A/N: I do not own Harry Potter. All characters are owned by J.K. Rowling.

Chapter 1

Cho Chang stepped onto Platform 9 ¾ gracefully. Today was the day that another school year began.

Cho had been newly appointed head-girl this year and even though she was honored, she felt quite upset when she found out that Draco Malfoy was to be Head-Boy.

Despite him being only a sixth year, Professor Dumbledore had obviously thought him ready to carry such a big responsibility, although she thought Harry Potter could do a better job. It was quite an honor for Draco, because usually only seventh years were appointed the head-boy and head- girl positions.

Cho made sure that the porter had taken care of her bags, then boarded the train and into the Prefects compartment.

After saying hello to everyone, she settled in the corner of the compartment, but after awhile, she couldn't take the cacophony of voices and left.

She found and empty compartment and after sitting down, stared out of the window at the peaceful green pastures.

She had been looking forward to returning to Hogwarts for the whole duration of the summer holidays as she hated her home.

Cho thought it quite ironic. Everyone thought that she led a peaceful, happy life, but in fact, it was the complete opposite.

Her parents had started fighting last summer. Apparently, her father had had an affair with another woman, and a muggle at that, and her mother had found out.

Now, Cho had nothing against muggles, but Cho's mother had felt insulted at being second to a muggle, and thus, they had started fighting.

It used to be bearable, because she had her older brother Jae to go through the lang days with her. But then Jae had moved out to live with his friend in Diagon Alley as he said that he couldn't 'unleash his inner spirit' with all the noise. You see, Jae was writing a book that he hoped to get published one day. Cho didn't know what the book was about as Jae refused to let anyone see his work.

A sigh escaped Cho's lips. It seemed that ever since Cedric's death two years ago, bad luck had plagued her.

Everybody seemed to avoid her, even her best friends. Her parents had started fighting and Jae had moved out. And now, Draco Malfoy was head-boy. What was the world coming to?

If only Cedric were there. Cho was sure that he could cure her pain.

A knock on the compartment door jerked her out of her stupor.

"Yes," Cho answered, and Draco Malfoy walked in.

Oh God, Cho thought. "What do you want, Malfoy?"

"Jesus, I just wanted a place to sit. If you don't want to see me, just say so Chang," Draco retorted.

"Whatever," Cho said and went back to staring out of the window.

Draco sat down on the opposite side, facing Cho. Draco had never noticed it before, but Cho was actually very pretty. He took out a hardcover edition of the book 'Inferior Mudbloods' by Maria Del'Valle, a very infamous pureblood, wanted in many countries for murdering several Mudbloods. His father had given the book to him just before he boarded the train with instructions to read it because he would be sending over a test with the family owl and he expects Draco to receive full marks.

'Chapter 1. Introduction. Mudbloods are wizards or witches that are not pure, as gathered from the name. Mudbloods are the offspring of muggles (non-magic folk) and are educated in magic. Mudbloods are inferior to Purebloods in many ways...'

Draco sighed and slammed the book shut. Cho looked up.

"What is it with you, Malfoy?" she demanded.

Draco didn't answer.

"What's that you're reading?" Cho asked, and took the book gently form Draco. "'Inferior Mudbloods'?"

Draco grabbed the book back. "My father expects me to read it. I have no other choice but to obey," he said sadly.

"You always have a choice, Malfoy. You just choose to think that you have no choice," Cho said.

"It's not like I want to read the damn book, Chang!" Draco said jumping to his feet.

"Then don't," Cho said quietly.

"Chang, don't you understand? I have to. My father expects me to," Draco said, sitting down again.

"Everything your father says, you obey, don't you have a mind of your own, Malfoy?" Cho shouted, storming out of the compartment, leaving a very speechless Draco behind.