Chapter 3
As Albus and Rose strolled along the carriage of the train, the Trolley Witch approached, her trolley laden with treats. "Anything from the trolley, dears?" she inquired, tempting them with Pumpkin Pasties, Chocolate Frogs, and Cauldron Cakes. Rose, noticing Albus's fond gaze at the Chocolate Frogs, reminded him, "Al, we need to concentrate." Albus questioned, "Concentrate on what?" Rose replied, "On who we choose to be friends with. My mum and dad met your dad on their first Hogwarts Express." Albus pondered, "So we need to choose now who to be friends with for life? That’s quite scary." Rose countered, "On the contrary, it’s exciting. I’m a Granger-Weasley, you’re a Potter — everyone will want to be friends with us, we’ve got the pick of anyone we want." Albus then suggested, "So how do we decide — which compartment to go in?"
Opening a door, they spotted a solitary blond boy, Scorpius, in an otherwise empty compartment. Albus smiled, and Scorpius returned the gesture. "Hi. Is this compartment...," Albus began, to which Scorpius replied, "It’s free. It’s just me." Albus then asked, "Great. So we might just — come in — for a bit — if that’s okay?" Scorpius welcomed them, saying, "That’s okay. Hi." Albus introduced himself, "Albus. Al. I’m — my name is Albus..." Scorpius responded, "Hi Scorpius. I mean, I’m Scorpius. You’re Albus. I’m Scorpius." As Rose's demeanor cooled, she introduced herself, "Rose." Scorpius offered them Fizzing Whizbees, but Rose declined, citing having just had breakfast. Scorpius then presented other sweets and jokingly sang, "Sweets, they always help you make friends." Albus accepted, mentioning that his mum doesn’t usually allow him to have sweets.
As Scorpius recommended the Pepper Imps, Rose discreetly hit Albus. Scorpius sensed tension and realized, "She’s hitting you because of me." Confused, Albus inquired, "What?" Scorpius confessed, "Listen, I know who you are, so it’s probably only fair you know who I am."
In the dimly lit train compartment.
"What do you mean you know who I am?" Albus questioned, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
"You're Albus Potter," Scorpius replied, his tone firm. "She's Rose Granger-Weasley. And I am Scorpius Malfoy. My parents are Pansy and Draco Malfoys. Our parents—they didn't get on."
Rose interjected with a sharpness in her voice, "That's putting it mildly. Your mum and dad are Death Eaters!"
Scorpius, feeling affronted, defended his mother, "Dad was—but Mum wasn't."
Rose turned away, her gaze avoiding Scorpius's, indicating her discomfort. Scorpius sensed her unease and addressed the rumor swirling around his family.
"I know is rumor that my mum was loyal to Voldemort and it's a lie," he asserted, his words carrying a hint of defiance.
Albus, curious yet cautious, probed further, "And why is that rumor spread?"
Scorpius explained, "Because she was scared about her and my father's lives and inadvertently brought your father to Voldemort. She thought that one life was less important than the lives of all other Hogwarts students and teachers together. She didn't realize the extent of Harry's power. Besides, she belonged to Slytherin, not Gryffindor. Ambition outweighed bravery in her choices. But many fail to see that."
Rose, eager to distance herself from the conversation, suggested, "Yes, well, we probably should sit somewhere else. Come on, Albus."
However, Albus, lost in thought, made a surprising decision, "No. I'm okay. You go on..."
Rose, visibly frustrated, warned him, "Albus, I won't wait."
Albus, resolute, responded, "And I wouldn't expect you to. But I'm staying here."
With a final glance, Rose left the compartment, her words hanging in the air, "Fine! But I'll tell it your parents."SCORPIUS and ALBUS stood facing each other, uncertainty lingering in the air between them.
"Thank you," Scorpius said, breaking the silence.
Albus hesitated before responding, "No, I didn't stay for you. I stayed for your sweets."
A small smile tugged at Scorpius's lips. "She's quite fierce," he remarked, attempting to shift the awkwardness.
Albus nodded. "Yes. Sorry."
Scorpius decided to change the subject. "Do you prefer Albus or Al?"
A mischievous grin spread across Scorpius's face as he popped two sweets into his mouth.
Albus considered for a moment before answering, "Albus."
Smoke seemed to emanate from Scorpius's ears as he exclaimed, "THANK YOU FOR STAYING FOR MY SWEETS, ALBUS!"
Albus burst into laughter at Scorpius's exaggerated response.