Half Blood Royalty

King's Cross & The Hogwarts Express

Standing on the platform, I stared at the brick wall in front of me. 9 3/4. A small breath of air got stuck in my throat as I imagined myself smashing my face into the wall.

"I know it may seem scary, but you just go straight through." Draco calmly whispered in my ear.

"Easy for you to say." I told him, "You've done it before."

"Do you want Dobby to go first? Just to show you how it's done?" He shifted his eye towards the small House Elf who was standing next to Lucius.

"But I don't want him smashing into the brick either." I replied back.

"Nonsense." Draco turned to his House Elf, "Dobby."

"Yes, Young Master?" Dobby came over and looked up at Draco.

"Show the first year how it's done."

"Dobby, you don't have-"

"Dobby would love to show Little Snape how to go through to Platform 9 3/4." He let off a smile before stepping forward, disappearing into the wall in front of us. Lucius stepped in behind him, to assume an eye on their House Elf.

"Draco?" I whispered towards him once again.

"Yes?"

"Is there any other way?"

He grabbed ahold of my hand, squeezing mine tightly in his fist, "We'll do it together. Alright?"

"On the count of three."

"One." said Draco.

"Two." I let out a breath.

"Three." Draco picked up speed as the two of us nearly ran into the wall ahead of us, our two carts soon blending into the many that were surrounding the platform around us. Parents saying goodbye to their children. Owls caged, which caused Ares to flap her own wings.

"Sorry Ares." Draco said to the snowy owl, "You'll still be the cutest owl at Hogwarts."

"Since you'll both be at Hogwarts, you can help her get exercise by sending letters to the Manor." Lucius told us. He inched his finger into Ares' cage as she gently rubbed her beak against it.

"I'll make sure to keep you updated on blondie here." I winked towards Draco, "Keeping him in line and all." I couldn't help but flash back to that day in the shops back at Diagon Alley with Harry Potter. The way Draco was quick to open his mouth with him. I hope being close with Draco wouldn't have any effect on the way he'll see me. I hope.

Draco nudged me in the side in response to my comment, "You can try."

Students of all ages began to board the Hogwarts Express. Draco and I said our final goodbyes before we both entered the train ourselves; Draco pulling my sleeve to sit next to him in his compartment. Not knowing anyone else, I sat down and quietly observed the students around me. Slytherin, mostly. Although I did spot two of the ginger boys who were at Flourish and Blotts that day in Diagon Alley. They were mostly goofing off, trying to prank a few first years by giving them bogus spells to try- harmless fun, as nothing would happen so the only ones who got hurt were the first years expecting something cool to occur. A few other Gryffindors and Ravenclaws were piled all along down the hallways towards the other side of the car; some sitting, some standing around conversing with other students.

In the cage on the seat next to Draco and I, Ares was going berserk. Flapping her wings, almost as if she was also trying to join in on the festivities of the train as well. "You can't come out just yet," I whispered to her, "Too many people."

"My father has a point, you know." Draco said to me.

"About what?" I asked him.

He pointed towards Ares, "Letting her get exercise by delivering them letters. She loves getting wind between her feathers and enjoys the joy of making deliveries. Plus, it's not like you'd be able to send letter updates to your own father during the year."

"I could." I gazed at Ares in her cage, putting my finger inside as she rubbed her beak up against it, "It'll definitely be her shortest trip yet."

"Get sorted into Slytherin House and you wouldn't even need her to send updates to your father." He chuckled.

I smiled back. Of course, I was rooting for Slytherin House. It was the only House I knew of. My father told me of my mother's house, Gryffindor, but growing up all I could hear about was Slytherin this, and Slytherin that. Benefits of always being at the Manor, I guess. Being placed there wouldn't be bad at all; Slytherin House was where my father met both Lucius and Narcissa. And from stories my dad told me through the years, he was so thankful to have had them while he was in school.

I still couldn't help but be nervous about what House the Sorting Hat would place me in; Slytherin or Gryffindor - a toss-up, really.

"I'm surprised your father actually let you stay with us for the rest of summer," Draco said, changing the subject, "After what happened in Diagon Alley. He's just so overprotective. I was certain he'd want to keep you away from us after-"

"He trusts you guys." I spoke, gazing out the window to see the green fields and white fluffy clouds in the light blue sky, "He knows your father would do anything to keep me from harm's way. The same as my father would when it comes to you." I made eye contact with Draco now, "Besides, you three are the closest to family we have. My father wouldn't give that up just because your father was stupid enough to get into some fist fight."

'According to him, he's used to that by now,' I thought to myself. The Malfoys may know a lot about my father, but something always told me that he never truly told them exactly what went on with my Grandparents when he was just a boy. I've always been curious about just how much my mother knew about it. Or if she didn't know about anything at all. My father is a pretty reserved person; always has, probably always will be.

He placed his arm over me, pulling my head onto his shoulder, "And don't you dare forget that."