"There it is!" Hermione exclaimed as the Hogwarts express rounded the hill, giving them a full look at their home.
"It's great to be back." Harry grinned and pressed his face to the glass. The past summer with the Dursley's had been horrible. Dudley had decided to join his school's drum line. This delighted Aunt Petunia extremely and the day after he had made the decision to join, they had gone out and bought him a drum set. Dudley played it everyday at eight a.m. until he got bored with it. Harry was more thankful than a freed house elf to be back at Hogwarts, and this year, their sixth year, was going to be great.
"I cnt wnt ter grnt benk,"
"Ronald, put down the chicken and stop talking with your mouth full. We can't understand you and it's absolutely repulsive!" Hermione scolded. Ron quickly finished chewing, then wiped his face using the sleeve of his robe. Hermione groaned.
"I was saying, I can't wait to get back. I've had just about enough of my mum's boiled peas and diced yam; I need real food!" Ron crossed his arms and sat back against the seat with a pout on his face. Harry laughed.
"We're almost there, mate." He said, his face still pressed against the glass. We just need to cross- ah!" Harry yelped as the train hit a bump on the track, causing Harry to smack his face against the glass.
"Nice one, Potter. I thought that the Boy-Who-Lived would be a tad more smooth" a rough looking Draco Malfoy taunted. His hair is a mess. Harry thought, It looks cute though. Wait, what?! Had he just called Draco…cute?
"S-shut it, Malfoy.." Harry stuttered, dazed by his own thoughts.
"Make me."
"Maybe I will."
Draco laughed. "I dare you. What are you going to do without your little Weasel-Be side kick?" To Harry's dismay, Ron had dozed off in the corner of the compartment.
"I don't need him. After the welcome banquet, up for a duel?"
"Meet me outside the Great Hall at ten." Draco sneered. He then slammed the compartment door shut and walked back to wherever he sat.
"Harry, you can't do this!" Hermione's face was bright red.
"Yes, I an. He needs to be taught a lesson, Hermione!" Harry said sternly as the train hissed to a stop.
"Unng…. CHICKEN OVERDOSE!" Ron exclaimed from the corner as he woke up. Hermione's body shook with laughter. They didn't notice that Harry had already exited the train.
Harry followed Draco to the castle as quietly as possible. He had no clue why, but he felt compelled to.
"Welcome back!" Professor McGonagall greeted Harry.
"Hello, Professor!" Harry grinned.
"Wassup, Pussy Cat?" a half-drunk Dean Thomas catcalled behind harry. McGonagall's face turned three shades of red before she spoke.
"Mr. Thomas!" Come with me right now! Goodbye, Mr. Potter!" Harry held in his laughter until she was out of sight. Someone chuckled next to him. Harry slowly peeked out of the corner of his eye to see whom he had shared the moment with.
It was Draco.
Draco gave him a small smile. It looked almost kind.
"What are you laughing at, Ha-Potter." Malfoy blushed. He had almost called Harry, Harry!
"Nothing." Harry smiled back, but looked to the ground.
"I'm sure it was." Draco rolled his eyes, the scowl back on his face. "Come on, Crabbe. Goyle! Put down that stick!" He yelled at his trusty followers.
"Harry! There you are!" Ron wheezed, running up to him.
"We've been looking everywhere!" Hermione shouted.
"Sorry, guys. I just, uh, wanted to get off the train. It's a little crowded, you know." Harry bit his lip. Would they buy it?
"Oh, good!" Hermione said cheerily. Harry let out a relieved sigh.
"Yeah, alright, we found him. Now let's get into the bloody school. I'm starving!" Ron mumbled.
"You just ate an entire chicken!" Hermione laughed.
"Bless her," Ron leaned back on Harry and placed his hand on his forehead as if he was fainting. "She thinks that was real food."
"All right, now, let's just get inside." Hermione said, hitting Ron in the face with her hair as she turned. After gathering themselves, they walked into the Great Hall and took a seat at the Gryffindor table. After five minutes of filing the students in, the Sorting started. Agatha Remmy, Nicole Nox, Crissy Talbot, and ten others got the joy of being sorted into Gryffindor.
"Small lot this year." Ron muttered. Hermione nodded in agreement. Dumbledore quickly gave his speech; his hands outstretched the entire time.
"Tuck in!" he shouted and Ron lunched for the appearing food. Harry sat quietly as his friends all laughed and caught up. He twirled his fork in his silky mashed potatoes as he looked across the room at a light haired Slytherin boy, whom was looking right back at him.