Harry Potter and the Creature in the Forest
Disclaimer: Okay. This is Harry Potter, obviously. This fic starts out on the train to Hogwarts right before first year. Specifically, it starts just before Draco asks Harry to be his friend. The first bit belongs to J.K. Rowling. Anything after "I can help you there." is mine. Anything before that isn't. Enough said. Oh, the characters aren't mine, either! Please R&R!
Chapter One: The Beginning
Three boys entered, and Harry recognized the middle one at once: it was the pale boy from Madam Malkin's robe shop. He was looking at Harry with a lot more interest than he'd shown back in Diagon Alley.
"Is it true?" he said. "They're saying all down the train that Harry Potter's in this compartment. So it's you, is it?"
"Yes," said Harry. He was looking at the other boys. Both of them were thickset and looked extremely mean. Standing on either side of the pale boy, they looked like bodyguards.
"Oh, this is Crabbe and this is Goyle," said the pale boy carelessly, noticing where Harry was looking. "And my name's Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."
Ron gave a slight cough, which might have been hiding a snigger. Draco Malfoy looked at him. "Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask who you are. My father told my all the Weasleys have red hair, freckles, and more children than they can afford." He turned back to Harry. "You'll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there." He reached out, hoping that Harry would accept. Harry smiled, and took his hand, shaking it. Ron stared.
"Harry?" he asked. Harry turned to face him, a slight smirk on his face.
"You know, you've been helpful, Weasley, but Malfoy here is right. I would hate to make friends with the wrong sort of wizards. It just wouldn't do. You can keep the candy, though. My contribution to you and your family." With that, he, Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle walked out of the compartment, leaving a startled Ron behind.