The faint click of the wheels of the trolley holding Draco's trunk and possessions followed him along the platform. Muggles passed in a daze, but still the Malfoys made a clear path throughout the throng of people. They arrived at the gateway to the Hogwarts express, a wall between platforms nine and ten, leading to platform 9 and 3/4.
As they neared the barrier, Draco caught a whiff of perfume. This enticed him, and he automatically turned in the direction of the smell. There, about 3 feet away from him, was the Weasley family, clearly distinguishable by their trademark ginger hair. They were considered blood traitors by people like Draco's father and his companions. Being a blood traitor was almost as bad as being a mudblood, despite the fact that the Weasleys were one of the last pureblood families left. They stood also with the famous Harry Potter, who Draco actively disliked, and Hermione, with which Draco's heart skipped a beat.
Draco felt his father's hand grip his shoulder tightly and he allowed himself to be frog-marched through the barrier and away from the Weasleys. As Lucius and Draco leant against the wall and slid into the world where platform 9 and ¾ was situated, he thought he saw a glimpse of Hermione smiling in his direction. He smiled to himself, cherishing the moment.
It was 6 minutes to eleven, and the train left on the dot. Draco made his way towards the doors of the train, and deposited his trunk and belongings with all the other Slytherin things. His mother and father stood rigid on the platform, staring at Draco with emotionally drained faces. Draco walked towards them, and gave his mother a stiff hug.
'I'll be home for Christmas mother, and I have more than enough money for the cart of food on the train!'
Narcissa nodded, and looked at Lucius. He held out his hand towards his son, and Draco took it. In the distance, he could hear the Weasleys boarding the train. He ended the handshake with his father swiftly, said goodbye, and clambered on the train. Immediately the whistle blew, signalling the last minute before the train left. Students rushed aboard and began waving to their families through the open windows of the compartments.
With an almighty shudder, the train began to move forward and wind out of sight of the platform. Some children on the platform playfully ran after the train as it wound around the bend, and within seconds the platform had completely disappeared. Draco decided to find a compartment, and was lucky to find one that was empty. He settled himself and began thinking of the long journey ahead.
Suddenly, he heard the compartment door slide open, revealing a girl with puffy, red eyes and curly brown hair.
'Sorry to bother you' Hermione said, 'But I've had a bit of an argument with the people in my compartment. Do you mind if I sit with you?'
Draco almost pinched himself. He couldn't believe his luck; the girl he was in love with asking to sit with him! It was a dream come true.
'Of course!' Draco replied almost hurriedly, so that Hermione looked slightly suspicious but took a seat opposite him and closed the compartment door. 'Are you okay?'
'What does it matter to you?' Hermione looked surprised, and her mouth lay open slightly in shock.
'It doesn't? But I like to know the gossip you know?' Draco grinned, but Hermione didn't look impressed. In fact, she looked even more miserable than ever.
To Draco's surprise, she began to cry. He did not know what to do with himself then, and awkwardly patted her back. She began telling the story to him.
'Ron keeps going on about his new girlfriend L-L-Luna, and he doesn't see how upset it m-makes me, he doesn't know how much I've longed for a boyfriend t-t-too and he keeps detailing their relationship, over and o-over again. I hexed him and run out crying and came here as it was the emptiest compartment.'
Draco shifted seats and positioned himself next to Hermione. She began to sob harder, and he put his arm around her. Rather than sounding surprised, she leant into him and began to cry even more, so Draco leant his head on top of hers. For a while they stayed like that, Draco watching the scenery change through the window and Hermione's sobs gradually getting quieter.
When her sobs finally subsided, she sat up and wiped her eyes. 'God, I'm such a pathetic mess!' she laughed, straightening her hair.
'You're really not,' Draco said, and Hermione looked at him quizzically. 'I think you're a rose trying desperately to be a daisy.'
Hermione looked slightly uncomfortable, a lock of hair sweeping in front of her face. Draco brushed it back behind her ear, and she bit her lip. It made her look adorable, and Draco's desire for her increased.
Draco was just about to cup her head in his hands and was halfway through the procedure when he heard a loud bang, screams, and the brakes squealing on the train. He opened the compartment door and saw hooded figures checking every compartment.
'Quickly!' He urged Hermione, taking her hand and squeezing them both into a small space between the compartment and the door. They were pressed very close together; Draco could feel her sweet breath on his face and he held her hand tighter.
They heard the door to the compartment slide open, and a hooded figure entered. Hidden in the shadows, they remained unseen, but the man still looked menacing in his black robes and mask. His face was covered, but you could tell anger and hatred oozed from him. In a flourish of black he disapparated from the compartment, and Draco felt the train moving again underneath his feet.
He looked into Hermione's fearful eyes, and hugged her tight. He could not remember how long they stayed like this, but he liked it. And he had a funny feeling she did too.
