He stared at the out stretched hand. Maybe he could wait it out.

It didn't waver.

Slumping his shoulders, he stuck his hand in hers.

"Harry Potter." He mumbled, not at all pleased with the unwanted human contact so soon.

The girl firmly shook his hand, gripping it tightly, like his father did.

"You need a mans handshake to be a man, Harry. People judge one on their shakes. Height is not in your favor currently so I suggest you practice."

The girl nodded to herself, satisfied with the pleasantries.

She sat down opposite of him, tucking her skirt properly under her legs.

Gods, Harry thought, she is already in her school uniform.

Was he supposed to be too? When was he supposed to get changed? Did he get changed at the school? Why did his parents not prepare him for this?!

The girl, Hermione, had brought out a large tome from who knows where and was reading it quickly. Harry stared out the window.

The minutes started to tick by, her reading, him staring. Nothing really exciting had happened. Well, until the door slammed open.

The first thing he saw was a nose. A very pointy, pale, nose. Followed by a equally pointy head. Blonde hair gelled back. Grey eyes holding, well, pure snottery, as Harry would call it.

The boy, probably a first year too judging by his height, strutted in, two very oversized first years following behind.

"Ah," said the snotty boy, "Who do we have here. Four eyes and a bird." Hermione, who hadn't really been paying attention to the boy, slammed her book closed, and glared and the blond.

"Did you just call me a bird," She hissed. Standing to her full height, which was a good inch over the boys, "I will have you know that is a very degrading term and-"

"Was I talking to you? And if you were talking to me, you would of obviously recognized me. I'm a Malfoy."

"A Malfoy? What is that? Some kind of rodent?" Harry snorted, suddenly glad to have this girl in the compartment with him. At least he didn't have to talk.

The blond boys cheek flamed red, obviously not used to someone fighting back. Pointing his nose in the air, he turned to Harry. "And you are?"

Spoke to soon, the boy thought.

"Harry Potter."

The Malfoys eyebrow shot up. "A Potter you say? I could've sworn you were dead."

Harry didn't know how he apparently knew him, but didn't have much time to think.

"Well, you wouldn't want to be seen with the likes of this...creature, now would you? No a potter, though half-blood you may be, should never stay around someone with such a filthy mouth, and doesn't know who to respect."

Harry first noticed that Hermione's eyes narrowed, her hand balling into fists. He might not know this girl, but his mother always did say to stick up for a lady.

"Actually, I would like to stay with her. Unlike you, she is actually polite. And I do agree with you Hermione, very rodent like."

Hermione let loose a small, somewhat confused, smile. But he barely noticed over the pounding of his heart in his ears.

Malfoy sniffed, eyes turning even colder. "Very well then, Potter, you had your chance, but soon you will realize cohorting with that is less then wanted." With a billow of his robes, he and the two mini-giants strutted, or in some cases waddled, away.

Hermione seemed confused. Harry felt the same. What was wrong with her? She seemed rather normal, maybe a little formal but there wasn't too much wrong with that. \

"Thank you, but you could've gone off with them." She said nonchalantly, sitting back down.

"Um, no, I couldn't. If there was one thing I learned from my father, it is always treat women with respect."

Hermione smiled, smoothing down her skirt. "Well if you hold that rule, I would like to offer my hand of friendship."

Well, it wouldn't be to bad to have a friend right? He pondered.

"Okay, I offer it back." He wasn't sure if that was right thing to say but she nodded anyway.

"Now, what house are you hoping to be in?"

AN: Long time coming with this. Sorry it took so long, but once I have an idea, put on paper, I just kinda move on with the others. But! Due to a request on tumblr, I will be writing this again. It will alternate with To Know Love in updates. Around two updates a week, one for each story.

Please review!

Julia