Soon enough the summer came to a close and Harry and Hermione were taken to Kings Cross by Remus, who watched them both fondly as they hauled their luggage onto the train and waved goodbye, watching him leave before they started staring out of the window hoping to catch a glimpse of their friends. The Weasley's they spotted easily enough when the arrived, the mass of red hair making it all too easy, and, after some frantic waving and banging on the window Ron spotted them and soon joined them in the carriage they'd selected.
Draco didn't show up until the train left the station, looking exhausted but relieved when he opened the door and slipped inside quickly. "Thank Merlin I found you three, I thought I was going to have to start asking if anyone knew where you were."
"Well you found us now... are you okay? I mean your father was probably furious." Ron spoke up, "One of your mates headbutted him."
Draco couldn't stop the little laugh that slipped out, "He really was. I've never seen him quite so angry in all my life. For a moment I thought he would hit me but then I just asked him if he wanted to annoy Harry again and made a run for it."
"Oh." Harry grinned back, "I see how it is, you're using me to scare your father into being nice to you" he paused, "Feel free to keep doing that. How did he explain it to your mother."
"It was hilarious. I mean you imagine trying to explain that a muggle born twelve year old broke your nose by headbutting you. It certainly put a dent in his pride. You know I think he hates you even more than he hates Mr. Weasley."
"That is not a good thing you know." Hermione rolled her eyes at the three boys pleased looks at that comment, "I get the feeling that your father is a dangerous man Draco. If he has a grudge against Harry... well I can hardly see it ending well can you?"
"What's he going to do? Try and kill me?" Harry snorted, "He can get in line right behind Voldemort Hermione. I've faced him down, Mr. Malfoy doesn't scare me."
"That's good because he really does hate you." Draco shook his head, "The look on his face when he was asking me all about you-I didn't tell him anything important don't worry, just things that he could have found out from other people. As far as he knows you're a muggle born with a natural talent for flying and insulting people you don't like."
"Well that's not so bad." Ron spoke up lightly, "As long as he doesn't know Harry's, y'know, we should be okay right?"
"Oh honestly you three... he doesn't need to know that Harry is... you-know, to cause trouble for him." Hermione stated shortly, "We need to be careful and keep an eye out just in case he tries something nasty."
"Speaking of." Harry turned to Draco, "Did you find out anything more about whatever it is that your father is planning? It'd be good to know what to expect." he pointed out, "I mean, from what you said I doubt that this year is going to be nice and peaceful."
"No, no he hasn't said a word and Dobby hass told me everything he can. Though apparently it's not connected to Voldemort. When I asked if it was He who must not be named he said no and I don't think he'd lie about that at least."
"And here I was hoping for a rematch." Harry snorted and shook his head, "It's probably best if we don't tell anyone about any of this at first, not until we're sure something is happening. Then we can figure out what to do but for now... well there's nothing we can do and no proof that your fathers doing anything."
"I know." Draco pulled a face, "I just don't like the idea of waiting around for whatever terrible thing he's got planned to happen."
"Then don't." Ron shrugged, "Until it happens we just try and be normal. Act like nothing's wrong." he stated firmly before pausing when they Trolley Witch paused outside of their carriage and Harry quickly stepped out and brought a load of sweets, just like he had the year before, and with Rons help they transferred them all into the carriage and onto the seats, handing them all out fairly, slowly sinking into less serious talk, chattering about their homework, what they thought the lessons were going to be like this year, and other simple light hearted matters, going onto discuss what they'd done over their holidays, with Hermione embarrassing Harry by telling their friends all about an incident involving a cat, a squirrel, a tree and his broom that made Ron and Draco laugh themselves silly.
As time wore on the four friends entertained themselves, playing games, reading books, telling jokes, doing everything they could to stave off boredom, including, at one point, planning out several ways to get Snape fired, though Harry couldn't help but remember that the man had likely saved his life when he'd found him the year before, so it didn't seem quite as funny as it once would have, though he was certain a few lessons with the man would fix that easy enough.
After what felt like a lifetime they arrived and got off the train, discovering the horseless carriages that would be carrying them up to the school.
Once there they listened to the sorting hat sing once more, and they watched the new students be sorted, with Harry, Ron, Hermione and Draco clapping even louder than usual when Ron's little sister Ginny was sorted into Gryffindor, though as she passed Harry she gave him a wide eyed look and her face flushed red, which prompted Ron to lean in close with a grin and whisper, "She's had a crush on you since she saw you headbutting Mr. Malfoy like that. Thinks you were real brave and all." Ron sounded amused, "Never known her be so shy before, it's kinda funny, which got a laugh from Draco and earned them both gentle slaps over the head from Hermione, who rolled her eyes and shook her head with a muttered;
"Honestly. Boys."
They only half listened to Lockharts introduction as the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, though under the circumstances Harry felt that anyone would be an improvement from Quirrell, and soon enough they were heading up to their dormitories to get some well earned sleep.