Boarding School Blues

Boarding School Blues

Chapter 1: Off to the Races

September.

Harry climbed onto the train from Platform 9 ¾, lugging his trunk and his other belongings up after him.

"Oi Harry, hurry up! It's filling up back here."

Harry waved to the cheerful red head at the end of the long car and started to make his way past the students loitering and chatting in the hall. The going was made slower by his trunk and the large owl cage he was dragging along with it.

"Here Harry, let me give you a hand with that," said a voice from behind him.

Harry looked over his shoulder to find a grinning Hermione Granger looking back at him intently. Harry smiled widely and acquiesced to her offer with a sweep of his arm and an exaggerated bow.

"It's all yours Hermione, oh she of the practical mind."

She furrowed her brows in a stern gaze.

"Really though Harry, you should have thought of using levitation or a lightening charm. We're seventh years for goodness sake!"

He could see the playful twinkle in her eye even as she scolded him. 'Same old Hermione,' he thought happily. She took a wand from a bag slung over her shoulder (undoubtedly filled with books for the ride over) and performed a levitation charm. Harry's trunk floated up as light as air and Harry guided it down the train car with Hermione following closely behind. They finally made it into the compartment at the end of the car where Ron was waiting for them along with Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan. Harry smiled. He was finally back, amongst his friends. This was going to be a great year.

"Look at what Dean's got!" exclaimed Seamus jumping up from his seat as soon as they entered.

Harry and Hermione looked to the tall dark-skinned boy who had been sitting next to Seamus, as he held up something for them to see.

"Oh my, Congratulations Dean!" said Hermione.

Harry nodded and smiled, "Yeah, good for you. I knew it would be a Gryffindor."

Dean beamed proudly as he pinned the Head Boy badge back onto his polo shirt.

"Yeah, isn't it great? I knew he would get it. No one deserves it more!" exclaimed Seamus who had reclaimed his seat next to Dean but was bouncing on the cushion excitedly.

"Seamus, it's really not such a big deal," muttered Dean looking modestly embarrassed.

"Not a big deal? It's a huge deal," replied Seamus spreading his arms out in an expansive gesture to illustrate his point. "Dean's Head Boy. You know what that means, don't you?" he grinned widely and continued not waiting for an answer, "Dean is Head Boy, which means Draco Malfoy is not!"

Harry's eyes lit up with the realization.

Last year Malfoy had incessantly bragged to anyone who would listen and even to those who wouldn't that he would be Head Boy. He had claimed perfect grades, the captainship of his House Quidditch team, and an ace up his sleeve, which everyone knew stood for a rich father who had only to make a generous donation (read bribe) to the committee of school governors to sway their decision in favor of a certain silvery haired Slytherin. But obviously it hadn't worked out the way Malfoy had planned, for he was not Head Boy.

"That's right! He's not. This is great!" said Harry with a cackle, some of Seamus's excitement rubbing off on him.

"Isn't it though? Leaves me free to spend my time on more important occupations."

Everyone in the compartment turned to the look towards the owner of the invading drawl, their faces masks of contempt, knowing instinctively whom exactly the voice belonged to. Draco Malfoy smirked in his regular condescending manner at the compartment of Gryffindors.

"What do you want Malfoy?" growled Ron automatically.

He'd only been asking the same question for the past six years, never once getting a straight answer, not that anyone would expect one. But it had become second nature to ask. Just like Malfoy's little start of the year social visit had become second nature.

"Why Weasel, I only wished to greet my fellow students as we begin our annual journey back to Hogwarts. This is our last year together after all. And we are one big happy family aren't we?" he said with sneer.

"I'll thank god it's the last year we need to spend with you Malfoy, and if we're one big family then you're the crazy albino cousin three times removed," said Seamus plainly.

"Oh, I'm sorry Finnegan," Draco drawled in reply, "I think you have me confused with one of Weasley's relations. He's the only one with a family that inbred."

Ron jumped up from the bench, "Shut up Malfoy!"

Draco leaned up against the frame of the door and crossed his arms, ignoring the aggravated red head, as he continued to smirk into the cabin.

