Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. If I did, well, it just wouldn't be the same.

A/N: I love reviews. What love even more though is constructive critics.

"Speaking."

"Speaking in Italian."

'Thinking.'

Chapter Two:

Draco Prov.

I sat in our usual compartment waiting for Pansy and Blaise to show up; after all they are more interesting to talk to than my ever-present bodyguards. Because well, talking with them was like trying to have a conversation with a brick wall. Of course Pansy wasn't that much more intelligent, but at least she could hold up a conversation. Blaise was intelligent enough, but he was very quiet, although not shy. But conversations with him usually consisted of one girl or another.

Of course most girls liked that he was tall, dark, handsome and mysterious. Most people were surprised to find out he that actually had a voice. While no one really noticed him, he noticed everyone else. If you needed information on anyone Blaise was your man.

At that precise moment Pansy walked in talking about her next victim... uh, I mean boy. Contrary to popular belief Pansy wasn't a whore; I knew this because when I tried to sleep with her she told me she was saving herself for marriage. Another popular belief I'd like to take the time to squash is that Pansy and I are going out.

Sure we tried it for a while, but Pansy wanted love and I didn't love her in the way she wanted so we broke it off but stayed friends. She's the only person I really consider a friend, probably because I've known her since I can remember. I prefer to think of Blaise more of an acquaintance than a friend. And Crabbe and Goyle are just my bodyguards, but I think we all knew that.

"Draco, are you even paying attention to me?" asked Pansy throwing her hands up in the air.

"Of course, what were you saying again?" I asked.

"I said you should really meet the new guy, Sky Griffin. He hasn't been sorted yet, but I'm sure he'll be in Slytherin and he's in our year." She sighed, "And he's oh so hot!" She giggled and looked out the window dreamily.

Honestly, she says that about all her love interests. Falls in love and gets her hart broken when they dump her because she won't put out. Sky, what kind of name is that anyway? And people say my names funny; of course I always get the pleasure of hexing them into oblivion. Muahahaha!

"So where is this wonder boy anyway?" I asked.

"Oh, he's with Zabini in Slughorns compartment. He invited everyone with influential family; he probably didn't invite you because your dad's in Azkaban." She stated.

I ground my teeth, I hate the fact that my fathers in Azkaban. But Pansy and I carry on talking for a while. Some time later Blaise comes in softly talking to a boy with very messy brown hair and blonde streaks, by the way Pansy's getting all exited I'm guessing this is Sky Griffin.

As Blaise tried to close the door behind him it seemed to be stuck, "What's wrong with this thing?" He asked angrily, repeatedly trying to slam it closed. Suddenly the door pushed open hard sending Blaise into Goyle's lap; Goyle jumped up and slammed the door shut flinging Blaise off him.

For a moment a saw a flash of white but shrugged it off and lay down on Pansy's lap. I looked at the new boy, who was again in conversation with Blaise (In Italian) and decided to introduce myself. "I'm Malfoy." I said, "And this is Crabbe and Goyle."

"I know, Sky Griffin. But Pansy already told you that." He said, smiling back at Pansy when she gave him a wave.

How did he know Pansy told me? Who cares, wonder what Slughorn wanted? I decided to ask. "So, Zabini what did Slughorn want?"

"Just trying to make up well-connected people," said Blaise, who was still glowering at Goyle. "Not that he managed to find many."

"Who else was invited?" I asked.

"Well, Sky over here. Then there was McLaggen from Gryffindor," Said Blaise.

"Oh yeah, his uncle's big in the ministry," I said.

"-Someone else called Belby, from Ravenclaw-"

"Not him, he's a prat!" said Pansy.

"And Longbottom, Potter and that Weasley girl," finished Blaise.

I sat up suddenly knocking Pansy's hand aside. "He invited Longbottom?" I asked.

"Well, I assume so as Longbottom was there," said Blaise indifferently.

"What's Longbottom got to offer Slughorn?" Blaise shrugged in response.

"His parents," said Sky suddenly, causing everyone to turn to him.

"What?" I asked, confused.

"His parents. Slughorn wanted to see if he had his parent's flair." He said turning away from the window to look me in the face.

There was something about those eyes, I was sure I had seen them before. I caught myself when I realized I was staring. "How do you know?" I asked.

A sly smile slid across his face, making Pansy sigh. "I know", there was a pause, "everything," He stated simply before turning his head back to the window.

The way he said that, it was as though he knew everyone's deepest, darkest secret. But I mentally shook it off. "Potter, precious Potter, obviously he wanted a look at the chosen one," I sneered, "But that Weasley girl! What's so special about her?" I asked.

"A lot of boys like her," said Pansy. "Even you think she's good-looking, don't you, Blaise, and we all know how hard you are to please!" I remembered Blaise was one of Pansy's conquests, but wouldn't go out with her because she wasn't pretty enough.

"I wouldn't touch a filthy little blood traitor like her whatever she looked like." Said Blaise coldly, and Pansy looked pleased. I sank down onto her lap again and she resumed the stroking of my hair.

"Well I pity Slughorns taste. Maybe he's going a bit senile. Shame, my father always said he was a good wizard in his day. My father used to be a bit of a favourite of his. Slughorn probably hasn't heard I'm on the train, or- "

"I wouldn't bank on an invitation," said Blaise. "He asked me about Nott's father when I first arrived. They used to be old friends, apparently, but when he heard he'd been caught at the Ministry he didn't look too happy and Nott didn't get an invitation, did he? I don't think Slughorns interested in Death Eaters."

I was angry but forced out a singularly humourless laugh. I saw Sky's mouth twitch slightly, like he was dying to laugh at my humiliation. Yeah, he'll be a Slytherin, with that sense of humour. "Well, who cares what he's interested in? What is he, when you come down to it? Just some stupid teacher." I yawned ostentatiously. "I mean, I might not even be at Hogwarts next year, what's it matter to me if some fat old has been likes me or not."

"What do you mean; you might not be at Hogwarts next year?" Asked Pansy, I saw Sky smirk as though he knew why out of the corner of my eye. It's just my imagination.

"Well you never know," I said with a ghost of a smirk. "I might have-er- moved onto bigger and better things."

Crabbe and Goyle were gaping at me, Blaise looked curious and Pansy looked very confused. The only person's reaction that didn't go as I expected was Sky, for the mere fact that he had no reaction. He just looked slightly bored as though my declaration was old news to him.

"Do you mean- Him?" Pansy asked me, I just shrugged.

"Mother wants me to complete my education, but personally, I don't see it as important these days. I mean, think about it . . . when the Dark Lord takes over, is he going to care how many O.W.L.s or N.E.W.T.s anyone's got? Of course he isn't . . . it'll all be about the kind of service he received, the level of devotion he was shown."

"And you think you'll be able to do something for him?" Asked Blaise scathingly, "16 years old and not even fully qualified yet?"

"I've just said, haven't I? Maybe he doesn't care if I'm qualified. Maybe the job he wants me to do isn't something you need to be qualified for." I finished quietly.

Crabbe and Goyle were both sitting with their mouths open like gargoyles. Pansy was gazing down at me as though she had never seen anything so awe-inspiring. Sky and Blaise had resumed their conversation in Italian, both obviously finding it more entertaining than my speech.

"I can see Hogwarts," I said pointing out the blackened window. "We better get our robes on."

Goyle got up to get his trunk and as he swung it down I heard a gasp of pain. I looked at the luggage rack frowning, but decided to leave it be for the time being, I had a feeling someone was in here, and who else would be stupid enough to spy on me than Potter. I put on my robes and a thick new travelling cloak and locked my trunk as the train came to a jerky halt.

Crabbe and Goyle muscled there way through a group of second years with Blaise following. Pansy was waiting at the door with Sky holding onto his arm, no I rephrase that, it looked more like strangling and I'm sure it was cutting off his blood circulation.

"You go on," I said, "I want to check on something." Sky looked up to the luggage rack with a calculating stare, and then to me and smirked.

