Potter's Shadow (Draco Malfoy)

Chapter 20

The summer fizzled to a close after the events of the world cup, most days were spent resting at the burrow with the Weasleys, except Arthur and Percy, who were roped into extra hours at the Ministry. 

September 1st came around fairly quickly as the Weasley/Potter/Granger clan all climbed aboard the Hogwarts Express. This was the first year I decided to sit apart from my brother after feeling suffocated by his protective behaviour after the World Cup. Ginny and I found ourselves in a compartment with Neville and a blonde haired Ravenclaw name Luna Lovegood. Fred and George had appeared within the first hour trying to sell us some prank sweets but Ginny turned them away fairly quickly as she was fed up with their antics after a summer of being on the other end of their pranks. 

"Anything from the trolley?" The trolley lady called as she walked down the train. 

I stood up and made my way to the door sliding it open as she stopped outside our compartment, "One packet of Bertie Bott's Beans and a packet of Fudge Flies, please. " I asked as I counted out the correct amount of sickles from the selection of coins that I had received from Harry for a snack. 

I sat myself back in the compartment as Luna spoke up in her dazed voice, "I'm excited for Hogsmeade this year. Neville, is it true the Hog's Head is a haven for Wrackspurts?" 

"Wrackspurts?" Neville asked. 

Luna started lecturing Neville about the invisible creatures that fly around your ears as Ginny turned to me, "Did you ever get your Hogsmeade permission slip signed?" 

"I sent it off to my god-father last week. I haven't heard back. He'll probably have sent it straight to McGonagall or he'll send it in the next coming days." I assured Ginny. 

I turned to the door to see a familiar head of blond hair walk past our compartment followed by his dumb sidekicks. I turned to Ginny and added, "I'm going to use the toilets." 

I got up and pulled Draco's now clean handkerchief from my bag and made my way out of the compartment. I turned and started walking down the carriage until I found myself in front of one filled with Slytherin's, most importantly Draco Malfoy. I tentatively pulled open the door gaining the attention of Crabbe, "What do you want?" He rumbled drawing the attention of everyone else in the compartment. 

"Um." I stumbled, "Can I talk to Draco?"

Pansy Parkinson stood up from her seat next to Draco, "Draco doesn't associate half-bloods such as yourself. So leave." 

I looked helplessly at Draco pleading for him to listen to me or at least stand up for me. He stood up and said, "Don't you understand English, Potter's Shadow? She said leave!" Draco ordered me. 

I felt an ache in my chest and my cheeks feel red. To think I thought he had changed brought tears to my eyes. So I didn't end up crying in front of the Slytherin's, who I knew would just make fun of me for being a cry baby, I scrunched the handkerchief into a ball and lobbed it at Draco's head before storming out of the carriage. Once I knew they could no longer see me through the glass I ran till I reached the toilets and locked myself into a stall and let the tears slip. 

My pity session was interrupted eventually by the sound of the girl's toilet's door opening, "Rosie!" A familiar voice called. 

"One second. " I called back as I brushed the tears from my cheeks and unlocked the cubicle door. 

Ginny smiled at me as I made way across the room to the sinks, "You were taking a while so I thought I'd come check on you." She smiled but then she clocked the slight redness of my eyes, "What's wrong?" 

"I just bumped into some Slytherins." I answered vaguely.

"Malfoy?" Ginny guessed. 

I just nodded, "Don't tell Harry."