Chapter One – Kindness shown
Harry stood between Platform Nine and Platform Ten, a feeling of dread building in his chest, his ears still ringing with Uncle Vernon's mocking laughter as he had driven away. He balled his shaking hands into fists inside the pockets of his overly large trousers. He desperately looked around, his breath hitching in his chest as he tried to control the panic roaring in his chest.
"Father, how long is the journey to Hogwarts?" Harry's head span round at the sound of a familiar voice. He looked across the crowded platform and he recognised the young boy from Madam Malkin's robe shop. He was walking with a man and women who could only be his mother and father. The older man shared his white-blonde hair and regal features, and the woman whose eyes and smile were replicated on the boy's face.
Harry followed the trio across the platforms, watching from a distance as they headed towards platform 9. He watched intently as they approached the barrier and- Harry blinked, they'd disappeared! Harry looked around, but no one had seemed to notice anything out of the ordinary. Harry made his way cautiously to the stone wall and tentatively reached a hand to touch the bricks but as it made contact it didn't stop as if the wall was nothing more than a projection. Harry pulled away from the wall sharply, glancing around. Taking a deep breath Harry reached out to the wall and watched as his hand, followed by his arm, disappeared.
"Excuse me, but some of us would like to get through to the platform at some point today." Came a pompous voice from behind Harry. He spun around, his heart jumping in his chest. A pompous boy, a little older than Harry, loomed over him, a sneer firmly fixed on his face. He had shockingly red hair and was staring contemptuously at Harry. Harry backed up, looking away from the intimidating boy and trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. The boy, followed by a group of seven people all with the same flaming hair, walked through the barrier, quite conspicuously Harry thought, a couple at a time.
Harry took a deep breath and walked through the barrier. He emerged onto a busy platform filled with more people than Harry had ever seen before in one place. There were people with owls in cages and cats squirming in children's arms, kids chasing each other across the platform; and right in the middle of the platform was a shining red train bearing the Hogwarts emblem. Harry smiled, the anxiousness that had been bubbling in his stomach for weeks was as prominent as ever but now it was coupled with growing excitement.
Harry scanned the crowd, watching as the red-haired woman fussed over her children as they squirmed and argued between themselves.
As Harry was walking to the train one of the red-haired children collided with him. Harry winced as he crashed to the ground. "Watch it, will you?!" came the annoyed cry from over the red heads shoulder as he continued barrelling through the crowd. Harry rubbed his bleeding palms against the faded denim of his overly-large already stained jeans. A hand landing on his shoulder made Harry jump and scuttle backwards, eyes slamming shut and his breath coming hard and fast. "Hey, it's ok", a soft voice by Harry's ear made him slowly open them, blinking quickly at the bright light harshly assaulting his eyes. A shadow fell across his vision blocking the sun and he instinctually pulled back. "It's ok", the soft voice was back whispering in his ear as the shadow pulled back slightly. "Mr Potter?" a hint of recognition and surprise in the shadowed figures calm and quiet voice, which was a pleasant contrast to the roaring noise in his ears from the station platform. The figure picked up his glasses from where they had landed as he fell. A quiet noise of derision sounded from the woman who took her wand and tapped the glasses, quietly murmuring "Reparo". The tape that had been all that was keeping them together flew off, now unneeded as the frames had fixed themselves. The woman handed the glasses to Harry who took them with a murmured thanks. Harry blinked as his eyes cleared, the woman in front of him was the mother of the boy from Diagon Alley, who Harry suddenly realised was sitting by his shoulder, and had been the soft and calming voice in his ear. "Hey." The boy spoke quietly and smiled softly at Harry. Harry ducked his head down to stare at his knees embarrassment coursing through him.
"Is he alright Cissy?" a new voice caught Harry's attention as the boy's father had reached them and was frowning down at Harry. He ducked his head again, unsure of what he had done to irritate the man and unsure whether Harry would be on the receiving end of his anger. "Mr Potter?" Harry saw the man crouch down beside his wife "Are you injured?" Harry shook his head, unwilling to look up. A finger reached under Harrys chin and pulled him up to meet his eyes; Harry was surprised to see a warmth in the pale blue eyes. The man smiled softly at Harry and straightened from his crouched position on the cold floor. He offered a hand out to Harry, who hesitated for only a second before accepting the hand, not wanting to seem rude.
As soon as the man released Harrys hand he stepped away from the trio of people that were surrounding him and studying him carefully. He looked down at the too large trainers that were full of holes, uncomfortable with the scrutiny. The boy to the side of Harry reached a hand towards him and Harry instinctually pulled away. "Harry?" The woman's voice was filled with concern. Harrys eyes were drawn to the man standing beside his wife, who was silent but staring intently; he held Harrys eyes for a moment before turning to his wife. "Let's get the boys on the train" his wife turned to him with shock on her face "but-" "There's nothing we can do right now, we'll write to Severus later and go from there." He turned back to the boys "Draco, Harry go put your luggage on the train and then come back and say goodbye". The blonde boy, Draco apparently, tugged on Harry's arm and pulled him over to one of the doors leading on to the train.
They loaded their luggage onto the train and then made their way back over to Draco's parents. "Everything sorted?" his mother asked, worry still clear on her face. Draco nodded, Harry once again looking down at the floor, feeling very unsure of himself again. "Draco" his fathers voice was serious and made Harry glance nervously at the blonde man, "Write to us after you are sorted and let us know you are settling in adequately, as well as keeping us informed of… other things" he paused before finishing, giving a discreet but meaningful look in Harrys direction. "I will Father" Draco said, a hint of nervousness creeping into his voice. His father nodded and turned to Harry, who once again looked at his feet. "Harry-" that was his mothers voice again and Harry glanced up through his fringe; she was cut off by her husband raising a hand to quiet her, still staring at Harry. "My name is Lucius Malfoy, this is my wife Narcissa and our son Draco. If you require anything while at Hogwarts do not hesitate to owl us and we will endeavour to assist you in any way possible." Harry felt a lump forming in his throat, unused to the kindness this family had shown him. "Thank you" his response was quiet, but sincere. Mr Malfoy studied him for a moment more before nodding and turning to his son. "I'll owl you later Draco, to discuss next steps." Draco nodded and then moved forward and embraced his father, who rested his hand on his son's hair for a moment, until Draco pulled away to hug his mother. Harry looked away, surprised at the bitterness and jealousy that welled up in him at the sight. "Owl us in the morning, good luck with the sorting and your house. Remember be strong and collected, and keep your temper" Draco flushed slightly, glancing towards Harry as his mother spoke in a quiet undertone. Draco stepped away from his parents and smiled to them. He then reached over to Harry and pulled his sleeve, guiding him over to the train. They boarded the train and found an empty compartment, as Draco went to sit by the window to wave to his parents Harry took a seat opposite him and curled up in the corner, his head resting against the cool glass and fiddling with the too large sleeves of his baggy sweatshirt. The train jolted and started its steady exit from the station. As the train picked up speed Harry felt himself relaxing and as he looked across the compartment and caught Draco's eyes, who was grinning broadly, and for the first time in he did not know how long, Harry allowed a small smile to cross his face and looked out the window; as he watched the scenery pass in a blur Harry's smile widened as he was taken further and further away from the Dursley's and privet drive; and although he did not know exactly what he was approaching, he had a feeling it was going to be good. As he contemplated all this however, he did not notice the stare Draco had focused on him and was therefore unaware of the realisation crossing the blondes face as he noticed the smaller boy wince as he shifted unconsciously on the seat, he also did not notice the fire and determination burning in the storm grey eyes; and the protectiveness that was building inside the other boy.