A/N: Hey guys, here's the next chapter! I hope you like it. Please don't forget to leave a review, even if you hate it, let me know. All ideas and advice are very welcome!

CHAPTER 2: Muggleborns and Tomatoes.

I spent the rest of my ride in a compartment full of new first years (not repeating ones) who didn't recognize me for they were all muggle-borns and new to the magic world.

They badgered me excitedly with questions about Hogwarts. I was being nice to them.. I've already "betrayed" my "friends" so no harm in attempting to be a better person by talking to these kids.

One of them named Jason, a small blonde boy, asked me if Hogwarts had something called a "tellyvishun" or whatever he called it. I asked him what it was and the small boy explained that it was a box with moving pictures in it that produced things called "moovees" and "shows" similar to a play like at the theatre.

Muggles are so weird..

I told him I'd never heard of it but explained that we did have paintings that moved.

Boy, THAT got a reaction out of them.. Couldn't shut them up for a while after that.

One of them was rambling on about something called a "sell fone" (some form of communication Muggles apparently use), when a disheveled and slightly stressed looking Granger pulled the compartment door open.

She examined the group of us, "Hello, My name is… Malfoy?" She said, her furrowed brow lifting in surprise.

"Funny, Granger.. I thought that was MY name" I smirked.

The First Years chuckled.

She rolled her light brown eyes, her brow furrowed once again in annoyance. "What are you doing in here with a bunch of First Years instead of your usual gang of Slytherins, Malfoy? Already picking out some new victims for the year?" She said accusingly.

"Actually Granger, I was having a perfectly civilized conversation with some new students."

Her eyes narrowed "Oh I'm sure you were" she said sarcastically.

"He was Miss," piped up squeaky-voiced Jason, "He was just telling us about how Hogwarts has moving pictures!"

Her brow lifted again in surprise as her eyes flicked to me, before she asked, "So you're a muggle-born?"

"Well that's what Professor Sprout told me I was when she came to explain everything to me and my family. So yeah, I guess."

"She told me that too" said another boy.

"And me!" said another, while all the others in the group nodded.

Granger turned to me again, "and you knew this?"

"Well it was kinda hard not to notice since they were so surprised at hearing that paintings could move.." I replied, "and because they were telling me about some weird shit they have in their world called a telly-vish-un " I sounded out the last word as best I could.

The First Years and Granger started to laugh hysterically for some reason, but her face soon dropped into seriousness. "Don't swear in front of first years!"

"Oh and what are YOU gonna do about it? Hex me and ruin your goody-good reputation?" I said smirking again.

I am trying to be a better person, but teasing Granger in a non-nasty way was actually quite entertaining.

"Actually," She said, "I was thinking more along the lines of detention with Professor Hagrid in the Forbidden Forest."

Now it was her turn to smirk.

"You can't do that." I said after a few seconds.

"Oh yes I can Malfoy" she replied, still smirking. "You see, I am currently Head I am your superior. Therefore, I can give you detention. Oh and what with Hagrid being a dear friend of mine, plus your past history with him, I'm pretty sure he'd be quite willing."

Shit.

"Anyway I'm not sure why you are sitting with a bunch of First Year muggle-borns but I can assure you if you try anything nasty.. You'll regret it." She looked at her watch and gave a little yelp, "I must hurry," she continued "Due to the double amount of First Years this year, Ernie and I are finding it quite difficult to manage all of our duties as Head Boy and Girl, therefore I'm in quite a rush."

"My name is Hermione Granger and I am Head Girl this year." She introduced herself to the First Years. "If you ever need any help or advice, feel free to come up to me whenever need be. I must be off; I've already wasted enough time. If you ever need to come find me, the Heads Dormitory is located on the fourth floor just around the corner from the stair case behind a big painting of Professor Albus Dumbledore."

She turned to leave but made a double take and said, "Long grey beard and glasses. His name is name should be engraved at the bottom of the painting. Tell him who you are and ask for either Ernie or myself and he will come let us know."

And with that she quickly swept out the compartment door and off to the next one.

The group of boys recommenced chatter amongst themselves.

Head Girl aye? Should have guessed.. Granger is every teachers favourite. I don't blame them really though, I guess. She is the perfect student.

I pulled out a book to read. Before long, the sky was starting to darken and the sun was setting in the west, splashing colours of magenta, indigo and gold along the horizon.

I could hear a shrieking sound and I woke up with my book in my lap.

The Hogwart's Express was screeching to a halt at the Hogsmeade platform.

I didn't even remember falling asleep. And I'm surprised I even managed to stay asleep that long considering how loud the First Years were.

I grabbed my trunk and owl cage and headed out the compartment door where the kids had already rushed through.

But I was stopped in my tracks. The carriage was lined up with people slowly moving in a line out the doors.

Granger really wasn't joking when she said there were a lot more students this year.