"Have fun with Potter." He said leaving with Pansy. 'I don't trust him, but I'll deal with it later.'

I walked over to the compartment door and drew down the blinds, so people in the corridor could not peer in. I went to my trunk and got out my wand. "Petrificus Totalus!"

Potter fell to the ground in front of me, his invisibility cloak trapped beneath him. "I thought so," I said, "I heard Goyle's trunk hit you. And I thought I saw something white flash through the air after Zabini and Griffin came back . . ." My eyes went to Potters trainers. "That was you blocking the door when Zabini came back in, I suppose?"

I considered what to do for a moment. "You didn't hear anything I care about Potter. But while I've got you here . . ."

I stamped down hard on his face, breaking his nose. "That's from my father. Now let's see . . ." I dragged the cloak out from under him and threw it over him. "I don't reckon they'll find you till the train gets to London, see you around Potter . . . or not" And tacking care to tread on Potters fingers I left the train.

Sky's prov:

After getting out of the carriage I left to go find McGonagall, she didn't know about the situation as such but Dumbledore had told her that I was to be sorted before the first years. 'As if being sorted in first year wasn't hard enough, I have to do it again. At least this time I know which house I will be sorted into, though I'm not the least bit happy about it.' I was standing just outside the side entrance of the Great Hall and I could hear Dumbledore talking.

"Now usually we start the evening off with the sorting of first years. But this year we have an exchange student from the exclusive school of magic, Sehengen. Mr. Griffin will be sorted first, and then followed by the first years," said Dumbledore.

'This is not the best thought out plan. Never in Hogwarts has there been an exchange student, with the exception of Grindelwald. But perhaps Dumbledore is counting on Malfoy realizing that. That it would be logical that history would only repeat such an event to once again cause destruction.' McGonagall gave me a pointed look. I took that as my queue to enter, so I did.

As I walked towards the old stool I first sat on five eventful years ago, I could hear girls giggling and hushed whispers, I took my seat as McGonagall instructed. The hat was placed on my head and the slight dizzying feeling of someone entering my mind came over me. 'Hmm, I've already sorted you, child. I see what you know, what you have seen what you hope and believe. I also see the hidden truths of your mind, perhaps in time you will see, I hope, that it will do you well not to finish what you are about to start. It is against my nature to place students a house that are not suitable to their nature, but I will make an exception this time' There was a pause. "SLYTHERIN!" shouted the hat.

Slytherin broke out into applause. I stood up and went to sit down next to Blaise. "Well done, but I didn't really expect any different," said Blaise.

"It would have been foolish of the hat to place me anywhere else. It's a good thing that the hat can read a persons mind as it where, I would find it rather degrading explaining this situation to a hat of all things." I said.

"Yeah, speaking to a hat? Sounds like you'd be going mental mate." He answered, amusement lacing his tone.

'I'm relieved that I took that course in Italian when I was younger. It makes communicating with Zabini that much easier. Unless Malfoy thinks we're plotting. Then again it may not be such a bad thing it Malfoy does believe that we are plotting. Am I starting to think like a Slytherin? No, I am simply being logical.'

Pansy didn't seem to appreciate being left out of the conversation; Blaise had informed me that she becomes rather clingy when she likes someone. "So how did you get into Sehengen, Sky?" I mean I tried but they still didn't accept my application." said Pansy, batting her eyelashes. She frowned suddenly, an intense look overcoming her pug like face, "Sometimes I wonder if my father even contacted the school to begin with." But a second later she had the same blank, clueless look on her face cheerleaders wore. I dismissed her earlier statement, returning to her question instead.

"Well, my family has gone to that school for generations." I said.

"Why did you leave Sehengen then? I never would have if I were accepted into that school! Not that I'm not happy that you came or anything." She clarified quickly.

