Chapter 1

Harry looked through the blue glass only to see a disoriented face looking back at him. The rain slid down the slick window, breaking up his reflection. He slumped down in his seat. The train speed along the rails and past the vast prairies. He thought of his past years at Hogwarts, his school and home to him. He thought of Luna and Neville and all the friends he would see again. His cerebration was broken by the sound of Hermione's voice.

"Harry!" she ran into his compartment and hugged her dark haired friend. He returned the hug, happily. "Where have you been? Ron and I were waiting for you back at 9 ¾!" she inquired. Harry instantly felt atrocious. He had gotten on the train without his two best friends.

"I wa-" Harry began to explain, but was cut off by Ron's cheerful voice.

"Hullo, mate!" Ron walked into the compartment and playfully slapped Harry on the shoulder. Harry grinned at the sight of the Weasley and his bright attitude. "Ready for another year?" Ron asked.

"I suppose so. How are you two?" Harry grinned as he asked, emphasizing the word "two." Ron and Hermione blushed and stole quick glances at each other.

"We're fine." Hermione said, "And you?" she returned politely.

"I'm okay." Harry muttered in reply.

"Don't sound to good, mate." Ron said, as he and Hermione sat down.

"Yeah, Harry. You weren't waiting at 9 ¾ and you looked troubled when we came in." Hermione said, concerned. Harry looked at the curly haired girl sitting in front of him. She had a look of anxiety. She knew something was wrong with Harry. He usually was bright and cheerful, but serious. So, she had her look of concern, which for Hermione, was furrowed eyebrows and sloped down lips. She tried to cover it when asking touchy questions, but Harry new Hermione too well. He sighed and shrugged slightly.

"I'm fine." was his short, disappointing response.

But Hermione also new Harry too well. He had his worried look on his face. And Hermione wasn't dumb. Of course she knew there was more. There was always an explanation to why Harry was angry or upset. Harry was not the type of person that got upset for no logical reason. She narrowed her eyes just a little bit. But she let the question go and the three of them were silent. There was some tension in the air and they felt uncomfortable and awkward.

"Hey, Hermione?" Harry suddenly said, breaking the vexatious silence.

"Yes?" Hermione quickly answered.

"Where were you and Ron?" he asked casually.

"You mean when we were waiting for you?" she asked back.

"Yeah." Harry eyed her and Ron sitting together.

"We were waiting with Ron's brothers and Mrs. Weasley." she said.

"How were they?" he asked quickly. He felt awful that he could not see Fred or George or Mrs. Weasley. He needed to know how rebuilding was coming along. The year before, the death eaters destroyed The Burrow. His seventh year was now approaching and he did not get the word from them all summer.

"Well, the buildings fine, if that is what your asking, Harry." Ron said politely.

"Oh, good!" sighed Harry. He knew it wasn't his fault, but he felt guilty as ever.

"Oi! It's not your fault, you know, mate!" Ron said, trying to comfort the sulking Harry. Something was clearly wrong with him and Ron did not want Harry to feel bad for something he could not control.

"I know it's not my fault." Harry grumbled. Ron looked taken aback by his aggressive behavior. Hermione frowned at Harry, wanting to say something to consult him. He glared at nothing in particular and slid down in his seat.

"Nevermind." Harry said, and turned to face the red wall of their compartment.

The Hogwarts Express chugged into view of Hogwarts. Draco was deeply uncomfortable with the smiling Pansy Parkinson snuggled up next to him. Her floral perfume was sharp and cut deep into his brain, making him practically mad. He fidgeted when Pansy breathed down his neck. He needed some way to escape her rapacious grasp.

"So, Draco." Pansy hissed, "Another year with our dear Harry Potter? I suppose you have a plan of conquer?"

Why did she have to say that? Draco thought glumly.

Draco gulped slowly. Pansy detected the slight irritation and released her hold on the blonde.

"Cause I can fill the job for you." she said snidely. She smirked at the thought of Harry's cheeks turning bright red.

"Don't bother. I know my job." Draco growled in return to her scornful behavior. Pansy stared blankly at him. Draco gave her a look of slight contempt. He did feel it for her at the very moment.

"Stop that!" the dignified Malfoy barked. Pansy jumped at his sudden outburst and slipped to the other seat with an exasperated sigh. She looked up over her seat and into the next compartment. It just so happened that Harry was with his friends in the next compartment.

Harry and his stupid friends are probably talking about how great of a hero he is! Pansy thought, furiously.

She knocked on the clear glass that separated the two compartments. Harry looked up and recognized who it was. If there was one person in the world that he could not and would not stand, it was that stupid Pansy Parkinson.

Great! Of all the miserable, bloody luck, I have the compartment next to her! Harry thought, madly.

Pansy snickered and fogged the glass with her breath. She smirked and wrote something on the white glass. Harry's cheeks turned as red as the compartment's walls. He growled at her teasing face. He slumped down in his seat. Pansy saw Hermione's lips move, saying something to Harry. Hermione reached out a hand and placed it on his shoulder. He was clearly annoyed. Pansy sat back down in her seat, a triumph smile on her face. She looked across to the other seat and saw Draco with his back turned to her, looking out the window. He turned and sighed as he sat up straight. She looked at Draco's face, which surprisingly looked embarrassed and annoyed. He caught her stare and glared deeply.

"What are you looking at?" Draco spat. Pansy looked away, wondering why he was acting so strange. Draco glared for one more second before jumping up and storming out of his compartment, leaving an upset Pansy to herself. He stood outside the compartment door and rubbed his face. He turned and took a few steps before looking into the next compartment. Of course his sulking left him without the knowledge that Harry was in the next compartment. And of course he was looking for Blaise Zabini. But he saw Harry Potter slumped back in his chair, his brown hair falling over his bright green eyes. Harry turned and saw Draco, upon hearing footsteps approach their compartment. His eyes went wide at the sight of the Malfoy. Draco stepped back from shock. The moment quickly ended and he scowled at Harry. He looked away and walked quickly down the train's hallway. Draco walked around on the brown floor with his blue eyes darting across the compartments. Smudges of dirt from the students' shoes turned the floor to a dusty grey color. He looked in each compartment. He needed to find Blaise. He finally approached the right compartment and found Dean Thomas with him. He knocked and stepped into their compartment.

"Hey, Draco!" Blaise said cheerfully as Draco walked in.

He sat down, the chair creaky from too many people sitting on it.

"Hey." he muttered. He was too lost in thought to say anything else. Blaise didn't bother saying anything either, he could tell Draco was upset. Draco was surprised to find himself thinking about Harry. He thought he was almost happy to see him. He instantly knew he was thinking wrong thoughts and shook them from his mind. He turned to face the window, where the rain still slid down the glass.

This is going to be a different year, Draco thought.