King's Cross Station was at the peak of its busiest hour. Muggles bustled about the station all hurrying to catch their trains. Alli and the others were dropped off at the entrance.
"Hurry up, now," Mr. Weasley said to them, "Quickly, come on."
Alli followed the others past several platforms until platforms nine and ten were before them.
"So, where is Platform Nine and Three-Quarters?" asked Alli.
"It's hidden from muggle-view," said Ron.
"All you have to do is go straight at the wall between platforms nine and ten," Mrs. Weasley told her.
"Wait," Alli said adopting a confused expression, "you walk through that brick wall?"
"Ron, why don't you go first to show her how it's done," said Mrs. Weasley.
Ron turned his trolley toward the barrier. He looked both ways to make sure no one was watching. His trolley neared the barrier, and before Alli knew it, Ron had disappeared through the wall.
"Um, okay," Alli muttered.
"See? It's quite simple, dear. No need to be afraid," said Mrs. Weasley with a genuine smile.
"I'm not afraid," said Alli, defensively. She faced the entrance to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. The wall looked incredibly solid. She looked up at the hanging signs labeled "9" and "10". Alli looked around to make sure that the muggles were minding their own business just as Ron had, gripped her trolley, and broke into a run. She shut her eyes tight as she neared the barrier. She felt a cool breeze blow her hair back. When she opened her eyes, the Hogwarts Express was in front of her. Steam rose from the platform and the train whistled so loudly it made Alli want to cover her ears.
She grinned excitedly. Alli pushed her trolley to where everyone else was standing. Then, let out the deep breath she didn't know she was holding. In a few moments, Alli would meet Draco by the clock. She noticed her hands shaking anxiously and her heart quickening at the thought of seeing him again. Alli left her trolley next to the train with the others and looked around for the clock on the wall. She spied it and had begun to walk away when someone grabbed her shoulder. Alli jumped and spun around.
"Where are you off to?" Harry asked.
"I told that guy I would meet him before boarding the train," Alli told him. Harry rolled his eyes as Ron and Hermione appeared beside him.
"Oi, what's goin' on?" Ron asked, noting Harry's annoyed expression.
"I'm about meet up with Draco Malfoy, but Harry doesn't seem to be very pleased with it," Alli said crossing her arms, "even though it has nothing at all to do with him."
"Malfoy? You're barking mad," said Ron. Alli narrowed her eyes. Hermione shook her head.
"Alli," Hermione began to speak. But, Alli didn't want to hear it.
"I thought I made this clear to you. I don't care what you think about him. He hasn't done anything to me to make me think he's not a good guy. It's not my problem what y'all have against him, okay? So, leave me alone," said Alli, "Please?" she added as an afterthought.
With that, Alli turned on her heel. She took a deep breath then walked confidently over to the clock wall. Draco was still nowhere in sight. Alli leaned her back against the wall and crossed her arms over her chest. Her eyes scanned the crowd of students and families. Then, Alli spotted him. Draco Malfoy made his way through the crowd towards Alli. He caught her eye and smirked.
"Hey," Alli greeted him, hoping she didn't sound as over-excited as she felt.
"Alli," Draco replied. He held out his hand to her. Alli shook his hand and felt a warm feeling course through her fingertips thorough her body, making it difficult to let go. Alli blushed and reluctantly pulled her hand out of his. The train let out a loud whistle to alert the students that they had just five minutes until departure.
"We should probably get on the train," Alli stated.
"Come on," Draco told her, "I'll show you to my compartment."
Alli followed Draco onto the Hogwarts Express. They passed down the cramped hall and all the tiny compartments.
"It's a bit crowded in here, isn't it?" Alli said stiffly.
"My compartment is towards the back," said Draco.
As they moved through to the back of the train, Alli caught of glimpse of Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny getting seated in one compartment.
"Wait," said Alli. She turned to the group. "Hey," Alli said to them.
"Oh, Alli," Hermione said, "are you sitting with us?"
"I was going to sit with Draco, actually," said Alli, "I guess I'll see y'all later?" Alli told them. No one answered her. They were all glaring at her as if she had committed a major crime.
