I pushed my way through the crowd, desperately searching for an empty spot on the platform. It seemed even more crowded this year, but I knew it was just my imagination. Apparently, there were even less students attending this year because their parents didn't want to send them away with the Dark Lord rising. Luckily, I was still able to attend, I don't know what I would do if I had to stay home and have my parents teach me. I finally managed to pull my trunk into a generally empty area on the platform, and turned to face my teary mother. "Mum, don't cry. Father will be there and I'll be home for Christmas." I reassured her, placing my hands on her shoulders in an attempt to cheer her up. My father had left for Hogwarts a week earlier so he could organize the classroom and get used to everything. I was glad he wouldn't be on the train with me, because for some reason, I feel like he'd want us to share a compartment with all my friends. That would have been a real disaster. My mother was a bit lost this morning, trying to get us to the station on time. It was going to be hard for her, being alone all the time. Both her husband and only child would be away for most of the year. She pulled me into a hug that lasted a few seconds before calming herself down and pulling away.
"I know dear, I just worry about you while you're away." She explained, letting a watery laugh escape her lips. It was understandable, but I was pretty sure that Hogwarts would be safe this year. Sure, we had a giant snake petrifying students a couple years ago, and Sirius Black was on the grounds in my third year, but all that was in the past. "Az? Make sure you do all your work, and try to make more friends in your house." Mother reminded me as I looked around the platform searching for a familiar face, "Like that nice boy Draco, you guys used to be close." She suggested quickly as I turned to face her. Why was she bringing him up now? I attended the Yule Ball with him in our fourth year, but that was the last real contact we had, and we only went together because we were the last two people in our house without dates. In fact, he had ditched me halfway through it to hang out with Crabbe and Goyle.
"Erm, sure Mum." I said, searching for the handle of my trunk. I had to board the train soon if I wanted to get a decent compartment. "I've got to get on the train." I reminded her as she continued on about making sure I did all my assignments. "I love you too. Bye." I replied as she rambled on with her goodbyes. I wasn't trying to be rude or anything, but the train was leaving in seven minutes whether I was on it or not. I finally managed to get away and onto the train, my trunk tucked away with the other students. I walked down the corridor of the train, occasionally waving or having a short conversation with my fellow Slytherins. Soon enough, I found the compartment containing my usual group of friends, Pansy Parkinson, Theodore Nott, Veronica Winston, and Dallas Starrings. In addition to the usual group, there was also Draco Malfoy sitting by the window. I glanced at Draco before looking at Pansy and furrowing my brow. She simply shrugged, which didn't really explain why he was in here. Sitting down next to Veronica, I gazed out the train window as it started to chug out of the station. Apparently my mother was too emotional to wave goodbye, because I couldn't see in her the crowd anywhere.
Once we were out of the station, the compartment burst into the conversation. "So, Pansy, what did you do this summer?" Veronica questioned, pulling her straight blonde hair to her other shoulder as she leaned over Dallas and Theo to talk to Pansy. I watched as Draco spread out on the other side of the compartment, not really bothering to interact with any of us.
"My parents and I took a vacation to Italy, to see some of my cousins, and let me tell you, those Italian wizards…" Pansy continued as I examined my fingernails and the fresh coat of nail polish that I applied last night. A dark green for House pride, of course. Hopefully we could win the House Cup this year. It was hard to believe we lost to Hufflepuff last term. "Az." Pansy snapped as she looked my way, her brown eyes studying my features. I tore my eyes away from my nails, wondering what she had just said to me. "I asked if you saw any cute guys this summer." She repeated, obviously not impressed that I wasn't listening to her tale about her vacation. I knew her annoyance with me wouldn't last long, she would forget about it in a matter of minutes. That was the great thing about her, she didn't hold grudges and couldn't stay mad for long since she always needed to run her mouth.
I shrugged, not really having anything interesting to contribute to the conversation. Was I supposed to lie and make up some boy I met at one of my parent's parties? No, that would be too much effort, because knowing Veronica and Pansy, they'd want to read the letters we sent each other. "Are guys all you talk about?" I asked her somewhat jokingly, "I saw some cute guys, but I'm not really looking for anyone right now." I answered as her lips puckered into a frown.
"Can't we talk about something else? Dallas and I don't really want to hear about all your boy toys." Theodore begged as he looked between the two girls. Pansy made an ugh face, but launched into a new conversation about what classes she thought were going to be challenging.
Draco sat up quickly when he heard the word classes, and ran his fingers through his fine hair. "Hey, isn't your dad the new Potions teacher?" He questioned, his grey eyes boring into me.
I nodded as an answer, my dislike towards the entire situation evident, "He's also the new Head of our house." I added, listening to Dallas groan. My friends knew my dad had a tendency to be strict, but they were lucky, he usually toned it down whenever we had guests or when my friends came over.
"Now we're not going to get away with anything." Dallas complained as Theo nodded in agreement. Pansy's eyes widened as she realized the same thing.
"Hey, you guys should be thankful that it's not your dad. I'm not going to be able to ever sneak out now." I whined, looking at all of them. Theodore smirked a bit at that part, and I knew instantly I would regret saying that in about three seconds.
Pansy let out a loud laugh, "Yea, like you were going to sneak out anways! You don't have anything to do besides hang out with us." She said as Veronica coughed, trying to hide her laughter, "Who were you going to sneak out and meet? Your non-exsistent boyfriend?" And here comes the regret. Why did I have to open my mouth at all? I simply shrugged in reply before angling my body so I was facing more towards the window. Watching the scenery go by, I could hear them talking in hushed whispers behind my back, and I looked over to see Draco looking between me and them. Once he realized I saw him looking, he dropped his gaze to his lap and started picking little pieces of fuzz off his pants. I could tell it would be a long ride to Hogwarts.
A/N: Bit of a boring chapter, but the next one will be better, I promise. Reviews are really helpful, so if you can, please leave one c: