FIC: Going on Twelve, Part 1/2
Title: Going on Twelve
Rating: PG
Word Count: ~ 15,500 (for both parts)
Pairing(s): brief mentions of canon pairings, but mostly gen
Warnings: None, characters are eleven-years-old
Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters herein are the property of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No copyright infringement is intended.
Summary: Rose and Al make new friends on their first trip on the Hogwarts' Express. Join them as they begin their first year, and the adventure of their lives. Will they live up to the legacy of the Marauders?
Author's Notes: Huge hugs and many thanks to my awesome beta team! :D
These kids have taken over my brain. This story was written for the 2011 hp_nextgen_fest. I could only finish one term in time for the fest, but the other Hogwarts years will be coming . . . ;)
Rose and Al hung out the window of the Hogwarts’ Express and waved to their families until they disappeared from view.
“We should find a compartment.” Al nodded at Rose’s suggestion, and they headed off down the corridor.
Rose peered into each compartment, intentionally looking for the blond boy Dad told her not to get too friendly with. Rose thought he had looked lonely, and decided she and Al would be his friends.
It didn't take Rose long to find the blond boy in a compartment by himself. She slid open the door and asked, "May we join you?"
"Sure!" the boy responded, grinning.
Rose and Al entered the compartment fully and slid the door closed once more. Rose extended her hand. "Hi! I'm Rose Weasley and this is my cousin, Al Potter."
The blond boy shook both of their hands as he answered, "Scorpius Malfoy."
"Hi Scorpius", Al and Rose chorused together.
"Al, if you'll put our things away, I'll be right back." Without another word, Rose hurried down the corridor to find the loo. On the way back she passed a compartment with a dark haired boy sitting by himself. Rose didn't think anyone should ride the Express alone, so she pushed open the compartment door. "Hi. I'm Rose Weasley. Would you like to sit with me?"
"Okay." The boy stood up, took his trunk down, and shook Rose's hand. "I'm Wilhelm Krum, but everyone just calls me Wil."
"Follow me, Wil." Rose led Wil back to the compartment where Al and Scorpius were talking excitedly. She held open the door while Wil lugged his trunk through it. As he stowed the trunk, she announced, "Wil, this is my cousin Al Potter, and our new friend, Scorpius Malfoy. Scorpius, Al, this is our new friend Wilhelm Krum, but he goes by Wil."
After exchanging pleasantries all around and getting settled in their seats, Wil asked Al, "Are you Harry Potter's son?"
Al blushed and nodded.
"Our dads are friends! My dad meets your dad for lunch whenever he comes to England-my dad's the Bulgarian ambassador. He's told me all about competing in the Triwizard Tournament with your dad . . ."
Rose interrupted, "Your dad is Viktor Krum?! The Quidditch player?"
"Yes. Why?"
Rose giggled. "My mum's first date was with your dad. They went to the Yule Ball together during the Triwizard Tournament." Wil, Scorpius, and Al all made faces. Rose looked quite pleased with herself.
"My dad met my mum that year, too. She was one of the students from Beauxbatons, but she didn't compete."
"Our Aunt Fleur was the Beauxbatons champion."
"My dad went to Durmstrang. Mum and Dad both liked Hogwarts so much when they were here, they let me come, rather than arguing over which of their schools I would go to."
"We've lived abroad my entire life, so my parents debated sending me to a different school, but I really wanted to come to the same school they did," Scorpius said.
"That's so cool! You'll have to tell us all about where you've traveled. I'll bet you got to learn tons!" Rose enthused.
"I guess I learned things," Scorpius replied, "but I don't know lots of people like you do."
"Well, then I'm glad we made friends with you, because now you know us."
Scorpius gave Rose a shy smile.
Al added, "Most of the people we know are our cousins. We have loads. You'll see our cousin Victoire, since she's Head Girl this year."
"And our cousin Molly, since she's the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain. She plays Beater with our cousin Lucy, her sister."
"Are all of your family in Gryffindor?" Scorpius asked.
"No. Victoire's a Ravenclaw, and her sister Dominique's in Hufflepuff. Their brother Louis doesn't have a house, since he chose to go to Beauxbatons. Molly, Lucy, Roxie, Fred, and James are in Gryffindor. We don't have anyone in Slytherin, though."
"Yet," Al added.
"True. We don't know what houses we'll all be in. Anyone know what house you want?"
Wil shrugged, "Since neither of my parents went here, I don't think they care."
Scorpius said, "All of my family's been in Slytherin forever. I think my parents really want me to be in Slytherin, too."
"My parents were both in Gryffindor, but my dad told me before I got on the train, that The Sorting Hat wanted to put him in Slytherin. He said he asked for Gryffindor. He told me he didn't care what house I was in, but that I could pick one if I wanted. So if you want Slytherin, Scorpius, you should just tell The Hat."
Scorpius nodded thoughtfully.
"I didn't know Uncle Harry was almost in Slytherin!"
Wil asked, "Erm . . . What's The Sorting Hat?"
Rose answered, "A very long time ago, there were four founders of Hogwarts; Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, Godric Gryffindor, and Salazar Slytherin."
Wil interrupted, "Alliteration must have been very popular back then."
Rose glared at him, but Scorpius and Al laughed.
"Anyway," Rose huffed. "Each of the founders looked for different qualities in their students. That's why there are four houses. They planned for the school to last long past their lifetimes, and they were right, it has. The Sorting Hat was their way of ensuring their legacies continued. They took Godric Gryffindor's hat and each magically put some of their personalities into it. So First Years wear The Sorting Hat, and it puts us into one of the four houses."
"So this hat can talk?"
Al answered this time, "Dad said he heard it speaking in his head. I don't think it actually talks out loud, but I don't know."
Wil nodded. "So what house do you want to be in?"
Al answered hesitantly, "I always thought I wanted to be in Gryffindor like my older brother, but he's really been picking on me the last few weeks, and he immediately ran off with his friends and ignored me as soon as we got to Kings' Cross. I had been worried that my parents would be upset if I wasn't in Gryffindor, but after what Dad said, I think I'd really like to be in a different house than James."
Rose questioned, "You just decided that today, then?"
"Yeah, I guess I did."
"How about you, Rose?" Wil asked.
"Well, both of my parents were in Gryffindor, too. Mummy has always said it didn't matter what house I was in. I think Daddy really wants me in Gryffindor, but today he told me he'd love me no matter what, so I'm not sure now . . ."
"It'd be fun if all of us were in the same house. That way I'd know people already, since I don't know anyone else," Wil said.
"That would be nice," Scorpius added. "I don't know anyone else either."
"Well, let's do it then!" Rose declared.
"Do what, exactly?" Al asked.
"Let's tell The Hat to put us all in the same house. It sorts in alphabetical order, so . . . Wil goes first. So why don't the rest of us choose whatever house Wil gets?"
"That'd be great!"
"Yeah!"
"Let's shake on it!" Al stuck his hand forward, and the others followed until they had a four way handshake.
The door to their compartment opened. "Anything from the trolley dears?" Eating lunch, daring each other with Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, and trading chocolate frog cards lasted them the rest of the journey.
***
Even though Rose and Al had been to Hogwarts before, arriving was still like a dream. Because this was their time. Besides, the looks of wonder and awe on Scorpius' and Wil's faces were contagious. Hearing Hagrid's calls of "Firs' Years!" Sharing the boat ride across the lake, whispering excitedly as they entered the castle together, half-listening as Professor Longbottom explained the sorting and lined them up in alphabetical order.
Of course, once in line, only Scorpius and Al were near each other. Rose knew Aggie Longbottom, who was standing next to Wil, but that was the only other first year she recognized. Rose, of course, was last in the line. It wasn't fair. Couldn't they go in reverse alphabetical order, just once?
Rose listened as students were sorted into Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw, seemingly in about equal numbers. Then it was Wil's turn. Rose wondered what house the four of them would be in . . .
"Slytherin!"
The Slytherin table cheered and yelled loudly. Wil was the first Slytherin.
Longbottom, Augusta, Uncle Neville's daughter, went to Hufflepuff. Darn. Rose owed Al a Knut. They'd bet on whether Aggie would be a Gryffindor like her dad or a Hufflepuff like her mum. From further down the line, Al turned and waved at Rose, smirking. She stuck her tongue out at him. Scorpius laughed. Apparently, Al had filled him in on the joke.
The Sorting Hat barely touched Scorpius' head before putting him in Slytherin. The Hat remained on Al's head a bit longer, but put him in Slytherin as well. Uncle Neville, Professor Longbottom, Rose reminded herself, looked surprised. Al and Scorpius sat with Wil at the Slytherin table.
It seemed to take forever for Rose's turn. Finally, Professor Longbottom called, "Weasley, Rose!" And Rose hurried forward, sat on the stool, and put The Hat on her head. She thought very hard, "I would like Slytherin, please."
"Slytherin, eh? Why Slytherin?"
"My cousin, who's also always been my best friend, and our two new friends we made today are all in Slytherin, and I want to be in Slytherin, too."
"Not my choice for you, but . . ."
"Where would you put me?" Rose interrupted.
"Ravenclaw."
"Hmm . . . no thank you. Victoire's too bossy. I'd rather be with my friends."
"As you wish."
"Slytherin!"
Rose gave a cheery wave to Professor Longbottom, who looked even more shocked than he had before. As she hurried to sit with Al, Scorpius, and Wil, Rose wondered if anyone ever told Uncle Neville that the Sorting Hat listened to first years' opinions.
***
After a sumptuous meal, and the "start-of-term" lecture by Headmistress McGonagall, Rose was feeling sleepy when she heard a call of, "First years! Please follow us!" She looked up to see an older girl with very long, dark brown hair. Rose, Wil, Al, and Scorpius stood and followed her to the Entrance Hall.
"I'm Harriet Slughorn, the Fifth Year Prefect." Harriet gestured to a boy who was already in the Entrance Hall,"This is Harry, my twin brother and the other Fifth Year Prefect. Please follow us."
Harriet and Harry walked down the stairs, and the Slytherin first years followed. They stopped in front of a blank wall, and Harry stated clearly, "Ambitious, not evil." The wall slid open to reveal the Slytherin common room.
Rose looked around. "Green is such a pretty color, just like Uncle Harry's eyes," Rose sighed happily.
Al elbowed her, and Rose stuck her tongue out at him.
"Look, a merman!" Wil pointed out the window. "It's so cool that we're under the lake!" Scorpius nodded.
Harriet said, "Rose, please come with me, and I'll show you your room. The rest of you lot go with Harry."
Rose followed Harriet, as requested. She arrived in a bedroom a bit bigger than the one she had at home with one bed in it. "Why is there only one bed?"
Harriet looked at Rose very strangely. "You were at the Sorting, Rose. You're the only first year Slytherin girl. Albus, Scorpius, and Wilhelm are the only boys. So you get your own room."
"I thought maybe I wasn't properly paying attention at the Sorting . . ." Rose trailed off, suddenly unsure of herself.
"You were." Harriet sighed. "Slytherin is the smallest of all the houses. There are only three dozen students in all seven years. I'm the only girl in my year, too. And Harry is the only boy. One thing, though, it certainly encourages having friends from other years and other houses. Additionally, Slytherin has become like a family. We all stick together and look out for each other since there aren't very many of us."
Rose nodded and tried to smile.
"If you're worried about being lonely, you could get a pet. Even an owl can stay in your room instead of in the owlery."
"I have an owl, but if she stayed with me in the dungeon, how would she get out?"
"There's a special passageway for owls. If you decide you want to keep your owl here, I can show you, and help you teach her how to use it."
"Thank you. I'll . . . let you know."
"OK. Goodnight, Rose."
"Goodnight, Harriet. Thank you."
Harriet nodded and left, closing the door behind her.
Rose stared at her room. When she decided to choose Slytherin, she hadn't realized she'd be alone. Did she want Cinnamon here with her instead of in the owlery? At least she wouldn’t ever have to deal with roommates she didn't like . . .
Rose dressed for bed in her new Chudley Cannons pajamas and wrote to her parents. She'd take the letter to Cinnamon in the morning. She turned off the lights and snuggled into her covers, clutching her plush hippogriff Beaky, a third birthday present from Hagrid. The bed was really comfortable, and she did like green.
Rose struggled to sleep for quite awhile, but she wasn't used to the castle. She could hear the water of the lake swirling through the walls and hoped it couldn't get in. For the first time since she could remember, she wasn't able to knock on the wall to say goodnight to Hugo. Rose wondered if Hugo missed her too.
She gave up, got out of bed, and crept out of her room. She didn't know exactly where the boys' room was, but she walked in the direction she had last seen Al go. She slowly pushed open the door, hoping the hinges wouldn't creak. She quietly opened the curtains on the first bed she came to, and found Al.
Al sat straight up in bed when Rose opened the curtain. "Rose, what are you doing here?" he whispered.
"I can't sleep."
"Me neither." Al scooted to the other side of the bed and patted where he had been. Rose climbed in.
"You brought Beaky?"
Rose blushed. "I know we're eleven, but I couldn't leave him home . . ."
"It's okay." Al reached under his covers and pulled out Bucky, his own plush hippogriff. Rose smiled.
They lay down facing each other, their hippogriffs' beaks touching, and whispered together until they fell asleep.
***
Fortunately, Rose's nighttime wanderings went unnoticed. She, Al, Scorpius, and Wil found the owlery and the Great Hall without incident, enjoyed their hearty breakfast, received their schedules, and were on their way to their first class before encountering any trouble.
As they passed through the Entrance Hall, they heard, "Traitors! I can't believe my brother and my cousin are dirty, rotten, lowdown snakes!"
They turned around to see James Potter glaring at them venomously.
Rose put her hands on her hips and yelled, "You take that back, James Potter!"
"Take it back? Never! I don't know either of you anymore! You're dead to me now that you're in Slytherin!" James said the last word as if it were a curse.
Rose noticed that Al had not said a word and looked as if he were going to cry. "You bloody git! How can you talk about your own brother like that!"
"Brother? I don't have a brother! And I don't have a cousin named Rose either!"
Rose gasped, pulled her wand, and screamed, "Mucosa Chiroptera!"
James shrieked in pain as huge bats flew out of his nose. Rose was rather pleased with herself until she heard a deep voice behind her.
"Finite Incantatem!" James panted and gasped clutching his bleeding nose.
"Mr Potter, stop by the hospital wing before your first class. Madam Pomfrey will fix your nose in a tick. And no more bullying your family members or anyone else for that matter. Miss Weasley," Professor Longbottom glared at Rose, "There is no magic allowed in the corridors. You know better than that. Ten points from Slytherin and detention tonight. Meet me in Greenhouse One at six o'clock sharp."
Rose gaped at Professor Longbottom, blinking hard in an attempt not to cry.
"All four of you need to get to your first class. I will see you this evening, Miss Weasley."
Without looking at Al, Wil, or Scorpius, Rose hurried off to History of Magic. She found a desk in the back of the room, and slumped in her seat, furiously wiping tears from her eyes. She would not cry. She'd save crying for tomorrow when she would most certainly get a Howler from her mum.
Al slid into the desk on Rose's right, as Wil slid into the one on her left. Scorpius sat next to Wil. As soon as they were seated, Professor Binns began, "Good Morning, Class! We are here to learn the history of magic. We will start at the very beginning . . ."
Rose wasn't listening. She'd already read the First Year textbook and had her mum's notes. Besides, Dad always said History of Magic was pointless. Why did she let James rile her up? She hadn't even had one class at Hogwarts, and she already had a detention and had lost points, too. That had to be a record of some sort.
A piece of parchment landed in Rose's lap. She looked down and read,
"I'm so sorry, Rosie. Thanks for standing up for me. I'd help you with detention if I could. The git's my brother, after all. Love, Al"
Rose snorted and felt a bit better.
***
Rose survived Defense Against the Dark Arts and thought she would probably like Professor Creevey.
Rose had no appetite for lunch, so she went to the owlery. Al, Wil, and Scorpius all offered to accompany Rose, but she saw how they were eyeing the stew and told them it wasn't necessary. She couldn't visit Cinnamon, since she'd sent Cinnamon to her parents just that morning. She'd have to use a school owl, but she wanted to write them again and tell them about her detention before someone else did. Knowing her family and their friends-who-were-considered-family she was probably already too late.
The afternoon brought Double Charms with Professor Flitwick. Even in a bad mood, Rose loved Charms. And she was quite sure she loved Professor Flitwick, too. He was so cute, and possibly the only person in existence who was shorter than she was. Why couldn't she have inherited her dad's height instead of his hair color? Rose was the only person who managed to properly levitate her feather. Thankfully something went right on her first day of school.
Al made Rose eat dinner since she had skipped lunch. Wil took her bag and promised to bring it to Astronomy later that evening, so she wouldn't have to carry anything with her to detention.
Rose left the Entrance Hall and walked outside. She felt like she was walking to her execution rather than Greenhouse One. She had only walked a few meters onto the grounds when she heard a sharp voice calling her name. She turned to see her cousin Victoire walking briskly towards her.
"Rose! How dare you! I cannot believe you caused trouble before you even had your first class! What is wrong with you? Hexing another student, and your own cousin?!"
Rose glared at Victoire and said, "Hi, Victoire. So nice to see you. How are you doing today?"
Victoire put one hand on her hip while wagging a finger at Rose. "Don't you get cheeky with me, Rose Weasley. You've brought shame on our entire family! And as the oldest cousin, and most importantly as Head Girl . . ."
