Green eyes locked with silver, a few feet apart on the crowded platform. Harry and Draco wore identical looks of hatred, though Draco's lips were curled into a smirk while Harry's were set in a firm scowl. "See you next year, Potter." Draco said, spitting Harry's name as though it was a rather unpleasant swear, "Have fun this Summer." Harry didn't dignify the hateful remark with a response, as he knew that Draco was only trying to bait him. He knew full and well that Harry's Summers were less than pleasant... Though he doubted Draco knew the extent to which that was true.
He turned away from his enemy and boarded the long scarlet train that would carry him straight from home to Hell with his mouth set in a frown, his eyes still alight with anger. He didn't speak, nor did this unpleasant expression change, until he sat down in a compartment opposite Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Hermione's amused expression at whatever Ron had been saying immediately changed to one of concern. "Harry, what's the matter?" She asked worriedly. Harry let out a defeated sigh and his look of anger softened to one of complete and utter depression.
"Nothing." He responded flatly. Hermione and Ron exchanged a skeptical look, as obviously, something was bothering him.
"If you're hacked off about going back to your Aunt and Uncle," Ron said, trying to speak in an uplifting tone, "remember you're free to stay with me instead. I think mum gets more disappointed every year you don't show up on our doorstep." Harry managed a small smile at that; Ron was right, of course. Molly wanted him to stay, and he knew he should have accepted the offer... However, he couldn't bring himself to do so in past years. He didn't want to put them in unnecessary danger, and danger seemed to follow him closer than his own shadow. He couldn't do that to them... It was only recently that Sirius had died coming to his rescue, and he couldn't bear the thought of anything like that happening again.
"Thanks for the offer, mate, but I can survive at the Dursley's." He promised, "I've just had a little run-in with Malfoy, that's all." Hermione sighed in exasperation.
"Harry, I've told you a million times that it's positively imbecilic to let him get to you this way." She sighed. Harry shrugged.
"I know," He deadpanned, "but it's not like I can help it." Hermione opened her mouth to counter, but Harry cut her off. "Drop it, Hermione." He said, "I'm fine." Hermione sighed, but nodded her acceptance.
After a few moments of slightly uncomfortable silence, Ron resumed the conversation he and Hermione had been having before Harry arrived. The rest of the train ride passed with Harry slowly coming out of his bout of depression, and after the Witch came by pushing the trolley, with everyone eating sweets to their hearts' content. By the time the scarlet steam engine pulled into Platform Nine and Three Quarters, all three passengers of the compartment were substantially more cheerful than when they'd boarded. They'd chatted the ride away, and now, for Hermione and Ron, they were headed home.
When they were free of Platform Nine and Three Quarters and instead stood in the middle of Kings Cross station, Ron was immediately swept into the waiting arms of his mother, and Hermione was pulled into a bone-crushing hug by her father. Harry bid them a forcefully cheerful farewell and apologized to Mrs. Weasley for his ongoing refusal to accept her offer of staying at the Burrow over the Summer, before making his way out to where he knew Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia were waiting. As he walked, he tried to think of positive things... At least, over the Summer, he didn't have to see Malfoy. He didn't have to see the blond strutting about the school as if he owned it, sucking up to Snape and snickering behind his back. At least for a few months, no more of that stupid twat Malfoy.
Harry hesitated for a moment outside the car, under the harsh glare of his Uncle. "Well, get in the car, boy." Vernon snapped; without giving Harry a chance to comply to that order, he grabbed Harry's upper arm in a bruising grip and thrust him forcefully into the car. Dudley snickered, though not looking up from his hand-held game. Harry's good mood was a thing of the past; as the car started driving back towards Privet Drive, he sank into his usual Summer depression.
Draco Malfoy stepped through the bricks into Kings Cross Station with his usual air of confidence. He was quite looking forward to the Summer... No classes or homework, no waking up at ungodly hours of the morning, and no Potter. He wouldn't have to see Harry Potter walking about the school in a huddle with his friends, acting as though he was some sort of saint. On the downside, he wouldn't get to see the stupid git having potions blow up in his face all the time, nor would he have the pleasure of seeing the humiliated look on his face as Snape deducted points and the other Gryffindors glared at the all-mighty-boy-who-lived in a rare show of dislike. Stupid Potter.
He pushed thoughts of the brunette from his head as he walked over to his mother and gave her a quick hug in greeting. He and his father exchanged just a small nod before the family of three left the station and disapperated to their large home. Once there, Draco immediately vanished to his bedroom, where he clumsily removed his tie and unbuttoned his shirt before collapsing on the bed. He tangled his fingers in his hair until it was sufficiently mussed. Now it was officially Summer, where in the confinement of his bedroom, his pale pointed features softened and he didn't have to think about anything.
