"Draco, darling! I've been quite patient, but if you insist on ignoring Dobby's attempts to wake you, I'm going to have to come in there, and you are NOT going to like it!" Narcissa's voice was muffled by the door to Draco's room. He rolled over and moaned, pulling his pillow over his head. Daphne had been so excited last night that Draco had been unable to fall asleep until the wee hours of the morning. He had just closed his eyes (or so it seemed) when Dobby had come in to try to waken him. Draco figured he had about five minutes before his mother would come in as threatened—as PROMISED (Malfoys don't threaten, they promise, Code #987). He figured wrong. Simultaneously his covers flew off and blinding light filled the room. His mother flicked her wand again and a giant rush of icy water deluged poor Draco.

"I'm up! I'm up!" Draco scrambled out of bed, squinting into the light. What was that on his mother's face? They looked like spectacles, but the lenses were dark…His mother saw his confused look.

"Muggle Sunglasses" She said, by way of explanation. "While lumos totalus is a useful spell for intense light, there's no way to protect the caster's eyes. Well, until I discovered these handy things there wasn't. Your father was less than pleased when I discovered these things. It allows me to use this spell on him in the mornings, too." She smiled serenely at her son, who was gaping at her "Draco, what's the fifth rule of the Code?" He snapped his mouth shut "Thank you, dear. Now, come along. It's well past time for breakfast, and your father would like a word with you before we set off for Hogstail Station. We'll be apparating directly, you and I, so there will be no need to go through King's Cross. I suggest you hurry, darling. You'll want to look your best when you meet up with your classmates." She turned and swept out of the room, leaving behind a flurry of activity as her son struggled to get out of the mass of sheets. "You know, you could help me!" He called after her. Narcissa giggled "But my dear, where's the fun in that?" She flicked her wand anyway, freeing Draco from the cumbersome bedding.

Draco's morning routine had altered slightly from this day, a year ago. Last year, he had simply rolled out of bed, put on suitably expensive clothes, and trusted his self-styling comb to make him presentable. Draco had decided that Daphne was rubbing off on him as he fussed over his toilette 'like a girl.' Draco gave a mental wince as a shriek came over his bond. Like a GIRL? I'll have you know, Dray, that I NEVER used to spend so much time on my appearance until I bonded with you. NEVER. I thoroughly blame you and your vanity for the fact that I have to get up a full hour earlier every day because of my new obsession with my hair! Daphne seemed too irate to continue, because her thoughts suddenly stopped. Draco knew she wouldn't hold a grudge, but he still felt bad that she was getting less sleep because of the bond. He had noticed that as the summer wore on, he had developed more and more traits he had always associated with Daphne. For example, he had developed an affinity for a light shade of purple, a taste for cupcakes, and a fluency in German, among other odd traits.

Draco would never forget the time his mother took him to the store and Draco was trying on robes when Daphne's moral inclination emerged. Draco had suddenly thrown an expensive robe aside because it was made from fabric manufactured by unhappy house elves pressed into the textile industry when their masters had died without bequeathing them to another household. Without a family to serve, the unhappy elves were forced to weave fabrics for unsavory wizards who wished to take advantage of the elves' hardworking natures. Draco had stormed from the store, unaware that he was dressed in only his undergarments and socks. He'd yelled at the top of his lungs about the unfair treatment of the elves, and generally raised a ruckus.

Draco was yanked from his reverie when he realized he had dressed himself on autopilot and was now standing in front of a large mirror. Draco smiled as he began to style his hair. He knew it was rather poncy, but he was utterly obsessed with his hair, for no excusable reason. After about thirty minutes of tinkering, he finally deemed himself prepared for the day. Draco made his way down the wide halls of the Manor to the dining room, where his father and breakfast awaited him. Entering the room, Draco's nose discovered two things. First, the breakfast was a hearty one of eggs, hash, sausages…a basic fry up. Second, Blaise was here somewhere. Draco knew he would never mistake his friend's amusingly girly scent (strawberry!). Draco looked around eagerly. Blaise stepped out from behind a pillar, shaking his head ruefully.