A cough sounded behind Victoire that sounded suspiciously like "Bighead Girl." Rose suppressed her smile. She hadn't seen Molly approaching them.
"Victoire! Rose! Good to see both of you." Molly looked between them, grinning widely. "I'm on my way to the Quidditch Pitch. Want to get in as much practice as possible before I hold tryouts in a few weeks! Why don't I walk you to the greenhouses, Rose?" Molly put her hand on Rose's shoulder as she turned her, and kept walking. "Bye, Victoire! I'm sure you have plenty of Head Girl duties. I'll make sure Rose gets to detention." Molly called all of this over her shoulder as she propelled Rose forward.
As Rose glanced back, she saw Victoire with both hands on her hips, her expression angrier than ever.
As soon as they were out of ear shot of Victoire, Rose whispered, "Thanks, Molly."
"No problem. Victoire really is 'Bighead Girl.'"
Rose snorted, "Where did you get that name for her?"
Molly laughed, "Uncle George and Uncle Fred used to call Dad 'Bighead Boy'. They even charmed his Head Boy badge to say that. I just adapted it. I think I may need to charm her badge, too, come to think of it."
Rose giggled. Rose saw Molly look over her shoulder and looked as well to see that Victoire was gone. Molly and Rose stopped walking, and Molly got down on her knees so she was close to Rose's height.
"So, are you okay, Rose?"
Rose nodded once, but didn't look at Molly.
"Really? James was a complete prat, and I just wanted to make sure he didn't hurt your feelings."
Rose couldn't help herself-she started to cry. Molly wrapped her arms around the sobbing Rose and held her.
"James is mean!" Rose wailed. "The look on Al's face-his own brother . . ." Rose's breath hitched on a huge sob."They were always friends until recently and now . . . and I picked Slytherin to be with Al and our new friends, but now I'm all alone in a room by myself and I don't have Hugo to knock on the wall at night and I've got detention on the first day of school and I've already ruined everything and everyone's going to hate me!" Rose sobbed into Molly's shoulder.
When Rose's sobs were quieting, Molly handed her a handkerchief. Rose mopped her eyes and face, blew her nose, and put the handkerchief in her pocket.
"Rosie, no one hates you, and you haven't ruined anything. You stood up for Al, which is a good thing to do, and is worth getting detention for. I know for a fact Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione had detentions, so don't worry about what they think either."
"Mum wouldn't have gotten a detention . . ."
"Oh yes she did. And in her first year, too."
"How do you know?"
Molly chuckled. "I spent most of my fourth year in detention, and was worried Dad would hate me for ruining my chances to be Prefect. He didn't hate me, he actually wasn't even that mad at me. He tried to make me feel better by listing every detention that everyone else in our family ever received. Of course, Dad never got detention himself, but he's the only one. Even Victoire's gotten detention before."
"Really?" Molly nodded. "So why were you in detention for most of . . ."
"That's a story for a different time." Molly glanced at her watch. "Come on. You don't want to be late for detention." Molly waved her wand at Rose's face. "There. Now you don't look like you've been crying. Meet me on the Quidditch pitch tomorrow afternoon, and I'll give you and your friends flying tips." Molly smiled.
Rose hugged Molly tightly. "Thanks, Molly." Rose opened the door and walked into Greenhouse One.
***
Running across the grounds in the dark, Rose was very thankful for Wil's offering to carry her bag for her. She definitely would have been late if she had to haul her books with her.
Rose arrived just on time for Astronomy, out of breath and sweaty with dragon dung still under her fingernails. Yuck. She collapsed into the seat between Al and Wil. Wil handed over her bag. "Thanks!" She whispered.
***
After thoroughly scouring herself in the shower, especially under her fingernails, Rose made no pretense of attempting to sleep in her own bed. She grabbed Beaky and quietly joined Al in his.
***
The next morning, Rose, Al, Wil, and Scorpius were able to have a bit of a lie in as their only morning class was double potions. Once again Rose returned to her own room without being seen.
After not being properly hungry for most of the previous day, Rose was starving and piled her plate with every food available. She was eating so quickly she had almost finished, when Cinnamon flew over to her, several letters clutched in her beak.
"Not a red one in the lot, so your parents didn't send a Howler." Al pointed out. Rose nodded nervously, staring at the envelopes. "Well, open them already!"
Rose took the envelopes from Cinnamon. As she tore open the top envelope, Cinnamon nicked a slice of bacon from her plate and flew off. Rose read her first letter written in her dad's messy scrawl.
Rosie,
Don't worry about detention. It happens. Please don't tell your mum I said that, though. I'm proud of you for standing up for Al. James was a bloody git. Don't tell your mum about that last bit either.
Love you,
Dad
Rose chuckled and handed the letter to Al. She opened the next one, written in her mum's tidy script.
Dear Rose,
Of course, I am not pleased you got detention before you even went to one class, but it's not the end of the world either. I very much appreciated your telling us yourself rather than finding out from Professor Longbottom when he Flooed last night. I am certain Aunt Ginny and Uncle Harry will be having a talk with James about his behavior, but please do not hex him again, no matter what he says.
I am very happy you and Al are in the same house and that you have already made friends. I met your dad and Uncle Harry on the train, too, and you know how well that turned out for us. Study hard and have fun, too!
I love you very much.
Mum
Rose gave a sigh of relief and handed her mum's letter to Al as well. She glanced at the third letter, "This one's for you, Al." Rose gave it to him and returned to her breakfast.
"Everything's okay then?" Wil asked.
"Oh, yes. You and Scorpius can read the letters if you'd like." Al had finished and handed them across the table. Scorpius and Wil leaned their heads together to read at the same time.
"Your dad is so cool!" Scorpius enthused.
"Your mum doesn't seem like she's mad at you," Wil said. "And you thought you'd get a Howler."
"I guess I worried too much. So what'd your parents say, Al?"
"They Flooed to Professor Longbottom's office last night to have a talk with James, so hopefully he'll be nicer now, or at least leave us alone."
Rose glanced at her watch. "We need to get to Potions!"
***
The four breathed a sigh of relief when they arrived in the Potions classroom and Professor Slughorn was not there yet. Actually no one else was there. They selected a table in the middle and got settled. They only had a very short wait before being greeted by a booming voice.
"Good morning! What a wonderful crop of first years this year. Ah, yes!" Professor Slughorn conjured an armchair and sat facing them.
"You might be wondering why the class is so small. I like to get to know all of my students and have plenty of time for individual attention, so I requested that each house have potions separately, at least for the first years. Now let me see . . ." Professor Slughorn looked at a class list. "Wilhelm Krum."
"Yes, sir."
"Are you related to Viktor Krum, the famous Seeker and now Bulgarian Ambassador to Britain?"
"Yes, sir. He's my dad."
"Excellent! And who is your mother?"
"Emilie Bourg Krum, sir."
"Keeper for the French National Team? The one called 'The Wall' because nothing could get by her?"
"Yes, sir."
"So did your parents meet playing Quidditch?"
"They actually met here at the Triwizard tournament, sir. Dad was the champion for Durmstrang, and Mum was one of the students in the Beauxbatons delegation."
"So they fell in love during the Triwizard tournament?"
"No, they just met, then. They saw each other again when one of Mum's friends got married in England during the war, and they fell in love after that, I guess." Wil shrugged.
"Lovely. I too fell in love during the war with my lovely Aurora. Professor Sinistra to you lot." Professor Slughorn sighed happily while his class fidgeted. "Impressive Quidditch lineage in your family, Mr Krum. Do you plan to try out for the house team next year?"
"Yes, sir."
"Most excellent!" Professor Slughorn smiled at Wil. "Next we have Scorpius Malfoy."
"Yes, sir."
"The son of Draco and Asteria Malfoy nee Greengrass. The Malfoys and Greengrasses are both very ancient Wizarding families with deep roots in Slytherin House. I knew both of your parents, of course. Now, your grandmother Narcissa-what a brave woman! Lying to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's face! We owe her a great debt of gratitude."
"Thank you, sir." Scorpius blushed. Professor Slughorn smiled at Scorpius as he had Wil.
"Albus Potter! Son of 'The Savior of the Wizarding World'! I was rather disappointed not to get your brother in my house, but I couldn't be more pleased than to have you. Your father was the youngest Seeker in a century at Hogwarts. You look very much like your father, Mr Potter. And your mother! Youngest Chaser ever for the Holyhead Harpies. Brilliant! Did you know your mother gave me a poster signed by the entire team? A dream come true! Will you be trying out for the House team, Mr Potter?"
"Yes, sir."
"Excellent! And Rose Weasley, daughter of the other two parts of 'The Golden Trio' who helped bring down He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Your mother was one of the best Potions students I have ever taught, possibly second only to Mr Potter's grandmother, Lily. I expect great things from you, Miss Weasley."
