Ch.2: Taunting on the Train

September 1st had finally come and, Draco was very relieved. After having sent a letter to Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy explaining his current predicament, he had sat down and began reviewing what he planned to say to Potter, Weasley, and Granger when, they found out. He had just muttered "At least I have parents Potter." When, his father entered his room he told him to get his things packed. He hadn't known that Draco's things had been packed for more than a week already. After he left, Draco began to consider the possibility that he might lose some of his popularity; a ghastly thought for someone who had never actually had real friends. Sure Crabbe and Goyle hung out with him, but he couldn't help but notice that they didn't really know much about him, or anything else for that matter.
"Oh well, does it really matter?" he asked himself before heading downstairs. Sometimes he wished that he hadn't offended Potter and Weasley on that first trip to Hogwarts, but nobody would ever know that. That would have cost him everything, his pride, his dignity, and the respect that he received. As he and his father entered the car; a stretch limo. It was of course the years new model; adapted to fit about twenty people, with room to spare. The trip to King's Cross was predictably uneventful, and upon reaching the gateway to platform 9 ¾ his father said good-bye and left. Draco looked at the barrier, and quietly began to trot towards it. When, he reached the other side, he found Crabbe and Goyle standing there looking at the train as if they didn't know what it was.
"Crabbe, Goyle load my bags onto the train." Draco ordered with his usual superior like tone.
"What train Draco?" was their dimwitted reply.
"The one right in front of you, you morons." He said angrily.
"That's a train?" Goyle asked thickly.
Draco left at that point, not wanting to waste anymore of his time on his half-witted bodyguards. At that time, he saw four unwelcome people enter the platform, Potter, Weasley, Granger, and little Weasley.
"Oh great." He muttered sarcastically. Just then, to his horror Pansy Parkinson began to call him.
"Drakie, yoo-hoo Drakie, over here." He pointedly ignored her and, boarded the train. He first went to the prefect's carriage where, to his disdain he found the 'Potter club', Potter, Weasley, Granger, Lovegood, and Weasley.
"I don't remember you being a prefect Potter." He sneered.
"I forgot your face was so hideous Malfoy." Harry shot back. This caused much laughter in the carriage. Quietly, to himself Draco admitted that Potter did have guts, and a flair for a dramatic delivery.
"Maybe this year you'll be able to pass potions instead of needing remedial classes." He smirked.
"At least I don't have to buy teachers off." Harry replied, causing another outburst of laughter. He was on a roll. Ever since receiving his prefect badge he had been in a perpetual state of happiness, and nobody, not even Malfoy was going to bring him down. Pansy entered the carriage then, and after seeing Draco looking absolutely furious, and Potter and his friends laughing she knew something was amiss. "What did you and your foul little friends do this time Potter?" She snarled. "The usual, Malfoy came in here thinking that he could push us around, and we got the better of him." Harry replied in a fit of laughter. Draco's wand was out now, and was pointed at Hermione; however before he could say anything Harry had disarmed him with a loud shout of 'Expelliarmus'. Draco flew back and hit the wall in a crumpled heap. "You'll pay for that Potter." "Supplanto!" Suddenly, Harry tripped over thin air, and landed in Luna Lovegood's lap. As he tried to separate Luna and himself, Draco on the other side of the carriage was doubling up with laughter, along with Pansy. Harry was just about to cast a spell, when Hermione suddenly told him to stop. In surprise he turned to look at her. He realized immediately that this was a good thing; the witch with the food trolley was just outside the door. Hastily, he put away his wand and took a seat. "I'll get you later Malfoy." He muttered. "Just you wait and see."