Chapter 21
"Hold your horses, Draco! This trunk's heavy!" said Harry
"Oh, forgot, mine has featherweight charms, I'll have to show you at school." said Draco as he came down to help Harry with his trunk.
Harry was anxious lest he be seen by the traitorous Weasleys. He caught a glimpse of red, just before he backed down the carriage.
"Are you sure they saw him, mum?" 'Sounds like Ron' thought Harry.
"I didn't get to see him at all!" squeaked a 10 year old Ginny.
"What's that all about?" asked Draco, gesturing with his thumb.
"That's part of the extra long uncut version of the story" sighed Harry, while Draco's eyes widened.
"So, let's see your wondrous train compartment" said Harry, cheekily, while gesturing at Draco to lead on. Draco chuckled and grabbed the other end of Harry's trunk.
They entered a compartment three down from the doorway and Draco helped Harry put his trunk up. Harry put Hedwig down on the seat next to him and looked around. It was mostly first-year Slytherins. He made himself comfortable and asked, "Hey Draco, so how was the rest of your summer?"
"Alright, Harry, and yours? The muggle world treating you okay?"
Harry chuckled, "As well as can be expected, I suppose."
By now, the whole compartment was watching while the two talked casually to each other. 'Were the rumors true? Was Harry Potter coming to Hogwarts this year? And more importantly, how did he know Draco Malfoy, of all people?' These thoughts and others were part of the tension that was building up, though the two laughing and chatting at the center of it were unaware. Until a red-faced Ron Weasley opened their compartment door.
"So it's true," he said loudly, "Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts."
Harry stood and faced Ron, "Yep, that's me! Who're you? Matter of fact, how did you know I'd be here?" As Ron spluttered, trying to answer, Harry continued, "You know what, I don't want to know. I just want you to go away. You're ruining a perfectly good train ride already." Harry walked over and sat back down next to Draco.
"But Harry!" Ron blustered, "that's Malfoy! You're in a den of snakes!" He spat this last out.
At this point, everyone in the compartment looked ready to hex the redhead, with several people already drawing their wands. Harry stood, and looked around the compartment, then at Draco, and nodded. He turned back to Ron and replied, venomously, "Yes, I am aware of Draco's last name, and he mine, but you, I don't know. Don't presume to use my first name. And if you meant that these students are future Slytherins, perhaps I am too. After all, I am born of a witch and wizard, and I have ambition, as I plan to work for my name to mean something, and not rely on my fortune," Ron's eyes widened at this, "and I am cunning. Do not presume on my time again, unless I invite you to, do you understand?" hissed Harry, angrily. Ron nodded, silent at Harry's rant. "Good," said Harry cheerily, "now, get out" and he bumped Ron so he fell out of the compartment and landed on his ass.
A chorus of laughter was heard before the door closed and the tension that hung over the compartment just moments ago broke.