"Yes, sir."
"I presume your Aunt Ginny taught you to do such a marvelous Bat Bogey Hex?"
"Er . . .yes, sir." Rose blushed.
"That is how I met your Aunt Ginny. I saw her perform her excellent Bat Bogey Hex on a very deserving young man. I wish I could have seen yours! Of course, I heard all about it." Professor Slughorn smiled.
"I-I'm sorry, sir," Rose stammered. "I-"
"Nothing to apologize for, Miss Weasley. I am sure the elder Mr Potter deserved it. Alas, it is against the rules to hex other students . . ." Professor Slughorn shrugged. "Well, enough for introductions. Please take out your potions kits." Professor Slughorn stood up, banishing his armchair as he did. "We are going to learn the properties of each ingredient, what potions may be made with them, and practice proper methods of preparation . . ."
***
As they walked to lunch after Potions, Al whispered to Rose, "See Rosie? Professor Slughorn wasn't even mad at you, and he's our Head of House." Rose smiled.
When they reached the Entrance Hall, James and Fred were coming from the other direction. James yelled, "Well, well, well! If it isn't the Black Sheep of the Potter Family. Or should I say the Green Snake?" James hissed the last words.
"Oh, come off it, James." Fred pulled on James' arm.
"Geroff, Fred!" James yanked his arm free from his cousin's grasp. "Can't the snakes talk? Or do you just hiss now? Or do you tattle by owl?"
"Grow. UP." Rose spat out the words.
Al piped up, "I didn't tattle. Professor Longbottom tattled. So why don't you go bother him?"
"Professors don't tattle you little-" James took a step forward, arms reached out to Al, but before he could reach him he tripped, apparently over air, and flew towards Al. Al backed up, and James landed in a heap at his feet. James quickly scrambled to his feet, grabbing his brother by the front of his shirt.
"Detention, Mr Potter!" Al and James both turned to look at Professor Slughorn in confusion. "Detention for Mr James Potter."
"What'd I do? Al tripped me!"
"It looked like you attacked your brother, and he was fast enough to get out of the way. Mr Potter's wand is still in his bag. How do you think he tripped you?" Professor Slughorn answered calmly.
"Then it was Rose!" James whined.
"Miss Weasley's wand is in her bag as well. I did not see anyone trip you. You will be in the Potions classroom at six this evening for detention." Professor Slughorn calmly entered the Great Hall.
James said a word to Al for which his mum would have scourgified his mouth, and stalked off.
"Neither of you tripped him?" Fred asked.
"My wand really is in my bag like Professor Slughorn said," Rose answered. Al just shook his head. Fred shrugged and followed James.
When he was gone, Wil whispered, "Good one, Scorpius!"
Rose and Al stared at Scorpius in surprise. Al smiled and said, "Thanks, mate. He really did attack me."
***
Transfiguration was after lunch. Rose knew nothing about Professor Mitchell as she had not been at Hogwarts long, but she seemed okay.
Their last class of the day was Herbology. Rose was determined not to like Professor Longbottom or his class, but after he gave her ten points for answering a question correctly (He called on her-she did not raise her hand), she thought she might decide to like him after all.
Having Herbology last put them near the Quidditch pitch. Having planned ahead and brought their brooms, Rose, Al, Scorpius and Wil hurried to meet Molly to practice flying. Rose was extremely thankful Headmistress McGonagall had lifted the ban on first years' having brooms.
When they arrived, Molly and Lucy were hitting a Muggle soft ball back and forth with their Beater's bats. They stopped when they saw the new arrivals. Greetings were exchanged all around. The six of them flew together for quite a while with Lucy and Molly suggesting moves for the first years to try.
When they all stopped for a rest, Molly said, "Wow. I knew Rose and Al could fly, because I've seen them in family Quidditch matches, but all four of you are really something."
Lucy added, "I've never seen an eleven-year-old fly like you do, Wil." Wil blushed and dug in the ground with his toe.
"The four of you will definitely make the Quidditch team if you try out next year. If that's what you want, of course."
"But you don't get to pick who plays for Slytherin . . ."
"Yes, but I've seen Slytherin play. And Slytherin is such a small house anyone who tries out gets on the team. I'm glad I won't be up against you lot next year though." Molly chuckled.
"Thanks a lot, Molly." Lucy rolled her eyes. "I still have two more years, and my partner Beater is abandoning me."
"It's called finishing school, not abandoning." It was Molly's turn to roll her eyes. "We should all get back up to the castle. The sun will set soon."
They all nodded and began walking back. "So I hear there was another scuffle with James, and he got the detention today."
"Yes. He grabbed Al."
"That's what Fred said. James insists one of you tripped him. I'm very impressed at whoever managed that without being seen." Molly winked, and then laughed at the shocked expressions of the first years. "You don't have to tell me. Probably better if you don't. Then if anyone asks me I have plausible deniability."
Lucy chimed in, "James deserved detention anyway for being such a complete prat. You should prank him. It would serve him right."
***
Rose, Al, Scorpius, and Wil ate dinner quickly and went back to the boys' room for a private conversation.
"Lucy's right. We really should prank James." Rose said.
"How would we do that, though?" Scorpius asked.
"Says the one with the best Trip Jinx ever!" Wil rolled his eyes.
"We could ask Uncle George for ideas," Al suggested.
Rose shook her head. "James could ask Uncle George, too. We need to do something on our own."
"Your uncle would help with a prank?" Wil asked.
"Our Uncle George owns Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes."
"Our dads are part owners, too."
"I love that place! Auntie Andromeda takes me there since Mum and Dad aren't too keen." Scorpius enthused.
"Auntie Andromeda! That's it!"
"What's it?" Wil, Al, and Scorpius all asked at once.
"She really is your great aunt, right, Scorpius?" He nodded. "Well, Al and I call her Auntie Andromeda, too, since Uncle Harry, Al's dad, is her grandson's godfather. Our family sort of adopted her and Teddy. You can never have too much family, after all."
"So what about Auntie Andromeda?"
"She was in Slytherin, too, and I bet she'd help us with ideas for how to prank James."
"We can all write her together and ask. And let's use the stationery she bought me . . ."
***
The next morning when Rose returned from Al's room to her own, she found Harriet waiting for her. Rose stopped in her tracks and stared at Harriet, mouth agape.
"Rose, you aren't in trouble. I know it's hard to be the only girl in your year-I am, too, but you need to sleep in your own bed. You can't keep sneaking over to your cousin's room."
"Okay . . . but . . . Harriet, how did you know?"
Harriet smiled, "Professor Snape's portrait saw you last night and told me."
"Portraits tattle?!" Rose shrieked indignantly. "That hardly seems fair." Rose scowled, clutching Beaky to her chest.
Harriet laughed out loud. "Actually if he wanted to tattle, he could have told Headmistress McGonagall. He only told me. Why don't you meet me here after classes and bring your owl. I'll help you teach her how to get out of the dungeons, and then you won't be so lonely. Okay?"
Rose nodded, resigned. "Okay."
***
As soon as classes ended, Rose went to the owlery and brought Cinnamon to her dormitory where she found Harriet waiting for her.
"What a beautiful owl! What's her name?"
"Cinnamon." Cinnamon fluttered to Harriet's shoulder and preened her hair.
"Friendly, too!" Harriet laughed. Cinnamon flew back to Rose and preened her hair, as well, making Rose giggle. "Follow me and I'll show you how she can get out."
Harriet lead Rose down to the end of the corridor, where there was a small niche carved out of the stone wall. "Here." Harriet lit her wand and held it in the niche. Rose could see that the small niche opened into a wide space after about a meter.
"Cinnamon can land on this shelf here, walk a bit, and then the tunnel opens up and is plenty wide enough for the wing span of even the largest owl to fly up and out."
"Why is the opening so small?"
"Whoever built this wanted to make sure only owls could get into it."
"What else would . . ."
"Students, apparently. I have no idea how, or why anyone would think that. Not even a first year is that small, and then even though the tunnel widens, it's straight up. No one could climb that. Anyway, let Cinnamon try it."
Rose put Cinnamon on the shelf-perch on the edge of the niche. "There you go, girl." Cinnamon peered ahead of her, and tentatively stepped further into the niche. When the passage widened, she spread her wings and took flight.
"Where will she come out?"
"I don't actually know, but it's high up. She isn't just clearing the lake to get to ground level. She'll be in the air where it's easy to fly."
"And she'll know how to get back?"
"Of course, owls are smart. We'll wait here for a few minutes for her."
Harriet was right. In just a few minutes, Cinnamon returned, walked out, and perched on Rose's shoulder.
"You okay with this arrangement?" Cinnamon gave an agreeable hoot.
That night Rose slept in her own bed for the first time since coming to Hogwarts, with Cinnamon perched right by her head.
