When the Snow Melts

Life Isn't Fair

The newly arrived first-years were lined up down the middle of the Great Hall, nervousness wafting off them.

"SLYTHERIN!" the sorting hat announced from atop the head of a small, dirty-blond haired kid. He shuffled towards the Slytherin table in a state of shock, his new housemates welcoming him with sound of fists pounding on tables.

Draco glanced at the boy in disinterest. Great, he thought. Another annoying little rodent. He let out an irritated growl and waited impatiently for the sorting to finish. The school year had only just started and he was ready for it to be done.

"Draco," Pansy teased. "Knock it off – you're beginning to sound like my dog."

"At least I don't look like your dog," he snarled looking pointedly in Crabbe and Goyle's direction. They both shifted nervously in their seats, eyes fixed on the tabletop.

"What's put you in such a bad mood?" she asked in a bemused tone, despite already knowing the answer.

His eyes flitted towards a certain smiling, emerald-eyed boy. He couldn't help it, he growled again.

Pansy rolled her eyes in exasperation. Draco ignored her in preference of more brooding.

From the looks he was getting, it was obvious that the whole school had heard what had happened on the train.

(The Train, earlier that day)

Crabbe was focused, completely absorbed in the act of unwrapping another chocolate frog and adding the wrapper to his ever-growing pile of trash. He had done little else the entire ride. Something was up, but Draco couldn't quite put his finger on it.

"Let's go see what Potter and his fan club are up to," Draco suggested after some thought, desperately wishing that things would return to business as usual.

Crabbe and Goyle shared a pained expression. Draco's brow crinkled in confusion in response.

"What's wrong with you guys?" he grumbled. "You've been acting strange all summer."

Goyle let out a resigned sigh, nodding in Crabbe's direction and then straightened in his seat, his expression determined. Draco eyed him suspiciously.

"Look Draco," Goyle explained. "Crabbe and I decided we want nothing to do with Potter this year. Every time we try something, it backfires. It isn't fun anymore."

Crabbe smiled apologetically and added, "With the war and all, we have better things to be doing than getting humiliated all the time."

Draco eyes widened in disbelief, taking in their solemn expressions. Crabbe and Goyle had always been there for him. Tormenting Harry was the glue that held their friendship together. What had changed here? He couldn't wrap his head around it. It felt like betrayal, but more than anything, it felt like he was being left behind, like they might be growing up and growing apart and he never even noticed it happening.

"Fine," he hissed, storming out of the compartment. "I'll just go by myself." He slammed the door closed behind him.

The train was crowded as usual as he shoved through his fellow students making his way to Harry Potter and Company's usual compartment. He paused momentarily, glaring at the door, wondering if this was a good idea. Even with Crabbe and Goyle's assistance, things rarely worked out in his favor. Since they were suddenly too good for him.... He swallowed the hard lump in his throat, stopping that train of thought before it could fully form.

The door was thin enough that he could just barely make out what they were saying. Ears straining, he took a step closer.

The fat kid that was always tagging along with them with them was speaking, his voice unnaturally high and tight.