"Simple, I've wanted a change of scenery for a while. And then Dumbledore got in touch with the high Witchess of our school, to send some or other girl there. I don't know, I think her name was Harmony Granger or something like that. But there wasn't any space so Granger and I exchanged places. Hence the word 'exchange student'." I explained. 'I know Sehengen is meant to be an especially good school, but what could it possibly have that would make her say something like that?' There was no real information available about what was taught at Sehengen, except that the students there had very advanced abilities, 'Actually thinking about it now, it is suspicious.'

"Oh, you know I was glad to see the mudblood go before but now I'm ecstatic, especially since it brought you here." She said sweetly.

At that moment I was seriously pissed off at her for calling me a mudblood. "You clueless waste of DNA, call me that one more time and I'll . . . do something extremely unpleasant!" I cursed in Italian, so only Blaise could understand. I think my tone showed my anger because Pansy looked upset.

"Are you okay, or are you like a mudblood lover or something." She asked with resentment.

"What? No, nothing to the like that. It's just that Dumbledore conveniently forgot to mention that she was a mudblood." I covered quickly.

"Well, that's good then. No one in Slytherin likes mudbloods." She said.

'Yeah, really? Because I thought you guys just loved us!' But out loud I said, "Good to hear, I'll fit right in then." I answered, smirking.

I think that Dumbledore made a big mistake making me a Slytherin prefect as well as Malfoy. For a few reasons; the first being that its going to be bloody creepy sleeping in the same room as him, all alone, with no-one to hear me scream. And don't think I don't know he'll try and kill me first chance he gets, he's just like his monstrous father. The second reason it wasn't such a great idea is because there have never been two male prefects for the same house before. And the third, prefects never sleep in the same room. They always just stay in their dorms. Only the heads get separate dorms, and those are not shared. 'Malfoy would have to be as thick as his comrades not to realize that something isn't right! And I'll be the first head on the chopping block. Pleasant.'

Right now I'm in the bathroom; I've just finished getting ready for bed. I can tell Malfoy already really doesn't like or trust me. That makes me nervous. Another reason would be that I feel rather naked in just my boxers. They are rather ridiculous contraptions. Wearing panties was always comfortable. This is, just not. And to make it worse, Blaise and Harry seemed to have been in a silly mood when they purchased these articles, because they have moocows printed on them.

Yes, that's what I said; moocows. Harry and Blaise got me moocow boxers. They don't seem to be taking this all too seriously. Do they think this is supposed to be some kind of joke? I took three deep breaths. Turned around, allowing my rigid body to calm. 'Think about that perfect library you will someday own, Hermione.' Picturing rows upon rows of knowledge belonging solely to me, no one to dirty my precious books with their grubby hands, made me smile and relax a little. I took two steps forward and turned the doorknob. Someone was going through my trunk, a Slytherin was going through my trunk, a girl was going through my trunk, more precisely; Pansy Parkinson was going through my trunk! 'That clueless, conniving, pug- faced viper!'

I cleared my throat, "Ah, can I help you with something Pansy?"

"Oh, hi Sky, I was just ah- um, well. Bye!" she yelled running out of the door. What the Jigglypuff, did she just steal a pair of my boxers? On a list of 1 through 10 of things I would never have thought would happen, Pansy stealing my boxers would probably be number 6, right above me actually owning boxers.

Draco walked in about a second later, "Pansy just stole a pair of your- what the bloody hell are you wearing?" he asked at the sight of my boxers. "Are those cows?" He gave me a look that left the impression that he didn't know weather to be suspicious of me, or suggest that I pay a visit to the nice men in white robes.

"No, they're not cows! For your information they're Moocows." I snapped defensively, crossing my arms and holding my head up high. Okay yeah, I always have to be right; it's just part of my genetic make-up.

"There's a difference?" he asked, shaking his head chuckling. He suddenly stopped what he was doing and looked at me suspiciously, "How did you know that Potter was there?"

"Lucky guess, how did you know he was there?" he asked back, copying his tone.

"I saw his sneakers," He looked at my boxers and chuckled. "Why in Merlin's name are you wearing those? You look ridiculous! Well, more ridiculous in any case."

"My mum got them for me." I said, shrugging. Ron always uses that excuse, at least it sounds valid.