Read Part 2
Rating: PG
Word Count: ~ 15,500 (for both parts)
Pairing(s): brief mentions of canon pairings, but mostly gen
Warnings: None, characters are eleven-years-old
Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters herein are the property of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No copyright infringement is intended.
Summary: Rose and Al make new friends on their first trip on the Hogwarts' Express. Join them as they begin their first year, and the adventure of their lives. Will they live up to the legacy of the Marauders?
Author's Notes: Huge hugs and many thanks to my awesome beta team! :D
These kids have taken over my brain. This story was written for the 2011 hp_nextgen_fest. I could only finish one term in time for the fest, but the other Hogwarts years will be coming . . . ;)
Rose and Al hung out the window of the Hogwarts’ Express and waved to their families until they disappeared from view.
“We should find a compartment.” Al nodded at Rose’s suggestion, and they headed off down the corridor.
Rose peered into each compartment, intentionally looking for the blond boy Dad told her not to get too friendly with. Rose thought he had looked lonely, and decided she and Al would be his friends.
It didn't take Rose long to find the blond boy in a compartment by himself. She slid open the door and asked, "May we join you?"
"Sure!" the boy responded, grinning.
Rose and Al entered the compartment fully and slid the door closed once more. Rose extended her hand. "Hi! I'm Rose Weasley and this is my cousin, Al Potter."
The blond boy shook both of their hands as he answered, "Scorpius Malfoy."
"Hi Scorpius", Al and Rose chorused together.
"Al, if you'll put our things away, I'll be right back." Without another word, Rose hurried down the corridor to find the loo. On the way back she passed a compartment with a dark haired boy sitting by himself. Rose didn't think anyone should ride the Express alone, so she pushed open the compartment door. "Hi. I'm Rose Weasley. Would you like to sit with me?"
"Okay." The boy stood up, took his trunk down, and shook Rose's hand. "I'm Wilhelm Krum, but everyone just calls me Wil."
"Follow me, Wil." Rose led Wil back to the compartment where Al and Scorpius were talking excitedly. She held open the door while Wil lugged his trunk through it. As he stowed the trunk, she announced, "Wil, this is my cousin Al Potter, and our new friend, Scorpius Malfoy. Scorpius, Al, this is our new friend Wilhelm Krum, but he goes by Wil."
After exchanging pleasantries all around and getting settled in their seats, Wil asked Al, "Are you Harry Potter's son?"
Al blushed and nodded.
"Our dads are friends! My dad meets your dad for lunch whenever he comes to England-my dad's the Bulgarian ambassador. He's told me all about competing in the Triwizard Tournament with your dad . . ."
Rose interrupted, "Your dad is Viktor Krum?! The Quidditch player?"
"Yes. Why?"
Rose giggled. "My mum's first date was with your dad. They went to the Yule Ball together during the Triwizard Tournament." Wil, Scorpius, and Al all made faces. Rose looked quite pleased with herself.
"My dad met my mum that year, too. She was one of the students from Beauxbatons, but she didn't compete."
"Our Aunt Fleur was the Beauxbatons champion."
"My dad went to Durmstrang. Mum and Dad both liked Hogwarts so much when they were here, they let me come, rather than arguing over which of their schools I would go to."
"We've lived abroad my entire life, so my parents debated sending me to a different school, but I really wanted to come to the same school they did," Scorpius said.
"That's so cool! You'll have to tell us all about where you've traveled. I'll bet you got to learn tons!" Rose enthused.
"I guess I learned things," Scorpius replied, "but I don't know lots of people like you do."
"Well, then I'm glad we made friends with you, because now you know us."
Scorpius gave Rose a shy smile.
Al added, "Most of the people we know are our cousins. We have loads. You'll see our cousin Victoire, since she's Head Girl this year."
"And our cousin Molly, since she's the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain. She plays Beater with our cousin Lucy, her sister."
"Are all of your family in Gryffindor?" Scorpius asked.
"No. Victoire's a Ravenclaw, and her sister Dominique's in Hufflepuff. Their brother Louis doesn't have a house, since he chose to go to Beauxbatons. Molly, Lucy, Roxie, Fred, and James are in Gryffindor. We don't have anyone in Slytherin, though."
"Yet," Al added.
"True. We don't know what houses we'll all be in. Anyone know what house you want?"
Wil shrugged, "Since neither of my parents went here, I don't think they care."
Scorpius said, "All of my family's been in Slytherin forever. I think my parents really want me to be in Slytherin, too."
"My parents were both in Gryffindor, but my dad told me before I got on the train, that The Sorting Hat wanted to put him in Slytherin. He said he asked for Gryffindor. He told me he didn't care what house I was in, but that I could pick one if I wanted. So if you want Slytherin, Scorpius, you should just tell The Hat."
Scorpius nodded thoughtfully.
"I didn't know Uncle Harry was almost in Slytherin!"
Wil asked, "Erm . . . What's The Sorting Hat?"
Rose answered, "A very long time ago, there were four founders of Hogwarts; Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, Godric Gryffindor, and Salazar Slytherin."
Wil interrupted, "Alliteration must have been very popular back then."
Rose glared at him, but Scorpius and Al laughed.
"Anyway," Rose huffed. "Each of the founders looked for different qualities in their students. That's why there are four houses. They planned for the school to last long past their lifetimes, and they were right, it has. The Sorting Hat was their way of ensuring their legacies continued. They took Godric Gryffindor's hat and each magically put some of their personalities into it. So First Years wear The Sorting Hat, and it puts us into one of the four houses."
"So this hat can talk?"
Al answered this time, "Dad said he heard it speaking in his head. I don't think it actually talks out loud, but I don't know."
Wil nodded. "So what house do you want to be in?"
Al answered hesitantly, "I always thought I wanted to be in Gryffindor like my older brother, but he's really been picking on me the last few weeks, and he immediately ran off with his friends and ignored me as soon as we got to Kings' Cross. I had been worried that my parents would be upset if I wasn't in Gryffindor, but after what Dad said, I think I'd really like to be in a different house than James."
Rose questioned, "You just decided that today, then?"
"Yeah, I guess I did."
"How about you, Rose?" Wil asked.
"Well, both of my parents were in Gryffindor, too. Mummy has always said it didn't matter what house I was in. I think Daddy really wants me in Gryffindor, but today he told me he'd love me no matter what, so I'm not sure now . . ."
"It'd be fun if all of us were in the same house. That way I'd know people already, since I don't know anyone else," Wil said.
"That would be nice," Scorpius added. "I don't know anyone else either."
"Well, let's do it then!" Rose declared.
"Do what, exactly?" Al asked.
"Let's tell The Hat to put us all in the same house. It sorts in alphabetical order, so . . . Wil goes first. So why don't the rest of us choose whatever house Wil gets?"
"That'd be great!"
"Yeah!"
"Let's shake on it!" Al stuck his hand forward, and the others followed until they had a four way handshake.
The door to their compartment opened. "Anything from the trolley dears?" Eating lunch, daring each other with Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, and trading chocolate frog cards lasted them the rest of the journey.
***
Even though Rose and Al had been to Hogwarts before, arriving was still like a dream. Because this was their time. Besides, the looks of wonder and awe on Scorpius' and Wil's faces were contagious. Hearing Hagrid's calls of "Firs' Years!" Sharing the boat ride across the lake, whispering excitedly as they entered the castle together, half-listening as Professor Longbottom explained the sorting and lined them up in alphabetical order.
Of course, once in line, only Scorpius and Al were near each other. Rose knew Aggie Longbottom, who was standing next to Wil, but that was the only other first year she recognized. Rose, of course, was last in the line. It wasn't fair. Couldn't they go in reverse alphabetical order, just once?
Rose listened as students were sorted into Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw, seemingly in about equal numbers. Then it was Wil's turn. Rose wondered what house the four of them would be in . . .
"Slytherin!"
The Slytherin table cheered and yelled loudly. Wil was the first Slytherin.
Longbottom, Augusta, Uncle Neville's daughter, went to Hufflepuff. Darn. Rose owed Al a Knut. They'd bet on whether Aggie would be a Gryffindor like her dad or a Hufflepuff like her mum. From further down the line, Al turned and waved at Rose, smirking. She stuck her tongue out at him. Scorpius laughed. Apparently, Al had filled him in on the joke.
The Sorting Hat barely touched Scorpius' head before putting him in Slytherin. The Hat remained on Al's head a bit longer, but put him in Slytherin as well. Uncle Neville, Professor Longbottom, Rose reminded herself, looked surprised. Al and Scorpius sat with Wil at the Slytherin table.
It seemed to take forever for Rose's turn. Finally, Professor Longbottom called, "Weasley, Rose!" And Rose hurried forward, sat on the stool, and put The Hat on her head. She thought very hard, "I would like Slytherin, please."
