Never Quite As They Seem

Disclaimer: The characters, and original plot belong to J.K Rowling. I am just a fan, writing fics.

The clouds were dark, and rain fell hard against the fogged up windows of the large steam engine. But despite the harsh weather it kept it's steady course, for it was the Hogwart's Express' duty to transport the students safely to the castle – where this year some would begin their magical studies, while many others would continue to practice the craft in hopes of attaining their O.W.L.S.

"Oy! That's cheating! You can't capture two pieces at once Ginny!" said Ron.

"But that's what Harry taught me during the summer. Isn't it Harry?" said Ginny. She looked from Ron to Harry, and flashed him a quick wink.

"That was a muggle game Ginny. Checkers, remember? The same rules don't apply to Wizard's chess." Harry said, trying to stifle a chuckle. He knew Ginny didn't need him to remind her.

"Checkers? Is that the one where the pieces don't move?" Ron turned his head sideways to look at Harry. Meanwhile, Ginny took the opportunity to move his rook out her queen's path.

"Checkmate."

"What?! OY!" Ron turned around just in time to see Ginny's queen loudly smash his recently protected king to pieces.

Both Ginny and Harry burst into laughter while Ron continued to stare at the spot where his King was defeated, unsuspecting, and pondering how he could've possibly lost to his younger sister.

"I'm sure a game of Wizard's chess can be very amusing but could you please make less of a racket? How can a girl possibly memorize all 167 runes when her friends…" who have much studying to do as well, she pointed out, "are making so much noise they'd put Peeves to shame!"

Hermione, who had been sitting next to the window with "Runes and Their Translations" propped open on her lap had her arms crossed and was looking sternly at the her three best friends.

Ron was just about to defend himself when he stopped and looked towards the sound of their compartment door opening.

It was as if all the laughter got sucked out of the room, and it only took the presence of a single platinum haired Slytherin.

"Normally I wouldn't come and visit you lot –"

"Then to what do we owe this pleasure," asked Ginny. Her question dripping with sarcasm.

Draco sneered and pointed his wand to his robes where a shiny gold badge was fastened by his chest. In the center of it a bold "P" was visible.

Harry's heart sank.
Ron looked disgusted.
Ginny rolled her eyes.

"I was appointed Prefect, and unfortunately, so were you." This time Draco spoke solely to the girl sitting by the window.

Hermione wanted to throw herself out the window and into the howling storm. Anything to escape the dawning reality, the news that her next year at Hogwarts would not go anything like she was expecting.

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My former username is "Lady Mystik." I haven't written in years, so please bear with me.