"That explains it," He said while changing his clothes. It sounds like he can relate. It's difficult to think of Draco Malfoy as someone who would have a mother who would love him enough to embarrass him.

I pretended to look at a painting while he did so. He extinguished the light of the lamp with his wand. Unfortunately, this made my boxers switch on. No seriously, they switched on. Oh my Jigglypuff my moocows are glow in the dark! All that could be heard from Malfoy's bed was howling, actually it was beginning to sound like crying. They did this on purpose. When I get my hands on them they're going to wish they could exchange themselves to Sehengen.

I woke up the next morning and got dressed. It was 7:30 am on Sunday morning, the day before classes start. I wandered why I got up so early, I'm not usually a morning person but I suppose sleeping in the same room as Malfoy can do that to you.

I decided to head down to breakfast since I was up already, and then maybe bump into Harry. I'm sure he's got a few ruffled feathers about me leaving him to Malfoy yesterday. But it's his own fault really, I mean, it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out someone one who wasn't supposed to be there was.

I walked into the great hall and saw Pansy there, waving at me. She obviously wasn't shy about me catching her rifling through my trunk yesterday. This leads me to believe she has done it often. I walked over to her and saw Harry glaring at me. "Hi," I said.

"Hey!" said Pansy, fluttering her eyelashes. "How did you find your first night at Hogwarts? I'm so glad classes only start tomorrow, that way I can show you around."

"Don't worry so much about it, I already know where everything is." I said, dishing myself eggs and bacon.

Pansy looked confused, "But how, you've never been here before."

"Maybe not physically, but I've seen enough from my visions to know what's what." I said.

"Visions, what visions?" asked Pansy excitedly, someone likes gossip. That is so bloody typical.

"What do you mean; visions?" I asked innocently.

"What do you mean; what do you mean? You just said you knew enough from your visions to know what's what." stated Pansy, giving me a curious look.

"No I didn't."

"Yes you did."

"No I didn't, you must have imagined it Pansy." I said as Malfoy sat down.

"Imagined what?" asked Malfoy, he gave me a look that make me want to run to the library and submerge myself in a good book on how not to get yourself killed while attending Hogwarts. They really should have a book like that, really. If they did, it would be the ideal birthday present for Harry.

"Nothing, isn't that right?" I said looking at Pansy.

"Yeah, nothing. So how did you sleep Draco?" Pansy asked cheering up; I had the feeling she would ask me about it later, good, things were running smoothly. Malfoy gave me that suspicious look, but answered Pansy.

"It was exactly the way it usually is Pansy. Less than adequate, do you honestly think that mudblood lover Dumbledore would change his pathetic standards?" Malfoy sneered.

I couldn't believe anyone could talk about Dumbledore like that. 'Sure he is a little crazy, but that's what makes him so interesting. Malfoy hasn't grown in maturity since he was about eight, I'd wager.' I couldn't sop myself I had to comment. "Oh, do you always snore like a dragon when you're uncomfortable?" I asked in my sweetest voice.

Pansy snickered and Malfoy glared at me. "I do not snore like a dragon!" he half yelled, some of the other Slytherin that were here for an early breakfast snickered. He threw me an embarrassed glare, though arrogance was the only emotion showing on his face.

"Oh really, would you like me to record it next time so you can hear for yourself." I asked hearing even more snickers. Obviously no one ever stood up to Malfoy.

"You're new here so I'll let you off with a warning this time. But next time, I'll tell my father-

"Tell your father, do I really look scared Malfoy? He's in jail." I said sneering. 'Whoa girl, let's try not to get ourselves killed before we turn fifty. I have too many books I still want to read.' Unfortunately for me, fulfilling my role meant I had to bate the bull a bit, so to speak.

Blaise sat down and whispered in my ear, just load enough so that only I could hear. "You're doing well, but Mullica Leblanc is a very good target for some bashing. Remember what I told you about her."

