Chapter 5
The breakfast in the Great Hall was more crowded than usual; everyone, even the Slytherins, wanted to know about these visitors from the future. Many hoped that one of them might be their child, while others had accepted that it was very unlikely their child would be in the same room as the Weasleys in the summer. Draco was one of those who had accepted this.
"Why are we here? It's pretty obvious that only the Weasley cousins came," Draco commented at the Slytherin table.
"You don't know that, and you have to admit that the gossip they bring is entertaining," Pansy retorted.
"Yeah, seeing Potter's face when he found out his daughter had a boyfriend was fun," Draco would never admit it, but he was enjoying the presentations of these travelers, especially since none of them involved him.
"It was fun. Do you think any of our children came?" Pansy would never admit that she and Draco were just friends.
"Pansy, not again. I’m all for being the world’s bad guy, but I’m starting to dislike friend-zoning you, and besides, no child of mine would hang out with a Weasley," Pansy ignored the blonde and continued eating her breakfast.
When everyone in the Great Hall had finished eating, Dumbledore made the fountain appear once again and indicated to the first visitor of the day to step forward.
A person entered the Great Hall through the doors, noticeably older than the previous visitors. This person reached the fountain, washed their face with the water, and revealed a stunning woman with blue eyes and long blonde hair—she was beautiful.
Everyone was mesmerized by her beauty, but soon snapped out of it after a spell cast from outside the Great Hall. Victoire smiled, recognizing the spell cast by her fiancé.
She magically amplified her voice and began to speak, "I think many of you have already realized that I’m a quarter Veela and you might have deduced that my parents are Fleur Weasley and Bill Weasley." The mentioned couple smiled at each other, and the rest of the Great Hall sighed in surprise.
"A blonde Weasley!" Fred shouted.
"It's a catastrophe," George continued, and Victoire rolled her eyes.
"Yes, I’m a blonde Weasley, and I can't even imagine how you'll react when my friends introduce themselves if you’re reacting like this just because I'm blonde," everyone in the Great Hall looked on with intrigue while the third generation laughed at what the upcoming presentations would be like. "Anyway, I’m 23 years old, I was in Gryffindor when I went to Hogwarts," the mentioned house cheered. "I’m a fan of my family and all their craziness," the Weasleys smiled, and some Slytherins pretended to vomit. "And as a final note of my introduction, I’m engaged and—" Victoire was interrupted by Bill.
"Who is he?!" Bill's paternal instincts kicked in, and Victoire laughed.
"I think even if I told you, you wouldn’t know who he is, but don’t worry, he came with us and will introduce himself shortly." Bill furrowed his brows. "And I might as well deliver the news all at once: I’m engaged." This took everyone by surprise.
"Aren’t you too young to be getting married?" Victoire wasn’t going to go through that scene again.
"No, Dad, I’m not too young. And to avoid any crazy reactions when he introduces himself, let me tell you that your future self has already warned him not to hurt me." Victoire still hadn’t forgiven her father for what he had done.
"What did you do to the poor guy?" Ginny asked, amused; she had to know.
"Oh, Aunt Ginny, when we told Dad we were getting married, he sent the poor guy to St. Mungo’s for a month, claiming it was just a small demonstration of what would happen if he ever hurt me," Victoire finished recounting the story, now more annoyed than before, while Ginny shot Bill murderous looks. "Aunt Ginny, don’t be so innocent; you made me aware of what would happen to me, you just didn’t resort to violence." Ginny looked confused; was she marrying her son?
"Is the guy my son?" Victoire didn’t know what to answer.
"Kind of, I’ll say yes," Ginny remained confused. "Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll let the drama and melancholy begin. It was an honor to be the last without drama; I look forward to seeing your reactions when you learn about the number of traditions our generation has broken." Victoire bid farewell and went to sit at the Gryffindor table with her cousin James, who was laughing along with the rest of the third generation.
Draco, sitting at the Slytherin table, wondered, "What could be more dramatic than a blonde Weasley?" No situation crossed his mind.
