H.J.P.

As soon as Uncle Vernon pulled into the train station on the first of September, Harry quickly got his stuff and bolted out of sight before Vernon could stop him. Ever since Harry woke at 5 in the morning, he counted down the seconds until he could leave behind his Aunt and Uncle's wrath for a year. A whole year! Although his excitement ran short when he realised there was no platform 9 and .

Harry was a loss at what to do. He was too scared to ask anyone at the train station to help, he didn't want to be a bother. So instead of asking, Harry waited by platform 9 to see if he could spot another witch or wizard. At ten to nine, he spotted a group of people with red hair with a couple of trunks and an owl on a trolley. Harry moved closer to hear the mother explaining to her youngest children how to get onto the platform.

"Remember, just walk straight at the barrier between platforms 9 and 10. Go on Ron, quickly now." Said the mother.

Soon the whole family had disappeared through the barrier. Harry was nervous that it would not let him through but he decided to just do it so he wouldn't be sent back to his Aunt and Uncle if he missed the train. He shuddered at just the mere thought. So he ran at the wall, with his trunk and owl Hedwig. He closed his eyes for good measure. When he opened his eyes, before him he could see a beautiful gleaming scarlet train.

The train whistle blew, signalling that everyone had 5 minutes to get on the train. Harry swiftly got his stuff on the train despite his size and rushed off down the corridor with it to find a compartment. He reached the end of the corridor and found an empty compartment, so he slipped in. He put his trunk on the overhead, as well as Hedwig's cage. As Harry sat down, he grabbed the book titled Magical Drafts And Potions by Arsenius Jigger from his bag and began reading. He found the concepts simple and thought it sounded quite similar to cooking beside the magical properties of ingredients. He was thoroughly enjoying the book when he was snapped back to reality by harshly flinching at the compartment door opening.

———

D.A.M.

As Draco opened the compartment door, he saw Harry flinch violently but figured he would brush him off so he said "I've been looking for you everywhere, can I sit with you?"

"If you want," Harry said quietly and Draco did just that.

"What book are you reading Harry?" Draco asked.

Harry held up the book cover to show him then marked his place and set it aside.

"So you like potions huh. My godfather teaches that." Draco responded with a smirk. "Are there any other subjects you like the sound of?" He asked out of curiosity.

"Um... Charms and Defence sound interesting. Transfiguration too but I also like the sound of flying but I've never been on a broom before." Harry replied hesitantly.

"Do you know anything about Quidditch?" Draco asked.

Harry shook his head.

"Stupid muggles," Draco muttered under his breath.

He then launched into an explanation about gameplay and the league. It was mainly a one-sided conversation but Harry stiffened less as he grew more intrigued about the game. This did not pass by Draco's eyes and grew slightly curious about Harry's behaviour but he let nothing on, his mask of calmness was firmly in place.

As the city turned into rolling hills and the sun began to set, both boys grabbed out their robes and turned around so they could give each other some privacy to get changed. As they sat down, Harry ran his fingers through his hair, brushing aside his fringe in the process. Draco froze, as his eyes landed on the lightning shaped scar that sat predominately on Harry's forehead.

"Your Harry Potter", Draco whispered. " My father will kill me."

"Oh yeah him, I mean, yes I am", Harry said nervously. "Why would your father get mad?"

Draco gulped worriedly. "You see my family are purebloods and my father thinks anyone that isn't a pureblood is dirt on his shoe. Especially muggles and muggleborns. I don't follow those values and neither does my mother but we have to pretend to so we satisfy my father. While at Hogwarts I wanted to start making my own friends, starting with you since you're a half-blood but your Harry Potter and the boy who lived." Draco paused, worried that he might scare Harry even more after revealing this next piece of information but continued. "My father was a death eater and death eaters back in the first wizarding war were followers of the Dark Lord who killed your parents." Draco finished.

He looked at Harry, expecting him to look frightened but never thought that he would look sympathetic with a small smile playing on his lips.

"Draco, you sound nothing like your father from what you have described and if you're worried about being seen together, he doesn't have to find out." Harry smirked but then hastily added, "Only if you want to continue being friends, I would understand if you thought it would be too dangerous for you."

Draco saw the disappointment in the other boy's eyes and said "Harry, no need to look disappointed, I want to be your friend otherwise why would I be here." Harry let a small smile appear on his face at that. Draco continued "If we can figure out a plan to deceive my father, then I'm in."

The two began scheming straight away, Harry more hesitant to say his ideas but Draco coaxed them out of him and they turned out to be as Slytherin as his own.

As the train began to slow, the boys had drifted onto other topics as they had already planned as much as they could for the moment. Draco then started to ask questions about Harry's family but did file away in his head how Harry avoided revealing certain points about them and distracted him by asking questions, which was Draco's weak spot, as he liked to show off his knowledge.

He did not want to pry into his friend's past but he vowed he would protect him, no matter who tried to stop him.

TBC