CHAPTER 5

"Well,"Hermione sighed,standing up,"if you haven't seen a toad,Neville and I must get going. We'll be at the school in less then a hour."

Harry suddenly remembered the boy who had been standing awkwardly outside the doorway the entire time. He looked greatly relieved as Hermione got up from the bench.

"Come on Neville,let's go look up ahead. There should only be five or six more cars left. Trevor couldn't have gone that far." Hermione started walking down the hall with Neville at her heels.

Draco got up and shut the door after her,a strange glint in his eyes. "I like her." He declared to no one in particular,sitting back down on the red train benches.

"Well you'll have tons of time to talk when we get to school," Ron sighed. "When will the trolly lady get here? I'm starving."

"She came 'round ages ago." Draco replied reaching above the benches for his trunk. " Except Hermione and Longbottom were in the way so she skipped us."

"Well that's rubbish," Ron complained,clutching his stomach in mock pain,"I'm going to die if I don't eat soon."

"Did you not bring food?" Draco turned away from his trunk holding a bag of colorful packages.

"Mum packed a sandwich but I wouldn't feed it to my owl Errol,and I've seen him eat a bird stomach." Ron shifted,pulling a slightly flattened sandwich. 'She means well but her sandwiches sure don't."

Draco sighed, first looking at Harry-who gave him an encouraging look-then the large bag he held. Finally he reached in,grabbed a moderate sized package and tossed it onto Ron's lap.

Ron's eyes lit up. "Hey thanks Malfoy."

"Why don't you two use each other's first names?" Harry asked,wondering if this was some strange new wizard thing he would have to learn.

"Because,"Ron suddenly looked confused as if he couldn't remember.

"Because his family is a lot of blood traitors." Dracon replied.

"What?" Harry raised his eyebrows."What does that mean?"

"They associate with mudbloods." Draco sneered.

"Don't you dare use that word." Ron jumped up from his bench and walked over to stand in front of Draco.

"Make me." Draco stood up too.

Ron made a grab for Draco,who dodged easily. Instead of punching back Draco grabbed for his wand. He held it pointed at Ron's throat.

"You wouldn't dare Malfoy," Ron refused to step back,"You can't do magic outside of Hogwarts."

"Oh you think?" Draco said,"My father can convince the ministry to keep me at Hogwarts. Bet yours can't."

"Don't you talk about my father like that," Ron clenched his fist.

"Guys,"Harry stood up,"calm down. Please."

He saw both of them quickly glance at him but neither moved.

"Come on,"Harry stepped closer,"It's not gonna help either of you to act like this."

"This isn't your problem Harry,"Ron looked at him,"I can handle this."

"Yes Weasley,"Draco sneered,"you're entirely in control of this situation."