Chapter 2
As the thick white steam billowed from the Hogwarts Express, Platform Nine and Three-Quarters bustled with activity. Instead of the typical sight of people in sharp suits, it was now populated by wizards and witches clad in robes, bidding farewell to their loved ones. Albus and Lily Potter approached the platform, marveling at the scene.
"This is it," Albus remarked.
Lily's eyes widened in awe. "Wow! Platform nine and three-quarters."
"Where are they? Are they here? Maybe they didn’t come?" Lily asked eagerly.
Albus pointed out Ron, Hermione, and their daughter, Rose, standing nearby. Lily dashed towards them, calling out, "Uncle Ron! Uncle Ron!"
Ron turned towards Lily, a wide grin spreading across his face as she barreled into his arms. "If it isn’t my favorite Potter."
"Have you got my trick?" Lily inquired eagerly.
Ron chuckled. "Are you aware of the Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes–certified nose-stealing breath?"
"Mum! Dad’s doing that lame thing again," Rose interjected.
Hermione rolled her eyes playfully. "You say lame, he says glorious, I say — somewhere in between."
"Hang on. Let me just munch this . . . air. And now it’s just a simple matter of . . . Excuse me if I smell slightly of garlic," Ron said, breathing on Lily's face. She giggled in delight.
"You smell of porridge," Lily remarked.
"Bing. Bang. Boing. Young lady, get ready to not being able to smell at all . . ." Ron declared dramatically, lifting her nose off.
"Where’s my nose?" Lily exclaimed in mock horror.
"Ta-da!" Ron presented his empty hand, completing the lame trick to everyone's amusement.
"You are silly," Lily teased.
Albus glanced around nervously. "Everyone’s staring at us again."
"Because of me! I’m extremely famous. My nose experiments are legendary!" Ron boasted.
"They’re certainly something," Hermione agreed with a smile.
"Parked all right, then?" Harry asked.
"I did. Hermione didn’t believe I could pass a Muggle driving test, did you? She thought I’d have to Confund the examiner," Ron said, mockingly offended.
"I thought nothing of the kind, I have complete faith in you," Hermione replied, rolling her eyes.
"And I have complete faith he did Confund the examiner," Rose added with a smirk.
"Oi!" Ron protested good-naturedly.
Albus tugged at his father Harry's robes, drawing his attention downward. "Dad..."
Harry looked down at his son, waiting for him to continue.
"Do you think—what if I am—what if I'm put in Slytherin?" Albus asked tentatively.
Harry's expression turned serious. "It would be wrong. Slytherin is the House of the snake, of Dark Magic... It's not a House of brave wizards, and you must be brave. No Potter has been sorted into Slytherin, and you must continue that legacy."
"But just say..." Albus began, searching for reassurance.
"If the Sorting Hat want to put you in Slytherin, say it that you want be a Gryffindor. It will listen to you," Harry assured him. "It did for me."
Albus absorbed his father's words, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. "Really?"
Harry nodded. "Hogwarts will be the making of you, Albus. I promise you, there is nothing to be frightened of there. Just be sorted into Gryffindor."
Albus's brother James interjected, "Apart from the Thestrals. Watch out for the Thestrals."
"I thought they were invisible!" Albus exclaimed.
"Be sorted into Gryffindor, listen to your professors, don’t listen to James, and remember to enjoy yourself," Harry advised. "Now, if you don’t want this train to leave without you, you should leap on..."
Albus's sister Lily chimed in, "I’m going to chase the train out."
"Lily, come straight back," Ginny reminded her.
Hermione added, "Rose, remember to send Neville our love."
"Mum, I can’t give a professor love!" Rose protested as she headed for the train.
Albus turned and hugged Ginny and Harry one last time before following after his cousin. "Okay, then. Bye."
He climbed aboard the train, leaving Hermione, Ginny, Ron, and Harry standing on the platform, watching as the whistles blew.Ginny voiced her concern, "They’re going to be okay, right?"Hogwarts is a big place," Hermione reassured.Ron chimed in, "Big. Wonderful. Full of food. I’d give anything to be going back."Harry added, "Strange, Al being worried he’ll be sorted into Slytherin. I hope it isn't the case."Ginny expressed her hope, "I also hope that he will be sorted into Gryffindor."That’s important. He must be in Gryffindor," Hermione insisted,"Meanwhile, Rose worried about breaking the Quidditch scoring record in her first or second year"."I have no idea where Albus gets his ambition from," Harry mused. "It could be dangerous for her because people with big ambition usually end up in Slytherin, but Albus must be in Gryffindor."Ginny turned to Harry, asking, "And how would you feel, Harry, if Al — if he is?"Ron interjected, "You know, Gin, it would be terrible."Ginny agreed, "Yes, it would be. But I believe that Albus will be sorted into Gryffindor, not Slytherin."Hermione urged, "Can we go? People are looking, you know."Ginny paused before they left, saying to Harry, "Harry... He’ll be all right, won’t he?"Of course he will," Harry reassured her before they exited the platform.