"I knew it was pointless to try and surprise you!" He said, smiling. "I just wanted to meet up with you before we went to the station. I was so ready for today to come! Mum has been 'talking' to a new bloke, some rich wizard from Sweden. The man drives me up the wall! Mum, too, actually. I can tell because she always makes me come to dinners with them. She NEVER does that when she's trying to get a new husband." Blaise grimaced "Just because the guy's rich doesn't mean she needs to marry him. I wish she'd just steal the money. Some of the guys she dates are just ridiculous. Remember the one from Austria? I couldn't understand a word that guy said. He didn't bother to learn English, and his translating spells were rubbish!" Blaise shoved a slice of toast into his mouth. "Oh yeah, and your father said he'd be here in a second"

"Yes, thank you Mr. Zabini." Lucius entered the room holding a large bag. "If you'd excuse us for a minute, I would like to speak privately with my son." Blaise, ever intimidated by Draco's father, scurried out of the room. Lucius turned to Draco and set the bag on the table. "You might as well eat while I tell you about the contents of this bag. You don't have much time." He pulled the tie of the bag. "This is for you to give Miss Greengrass. I did some research into the twin bond. Because you are bonded, her actions represent the Malfoy family just as your actions now represent the Greengrasses. Therefore, I feel it fitting to make sure Miss—Daphne, I suppose, since she practically counts as my daughter, is well equipped to deal with this. In this bag, I have placed some things that should make the transition into honorary Malfoy a bit easier on the girl. Of course, there is the Code, which would take her many years to learn, just as it took you many years. However, because she hasn't had since the age of three to memorize the code, I've placed a spell on the book, much the same as if she were a new Malfoy Bride. We can't expect the ladies to learn the code overnight by simply reading the whole book, therefore we spell the book to enter their minds while they sleep. All she needs to do is place the book under her bed (pillow is preferable, but impractical as the book is several feet thick, as you well know) and speak the incantation, which is inscribed in the front cover."

Lucius pulled several more items from the bag. "Obviously it would be in poor taste to give the girl money, although I dearly wish a representative of the Malfoy family to be better equipped than her family can afford. Therefore, I've created several 'welcome to the family' presents. One is a necklace with the Malfoy crest, along with several family jewels that can only be worn by a young girl…one with her" Lucius actually blushed "innocence intact. I felt it fitting that she should have the jewelry, at least until you are old enough to have a child of your own. Another package has some robes, both casual and formal, with the Malfoy and Greengrass crests intertwined, which is a rather fascinating design. Finally, I've given her a book of infinite knowledge. Obviously, if you need a book, you can purchase it. I suspect her family does not have the same freeness with their galleons, so I've decided to give her this book. Whatever information she needs will be in the book. Therefore, if she needed to access a list of metamorphmaguses in the wizarding community, she need only concentrate on her subject, and the book would provide the information. It's rather ingenious, and you do not need to tell her this, but it cost me a very pretty knut." Draco's mouth dropped open as his father began to repack the valise. His father thought nothing of spending thousands of galleons at a time. For him to recognize that he had spent a "pretty knut" the book must have cost something upwards of tens of thousands of galleons. Draco realized that his father must really think of Daphne as a second child.

"Hello? Are you still in there? Draco?" Blaise burst into the room "Draco your mum says—eep" Draco sniggered as Blaise abruptly stopped talking as he realized Lucius was still in the room "Sir." Blaise gave an odd little bow in Draco's father's direction. Draco turned to his father "I think Blaise must be trying to tell me it's time to get going." His father said nothing, simply held out his hand for Draco to shake. Draco did so, feeling simultaneously pleased that his father offered him his hand like an equal, and disappointed that his father no longer felt a need to give him a hug. Draco shook off the sentimentality of the last feeling, blaming it on Daphne (albeit very very silently, so the witch wouldn't hear that thought).

Draco made his way out to the front entrance with Blaise. His mother was waving her wand at the trunks. With a final flick of her wand, the trunks disappeared. The trunks would have been sent to the Express ahead of them, so the boys need not worry about dealing with their bulky luggage on the crowded platform. Narcissa turned to the boys, and wordlessly offered her arms. Each boy took an arm. Draco knew it took a great deal of strength to double side-along apparate, and appreciated his mother's magical strength. Upon arriving at the platform, Narcissa pulled Draco into a dignified hug. "Write often, my dear. I fear I shall be lonesome with only your father for company" The crinkles at the edges of her eyes belied her words. Draco knew his parents were best friends in addition to being a married couple. With hasty promises to his mother to write often and eat his vegetables, Draco turned to survey the platform. He wouldn't admit, even to himself, who he was truly searching for. As Draco anxiously surveyed the platform (where was he?) he felt Blaise straighten up next to him. Draco glanced over to see his friend straightening his hair with nervous fingers. Draco resumed his scan of the platform when vanilla and almonds overwhelmed his sense of smell. Daphne jumped into Draco's arms and kissed his cheek. I've missed you so much, brother! I know we only just saw each other, but I feel like each time we're separated it gets harder. Father says it's because we have no soulmate bonds yet. I don't care, I just missed you terribly! She beamed at him when Draco impulsively kissed her cheek back. Next to them, Blaise harrumphed "Twin bond my foot! You two might as well start writing your wedding invitations now!" Draco looked into Daphne's eyes Do YOU want to handle this, or should I? Daphne smiled slightly I've got this, Dray. She looked at Blaise for a second and slid out of Draco's arms. Facing him squarely, she looked slightly taken aback, and seemed momentarily speechless. A questioning look came to her eyes, and she was about to speak when—

