(Coeus Black - PoV)

The sputtering and surprise last only a moment before Draco shakes his head, muttering under his breath, "Phoebe, of course."

With a sigh, he waves a hand at his companions.

"It's fine for now, go on and find someplace else for a bit, or look for the trolley lady or something. I'll see you later."

The duo frown but nod, as expected, wandering off as Draco enters.

Taking the free spot next to Hermione, introductions are made.

Draco is, of course, the model of courtesy and politeness...if you can't read him. If you can, it is easy to see the shift the moment he is sure Hermione is a muggleborn.

It doesn't look like it will be a problem for now though, especially since he has other things on his mind.

"Phoebe, why do you keep making such crude comments?" he asks. "You know better, and it is beneath you." He is trying to play the haughty card and even manages to keep the whining out of his voice. Still, I expect it to work about as well as usual.

"Draco, we are not attending parties and galas at old family manors anymore. We are going to Hogwarts. You can expect to meet a far more, diverse, group of people there, many of which will taunt you. You need to work on learning how to deal with it or at least get a thicker skin. Think of it as training."

Draco blinks at her and leans back into his seat, a thoughtful look on his face.

"I...had not considered that," he replies.

Phoebe tilts her head, frowning.

"Also, you might want to consider trying to, ah, diversify, your friends just a little? Or hang around those two just a little less? Or there will be rumors. Even ones going so far as to claim you are actually a girl."

She taps her eyes.

"Really."

Daphne is watching Phoebe with exasperation. She clearly doesn't believe Phoebe's explanation at all.

Hermione's gaze is also watching everything calculatingly. She is far harder to read and, alas, I don't have time to dissect her thought at the moment.

Iris appears to have no idea what to think. I worry she might actually buy it.

Speaking of...

I glance over at Phoebe.

Seriously, sister?

I can feel her amusement.

Yeah, she's mostly just trolling him. Like, she's not lying, but she's mostly using it as an excuse. A reusable excuse that we can use to justify just about anything we want to do to him as helping...

...

I am not admitting you are the better half!

Wincing, I jump in my seat as she pinches me.

Damnit Phoebe!

Draco frowns, not noticing our byplay.

"You may have some point about having to get used to dealing with the rab-" he glances, not nearly as subtly as he thinks, at Hermione, "others. However, I certainly will not let them dictate my friends to me!" he states resolutely.

Phoebe rolls her eyes.

"No one is suggesting that, Draco. Just try making *more* friends. You might be surprised." She nods. "Also it will give you more chances to make fun of the Weasleys. This year's version is a pretty poor one, and really needs put in his place."

Draco's head tilts a bit, not quite following Phoebe's logic there, but the idea of humiliating his Weasley counterpart clearly overrides everything else. The two families have a bit of history, especially recently, having been strong supporters on opposite sides of the light/dark divide and the blood issues.

I haven't really interacted with them much, so don't have much of an opinion.

Hmm, then again, they are supposed to be big Dumbledore supporters, aren't they? In that case, stuff 'em.

I shake my head.

"Moving on, how are things? Draco, Daphne? It's been almost a month."

Daphne's eyes narrow at me and I suspect I may have made a mistake. I just know she is going to bring up our last meeting, and try to make me pay for it in some manner.

"Terrible!" Draco complains before she can even open her mouth. "I have been grounded for the last couple of weeks. Grounded! Can you believe it? All because some silly Muggle in a halocopter decided to try to follow me around, ugh. It's not like the Oblivator's had any trouble dealing with the idiot."

Daphne leans back into her seat with a small huff as Draco really gets into his tale. Saved by Draco's whining, how embarrassing.

Still, it sounds like Draco had at least one good week, and a pretty exciting broom flight, before three weeks of boredom. Though even the latter is at least partially his fault, really.

"Study? Why would I want to study? We will be doing that all year once we get to school," He responds to me.

Hermione especially appears to have strong opinions on this, but Phoebe kicks her before she can speak up.

Shaking my head, I try again.

"Did you at least practice your spellwork?"

He perks up a bit at this.

"Of course." He answers, sounding almost offended. "I mean, how could you get a wand and not make sure it works?"

He casts a Lumos, then sits there looking proud of himself.

Everyone else in the compartment exchange looks.

Daphne speaks up, exasperated. "Draco, please tell me you practiced more than just Lumos this summer."

Her fellow blonde doesn't answer as he sits clutching his wand tightly, embarrassment on his face.

Daphne sighs.

I, however, frown.

That...doesn't seem quite right? Draco was as excited as any of us to get his wand, eager to try out all the magic he has seen. Sure he might not be excited to rifle through old books, and might not have the dedication for proper practice, but one spell?

"Draco, why didn't you practice more spells?" I ask.

While he was embarrassed before, now he seems to properly shrink into himself, not looking at anyone.

He shifts in place for a few moments before answering quietly.

"I was supposed to practice with Father, but he has been very busy recently, very stressed. I can see how tired he is, every day. I...didn't want to bother him."

He sighs, hanging his head, looking down at his wand as he rolls it between his fingers.

"I did pull out the books a couple of times, to look up the spells, but I just...couldn't. We were supposed to do it together. I kept hoping we would get a good chance later in the summer but..." he shrugs. "We never did. Before I knew it, summer was over."

Well, crap. And at least part of that is probably our fault, with the whole situation with Iris. Absolutely worth it, mind, but still, side effects.

Glancing around the compartment, most show sympathy for Draco..except Hermione, who is looking at him in confusion, like a cat that doesn't know what to make of this new thing.

A quick knock on the door interrupts the mood.

It slides open, revealing the Trolley Lady.

"Anything from the cart dearies?" she asks.

You know, we never did hit the sweet shop in Diagon, my trunk supply must be running low. And looking at the recent mood in the room?

"Can I just buy the whole cart?" I ask.

She blinks once.

"Oh, hohohoho!" She laughs. A very deep laugh, that doesn't quite sound right. "I was warned about you, but didn't quite understand," she says smiling. "You want to buy everything then, do you? Cart and all? Well, I don't know any rules against it..."

Pulling out my pouch we begin the usual process, at the end of which the entire cart is wheeled into our compartment...somehow.

Did the compartment get bigger when I wasn't looking? I think it did.

"Enjoy, little ones," the lady says before leaving, the galleons having disappeared at some point. "Though be aware there may be more surprises than candy in that cart."

Wait, what?

"Oh, and Daphne?"

The formerly half-bored/half-exasperated-looking girl starts, turning her full attention towards the trolley lady.

"The Express says she accepts your apology."

Daphne and the others, everyone but Phoebe and I really, jerk in their seats as the Trolley Lady finally departs.

Reaching forward, I start digging through the cart.

"Told you so," I announce.