Barely Acquaintances

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"You'll have that lovely Malfoy boy to keep you company"
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"Y/N darling, you must have finished packing by now?"

"I'm almost finished Mother!" I sighed with relief as I grabbed the last of my school jumpers and folded them neatly into my, already very full trunk. I paused and glanced up at my mother through my long black lashes, "although, I don't suppose you've seen my wand have you?" I asked rather shyly, knowing mother wouldn't find this quite as humorous as myself. "Only, I seemed to have misplaced it" I continued, batting my eyes at her as though asking to not be scowled at.

However, to my surprise she smiled at me ever so warmly, just as she always did, and said, "yes Y/N, it's in the kitchen downstairs, where you left it".

To this, we both grinned and I told her I'd be ready to leave in a matter of minutes. Ready to leave my home at the Merlott Mansion to be reunited with my, well my second home at Hogwarts.

Unlike some of my fellow students, I was rather excited to be returning to school for my 3rd year, many were frightened by last years events, what with the chamber being opened and all. Which I do understand, however Mother and Father reassured me enough times, that by being not only in Slytherin, but also from a long line of purebloods, I was absolutely and completely safe. And of course, they were never wrong.

My family, the Merlotts, are lucky enough to be part of the sacred twenty eight, along with the Malfoys of course. Because of this, from a young age I was taught not to associate with the muggle born, as they're far below us. Mother and Father both work in the ministry, and quite high up I must add. All of this put together meant that my family and I were well known in the wizzarding world, wether that be a good or bad thing, I still wasn't too sure of. Of course, being in the same school year as Potter, the vast majority of the spotlight was taken away anyway, so I needn't worry too much.

After having to sit on top of my trunk in order to get it closed, I called down to Father who sent our house elf to heave it down the grand staircase and into our carriage for me. I almost felt guilty, knowing how heavy it probably was, but my thoughts were pushed from my head when Father spoke to me.

"All ready y/n dear?" I nodded gleefully and he lightly ruffled my hair whilst we waited by the carriage for mother. "We're meeting Lucius and Narcissa at the station darling, your mother and I have business with them" he continued, and before I could reply, my mother added,

"We may have to leave you before the train departs I'm afraid, you'll have that lovely Malfoy boy to keep you company though!" Her words made me cringe ever so slightly, that lovely Malfoy boy.

"Mother, Father," I glanced at them both warmly, taking their hands in mine "this is my third year, not first" I chuckled slightly at their need to always be by my side as though I was 11 years old again and waiting to start my Hogwarts journey for the first time. "Neither of you, and certainly not Draco need to look after me anymore" I paused, watching their grins only grow, "at least, not all of the time."

They pulled me into a brief hug. I know they meant well, both parents have wanted me and Draco to get along ever since we were born. Maybe a thousand forced play dates and encounters later and we still wouldn't dare call each other more than acquaintances. I was never truly sure what his problem was exactly, and I never really cared to find out. We had always kept things civil, for our parents sake, and only Merlin knows I was wrong when I had assumed this year would be the same.

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We arrived at Kings Cross at approximately 10.30am, thirty minutes before the Hogwarts Express left the station. Mother and father hurried us through the crowds of clueless muggles and through the magical wall onto platform nine and three quarters.