Again, not a challenge to the rightful owners of the Harry Potter marketing empire...just a meaningless little bit of fluff...

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In a secluded cabin on the Hogwarts Express a secret meeting was taking place behind closed and warded doors.

"Drink Draco, it will stop the shakes," Millicent sat, propping Draco Malfoy up against her while trying to steady his hand enough to let him bring the potion to his lips.

Sitting opposite them, Crabbe and Goyle were taking quick sips from a small flask of Fire Whiskey…each hoping for a little of the fabled Dutch Courage to carry them through the rest of the trip.

Draco finally managed to swallow the post-Crucius potion, feeling its numbing balm flow out from his stomach to his extremities, shuddering in relief.

A sudden tapping on the door broke the momentary peace. Crabbe gulped down a larger mouthful than he had expected, almost sending him into a coughing fit. Goyle, in a moment of almost zen-like situational awareness, quickly slipped the flask out of Crabbes hand and into a hidden pocket of his pants. Malfoy squeaked and turned rather more pale, and Bulstrode wrapped a protective arm around her smaller housemate.

As the tapping resolved itself into the secret knock, the gathered Slytherin relaxed…but only a little.

Draco took a deep breath, gathered himself together and put on his best sneer. He stood up and reached for the door, pausing to look down at Goyle.

Goyle looked up at Draco's sneering face, and gave a discrete thumbs up, before putting on his own accustomed thug-face.

Draco opened the door wide.

Pansy Parkinson stood outside, her face twisted into a look of arrogance and utter disdain for the pair of passing Hufflepuffs.

Draco sneered in the general direction of the 'Puffs, before grabbing Pansy's arm and hauling her into the cabin, quickly shutting the door behind her. A moment later the wards were back in place, now joined by a minor locking charm.

Turning around to face Pansy, Draco found himself suddenly engulfed by the sobbing girl. Knowing there was little he could do besides offer her what little comfort he could, he awkwardly patted her on the back until her shuddering sobs calmed.

"It was horrible…those Griffs were…" Pansy, almost on the verge of tears again, tried to convey her feelings. "Just horrible…they're so mean…"

Draco nodded. "Which cabin are they in…and is…Potter with them?" A faint hope in the pale boys voice.

Pansy shook her head, "He's there, with Granger, both Weasleys, Longbottom, and Lovegood." She swallowed her next sob.

Draco grew an even more interesting shade of pale.

Crabbe and Goyle both took long gulps from the flask, knowing that they would soon be facing it with him.

Millicent's eyes teared up, "No Draco, they'll hurt you, there's too many of them." She looked across at Crabbe and Goyle, "Tell him."

Malfoy shook his head sadly. "I have to, it's expected of me." He swallowed convulsively. "If I don't, my father will only punish me all the more…"

Millicent stood up, "I'll come with you…"

Draco looked at her with surprise, but gently pushed her back into her seat. "No. There's no need for you to suffer this as well." A look of resolve coming over his features. "Come on…we might as well get this over with…"

Crabbe and Goyle took one last swig from the flask of Fire Whiskey each, cast a quick charm to hide the smell on themselves, and followed Draco out of their cabin and towards their next crushing defeat at the hands of The-Boy-Who-Lived-To-Make-Their-Lives-Miserable…