Once Victoire was seated, the doors of the Great Hall opened again, and a person ran in, quickly washing their face with the water and revealing an exact copy of their father. But who was their father?
"Hello, I’m Fred II Weasley," everyone understood who his father was.
"Thanks, little brother," Fred said, and they shared a tender hug.
"You're welcome in advance," Fred II shed a few small tears but quickly wiped them away and continued.
"I’m 17 years old, and my best friend is James Potter," James sent a greeting, which Fred responded to. Only they understood what they had just done. "I’m a proud lion," the mentioned house cheered. "My parents are George Weasley and Angelina Weasley." None of the mentioned reacted; it almost seemed as if they hadn’t heard what their son said. "I’m part of the Marauders and honor the name of my Uncle Fred." Fred smiled but quickly wiped the smile off his face, adopting a serious expression.
"Does that mean I’m not alive?" Fred II searched the room for Victoire, looking for guidance, and she just nodded, indicating that he should tell the truth.
"Yes." Fred II jumped to where his uncle was and hugged him for the first time, and Fred returned the hug.
"NO, NO, this can’t be happening," George was crying heavily. "We’re the Weasley twins!" Nobody knew what to do; everyone was devastated by the news. "NO, NO, NO," George threw himself at his brother, who received the hug but immediately pulled away and spoke to him, looking him in the eye.
"Hey, it hasn’t happened yet, and it’s not worth being sad about something that hasn’t happened and that we won’t remember in a few days," the other Weasleys tried to hold back their tears; they couldn’t make Fred console them all.
"You’re right, it’s not worth being sad about this. We have to enjoy what’s left of life to the fullest." Fred II looked at the scene with puffy eyes from crying and hugged his father.
"I think that’s all for my introduction," Fred II said while still in his father’s arms, who was only a few years older than him at that moment.
"They warned you that the blonde hair was just the beginning," James said, causing some laughs.
"From now on, the level of drama increases. I don’t recommend lowering your guard," Fred II continued from where James left off.
The doors of the Great Hall opened once more, and another person entered. They walked to the fountain and nervously washed their face, revealing a boy with blue hair.
"Great to be back at Hogwarts. My name is Edward, but I like to be called Teddy, and I’ll reveal my last name at the end," all present searched for resemblances between the visitor and anyone they knew. "I’m 24 years old, and I was a Hufflepuff at Hogwarts," the mentioned house cheered. "I was raised by Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny," they looked at each other, confused; Ginny realized that this was the fiancé of the girl who had just introduced herself, but how old must they have been when they had this boy? "But they’re not my parents," all doubts were answered, but quickly new ones arose. "And before anyone asks, I’ll tell you my parents at the end." Everyone looked at each other, confused and saddened for the boy. "Well, now is the time when I’m going to earn my direct pass to St. Mungo’s; I’m engaged to Victoire Weasley." Hermione, detecting what was about to happen, swiftly took Bill’s wand with a flick. "Thanks, Aunt Hermione," Teddy thought the reaction from his father-in-law would be worse.
"You better watch out or—" Bill stopped speaking as he noticed the murderous looks from his daughter and future wife. "Congratulations." Teddy recognized his fiancée's effort and decided not to joke about it; it was what he had to do if he wanted to make it to the wedding alive.
"Well, I think it’s time for my parents," Teddy’s voice cracked, and his eyes filled with tears. "They are—" He looked in the direction of where they were and, upon seeing them, couldn’t find the strength to continue. This was harder than he thought. "No, I can’t," Teddy cried, collapsing to his knees. Victoire stood up from the table and went to her fiancé.
"Do you want me to do it for you?" she whispered in his ear, to which Teddy shook his head. "Do you want me to stay by your side?" Teddy nodded, and with some effort, managed to stand and stop crying. "You can do it," Victoire whispered, and that was enough strength for Teddy.
"My parents are Tonks and Remus." Remus and Tonks paled, each for different reasons.
"Why didn’t we raise you ourselves?" Teddy squeezed his fiancée’s hand and replied.
"You died in the magical war." Tonks and Remus looked at each other and immediately rushed to hug their son, who welcomed them with open arms.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry," Tonks repeated.