"I mean, it's disgusting!" Blaise went on, clearly missing the subtle looks and glances going on as they made their way along platform nine and three-quarters. "You'd think at twelve you'd have more propriety than to go kissing one another on the cheek!" His antagonistic tone made the hackles rise on Draco's neck. He quickly realized that the emotion was coming from Daphne, whose look of confusion had quickly been replaced by anger. "Blaise, I think you're just jealous!" Blaise's eyes became as big as saucers, and he took a step back. "J-Jealous? Wha-Why would you say that?" he stammered. Daphne stuck her nose in the air.

"You just wish that YOU were Draco's twin." With that, she made her way onto the train. Her haughty behavior reminded Draco of his valise of things for Daphne. With an apologetic glance at Blaise, he made his way onto the train after Daphne. Angrily, Blaise strode off in the opposite direction, muttering under his breath.

-AS A SPECIAL TREAT, BLAISE'S POV-

"Stupid, dumb twin bonds. I don't understand why they think they're so special. I'd bet everyone has a stupid twin, so why do they think they're so special?" so caught up was he in his ranting, that Blaise didn't notice he was being followed until he was yanked into an empty compartment. "Wha—oh, hey Hermione." Blaise looked at his friend noticing tears "What's wrong?" Hermione sniffed. Blaise knew from his time as her penpal, and their time of friendship after they had discovered one another's identities that Hermione was not a girl who cried easily.

Though he had fought it at first, Blaise found himself quickly becoming close to the Gryffindor know-it-all. The pair had been corresponding all summer, and though he was loathe to admit it, Blaise was thrilled to be in her presence again. There was something about Hermione that made Blaise totally at ease. The two were very similar, both in mannerisms and intelligence, though Blaise never flaunted his knowledge the way Hermione seemed to. Hermione gave a great sniff.

"Harry and Ron aren't on the train and I have no idea where they are they could be dead or kidnapped or hurt or something and I wouldn't even know why oh why aren't they on the train? I've searched everywhere and I just can't find them and—" Blaise put his hand over her mouth

"Breath, Hermione. I'm sure they'll be fine. You know I don't like them, but for your sake I'll pretend to be worried" Hermione gave a snort of laughter despite her distress "Listen, it's Harry bleeding Potter. He's not exactly inconspicuous. It would be really hard to kidnap him. Even if he were hurt, someone would have noticed, and there would be whispers all up and down the train. Same for if he was dead. Therefore, he must be doing something stupid, and you'll just have to wait until we get to Hogwarts to discover what exactly the boys have gotten themselves into." Blaise grinned at his teary friend "Feel better?" Hermione gave Blaise a watery grin "I don't know why, but you always make me feel better. I guess I was extremely lucky when we were paired as penpals. Sorry for making you console me about some people you don't really care about." She glanced at the ceiling, obviously (in Blaise's opinion) searching for a change of topic. "So, how was your summer?" the poor girl was obviously oblivious to the fact that 'how his summer had been' tied into his foul mood. Blaise took a deep breath.

"Well, it was mostly good, except for Draco…you know, Malfoy…and Daphne…Greengrass…got bonded." Hermione's look was questioning "Not, you know, soul mate bonding. Twin bonding." Hermione shook her head. "Oh, come on, you must know about it—you're the smartest person I know! Well, a twin bond is like umm, with twins." Blaise really wasn't the best orator, nowhere near as eloquent as Daphne. "Umm, I can't explain it well, but it's really interesting and—" Blaise trailed off as he saw Hermione's eyes light up. He recognized that look, even though he had only known her a short time. There was something for her to research, and there was nothing to keep her from researching it. She practically shooed Blaise out of the compartment in her eagerness to begin to research the different types of bonds.

-Back to Draco-

"What do you mean he sent me some things?" Daphne refused to touch the valise in Draco's outstretched arms "I promise you if he tried to give me money, I'll hex his bits off, your father or not. I've got to have some pride!" Draco grinned. He loved Daphne's feisty attitude.

