• Albus boarded the train nervously. There were long corridors holding many compartments which were filled with noisy students. He saw James slip into a compartment and he followed. Albus arrived at the compartment door. He peered through its window and saw James on one side, and on the other Rose. Rose had her nose stuck in a book and read rapidly. Albus indicated that the cover read Hogwarts, A History. He slid open the compartment door. Right when he did, James looked directly at Albus.
    Albus plopped down next to him. James made a face of disgust and pushed him out of the way. “What d’you think you’re doing?” he asked rudely. Albus was taken-aback by James’s reaction and got to his feet. Rose placed down her book and looked at James, puzzled.
    “Why won’t you let Al sit with us?” she asked. James made an isn’t-it-obvious face and said “Hello! First year!” Rose was glaring at him. “So am I!” she snapped. “Al, you can sit next to me.” She patted the spot next to hers and he sat down.
    Albus’s stomach growled. James snickered. “Was that you?” he said. “Guess we’ll have to wait for the trolley,” he paused. He cursed under his breath. “What is it?” Rose asked. James looked at her solemnly. “”Don’t have enough money.” he sighed. Albus brightened up. “I do!” he exclaimed. He picked up one of his bags and took out several golden coins. James looked at them with awe.
    “How much does mum get you for your birthday?” he said excitedly. Albus shook his head. “Not mum. ‘Got it sent from Hagrid yesterday!” He shifted happily in his seat. Rose was mesmerized by the coins. James felt disappointed. “That isn’t fair! He gave me a note that said ‘Meet me at the station with yer brother and Rose. ‘Got a surprise fer ya.’” He frowned. “I bet it’s something great!” Albus insisted. James glared at him and turned his head away. Albus heard ringing in his ears. He looked out the compartment window.
    “Anything from the trolley!” someone yelled. James slid open the door and an elderly lady looked in. She smiled. “Anything from the trolley, dears?” she asked. Albus showed her the coins in his palm. James, Rose and Albus got up and looked around at the trolley.