I was one of the last people to get off the train (since my compartment was the furthest from the exit) and I headed over to the Thestral drawn carriages. I had been able to see the dark, thinning creatures ever since I witnessed Dumbledore's death.

I cringed. I hated thinking about that night. That whole year in fact. It was a nightmare.

I regretted everything I ever had to do with any of Voldemort's plans. As much as I used to pretend I despised him, Dumbledore was a good man and didn't deserve to die. I almost hate myself for the fact that I actually tried to kill him.

I walked past each carriage looking for one with a spare seat.

There were none. It soon became clear that the First Years from last year were not to ride the little fleet of boats to Hogwarts again, but were to ride on the carriages instead.

I reached the very last carriage there was and saw an empty seat.
Just one problem.

"You have GOT to be kidding me," moaned Granger when she saw me headed in their direction.

Weasley looked up to see what she meant and groaned.

I arrived at the carriage and Potter nodded politely, "Malfoy" he greeted from his seat next to Ginny.

I returned the nod, "Potter."

Since the war, Potter and I had seen each other on a few occasions. Once at my Father's trial, and once at my mine and my Mother's. During each of the hearing's he was a member of the Jury (opted by members of the Wizengamot due to his major influence and involvement in the war including the defeat of Voldemort).

At my father's court case Potter agreed with the requested sentence of 15 years in Azkaban. I didn't blame him to be honest. I didn't really have hard feelings against him for that. I, in his place, would have done the same thing considering all that my Father has done.

Besides, Azkaban had become new and improved since the war and Dementors were banished. Wizard guards were now in place so it's nowhere near as bad anymore.

But what shocked me, and many more, was that at my mine and my Mother's joint trial, he appealed to have our sentences reduced.

My Mother would have ended up in Azkaban for at least 2 years if it weren't for him. As for me, I would be in there for 4 or more years as well.

I consulted him afterwards.

Asked him why he did it.

He said didn't believe my Mother and I deserved to go to Azkaban, and that as much as he disliked both of us, he wasn't about to let that get in the way of what he felt was right. I thanked him.

That was the second time in our lives that we shook hands. I grew a lot of respect for him after that. I decided that the past needed to be put behind us. He seemed to agree.

Since then there was some sort of mutual agreement of civility between us. I'd seen him in Diagon Alley a few times and the general "Acknowledge and Nod" had become a sort of ritual for us.

"I am sorry to grieve you with my presence," I said as I boarded the carriage next to Neville, Luna and Ernie, who had been sitting silently, "But seeing as there is no other available carriage, I am forced to abide in this one."

Ron and Hermione looked at him incredulously.

"That's got to be the first thing I've ever heard you say that didn't involve some snide remark.." said Granger.

"And probably the first time you've ever apologized to someone no doubt." Added Weasley. "Are you feeling ill Malfoy?" he asked sarcastically.

"One would think so since I have to sit so close to something as repugnant as you, but no. I'm feeling rather fine actually, thank you for asking."

Granger's face contorted into wild silent laughter but Weasley didn't notice as he was facing opposite me whereas she was on the same side as him. Luna too let out a small, airy giggle and Harry turned away to hide a smile.

The carriage started to move. Now it was my turn to feel incredulous.

Granger was laughing at me insulting her boyfriend? The others had an excuse, Loonie Luna was off her rocker and would probably laugh at her own reflection and Potter and I were on some sort of civil level. But Granger?

"You're a wanker Malfoy," Ron said as his ears turned red, "Harry, you shoulda let this prick be carted off to Azkaban with his dear old Daddy so we wouldn't have to put up with his shit for another whole year."

I laughed, "Now, now Weasley, don't get too upset.. Your ears are starting to match your hair!"

The redness now spreading from his ears to his face so he looked like a giant, freckled, hairy tomato.

Potter's Weaslette girlfriend frowned at the reference to the hair colour, but Granger couldn't hold it in any longer and let out a cackle of laughter, which she quickly stifled with a cough.

Her cover failed though and Ron death stared her.

"Oh come on Ron, he's only joking! I don't like him anymore than you do but at least he's not saying you're a blood traitor or calling me a Mudblood or anything nasty."

"Yeah! Probably coz he doesn't want to get on yours or Harry's bad sides!" He spluttered and a few seconds later adding," Think about it, if he harrassed of you two, YOU" (he nodded to Granger) "could put him in detention for a week, and YOU" (He nodded to Potter) "could probably order even worse, like claim that he's broken his probation orders."

"OR, Maybe I'm just harrassing you up because it's entertaining to see you turn into a giant, freckled, hairy tomato whenever you get embarrassed." I said truthfully with a grin.

This sent both Granger and Luna into fits of giggles. Even Potter's girlfriend cracked a smile.

I liked this.. Making people laugh rather than.. Well.. What I used to do.

For some reason, seeing Granger laugh at her boyfriend because of my insults made it even better.

A/N: Ok so we're getting there. It's not the longest chapter or the most exciting but I tried! Next one will be up in a few days :) Don't forget to review!