Chapter 3 (Note: I don't quite remember the things from the book so I'm making up, well, a lot)

They chatted companionably about Hogwarts, the houses, and quidditch as the train zoomed across the countryside. Harry was particular about Ron's hearty tirade of Slytherins. (He noticed Draco's silence throughout the whole speech.)

"Why are they so bad?" at that Ron gave him a disbelieving look, and Harry picked his words again, "I mean, if they are so evil, why are they allowed here?"

"Yeah!" Draco popped up, giving Harry a wide grin that he just had to reciprocate. "That's what I've been saying all this time!"

Ron 'humph'ed, being out-numbered and all. He gave Draco a pouted glare, "Weasleys aren't supposed to support Slytherins, you know. And," he added, "Weasleys are supposed to help their brothers when they are trying to prove a point."

Draco looked sheepish. "Well but, that had always been my point."

Ron 'humph'ed again.

Harry glanced from one brother to the other, and bit his lips nervously. "Well," he started, trying to close that strand of conversation, "I think all four houses sound alright."

Ron looked aghast. Draco gave him a grin, and Harry thought he did pretty well settling the subject.

Suddenly the compartment door slid open. A plump old lady pushing a cart of sweets beamed at them, "anything off the trolley, dears?"

Ron's face melted into longing, and he ruffled around his pockets. Beside him, Draco gave the lady a curt shake of his head. "No, thank you."

Harry looked at them questioningly and Ron finally pulled out his sandwiches pitifully, handing one to Draco. Understanding crept into Harry's eyes and he took out a handful of coins. "We'll take the whole lot."

Two pairs of eyes stared at him with surprise, and Harry grinned.

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They lapsed into a companionable silence as all three boys stuffed their faces, interrupted only when Harry asked Draco about magical photographs and chocolate frog cards. (Ron was too busy eating, although he did supply a couple helpful comments)

A moment later a bushy-haired girl rushed passed, inquired about a boy's toad, introduced herself as Hermione Granger, and promptly left.

"Toad, huh," Draco muttered aloud, "hopefully Bucktooth didn't eat it."

"I doubt it," Ron said, "I don't think he eats toads."

"Bucktooth?" Harry asked.

"My pet snake," Draco answered, a hint of pride in his tone, "Ron's is a fat rat called Scabbers."

"Hey!" Ron shouted, indignant, as he pulled out his pet, "he's not fat!" He showed it to Harry and then examined it himself. "Erm," he frowned, "well..."

Harry laughed and Draco just smirked.

"So eh..." Draco thought for a moment, "you have an owl?" Harry started, then remembered that they met at the station. "Yeah," he smiled self-consciously.

"Don't be embarrassed," Ron piped up, grinning, "you're lucky to have an owl, and really, from what I saw of yours, she's a real beauty."

Harry grinned back, "her name is Hedwig."

"I'd love to have an owl like her," Ron continued wistfully, "we only have one in our family, and he's so old he can't even take off on his own."

Draco nodded gravely, "someone has to throw him to give him a running start."

"Flying start, you mean," Harry said.

They all laughed.

Suddenly, a thought struck The-Boy-Who-Lived. "Hey, are snakes allowed in Hogwarts? Because I remember Hagrid told me only--"

"You met Hagrid?!?!"

So Harry explained his meeting with Hagrid and answered the Weasleys' questions. Finally they got back to the topic.

"Ah yeah," Draco explained, "I found Bucktooth in the garden a few years ago, he was this one lone grass snake fighting an army of gnomes and they were really going at it, and the gnomes were winning-- they even ripped out one of his tooth, hence the name-- but he was really tough and cool so I saved him. He's harmless, really. But he's still, well, sort of a secret. Don't tell alright, Harry?"

Harry nodded, delighted at the trust he was given. "I would love to meet your snake," he said finally, after a pause.

"Really?" Ron raised an eyebrow and Draco did the same, "I thought most people would hate the idea."

Harry shrugged, "Draco said he was harmless, right? Besides," he grinned, "I've talked to a snake before."

Instead of being curiously surprised, as Harry had expected, both boys paled.

Draco spoke up first, "You're a--"

Suddenly, the compartment door slid open, distracting all three.

One skinny black haired boy, flanked by two pudgy ones, strolled in. Well, they tried to anyway. Skinny tripped on the rails of the sliding door, and the fat ones tried to enter at the same time, resulting in a jam up at the door.

"Damn it, you guys!" Skinny screeched annoyingly as he pushed them out to free them, "Goyle, you first!"

Once they were properly settled, Skinny glanced down at the sitting boys haughtily. "I heard," his eyes trailed over all three, resting on Harry's scar, "that Harry Potter is coming to Hogwarts this year. I'm assuming you are him." He extended his hand, "I am Blaise Zabini. Those are Crabbe and Goyle." Glancing sideways, he sneered at the Weasleys, "I do hope I got here before these dirt bags contaminated your head, and I hope you won't go making friends with the wrong sort." Behind him, the two goons guffawed loudly.

Harry glared at him, unmoving, "I think I can tell the wrong sort myself, thanks."

Zabini stumbled back, shocked into silence.

Draco's eyes narrowed and he stood up, chin poised. "Now that Harry has properly told you off," he sneered coldly, "kindly remove yourselves and your filth so we can all get a breath of fresh air. And Goyle," he ordered, "you first."

Dutifully, the thugs exited single file, followed by their terrified leader.

After the trio left, Harry turned surprised eyes on Draco, "wow," he remarked, "you really stuck it to them huh."

Draco blushed and sat down. Beside him, Ron chuckled, "well, Draco's like that. If someone insults him or one of us, he gets all worked up and starts talking in this snobby, sneering way that creeps everyone out." He patted Draco on the shoulder affectionately, "good for defending the family honor, though."

The blonde looked sheepish, and Harry laughed, eyes twinkling. "Well," he said as an afterthought, "I think your sneer is much more powerful than his."

They chatted for a few moments more, then was interrupted when Hermione Granger invited herself into their compartment, fixed Harry's glasses, witnessed Ron's failed attempt at magic (which was then corrected by Draco, but not at all impressive according to the girl), suggested them to put on their uniforms, and promptly left.

All three stared at each other with raised eyebrows, then shrugged and prepared to change.

After all, Hogwarts awaits.

...tbc!