    After what seemed like hours, the train started to slow down, gradually. Then it came to a halt. Albus, covered in many Dumbledore cards from several chocolate frogs, raised up and brushed them off. Rose closed her book and they all got their bags.
    Many students filled the corridors. The three of them, James, Rose and Albus, got off the train. James almost leapt off of it and poked his head around the crowd for Hagrid. Albus did the same.
    He wasn’t that hard to find. Large and bearded, with a huge grin that welcomed and frightened new first years. James was already with him, pointing at the note while Hagrid nodded his head towards it. He pulled something from his pocket and James ran off happily.
    Hagrid spotted Rose and Albus and smiled even wider. He patted Albus on the back so hard it made Albus fall over. He tripped and fell on the hard stone ground. Almost fell-- Hagrid grabbed Albus’s robes and pulled him back up.
    “Sorry ‘bout that, Al,” he said. Albus nodded and brushed himself. “FIRST YEARS OVER HERE!” Hagrid bellowed. Small, nervous first years gathered near Hagrid. A small girl screamed in horror at Hagrid. He was like a massive human against tiny ants.
    Hagrid started to move the children over to little rowing boats. Albus warily climbed on one next to Hagrid and Rose. They were directly at the front of a long line of the wooden boats. It was pitch black outside, and before them was a tall castle with many rectangular shaped windows that were lit up.
    They reached the shoreline, climbed out of the boats and onto the ground. There was a giant door that opened to reveal the Entrance Hall of Hogwarts. To the left and right of him, hour-glass’s stood filled with red, green, gold and blue rubies. There were small dials at the bottom of them that had numbers that read 0.0.0. Remembering what James said about them, Albus trotted along with the rest of the first years to the Great Hall.
    It was beautiful in there. Four long rectangular tables filled the room with a staff table in the back. Albus saw James sitting next to someone he did not know at the Gryffindor table. He met Albus’s eyes and waved a sign that indicated good luck, and Albus waved back nervously through the crowd.
    There was a stool sitting by the staff table with an old, patched and worn hat with a slit mouth and bumpy eyes. Next to the hat was a tall, tight faced woman holding a long list of names. She was also headmaster, and she spoke over the loud students in the room. “Settle down now.” she yelled. Silence struck the room. She began to speak again.
    “Welcome, first years, and welcome back the rest of you!” she said. There were a few cheers and shh’s throughout the hall. She spoke once again. “For all you first years, I am Headmaster McGonagall, but I also teach Transfiguration, so I am Professor McGonagall to you.” she said. “We gather here for a new sorting. Let us begin.” She cleared her throat. Abbot, Gabrielle.”
    A small girl walked up to the sorting hat and placed it on her head. Suddenly it began to talk. “Hufflepuff!” it yelled. Many cheers arose from the Hufflepuff table. Smiling, she scrambled off to meet the others. Professor McGonagall spoke again. “Bell, Sarah.” Sarah did the same as Gabrielle and was sorted into Gryffindor. Another student walked up named Colin Creevey. Denis’s son. Named after his brother. That’s what Albus’s dad had said. Albus felt sudden pity for a while but then he heard his name. It must have been minutes that he had pity for Colin. Albus walked up to the sorting hat.
    Once placed on his head, the sorting hat started to talk. “Ah. A Potter. Your dad would be proud to know you are in…” the sorting hat stopped for dramatic effect. “Gryffindor!” it yelled. Loud cheers come from the Gryffindor table. Among them though, Albus wanted to hear James’s the most. He did. James clapped rapidly at his brother. “’Only teased about Slytherin,” he chuckled. “’Knew you’d be in Gryffindor!” Albus sat next to his brother proudly. Then, after a short while, he heard a most familiar name that made his spine tingle. Malfoy.
    Scorpious sat on the stool and right when the hat touched his blond head it yelled “Slytherin!” Cheers from Slytherin table arose. Scorpious sat down with the rest of them and more sorting began.
    Albus waited and waited until there were only a few students left. Professor McGonagall spoke again. “Weasley, Rose.” Rose went up to the stool. The sorting hat laughed.
    “Another one, yes?” it said. It laughed again. “You breed like rabbits!” Everyone laughed. Rose turned tomato red. McGonagall shushed them and the sorting hat yelled “Gryffindor!” It wasn’t much of a shock to anyone that Rose was placed in Gryffindor. It was completely normal.
    Once all the sorting ended, Professor McGonagall said a few words and then on the table were thousands of varieties or food. Albus was starving and ate until he was so full his belt almost hurt. James laughed at Albus and they got up and left with the rest of the students. Everyone seemed to be full and tired. Albus sure was. The head boy of Gryffindor lead them to a large room full of stairs.
    They walked and walked. Albus was walking very quickly and almost fell off the stairs. He normally wouldn’t, but to his horror, the staircase’s moved. Albus stayed next to James until they arrived at the Fat Lady.
    She was sitting in her portrait and studied everyone. Albus heard the head boy say ‘Fortuna Major’ and right on cue the Fat Lady’s portrait swung open and let the Gryffindor’s have access to their common room.
    Inside was a bright room with a warm fire. There were red armchairs and couches and tables draped with tablecloth. Bookshelves and Trophy cases occupied the rest of the common room. Stairs led to dormitories for both boys and girls. The first thing Albus wanted to do was sleep but he talked to James instead. He was eager to hear what Hagrid gave him.
    “What is it?” he asked excitedly. James rummaged through his pocket and pulled out a sack just like Hagrid gave Albus that was full of money. It was slightly smaller than Albus’s. Albus frowned. “That’s it?” he asked. James shook his head. “I thought so too at first but Hagrid said he had something else.” James replied. Albus was even more eager to hear what it was. Before he could ask, the head boy yelled “Up to bed!” and Albus, disappointed, stalked off to his dormitory.
    It was just like James had described to Albus back in London. The room had several four-poster beds with trunks and nightstands next to them. Albus unpacked his stuff and undressed into his night-clothes.
    He lay down on his pillow under his bed-sheets. He pulled over the curtains and smiled happily. This shouldn’t be too bad, he thought. Albus was very weary and he fell asleep silently.