"Mum, it’s okay. Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny took care of me and told me why they died. They died so I could live in a better world," it felt strange to talk to her face-to-face.
Tonks and Remus thanked Harry and Ginny, and Teddy sat with his parents, feeling happy to finally see them in person for the first time in his life.
After a few minutes with his parents, Teddy regained his fun spirit and wanted to lighten the mood in the Great Hall, which, after two such emotional presentations, was feeling down.
"I’m going to have so much fun with the next presentations," Teddy commented. The third generation understood what he meant and joined in.
"Oh, this is going to be the funniest thing ever," James chimed in.
"The drama that's about to unfold is the best thing that's ever happened to me," Lily added, increasing the intrigue.
"I hate them," a mysterious voice shouted from outside the Great Hall, and the third generation burst into laughter.
Everyone from the second generation was eager to see what could be so dramatic. No one could have anticipated what was about to happen.
While everyone in the Great Hall was discussing the possible drama that the new visitors might bring, no one noticed that a new visitor, whose face was now visible and recognizable, stood at the front of the Great Hall.
“Ehem,” this person cleared their throat, and everyone turned to look at him, stunned. The boy was identical to Draco Malfoy.
“Hello,” he greeted, but no one dared to move a muscle. “Well, this is awkward. My name is Scorpius Malfoy.” Draco paled even more than he already was (if that was possible).
“Who’s your mother?” Pansy asked, breaking the silence in the Great Hall. Draco and Scorpius rolled their eyes.
"Just as annoying these days," Scorpius joked. Pansy crossed her arms, annoyed by the boy’s comment. “My mother is Astoria Malfoy,” he said, his eyes slightly moist. He had already come to terms with his mother’s death and wasn’t going to cry in front of the entire Great Hall. Draco and Astoria exchanged confused glances. How had this happened? Was it an agreement between families? Both wondered.
“Was it a…” Draco began, but was interrupted by his son, who knew what his father was about to ask and wasn’t willing to hear it.
“No, Father, it wasn’t an agreement. You loved each other, so you married and had me,” Draco was left speechless, as was Astoria; neither dared to look at each other. “Well,” Scorpius shook his head, gathering strength not to cry. Seeing his mother alive hit him hard. “I’m 16 years old, I’m in my sixth year at Hogwarts, and as you’ve probably guessed, I’m a Slytherin.” The mentioned house cheered and celebrated. “I don’t have many friends, though I’m popular—or rather, I don’t want more friends than those who wanted to be friends with me from the start.” Draco related to this; Rose, who was listening to her boyfriend from outside the Great Hall, felt a pang of guilt in her chest. She hadn’t wanted him from the beginning; she had judged him. “I’m the best in my year.” Scorpius thought of Rose and rephrased, “I’m the best in my year, hand in hand with my girlfriend.” Draco smiled at his son, as did Astoria. Both wondered who the special girl was. Some girls in the Great Hall sighed wistfully, receiving a cold glare from the boy’s father. “And I think that’s it for my presentation.” The boy stepped aside; no one understood why he wasn’t sitting down.
“Why aren’t you sitting?” Astoria asked her son. He swallowed his tears and answered.
“My presentation isn’t over yet. My friends will finish it for me. Without the other, our presentation would be incomplete.” With that, Astoria nodded, and the third generation stifled their laughter. This was going to be good.
Seconds later, another boy joined Scorpius at the front. “Hello, I’m…” he was interrupted by Scorpius.
“Anyone who dares to make fun of us won’t leave this hall alive,” Scorpius threatened, and a voice from outside the hall echoed his threat.
“Well, I’m Albus Severus Potter.” The entire Great Hall erupted in astonished gasps, but none were greater than Harry’s, who couldn’t understand why he had named his son Severus.
“Go ahead, ask questions,” Albus said with a tone of irritation.
“How is that possible?” several people shouted at once.
