3

Olivia

"If that was anyone but Malfoy I would feel really bad for them." Rhys said as she closes our compartment door. "There's going to be so many rumors about him that people will have no choice but to believe them all."

I tried to reply but Rhys' words echoed through my head. The dream I had had only a half an hour ago suddenly reappeared in my mind and I couldn't stop thinking about what dream Voldemort had said. Evil was in my blood. Even if I didn't have the tattoo I was still a pureblood Slytherin and that was never a good thing.

"I wonder why that kid had a camera? Do you think it would even work at school? Wait, you do know what a camera is right?" Rhys asked, taking her seat once more.

I pushed my dark thoughts away and forced a laugh. "Yes I know what a camera is." Despite coming from a pureblood family, I still knew plenty about muggles from my aunt who had a huge obsession with them. She used to take me to London all the time before things started getting bad in the wizarding world. I also happen to be the only Slytherin in my muggle studies class, although somehow it just made people hate me more.

"You know, you should probably get changed." Rhys said abruptly, observing the groups of people outside our door. All of them were dressed in their Hogwarts robes and looked eager to get off the train. "We only have 20 minutes left."

I groaned as I stood up, retrieving my robes from my trunk and turning to the door. Unlike most people, I didn't like changing in my compartment even though it was easier and less bothersome. I liked to go to the bathroom at the end of the train and people watch on my way by. That was always the best way to get gossip.

I left Rhys behind and started making my way down the train. I couldn't help but think of the Ravenclaws that had stopped at the compartment and I wondered if I would run into them. I didn't think the girl had seen me but the boy with the camera definitely did. He looked at me in a concerned sort of way which was new to me, especially coming from a Ravenclaw. Usually they were the most snobby of the houses.

A few feet ahead of me there was a crowd of people and I didn't even have to think about whose compartment they were waiting outside of. When I got close enough, I was not surprised to see the Golden Trio and their entourage inside, looking slightly irritated but more understanding than anything.

I figured all these people were there to thank Harry for what he had done last year. To be honest, I would have too but there was no doubt in my mind that I would be kicked out based on the color of the tie that was hanging from my hand. He might have been the Boy Who Lived, but it wasn't a secret that he hated Slytherins with a passion.

So I kept walking, squeezing by the small sea of people who were either chattering excitedly or blubbering to each other. No one paid me a second glance which I was grateful for.

Not too long after that I saw two girls who looked like they were in deep conversation. Or at least one of them was considering the other was sobbing uncontrollably. I could see that they were both wearing Slytherin ties and as I walked even closer I realized the one crying was none other than Pansy Parkinson.

Pansy Parkinson was known for being one of the most snobby and obnoxious girls in the whole grade and it wasn't often that she showed any sign of weakness, especially in public. I didn't think I had ever seen her look sad, forget crying. I tried not to look at her as I crept closer but it was pretty hard and it was even harder to not listen to what she was wailing about.

"We h-haven't been a-at school for a day...a-and I'm already being called a-a Death Eater."

"I know, Pansy, I know." I didn't know the other girl but I recognized her as being one of Pansy's many followers.

"B-but I wasn't the one killing people." Pansy cried, tears streaming down her face and leaving black streaks. "I didn't do anything."

"It's not your fault. All of them think we're Death Eaters but they have no idea. We don't have a say in what our parents do." The other girl said, grasping Pansy's shoulders. By then I was hiding close to the corridor wall and listening intently, hoping that I wouldn't be spotted.

"But Draco was." She whispered. "D-Draco got the mark and he almost k-killed Dumbledore. I thought i-it was OK but he's...e-evil. And now he's left me! He says he doesn't l-love me anymore!"

"Draco is not a good person, Pansy. He is a Death Eater and he never loved you. He was just using you." The girl seemed to be making things up as she goes because her voice shook as she said this. Although, Pansy looked convinced.

"I don't want to be here." Pansy moaned, and her friend pulled her into a tight hug. I took that as my cue to go, striding past the girls and down the last few feet of hallway. I was about to pass the last compartment before the bathroom when the door to the compartment suddenly opened. I immediately slammed right into a person.

"Oh wow, I'm so sorry." I laughed uncomfortably, staring at the sweater clad chest right in front of my face. As my eyes traced up I noticed a Slytherin crest. Then a green and silver tie tightened against a pale neck that led to an angular face. A familiar angular face. Draco Malfoy's stormy gray eyes suddenly met mine and my stomach suddenly dropped.

"Oh." I nearly gasped, stumbling away from him. I swore I saw a light that had appeared in his eyes go out as I got farther away.

"I'm really sorry." I whispered, sidestepping Malfoy and nearly launching into the bathroom. I slammed the door closed behind me and collapsed against it, feeling my heart beat wildly in my chest.

I had been going to school with Malfoy for over 7 years but there was never a time that I wasn't intimidated by him. Even though he wasn't the scariest kid around, he knew his dark magic and if you stepped out of line around him, his father would most certainly hear about it.

Mostly I just didn't like him. Not because of his family or his status but because he was just an all around douche bag. He was always picking fights with people and was never nice to anyone. I didn't think I had ever heard a kind word ever come from his mouth. All in all, Draco Malfoy wasn't the kind of person I wanted to be around.

I changed as slowly as possible, hoping he wouldn't still be out there when I come out. Eventually after ten minutes of straightening my tie, I figured I should probably come out if I wanted to even get off the train.

I stuck my head into the hallway and was relieved to find it empty. I took a deep breath, puffing out my cheeks like a blow fish and strode down the corridor, not looking away from the red velvet carpet beneath my feet until I was in my compartment with a surprised looking Rhys.

I was about to tell her what happened when the train came to a smooth stop and the shrill whistle blew. I shook my head and rubbed my eyes, saving the thought for later. All I wanted now was the feast and my bed.