ON THE PLATFORM
Drusilla had to remind herself to keep her face impassive as she made her way through the throng of Hogwarts students on Platform 9 ¾. Her uncle and cousin walked several steps ahead of her, the younger mimicking the elder's commanding stride. It was somewhat difficult not to laugh at Malfoy Jr's attempts to hold his head in the same dignified manner as his father; while it was certainly a fair impression, he just never quite made it.
"Well, Draco," Lucius said, stopped abruptly near the front of the train as the house elf scurried to put the luggage onboard. "I trust there is no need to inform that you being away from home does not mean being out of my reach."
Drusilla frowned; did he mean that as a gesture of fatherly assurance, or a threat? It was so hard to tell.
"No, father," Draco replied. His voice was deep and resonant, just like Lucius'. In fact, it was remarkable the many ways in which Draco resembled his father. The same long, silvery hair (Draco's ponytail reached just past his shoulders now), the same cold grey eyes and broad shoulders. The exact same resentful sneer.
"Drusilla," Lucius began, turning his gaze towards his niece. He seemed hesitant to speak, as though he wasn't sure what to say. He adopted a tone that was almost gentle – in a completely false and rather eerie way. "Have a delightful year, my girl. Do try not to get expelled," he added as an afterthought.
Drusilla nodded, but no remnant of expression reached her face. Lucius frowned uncomfortably. He nodded to Draco, turned around and walked away, disappearing at the end of the platform with the house elf trailing behind.
"I have to be at the front of the train. Head Boy duties, you know," Draco informed his younger cousin smugly. "But listen – I'll find some sixth year Slytherins you can share a compartment with. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES are you to sit with anyone from Gryffindor, do you understand?" Draco was pointing a finger at Drusilla threateningly.
She stared at him blankly for a moment, and then turned on her heel and walked away. Draco scowled as he watched her long dark hair disappear into the crowd of students and parents, before turning and making his way towards the front compartment.
