Disclaimer: All of this belongs to the wonderful J.K. Rowling except for Akane Mikoshiba and the wild events that these characters encounter.
Warning(s): Language, Slytherin sass, and Pansy Parkinson.
The train station was busier than usual, which brought a scowl on Blaise's face.
"This is bloody disgusting," Draco spat, hands curled into fists around his suitcase handle. "You'd think they'd pick a better day."
Blaise sighed. "Only two years, Drake."
"That's too long." Draco shook his head and shoved his way through the crowd, down along the side of the train. The entrance to the Slytherin car was coming up, but it didn't feel like the two boys could get there fast enough. "I told Mother we were leaving early. This is not early. Look, the entire sodding Weasley family is here. I said-"
Grunting, Blaise roughly shoved his friend into the doorway of the train car and Draco stumbled. The blond dragged his suitcase behind him, chin held up high and eyes narrowed. Blaise followed, a sway of swagger in his gait.
"And! For Merlin's sake, all the good cabins are taken. Unbelievable-"
"Would you ever consider, oh, I don't know, shutting up?"
Draco frowned and shot a glare over his shoulder. "I do not need this kind of attitude from you, Blaise."
In silence, Draco continued shuffling down the narrow path. Towards the end of the car, he paused and peered into the window of the cabin door, then threw said door open with a flourish. Inside sat a chatty Pansy and a silent Theo.
"Draco, you prick-"
"What now, Pansy?"
"You said you would write me back and send that necklace your mother told me about at brunch-"
"What are you talking about-"
"Merlin," Blaise grumbled, sitting down next to Theo and stretching his legs out. They weren't even at school yet and already Pansy was starting inevitable drama, and like the overactive prick he was, Draco took the bait. And the two continued to bicker- not the fun, flirty kind- until the train gave a warning whistle and the wheels gave an abrupt jolt. Both teens jostled and Pansy was the first to fall onto the seat.
"Sit down, Draco, you're making me nervous," Pansy stated.
Draco frowned at the girl and sat.
It was going to be a long ride.
It was a long ride.
About halfway in Theo abandoned Blaise to go change into his school robes, and right at that time Pansy decided to pipe in with yet another unappreciated topic.
"So," she began, a slow drawl, and Blaise mentally braced for impact. "I think I'm going to try and hook up with Adrian Pucey this year."
"Did you not already?" Draco asked, bitter. He had his arms crossed, mostly peeved by the candy trolley lady's blatant ignorance of him. She steered her cart right past them and the blond didn't get a chance to pick up some candy.
Big whoop. Blaise didn't care. In fact, why did Draco? As Pansy stated earlier, the blond was "acting like a petulant child and Draco, it's very unbecoming."
"No, I haven't. You're thinking of Marcus Flint."
"Merlin, why," Blaise groaned. Across the cabin, Draco gave a slow blink and a sneer of disapproval.
Pansy shrugged. "He's a good Quidditch player."
"That's about it-"
"But!" Pansy interrupted, and Blaise gave a sigh. "I want to know who's on your guys' list."
Draco snorted. "What, to shag?"
Shrugging again, Pansy offered the two of them a sly grin. "I know Blaise has one."
"Dunno," Blaise grunted. It was true: he had sort of build up a flirtatious reputation around school. Sure, he's had his fair share of upperclassmen, underclassmen, and simply classmen- peers, his mind shouted, sounding oddly like Theo- and it wasn't hard to get them, wrapped around his finger. And it wasn't a secret either, his reputation. "I don't have one."
"Yet," Pansy supplied. Then she whipped around and turned her burning gaze on Draco. "How about you, Drakey-poo? Going to finally have that wand battle in the lavatory with Potter, hmm?"
"For Merlin's sake Pansy-"
"You're denying it-"
"Of course I am-"
Theo came back right then. A silent, almost graceful force, he was. He slid into the room and sat down beside Blaise without a word, only sparing a glance at the arguing duo. Blaise appreciated Theo. He was a good guy- no matter how downright shitty his father was- and he was smart, too.
And quiet. Blaise did like quiet.
Blaise often wished Pansy learned the art of quiet. Draco had an understanding, but once provoked, he became loud and angry. Not wanting to deal with this any moment longer, Blaise grabbed his school robes and slid out of the cabin with a grunt that sounded like "gonna change" and made his way toward the lavatory.
The rest of the train ride passed in a loud blur, and Blaise actually prayed to Merlin once it was over. As much as he loved his friends- not really- they sure did creep on his nerves more often than not. Usually he and Pansy tag-teamed tormenting Draco, but the girl had an extra ounce of evil in her eye that day and Draco seemed whinier than usual and man, Blaise hoped this year would be better than that sodding train ride.
They traveled in a close-knit pack, hopping onto one of the thestral carriages with the Greengrass sisters and Pucey. Pansy insisted they wait for Millicent, but the girl was lagging behind with Tracey Davis and a few other students, which caused Draco to insist they leave her behind.
"Besides," Draco had said. "If you really wanted to see her, you should have found her on the train."
Pansy pursed her lips and pretended Draco hadn't said a word.
The Slytherin train car was towards the very back of the train, with the only car behind it consisting of luggage and so-called "professor space." Thus, this put the entire Slytherin house at the back of the line, which was all fine and dandy until it was time for the students to enter the Great Hall.
Blaise could picture it now. All of the other students, excitement and cheer evident in their voices, pouring into the Great Hall and sitting at their respective tables. The Hall fills up and an empty table awaits, leaving a thin stream of Slytherins to trickle in rather awkwardly. It's happened before and Blaise is ready for it to happen again.
(Cue an uncomfortable flashback back to third year when this did happen, and Blaise was feeling awkward enough with his growing spurts and occasional acne and cracking voice, and he had to go through that, wedged between Pansy and Goyle as they sat down at their table in a near single-file line. It was awkward and terrible and Blaise would rather not do it again.)
It wasn't as awful this time, but he could feel the watchful eyes of the first years waiting outside of the Hall as the Slytherin group walked past. He knew what they thought. It didn't help.
Once again, Blaise found himself preparing for disaster.