The Wondrous World of Albus Severus Potter (A Harry Potter Fan Fiction)

Chapter 1 - 19 Years Later

Hello everyone! This is my first fan fiction, and it's Harry Potter, of course. I hope you like it, and please comment and such! Thank you. ALL RIGHTS GO TO J.K. ROWLING, AND MAIN CHARACTERS AND SETTINGS ARE HER WORKS. :)

Albus Potter waved goodbye to his father. He watched through the window of the Hogwarts express at harry, who had absent-mindedly touched his scar. Albus smiled. He would write his parents as soon as he got the chance.

He glanced up at his cousin, Rose Weasley, observing that she seemed a bit nervous.

"You know, the Sorting hat takes your choice into account.'

"Are you sure?"

Albus nodded. "Dad told me so." Rose looked a little less fidgety after this.

All was quiet for a while, as James had joined his friends in another compartment.

Suddenly, they were startled from their daze when the compartment door slid open. A small blonde head peeked in.

"Mind if I join you?" asked a quiet voice. It was Scorpius Malfoy.

"Er... sure." Albus was a little skeptical, as he had heard stories about his father, Draco, from his own father. They had been enemies, Harry and Draco, nineteen years before while they were in Hogwarts.

It was Scorpius who engaged the conversation.

"Before you get any fast thoughts about me, I just wanted to let you know that I would like to put any past tensions that our parents may have had behind us. I am not like my father was, I can promise you that."

A bit of silence ensued. It was Albus who extended his hand and said, "I look forward to our years together. I hope we can be friends." They shook hands, and Rose reluctantly stuck her hand out as well.

The hours that followed included numerous games of Exploding Snap and the trading of various Chocolate Frog cards. Light conversation carried on, and the dreaded conversatuion of Houses came up.

"What House do you hope to be put in?" Scorpius asked Rose.

"Gryffindor!" She exclaimed.

Albus remained silent. He was still contemplating his choices, most especially after the last conversation he had had with his dad just before the train left.

"Dad, what if I am put in Slytherin?"

"Albus Severus Potter. You were named after two Headmasters of Hogwarts, and one of them was a Slytherin. And he was probably the bravest man I've ever known."

Albus considered this for a moment. "But say I am-"

Harry interrupted. "Then Slytherin House will have gained a wonderful new member. But if it really means that much to you, you can choose Gryffindor. The Sorting hat takes your choice into account. It did for me."

"Really?"

Harry nodded.

Albus had been thinking about his choice ever since then.

It turned out that Scorpius was not, indeed, like his father at all. He was kind, courteous, and quiet. This surprised the two friends, but they accepted it nevertheless. However, they knew that they would most likely be sorted into Slytherin, and Albus and Rose most likely into Gryffindor. They would be expected to go their separate ways then. Buyt they were wrong.

~ * ~

They made their way across the lake, guided by Hagrid. He led them into the Entrance hall, where they met Professor Minerva McGonagall. She was a much older woman now, with a face that had seen the horrors of war and battle. However, she had a certain friendliness and trusting aura to her.

"Welcome to Hogwarts!" She spoke aloud, in a crisp voice. "You are going to be sorted into one of the four Houses: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, or Slytherin. The Sorting hat, which you will place upon your head when I call your name, will sort you into one of the four Houses, based upon your personalities. You will then sit with your House table."

She looked out over all the first years, her eyes lingering an extra moment on those of Albus, taking note that he, unlike his brother James, had inherited Lily Potter's eyes. She smiled, a gesture which he returned. She then turned on her foot and started into the Great hall, the students trailing closely behind.

Albus noticed that Rose had taken to wringing her hands out of nervousness. He nudged her arm and gave a reassign smile. She mirrored it, apprehensively.

Professor McGonagall had already lain the Sorting hat on the stool and was unrolling a large scroll. She called out the first name.

"Rose Weasley!"

Rose stepped forward and stuck the Hat on her head. The Hat yelled, "Aha! Another Weasley! It had better be... Gryffindor!"

Rose looked relieved, and she joined the table of cheering Gryffindors.

"Scorpius Malfoy!"

Scorpius coolly strolled over to the Hat. He put it on, where it hesitated and then said, "Ah, yes, yes...a Malfoy. We had better be getting better than what your father gave us! Slytherin!"

Scoripus smiled widely and sauntered over to the Slytherin table.

"Albus Potter!"

Heart racing and thumping like mad, Albus stepped up to the stool and placed the Hat on his head. He had made his decision, and now he just hoped the Hat would take it into account.

The Hat gasped. "Potter, Potter, Potter..." It brought its voice down to a whisper, to where only Albus could hear. "I see you've made a decision, hmm?"

Albus's voice trembled. 'Y-yes."

"Very well. You shall do great things here, just like your father. SLYTHERIN!"

Albus slowly walked over to the Slytherin table, wondering if he had made the right choice. All was silent, until Scorpius stated clapping for him, beaming. Everyone soon followed, still in awe. Albus formed a smile. His father had said he was named after a brave Slytherin; why not be brave just like the man who had protected Harry all those years ago?