I nodded and continued eating my breakfast. The Slytherin table was far chattier than I ever would have guessed, but they disguised it well by keeping all signs of emotion off of their faces. I was beginning to wonder of Blaise had been right about Mullica, because she hadn't even glanced at me once. But sure enough, as we finished breakfast she made her appearance.

"Hi I'm-" she began.

"Mullica Leblanc, I know." I interrupted her, pretending to be fascinated by what Pansy was talking about.

"Well I was wandering if-

"I'm not interested." I said, brushing her off.

"Do you even know who I am?" she asked, obviously offended.

"Of course, you're Mullica Leblanc. You're a Slytherin Seventh year. You're 17, sine the third October last year. You try and make Snape jealous by making out with guys in places you think he'll be, because you have a major crush on him." I finished, saying everything that I remembered Blaise telling me about her, adding an eye roll for effect. 'Slytherin's are so easy, like children. Just, you know, one's that like blood and immortality . . . note to self, learn to sleep with eyes open.'

She gasped, "How did you know I have a crush on Severus –err- I mean Snape?" She asked and flushed when she realized that she'd just admitted to liking Snape.

By now most Slytherin were at the breakfast table. Everyone was laughing except for the poor guys who had been part of her ploy to get Snape.

I saw Harry leaving the hall with Ron and Ginny and decided to follow. "I'm going to go check out the library; I'll see you guys later." I said to Blaise and Pansy. I left Mullica standing there, muttering curses at my back. By the time I'd left the hall they were already heading up the stairs. "Hey Potter can I have a word."

"Wow, who are you?" asked Ginny.

"Ginny! He's a Slytherin," said Ron.

"Oh who cares, he's like super hot!" she argued.

I cleared my throat, "You do still realize that I'm here, don't you?" I asked. Ginny's my best girlfriend, hearing her talk about me like that was decidedly uncomfortable.

"What do you want Sky?" asked Harry.

"Sky, what we're on first term basis now? You Gryffindor's are so welcoming, I'm touched, and truly I am." I said sarcastically, "But I'd like a word with you in private."

"You guys go on, I'll just be a few minutes," said Harry.

"Okay mate, we'll see you." Said Ron as he left with Ginny; I could hear telltale phrases from the lecture Ginny was always getting from her brothers.

I stepped in a broom closet and he followed. "Silentico!" I said as I closed the door, casting a silencing charm so no one on the outside could hear us.

"What you did last night was not cool Sky." He said angrily.

"Well we're even then aren't we?" I said.

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about the moocow boxers!"

"Oh, that. It was just a joke. It's not like that got you injured." He pointed out.

"Well there was nothing I could do; I simply manipulated the situation to work to my advantage." I defended.

"Yeah well, you could have stopped him." Harry accused.

"And blow my cover for your stupidity. Somehow I don't think so." I replied.

"For my stupidity, what are you talking about?" He questioned.

"You knew that both Blaise and I were there and that we would have told you what happened, you knew that you could have been seen. But you had to go play hero, you have no one to blame but yourself." I opened the door and walked off.

'But you had to go play hero.' I could have slapped myself. 'How could I say that to Harry? It's true, he obviously wasn't thinking straight, but then again, when does he? It's not his fault that he's been forced to play the hero all these years, and he just wanted to help.' I felt bad about what I had said. I turned to say sorry but the broom closet door was wide open. He had already left. "How can I be so cruel?" I asked myself.

Splash. And then I was wet. A bucket floating above my head held up by an invisible poltergeist. "Thanks Peeve's, I needed that." I felt even with myself again now that I had been done a bad turn. I could just imagine the poltergeist scratching his head in confusion.

I began heading to the library like I had said. 'In amongst all this scheming and plotting I must be careful not to loose my sense of self.' I sighed, 'Oh how I miss Crookshanks.' Arriving in the library I skimmed absentmindedly over the titles of books. Hogwarts, A History. 'Perfect.' Of course I already had my own copy, but it was revised and updated. This copy was over a hundred years old and just seemed to have that spark to it, which only really old books seemed to have. I sat down and began to read. 'No matter how many things changes, there are still some things that will always remain the same.