"Fine," said Alli, haughtily. She flipped her hair over her shoulder and followed Draco down the corridor. They reached the last compartment and sat across from one another.
"So, how are you?" Draco asked. The train jerked to a start. Sunlight streamed through the window as they pulled out of the tunnel. It caught strands of Alli's brown hair turning it golden.
"I'm fine," Alli said, plainly.
"Just fine?" Draco asked, as if he had been expecting her to say more.
"Yeah, you?" asked Alli.
"I've been…" his eyes moved away from her face, down her body, and then back up to her eyes, "distracted," he finished in a cold, deep voice.
"Why?"
"It's nothing to worry about," Draco said, quickly. Alli looked at him curiously.
"Okay…" Alli replied. She looked out of the window and watched the green hills roll past. She sighed. "So, how long is this ride?"
"About seven hours," Draco told her.
"Good. That gives us plenty of time, then," said Alli.
"For what, exactly?"
"For you to fall for me," Alli said, with a flirtatious smile.. Draco chuckled, returning her smile.
"Well, I'm sure I would've anyway," said Draco.
"Why's that?" asked Alli.
"Because you're absolutely gorgeous," Draco admitted.
"I know," Alli replied, "I mean I get that all the time."
Draco didn't respond.
"I'm kidding," Alli laughed placing a hand on his arm. Draco looked at her hand and spotted a gold ring on her right ring finger. He picked up her hand in his turning it to get a closer look.
"It's an inheritance ring," Alli answered his unspoken question.
"An inheritance ring?"
"Yep," said Alli.
"Can I see it?" Draco asked pointing to the ring. Alli twisted the ring off of her finger and handed it to him. "Full gold? And, that's a diamond, is it not?"
""Yes," said Alli, nodding her head.
"Are you a pureblood?"
"Yeah. Any other questions?" Alli laughed. Draco shrugged. Then, a thought occurred to her. She realized she ought to share one of the most important facts about herself - her relation with Harry. "Well, there is one thing," Alli said, nervously chewing on her bottom lip.
Alli thought for a moment and then, bit her lip realizing that there was something she probably ought to share with him—her connection with Harry. Draco obviously didn't know otherwise he may have treated her differently. But, would he treat her differently after he knew? This made Alli nervous. As little time as she had spent with him, Draco seemed to have an effect on her, an effect Alli liked very much.
"Well, go on then," Draco said.
"Okay, but promise me you're not gonna hate me after I tell you," Alli said.
"Why would I hate you?" Draco asked curiously. Alli took a deep breath.
"Because— "
Her words were lost when the compartment door slid open. Hermione stood in the doorway.
"Um, excuse me," she said, "but Alli, you haven't seen Ginny's jumper? She's seemed to have misplaced it."
"What's a jumper?" Alli said, confused.
"You know, her pull-over," said Hermione.
"Like a jacket?" Alli said. Hermione nodded. "No," Alli replied. She was eager for Hermione to leave so she could continue her conversation with Draco.
"Oh, okay," Hermione said. Her gaze moved to look at Draco in disgust. "Malfoy."
"How dare you speak to me, filthy Mudblood," Draco sneered. Hermione glared at him. Alli narrowed her eyes at Draco.
"Well thank you, Alli," Hermione told her. Alli nodded at her.
"Okay," Alli said as Hermione slid the compartment door closed.
"That was a little harsh, don't you think?" Alli said to him. Draco shrugged.
"You were saying?" Draco asked trying to get back on subject. Alli nodded. 'Here goes,' Alli thought.
"My name is Allison Potter," Alli said slowly.
"Yes, I know. What does that…" Draco paused. "Wait, did you say Potter?"
Alli closed her eyes and took a deep breath and opened them.
"Are you related to— "
"I'm Harry's cousin," Alli admitted. Draco looked shocked, then his expression turned cold. "Please," Alli said, "don't hate me." Draco stayed silent. "I'm not anything like him," Alli told him as if it might help the situation. "Fine," said Alli finally, "Just forget it. I'm going." Alli stood up, but Draco grabbed her arm.
