On October 1st, the Golden Trio waited in Kings Cross Station for the train. Standing next to each of them was a wide-eyed muggle.

Harry had bribed Dudley with the promise of Honeydukes, and the fat boy was currently stuffing his face with chocolate frogs.

Hermione had brought her best friend, Daisy, and the two were currently chatting excitedly about everything from candy to school to how cute Kyle's hair was.

The boy in question was Ron's aunt's second cousin's best friend's brother-in-law, and was right now shooting glances at Daisy while talking with Ron and Harry. About Hermione and Daisy.

"Oy, mate, stay away from her. She's the devil!" Ron warned. Harry rolled his eyes.

"By devil, he means the girl he wants to snog." He clarified to Kyle. "But I think Daisy's free!"

Kyle smiled and nodded as Ron sputtered.

Dudley abruptly stopped chewing, swallowed, and placed an hand on Harry's arm. The raven-haired boy flinched.

"Blimey, look at that bloody poufter!" He cried. "Haha! I bet he uses a gallon of hair gel a day!"

Harry looked where he was pointing and nearly fainted. Dudley had spotted Draco Malfoy talking to Blaise. The blond was wearing Slytherin colored clothes, with a green silk shirt and black trousers.

Harry started to say a warning to Dudley, but the boy had already taken off. He groaned.

"Ron, I need help." He begged. The redhead sighed.

"I hate your cousin." He muttered, before following Harry through the crowd.

Kyle, left behind, wandered over to talk with the girls.

Draco blinked. It appeared someone had tried to transfigure a pig into a human and failed. What was that bloated whale?

Blaise looked at him. "Um, I think he's headed towards you."

"So it appears." Draco said, as the whale stopped in front of him. It was obviously a muggle.

"Hey, look at the bloody fairy!" It jabbed a finger at him. He politely pushed it aside. "I think your train just left, the Fairy Train."

Draco was confused. He spotted Potter pushing his way through the crowd, red-faced as he caught hold of the whale's arm.

"S-sorry, Malfoy, that's my cousin." He stuttered.

Draco sneered. "Potter, I think your muggle is broken. He's confusing me with a three-inch being with wings."

Potter's eyes widened. "Dudley, you didn't."

Dudley, as the thing answered to the name, shrugged. "What? He is! Disgusting."

Draco was offended. "Me, disgusting? Try looking in a mirror, lardface!"

The Slytherins behind him laughed. He glanced at Potter, expecting him to be angry at the insult to his relative, but instead the boy just forced down a grin.

"Come on, Dudley, we should go." He said.

Dudley gave Draco one more glare, then turned and trudged back to his previous spot.

Potter looked at him. "Er, sorry again, Malfoy. He's retarded, I think."

Draco laughed. "Keep him on a tight leash, Potter."

"I will!" Called the boy as he follow his cousin through the crowd.

Blasie applauded lightly. "What?" Draco asked.

"You just had your second civilized conversation with Potter, and it only took you seven years! Good for you!" The dark-skinned boy replied.

Draco looked away, sniffing, but when he knew no one was looking, he allowed himself a small smile and a glimmer of hope.

As they got on the train, the six teens piled into a compartment. Everyone gave Dudley a wide berth.

Kyle was talking to Daisy, and Ron and Hermione were dancing nervously around each other. Harry, being bored, got up to walk around.

As he slid shut the compartment door, someone bumped into him. He turned around and jumped back.

He thought he was looking in a mirror. Staring straight at him was a boy who could easily pass as his twin. The two regarded each other in disbelief.

"Um... hello." Harry said.

The other boy blinked. "Hi. Uh, I'm Marcus."

"Pleased to meet you. I'm Harry Potter." Harry stuck out his hand. The boy shook it.

"I take it you're a wizard?" Marcus asked. Harry nodded.

"Yup. And you...?"

"Muggle." Marcus laughed. "Don't I wish."

"Um, pardon my asking, but who did you come with?" Harry was curious. Who in their right mind would bring a replica of him.

"Some guy called Draco Malfoy." Marcus said. "Really strange, actually. Just appeared at my house and said he would offer me the chance of a life time. I thought he was crazy until he turned my dog into a throw rug."

Harry sighed. Malfoy, he should have known. The git always had to mess things up.

"Where is Malfoy?" He asked.

Marcus shrugged. "Dunno. I'm actually trying to find him. Come with?"

Harry nodded. He didn't have anything else to do.

As he walked with Marcus, the two started talking. He found out that the other boy was American, had a girlfriend named Holly, played guitar, loved baseball, and had a dalmation named Spot. Harry told him all about life in the wizarding world, his apparent fame, and the troubles of being a celebrity.

While they were checking compartments, Marcus suddenly paused mid-sentence. Harry asked what was wrong.

"You know, I got the wierdest feeling. Like... I don't even know." He frowned. Harry put a hand on his shoulder. "Was it like you were being watched?"

Marcus nodded. "Yeah… like I was being followed."

"Oh, you're no fun.". A voice drawled behind them. Harry looked to see Malfoy leaning against the side of the train.

"What do you think you're doing, Malfoy?" Harry growled. "What game are you playing?"

Malfoy looked surprised. "Game? Potter, I am simply trying to find my guest. If you will excuse me..."

Marcus turned around. "Oh, hey, Draco. What's up?"

"We should get back to the others." Malfoy replied. "They were worried."

Marcus nodded. "Alright, coming." Then he looked at Harry. "Hey, you wanna come with?"

Harry was startled. "Um, no thanks."

Marcus grinned. "Aww, come on. I wanna have my twin with me!"

Malfoy raised an eyebrow. "Yes, Potter, do come along. It would be so fun to have you."

Before Harry could protest, Marcus had grabbed his hand and pulled him along with them.