A lone man stood motionless in the train station, staring at the division between platforms nine and ten. He seemed to be contemplating something when he heard a familiar sound in the distance. Making his next decision quickly he hid behind the division, earning himself a few curious stares from some passers by. Trying to keep his deep breaths silent, he listened to the family now approaching the barrier.

"Now Ginny, you and Hermione go first." The motherly voice of Mrs. Weasley said.

The man hiding behind the barrier heard a rush of wheels before the sound simply vanished.

"Now, Ron and Harry. You next and Arthur and I will follow after."

He only heard footsteps this time approaching the barrier. When he was sure that they were all gone, the man reappeared from behind the barrier. He had finally made up his mind, somehow the appearance of the family, and the knowledge that Potter and Weasley were not going to Hogwarts this year had reassured him. Taking a deep breath, he pulled his hood over his head and pushed his cart into the barrier.

When he reached the other side, the man looked around. He hoped no one would recognize him and quickly put his head down while trying not to run into anyone as he made his way to the train. That was when he heard it, a voice so familiar he could not be mistaken.

"Thank you so much for coming guys. I know how busy you are at the ministry right now."

"It was no problem Hermione. We wouldn't miss this for the world."

"Yeah, but I still don't understand why you're going when you have a job already waiting for you."

"Ron, you know how important this is to me. Just because you don't like homework..." But her sentence was interrupted by something. Turning his head in their direction, the man saw what it was. The redhead was senselessly kissing the bushy haired know-it-all. The man smirked as he turned back to the train. As he took an empty compartment he stared out the window at the happy couple still snogging without caring who saw them. That is until Potter gave a little cough and they separated, looking sheepishly at him.

"Look, the train is going to leave soon and I may be wrong but I was under the impression that you wanted to be on it Hermione."

"Yes, you're right Harry." Hermione smiled. "I'm going to miss you two so much. This year is going to be much less eventful without you."

"We are going to miss you too. Don't forget to Owl us, no matter how busy you might be."

"Don't worry Ron. Like I would forget to Owl my boyfriend and best friend." She grinned at them both and gave them each a rib cracking hug, and Ron a small kiss on the lips.

"See you guys at Christmas."

The watching man turned his face back to his compartment and sighed. It would surely be a less interesting year without those two men around. Granger however, that was a totally different story. She had always been on his radar, constantly earning the best scores in every class. That woman infuriated him, he was supposed to be the best; not her.

He was so lost in his thoughts that he never noticed someone enter his compartment until he felt someone sitting next to him.

Not bothering to look at the intruder, he pulled out a book he had recently bought.

"Is that what I think it is?"

The familiar voice startled him; it was her. He didn't bother to answer her but continued to read his book.

"Sorry, it's just I don't see many students reading muggle books and that one happens to be one of my favourites. My name is Hermione, what's yours?"

The man turned his head towards her while keeping his face down so she wouldn't see his face.

"Look, I'm really not in the mood for conversation today. That's why I brought this." He held up the book. "So if you don't mind, could we finish this ride in silence."

"Sure, I just thought it might be more interesting to actually talk. I'm just leaving my two best friends behind and well... I thought it might be a good idea to try to make new ones."

"I understand, but I'm not exactly the best choice."

"Why not? And why won't you look at me?" She grabbed his face and pulled it up so she could see it.

He winced, waiting for her reaction and the expected blow.

"Malfoy?"

"Nice to see you too Granger. Now would you let my face go? You're squishing it and my looks are one of the few things going for me right now."

Realizing what she was doing Hermione let go of his face and crossed her arms.

"What are you doing here Malfoy?"

"I thought that was obvious Granger. I'm going to school, just like you." He gave her a smirk but it felt weak somehow.

Raising her eyebrows, Hermione said. "I realize that, but why? None of the other Slytherins in your year are coming back and last I heard your name wasn't exactly in everyone's good books."

Draco sighed. "That is none of your business Granger. All you need to know is I am simply going to school."

Hermione looked at him as if she was trying to figure out his motives. He simply turned his face back to his book.

"Why are you reading a muggle book?"

"Look Granger, I would really rather be left alone. I don't need you incessantly asking me questions the whole ride."

Hermione huffed and stood up to grab her bags.

"There you are Hermione... what in Merlins name is he doing here?"

"Oh hi Ginny, I was just about to come find you. Do you already have a compartment?"

Ginny looked sideways at Draco, who was doing his best to ignore the flaming redhead.

"Yeah, I'm sitting with Luna. Here let me help you with that." Ginny grabbed Hermione's suitcase and the two girls left without looking back at Draco.

"So what were you doing in a compartment with him Hermione?"

"Oh, well he was wearing his hood at first so I didn't know it was him until I forced him to look at me."

Draco set his book down, suddenly losing interest in it after discovering it was the mudbloods favourite. No, he had to stop using that word. In just the span of two years his whole world had been turned upside down twice and the experience had confused him greatly. The appearance of the muggleborn had just made things worse, even after finding out who she was sitting with she didn't run away, or flinch after touching his face. He pressed a hand to his cheek where hers had so gently grabbed. This year may just be a bit more interesting than he thought.