"No I promise you that there's no money. My father did some research into twin bonds, and said that legally, you are basically a member of the Malfoy family, and he wanted to give you some things to make it easier on you. See? This is the Malfoy Code. You have to abide by it, now that you're an honorary Malfoy. Sorry about that. He said you need to put the book beneath your bed, and say the spell and overnight you'll learn all the codes. There's also some presents from my parents in there. Welcome to the family gifts, they said. You can open them whenever, I guess." Daphne took the bag from him, tentatively pulling out a beautifully wrapped present. Draco laughed "It won't bite!" Daphne still looked unsure "Well, go on! Open it!" She carefully peeled the paper open to reveal a beautifully carved wooden box. She opened the box and gasped at the display of wealth within. Draco watched her reverently touch one of the necklaces with a shaking finger.

"Draco, I can't possibly accept this!" She looked at him with eyes wide a saucers "Your parents must really like me!" Draco moved over to sit next to her. "Of course they like you, silly," he said. Draco pulled out the Malfoy crest necklace "See? This one's to show you're a member of the family. And the rest of these have to be worn by a young girl, so obviously my mother can't wear them. They're yours to keep, until I'm old enough to have children, my father said." Draco sat back and watched as Daphne opened her other packages. He was distracted from her gasps and coos of appreciation. Where on earth was Harry? Draco realized he hadn't seen him on the train. With a sinking feeling, Draco realized he hadn't seen the youngest weasel, either. What if the Weasel family had kidnapped Harry? Draco didn't think he could stand it if he didn't see Harry soon.

"WHAT?" Daphne screeched "DRACO MALFOY! I CANNOT POSSIBLY HAVE HEARD YOU CORRECTLY! YOU CANNOT SERIOUSLY HAVE A CRUSH ON—" She realized she could be overheard talking like this to Draco. She continued on in her mind You cannot seriously have a crush on Harry Potter. Please, tell me that you were having a joke with me. Please.

Draco grimaced. He knew he couldn't lie to his twin. Literally. Couldn't lie. Draco suddenly began to examine his fingernails. I've never called it a crush. I'm just…interested. He's an interesting figure. Daphne narrowed her eyes at him you have some explaining to do, Dray.

For the better part of ten minutes, Draco and Daphne held a silent conversation about Harry Potter. Finally, Daphne sat back in her chair. I suppose it's okay, then. I really can't fault you for any of that. Plus, as your twin, you know I'd still love you if you had a crush on Dumbledore himself. The two shuddered in unison. Draco felt incredibly relieved that his twin was so understanding. The two had fallen into mindless chatter when the compartment opened and Crabbe, Goyle, and Blaise entered the compartment. The rest of their voyage to Hogwarts was uneventful to say the least.

The sorting was no more interesting than the voyage to Hogwarts. The sorting was actually very boring if you weren't among those being sorted, Draco realized. He had trouble focusing on anything going on during the ceremony. A feeling of dread was settling in the pit of Draco's stomach. He didn't know why the fact that Harry wasn't there was affecting him so much. True, he was fascinated by Harry, but fascination didn't necessarily equal concern for someone's whereabouts, at least, not concern to the point of panic. Daphne squeezed Draco's hand under the table. As the headmaster stood to deliver a speech, Draco tried to focus, especially when he realized Dumbledore was talking about Lockhart. Draco didn't want to think about Lockhart, especially now, when thinking of the man made him think of his unkind words to Harry in Flourish and Blotts.

For Draco, the welcoming feast was endless torture. Between his concern about Harry, his concern about his concern for Harry, and Daphne's concern for him, the feast dragged on and on. Finally, it was time to go to the dormitories. Draco stood with his friends. As he made his way to the doors, he overheard a Ravenclaw telling her friend something.

"Yeah! Didn't you hear? Harry Potter and Ron Weasley missed the train!" Draco felt a feeling of relief. So Harry was okay. The relief was short lived as the girl went on "So they flew the Weasley's flying car here, but it broke, and crashed into the Whomping Willow!" Draco felt an icicle of dread lodge in his stomach. Daphne looked up in alarm from her conversation with Pansy Parkinson. She concentrated for a second, and picked up on the whispers making their way through the Hall. She looked at Draco I'm on it, Dray. Don't worry, I'll figure out if he's okay. Draco realized with a jolt that he was truly and completely concerned for someone he'd never properly befriended. Harry Potter had such a hold over Draco that Draco was a little frightened. Draco decided he needed to figure out exactly WHY he cared so much for a boy he'd barely exchanged words with.

Mmkay. Another chapter. Shorter than the last one. REVIEW, and I might feel extra inspired on the next one :)