"Slytherin, eh? Why Slytherin?"
"My cousin, who's also always been my best friend, and our two new friends we made today are all in Slytherin, and I want to be in Slytherin, too."
"Not my choice for you, but . . ."
"Where would you put me?" Rose interrupted.
"Ravenclaw."
"Hmm . . . no thank you. Victoire's too bossy. I'd rather be with my friends."
"As you wish."
"Slytherin!"
Rose gave a cheery wave to Professor Longbottom, who looked even more shocked than he had before. As she hurried to sit with Al, Scorpius, and Wil, Rose wondered if anyone ever told Uncle Neville that the Sorting Hat listened to first years' opinions.
***
After a sumptuous meal, and the "start-of-term" lecture by Headmistress McGonagall, Rose was feeling sleepy when she heard a call of, "First years! Please follow us!" She looked up to see an older girl with very long, dark brown hair. Rose, Wil, Al, and Scorpius stood and followed her to the Entrance Hall.
"I'm Harriet Slughorn, the Fifth Year Prefect." Harriet gestured to a boy who was already in the Entrance Hall,"This is Harry, my twin brother and the other Fifth Year Prefect. Please follow us."
Harriet and Harry walked down the stairs, and the Slytherin first years followed. They stopped in front of a blank wall, and Harry stated clearly, "Ambitious, not evil." The wall slid open to reveal the Slytherin common room.
Rose looked around. "Green is such a pretty color, just like Uncle Harry's eyes," Rose sighed happily.
Al elbowed her, and Rose stuck her tongue out at him.
"Look, a merman!" Wil pointed out the window. "It's so cool that we're under the lake!" Scorpius nodded.
Harriet said, "Rose, please come with me, and I'll show you your room. The rest of you lot go with Harry."
Rose followed Harriet, as requested. She arrived in a bedroom a bit bigger than the one she had at home with one bed in it. "Why is there only one bed?"
Harriet looked at Rose very strangely. "You were at the Sorting, Rose. You're the only first year Slytherin girl. Albus, Scorpius, and Wilhelm are the only boys. So you get your own room."
"I thought maybe I wasn't properly paying attention at the Sorting . . ." Rose trailed off, suddenly unsure of herself.
"You were." Harriet sighed. "Slytherin is the smallest of all the houses. There are only three dozen students in all seven years. I'm the only girl in my year, too. And Harry is the only boy. One thing, though, it certainly encourages having friends from other years and other houses. Additionally, Slytherin has become like a family. We all stick together and look out for each other since there aren't very many of us."
Rose nodded and tried to smile.
"If you're worried about being lonely, you could get a pet. Even an owl can stay in your room instead of in the owlery."
"I have an owl, but if she stayed with me in the dungeon, how would she get out?"
"There's a special passageway for owls. If you decide you want to keep your owl here, I can show you, and help you teach her how to use it."
"Thank you. I'll . . . let you know."
"OK. Goodnight, Rose."
"Goodnight, Harriet. Thank you."
Harriet nodded and left, closing the door behind her.
Rose stared at her room. When she decided to choose Slytherin, she hadn't realized she'd be alone. Did she want Cinnamon here with her instead of in the owlery? At least she wouldn’t ever have to deal with roommates she didn't like . . .
Rose dressed for bed in her new Chudley Cannons pajamas and wrote to her parents. She'd take the letter to Cinnamon in the morning. She turned off the lights and snuggled into her covers, clutching her plush hippogriff Beaky, a third birthday present from Hagrid. The bed was really comfortable, and she did like green.
Rose struggled to sleep for quite awhile, but she wasn't used to the castle. She could hear the water of the lake swirling through the walls and hoped it couldn't get in. For the first time since she could remember, she wasn't able to knock on the wall to say goodnight to Hugo. Rose wondered if Hugo missed her too.
She gave up, got out of bed, and crept out of her room. She didn't know exactly where the boys' room was, but she walked in the direction she had last seen Al go. She slowly pushed open the door, hoping the hinges wouldn't creak. She quietly opened the curtains on the first bed she came to, and found Al.
Al sat straight up in bed when Rose opened the curtain. "Rose, what are you doing here?" he whispered.
"I can't sleep."
"Me neither." Al scooted to the other side of the bed and patted where he had been. Rose climbed in.
"You brought Beaky?"
Rose blushed. "I know we're eleven, but I couldn't leave him home . . ."
"It's okay." Al reached under his covers and pulled out Bucky, his own plush hippogriff. Rose smiled.
They lay down facing each other, their hippogriffs' beaks touching, and whispered together until they fell asleep.
***
Fortunately, Rose's nighttime wanderings went unnoticed. She, Al, Scorpius, and Wil found the owlery and the Great Hall without incident, enjoyed their hearty breakfast, received their schedules, and were on their way to their first class before encountering any trouble.
As they passed through the Entrance Hall, they heard, "Traitors! I can't believe my brother and my cousin are dirty, rotten, lowdown snakes!"
They turned around to see James Potter glaring at them venomously.
Rose put her hands on her hips and yelled, "You take that back, James Potter!"
"Take it back? Never! I don't know either of you anymore! You're dead to me now that you're in Slytherin!" James said the last word as if it were a curse.
Rose noticed that Al had not said a word and looked as if he were going to cry. "You bloody git! How can you talk about your own brother like that!"
"Brother? I don't have a brother! And I don't have a cousin named Rose either!"
Rose gasped, pulled her wand, and screamed, "Mucosa Chiroptera!"
James shrieked in pain as huge bats flew out of his nose. Rose was rather pleased with herself until she heard a deep voice behind her.
"Finite Incantatem!" James panted and gasped clutching his bleeding nose.
"Mr Potter, stop by the hospital wing before your first class. Madam Pomfrey will fix your nose in a tick. And no more bullying your family members or anyone else for that matter. Miss Weasley," Professor Longbottom glared at Rose, "There is no magic allowed in the corridors. You know better than that. Ten points from Slytherin and detention tonight. Meet me in Greenhouse One at six o'clock sharp."
Rose gaped at Professor Longbottom, blinking hard in an attempt not to cry.
"All four of you need to get to your first class. I will see you this evening, Miss Weasley."
Without looking at Al, Wil, or Scorpius, Rose hurried off to History of Magic. She found a desk in the back of the room, and slumped in her seat, furiously wiping tears from her eyes. She would not cry. She'd save crying for tomorrow when she would most certainly get a Howler from her mum.
Al slid into the desk on Rose's right, as Wil slid into the one on her left. Scorpius sat next to Wil. As soon as they were seated, Professor Binns began, "Good Morning, Class! We are here to learn the history of magic. We will start at the very beginning . . ."
Rose wasn't listening. She'd already read the First Year textbook and had her mum's notes. Besides, Dad always said History of Magic was pointless. Why did she let James rile her up? She hadn't even had one class at Hogwarts, and she already had a detention and had lost points, too. That had to be a record of some sort.
A piece of parchment landed in Rose's lap. She looked down and read,
"I'm so sorry, Rosie. Thanks for standing up for me. I'd help you with detention if I could. The git's my brother, after all. Love, Al"
Rose snorted and felt a bit better.
***
Rose survived Defense Against the Dark Arts and thought she would probably like Professor Creevey.
Rose had no appetite for lunch, so she went to the owlery. Al, Wil, and Scorpius all offered to accompany Rose, but she saw how they were eyeing the stew and told them it wasn't necessary. She couldn't visit Cinnamon, since she'd sent Cinnamon to her parents just that morning. She'd have to use a school owl, but she wanted to write them again and tell them about her detention before someone else did. Knowing her family and their friends-who-were-considered-family she was probably already too late.
The afternoon brought Double Charms with Professor Flitwick. Even in a bad mood, Rose loved Charms. And she was quite sure she loved Professor Flitwick, too. He was so cute, and possibly the only person in existence who was shorter than she was. Why couldn't she have inherited her dad's height instead of his hair color? Rose was the only person who managed to properly levitate her feather. Thankfully something went right on her first day of school.
Al made Rose eat dinner since she had skipped lunch. Wil took her bag and promised to bring it to Astronomy later that evening, so she wouldn't have to carry anything with her to detention.
Rose left the Entrance Hall and walked outside. She felt like she was walking to her execution rather than Greenhouse One. She had only walked a few meters onto the grounds when she heard a sharp voice calling her name. She turned to see her cousin Victoire walking briskly towards her.
"Rose! How dare you! I cannot believe you caused trouble before you even had your first class! What is wrong with you? Hexing another student, and your own cousin?!"
Rose glared at Victoire and said, "Hi, Victoire. So nice to see you. How are you doing today?"
Victoire put one hand on her hip while wagging a finger at Rose. "Don't you get cheeky with me, Rose Weasley. You've brought shame on our entire family! And as the oldest cousin, and most importantly as Head Girl . . ."