    Albus woke up the next morning early, still tired, and got into his robes and went down to the common room. He noticed it was deserted. I think I woke up to early, he thought. Then he heard clambering footsteps coming from the dormitories. Guess not, and he walked away.
    When he reached the Grand Staircase, he felt very nervous and waited each time a staircase came to him and then hopped on. It took him a whole five minutes to reach the bottom of the Grand Staircase. He walked towards the Great Hall for breakfast. When he entered he was surprised.
    On each table was delicious breakfast treats, but only two tables were full of people: Ravenclaw and Slytherin. He knew that Gryffindor was arriving soon, but he did not know when Hufflepuff would come: he did not know where their common room was.
    He decided to sit down and begin to eat. There were cream-filled pastries and tarts with jam. There were juices and fruits. He didn’t know where to begin. He picked up an apple tart and nibbled it quickly.
    Then Gryffindor burst in along with Hufflepuff behind. James found Albus and sat next to him with the same mysterious person as yesterday. “Hey, Al.” he yawned. Rose plopped on the other side of Albus. “Good morning, Al.” she said happily. Albus wondered how much sleep she gets. Then he spoke. “Who-” “this is Thomas Goldstein, Anthony’s son.” James finished for him. Thomas waved glumly at Albus and drank some juice. Albus waved back and ate some more.
    Suddenly many hoots filled the Great Hall. Owls were pouring from the windows holding tied up parchment or packages in their beaks and claws. Albus’s was brown with yellow eyes. Albus figured it was a regular from the Owlrey. It held two small notes for him. He grabbed them and began to open them when his eyes became wide and his hands stopped opening the letters.
    A snowy white owl with crystal eyes flew out from the window. It came to James with two letters also, and James gave it a treat and began to stroke the beauty. Albus cocked his head slightly and stared at it. James, with his mouth full said “ ’Ood ‘Edwig.” and she began to eat the treat. Albus’s jaw dropped. James swallowed. He seemed to read Albus’s mine and said “This is Hedwig. Isn’t she beautiful?” Albus nodded. “Where’d you get her?” he asked. “Hagrid,” he replied. “It was my ‘something else’”. He ate again and swallowed.
    “Dad had one named Hedwig, you know,” he said. “Hagrid said she died in Dad’s seventh year.” He ate again. “Hagrid said that if I wanted to name her Hedwig, just in memorial.” Albus looked down. His father never told him he had an owl that died. He saw the letters and remembered that he needed to look at them.
    He opened the first one. It was sealed with a heart sticker. Mum, he thought. He read it:


    Dear Albus,
    How is school? I know it has only been a few days now but I need to know things. ( I’m your mum, after all ). Please don’t tell me you had a row with Scorpious yet, please. There is no need to be enemies just because your father did. Draco and Harry were enemies for no reason. It just happened, honey. Alright?
    We’re lonely without you Albus. James too. Lily is still upset she didn’t get to go to Hogwarts. She isn’t as bad as she was when you and James got your letters. We bought her a Pygmy Puff the other day. That cheered her up a bit, I think.
    I know your father also sent you a letter to. I send you one with love, Albus. Have a great year. ( And be good with Scorpious). Don’t get fed up with James. I know he’s rude. ( Just like your uncle).
    With Love,
    Mum

    Albus read through it carefully. A pigmy puff?, he thought. He also wondered why his mother had given him so many warnings. He put the note in his pocket and read his father’s:


    Dear Al,
    How’s Hogwarts doing for you? I hope you don’t have to save a sorcerer’s stone like I did. Ha! That brings back memories Al. Also, about Scorpious… your mother, did she tell you about how Draco and I were? That’s rubbish, Al. It’s just common sense, right? Just let what happens happen. But don’t get real bad with him… maybe a few times will keep you on level! I’m joking Al, you know how I like a laugh. (Don’t tell your mother I said that!)
    Now, Albus Severus Potter, if you are in Slytherin,
    I won’t disinherit you, I swear. I’d be delighted, though, to hear you being in Gryffindor. That would sure make me happy.
    Don’t forget about Christmas with us, Al. We’ll also be visiting Bill and Fleur and Rose’s mum and dad. Be good in school, I can’t wait to hear about Hogwarts.
    Love you Al,
    Dad
    P.S: Say hi to Hagrid for me. Give him our “love”!

