Harry Potter & the Family Who Lived

Chapter 4: A Friend Indeed

"Oy! Hello?"

Harry opened his eyes to find himself staring at a blonde haired boy standing in the doorway of the cabin.

"Oh, hello," Harry said. "Sorry, I was sleeping."

"Well," The boy said. "Could I join you?"

Harry nodded seeing no issue with this. The boy sat down and held out his hand. "Malfoy. Draco Malfoy," he said.

Harry shook his hand and said. "Harry Potter."

"A Potter? Half-blood then," Draco said.

"Excuse me?" Harry said.

"Sorry, your mom's a mudblood isn't she?" Draco said.

Harry scowled at the term. His mom had explained to him some wizards used ill terminology when describing muggleborns.

He knew very well the insulting terms wizards and witches threw around. "Never refer to my mother as that term ever again," Harry said.

"Sorry," Draco said. "I'm used to being around my father. I forget that it's considered rude by most others."

"I'll forgive you. Once," Harry said. "But yes, my mom's a muggleborn witch. I take it your family's pureblood?"

"The whole Malfoy line," Draco said. "We're proud of it. Every member of the family is a pureblood."

"Are you proud of it?" Harry asked. "Or do you just echo your father."

Draco paused. "What are you getting at, Potter?" Draco said with a glare.

"Well, it just seems as though I haven't heard an independent thought come from your mouth," Harry said.

Draco took in Harry's words and then said. "I like you, Potter. Let's be friends," he said.

"Considering that's the first thing you've said that isn't your father's influence," Harry said. "Sure."

Draco nodded. "Good, good."

Just as the two settled into the cabin having a more relaxed conversation, a girl with extremely bushy hair and bucked teeth came up to the cabin. "Have either of you seen a toad? A boy named Neville's lost one."

The two boys gazed at the girl before Draco said. "Tell him to look in a mirror."

Harry kicked Draco's shin and Draco rolled his eyes. The girl entered the cabin and sat down right next to Draco as she looked at Harry.

"I'm Hermione Granger. You must be Harry Potter. I've read about your family. Defeated He Who Must Not be Named in a battle at Godric's Hollow."

"Hey, no one said you could just barge in here," Draco said. "Granger. What kind of family name is that? Don't tell me you're a..." Draco glanced at Harry who gave him a look. "Muggleborn."

"And of course I know what family you come from," Hermione said. "Blonde hair and an obsession over bloodlines. You must be a Malfoy."

"Draco. Draco Malfoy."

"We know the allegiance of your family," Hermione said. "Your father in particular. Curious though your mother didn't seem to agree with aiding You Know Who. The only neutral Malfoy in the family."

"If you're so smart, I bet you know about the rumors," Draco said.

"You mean that he's going to return," Harry said. "Surely it's just a rumor."

"Not a rumor entirely," Hermione said. "There's been whispers... sightings... could be nothing, likely something."

"You mean he's really coming back?" Harry said.

"Almost a certainty," Hermione said. "Your parents and the Order were the first to defeat him. There's no way he's gone forever."

"I've heard my father talk," Draco said. "He seems certain he's gone."

"Or maybe he's simply hoping," Hermione said. "The idea of him returning must be terrifying for your father."

"Well let's hope that day never comes where we must find out," Draco said.

"Agreed," Hermione said.

Harry nodded along.

"Look, we're arriving at the station," Draco said. "Soon we'll all know what houses we'll be sorted into."

Harry looked out the window taking in the gorgeous view as they approached the Hogwarts station.