Unmatched Hatred

Chapter 1

There I was, standing in front of the entrance to get to Platform 9 and 3/4.

It happened to be a rather busy day at Kings Cross Station in London. The place was quite noisy as hundreds of conversations floated around in the air. Muggles were scattered everywhere, sprinting to get to their train. I watched as several people rushed onto Platforms 9 and 10.

However, my train stop was elsewhere.

When I was sure no one was watching, I quickly hurried through the brick pillar between Platforms 9 and 10. I had disappeared into the bricks and was no longer at Kings Cross but at Platform 9 and 3\4. And there it was, the bright red Hogwarts Express, the only train which would take me to Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft.

There seemed to be more people attending Hogwarts this year than last year. Many children were running around while others were already on the train. Many parents waved goodbye to their dear children. It must be hard for parents to have to leave their kids for several months. It might be for my parents. I wouldn't know.

I slammed all my luggage down at the "luggage drop off" station for the house elves to pack it all up in my dorm. I felt completely relieved when I no longer had to carry such heavy weight. I then walked away from there to find the entrance to the train. I had spotted it and began walking that way. As I was approaching the entrance, I thought I sensed someone getting closer to me. Suddenly, I feel a hand gently touch my shoulder. It was no other than Draco Malfoy, my best friend! I turned around to meet his gaze, his hand falling from my shoulder.

" Why hello Draco," I said.

" Hello Holly," replied Draco, "Come on lets get on the train. We can talk more there."

He stepped in front of me, and I began to follow him onto the train. It was pretty hard to keep up with Draco considering he walks extremely fast. Wow! What happened to Draco over the summer? He is so tall and finally learned what a decent hair style looks like!

Finally, Draco stopped at a table where Blaise and Pansy were sitting and waiting for us. Draco sits down, and I take a seat next to him. As I was placing my bag under the table, I hear Pansy say...

" Why hello Draco!"

" Hi Pansy," he replied. "I find that we meet again."

She giggled. "It's always a pleasure."

"Hi Pansy!" I gasped, excited to see my other best friend again.

"Hey Holly," she said. "Enjoyed your summer?"

"Not hardly," I sighed. "You know how it is."

"I'm sorry to hear that," she said with pity in her tone. "That's very unfortunate. My family and Draco's family went on a one week trip to Greece just a few weeks ago. I wish you could have came. Draco and I had so much fun."

"That sounds amazing," I commented.

"I just stayed home all summer mostly," Blaise added.

Twenty minutes fly by, and the trolley comes by our table.

"Anything off the trolley dears?" the sweet old lady asked.

I politely say no thank you and so did the other three. The old lady then trails off to the next table.

Later on, both Blaise and Pansy had fallen asleep, with Blaise leaning against the window pane on a pillow and Pansy fast asleep against Blaise. I thought it was cute, but I knew Draco would taunt Blaise about it later.

"So, you really did go to Greece?" I whispered to Draco.

"Yes, it was an amazing vacation," he said carefully.

I nodded my head, then a strange and thoughtful expression appeared on his face.

"What exactly was your summer like?" he asked in a manner which I made out to be concern.

"It's nothing to worry about," I quickly assured him.

I did my best to give a convincing smile, and, as if on time, the train finally came to a stop.

We had arrived!

"Blaise! Pansy! Wake up! We are here!"

They both sleepily rubbed their eyes and asked how long they had been asleep. I didn't answer but eagerly hopped out of my seat and snatched my bag up off the carpet. The train felt like it was shaking with all the students running around trying to get off. I quickly followed Draco to the exit. This time it was easy to keep up with him since I was in a bit of a rush. My legs felt like literal jello but I was glad to be up and moving again. Once I got off the loud train, I glanced around at all my surroundings while following close behind Blaise, Draco, and Pansy. However, as I was glancing around, I found Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley. The three of them were all standing in a corner chattering with one another. I had to go say hi to them, but I did not find it smart to let Draco know who I was going to see. He doesn't know we are friends yet. I aggressively tapped Draco on the shoulder out of excitement.

"Sorry! I was just going to let you know that I am going to see some other friends," I told him.

I pointed in another direction away from Harry and his friends so Draco wouldn't suspect me.

"Okay. See you in the Great Hall," he says then runs off to catch up with Blaise and Pansy, who hadn't realized me and Draco had stopped.

I walked up to them, though they did not see me since their backs were turned to me. As I got closer, I actually started second guessing myself and grew a little hesitant to go up to them. I was not exactly sure if they considered me one of their friends. However, when Harry glanced around, his eye caught mine and a wide smile spread across his face.

Now you are probably thinking... why is a Slytherin friends with three Gryffindors? Aren't Gryffindors and Slytherins supposed to hate each other? Well, towards the end of 2nd year, which would be last year, we all began hanging out. Draco always bullied Harry, Ron, and Hermione, so I always hated them too. That was until I discovered they are actually really interesting people.

Harry held out his arms for a hug, and I let him give me a hug. I also hugged Hermione and Ron, though Ron made it a bit awkward. The four of us chatted with one another as we walked down the train station.

"I had a lovely summer myself," I laughed, an obvious hint of sarcasm in my voice.

"I sure did not," said Harry," I still hate spending the summer with Dudley, but it's quite nice to get away from him for ten months."

Poor Harry had nothing exciting to tell us about his summer. He stayed home while Dudley went places and did fun things. Harry has told me all about his cruel uncle and aunt, who used to keep him under the stairs. He has already told me all about his cousin, Dudley. Well, the four of us strolled down the train station. Harry grew a few inches over the past summer and had wonderful strands of perfect brown hair. Ron appeared to have also grown and had the same ginger colored hair as the rest of his family. Hermione also grew from the last time I saw her. She had the same beautiful dirty blonde curls in her hair and gleaming brown eyes.

I was glad I was now friends with them... if only I didn't feel like I had to hide it from Draco. Yes, Draco and Harry are rivalries, but as long as Draco doesn't have to be near Harry, it should be fine. Perhaps I could get them to be friends which would solve all my problems. I let the thought of Draco slip from my mind and continued talking to my new best friends... the Golden Trio.