"Wait," Draco said. Alli turned around. Draco stood close to her- so close that Alli could smell the smallest hint of cologne.
"Yes?"
"Why haven't I seen you before?" Draco asked.
"Because this is my first year at Hogwarts," Alli told him. She sighed and sat back down across from Draco. "I lived with a family in the United States. I went to a different school there."
"What about your parents?"
Alli twisted a piece of her dark brown hair around her finger.
"They're dead," Alli said quietly. Draco watched her curiously.
"What happened to them?" Draco asked her.
"I don't want to talk about it," Alli told him. Draco nodded. He kept his eyes locked with hers until she looked away. The train puffed along the rocky railroad tracks that descended down into a deep valley. "So," Alli said, clearing her throat, "tell me about you."
"What do you want to know?" he asked. Alli shrugged.
"Your family, your hobbies, favorite subject," Alli said. "Your favorite color," she added with a giggle, "just anything."
""Well, my mother is a bit overprotective. My father works at the Ministry of Magic." Draco paused to think and then continued, "I'm a Hogwarts Prefect for Slytherin House, I enjoy Potions and Qui-"
"You're in Slytherin?" Alli blurted out without thinking.
"Y-yeah," Draco said, confused by her sudden excitement.
"Awesome," Alli said with a smile, "continue."
"Uh…" Draco paused.
"The color question," Alli prompted.
"It's blue."
"Okay, cool."
"You're really pretty. Do you know that?" Draco admitted, "I really like you, Alli."
Alli bit her lip and smiled.
"Well thank you. I like me too," Alli said with a small laugh.
Draco returned her smile. Alli looked down for a moment, then looked back up and locked eyes with him again. Draco moved to the edge of his seat. Alli felt her heartbeat quicken. She almost spoke, but then Draco touched a piece of her hair and tucked it behind her ear making Alli lose her train of thought. She swallowed nervously as Draco leaned in closer. He traced his finger over her bottom lip. Then, he pressed his lips to hers. Alli's head felt light as Draco kissed her. It felt like an explosion had ruptured inside her heart. Alli let her lips part and kissed him back. She leaned back on the seat. Draco followed her mouth until he was on his knees using her body for support. His hands combed back through her hair as they kissed, then his finger brushed past her scar. Draco jolted and let go. Alli opened her eyes.
"What?" Alli asked. His touch lingered on her scar.
"You…" Draco tucked the piece of hair that covered her scar, behind her ear. His eyes narrowed. "Where did you get that?"
"I-"
At that moment, there was a knock on the compartment door. It slid open to reveal Hermione standing in the doorway once again.
"Oh, sorry," Hermione said slowly.
Alli sat up while Draco climbed back into his seat.
"It's fine," Alli said, "What's up?"
"We found the jumper. I was just letting you know…"
Draco was still looking intently at Alli.
"Alli, can I see you out in the corridor for a moment?" Hermione asked looking from Draco to Alli. Alli cleared her throat.
"Um, sure, yeah." Alli followed Hermione out into the hallway leaving Draco alone.
"What's up?" asked Alli.
""Don't play stupid, Alli. I saw you and Malfoy," Hermione said, "Let me just tell you something. Malfoy is bad. You don't want to be involved with him, understand?"
"Why do you care?" asked Alli.
"I'm trying to protect you, Alli. Just promise you'll stay away from him," Hermione warned.
"I'll do whatever I want," Alli snapped.
"I know better than you, Alli. Harry thinks Malfoy is a-"
"Listen, I don't care what you think about him. You can't tell me what to do. As a matter of fact, I kinda like Draco, so fuck off," Alli knocked Hermione's shoulder with her own as she walked back into the compartment. "Ugh," Alli grumbled as she slammed the compartment door closed.
"You defended me," Draco muttered disbelievingly. Alli took a deep breath to calm herself.
"I did," Alli said with a smile.
"My kiss must have had some effect on you," Draco smiled backing her against the compartment door. Alli raised her eyebrows in reply, biting her bottom lip.
"Guess you'll find out, " Alli smiled. Draco kissed her again. Alli pulled away slowly with a smile, biting her bottom lip.