Disclaimer: Am still envious of J.K. Rowling. I don't own anything. Still.

Author's Note: If you're worrying about me making some more cut scenes in my fics, live with it. It's my style.

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Procrastination

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Chapter 2

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The train rolled to a stop by an old, rickety station. Students peered out their windows and threw bewildered looks at each other. A loud horn was sounded as a deep voice boomed out of the intercom.

"Will all the 6th year and 7th year students please step outside? Instructions will be passed out outside."

Draco joined in the initial clamor, not minding the fact that he was being pushed and shoved in every direction possible. He stepped out into the blinding light and shielded his eyes. A thin, lanky figure rose from the shadows. Draco recognized the figure as Albus Dumbledore.

"Draco! Hey, Draco! Over here."

Draco looked around him and saw a tall girl waving to him. He slumped over to the girl and stared at her.

"Where were you Draco? You know prefects are supposed to stay in one compartment."

Draco looked away and stared at the castle. The castle seemed to loom larger every time he saw it.

"Draco! Don't you dare not notice me!"

Draco looked back at the girl and noticed that it was not Pansy Parkinson, as he originally thought.

"Sorry, mudblood. Was a bit distracted back there. Thought you were that Parkinson," he smirked.

Hermione stared at Draco unbelievingly. "Have you just lost your mind? What were you thinking when you were staring at me a while ago?" she said, outraged.

Draco smirked again and looked at the Albus Dumbledore, now looking over the 6th and 7th years.

Albus Dumbledore smiled wanly and addressed the unruly crowd.

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"Who the hell does that Dumbledore think he is?" Draco fumed as he struggled to keep his feet moving.

"I think it's a good idea," said Hermione.

"What? Making people hike up to Hogwarts while he apparates and putting them in teams of people from different houses? If my father found out..."

"Give Dumbledore a break, Malfoy," said Ernie Macmillan. He and Cho Chang were with the the two as well.

"Yeah, Malfoy. I think, he just wants to test us," agreed Cho.

"Test us? Give me a break. If my father found..."

Hermione looked back and cut in, "If your father found out, then he wouldn't be able to do anything about it, would he?"

Draco stopped in his tracks and pulled out his wand, "You'll pay for that, mudblood. Crucio!"

Hermione's shrieks ruffled the treetops and reached the castle.

~*~

"Mr. Malfoy, I don't know what you were thinking. Honestly, putting the Cruciatus curse on your fellow student was a bit over the edge, don't you think?"

McGonagall peered over her spectacles. Draco was seated calmly before the entire Hogwarts staff. Although all the staff were looking especially somber, Snape looked like he was ready to laugh.

"Well, Mr. Malfoy. What do you have to say for yourself?" asked Flitwick, not his usual cheerful self.

Everybody leaned closer as Malfoy began to speak, "Is this the part where I'm supposed to say 'sorry'?