AN: Okay, I know I said Draco wouldn't meet Harry on the train, but I've changed my mind – sorry!
Blaise and Pansy dragged Hermione and Draco over to where Crabbe, Goyle and Malcolm Baddock were standing, and they all found a compartment together.
"Hm, looks like only six people fit in a compartment ... one of you girls wanna sit with me?"
Hermione just laughed, Malcolm was always trying to be a ladies man. But at five foot, looking mousy with plain brown eyes and black hair, he didn't quite make it. Even if he was a smooth talker. "Gee Mal, thanks for the offer, but I'll sit on Drake's lap."
Malcolm grumbled in response. Hermione sat on Draco's lap, Blaise and Pansy giggled near hysterically. "Honestly girls!"
Hermione and Draco were in the middle on one side of the compartment with Crabbe and Goyle on either side, Malcolm, looking smug, sat in the middle on the other side with Blaise and Pansy on his sides.
"So," began Pansy, "What'd we all do on the holidays?"
"I spent most of the time on my new broomstick."
"What type?"
"A Nimbus '99. Top of the range."
"Yeh, but I heard there's a 2000 coming out soon. Father's going to get me one. He says the best flyer must have the best broom"
"Draco, stop being arrogant, and Mal, awesome broom! I've got a '98 at home, I can't wait to see what yours will be like." Hermione always was one to break up fights, Draco was quite proud of her in that respect, though he didn't like being told off.
"It's great, fastest broom in the world! It's got -"
Yes, yes. That's wonderful Malcolm, but I asked what everyone had done. Anyway, Quidditch can be a rather boring topic. Wat'd you do Vin and Greg?"
"Um ... we found a new restaurant."
"Yeh."
"The pies were good."
"Yeh"
"And the chips"
"Erm, okay, and is that all you guys did?"
"Um..."
"Yeh."
"Rightio then. How about you Draco, and Hermione – you guys do everything together?"
"Well, Draco came and er ... saw me at the manor, and told me that we were going to Diagon Alley for a week with Narcissa."
"Yeh, we had the most awesome week! Mother took us to Knockturn Alley for a bit too. Of course, she persisted that we "hold my hands so your safe, never know what scum you could find down here!" She doesn't know how often Herm and I snuck in there anyway."
It's a really interesting place, there's this one bookshop which focuses on Dark Arts. I found a book on spells for altering appearance, kind of cosmetic spells, but they work better, and most are permanent. I'll have to show you girls later!"
"Oh that'd be great! I can't wait to get a spell for permanent pink toes and purple hair and a green nose -"
"Draco stop being an idiot! They're good spells. I'm sure Malcolm would appreciate them, he does like girls so much!"
"That I do," He grinned cheekily, "Speaking of girls, wat'd you get up to on the holidays, Blaise?"
"Well, it was wonderful - daddy bought me a pet. A beautiful golden Pegasus! I called her Arithmia. I flew her around the property a little, but mummy wouldn't let me leave the estate." She sounded a little sulky at this. "Oh! But guess what I heard – it's been eleven years since you know what happened to you know who. So guess who's going to be at Hogwarts this year?"
Everyone gasped. Their parents were all supporters of the Dark Lord Voldemort, but they didn't realise it had been eleven years. And what that meant was -
"That's right. Harry Potter. We have to make his life a living hell. I heard daddy talking to someone through the floo the other day and he said he hoped the little prat would get what he deserved."
"On the contrary Blaise. Maybe we should try to befriend this Potter boy." The children looked disgusted at the suggestion. "Don't give me those looks. Maybe we could persuade Potter to turn, join our side even. After all, he must have been powerful as a baby to – well, you know. So imagine what we could do with him on our side? Although don't mention this idea to your parents yet. When we get to Hogwarts, I'll seek him out and make him see the light, well the dark I suppose." Everyone except Hermione looked happy at this idea, she looked doubtful.
"But Draco, what if he doesn't accept? He can't have heard good things about Our Lord from whichever magical family took him in, they were probably a mudblood family too."
"Good point Herm. Maybe we should just befriend this guy, find out what he's like. Make sure he gets into Slytherin, and then see about turning him. So what do you say? Want to go find Potter now?"
"Sure! Um Vin, Greg, why don't you two stay here and buy us some food off the trolley once it comes round again?"
"Yeh."
"Great, cya guys, let's go."
Draco and Malcolm led the group, flanked by the three girls, searching in each cabin, asking, "Any of you Harry Potter?" Until finally they came upon a cabin with a red head with a rat, a timid looking boy with a toad, and a boy with glasses.
"Any of you Harry Potter?"
"Yes, actually this is Harry Potter next to me."
"Who asked you? I assume form the red hair, freckles and torn robes you're a Weasley. And who are you" Draco asked the quite guy with the toad as the Weasley boy sat down.
"I – I'm Neville. Neville L-Longbottom."
Draco smirked. "Oh yes, I've heard of you. A Pureblood at least, from an affluential family. Well what once was a family. I hear from my father, Lucius Malfoy that you're parents are in Mungo's. Do they like it there? Or don't they realise? Do they miss you? Do they even know who you are?"
