The Hardships of Being Draco Malfoy

Disclaimer: Don't own any of the characters originally penned by J K Rawlings, don't even own the computer this is being typed on. But a girl can wish can't she?

Pairings: Not yet but will be Draco/Harry eventually

Warnings: Whiny Draco ahead, not to mention some probable OOC-ness to be had by all. But what can I say, first time Harry Potter writer.

Authors Notes: Ah joy, bliss, a review. Once again, kisses to all reading, drinks around for those who've reviewed. Not sure for how much longer I will be able to update on a daily basis, as of today I have up to part 7 written, all I have to do is type it up, now lets hope my creativity doesn't hit a stumbling block.

The Lady Wolfshead - Thank you. thank you. Your reviews mean more then you could know, ::sniffle:: I hope you continue to enjoy the story.

Part 5

"Well, well, look who finally decided to show his face."

Draco, who had been watching his mother leaving the platform, barely managed to slap a mask of indifference on his face before Blaise Zabini popped up in front of him. Draco scowled slightly, he actually had to look up to Zabini this year, how humiliating, and irritating. "We were about to start taking bets as to whether you were going to show up this year Malfoy," the swarthy boy said slugging him almost playfully on the arm,.

Draco was about to reply, by launch into his grand plan on how to tell the other Slytherins to bugger off for at least half the year, when the breath was knocked out of him by a very enthusiastic hug from Pansy, who much to his disgust appeared to be at least a centimeter taller then him. Not only were his arms now trapped by his side, but he was also in danger of passing out from lack of oxygen. Then, to make matters worse, she was pretending to cry her eyes out but was, in fact, just getting his shirt all drooly.

"Oh Draco," she sobbed melodramatically as his face began to change colors. "It's so horrible! What with everything going on with your father, I could understand if you had transferred to a new school! You know, so as not to have to be around those people responsible for his current housing. But to be so badly dressed! Oh the tortures you must be going through at home!"

Pansy sniffled loudly making people around her stop and take notice, that and making Draco think that on top of being asphyxiated he was going to throw up. She then arched slightly away from him so that she could find the perfect angle to wipe her face on his shirt. Thankfully in doing so Draco finally found he could move his arms enough to get some leverage between them, and shove the blubbering girl away. "Get away from me Parkinson!" he practically yelled when he finally had some oxygen in his lungs.

Her tears dried up in about three seconds as a wicked smirk played across her lips. "Aren't you a cute little thing when your upset?" she said sweetly, reaching out to mess his perfectly gelled hair, causing Draco to quickly step out of her reach. A host of smothered laughter sounded from behind her, as Draco crossed his arms over his chest and Glared at the whole lot of them.

'It's a good thing I'm not to be associating with them this year,' he thought as he took in how much every one but him had grown over the summer. 'Otherwise I would have to do a lot of hard work to get the others not to look as tall, probably starting with kicking them in the shins, they wouldn't stand so straight then.' An evil smirk spread across Draco's face at his oh so pleasing thoughts of forcing the Slytherins of his year to stoop to his height.

"Uh-oh guys we had better watch out, looks like Draco's planning something," said Millicent, in a voice loaded with sarcasm, from where she was leaning up against a sturdy looking post. "We probably want to invest in protectors for our legs or something like that. You know just incase we're the ones he's thinking about."

Draco inwardly seethed at being found out, but managed not to show it and instead just said "As if Bulstrode." For some odd reason it always surprised him when the larger girl said something so intelligent, or intuitive. He really should remember that just because you look vaguely like Crabbe and Goyle, doesn't mean you are as thick headed. Heck not even Crabbe and Goyle were as thick as they acted, they just chose not to use their minds most of the time, and if they did use them it was so they didn't get held back.

"Look guys I have something important to say to you all. It is a plan of the utmost importance, and will involve you all integrally, if it is to be completed successfully." At this the five other Slytherins around him suddenly became all business like, plots were something they loved best. "There are some things I need to do this year. Plots to be played with intricate delicacy. Support systems to be crumbled. And people to fell, or knock off their pedestals." With every sentence, no every word, Draco spoke the sixth year Slytherin's malicious smiles grew bigger, and their eyes gleamed more fiercely with intent. "The only problem is, that none of the plans will work unless you lot pretend that I am no longer welcome."

Draco looked at the confused faces of his housemates, willing with all his might for one of them to jump to the conclusion he had been leading them to. He was just about to hint a little bit harder, he had obviously been too vague, when something seemed to click in Blaise's mind. "Your going after Potter, aren't you?" the boy said in complete mysticism. Draco had to stop himself from sighing in relief audibly. "You have to tell us what you have planned! We can help better if.."