A cough sounded behind Victoire that sounded suspiciously like "Bighead Girl." Rose suppressed her smile. She hadn't seen Molly approaching them.
"Victoire! Rose! Good to see both of you." Molly looked between them, grinning widely. "I'm on my way to the Quidditch Pitch. Want to get in as much practice as possible before I hold tryouts in a few weeks! Why don't I walk you to the greenhouses, Rose?" Molly put her hand on Rose's shoulder as she turned her, and kept walking. "Bye, Victoire! I'm sure you have plenty of Head Girl duties. I'll make sure Rose gets to detention." Molly called all of this over her shoulder as she propelled Rose forward.
As Rose glanced back, she saw Victoire with both hands on her hips, her expression angrier than ever.
As soon as they were out of ear shot of Victoire, Rose whispered, "Thanks, Molly."
"No problem. Victoire really is 'Bighead Girl.'"
Rose snorted, "Where did you get that name for her?"
Molly laughed, "Uncle George and Uncle Fred used to call Dad 'Bighead Boy'. They even charmed his Head Boy badge to say that. I just adapted it. I think I may need to charm her badge, too, come to think of it."
Rose giggled. Rose saw Molly look over her shoulder and looked as well to see that Victoire was gone. Molly and Rose stopped walking, and Molly got down on her knees so she was close to Rose's height.
"So, are you okay, Rose?"
Rose nodded once, but didn't look at Molly.
"Really? James was a complete prat, and I just wanted to make sure he didn't hurt your feelings."
Rose couldn't help herself-she started to cry. Molly wrapped her arms around the sobbing Rose and held her.
"James is mean!" Rose wailed. "The look on Al's face-his own brother . . ." Rose's breath hitched on a huge sob."They were always friends until recently and now . . . and I picked Slytherin to be with Al and our new friends, but now I'm all alone in a room by myself and I don't have Hugo to knock on the wall at night and I've got detention on the first day of school and I've already ruined everything and everyone's going to hate me!" Rose sobbed into Molly's shoulder.
When Rose's sobs were quieting, Molly handed her a handkerchief. Rose mopped her eyes and face, blew her nose, and put the handkerchief in her pocket.
"Rosie, no one hates you, and you haven't ruined anything. You stood up for Al, which is a good thing to do, and is worth getting detention for. I know for a fact Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione had detentions, so don't worry about what they think either."
"Mum wouldn't have gotten a detention . . ."
"Oh yes she did. And in her first year, too."
"How do you know?"
Molly chuckled. "I spent most of my fourth year in detention, and was worried Dad would hate me for ruining my chances to be Prefect. He didn't hate me, he actually wasn't even that mad at me. He tried to make me feel better by listing every detention that everyone else in our family ever received. Of course, Dad never got detention himself, but he's the only one. Even Victoire's gotten detention before."
"Really?" Molly nodded. "So why were you in detention for most of . . ."
"That's a story for a different time." Molly glanced at her watch. "Come on. You don't want to be late for detention." Molly waved her wand at Rose's face. "There. Now you don't look like you've been crying. Meet me on the Quidditch pitch tomorrow afternoon, and I'll give you and your friends flying tips." Molly smiled.
Rose hugged Molly tightly. "Thanks, Molly." Rose opened the door and walked into Greenhouse One.
***
Running across the grounds in the dark, Rose was very thankful for Wil's offering to carry her bag for her. She definitely would have been late if she had to haul her books with her.
Rose arrived just on time for Astronomy, out of breath and sweaty with dragon dung still under her fingernails. Yuck. She collapsed into the seat between Al and Wil. Wil handed over her bag. "Thanks!" She whispered.
***
After thoroughly scouring herself in the shower, especially under her fingernails, Rose made no pretense of attempting to sleep in her own bed. She grabbed Beaky and quietly joined Al in his.
***
The next morning, Rose, Al, Wil, and Scorpius were able to have a bit of a lie in as their only morning class was double potions. Once again Rose returned to her own room without being seen.
After not being properly hungry for most of the previous day, Rose was starving and piled her plate with every food available. She was eating so quickly she had almost finished, when Cinnamon flew over to her, several letters clutched in her beak.
"Not a red one in the lot, so your parents didn't send a Howler." Al pointed out. Rose nodded nervously, staring at the envelopes. "Well, open them already!"
Rose took the envelopes from Cinnamon. As she tore open the top envelope, Cinnamon nicked a slice of bacon from her plate and flew off. Rose read her first letter written in her dad's messy scrawl.
Rosie,
Don't worry about detention. It happens. Please don't tell your mum I said that, though. I'm proud of you for standing up for Al. James was a bloody git. Don't tell your mum about that last bit either.
Love you,
Dad
Rose chuckled and handed the letter to Al. She opened the next one, written in her mum's tidy script.
Dear Rose,
Of course, I am not pleased you got detention before you even went to one class, but it's not the end of the world either. I very much appreciated your telling us yourself rather than finding out from Professor Longbottom when he Flooed last night. I am certain Aunt Ginny and Uncle Harry will be having a talk with James about his behavior, but please do not hex him again, no matter what he says.
I am very happy you and Al are in the same house and that you have already made friends. I met your dad and Uncle Harry on the train, too, and you know how well that turned out for us. Study hard and have fun, too!
I love you very much.
Mum
Rose gave a sigh of relief and handed her mum's letter to Al as well. She glanced at the third letter, "This one's for you, Al." Rose gave it to him and returned to her breakfast.
"Everything's okay then?" Wil asked.
"Oh, yes. You and Scorpius can read the letters if you'd like." Al had finished and handed them across the table. Scorpius and Wil leaned their heads together to read at the same time.
"Your dad is so cool!" Scorpius enthused.
"Your mum doesn't seem like she's mad at you," Wil said. "And you thought you'd get a Howler."
"I guess I worried too much. So what'd your parents say, Al?"
"They Flooed to Professor Longbottom's office last night to have a talk with James, so hopefully he'll be nicer now, or at least leave us alone."
Rose glanced at her watch. "We need to get to Potions!"
***
The four breathed a sigh of relief when they arrived in the Potions classroom and Professor Slughorn was not there yet. Actually no one else was there. They selected a table in the middle and got settled. They only had a very short wait before being greeted by a booming voice.
"Good morning! What a wonderful crop of first years this year. Ah, yes!" Professor Slughorn conjured an armchair and sat facing them.
"You might be wondering why the class is so small. I like to get to know all of my students and have plenty of time for individual attention, so I requested that each house have potions separately, at least for the first years. Now let me see . . ." Professor Slughorn looked at a class list. "Wilhelm Krum."
"Yes, sir."
"Are you related to Viktor Krum, the famous Seeker and now Bulgarian Ambassador to Britain?"
"Yes, sir. He's my dad."
"Excellent! And who is your mother?"
"Emilie Bourg Krum, sir."
"Keeper for the French National Team? The one called 'The Wall' because nothing could get by her?"
"Yes, sir."
"So did your parents meet playing Quidditch?"
"They actually met here at the Triwizard tournament, sir. Dad was the champion for Durmstrang, and Mum was one of the students in the Beauxbatons delegation."
"So they fell in love during the Triwizard tournament?"
"No, they just met, then. They saw each other again when one of Mum's friends got married in England during the war, and they fell in love after that, I guess." Wil shrugged.
"Lovely. I too fell in love during the war with my lovely Aurora. Professor Sinistra to you lot." Professor Slughorn sighed happily while his class fidgeted. "Impressive Quidditch lineage in your family, Mr Krum. Do you plan to try out for the house team next year?"
"Yes, sir."
"Most excellent!" Professor Slughorn smiled at Wil. "Next we have Scorpius Malfoy."
"Yes, sir."
"The son of Draco and Asteria Malfoy nee Greengrass. The Malfoys and Greengrasses are both very ancient Wizarding families with deep roots in Slytherin House. I knew both of your parents, of course. Now, your grandmother Narcissa-what a brave woman! Lying to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's face! We owe her a great debt of gratitude."
"Thank you, sir." Scorpius blushed. Professor Slughorn smiled at Scorpius as he had Wil.
"Albus Potter! Son of 'The Savior of the Wizarding World'! I was rather disappointed not to get your brother in my house, but I couldn't be more pleased than to have you. Your father was the youngest Seeker in a century at Hogwarts. You look very much like your father, Mr Potter. And your mother! Youngest Chaser ever for the Holyhead Harpies. Brilliant! Did you know your mother gave me a poster signed by the entire team? A dream come true! Will you be trying out for the House team, Mr Potter?"
"Yes, sir."
"Excellent! And Rose Weasley, daughter of the other two parts of 'The Golden Trio' who helped bring down He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Your mother was one of the best Potions students I have ever taught, possibly second only to Mr Potter's grandmother, Lily. I expect great things from you, Miss Weasley."
