Adopted by the Malfoy's {Harry Potter fanfic}

8. Hogwarts Express

A/N: I own nothing but Lexie and Max! All ownership belongs to J.K. Rowling. In other news, I regret to inform you that the pairing I have in mind will not take place until way later, as only I know who it will be. Lexie's parentage will be revealed in a later chapter (maybe even a later book) as well. I hope you like!

Once he reached the other side, Draco let out a breath and was relieved to see the Hogwarts Express before him, with students leaning out the windows waving and talking to their loved ones. Lexie came through beside him and he turned, glad to see that she was over her fear and was now gazing at the train in amazement.

“Let’s go, we have to find compartments.” Draco directed, once again leading the way, handing off his trunk to the wizards loading the other student’s trunks onto the train. He grabbed only a duffel that held his robes and his owl, Lexie did the same, grabbing Max and a small book bag. They boarded the very packed train, searching for a compartment. Draco found his own friends not long after but was dismayed to see there wasn’t any room for Lexie to join them.

“You stay, I’ll find one. See you later?” She asked him and he hesitated, “you can come and find me if you like when the train’s going.”

“Alright, but hurry. I’ll find you later, if not I‘ll see you when we get sorted.” Draco answered and she nodded once bravely before setting off, peeking into compartments for one she could fit into. Draco took a breath and prepared to put his game face on, knowing he’d have to become the Malfoy his father had raised. He entered the compartment and seated himself next to Blaise, joining in on the conversation, but his mind somewhere else entirely.

Lexie searched the train, finally finding one that was semi-empty, with only the girl she met at Diagon Alley, Hermione, and another boy. She opened the door and smiled at Hermione and the boy in greeting, and asked if she could sit with them. Hermione agreed immediately while the boy just blushed, clearly not used to being around girls. She quickly learned that his name was Neville, and that he was also starting his first year. The girls started a conversation about the different houses at Hogwarts and the classes, everything they could think of to talk about. Once he got over his shyness, Neville joined in on the conversation until Lexie smiled at him, then he was once again left speechless and beet red.

After what seemed like forever, the Hogwarts Express finally pulled away from the station and Lexie leaned out the window to watch, imagining what it was like to have family waving goodbye and there to see her off. She didn’t feel sorry for herself though, knowing she at least had Draco who cared, and who was also coming with her to school.

Not long into the ride Neville noticed his toad was missing and the girls agreed to help him find it by checking the other compartments. Hermione took the back of the train while Lexie headed toward the front, leaving Neville with the middle cars. She looked along the ground for the toad until she reached the first car and lightly knocked, opening it to find four girls, three in conversation and one reading a book. They shook their heads when she asked if they had seen a toad so she continued on, checking each compartment and asking the occupants.

Eventually she reached the one her brother was in with his friends and opened it to ask, smiling first. “Have any of you seen a toad? Someone’s lost one.” She inquired; catching Draco’s eye and feeling her heart sink as he greeted her with a sneer.

There was a girl with a pug face who looked back at her disdainfully, and a dark skinned boy who looked her over curiously. “No, we haven’t.” Said the boy and after a last glance at Draco, who had simply ignored her, she left; closing the compartment door softly.

“So Draco, breaking hearts already?” Blaise teased; his gaze still on the girl as she checked the next compartment.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Draco retorted, forcing down the flash of regret at how he’d treated her. Already he didn’t like this new school year, or himself. But what choice did he have? If he showed even the smallest bit of weakness and affection for her, then his father would hear of it and he was sure to suffer.