    Albus chuckled at his father’s letter. He was going to write back soon. He took a brief moment to digest the letter one more time and then he leapt up from his chair to tell James. Albus stared at James. He was holding a note with his jaw slightly dropped. Albus cocked his head to get a better look.
    Dear James,
    I love Hogwarts! Don” t you love it too?!? I also love you! Oops! (My big fat mouth!) My best friend doesn’t understand why I like you. So what I’m younger than you! She’s dumb in that way. I LOVE YOU!
    LOVE, (please!)
    Admirer that loves you to death!
    P.S I LOVE your name! And you!

    Albus gawked at the piece of parchment. It was covered in hearts and x’s and o’s. Albus almost laughed. He forced it back. James was blushing. Thomas was snickering. Rose was boggling. And then it was time for Albus to get his schedule. After class, Albus was sure it was time for James to find out who wrote the letter.


    McGonagall handed out the schedule’s to everyone in Gryffindor. She gave one to Albus.
    Albus lifted his schedule. It read:

    To albus Severus Potter. Hogwarts Schedule, Year One Semester 1:

    Transfiguration- Professor McGonagall
    Potions- Professor Slughorn
    Herbology- Professor Longbottom
    Charms- Professor Flitwick
    Quidditch Class- Madam Hooch, partnered with Oliver Wood
    Defense Against the Dark Arts- Professor Macmillan
    School Lessons Tour- Professor McGonagall and Gryffindor Head Boy

