September 1, 1991:

Penny Montgomery entered the King's Cross station with her parents. She would be entering her very first year at Hogwarts, and needless to say, she was really nervous. Her parents weren't really helping all that much either.

"Now dear, make sure that you behave yourself, we don't want to be getting any owls from the Headmaster because you've gotten yourself into trouble." Penny's mother, Deanna Montgomery reminded her for what felt like the hundredth time as she smoothed down her daughter's clothes, trying to make sure that there were no wrinkles, that Penny looked perfect. Deanna Montgomery was a short woman, with wavy brown hair that went down to her shoulders. She had a calm demeanor around her, and could make friends with anyone that she met.

Penny's father, Walter Montgomery, was the complete opposite. He was a man that would come off as cold and cross to people, but he loved his family dearly. Walter had jet black hair that was neatly cut, and he wore a business suit. "Now remember Penny, you are a Montgomery, and I expect you to act like one."

Penny sighed to herself. Acting like a Montgomery meant acting like she was the perfect Pureblood, looking down on anyone that did not think Purebloods were the superior wizarding status. Penny didn't agree at all with her family's views, but it wasn't like she could say anything on the matter, all she could do was nod her head and promise that she would do her best. Penny had never seen her father angry, and she would rather not start now.

Penny brushed her black hair that matched her father's behind her ears, giving both of her parents one final hug before pushing her cart through the wall between platforms nine and ten and suddenly, there was the Hogwarts Express, looking grand and majestic before her. It was beautiful, and Penny just found herself staring at it in awe.

"Montgomery!"

Penny turned around to look at Draco, who was striding up to her, his friends Crabbe and Goyle at his sides. Penny had never been a fan of either Crabbe and Goyle. They were simpletons, which was probably why Draco held on to them, they would follow him everywhere and never ask any questions.

"Malfoy." Penny greeted him, a smile on her pale lips. "You ready to finally begin Hogwarts?"

"Of course, I was born ready." Draco walked onto the train with Penny, leaving Crabbe and Goyle to follow behind them. Penny was his one true friend, the one that he felt like he could tell anything to and she would never think any less of him. "What house are you hoping to get in?"

"Slytherin naturally." Penny said as they sat in an empty compartment. She set down a cage that had a tawny brown owl, whom she had named Georgette, and she unlocked the cage. Georgette hopped out, flying onto Penny's shoulder and resting comfortably there. Georgette was quite small, she had basically been the runt among her brothers and sisters. Penny had fallen in love with her immediately and had basically begged her father to get him for her. Georgette barely left Penny's side, seeming to think of the girl as her mother. Penny smiled as she sat down, gently stroking Georgette on her head, and Georgette cooed happily.

Draco's own eagle owl remained in his cage, the owl could be quite irritable, and had nipped Draco's fingers once or twice. Draco had of course complained about it to his parents, but the owl always acted perfect around his parents, so Narcissa had just told him that the owl wasn't used to him yet.

"I wish that my owl could behave like yours." Draco grumbled, causing Penny to laugh softly. "Maybe Georgette can give him some lessons. What's his name anyways?"

"Mateo." Draco responded. "Don't ask me why, my mother named him that. I think Mateo was a friend of hers in school or something along those lines."

"You know, now that I think about it, Mother has mentioned a Mateo every now and then." Penny said after thinking about it for a moment or two. "But whenever she mentions him, Father sends her this look and she shuts up about it. Quite odd really."

Draco shrugged his shoulders. "I wouldn't read too much into it. Maybe your father doesn't like him, or maybe they were enemies when they were in school or something like that."

The trolley lady came by then, asking the two if they wanted any sweets. Penny got a couple of chocolate frogs and some licorice wands, while Draco got some treacle tarts.

"I don't understand how you can stand those things." Penny said, wincing a little bit as she watched Draco bite into the treat.

"These things are delicious." Draco retorted, and Penny pretended to gag. "Can you please not talk with your mouth full of food? That just makes it even more disgusting."

"Draco!"

Penny groaned to herself as Pansy Parkinson came into the compartment and sat next to Draco, forcing Penny to move over to make room for her. Penny had never gotten along with Pansy, the girl had always had an almost unhealthy obsession with Draco for some odd reason, and she seemed to think that Penny stood in the way of her and Draco's happily ever after.

Penny turned and stared out the window as Pansy droned on and on to Draco about Merlin only knew what, watching as trees and fields flew by. A girl came into the compartment, asking any of them if they had seen a toad. Penny replied that no, she hadn't. The girl had bushy brown hair, Penny didn't remember having ever seen her before.

Draco scoffed as the girl left. "She's probably a Mudblood." He sneered, and Penny frowned at him, but didn't say anything about the insult that he had used. Penny didn't understand all of the hate that the Pureblood families had for Muggle Borns, they all had magic didn't they? So why couldn't they just live peacefully? Penny didn't understand it, and her father had never bothered to explain it to her, all he had told her was that was the way that things had always been, and that was the way that they always would be. Penny noticed how late it had gotten and she got up, deciding to change into her robes, because they would soon be reaching the school.