"Yes, sir."
"I presume your Aunt Ginny taught you to do such a marvelous Bat Bogey Hex?"
"Er . . .yes, sir." Rose blushed.
"That is how I met your Aunt Ginny. I saw her perform her excellent Bat Bogey Hex on a very deserving young man. I wish I could have seen yours! Of course, I heard all about it." Professor Slughorn smiled.
"I-I'm sorry, sir," Rose stammered. "I-"
"Nothing to apologize for, Miss Weasley. I am sure the elder Mr Potter deserved it. Alas, it is against the rules to hex other students . . ." Professor Slughorn shrugged. "Well, enough for introductions. Please take out your potions kits." Professor Slughorn stood up, banishing his armchair as he did. "We are going to learn the properties of each ingredient, what potions may be made with them, and practice proper methods of preparation . . ."
***
As they walked to lunch after Potions, Al whispered to Rose, "See Rosie? Professor Slughorn wasn't even mad at you, and he's our Head of House." Rose smiled.
When they reached the Entrance Hall, James and Fred were coming from the other direction. James yelled, "Well, well, well! If it isn't the Black Sheep of the Potter Family. Or should I say the Green Snake?" James hissed the last words.
"Oh, come off it, James." Fred pulled on James' arm.
"Geroff, Fred!" James yanked his arm free from his cousin's grasp. "Can't the snakes talk? Or do you just hiss now? Or do you tattle by owl?"
"Grow. UP." Rose spat out the words.
Al piped up, "I didn't tattle. Professor Longbottom tattled. So why don't you go bother him?"
"Professors don't tattle you little-" James took a step forward, arms reached out to Al, but before he could reach him he tripped, apparently over air, and flew towards Al. Al backed up, and James landed in a heap at his feet. James quickly scrambled to his feet, grabbing his brother by the front of his shirt.
"Detention, Mr Potter!" Al and James both turned to look at Professor Slughorn in confusion. "Detention for Mr James Potter."
"What'd I do? Al tripped me!"
"It looked like you attacked your brother, and he was fast enough to get out of the way. Mr Potter's wand is still in his bag. How do you think he tripped you?" Professor Slughorn answered calmly.
"Then it was Rose!" James whined.
"Miss Weasley's wand is in her bag as well. I did not see anyone trip you. You will be in the Potions classroom at six this evening for detention." Professor Slughorn calmly entered the Great Hall.
James said a word to Al for which his mum would have scourgified his mouth, and stalked off.
"Neither of you tripped him?" Fred asked.
"My wand really is in my bag like Professor Slughorn said," Rose answered. Al just shook his head. Fred shrugged and followed James.
When he was gone, Wil whispered, "Good one, Scorpius!"
Rose and Al stared at Scorpius in surprise. Al smiled and said, "Thanks, mate. He really did attack me."
***
Transfiguration was after lunch. Rose knew nothing about Professor Mitchell as she had not been at Hogwarts long, but she seemed okay.
Their last class of the day was Herbology. Rose was determined not to like Professor Longbottom or his class, but after he gave her ten points for answering a question correctly (He called on her-she did not raise her hand), she thought she might decide to like him after all.
Having Herbology last put them near the Quidditch pitch. Having planned ahead and brought their brooms, Rose, Al, Scorpius and Wil hurried to meet Molly to practice flying. Rose was extremely thankful Headmistress McGonagall had lifted the ban on first years' having brooms.
When they arrived, Molly and Lucy were hitting a Muggle soft ball back and forth with their Beater's bats. They stopped when they saw the new arrivals. Greetings were exchanged all around. The six of them flew together for quite a while with Lucy and Molly suggesting moves for the first years to try.
When they all stopped for a rest, Molly said, "Wow. I knew Rose and Al could fly, because I've seen them in family Quidditch matches, but all four of you are really something."
Lucy added, "I've never seen an eleven-year-old fly like you do, Wil." Wil blushed and dug in the ground with his toe.
"The four of you will definitely make the Quidditch team if you try out next year. If that's what you want, of course."
"But you don't get to pick who plays for Slytherin . . ."
"Yes, but I've seen Slytherin play. And Slytherin is such a small house anyone who tries out gets on the team. I'm glad I won't be up against you lot next year though." Molly chuckled.
"Thanks a lot, Molly." Lucy rolled her eyes. "I still have two more years, and my partner Beater is abandoning me."
"It's called finishing school, not abandoning." It was Molly's turn to roll her eyes. "We should all get back up to the castle. The sun will set soon."
They all nodded and began walking back. "So I hear there was another scuffle with James, and he got the detention today."
"Yes. He grabbed Al."
"That's what Fred said. James insists one of you tripped him. I'm very impressed at whoever managed that without being seen." Molly winked, and then laughed at the shocked expressions of the first years. "You don't have to tell me. Probably better if you don't. Then if anyone asks me I have plausible deniability."
Lucy chimed in, "James deserved detention anyway for being such a complete prat. You should prank him. It would serve him right."
***
Rose, Al, Scorpius, and Wil ate dinner quickly and went back to the boys' room for a private conversation.
"Lucy's right. We really should prank James." Rose said.
"How would we do that, though?" Scorpius asked.
"Says the one with the best Trip Jinx ever!" Wil rolled his eyes.
"We could ask Uncle George for ideas," Al suggested.
Rose shook her head. "James could ask Uncle George, too. We need to do something on our own."
"Your uncle would help with a prank?" Wil asked.
"Our Uncle George owns Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes."
"Our dads are part owners, too."
"I love that place! Auntie Andromeda takes me there since Mum and Dad aren't too keen." Scorpius enthused.
"Auntie Andromeda! That's it!"
"What's it?" Wil, Al, and Scorpius all asked at once.
"She really is your great aunt, right, Scorpius?" He nodded. "Well, Al and I call her Auntie Andromeda, too, since Uncle Harry, Al's dad, is her grandson's godfather. Our family sort of adopted her and Teddy. You can never have too much family, after all."
"So what about Auntie Andromeda?"
"She was in Slytherin, too, and I bet she'd help us with ideas for how to prank James."
"We can all write her together and ask. And let's use the stationery she bought me . . ."
***
The next morning when Rose returned from Al's room to her own, she found Harriet waiting for her. Rose stopped in her tracks and stared at Harriet, mouth agape.
"Rose, you aren't in trouble. I know it's hard to be the only girl in your year-I am, too, but you need to sleep in your own bed. You can't keep sneaking over to your cousin's room."
"Okay . . . but . . . Harriet, how did you know?"
Harriet smiled, "Professor Snape's portrait saw you last night and told me."
"Portraits tattle?!" Rose shrieked indignantly. "That hardly seems fair." Rose scowled, clutching Beaky to her chest.
Harriet laughed out loud. "Actually if he wanted to tattle, he could have told Headmistress McGonagall. He only told me. Why don't you meet me here after classes and bring your owl. I'll help you teach her how to get out of the dungeons, and then you won't be so lonely. Okay?"
Rose nodded, resigned. "Okay."
***
As soon as classes ended, Rose went to the owlery and brought Cinnamon to her dormitory where she found Harriet waiting for her.
"What a beautiful owl! What's her name?"
"Cinnamon." Cinnamon fluttered to Harriet's shoulder and preened her hair.
"Friendly, too!" Harriet laughed. Cinnamon flew back to Rose and preened her hair, as well, making Rose giggle. "Follow me and I'll show you how she can get out."
Harriet lead Rose down to the end of the corridor, where there was a small niche carved out of the stone wall. "Here." Harriet lit her wand and held it in the niche. Rose could see that the small niche opened into a wide space after about a meter.
"Cinnamon can land on this shelf here, walk a bit, and then the tunnel opens up and is plenty wide enough for the wing span of even the largest owl to fly up and out."
"Why is the opening so small?"
"Whoever built this wanted to make sure only owls could get into it."
"What else would . . ."
"Students, apparently. I have no idea how, or why anyone would think that. Not even a first year is that small, and then even though the tunnel widens, it's straight up. No one could climb that. Anyway, let Cinnamon try it."
Rose put Cinnamon on the shelf-perch on the edge of the niche. "There you go, girl." Cinnamon peered ahead of her, and tentatively stepped further into the niche. When the passage widened, she spread her wings and took flight.
"Where will she come out?"
"I don't actually know, but it's high up. She isn't just clearing the lake to get to ground level. She'll be in the air where it's easy to fly."
"And she'll know how to get back?"
"Of course, owls are smart. We'll wait here for a few minutes for her."
Harriet was right. In just a few minutes, Cinnamon returned, walked out, and perched on Rose's shoulder.
"You okay with this arrangement?" Cinnamon gave an agreeable hoot.
That night Rose slept in her own bed for the first time since coming to Hogwarts, with Cinnamon perched right by her head.
Read Part 2