The train ride was mostly uneventful. Draco and Draven lounged around in their compartment, eating sweets that they bought off the elderly snack lady.

Draven yawned as he looked out the window at the passing scenery. "I wonder how much longer it's going to take? I'm completely bored." He said with a frown.

Draco chuckled as he shoved a chocolate frog into his own mouth. "Have patience, Drave. We will get there when we get there. No hurry." He looked towards the door as it open. "Can I help you?"

A young girl with fizzy brown hair stood in the compartment door looking at both boys. "Have you seen a toad? A boy named Neville has lost one."

Draven tore his gaze away from the scenery outside and looked at the girl. "No..." He said with a amused smile on his face. "I haven't seen any toads. Have you Drake?"

Draco blinked and shook his head. "Of course not. Why would I have seen a toad?" His voice holds disgust.

The girl frowned but stepped into the compartment and pushed a pile of empty candy wrappers onto the floor as she sat down. She eyed both boys, thinking. "I'm Hermione. Hermione Granger and you are?" Her voice holds a slight cockiness to it.

Draven smirked as he looks at Draco. Maybe this girl wasn't so bad after all. "I'm Draven and the blonde is Draco. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Draco rolled his eyes. "I can introduce myself Drave. I'm Draco. Draco Malfoy at your service." He bowed his head in greeting.

Hermione blinked. "Malfoy? The boy I've been sitting with mentioned the Malfoy family. He said that they are the worst sort of wizards around. But I don't believe one word he said. I think he said his name was...Ron Weasel or something like that."

Draven chuckled. "She called him Weasel. This is priceless. I think you meant to say Weasley. The elder Weasley works with Draco's father at the ministry. And I'm glad you didn't believe him. We're actually not that bad, are we Draco?"

Draco frowned. "Father says that they're poorer than dirt yet they have seven children, if I'm not mistaken. " He eyed his friend. "Speak for yourself, Drave."

Hermione raised an eye brow. "What house do you think you'll be sorted into?" She wanted to get them off the subject of the red headed family.

"Gryffindor for me." Draven said with a hint of disgust in his voice.

"I'll be in Slytherin. My mother and father were both in Slytherin plus my godfather is Slytherin's head of house." Draco said proudly.

Hermione chuckled. "I don't care which house I'm sorted into but I'm positive that I won't be in Slytherin. It's way out of my league." She looked out the window. "You two better change into your robes. I suspect that we will be arriving soon." She stood and disappeared out the door.


Draco grinned at Draven who was staring at the spot where Hermione was sitting. He stood and pulled out his wand. He mumbled a spell and two robes fly into the compartment. He tossed one to Draven and preceded to put his on. "Come on Drave. Get ready."

Draven blinked and caught the robe before it smacked him in the face. He stood and pulled it on over top of his casual, but expensive, muggle clothing. "I really think she was mental." He said amused as the train gave a lurch. Grinding of brakes are heard as the train began to slow down and then stop completely.

Draco shook his head as he moved out into the hallway and towards the closest exit. Draven was right behind him. Soon they both were outside and being herded towards boats by a very large man.

Draco looked down at the inky black water as the boats began to cross the lake. "This is a bit odd. Why do we have to go by boat when the others get to go by land?" He frowned and crossed his arms over his chest.

Draven, who was holding a pole with a lantern on it, also frowned. "I don't think it's safe. What happens if someone falls over board? They would never be found. Plus who knows what's living in the water?"

The boats soon hit land and they are again herded up a pair of stairs. They stop at the top where an elderly women is standing. She is wearing a green robe. "Please wait here while I check and see if they are ready for us." Her voice sounded withered and worn. She hurried inside.

Draven looked around at the other children and sneered. The red haired boy was standing by himself looking rather uncomfortable. Draven moved away from Draco and towards the boy. "You're a Weasley aren't you?"

The red haired boy looked up with a start and nodded. " Yes. I'm Ron." He said quietly.

Draco moved over to Draven and draped an arm over his shoulders. "What do we have here, Drave?"

Ron looked at the other boy and narrowed his eyes. "Malfoy. I didn't know they let death eaters attend Hogwarts." His voice was cold.

Draco sneered. "And I didn't know that they left poor beggars in. Shouldn't you be at home tending the pigs?"

Draven placed his arm around Draco's waist and gave him a squeeze. "Calm down, Drake. What would your father say if you get into a fight already and we haven't even been sorted yet?" He said quietly so only Draco can hear him.

Draco immediately backed down and moved over to the banister, away from the two. But he still glared at the red headed boy but at a safe distance, this time.

Draven grinned then looked back to Ron. "You have to excuse my cousin. He forgot his manners at home. I'm Draven by the way." He offered the other boy a sincere smile. Draven had a new goal. He was going to try and get young Ron to join the cause. Wouldn't that be the day? A Weasley becoming a servant of the Dark Lord? His thoughts are cut short as the elderly witch returned and motioned them inside. He followed with a smirk on his face. This year wouldn't be so bad after all.


Authors Note

Come one people, if you read the story, how hard is it to review? Reviews help me understand what people want and without reviews, I'm flying blind. So just take a few minutes out of your busy days and drop me a word, a line or even a flame. All reviews will be welcomed. And to thank you, I'll make the chapters longer.