Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (MOD Novelization)

6

Beside them, the Hogwarts Express began to pull into the station, its arrival announced by a shrill whistle. A cloud of white steam billowed around them, momentarily obscuring their view. The platform buzzed with renewed energy as families moved forward to greet returning students.

Harry looked long at his former classmate. "We're being awfully cordial for enemies, aren't we?"

"People can change," Draco said quietly, gazing into the swirling mist. "Besides, I've been preparing—since we'll be seeing more of each other."

"I'd really prefer to avoid that," Harry replied bluntly. "Just because our sons go to school together does not require us to speak. Or interact. This will be our first—and final—heart-to-heart, Draco."

"Not if our boys have anything to say about it," Draco remarked cryptically.

"Excuse me?" Harry's eyes narrowed, suspicion creeping into his voice.

Draco's lips curled into a subtle smile, a glint of delighted surprise in his eyes. "You... you didn't know? They're good friends."

"Albus? And Scorpius, your son?" Harry asked incredulously.

"Yes. Both first years. Both sorted into the same house."

Harry let out a disbelieving laugh. "A Malfoy couldn't get into Gryffindor if their life depended on it."

"Gryffindor?" Draco raised an eyebrow. "No, they're in Slytherin."

"Slytherin? You're wrong," Harry insisted, a note of urgency in his voice.

"I'm not. Scorpius owled me," Draco said calmly.

"And Albus owled me," Harry retorted, though doubt was creeping in.

The two men scanned the crowd as students began to disembark, their voices mingling with the hissing of the train. Through the swirling steam, Harry spotted his son and Scorpius Malfoy walking together, their heads close as they laughed heartily. The sight of Albus wearing a Slytherin scarf sent a jolt through him. Ginny appeared at his side, her eyes widening in disbelief.

"Albus?" Harry called out, his voice edged with confusion.

Albus Potter saw his parents and halted, his laughter fading. A look of recognition—and apprehension—passed between them. Scorpius stood beside him, offering silent support.

Draco couldn't hide his satisfaction. "Seems like your boy chose Slytherin to spite you, Potter. I can't blame him. We'd all like to wipe the smile off your face sometimes, wouldn't we?"

Whispers rippled through the gathering crowd.

"A Potter? In Slytherin," murmured a witch nearby, her gaze darting between Harry and Albus.

"I suppose his hair isn't that similar," a wizard commented skeptically.

Ginny touched Harry's arm, her face a mix of shock and concern. "Slytherin? But... he wrote to me right away, said he was in Gryffindor with James."

"Oh, Merlin's beard, how humiliating!" exclaimed another onlooker. "He really isn't like his father at all, is he?"

"Al...?" Harry began, his eyes locked onto his son.

Father and son watched each other carefully, the festive decorations and joyous reunions fading into the background. An argument was brewing, unspoken but heavy in the air, and both of them knew it.

Albus shifted uncomfortably under his father's intense gaze. "Dad..."

Harry struggled to find his voice. "Why didn't you tell us?"

Albus glanced at Scorpius, then back at his parents. "Sorry to be such a disappointment."

Ginny stepped forward, her eyes softening despite her surprise. "Oh, Albus, no..."

Draco placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "Come along, Scorpius, let's give the Potters a chance to process the... horrible news," he said, his earlier smugness returning with force.

As the Malfoys moved away, disappearing into the crowd, Harry took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. The platform around them buzzed with holiday cheer—laughter, embraces, the glow of floating lanterns—but for the Potters, a different kind of journey was beginning.

"We need to talk," Harry said firmly.

"About?" Albus replied, his eyes reflecting a mix of frivolity and defiance.

Ginny placed a reassuring hand on Harry's arm. "Can we do this at home?" she suggested in a hush as James came to their side.

Harry bristled and pulled away from her touch, the weight of unspoken words pressing down on him. As the Potters turned to leave the platform, the glow of Christmas lights casting a warm hue over the family, the whispers continued, an unfortunate reminder to Harry that the shadows of the past were never far behind.