Chapter Text
Albus Severus Potter. A child none older than eleven was named after two former headmaster. One from Gryffindor and the other from Slytherin has brought a quite burden on its little figure. What's more, a family name who saved the Wizarding World. Harry Potter.
He was clever and reserved, nothing like his siblings at all. He liked to read books, practicing little magic on his own with his wand, tried to imagine how to make a potion. He did to prepare it before going to Hogwarts.
Born two years after his older brother James Sirius has always brought an unfortunate life to him. Not to mention, a prankster side is tingling his older brother to make his life more miserable.
But thank Merlin, his sister, Lily Luna wasn't like him. She was named after their grandmother, Lily and their parents' best friend, Luna after he was born. She was a brave and kind. She enjoyed harmless pranks and sometimes on his side to read books together. She treated Albus kindly and that's why he liked her more than his brother.
But now, Albus felt a little anxious. His sorting and his dad's approval. He was nervous about how his dad reacted to his own sorting.
"Dad, what if I'm not in Gryffindor?" Albus said as he looked up at his dad. His green eyes bore through the same green eyes as his own.
"Al, it's fine. I still love you even if you're not in Gryffindor. All of us do." Harry said, trying to sound very convincing before ruffling his young son's hair which made him smile a little. He knew about his son's strange awareness. For some reason, Harry noticed quite a bit that Albus was really observant about anything. Nothing like his brother who's reckless about everything. But, not everybody thought the same. Rose, his cousin seemed oblivious about him.
"Hi, Al! I can't wait to get into Gryffindor together with you!" A familiar voice came from behind them loudly making both brunettes to turn slightly.
"Hi, Rose," He answered quietly as Harry barely heard it. They noticed Ron and Hermione with their two children, Rose and Hugo make their way towards them. Rose was the first child the two had and are gonna go to Hogwarts together with Albus. She was excited and always went to Albus that it bothered him.
Not because of how eager she was but her unrealistic dream to be in the same house as Albus, he was just not looking forward to disappoint her. Because he knew it won't happen.
"Ready to go, Albus?" Ron swung his arm around Harry's shoulder before giving Albus a nudge. He trembled a little.
"Of course, Uncle Ron!" Albus said with fake enthusiasm before he practically felt his dad raising an eyebrow at him. "Well, maybe..."
"What are you worried about? It's Hogwarts!"
"Ron, stop bothering him. It's normal to worry!" Hermione slapped his husband left arm, making him rubbed his arm with a wince.
"Blimey, Hermione!" He screamed loudly as James with his prankish nature came from behind.
"Don't worry, Uncle Ron. I'm sure he will make you proud in Slytherin."
"I won't be in Slytherin," Albus mumbled. He was tired from James teasing him every day after he got his letter and telling him that he would be in the rival house of the lion. Deep down, he knew that James probably right.
"James, give it a rest!"
"What? He might be, you know," A glare from their mom was all it took to shut him up. But then again, it seems like three years at Hogwarts and how he's one of the new Chaser for Quidditch this year doesn't change him a bit. It makes Albus envious a little, both Mum and Dad are really proud of him, since they played Quidditch, too.
When it comes to Albus, he's not special. He enjoyed every little things. Reading, practicing magic, experiment a potion, he's not a son who can be bragged about Quidditch. He wouldn't be surprised at all if he didn't even get sorted into Gryffindor. But there's a nagging feeling that he will disappoint Mum and Dad.
Albus thinks of all of this as they make their way through Platform 9¾. It's the first time he came here and not leaving, but sometimes he wished he could and stayed inside his room forever.
The grown-ups continued to talk about work while the children exchange about their holiday. Rose beamed at Albus and gave him a big hug, and he just noticed that she already has her brand-new Hogwarts robes on.
"So that's little Scorpius," Albus suddenly heard Uncle Ron mutter under his breath. "You'd better beat him in every test, Rosie- Thank Merlin you inherited your mother's brains."
Albus looked to where this Scorpius was and surprised to see an older man with almost white blonde hair with both hands on whom he guessed is his son and wife.
The boy looked enthusiastic like Rose does. Albus thought Scorpius would be like his dad rather calm and had an aura of dignity. It must've been from his mom.
"Ronald, don't set the two against each other before they even get into school!" Aunt Hermione's sharp voice snapped me out of my thought. But Ron not willing to back down still whispered Rose something like not get too close.
Albus didn't understand why Uncle Ron insisted to not do that. They seemed like a nice person, unless his eyes playing tricks on him and the old man didn't seem at all like Uncle Ron had described him. He felt a hand grabbed his shoulder and he looked up as it was his dad and tried to get close.
"Don't worry, Al. They're a nice person."
Dad definitely didn't tell him about that. But Albus can understand why he wouldn't tell, seeing how his dad so privately rarely talks about his work or so-called nice people to him.
"Dad," Albus said, once again pulling him out of his thoughts. "What if I'm in Slytherin?"
Harry leaned forward and whispered again. "If it worries you so much, Al, The Sorting Hat takes your opinion into account, you know?" Albus, not entirely convinced, nodded slowly.
Harry hoped his son didn't spend the entire time, worrying about that and make lots of friends. This reminds him a little bit of Luna and Neville, his godfather.
"Come on, let's go get James." Albus nodded again and he hugged him when Harry about to get up. They arrived at a familiar scene of a mum and James bickered over who knows what.
"Mum, I can't give a professor love," James complained, his cheeks burning red.
"Oh, but you know Neville!" Mum gave James a sound kiss on the cheek. He groaned and sauntered off to the train. Mum turns to me and beamed.
"We'll write to you every day," she hugged me tightly.
"Well, maybe not every day," Albus fiddling with his shirt nervously.
"Don't believe James, Al. We sent James at least three per day on his first week!" Albus giggled slightly and she smiled, knowing his son prepared to go then they said final goodbyes and Rose waved to him on the side of the train, already seated in a compartment.
"Goodbye Mum, Dad. I'll write to you tomorrow, okay, Lils?" He said one final time and get on the train. He knew this was the time for him to be him. No more daily prank from James, or reading alone. Now, it's time for him to make friends. He decided, trying to ignore Rose and find his own compartment.