Author's Note: Wow! People reviewed! Yay! *happy author dance* Anywho, another chapter today for everyone, though it is a bit short (just over 1,000 words), I wanted to get this part over with, so I can get to the fun parts of this story! Review please!

Chapter 3

Draco boarded the train alone. He didn't turn around to wave at the onlookers; no one would be waving to him. He squared his shoulders and placed a content sneer on his face, he had gotten good at that.

He often wondered, if he had a chance, would he be able to be anything but the sneering, deceitful Draco Malfoy of Slytherin? But it was a question best left unanswered, a question best locked into that one part of this mind. But that caged part was growing too fast for his liking.

He entered the car where Crabbe, Goyle and the other Slytherin's from his year were waiting. Lounging upon the wide seat, Draco stifled a yawn as Pansy began to describe, in great detail, her whole summer vacation to Millicent Bulstrode.

This really is a bore, as usual, Draco thought. Ah, well, as least he had that mission to concentrate on. Draco fingered the necklace his father had given him, Lucius had been very vague about the particulars, but Draco supposed that he was supposed to figure these things out on his own. The sooner he had figured out who the silly girl was, the less mad his father would be and the more pleased the Dark Lord would be.

Draco felt his stomach clench. But isn't that want I want? He asked himself. Don't I wish to be at the top of the ranks with my father?

Yes, of course. How could it be otherwise?

Draco got up, and signaled to his cronies that they were to take their annual visit to the Dream Team. Crabbe and Goyle stuffed the remaining cupcakes into their already full mouths and followed him out of the compartment.

They passed many cars filled with bumbling Hufflepuffs, shy first years, and loud-mouthed Gryffindors, but didn't bother any of those; they were looking for a particular compartment to terrorize.

And there it was. Granger had a book on her lap, her hair bushier than ever, and Potter and Weasley were playing exploding snap, laughing without a care in the world. The picture made a boil of anger in Draco's stomach; didn't they know that they would probably be dead by the end of this year? Were they just going to laugh the Dark Lord away?

"Well, look what we have here.I'm surprised that you all didn't just stay the summer over at Hogwarts, it would have been much safer for you. But then again, I'm not certain Dumbledore will be in any state to protect you soon."

"Sod off, Malfoy!" Weasley retorted, a fire in his eyes. "Or do you like looking like slugs?"

Draco felt his smirk wipe off his face; at the end of fifth year Draco and his buddies had been the victim to a splew of curses, rendering them to look like nothing more than rotten slugs. His father had not been pleased.

"You'll do well to follow the rules, Weasel. Especially as they'll be changing for the better this year. It looks like your sorry Mudblooded girlfriend won't have much of a future soon," the smirk was back on. Draco felt the power he had over these beings; just a few words and they were scared. Well, they have reason to be!

Of course, at the word Mudblood, Ron's hands clenched into fists and he had to be restrained by Potter. Draco's father had told him not to make any female enemies whilst the identity of the Lestrange girl was a secret, but it couldn't very well be Granger. She could never pass off as a daughter of a Deatheater.

Draco looked at the golden badge that was secured to the front of Granger's robes.

"Forgetting something, Granger? A little meeting, perhaps? I was counting on being fashionably late.but fashionable would never be used in terms with you."

A loud gasp emitted from the Granger's mouth, and a horrified look was on her face.

Draco didn't stay to listen to her whiny voice. He sauntered out of the room, taking his time moving along the long train. He allowed himself the time to think about his assignment, fingering the silver necklace in his pocket.

Draco that decided that if the girl wasn't in Slytherin then she may be in Ravenclaw. That seemed the likeliest house, as the girl would most likely be smart, and having been raised by another family, may not exactly have Slytherin ideals.

E could hear Granger and Weasley rushing down the train and approaching him. Draco chuckled; this was going to prove to be an interesting year.

****

When Draco had walked into their compartment, Hermione's first impulse was to groan, couldn't he leave them alone?

And then Draco had smirked at her Head Badge, and had reminded her about the meeting. How could she forget such a thing? Ron had forgotten also, but of course it was all her fault. She was the responsible one, she was Head Girl, while Ron was a only a Prefect.

"Er.I think you guys better go now," said Harry. Hermione barely had time to grab her carry-on bag with a few of her books before they were already dashing out of the compartment, the small hallway a red blur.

Draco hadn't gotten far ahead of them. In fact, he was sauntering at a leisurely pace. Hermione felt her blood boil at his lack of respect, but calmed herself; she was late also.

"Move out of the way, Malfoy!" Ron called as they were scarce feet from him. But he didn't pay them any attention, scooting over a few slight inches. Ron didn't waste time to stop and yell at Malfoy, just squeezed through with the minimal of curses uttered under his breath. Hermione had been about to reprimand him while she was passing Malfoy, when her book bag caught on Malfoy, resulting in an ungraceful clump of limbs and books.

"Granger!" Malfoy growled from beneath her. He got up, an elbow jutting into Hermione's side, and scowled at her.

"Hermione! You okay?" Ron asked, helping her get up. He shot a glare at Malfoy and but he was already sauntering on his way, complaining of lack of respect and how he would have to wash his robes right away.

"Thanks, Ron," Hermione said, taking her book bag from him. Their hands touched and Hermione felt a warm glow in her stomach.

"We are going to be horribly, impossibly late," Ron said with a smile. And they made their way to the front of the train, hand in hand.

But what once might have sent a welcome shiver up Hermione's spine and bring a blush to her cheeks, didn't this time. It felt odd to be holding hands with Ron, like she shouldn't be doing it. And this time when they passed Malfoy, he made way for them, his eyes a silver flash.