Hey, guys! So this is my very first drarry fic (well, first ANY fic) I've ever written! Bear with me as I start developing a writing style and rhythm, and I hope you like the story! My updates might be a little sporadic at the beginning, but hopefully they will find a rhythm as well.

Disclaimer: *prays* Please let me be JK Rowling, Please let me be JK Rowling! *nothing happens* Well, I guess that means I'm (still) not her….

Rating:T. This isn't ever going to be a rated M story. Sorry, people!

Warning: This fic contains swearing, and SLASH. MEANING BOY WITH BOY. So if you are a homophobe, then I suggest that you don't read it, and perhaps you should live under a rock for good measure.

Without further ado, leggo!

"Finally! Back at last!" Harry was interrupted from his thoughts as Hermione plopped down beside him in the train compartment of the Hogwarts Express, arms full of various parchments and books. "I thought this summer would never be over!"

Harry couldn't agree more. His summer was filled with exhausting chores and doing summer homework for "Darling Diddikins". He couldn't even begin to express how glad that the new term is finally starting.

"Oy, 'Mione! Are you planning on taking every single class offered or something?" Ron asked through a mouthful of chocolate frog.

"As a matter of fact, I am. I want to be as prepared as possible for the NEWTS this year," Hermione replied smartly, opening her beat up and obviously well-read copy of Hogwarts: A History.

"You gotta be kidding. I mean, this is sixth year! I'm planning on big things, mate," Ron said, brushing crumbs from his shirt and leaning back contently.

"Mhm. And just what 'big things' is the great Ron Weasely going to be doing, 'mate'?" She gave him a look of feigned disinterest painted on her face, but Harry could see the sparkling amusement in her warm brown eyes.

"Well, that's the thing! I-"

Ron never got to finish his statement when the compartment door slammed open with a bang, and a disheveled Neville Longbottom came barreling in, robes askew. "Hey, guys! Have you seen my Scrambling Scrub anywhere?I can't find it, and Gran's gonna kill me if she finds out I lost it before even getting to the castle!"

Harry chuckled dryly and shook his head. "Same old Nev. Hey... What kind of animal is a 'Scrambling Scrub' anyways?" he asked.

"Well, there's the thing… I've kind of given up on animals. Too much work, and they keep running away. I decided to get a plant! At least with plants, all I have to do is water them, and most can't escape! You know... except this particular species..."

The group burst into laughter, resulting in Ron spraying multicolored beans every which way, some landing in poor Hermione's hair.

"RONALD!" She shrieked, panicking. "I'm never going to be able to get these out!"

"Hey don't worry about it, 'Mione! I think it's an improvement!"

Which, of course, made them laugh all the harder, while Hermione gave Ron one of her famous glares of death.

"What's all the commotion in here? You're scaring the Jiggly Jumblerpuffs away, and they're so very hard to catch once startled," Luna (Well, Looney to be honest) Lovegood poked her head in the doorway and looked around at the breathless bunch, looking mildly amused.

Hermione was busy trying to untangle the sticky beans from her bushy hair as she replied, "Sorry Luna, we'll try to keep it down. Ronald here doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut-literally!"

"That alright. I believe I can hear them now..." Luna floated off (well, in Harry's opinion, Luna never just WALKS anywhere. She tends to bounce, or float), presumably in search of more Jumblerpuffs.

"Well, I'd best be off as well. I can't have poor Spikey impaling a poor, unsuspecting first year… See you guys at the school!" Neville waved goodbye as he walked backwards out of the tiny room, bumping into someone as he did so.

"Watch where you're going, Longbottom. Merlin, Gryffindors never seem to get better with age, do they?" None other than Draco Malfoy sneered, looking down at the nervous boy.

"What do you want, Ferret Face?" Ron asked angrily as Neville scampered off.

"Oh, nothing much. Just wanted to see how the Golden Boy and his ragtag team of misfits were doing on this lovely afternoon ride. Tell me, Weasely. Weren't you wearing those robes last year...?" the blonde asked with a smirk.

Ron leapt out of his seat at the still open compartment door to head towards the blonde in the hall. "Why I outta- "He was pulled back into his seat by Hermione. Harry quietly got up and went to the doorway. Looking the Slytherin prince in the eye, he said firmly, "Is your father faring well in Azkaban, Malfoy?" and shut the compartment door soundly, not before seeing the blonde boy's wide eyes stare.

"Hey! Why didn't you let me at 'im?"

"Ron, you mustn't let him provoke you like that. It'll only prove his point," Hermione tried to reason."

'Mione's right, Ron. Malfoy's just being a git and looking for a fight," Harry added in.

"Hey, what's with you, Harry?" Ron asked, taking his irritation out on Harry. "You haven't really spoken all train ride, and then when you do, you defend bloody MALFOY of all people!"

"I wasn't defending him, Ron! Did you not hear me call him a git? I was just saying it wasn't a good idea to start our sixth year off with a fight on the train. And I'm sorry," Harry added a little softer, "for not talking much. I've just had a lot on my mind."

Both his friends' eyes widened in understanding at this. Hermione spoke hesitantly with concern for the raven haired boy in her eyes, "Do… Do you want to talk to us about it, Harry? About Siri- I mean, Snuffles?"

Harry shook his head. "No, it's alright. I've gotten over it. I promise!" he said to her dubious look.

She looked like she wanted to say more to Harry, but kept quiet. It wasn't exactly true that he has gotten over Sirius's death, but he really didn't want to talk about it now. It still hurt to bring him up.

The scenery rolled by as the three of them sat in an awkward silence for what seemed like an eternity. Harry reverted to back to his internal thoughts he was thinking before the chaos. Yep, the summer had been pretty bad. Harry had a really tough time dealing with Sirius's death. He lost the only father figure in his life, and on top of that blow, he had to deal with being at the Dursleys. Seeing as Harry couldn't use magic outside of school, they were merciless with their chores. They were probably trying to get him back for what happened to him and Dudley with the dementors last summer, Harry mused with a touch of annoyance. He decided to just stare out the window to distract himself from his thoughts.

"Did you hear about the ball this year?" Hermione asked tentatively, finally breaking the ice.

"Another one?" Ron asked. "The Yule one is bad enough..."

"Oh shush, you. This one will be fun! It's a masquerade ball," she said in a hushed whisper even though they were the only ones in the compartment. "Don't tell anyone about it, though! I only knew because I signed up to be on the planning committee."

"Of course you would," Ron said with a slight smile, shaking his head in fake exasperation. "I swear, one of these days you are going to pass out from sheer bloody exhaustion."

"Don't be silly Ronald, and watch your mouth. This will be fun! Costumes masks, and mystery! You will have no idea who you're dancing with! I suspect that this is another try by Dumbledore for inter house mingling, but it's just a theory as of yet," the bushy haired brunette mused. "You have to come! I can't put in all this work and have you two not show!"

Ron shrugged uncomfortably. "I dunno, 'Mione…"

"Pleaseee?" she asked, widening her eyes just a tad, "For meee?"

Harry inwardly chuckled at the effect it had on Ron. He looked a little, well, like he got hit with a bludger. Both boys stared at each other and then nodded. "Ugh, fine. For my overworked, way too committed friend," the red haired boy gave in. He rolled his eyes at Harry. "Women."

Okay, so I know this chapter was a little short, but bear with me! I promise they will get longer! If you can, drop a review! I would absolutely LOVE the feedback! Cookies for all that do!

XOXO, Emerald Queen