OK, so don't expect this to become some seriously long story. It's just an idea I got, and it's just something that I work with for fun in between stories. Thank you for reading!

"Slytherin!"

A cascade of clapping from the table to his far right erupted, but to Albus, it was gone behind a fog of disappointment. It was his only request; he didn't want to go to Slytherin. But of course, the Sorting Hat hadn't listened to him. He wasn't his father, Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived. He was just Albus Severus. Nothing special.

His eyes searched the Gryffindor table and met the eyes of his brother. At least James managed to look sad. He was sitting beside Ted and Rose eating pumpkin pie and watching the Finnigan boy who had just been sorted to their house attempt to turn water to wine.

The professor who had led them inside, a man, who called himself Michael Corner, almost had to remind James of standing up, he was so lost in his disappointed thoughts. Tears tried pressed themselves out as he took his walk of shame from the stool in front of everybody down to the long table, decorated in that horrible green color.

"Come sit here," some fifth year said. He was wearing the prefect badge, which Albus hoped made him safe. He did as he was told quietly, feeling a bit sick. "So, Harry Potter's son, eh? My name's Anthony Mellark. Welcome to Slytherin."

Albus shook the hand that was reached out to him. "Thank you."

Anthony looked at Albus for another moment, said something about remembering to get something to eat and then turned to some of his friends. Albus just looked down at his empty plate, afraid that if he ate, he'd vomit. Afraid that if he concentrated on anything but not crying, he'd start crying. He was in Slytherin. His heart sank tremendously as realization dawned upon him.

"Is it true what he said?" a female voice said from beside him. He turned around to see a young girl with dark shining brown hair and large, almost black eyes staring at him. "That you're Harry Potter's son, I mean?" Albus just nodded. She didn't seem much older than him. "My name is Caroline, Caroline Holcraft."

Albus thought he'd heard her name before, he just wasn't sure where or when. "Nice to meet you, Caroline. I'm Albus."

She smiled at him, a large, beaming smile that reached her eyes; a smile that didn't belong in Slytherin. That should've been his first warning.