINDOR!” the hat cried. A couple of people, including Albus, looked surprised at this.

She followed Scorpius with her eyes as he joined the red and gold table.

After that she zoned out again, until Potter, Albus. He looked extremely nervous. The hat was placed on his head for a good ten seconds before it yelled. “RAVENCLAW!” Rose beamed. Albus had always been quite clever.

Dominique soon followed into Ravenclaw, and Rose was next to be sorted. She sat on the stool. The hat enveloped her head in darkness.

“Tricky, tricky this one. Very stubborn, but very clever. And cunning. Slytherin?” The Hat mused.

I think not! she nearly yelled.

“Ooh feisty as well. But are you brave, dear? That’s the question.”

I AM BRAVER THAN YOU! Rose was furious now. I did not come to Hogwarts to be humiliated by a-

She was cut off as the Hat yelled; “GRYFFINDOR!”