It had been twenty two years since the great battle of Hogwarts. Many things had changed. For one, the Dark Lord was dead, killed by the famed Harry Potter. Professor Dumbledore had passed as well, his death a tragic shock for many in the wizarding world. Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger no longer went to Hogwarts. But their children did. And this is the story of a young witch who became close friends with two boys who were dire enemies. And how she was forced to choose.
It was 11:01. The Hogwarts Express blew its horn, and the sound echoed through Platform 9 3/4. Students pressed up against the glass windows of the train, waving silent goodbyes to their parents. Albus Severus Potter, a fourth year, searched the crowd outside for his parents, Harry and Ginny. When he spotted them (thanks to his mother's glowing red hair) he smiled and mouthed the words, "I love you". His father gave him one of his half-smiles, and nodded. His mother pressed her hand to her lips, and blew him a kiss.
The train let out a spout of steam, and lurched forward. Albus collapsed into the seat with a pleased sigh, and looked around. Seated in the compartment with him was his older brother, James, a fifth year student, his younger sister Lily, a second year, and the children of Ron and Hermione, Rose and Hugo. Rose was the same age as Albus, and Hugo the same as Lily.
Hugo and Lily chatted excitedly amongst themselves, more than ready for another year at Hogwarts.
"Oh, look!" exclaimed Lily. "There's Margo, in the next compartment over!" Hugo blushed, and shrank back in his seat. Lily said in a loud whisper to the others. "Hugo has a crush on her!"
"Do not!" Hugo proclaimed, his face turning the color of his hair.
James laughed, which was a very distinct, happy sound. It could make anyone's heart swell. "Do go talk to Margo, you two!"
"You just want to get rid of us!" Hugo debated, shaking his head.
"No, I want you to go and meet the girl of your dreams!" James said in a sappingly-sweet voice.
Lilly grabbed Hugo's arm, and practically dragged him out of the compartment.
Rose, Albus and James laughed amongst themselves.
"The little bloke, he's too shy to speak to any girls his age besides Lily!" Rose said as she pulled her feet up onto the cushiony seats.
"He'll come around," Albus spoke up. He was a very sensible boy for his age. "Just be glad he's not pushy around the ladies like Scorpius."
It was quiet for a moment. Scorpius was the son of Draco Malfoy. He was a spitting image of him, with the same sharp features and white-blonde hair. He wasn't very fond of Albus, James, or Rose, or rather anyone that wasn't in Slytherin.
The three were aroused from their thoughts when a quiet knock was sounded on the compartment door. A beautiful girl, with golden blonde hair spilling down her back, and piercing blue eyes was standing on the other side. She had an embarrassed smile on her face.
"Hell-o, beautiful," James murmured under his breath as he jumped up to slide open the door.
"Hi, I'm Bijou Silvers. Can I...sit with you guys?"
"No problem! Come in," James gestured her to the spot beside Rose. Bijou sat down on the edge, and spoke.
"I just transferred from Beauxbatons to Hogwarts," she began. "I'm a fourth year."
"Us too!" Rose made a hand motion between her and Albus. "You'll love Hogwarts. It's really a marvelous school."
"All three of us are in Gryffindor. Albus--" James jerked a thumb at his brother. "is my brother, and our little sister Lily is a second year. She's in Gryffindor as well."
"And my little brother Hugo is the year as Lily, also in Gryffindor," Rose piped up.
"Wow," Bijou laughed. "I'm afraid to be sorted into some other house! I don't think you guys would like me very much!"
They all laughed, and Albus decided he liked this girl.
"Ooh! The candy trolley!" James hopped up, and Rose followed him into the doorway.
"So," Bijou said to Albus. "Do you play Quidditch?"
"No. I'm not very athletic. But I do love other things, like drawing. I draw a lot."
"Do you have any with you?" Bijou asked.
Albus reached under his seat and pulled out a rather worn sketchbook. You could tell it had once been very nice, but had been broken in from use.
Bijou held the book carefully, afraid to do any sort of damage to it. She opened it up, and flipped slowly through the crisp pages.
"These are...amazing!" she cooed. Detailed pictures of trees, people, scenery, animals, and many other odds and ends came to life in the pages.
Albus ducked his head. "I mean...not really. Just a few sketches."
Bijou looked up at him, an eyebrow raised. "Really? These are probably the most glorious drawings I have ever seen! I mean it!"
James and Rose sat back down, with armfuls of candy. "Is he boring you to death with those drawings?" James asked, letting out a loud snore.
Albus bit the inside of his cheek. Here it came. She would give in to Jame's charm, and nod, laughing wholeheartedly.
"Absolutely not," she said, not a hint of a smile on her face. "These are amazing, and you would have to be mad not to see the talent Albus has."
Oh wow. Wow wow wow, Albus thought. She's amazing.
James shrugged and bit into a pumpkin pasty.
"That looks delicious! I'm buying one," Bijou announced, pulled a few sickles out of her bad, and slid out of the compartment.
She strode up to the candy trolley a few feet away, and waited while she gave some candy to some younger kids.
"The cauldron cakes are the best," a smooth voice said behind Bijou. She spun around to see a tall, handsome boy standing behind her. He had light blonde hair, and sharp features. His blue eyes were so light, they looked as if they could be transparent. "I'm Malfoy. Scorpius Malfoy."
Bijou introduced herself, just as she had in the compartment with Rose, James, and Albus.
"I'm a fourth year myself. I'm in Slytherin house. Best one, in my opinion."
"Well I honestly have no idea which house I fancy. I suppose I'll be pleased with whatever one I'm sorted into."
Bijou couldn't decide if she liked the way Scorpius was standing over her. There were five inches between them, and she was sort of trapped between him and the wall of the compartment behind her.
"Anything you'd like, my dear?" the candy lady asked Bijou.
"Uh...one cauldron cake please." she swore she could feel Scorpius smiling behind her.
She paid, and took the cake. As she turned around to go back to her compartment, Scorpius lightly placed a hand on her arm, and said, "I hope to see you in Slytherin, Bijou."
She looked up at him, said, "We'll see," and strode away. Again, she could feel his eyes boring into her.
Bijou was somewhat relieved when she closed the door of the compartment behind her, and sat next to Rose.
"What? No pumpkin pasty?" James said, indicating the cake in her hand.
"Oh...I had a change of heart, I suppose."
