Chapter 3

The Hogwarts express traveled the way it always had. It traveled as it had every year. It was carrying students to Hogwarts. That was its purpose. To bring young witches and wizards to the school where they would be trained to take care of themselves. The train had no other. It sped on, leaving a white cloud behind, steaming.

Like Draco, except he did not let his anger show. He stood in the prefect's compartment, listening to the newly elected Head Boy and Girl drone on and on and on about this year's rules. Hermione Granger was the only one really listening, but even she was bored. As the Head Girl took over, explaining about all the 'fun' they were going to have this year, Draco gave a very obvious yawn, not bothering to hide his contempt.

Ignoring him, the girl continued in an overly perky voice. Bloody cheerleader.

"And now, boys and girls, I have a very special treat. Our new prefects!" Ron seemed to wake up at that, shaking his head and rubbing his eyes. Hermione looked expectantly at the door, but Draco spoke. She had gone too far.

"Boys and Girls?!!!!" he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm and utter contempt.

"Yes," the girl said, "Boys and Girls."

Draco rolled his eyes.

"I saw that! Mind your manners, Malfoy. You don't want to end up like you father, do you?"

That struck a chord. Draco had his wand out so fast that even Hermione blinked. He pointed it at the Head Girl, cutting of her sentence.

"What's the matter?" the girl asked innocently, her voice loaded with sarcasm. "Did I insult your precious daddy?"

Draco's eyes were flaming. Blazing white-hot anger was radiating off every particle of his being. He gripped his wand so hard it was a wonder it didn't snap.

"Lay off, Rosella!" the Head Boy said sharply.

She turned to face him, her innocent smile making Draco's features twist with hatred. "Why?"

Draco nearly exploded. She had been warned. Pointing his wand at her chest, he began, "Adva Ke-"

At that moment, the sliding door opened. With a smile, the new prefects marched in, stopping to stare in horror at Rosella and Draco pointing their wands at each other.

Draco was shocked, but quickly recovered, hiding his surprise. Still holding his wand, he leaned back against the wall of the compartment nonchalantly. He shrugged. Inside he was screaming. Had he gone so far as to use one of the Unforgivable Curses on someone? He usually had better control over his temper than that! He took a deep shaky breath.

Draco heard Ron mutter to Hermione, "Guess that means we better not piss him off this year, eh?"

Hermione nodded in agreement.

Stowing her wand insider her pocket, Rosella continued without taking a breath. "Our new Prefects. From Ravenclaw, we have Luna Lovegood and-" Draco zoned out. He didn't care anymore. He stayed to hear the names before leaving the compartment. He just didn't care anymore. On the outside, he was calm, cool, collected. But he was blazing inside. Blazing with fury and hatred.

If anyone had seen him at that moment, they would have run screaming. Even Harry Potter.