Love Never Dies. (Draco Malfoy Fan Fiction) (Watty Awards 2013 Winner)

Chapter 21: Back to School, Hogwarts Express.

"Rachel, wake up," I hear a voice whisper into my ear. My eyes flicker open and I see Draco's perfect face staring into mine. "It's time to get changed. We have to go to school," he gestures at the two trunks, packed and ready to go. 

"Right," I push the covers off myself and I get off the bed and change. 

I pull on a long-sleeved shirt, hiding the dark mark from the view of others who will be on the train. It was crucial that Potter boy nor his two other friends find out about this. They'd be following Draco and I around the school if they found out. Anyway, I then put on a pair of jeans and tie my hair up in a braid then walk out of the bathroom. Draco was already dressed and Willet and Gibbet were taking the trunks out of the room. 

"Good morning, beautiful," Draco greets me, extending his arms for a hug. I willingly throw myself into his strong arms, hugging him tightly with my thinner ones. 

"Morning," I tell him, smiling. "We have to hide our marks at all costs, okay?" I remind him. 

"Definitely, we can't let Potter know about it," he reminds me again, pecking me on the lips by surpise. I smile and I pull away from his hug. 

"Let's go, we're gonna be late," I tell him, taking his hand and leading him out of the room. 

We skipped breakfast that day and went straight to Kings Cross Station. Draco and I pushed our trolleys to platform 9 3/4, where Lucius and Narcissa bade us goodbye. Bellatrix didn't follow us, though. Said she had something to take care of regarding You-Know-Who. When we get onto the platform, we were greeted immediately by bustling students, some in Griffindor Quidditch Team uniforms, holding their brooms. Others had their squirming pets in their hands, some first years were saying goodbye to their parents, something I didn't have since second year. But my life was so much better now that I had Draco. No doubt did I miss my parents once in a while, but I didn't hate them now. In fact, I wish they were here to bid me goodbye. But some things are better left untrue. 

"Bye, Narcissa. Bye Lucius," I wave goodbye to Draco's parents as Draco and I board the train. 

Most of the cabins were empty but eventually we find one towards the middle section of the train. Draco and I settle in it and get comfortable. There were eager parents pressing their noses up against the train windows, wanting to catch a last glimpse of their children before sending them off to school for a few months. Bothered, I pull down the curtains and keep them out of my sight. 

"How d'you think we're going to fix the bloody cabinet?" Draco asks me, frowning in thought. 

"Shh!" I hushed him. "Not now! There could be anyone listening to us!" I whisper-screamed at him across the cabin. He immediately submits, not speaking.

Before long, three familiar faces appear at the cabin door. It was Potter, Weasel and... Granger. Seeing Draco and my presence in the cabin, Potter and Weasel shove over to the next cabin and gave the both of us a look before taking off. Granger, however, hesitated before leaving. She looked at me with a sort of sympathy before leaving her two friends. What was her frown all about, anyway? 

"Don't know what's up with her," I comment, glancing over at the glass panel where Hermione was once standing. 

"Weird mudblood, she is," Draco sneers, looking out of the window where sunshine yellow fields and other farm animals were passing by. 

"Tell me about it," I laugh, looking out at the fields as well. "I'm going to the bathroom for a sec," I tell him, exiting the cabin and walking over to the toilet of a minute size of the train. 

Outside, there was a queue. Cho Chang was at the front and behind her was some creep Luna Lovegood. It wasn't long until the next person was out and Cho went in. She took ages in there, I nearly heard a whimper when she emerged, her eyes puffy and red. She keeps crying, what a weak girl. Loony went in and came out within a few seconds. I went it, did my business and exited the bathroom.