They say that when your life is hanging in the balance, your life flashes before your eyes. Some say it isn't true, while some have experienced it first-hand.

Chapter 1: Meeting

*Whoosh* I ran through Platform 9 ¾ with ease. My sister, Hestia, followed. Her bright blue eyes squinted and scanned the crowd. Her brown bob and hot pink highlights were messy and she had dark circles under her eyes from lack of sleep due to numerous sleep-overs. Her face was coated in makeup to hide her weariness.

I am complete opposite of Hestia. I have lengthy blonde hair with luminous chocolate brown eyes. I actually sleep and wear little to no makeup. It bothers me. It's like a mask hiding who you really are.

Hestia is a couple of months older than me, but is very childish and doesn't take school seriously. She was adopted when I was 10 and has enjoyed the past time of bullying me, thinking she's better than me. For the past 4 years she's struggled to keep up with her studies in Hufflepuff. I, on the other hand, have been a perfect student in Slytherin every year at Hogwarts. This year, I am aiming for the title of House Prefect to please my ever demanding father who dreams of a perfect child. He has given up on Hestia long ago.

As we board the train, Hestia drags me into the same cart as her, squishing herself between her two best friends, Pansy Parkinson and Millicent Bulstrode, both mildly ugly girls with pug-like faces and a musky smell surrounding them. I sit alone on the opposite side and stare out the window as the train pulls out of the station.

Ten minutes into the ride, the door slides open and I turn, expecting to see the lunch cart, but instead see a lean boy my age, with bleach blonde hair, stone grey eyes, and the most gorgeous face. He wears a simple suit of all black, but on him looks divine. He has a certain air to him, somehow familiar, but I couldn't place my finger on it.

His beautiful eyes sweep the cart. Hestia and her two annoying friends giggled and whispered to each other. He scans over Hestia, pauses to study her then shakes his head and turns to me. Our eyes meet and he smiles a warm smile that melts my heart and puts butterflies in my stomach. He steps in and slides the door shut.

"Mind if I sit here?" he nods to the empty seat next to me. Hestia meets me eyes and gives me an overly dramatic nod. I roll me eyes and look back up at the boy.

"Sure." I say, returning his warm smile. He sits down gingerly.

"Oh my, I am terribly sorry for not introducing myself. My name is Draco Malfoy." He takes my hand in his bony, cold hand and kisses the back gently with his soft lips. Hestia's eyes widen in jealously and anger. I push her to the back of my mind and blush.

"Hey Draco." Hestia coos. She giggles and holds her hand out to Draco. He politely shakes it and turns back to me.

"You must be.. Victoria Nolton?"

"How do you know?

He hesitates; "Just looking for fellow Slytherins..." he bites his lip, "so tell me Victoria," the sound of him speaking my name sends chills down my spine, "How are you enjoying Slytherin?"

"I'm in Hufflepuff Draco!" Hestia coos to Draco.

"It's fine." I mutter.

"Good." Draco smiles, ignoring Hestia, "What year are you?"

"Fifth."

"I am too!" Hestia adds.

"As am I." Draco smiles once again, "How come I haven't seen you around before?"

"I'm not sure."

"Well I'm glad I met you."

"Me too." I smile at Draco's angelic face.

For the rest of the ride Draco tells stories of his life, growing up in Malfoy Manor as a spoiled only child with a tough father and kind mother.

"That sounds like the life." I gush.

Draco laughs, "I suppose. So tell me about you."

My face darkens, "Oh umm… I'm not sure you'd like it..."

"What do you mean?" Draco's face seemed questioning but his eyes had a glint that somehow indicated me might already know. The train chugged to a stop. "I'm terribly sorry Victoria, but I must get going. I have some... business to attend to. I'd love to see you again; maybe in the common room after dinner and orientation tonight?" I swear I saw I flicker of seriousness in his eyes, but I nod and smile. He stands up and opens the door.

"Wait." I stand up and kiss his smooth, sweet smelling cheek. He takes my hand as he steps out of the cart. He kisses it once more before walking down the hall. I step backwards into the cart again and slide the door shut, catching my breath. Hestia and her friends squeal.

"Oh Victoria!"

"You're so lucky!"

"He's darling adorable!"

"You simply must date him!"

I snort at their comments, "Honestly guys, I just met him."

"So?"

"He's so in loooove!"

"He's obviously got it back for you!"

"Yes! He's definitely falling hard for you!"

I just shake my head and look out the window until it's our turn to leave the train.