This is the second chapter to my first fanfiction story. Enjoy! (For those of you who may have realise, I deleted the previous version to this chapter and replaced it with a newly edited one.)

Days had passed since Daphne's absence which had turned into weeks that turned into months. And before anyone had seen it coming, a whole two years had passed.

It was almost the same as the previous two years, except it was now Astoria who arrived at the platform in extreme excitement. Daphne had sent dozens of wonderful letters before, describing the wondrously enormous castle that could house hundreds of students and capable staff members. She had also mentioned the many friends she had made and the many enemies she shunned, such as the famous Harry Potter and his two mischievous companions.

The Greengrass family rushed around Diagon Alley and purchased all of Astoria's needed supplies. Lucius Malfoy was still noticing her as a pathetically fragile girl who needed more than protection for her survival. Luckily his wife still adored her like a daughter and made her an invisibility bracelet (she took Astoria's bracelet and placed a protective charm on it), so whenever the young Greengrass was in a moment of trouble, all she had to do was clap her hand against the jewel and she would disappear before another's eyes.

After an all-too-brief farewell to their parents, Daphne had abandoned her sister to sit with her numerous friends including Pansy Parkinson, Millicent Bullstrode and Tracey Davis. Every single carriage on the train was already filled with equally excited students. Astoria was left on her own and felt painfully shy enough to not ask for a seat. The train hadn't even moved yet and she was still left standing in the hallway all by herself. Her insecure emotions had not helped when she felt a sharp pain bounce off the back of her head.

"Ouch!" Astoria turned around abruptly and gave an inaudible whimper.

Just a few feet away from where she was standing stood two towering figures, bursting out in sadistic cackles. The overly plump boy took another step towards her and threw a round object in her direction. As the ball-like object hit her, a brown smudge appeared on her clothes followed by a putrid stench that filled the carriage. The dungbomb attack was enough to bring tears to Astoria's eyes, though they immediately faded when she noticed a wand pointed out from behind the two bullies.

"Scourgify!"

The brown smudge on her coat almost out into bubbles and slowly faded away as Astoria watched in curiosity. Once the stain and the smell had disappeared she looked up to know who her saviour was. Draco roughly pushed past his two fellow Slytherins and faced them as he placed his hand on her shoulder.

"What in Merlin's name are you two doing?!" a furious Draco exclaimed.

The two boys hesitated for a few seconds. "She's a first-year!" they both said in unison.

Draco looked even more frustrated by this. "Don't you know who this is?!" His voice grew louder by the moment. "Crabbe! Goyle! This is Miss Greengrass! Don't tell me that you don't know one when you see one!"

The duo formed a sudden look of realisation on their faces. The Greengrasses were one of the wealthiest pure-blood families aside from the Malfoys. Disrespecting the youngest Greengrass was the last thing they would have done if they had known. Crabbe and Goyle left the carriage without Malfoy's command and ignored the numerous stares that were pressed against the nearby compartment windows.

Draco let out a loud sigh and marched towards his compartment on the far end of the train. Not long before he shut the door, Astoria sought the courage to speak.

"Thanks, Draco."

She looked a bit disappointed in herself when she thought that he had not heard her. But Draco had heard her alright, and smiled to himself as he sat down with his friends. Astoria was still staring dreamily after him and suddenly jumped when a hand tapped her on the arm.

"Tallulah Nott," the girl said, extending her hand. "Are you alright?"

Astoria did not hesitate to shake her hand. "Y-yes! Astoria Greengrass."

The brunette gave her a warm smile. "Come sit with us, Astoria. We have plenty of room in our compartment."

She led Astoria further down the carriage and slid the door open to reveal three other students. They all glanced up at Tallulah and immediately focused their attention on the stranger at the door.

"Everybody, this is Astoria." Tallulah introduced, then pointed at the strawberry-blonde haired girl. "That's Anna."

The girl gave a short grin and waved at Astoria. "Hey, Tori! You don't mind if I call you Tori, do you?"

"Oh, no that's fine!" Astoria assured. "Besides, that's what my family calls me."

Tallulah then gestured at the two boys who sat across from Anna. "That's Claude," she directed at the chocolate-brown haired boy and then to the black haired boy. "And that's Malcolm."

Although she didn't show it, Astoria was more than delighted to sit with her newly made friends. Asides from her sister, she never had any true friends prior to her arrival on the Hogwarts Express.

I'm so sorry this chapter is so poorly written, I had a writer's block! Like this chapter? Please review! Hate this chapter? Feel free to say so on the reviews!