Hermione stepped up with a smile in place that only her friends would realise was fake. Draco was ruining their plan! You couldn't insult Potter's only friends and expect him to welcome you with open arms. "Draco shut up. Sorry, about him, he's a bit wrong in the head." Weasley grinned at the petite, pretty girl in front of him. She had gorgeous, long soft curly hair with a beautiful smile and perfect teeth. A mature body for her age and although quite short, held herself well. Of course he didn't realise her appearance was due to spells performed by her mother who didn't think she was pretty enough. "I'm sorry about his rudeness Longbottom. I'm Hermione Granger by the way. Oh, and no offence Weasley, but you can tell who you are by your appearance. And Harry Potter, I assume? Well it's wonderful to meet you," She held her hand out to the mousy boy. He looked at it uncertainly and then shook it, standing up.
"Actually we've already met, In Diagon Alley, I was in Madam Malkins with you and the blonde prat."
"Oh yes! Of course, now I remember. Please excuse Draco, he's rather rude to people he just meets. But you see, it's his father's influence. Intimidating people to make them like him. All Malfoy's are softies really! Lovely people, just misunderstood. Quite like Slytherins really – everyone thinks they're evil when really, they're just cunning and strive for what they want."
Weasley scoffed at this. "Actually my family had told me about Slytherins. They are evil – there isn't a single witch or wizard who is evil who wasn't in Slytherin. And Malfoys – softies? Sure, only if they're sucking up to you-know who."
"Now that's not very nice, Weasley. It's coincidence all dark wizards are Slytherins. It's probably because they're not accepted into society, so turn to the Dark Lord for support. Anyway, as I said, Slytherin's strive for what they want. I'm sure you'd make a wonderful Slytherin, Harry." She leant into him and whispered in his ear, "I can tell you know what you want." Her lips brushed his ear, and then she took a step back. "See you at Hogwarts boys."
Then she moved through the group of her friends and walked from the compartment. Her friends followed her, a little fazed. What the hell was that about? Draco particularly was annoyed. Why did she flirt with Potter? And what was with her insulting him?
They reached their compartment to find Crabbe and Goyle on the floor amongst sweet wrappers. Draco shoved Hermione down onto a seat and faced her. "What the hell was that? What were you trying to pull? Flirting with Potter? You're too young for that kind of behaviour miss. And how could you insult me? What is your problem?" Before he knew what he was doing, Draco slapped her face.
Suddenly he realised what he'd done and yelled at the others, who were shocked at his behaviour. "Piss off – and get these two lugs off the floor!"
He pulled his best friend up, and then brought her into his arms, she was crying. He sat down with her on his lap, crying into his chest.
"Shit Mione I'm so sorry. I can't believe I did that. I'm turning into my father. Just – can't you understand where I'm coming from? You apologised to a Weasley – and Longbottom! Both beneath us. It's not acceptable, what would your father say?"
"Draco I was only trying to get them to like us. How could you insult Potter's friends and think he'd join our group? I had to do it."
"Why'd you insult me then?"
"Well I had to explain your behaviour some how!"
"That doesn't cut it Herm, we're best friends. Are you ashamed of me or something?
"No I'm not – It's just that... well – I don't know."
"Eugh! Merlin Hermione, you don't even understand what you did – how can I? And flirting with Potter – in front of all our friends. Bloody hell. How embarrassing is that for me?"
"Why should it be embarrassing? It was just my way of convincing him!"
"Well all our mates think you and I have got something going on. They see how much I lov – CARE for you. You go off and start to make out with Potter's ear, and make me seem like an idiot. And - and I don't know but it's just embarrassing okay? Now stop crying, and get yourself together! Remember what I told you? Cold and bitter.
Hermione started wiping her eyes. "Draco? Do you love me? Did you mean to say that?"
"Yes, Hemione I love you – like, like a sister." Hermione looked down at his words, and didn't see that regret in his eyes at these words.
She knew he didn't love her. Her childish dreams of them being in love and getting married were ridiculous, but it was nice to dream.
"Ok, but why did you hit me?
"Look, I was angry, it was an accident, I'm sorry about that, I've told you. Now come on, get changed into your school robes, we should almost be at Hogwarts now."
Hermione, now dry eyed stood up, opened her trunk, got out her school robes, and went to pull off her day robes.
"I'll wait outside okay?"
As Draco closed the door, a tear slid down Hermione face. Usually he wouldn't wait outside. Draco was getting distant from her. She shouldn't have asked if he loved her. How desperate did she seem? Just a stupid little girl with a stupid crush.
AN: Okay guys here it is ... vote! For houses:
Hermione and Draco are definitely in Slytherin...
But what about Ron, Harry and Neville?
Take into consideration Neville hates what Lestrange did to his parents and all that. Also that Ron's family have told him that Slytherin is evil. And also that maybe Harry has some feelings for Hermione after this scene ... or is Harry too young for that? Whatever ... I need you to decide – it could go either way!