“Albus from Albus Dumbledore, Severus from Severus Snape, and I was named after my professor of Potions, or rather, Defense Against the Dark Arts, for something he did during the magical war, which I’m not in the mood to explain right now because it would lead to a debate I’m not willing to endure.” No one said anything. No one understood why the name, but they couldn’t question it or at least not in front of the visitors who looked ready to hex anyone who made fun or asked too much. “My best friends are Rose Weasley and Scorpius Malfoy.” Everyone in the Great Hall burst into laughter, thinking it was a joke. Albus didn’t take it well.
“It’s not a joke,” he said, silencing everyone. They were surprised. A Potter friend of a Malfoy—impossible.
“We warned you that the third generation broke several traditions,” Victorie commented to no one in particular. Draco, unable to believe what he was hearing, exploded at the blonde Weasley.
“Oh, big deal. They’re friends. It’s not a tradition,” Scorpius couldn’t help but feel happy. His father hadn’t taken the news so well. Victoire laughed.
“Mr. Malfoy, just wait until the ‘next trio of gold’ presents themselves.” Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged confused looks while everyone else (who knew who the trio of gold were in the second generation) laughed.
“Continuing, I’ve been a Chaser since my fifth year,” the Quidditch fans cheered. “And I’m from…” He was interrupted by a Slytherin boy.
“Gryffindor,” the Slytherin boy shouted, tired of so many Weasleys in Gryffindor. The third generation laughed.
“Don’t talk if you don’t know, eat your words. I’m Slytherin,” Albus retorted irritably, gaining another round of astonishment from the second generation.
“A Weasley-Potter Slytherin? That’s impossible,” a Slytherin boy shouted. Scorpius didn’t take it well.
“Well, believe it, idiot. And for your information, the house of snakes is very different in the future,” Albus grabbed Scorpius’s shoulder, calming him.
“Lastly, as you know, my parents are Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley,” they smiled at each other and communicated with their eyes that they would talk to their middle child later to understand him better.
Albus stepped aside, standing in the corner opposite Scorpius. No one asked why he didn’t sit down since they already knew.
The doors of the Great Hall opened, and the last person walked slowly to the front.
Scorpius was beside himself with nerves. They had already had to do this with their parents, and it hadn’t gone well, especially with Ron’s father.
The new person reached the front of the Great Hall and wiped her face. Her face became visible to everyone. Hermione froze; the girl was identical to her.
“Hello, I’m Rose Granger-Weasley,” Ron and Hermione looked at each other tenderly. “I’m 16 years old, and I’m a Gryffindor,” the mentioned house applauded. Scorpius and most of the third generation were nervous. They all knew what had happened last time, and this year their enmity was worse than in the future. “I’m part of my Quidditch team and I’m the best of the year,” Rose waited for everyone’s reaction, but no one seemed to respond. No one remembered what her boyfriend had said earlier, which relieved her. “I’m a prefect,” Ron and Hermione smiled at their daughter.
“Perfect prefect,” some of the third generation shouted. Rose ignored them.
“I love all subjects, except Divination,” Hermione felt identified. “I have a younger brother, Hugo, and from a very young age, we were involved in the Muggle world to visit our grandparents.” Many Slytherins booed, and the third generation rolled their eyes. “That’s all about me. Any questions?” Scorpius felt relieved; they could tell their parents about their relationship with fewer people present or not mention it at all. They would forget.
“Do you have a boyfriend, beautiful?” a Hufflepuff boy asked cheekily, causing Ron, Scorpius, and all the Weasley members of the third generation to be angry.
“First, respect my person. Second, remember that you could be my father. And third, yes, I do have a boyfriend,” Rose answered, showing her strong character. Scorpius became nervous.
“Can we know who it is?” Hermione asked kindly. Rose looked at Albus and Scorpius, who nodded, indicating she could continue. They knew Rose didn’t like to lie to her mother. She looked forward and found James, nodding her head.
James whispered something in Teddy’s ear. Both stood up, Teddy approached the Slytherin table, and James went to his uncle Ron, both with wands in hand. A third person was at work unnoticed: Victoire was with McGonagall, explaining what might happen. The professor’s eyes widened in surprise but quickly nodded and indicated to Victoire to return to her seat. No one understood why there was so much movement from the third generation. The girl was only going to say who her boyfriend was; it wasn’t that big of a deal.
