~‡~
Edward pulled his trunk and owl behind him and sat down in an empty compartment. He worried that he wasn't good enough for Hogwarts. What if he wasn't sorted? He had heard of each house by now and he didn't seem to fit in one. Edward opened the cage to let his owl out. Her name was Jane. Her brown and black feathers caught the light and seemed to glow as she emerged from the cage. At least if he got sent home he would have a friend to talk to. Edward opened his trunk and pulled out a History of Magic book. If he read it ahead of time then he would learn it all easier.
~‡~
Edward looked up from his book. Someone had just knocked on the compartment door. It was a boy with white-blonde hair, it was slicked back. His face was quite pale and his face was rather pointed. Edward closed his book, carefully marking his place. He walked over to the compartment door and opened it.
"Uhh… Hello..." Edward said feebly.
"Hello, do you mind if I sit in here?" The boy asked
"I don't mind..." Edward said, moving aside to let the boy in. "I'm Edward Coles, what's your name?"
"I'm Draco. Draco Malfoy."
They both sat down opposite each other. Draco looked at the book.
"Studying on the train? You're going to be a Ravenclaw"
"I don't care what house I'm in." Edward said simply.
"I'm going to be in Slytherin, everyone in my family is"
~‡~
Edward was going to say something but was interrupted by the food trolley witch knocking on the door. Edward stood up and opened it.
"Anything from the trolley?"
"Do you have any Liquorice Wands?" Edward said
"Yes, one box is five knuts."
"Ok, I'll have one box please." Edward said, handing over the money.
Edward sat down while Draco bought two Pumpkin Pasties.
"Are both of your parents wizards?" Edward asked
"Oh, yes. My father is talking to the Minister for Magic today."
"He must be really important then"
"Yes, Father often donates money to St. Mungo's."
"The wizarding hospital?" Edward asked. Draco frowned.
"You're not a mudblood are you?"
Edward stopped.
"No, I'm a halfblood. My mother kept me away from magic while I grew up."
"What kind of parent does that? It must have been terrible growing up around muggles. How did you cope?"
"I don't really know to be honest."
~‡~
Edward opened his box of Liquorice Wands and took one out. He took a bite out of it.
"Can I call you Draco?" He asked after swallowing his first bite.
"Yes, you can. I'll call you Ed. It's shorter than Edward."
"So what lesson do you think will be the best?"
"I think flying would be, as long as they-" Draco started to say, but was interrupted by a red-headed boy opening the compartment door.
"Is Harry Potter in here?"
Draco stared at the boy, frowning.
"First of all, do we look anything like him?"
"No, but-"
"If we look nothing like him, then why did you bother asking?"
"I just wanted to-"
"You clearly must be a Weasley. Red hair, hand me down robes, too stupid to think before you speak-"
Draco was interrupted by a girl. She had bushy, brown hair and rather large teeth.
"Has anyone seen a toad? A boy called Neville has lost his."
"Who brings a toad to school?" Edward asked mockingly
"I was just checking if you saw one"
"Well we obviously haven't, now could you kindly leave? Your teeth make my eyes hurt."
The girl frowned and left. The Weasley followed her away.
"I hope you agree that they are most certainly Gryffindors" Draco said
"Yes, Gryffindors." Edward replied
"They are all just idiots pretending to be brave, it's a wonder that they survive long enough to reach Hogwarts."
Edward took out another Liquorice wand.
"We'll be arriving soon, we should change into our school robes." Draco stated.
~‡~