"No, I've thought this through all summer," Draco interrupted hotly. "I will work best if you know nothing, but instead start by giving me the cold shoulder, with the possibility of a skirmish here and there. That way if something goes wrong you can't be implicated, and can continue on with out me."

"Draco," Crabbe said speaking up for the first time today. "You aren't stupid enough to involve yourself in a suicide mission. What are you talking so morbidly for?"

"Trust me when I say this, if this plan fails I may as well be dead. Far too much is riding on how well you guys can follow my instructions, everything has already been set in motion." Draco made sure to keep his face as serious as possible, now was not the time to jump up in the air and whoop for joy at the fact they were already playing his game, everything was going so well! Feeling smug he decided to put a little polish on his presentation. "The players are set, the audience is packed, but when the lights come up, are you going to play your parts?"

"Draco," Pansy whined, rubbing her forehead. "You know I hate it when you use those stupid analogies like that." She looked at Draco impishly before glancing at her fellow Slytherins. "Of course we'll do it Draco, I can't wait to see Harry Potter, groveling at your feet." She giggled slightly at the image her mind was showing her, and knowing Pansy, Draco didn't want to know what it looked like.

"So how long are we supposed to act like this?" Goyle asked getting in on the conversation, and proving that he was still keeping up.

"At least until the Christmas Hols."

"At least we don't have to treat you like slime inside the commons." Pansy said batting her eyes prettily at Draco.

"Stop flirting and use your brains Pansy," Millicent said smacking the other girl upside the head. "The six of us have practically grown up together, and we know each other's, shall we say, allegiance, but I wouldn't trust another person in our house to keep this a secret."

"We'll help you in anyway we can Draco, just contact one of us discreetly, and try to keep us updated on progress, I know," Blaise said holding up his hands in an almost defensive move. "No details, just say something like you're getting closer, or need help, something vague but yet telling. Don't worry about the rest of the house, they wont know anything, but unless I'm missing my mark, they will follow our lead in ignoring you. If you know what I mean." Ah Blaise, king of subtlety, bless him. "Come on guys lets go get on the train."

Draco watched as everyone but Pansy turned and sauntered to the waiting locomotive.

"There's something that I don't understand though Draco," she said looking slightly confused. For a moment he panicked internally hoping that Pansy's IQ hadn't gotten a growth spurt over the summer. "Why would your plan involve wearing last years styles?"

Draco gaped at her for a moment before he heard Blaise yell "Pansy! Get away from that traitor!" She jumped slightly winked at Draco and ran to catch up with the group. Apparently they were starting already.

"This just might be easier then I thought." Draco muttered aloud to himself. He stood staring at the train in amazement for a few moments until a magically projected voice called out over the platform that the train would be leaving shortly. That was when Draco realized he hadn't quite thought everything through.

How was he going to get his cat and trunk onboard all by himself? In the past he had always had Crabbe or Goyle do it, but now... Draco absently kicked his trunk hoping that it would grow legs and walk onboard, but as with most things he wished for lately, it didn't come to be.

Sighing heavily he picked up Morgana's carrier and balanced it carefully on the trunk, then he pulled out his wand, and in a precise voice intoned "Wingardium Leviosa" then watched patiently while his trunk lifted off the ground. He levitated it to a little above his waist, then proceeded to push it forward with his left hand while still maintaining the spell. It took a lot of concentration, and was a little exhausting, but it was still better then trying to carry the thing the old fashioned way.

Thankfully he made it on the train with no mishaps, as Morgana slept through the whole thing. He doubted that his cat had enough faith in his skills to actually sit still while he was levitating everything, which would have caused him to lose his concentration and drop everything. On the down side he was now forced to try and find a seat, somewhere on the train. Ideally he wanted to be alone, but barring a miracle, he was probably going to be forced to sit with someone annoying. He couldn't sit with anyone of his own house, and he steadfastly refused to sit with any Gryffindors. Unfortunately after searching well over three quarters of the train, the only available seat was with a group of three gossiping fourth year Hufflepuff girls.

Amazingly enough they shut up after only a few moments of intense glares from him. They instead settled on passing scrolls back and forth and hastily scratching messages to each other with battered looking quills. Then they started bursting into giggling fits every few minutes. Settling back into his seat Draco pulled out his potions textbook, intent on getting a head start in his favorite class.

Draco winced in annoyance as another round of shrill laughter reverberated through the small compartment. He savagely fought the urge to slam his head into his book, which, if he went though with it, would hopefully cause him to loose consciousness. He had to fight himself even harder to deny the urge to get up and pound the brains out of the girls, not that there would be much to come out. No matter how he looked at it, this was going to be a long, long train ride.

Stupid Hufflepuffs.