“Well, my boyfriend is…” Rose took a deep breath and continued, “Scorpius Malfoy.” The entire Great Hall understood the reason for all the commotion. Noone could believe it. Scorpius moved closer to Rose and took her hand. Everyone stared at the young couple.
“This is a cruel joke, right?” Ron said, speaking for the first time.
“No, Dad, it’s not a joke,” Ron’s face turned redder.
“Oh no, my daughter is not going to date the son of that ferret. No way,” Rose couldn’t stand her father’s objections again but wanted to see how far he would go.
“None of my children are going to date the child of those blood traitors,” Draco spoke up. Scorpius took a deep breath to keep from exploding.
“I think we’re in agreement, then. Our children can’t be together,” Ron said, earning disapproving looks from all the Weasley girls and Astoria. Rose and Scorpius kept their anger in check, hoping their parents would come to reason on their own. They were sure that this year, they were better wizards than their parents, as classes at Hogwarts in their time were more advanced.
“I think we’re in agreement,” Draco said, receiving the same looks. Astoria and Hermione remained silent.
“Rose, I just found out you’re my daughter, but don’t think for a second that you’ll be dating that ferret’s son,” Ron received murderous glares from all around, but none fiercer than from his own daughter, who decided to intervene.
“Petrificus Totalus,” Rose froze her father and then did the same to her boyfriend’s father. Both tried to free themselves, thinking that the time traveler wasn’t capable of casting a high-quality binding spell, but they were mistaken. “DAD!” Rose approached her father, furious. “I’M NOT HAVING THIS CONVERSATION AGAIN. WE’VE ALREADY HAD IT IN THE FUTURE, AND I THINK IT DIDN’T END VERY WELL.” Ron was confused—what had happened last time? “AND I KNOW YOU HAVEN’T LIVED THROUGH THAT ARGUMENT YET, BUT TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA, IT ENDED WITH US NOT SPEAKING TO EACH OTHER FOR A MONTH.” Rose took a deep breath and, calmer now, continued. “To be clear, I wasn’t the one who spoke first—I was informing you, not asking for permission. I hope you understand the difference between those two words.” Hermione felt proud of her daughter. “I’m going to unfreeze you, but don’t you dare do anything because, in this year of your life, I’m a better witch than you by far and I won’t let you hurt anyone.” McGonagall decided not to intervene, knowing Ron’s temper when angry. Rose turned to Scorpius. “Do you want to…” It wasn’t necessary for her to continue; Scorpius had already responded that he wouldn’t, and he would speak to his parents privately. “For you, Mr. Malfoy, the same goes.” Rose lifted the spell from both parents, and neither of them did anything. They both sat down at their respective tables.
“Sorry you had to see this,” Rose apologized to the second generation and sat at the Gryffindor table with Scorpius and Albus, who received confused looks. “Guys, I think in this time, we can’t…” Rose whispered to the two Slytherins. They stood up and timidly went to sit at the Slytherin table, both very embarrassed and nervous. The house of snakes was very different in this era.
“Well, that was our last presentation,” the second generation sighed with relief. It had been too much drama for a single morning. “Alright, head to your respective classes, and those from the third generation, stay a few minutes. I need to speak with you,” everyone followed Dumbledore’s instructions, and a few minutes later, only the 13 students and the headmaster remained in the Great Hall. “Well, that was more drama than I expected. I see Miss Victoire wasn’t lying,” she smiled shyly.
“I think the drama isn’t over yet; it’s just beginning,” Lily added, eyeing Hugo discreetly. This look didn’t go unnoticed by Rose.
“I don’t want to know,” Dumbledore laughed. “Alright, to the point. I asked you to stay because I see that some of you have high levels of magical ability,” the students nodded. “Well, you all will attend the classes you would be taking in your time at Hogwarts for today, and tomorrow you will be given a class appropriate to your level,” Dumbledore concluded, and the students headed to their respective classes. Teddy and Victoire, who had already graduated, went to the highest-level class, the seventh-year students.