The end of the summer holidays had come faster then Draco had expected them too. He'd had a great time at Tony's during the last week. They'd watched tons of DVDs, eaten Pizza, gone out and basically just had a lot of fun. He'd met some of Tony's friends, it had been cool, going back to school now just made him feel pretty glum. After all he didn't know what to expect from his class mates. There was one thing however that he was happy about, he'd been made Captain of his Quidditch team and this year, he promised himself, they were going to beat the Gryffindors. Tony was accompanying him onto Platform 9, they would say goodbye there as Tony couldn't get onto Platform 9 ¾.

"Thanks for the great week. I had so much fun. I'll write to you during school, I promise."

"Yeah well you could come and stay another time if you like. Maybe during the Christmas holidays." Draco smiled, that definitely sounded better then staying in school, he'd have to check his moon chart though, before he excepted.

"That would be nice, I'll send you a letter to tell you if I can. See you." They clasp each others arms and then Draco left to get onto his Platform.

Platform 9 ¾ was crowed. Pushing his way through the families that were saying goodbye, Draco was glad that he had shrunk his trunk, thank goodness that he was already 17 and allowed to do magic outside of school. He was still wearing his muggle clothes, since it was a hot day he'd chosen some ¾ length trousers, a sleeveless t-shirt and a pair of trainers. He had to grin at some of the stares he received from his class mates, the effect was rather good. He found an empty compartment and let himself drop onto a seat. So far he hadn't had to face either Crabbe or Goyle, he just hoped they wouldn't be so eager to see him. The train started and he could hear the shouts of anxious parents to their children. The usual "Don't forget to write" or "If you forgot anything I'll send it to you." He relaxed into his seat, apparently he was going to have to compartment all to himself, at least it was quiet. He pulled out a book that Tony had lend him, Angels and Demons it was really exciting and definitely better then reading his school books for about the fifth time. A commotion outside of his compartment door caught his attention, shouting and laughter followed by a wail of frustration. It went on like that for at least five minutes until Draco couldn't stand it anymore. He threw open the door and saw some second years throwing the rucksack of a little girl around. She had to be a first year he decided.

"HEY! What are you doing?" They all stopped their eyes nearly pooping out of their heads, after all 7th year students usually didn't even notice them.

"Nothing, she just didn't have any respect. She sat in our compartment even though we said she wasn't allowed." Said the tallest and broadest of the three second years. Draco didn't recognise him so he assumed he wasn't in his house.

"I…I…I…I'm…" The little girl started to cry, and Draco suddenly felt the need to defend her.

"Go on off with you lot, or I'll have to teach you a lesson about picking on someone smaller then yourselves. Really three against one. What house are you in."

"The best one. Gryffindor." Said the kid proudly.

"That explains it. Now get out of my sight you little idiot." Draco pulled out his wand, he wasn't about to use it but they didn't know that. The kids scampered faster then you could see leaving the rucksack behind. Draco picked it up and squatted down in front of the little girl. "Hey it's ok. Come on you can sit with me. What's your name?" The little girl just stared at him so he held out his hand and led her into the compartment. Inside he gave her a tissue to dry her tears.

"Thank you." She sniffed.

"Now what's your name?"

"Tilly Middelton. Thank you for helping me."

"Why did you sit in their compartment even though they didn't want you?"

"Well," Tilly sniffed again and wiped her eyes on her sleeve. "That was the only space left because I was late. Well except in yours but my cousin told me that first years aren't allowed to share compartments with seventh years."

"Well they don't usually share, but I don't mind. You can stay here. Are you excited about going to Hogwards?"

"Oh yes, Tom always tells me so much about it. I couldn't wait to go. I hope I don't embarrass myself during the sorting ceremony. Tom said you have to do a really hard test and I don't want to end up in Huffelpuff."

"Don't worry, you just have to put the sorting hat on. It's not horrible. What house do you want to be in?"

"I don't know, I just know I don't want to be in Huffelpuff. What house are you in?"

"Slytherin."

"Tom says that's a bad house and there's only horrible people in there. But you're not horrible so he was wrong."

"Most people think that. But it's probably because we like to keep ourselves to ourselves."

"Well I'd like to be in your house."

"Why's that then?" Draco had to smile, very few people who's family hadn't been in Slytherin for generations wanted to be in that house.

"Because you're in it and I don't want to be in Gryffindor either, I've decided with those horrible boys. Can I ask you something?"

"What?" Tilly twiddled a cord on her trousers.

"Can you play snap with me?" That made Draco laugh and Tilly looked embarrassed. "I'm sorry I was stupid."

"No we'll play. My name's Draco by the way." Tilly nodded and smiled. She pulled out a pack of cards. They spend the train journey chatting and playing and Draco couldn't remember the last time he'd had so much fun with someone much younger then himself. He hoped Tilly would get sorted into his house, though somehow she seemed too nice. He'd even forgotten Potter during the whole trip to Hogwards.

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