Chapter 8: Pardon Me, Boys

Harry, his two best friends, and Draco stepped onto Platform 9 and ¾ the next day, all looking worse for the wear. For the safety of its students, the departure time for the Hogwarts Express had been moved to very early in the morning. The staff and faculty, as well as many of the parents, had felt that it would be better if the students arrived at school when it was still light outside. One never knew when the death eaters might decide to attack carriages and boats traveling after dark.

Draco had agreed to travel with Harry, both for the protection and also for his image. He really wanted to separate himself from the future death eaters in Slytherin, and what better way than to travel with the hero of Gryffindor? Ron and Hermione hadn't been thrilled with the idea, but they were willing to tolerate Draco for Harry's sake. Not to mention that they weren't willing to leave their best friend alone with the son of an "ex"-death eater.

The four teens boarded the train after securing their trunks, and set off to find an empty compartment. Once finding one towards the middle of the train, the four settled in for a long and rather silent ride. The silence was broken only once when Ron and Hermione headed off for the Prefect meeting. Ron threatened Draco with a painful death, sounding much like "Wat" from A Knight's Tale, before he and Hermione headed off.

Harry and Draco spent the ride avoiding each other's gaze. When they reached the platform near Hogwarts, the teens met up again, and climbed into on of the carriages. Draco was just thinking on the lack of Slytherin interference when he heard Millicent Bulstrode call his name.

'Speak of the Devil," Draco thought.

"Oy, Malfoy!" The Slytherins snickered at the way the words rhymed. Draco rolled his eyes. "What're you doing with those namby-pamby Gryffindors? Trying to desert us, now?"

"I was never with you to begin with. How, then, can I desert you? Hmm?" Draco started to climb into the carriage when Nott grabbed his arm.

"Oh really, now? So you didn't lead us around, didn't brag to us on the train last year, didn't run to 'Daddy dearest, death eater', hmm?" Draco almost winced.

"Leave him be," Hermione, Draco realized, had seen his reaction in his eyes. He was a bit thrown off that she defended him now. The irony of it was not lost on him.

"Oh ho! Having Mudbloods fight your battles now Draco? Tisk, tisk."

"Better Mudbloods than brainless twits who can't think without a mob backing them up, or a hard-handed leader in front of them. Tell me, who do you follow around? Who does your homework, Parkinson? Nott?" No answer met his questions, but their faces turned a nice shade of purple.

Nott pulled his fist back, aiming a punch at Draco's face, when a hand stopped him. When Draco felt no fist connecting with his face he opened his eyes to see Crabbe holding Nott back.

"Not here, Theo, not here." Was all the teen said. Draco took the opportunity as it came, and wrenched his arm away, climbing quickly into the carriage. As it pulled away, Draco caught Crabbe's eye, and could've sworn he saw the other boy wink.

Once at Hogwarts, time started to go almost at light speed. Before he knew it, Draco was being ushered into his new room that he would share with Harry. It was actually a suite of rooms consisting of a common room, a bathroom, study, and two bedrooms.

"These rooms used to belong to a professor who kept his family here with him," Was the explanation Harry gave him at his questioning look. Draco noted that Harry seemed good at telling what people wanted to know. He also noticed that Harry seemed to tell people only what he was willing to tell them, and didn't let people push information out of him. How very Slytherin of Harry…how very strange: Harry acting like a Slytherin.

By silent agreement, the boys split and went to the bedrooms closest to them, Harry on the right and Draco on the left. It didn't matter who got what room, for they were both the same. Draco snorted when he noticed that the color scheme was that of Gryffindor, but he didn't complain. Better that then living in a den of backstabbing snakes who now knew where he really stood. He wouldn't like to wake up with a hole in his chest, thanks.

Hermione and Ron stopped by before rounds, and wished Harry a goodnight.

Ron completely ignored Draco, but as they left gave him on last death warning should something happen to Harry. Hermione, though she also eluded to pain should Harry suddenly become hurt, had more decency than Ron and wished Draco a "goodnight" and "sweet dreams". Draco wished her the same, and made an effort to smile, if only for her sake.

Once they left, Harry and Draco readied themselves for bed, wished each other a strained "goodnight", and headed to their respective rooms.

As Draco closed his eyes, one thought remained with him.

'This is going to be a long and interesting year.'

----------

AN: Hello! Sorry this is a bit late. I had some things I needed to take care of before I wrote another chapter. So here it is! In three more chapters you'll know who the mates are! But that's ONLY if I get reviews! ;) Till next time! Tootles.