Chapter 1

The undersea ship broke through the surface of the great lake with tremendous force. The magical barrier around it instantly disappearing as it did, it landed with equal force sending a big wave rippling through the water.

Draco stood near the front of the ship, his steel grey eyes staring at Hogwarts castle as it grew closer. The crisp night air making his breath visible and the breeze lightly blowing his blonde hair but to him this place is much warmer than his schools location.

Still, he wore the same uniform as if he was back at school. Blood-red robes, a fur hat, heavy black boots, and a red woolly fur cape that hung over his left shoulder and covered down to his left arm.

"Looking at what could have been Mr Malfoy?" a voice asked from behind him. Draco looked over his shoulder to see his headmaster Igor Karkaroff approaching him.

Turning back to look at the castle Draco replied "No, Master Karkaroff"

Igor stood next to the blonde teen, also looking at the castle they were heading for "Good. I trust you still remember the reason you were brought along with us?"

Draco side eyed his headmaster and couldn't help but give a smug smirk "And what reason is that?" his voice filled with sarcasm. Draco wasn't stupid. He knew there was some hidden reason he was being brought to Hogwarts.

He was too young to be able to compete in the Triwizard Cup and did he believe what Karkaroff had told him about his father wanting him to go to Hogwarts so he can see how lucky he was to be in Durmstrang? Absolutely not. There was something going on that he wasn't being told and he was going to find out.

Igor cast Draco a stern look "You watch that attitude boy. I don't care who your father is, I will not hesitate to punish you. You know that" his tone was as strict as his stare.

Draco schooled his face to put on a neutral face. Igor smirked "That's better. Now head down with the others and get ready"

Draco gave a tiny bow with his head before turning his way and making his way below deck but not before spotting a carriage fly over head and going towards the same place they were heading. Draco couldn't help but think it was going to be an interesting year.

/

The atmosphere of the Gryffindor common room was ecstatic. Excited chatter and even possible plans were happening and it didn't seem like it was going to end any time soon.

"Can you believe it? The Triwizard cup" Dean shouted with excitement. Hermione was sat in one of the arm chairs facing the fireplace with her legs folded under her and her head down, reading the book that was open on top one of the arm rests.

Ginny looked over at her friend "I don't know how you can read with all of the going on" she laughed.

"I've been used to the noise this common room is capable of for a few years now" Hermione replied bringing her face up to give her friend a smile before quickly returning to her book.

"I meant the excitement with the Triwizard cup, the students from the other schools, and one of the greatest Quidditch players in the world right now is at our school" Ginny's voice getting higher and more excited after each point "Oh! I wonder if we will get to see him fly" she shouted and then ran off.

Hermione chuckled at her friend as she dashed away to, no doubt, find someone to excitedly talk about the prospect of seeing Krum on his broom. Hermione would gladly listen but everyone knew she wasn't a sports person.

She had hoped she wouldn't be disturbed for awhile but only a few minutes later her best friend took the seat that Ginny had vacated "You can't have homework already?" Harry asked in disbelief.

Her head lifted a little to look at him "I do like to read for pleasure you know?" she asked sarcastically.

He nodded with a smile "Well, at least you're doing something productive. Unlike him over there" Harry pointed over his shoulder, Hermione looked over and saw Ron hugging a pillow with a goofy grin on his face as he stared off into space dreamily.

During the Beauxbatons's entrance into the hall a few hours ago, one of the girls had looked at Ron in the eyes and gave him a flirty smile. According to the man himself that is. Since then he had been a day dreaming mess.

Hermione couldn't help but roll her eyes at him before returning to her book. She did understand how someone can go goo goo eyes over someone after just one look.

A pair of cold grey eyes flashed in her mind at that moment. She had seen him when Durmstrang had made their entrance. Victor Krum led the pack of students with their headmaster at his side.

As soon as the Hogwarts students saw who it was, the great hall erupted with whispering from excited Quidditch fans and the noise of many girls from all four tables swooning, Hermione could certainly agree with them and see the appeal.

She wasn't sure who said it but she heard "Isn't that blonde guy the Malfoy heir?" her focus went to the blonde hair teen at the back of the pack. He looked younger than the rest of the ones from his school, he is possibly her own age. He had the same walk of confidence like the rest but the best way to describe him would be, regal.

His eyes never strayed from the teachers table at the head of the hall except for a split second when he turned in her direction and their eyes met. She didn't know what caused him to look in her direction but she didn't care. The moment felt like it lasted longer than it actually did but when their eyes was connected she could feel the intensity of his eyes but it wasn't unwanted or unpleasant.

Ok, maybe she couldn't understand going goo goo eyes over someone but she can definitely understand blushing from someone looking at you.

"How long do you think it will be before he snaps out of it?" asked Harry as he looked at Ron with an amused smile.

"Probably when his stomach starts grumbling" Hermione responded which got a laugh from Harry.

"Wont be long then" Harry commented. Hermione couldn't help the small smile she gave.

Ginny reappeared by jumping in the seat next to Harry "I can't believe Draco Malfoy came to Hogwarts with them" she said with a shocked look on her face as if she only just remembered.

"Who?" Harry asked confused.

"The blonde one who was with Krum and his school"

The look on Harry's face showed that he didn't know why that was a big deal.

Ginny sighed seeing how clueless he was "Do you remember my dad telling us about that rich and connected man trying to get Dumbledore out of his job last year?"

Harry's face hardened as he remembered all too well "Well, that blonde is his son. Draco Malfoy" Ginny finished.

Hermione was about to say something but got beat to it by Ron, who had recovered from his smile incident "We have to keep an eye on him" he said, disgust in his voice. Apparently he could hear them while away with the fairies.

Hermione looked at him with the same similar confused look that Harry had "What? Why?" she asked.

"You know who his dad is and what he is like. There is no way that Draco isn't here to cause trouble so his dad can finally get Dumbledore out" Ron explained as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Oh come on Ronald" Hermione said closing her book "just because his father is a piece of work doesn't mean his son will be that way" her logical brain taking over.

"He's a Malfoy, what else can he be like?" Ron argued.

"Hang on Ron" Harry said interrupting another soon to be argument between his two best friends. He looked at Ron "My uncle and aunt are my family who raised me. Am I anything like them?"

Ron's face faltered and he quickly looked down in guilt, he knew Harry had a point "There is no need to keep an eye on him. We should just leave him alone and enjoy the cup" Harry finished with a smile.

Hermione smiled at her best friend before returning to her now open book. It was nice to see he had some sense.

"Harry's right" Ginny said getting excited again "I'm sure none of us will even speak with Malfoy anyway" she finished. Not knowing how wrong she was.

/

Draco stood just outside the entrance to Hogwarts castle. It was way past curfew for him and he expected it was for Hogwarts students too but he knew that wouldn't be an issue for who he was waiting for.

He stared out facing the Hogwarts grounds. It wasn't as spacious as the Durmstrang grounds but he had to admit that Hogwarts had done a nice job fitting things around the castle with the space they had.

As he waited his mind flashed the image of the brilliant brown eyes he had locked with earlier. He didn't even pay the students of Hogwarts any mind and kept facing forward until he noticed Krum looking to their right. Curiosity got the better of him and he chanced a look.

He spotted them as soon as she spotted his. He felt himself smirk, they were warm, curious but most of all intelligent. Unlike him, he was absorbed in them and for that one moment, nothing else mattered.

Footsteps interrupted his thoughts and he quickly reset his face. He turned around to see exactly who he was waiting for "Nott, I'm glad you could make it" he said and smiled politely.

The skinny Slytherin boy gave Draco a nod before asking "What can I do for you Draco?"