    How old are some of these teachers? Albus thought. Some of them were his father’s professors. So I start with Transfiguration. He walked fast-paced to class, panting slightly. He finally reached the room. It was very crowded in there, students either standing up or sitting on desks.
    Albus was stunned to see a cat in his teachers’ place. It was glaring at everyone. When it saw Albus, it jumped up and transformed into Professor McGonagall. “Good morning, students,” she groaned. Everyone ran to their seats, Albus stumbling to his.
    There was complete silence in the room. “I’ve had a dreadful night, you all,” she continued. “That may be why I am in such a foul mood.”
    McGonagall sighed. “I would like you all to transform the animals on you desks,” She pointed her wand at everyone’s desk and each had some manner of rodents. Someone shrieked. McGonagall hushed the student and spoke again. “I would like you to transform your animals in to goblets.
    “Now, the correct spell to do so is Fera Verto. Point your wands at your animals and say that loud and clearly, now.” Everyone took out their wands and directed them to the rodents.
    Albus concentrated on his animal. It was sniffing wildly around the surface of the desk. He cleared his throat. “Fera Verto!” he said. A light shot from his wand and the rodent transformed into a goblet. The cup was rough around the edges but it was suitable.
    “Very well done, Potter,” McGonagall said. She was standing next to Albus, observing his work. “Well class,” she clapped her hands. “I think that’ll do for today. Homework on page 11-25 in you books, due in three days.”
    Everyone walked out. Albus got into the busy hall outside. He was searching for James. Albus saw him in a courtyard surrounded by two girls. Albus gulped. He hurried towards his brother.
    He saw one of the girls was giggling, the other rolling her eyes. One had brown, shoulder length hair with a freckled face. The other had long, black hair with a beautiful complexion. Albus was nervous. James saw Albus and smiled. So did the black-haired girl. Albus almost tripped.
    “So, what do you think?” James bragged. Albus was confused. “I found her!” James exclaimed. “Kristina, this is my brother, Albus.”
    The brown-haired girl looked at Albus in disgust. She nodded. James spoke. “And this is Olivia Chang.” He directed to the black-haired girl. She smiled some more. Albus felt very nervous now. The only other time he liked someone was when he was four. Olivia looked strangely like the girl he saw.
    Albus pushed the thought out of his mind. He had another class to get to.
    “I have another class to get to,” Albus exclaimed. James leapt up and grinned.
    “How was McGonagall?” James asked. Albus thought for a second.
    “Good, I guess. We learned Fera Verto.” he replied proudly. James looked surprised. “Already?” James questioned. Albus nodded. James scratched his head.
    “But, I won’t learn that until next year, what do those bloody teachers think they can do, change the curriculum like that?” he mumbled. Just then, a boy emerged from behind a tree. The boy snickered. Albus almost had a small pang of hatred for the boy, but he didn‘t hate him like James probably did. James stepped up to him and balled one hand into a fist.
    “What you doing here, Malfoy?” he said. Scorpius smirked and made a short head gesture to the tree.
    Two, bulky boys appeared from behind the tree. They crossed their arms like Scorpius to look tough and important. Albus didn’t fear them, because they didn’t look too threatening.
    “Vincent Goyle,” Scorpius nodded towards the boy on his left. “and this is Parker Eton.” The boy on Scorpius’s right nodded. Scorpius turned to Albus.
    “And this must be little Albus,” he stated. Scorpius smiled. The look on his face meant, Albus thought, that Scorpius was expecting him to say something nasty.
    “Yes. Pleasure to meet you, Scorpius.” he replied. James glared at Albus. Scorpius looked shocked. Olivia smiled.
    Scorpius rolled his eyes. “Seriously, Potter, you’re acting awfully friendly, and hear me now,” he paused. James let his hand out of a fist. “You have to be a Slytherin to be my friend, Potter.”
    This wasn’t news for anyone in the area, everyone knew Slytherins’ always group together.
    Albus laughed.
    “Sorry,” he replied. “I don’t want to be your friend, I didn’t know there was a law against being friendly and polite, but,” he smiled. Scorpius frowned. “But I guess there is a law, in your book.”
    Scorpius turned pink in the face and walked up to Albus. He glared at him. “Shut up Potter!” he snapped. Scorpius glanced at Kristina and Olivia. He snickered. “So this is your secret admirer, Potter?” he asked James. Kristina nodded happily. “Yes!” she squealed. Scorpius turned to Olivia.
    “Oh? Who is this, you don’t have a second admirer Potter, do you?” he said to James. James grew angry. “No, Malfoy.” he growled. “I thought I told you to get out of my business, you stupid pure-blood!” And with that, James grabbed out his wand and thrust it out at Scorpius.
    Scorpius seemed ever-so-angry. He pulled out his wand, and so did Crabbe and Eton. James laughed. “Those buffoons? Ha!” he exclaimed. Just then, Rose appeared out of nowhere. “Albus! You’re going to be-” she stopped. She looked around at all of them. There were also a crowd of students gathering. Rose’s eyes widened, and her mouth dropped. She blinked.
    “Are you fighting?” she squeaked. “This will get you in so much trouble!” Scorpius looked at her with amusement.
    “Weasley, are you?” he asked sarcastically. Rose’s ears turned red.
    “So easy to tell, huh?” she fumed. Scorpius waved his hand in the air. “Oh, please!” he said. “Father says you resemble horribly of your mother. I mean look at you!” he chuckled. The crowd grew silent. Rose put her books down. “On the words of my mother, you nasty little cockroach!”
    Rose punched Scorpius flat in the face. He whimpered and covered his face. Rose proudly picked up her books. “And,” she added. “that felt great.” Scorpius turned away with Crabbe and Eton. “Wow.” James and Albus said together.
    “Weasley!” a pierced voice called out. McGonagall strode over to Rose. The crowd rushed away to their classes. Olivia waved goodbye to Albus, and Kristina tried to kiss James, but didn’t want McGonagall to see her. James, Rose, Albus and McGonagall remained in the area.
    “I’m very disappointed in you, Weasley.” McGonagall said. “And, I am somewhat sorry to say, 50 points from Gryffindor, and to you a detention. Just like your mother.”