Chapter Two

That morning, Ron and I gathered our trunks, off to Platform 9¾ with the rest of the 'family'. Hermione was speaking to Ginny in hushed tones on the trip to the station, making Ron and I overly self-conscious and suspicious. But Ron shouldn't have had anything to worry about, they were talking about me. I sped up enough to hear Ginny say something about my "Dazzling green eyes," and Hermione chuckle and respond back to her, "If you want him, go get him." I was becoming increasingly red in the face around the time I said my goodbyes and packed my trunks on the train, still behind the two of them.

Ginny turned around, as if she heard her name. Then, she saw my face and giggled.
"You know Harry, I'd been thinking-"

"Potter." A snarl passed by my ear and I was in a trance. Draco Malfoy had brushed past me with his gang of followers, looking menacing. The summer was good to him; he looked well fit, pale as always, sun-kissed highlights in his hair, and... what am I even saying?

Look back to Ginny, stupid git.

I did, and this time I looked at her, I noticed the ugly smush in her chin, her mud colored eyes and her clown hair. I did not find her attractive. She had a look of lust in her eyes, I didn't want a part of that. Not really, at least. I turned my head back to Draco, and found myself getting wired.

"You think you can do just about whatever you want, don't you Malfoy?" I sneered back at him, only to find him turn around and have honest curiosity in his eyes. He was wondering why I didn't let it go, trying to find out if I secretly wanted to have a row with him, because well, I loved it. He looked around at his little posse and then glared back at me, although I believed to have seen a twinkle in his eye as he did so.

"Yeah, I think I can. Who's gonna stop me? Are you gonna tell your mum? Oh wait..." Laughter erupted from the train and I instantly turned red, embarrassed, sad, and disappointed. I looked down at my feet, feeling inferior and beat. I didn't feel like talking anymore. He had stooped so low as to remind me that I was an orphan. My disappointment must have been obvious through my stance and the laughter died.

"Anyway, I don't have time for you, there's... things I have to get on with." Draco looked ashamed of himself and slightly frightened. He looked so fragile.

"Then get on with it!" Ron yelled at him, and Draco turned and went to his compartment.

"Don't mind him, ugly bloke." Ron attempted to comfort me, but only made me feel worse. Not only did he yell at him, he called him ugly. Why this crossed my mind, I do not know, but it was rather dominant within my thoughts.

The three of us found a nearby compartment and shut the door, weary of the earlier events.

"Harry, you can't let him get under your skin like that-"
"I know, Hermione." I said, bored of her nagging already. I slumped against the window and watched the scenery until we were almost to Hogwarts.

An hour later, I turned around and noticed Ron and Hermione were both asleep. It seemed like the whole train was asleep, it was so quiet. That's when I got the idea. Quietly, I removed my invisibility cloak from my trunk and snuck out of the compartment, walking down the aisle. Almost everyone was asleep, except for the anxious first years. It was overcast outside, and a steady drizzle was lightly patting the windows. Slowly I made my way to the other car, obviously being unseen. A few more steps and I found it, Draco's compartment. He was sitting there alone, his gray eyes wandering about the landscape, twiddling his thumbs. His usual sneer was gone from his face, and a neutral look replaced it. I don't think I've ever seen him like that. He was calm.

His eyes were still out the window, so I decided to creep my way inside, my breathing steady. I was getting riled up again; I'm not usually this close to Draco without him knowing it. I sat down directly across him, getting a full view of his features. He had worn a black suit, almost as if he were attending a funeral later. He had curious wrinkles above his eyebrows and his pale hair was tended neatly on his forehead. He smelt of cologne, that I was sort of drawn to, and clean soap. He licked his lips; I could feel myself smiling.

I decided to leave, and attempted to slide out of the compartment unseen. Just as I thought he was watching the scenery, his head snapped toward me.

"Enjoy the show, Potter?" He said calmly, forcing me to sit back down. I took off the cloak and looked at him. I was at a loss for words, which he seemed to enjoy.

"What were you doing in here, anyway? Were you spying on me?" Draco asked curiously, there was a more playful tone in his voice than a sinister one.

"I was just-" I began, not knowing where to go from there.
"No matter. Put your cloak back on before people see you with me." I obeyed, and slid it over myself, finding myself grinning again.
"I can hear you smiling." He said. No one could fool Draco.
"Look, I'm sorry."
"About what?" I asked.
"Earlier today. About your mum. I was cruel and I shouldn't have said that." Draco spoke with a sincere voice.

I looked down, not wanting to see Malfoy at a time of remorse.

After a while I said to him, "It's alright."

He smiled then, a glow in his eyes. I got back up and left the compartment, right in the middle of him trying to tell me something. I should've gone back.