Platform nine and three quarters was exactly as I'd imagined it to be. Loud and bustling with people, some in robes like Draco and I, but also some in Muggle clothes. They probably hadn't apparated here directly.
"Stop staring," Draco hissed impatiently in my ear. "We have to say goodbye to Mum and Dad so we can go find a compartment before they're all full," Draco told me impatiently.
Nodding, I turned around and walked over to where my parents were talking to some wizard whose name I didn't know. I still hadn't forgiven them for what happened that night after the Cup and I doubted I ever would. But we weren't fighting anymore so that was a relief. I hate it when people I love are mad at me. And despite everything, I do love both my parents.
After briefly bidding our parents goodbye, Draco and I boarded the train and searched for an empty compartment, finding halfway along the train. We stowed our luggage and took the seats closest to the windows.
"Are your friends going to join us?" I said excitedly, watching as people passed our compartment.
"Eventually," Draco said as if he didn't really care.
"But what if they're in a different compartment?"
"They know to find me."
We waited for a few more minutes before our compartment was entered in by two boys – both rather large.
They said hello to Draco before their eyes rested on me. "Who's that?" The taller of the two boys asked.
"Hi," I said before Draco could answer. "You two must be Vincent and Gregory. I'm Lean – Draco's sister – nice to meet you."
"Err…" Vincent said, apparently surprised that I was being so nice to him. He and Gregory stared at me for a long time before Draco eventually smacked them on their legs and ordered them to sit. They took the two seats next to me and every now and again, I noticed their eyes shifting back to me and then away again. The whole thing made me almost laugh.
Moments, later we were joined yet again, this time by a girl with a face that reminded me of a pug. I quickly shrugged that thought away. Her name was Pansy Parkinson, Draco had mentioned her a couple of times. Since they were obviously close, I knew I'd feel horrible if I continued to tease her about her appearance, even if it was only in my head.
"Draco," she greeted with a squeal, rushing over to hug him. "Draco, how come you never wrote? I was waiting for weeks!"
"I did write—" Draco tried to insist.
"Once doesn't count! I thought I told you to write every week."
"Well, I was kind of busy…" Draco's voice trailed off as he looked at me with pleading eyes. Noticing this, Pansy followed his gaze until she staring straight at me with a look like I was something she found underneath her shoe.
"Who are you?" She spat.
"Lean," I smiled kindly. "I'm—"
"I don't care," she interrupted, giving me a look of despise before turning back to Draco. I barely listened as Draco started to talk about the Triwizard Tournament and how father originally wanted to send us to Durmstrang. I was too confused as to why Pansy was so rude to me. I mean, what did I ever do to her?
As the afternoon went on, I listened politely as the group talked about their summer and their time at the Cup. I was sure I could get to know these people once school started but for now, I was happy to sit back and let them all catch up.
We had bought a lot of food from the lunch trolley and were only now finishing it when a familiar voice came from the compartment next to us.
"The odds," I sighed as Draco sent Vincent and Gregory a sly grin.
"This will be fun," Draco grinned as he stood up and headed for the door.
"Why…" I moaned before standing up to follow him out reluctantly.
But before I could take more than one step, I felt Pansy grab my arm.
"I need to talk to you," she said to me. Then, in answer to Draco's quizzical expression. "Girl talk, none of your business."
Draco looked slightly uncomfortable and so asked no further questions, disappearing out the door with Vincent and Gregory at his heels. Pansy got up and closed the door behind them but not before I heard Draco begin to bully the Weasley boy again.
"What's up?" I asked casually as she sat back down.
"What's up?" Pansy said as if I was speaking crazy. "I'll tell you what's up. You are! Who do you think you are, waltzing in here and flirting to my boyfriend?"
"Boyfriend? I didn't know you and Draco–"
"Future boyfriend," she hissed angrily, as if it was my fault she and Draco weren't yet together. "The point is, Draco's mine and if you think for one second—"
"It's fine, I don't want Draco," I said with a small grin. Everything was now falling into place. That was why Pansy didn't like me, she thought Draco and I were… no!
"You don't want him?" Pansy said surprise. "But… but… are you sure?"
"One hundred percent," I said. "He's not my type."
"Type? You mean you don't like handsome, smart men?"
So now she wanted me to date her crush? This girl needs to get her stuff in order. Keeping that all to myself, I simply shrugged. "Nah, that's not really what I have a problem with. It's more that I generally don't date my brothers."
If Pansy had been surprised when I told her I didn't want Draco, she was now flabbergasted as she stared at me open mouthed. "You… and Draco…"
"Are siblings," I answered with a grin. "Twins actually. So no, I'm not going to date him. He's all yours."
"But… but… how come he never mentioned you before?"
I shrugged again. "It might've been a sore spot for him. We didn't exactly leave on the best terms…"
"I can't believe this…" Pansy said.
"Really, because I think it makes total sense." I blinked my pale grey eyes while casually twirling a strand of my long blond hair around my fingers.
At that moment, we heard the sound of glass shattering followed by Draco's laughs as he re-entered the compartment shadowed by Vincent and Gregory.
"Lean," Draco smirked. "You should've seen those dress robes Weasley had! They were hilarious!"
I opened my mouth to respond with something to remind Draco of how much of a bully he sounded like right now, but Pansy beat me to it.
"She's your sister?" She shrieked, staring at Draco like she couldn't believe he could be related to me.
"Err…" Draco said, glancing at me for help before turning back to his friend. "Didn't I mention that?"
And so Pansy went on expressing how hurt she felt for another hour or so until eventually, I felt the train slowing down at what could only be Hogsmeade Station.
It was storming when we got off the train. The five of us got into one of the first carriages leading towards the castle, grateful that they were enclosed.
Once in the Great Hall, we sat down at the Slytherin table and waited for the other students to arrive. I could hear commotion in the entrance hall and was glad that we'd decided to get one of the first carriages.
After everyone was seated, I watched as Professor McGonagall read the names of the First Year Students.
Then, I heard my name being called and I stood up tentatively. I could feel hundreds of pairs of eyes staring at me from different directions. I had never felt more self-conscious as I started straightening my robes awkwardly. After what felt like forever, I finally managed to take a seat in front of my fellow students. McGonagall placed the hat on my head and for a long moment, everything was silent.
"Ah, a Malfoy," the hat said. "I should put you in Slytherin, unless…"
There was silence before suddenly the hat screamed a word I never would have expected it to say with me up here.
"GRYFFINDOR!"