Hogwarts, A Love Story (A Draco Malfoy Love Story)

All Aboard!

I do not own any of the characters except for Winter Starr. All other characters belong to J. K. Rowling.

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Winter Grace Starr settled down in an empty compartment on the Hogwarts Express feeling a little nervous. This was to be expected as it was her first day back at Hogwarts after the holidays, she was now going into her third year. Looking back on it, she couldn't believe how quickly the last few years had gone. She stared out of the window and was distracted from her train of thought by nervous first years and cocky second years cavorting around on the platform. Some seventh years looked on in annoyance, then turned away talking quietly in their group. They had an excited, yet somewhat sad look on their face as they contemplated their last September ride on the Hogwarts Express. The train sounded that it was nearly time to be off and there was the typical scramble of last minute goodbyes and students rushing to board the train. Winter closed her eyes, hoping to keep her compartment empty until her friends found her.

Winter jumped and whipped her head around as the compartment door was flung open with a crash. In the doorway stood a blonde haired, grey eyed Slytherin boy named Draco Malfoy, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle. Malfoy walked slowly forward, apologising and claiming that he had thought the compartment was empty. Winter was surprised, he seemed quite genuine in his apology. She smiled and shrugged, telling him that it was nothing. He smiled at her forgiveness and opened his mouth to say something more, when Winter's friends and Draco's sworn enemies appeared at the door. Winter looked over to see Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley trying to peer into the compartment around the bulky figures of Crabbe and Goyle. Malfoy nodded his head and Crabbe and Goyle stepped aside, allowing Winter's three friends entry into the compartment. Hermione looked from Malfoy to Winter with a confused look on her face, Harry and Ron were absolutely fuming.

"You're not bothering her are you Malfoy?" Harry spat out his name like it was a curse. Malfoy rolled his eyes at him and his mouth pulled up into a sneer as he told Harry that it was none of his business. Ron piped up, demanding that Malfoy stay away from Winter. Winter sat in the corner her anxiety mounting, she didn't like her friends fighting, especially not over her. Her eyes met Malfoy's and he quickly spotted the panic mounting inside of her and backed down.

"I'll talk to you later Winter." He said nodding his head to her, she managed a smile and then watched as he made his way out of the compartment. Winter was surprised that he even knew her name, he had never spoken to her before except to throw an insult at her for being a Gryffindor and one of Harry Potter's best friends. Harry looked at her with concern, asking if she was alright. Winter laughed, if only they could know how pleasant Malfoy just was to her. Perhaps this year wouldn't be as bad for them. She realised that Harry was still studying her worriedly and she nodded, confirming that she was absolutely fine. Harry smiled in relief and sat down next to her. Ron seemed less satisfied, but dropped into the seat opposite her, glaring moodily out the window. Hermione sighed as she looked at Ron but shrugged and sat in the seat next to him. She smiled at Winter, happy to be reunited with her only real girl friend. Ginny was another possible friend, however at the moment was so taken with Harry that she could barely utter a single syllable in his presence. As Hermione was usually with Harry, it didn't exactly encourage a friendship between them. Ron sat forwards and eyed Winter seriously.

"Malfoy is a bad person to be around Winter. His family are all rich gits who think they are superior just because they are pure bloods. Take my advice and steer well clear of him" He warned. Winter knew Ron meant well, but bristled at being told what to do and who to hang out with. She swallowed her resentment and smiled and nodded at Ron who looked a bit happier now. Harry had also leaned forward and asked what the 'slime-ball' wanted. Winter shrugged, feeling like they were being a little too harsh on Draco when he really hadn't done anything at all to her. However, they were all looking at her expectantly now, waiting for her answer. She shrugged and told them the truth, he hadn't realised that she was even in here. Harry and Ron shared a suspicious look and Winter knew that they were about to start over-analysing everything. She quickly changed the subject, asking them how their holidays had been. This caused Harry and Ron to laugh, while Hermione looked on disapprovingly. Ron told Hermione to 'lighten up' before falling quiet as Harry animatedly told Winter about how he had blown up his Aunt Marge, going into detail about her bulging face and high-pitched squawking as she floated off into the distance.