A/N: Sorry, I'm so indecisive... -.- So I figured I should update frequently...And thus I'll update in parts, instead of chapters...Because it takes too long to write a whole chapter and post it, and long gap means losing track of progress for the readers. It should be easier for you guys this way? Or do you prefer a longer read each time? :/ Please let me know :)

P.S. The story just started and I've already written an version 2 ending for it...Product of a sleepless teen at 2.a.m. ...


Chapter 3

3.1 – Hogwarts Express

It's 1st November and Draco was finally leaving for Hogwarts. Alice had been distressed since the night before so naturally she shared Draco's bed again and in the morning she was still in low spirits. She and Draco had never been apart for more than a week as they went everywhere and did everything together. It was definitely stressful for both of them that they would not be able to see each other for more than a month.

"Have you packed everything you need?" Narcissa asked her son as they got ready to leave for London.

"Yes, mum." Draco nodded. Because of Draco's luggage, they were travelling to King's Cross by car. Lucius ordered Dobby to load Draco's two trunks and owl cage into the boot of the Rolls Royce and five minutes later the family was sitting in the luxurious vehicle speeding towards London. The two children sat through almost the entire journey in silence, gazing at the passing scenary out of opposite windows.

They arrived at quarter past ten with plenty of time to spare as the train left at eleven. The four stopped in front of the brick barrier between platform nine and platform ten.

"Alright, Draco, you go first. Straight at the barrier, don't stop." Narcissa told her son. Draco nodded and he walked towards the solid brick struture at a casual pace, pushing his loaded trolley. Then he vanished behind the barrier.

"You next, Alice." Narcissa smiled encouragingly and Alice followed Draco, finding herself on a very packed platform nine and three-quarters. A scarlet steam engine with a sign overhead that said Hogwarts Express, 11 o'clock waited next to the platform. Soon they were joined by Lucius and Narcissa.

"This is it Draco, you are going off to Hogwarts all by yourself. Have fun at school and make lots of friends. Don't mix with the wrong sorts of people but I'm sure you know that. The weather is getting cold so dress warmly. Write home often and tell us if you need anything." Narcissa fussed over Draco and smoothed out a crease in his white shirt. Then she planted a kiss on his forehead.

"Love you, mum." Draco mumbled. This was, afterall, the eleven-year-old's first time away from home by himself so he was more or less a little upset.

"Work hard and behave yourself. We'll see you at half term." Lucius briefly told his son.

"Goodbye, father."

At this point, Pansy's parents came towards their direction and greeted them. Soon the adults were in a polite conversation. Alice looked at Draco, her eyes red.

"I don't want you to leave." She murmured, her lower lip trembling. Draco hugged her.

"I'll write twice a week okay?" He repeated his promise.

"But I won't see you for two months. Pansy and Blaise will be gone too. I'll be alone, I don't want to be alone." Alice said miserably, tears falling.

"One year, just one year and you'll be coming with us." Draco said softly, comforting her. Narcissa saw that Alice was crying but didn't leave her conversation with the Parkinsons to console Alice as she knew that Draco could handle it.

"I'll really really miss you Draco." Alice whimpered.

"I'll miss you too Alice."

They talked and hugged but Draco soon had to board the train as a whistle sounded. He found the compartment where Pansy and Blaise were at the front of the train and joined them. There were also two other boys in the compartment. They were thickset and didn't look like they had much brain. Draco ignored them and went straight for the window to say a last goodbye to his parents and Alice. The train began to move and Alice waved, still crying. Draco waved back until they became smaller and smaller in the distance and soon they could no longer be seen.

Narcissa and Lucius stood on either side of Alice both with a hand on her shoulder. They turned around to leave and found themselves face to face with a red haired plump woman who had a young girl by her side, also with flaming red hair. Mrs Weasley gave them a piercing look while Narcissa and Lucius looked down at her with their head held high haughtily. Alice stared at Mrs Weasley who shifted her gaze to the young girl with the same displeased look she had given the two Malfoys. Alice shrank back a little against Narcissa who gave her shoulder a squeeze. Molly Weasley was a fierce woman and Alice felt very uncomfortable with her glare that was clearly full of hatred. Then Mrs Weasley steered Ginny away and they left. The whole thing lasted no more than 5 seconds.

Draco sat down with a heavy feeling in his chest.

"You alright, Draco?" Blaise asked.

"Don't be stupid Blaise." Pansy snapped. Blaise shrugged and went back to reading his book.

"This is Crabbe, and this is Goyle." She introduced, trying to distract Draco from his unhappiness.

"Hello." They said thickly. Draco nodded. The train sped on, taking them further away from London.

Around half past twelve a smiling, dimpled woman slid back their door and asked, "Anything off the trolley, dears?" So they bought two boxes of Bott's Every-Flavour Beans, 20 Chocolate Frogs, Pumpkin Pasties and a small basket of Cauldron Cakes. Draco treated his friends and paid for it all even though they all came from rich families - he had more than enough money with him. Narcissa had loaded his dragon skin money bag that Blaise gave him for his birthday with Galleons, Sickles and Knuts. Money had never been, and will never be a problem for the Malfoys, so Draco didn't care about prices. A Malfoy wants, a Malfoy gets. 'If you are rich, act rich. Be generous. Don't have a grudge when spending money.' Lucius had taught his son.

Crabbe and Goyle had finished all the food within the hour and when Draco decided to exercise his legs a bit by taking a walk, they followed him in search for more food. They walked down the corridor, and excited chatter could be heard from almost all of the compartments. Draco caught a few high frequency words such as, "Harry Potter"… "On this train"… "Down at the end". He remembered Alice telling him to be friends with Harry and so decided to pay him a visit.

"I'm going to find someone, you two coming with me or not?" He asked Crabbe and Goyle. The two looked at each other then nodded.

"Seriously, I have never met anyone more stupid than you two." Draco remarked bluntly, smirking. They merely shrugged, causing Draco to roll his eyes. "Well come on then."

Like he had heard, they found Harry Potter in a compartment at the end of the train with another boy.

'Red hair, a Weasley.' Draco thought. 'What is Potter doing with a Weasley?'

He slid open their compartment door and entered with Crabbe and Goyle on either side of him. Harry looked up at them.

"Well, hello Potter. We meet again." Draco's lips curled into a small smile. Alice had told him to be friendly. Harry's eyes flickered between the other two boys, Draco noticed this.

"Oh, this is Crabbe and this is Goyle." He said carelessly.

"Who are you?" The boy sitting with Harry asked. Draco looked towards him.

"I, am Malfoy, Draco Malfoy." He replied. Ron gave a slight cough, probably to hide a snigger. Draco looked at him sharply. Alice had told him to be friendly with Harry, she didn't include anyone else that was with him. And Narcissa had said to stay away from the 'wrong sorts' of people just before he left, the list clearly included the Weasleys. Draco took a step forward.

"No need to ask who you are. You are clearly a Weasley. My father told me the Weasleys have red hair, freckles and more children than they can afford. Whose robe are you wearing? Your mum's?" Crabbe and Goyle laughed behind him. Ron turned bright red.

"You'll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there." Draco turned back to Harry and held out a hand for him to shake. Harry didn't take it.

"I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks." He said. Draco narrowed his eyes.

"Was that your parents and your sister back there on the platform, Malfoy? Your sister was crying, I had noticed. I don't really think you are the sort that is worth crying for. And why does your mum look like she is sniffing dung?" Harry asked, mistaking Alice for Draco's little sister. Draco clenched his fists, he could feel his cheeks flush with anger. The Potter boy was pushing his limit. How dare he insult his family? Draco didn't care what Alice had said anymore. It will be fun to be Potter's friend? He didn't think so. From what he had gathered, Potter was just an ignorant yet arrogant fool who did not understand appreciation. They could never be friends.

"I'd be careful if I were you, Potter," he said slowly, glaring at Harry. "Unless you're a bit politer you'll go the same way as your parents. They didn't know what was good for them, either."

Harry stood up.

"Say that again."

"Oh, you are going to fight us, are you?" Draco sneered.

"I will, if you don't leave. Now."

"But we don't feel like leaving. These boys are looking for some food, and you seem to have some." Draco replied, casually sitting down on the seat opposite of them. Goyle reached towards the Chocoloate Frogs next to Ron. Ron lunged for Draco but before he even touched him, he was shoved to the side by Crabbe and landed on the floor. The door of the compartment opened with a crash and there stood a girl with bushy brown hair. Hermione Granger.

"What has been going on?" She demanded, then she saw Ron on the ground and an angry looking Harry who rushed to his side to help him up. She also saw Draco casually leaning back on the soft seat, an Chocolate Frog eating Goyle and Crabbe who had his eyes glued on Ron as if he was ready to flatten him as soon as Ron moved.

"Have you been fighting?" Hermione asked in disbelief. Ron scowled at her.

"And who are you?" Draco imitated her tone of voice with a smirk.

"Hermione Granger." She replied briefly, irritated. Granger, never heard of the last name, definitely not pure blood then. Draco thought.

"Well, Granger. What we are doing is none your business." Draco advised out of kindness. This is probably the only thing Draco had said so far that Harry and Ron agreed with, although they didn't like how he spoke to the girl.

Then a voice echoed through the train: 'We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes' time. Please leave your luggage on the train, it will be taken to the school separately.'

"Come on you two, let's go." And Draco gave Ron and Harry one last look each before leading Crabbe and Goyle back to their own compartment, completely ignoring Hermione on his way out.

"And who was that?" Hermione asked.

"Draco Malfoy."


Hope you liked it :) Please review and tell me what you think ^^