"Christ Weasley, one would think you'd have come up with a better comeback by now. You've only had six years to think of one," he quipped examining the perfectly manicured nails of his pale left hand.

Ron clenched his fists and jaw simultaneously as a deep flush started to climb up his cheeks. Harry could see the warning signs. Ron was about to blow.

"Malfoy get out of here," said Harry in an urgent tone.

"No, I don't think I will. Not without doing what I came to do."

"And what was that?" asked Hermione before she could stop herself.

Malfoy pushed off the frame and turned to her, grinning evilly.

"Why, I just wanted to congratulate our new Head Boy, Dean here," he said turning his cold gaze to Dean. "Congratulations Thomas. Enjoy it while you can."

Dean frowned deeply as he stared at the Slytherin.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" blurted out Seamus. "This isn't some kind of muggle movie. 'Enjoy it while you can.' Really!"

Draco scowled at the incredulous looking sandy haired blonde.

"You idiot. All of you," he turned his gaze to the rest of the group, "don't you realize what is going to happen? Do you actually think it matters who's Head Boy right now? Head Boy won't count for anything when the new power rises. Or Head Girl for that matter," he said turning to Hermione. He smirked. "Fitting really, though isn't it? Mudblood rulers over a filthy muggle-loving school."

"Hey!" screeched Seamus in outrage.

"Shut up and get out!" cried Harry.

But Malfoy was already out. And plastered up against the opposite wall of the carriage where Ron had pinned him. Ron laid a punch into Draco's side and then another into his stomach. Draco too surprised and now too overcome to respond merely grunted as Ron's fist flew into him. Before Ron could do much more damage, hands pulled him off of Draco, and the smaller boy slumped to the ground where no one paid him any attention much to his chagrin.

The group of Gryffindors surrounded one of the railway ushers who now had Ron by the collar of his shirt. More people crowded around the fringes of the group, bustling to see what all the excitement was about, causing the narrow hall to fill, and leaving little room to move around.

The usher waved a majority of the students away, "Nothing to see here. Get back to your compartments," and turned to Ron. "Now young man, if you would explain to me what exactly happened."

Ron opened his mouth to explain, but was interrupted by a groan. They all looked down to find a thoroughly trampled and jostled looking Malfoy slumped there.

"Some help?" he groaned holding his stomach.

The usher looked to Harry and Hermione. They sighed simultaneously and went to help the boy up.

"You did this?" asked the usher turning back to Ron.

"I didn't hit him that hard," answered Ron derisively.

"He had a good reason, sir. Malfoy was taunting us. He called Hermione and Dean Mudbloods," explained Seamus.

"Is this true?" asked the usher.

Five heads nodded in affirmation while Malfoy stood with Harry's support, glaring at nothing in particular.

"Was anyone else involved?"

"They were all involved," replied Draco helpfully.

He accompanied the comment with an exaggerated sweep of his arm in a wide semicircle, which caused him to nearly topple over, forcing him to grab onto Harry's arm for dear life.

Harry scowled at him as if he was some sort of parasite, a tick, or no, perhaps a leech. Draco scowled back holding on tighter. 'Yes, definitely a leech,' thought Harry. He turned to the usher.

"No sir. No one else was involved."

The usher nodded.

"Well, I will have to report this behavior to the school. Fist fighting will not be tolerated on the Hogwarts Express. Now all of you back to your compartment."

Everyone filed back into the compartment except for Harry. Hermione popped her head back out of the doorway.

"Coming, Harry?" she inquired.

"Yeah, I'll be there in a bit."

Hermione nodded and retreated back in to the compartment, and Harry turned to the usher.

"What do I do with him?" he asked.

"Is he alright?" asked the usher.

"He's fine. He's probably even faking it to get attention."

"Hmm...if he doesn't need a doctor then - "

"Hello, I'm right here," interrupted Draco indignantly, "You can ask me you know. And I'm fine. I don't need a doctor and I am NOT faking it." He threw a dark look at Harry, "I am just having a bit of trouble walking. I think someone stepped on my ankle while I was on the ground."

"All right then. Both of you get back in the compartment."

"But I can't go in there," whined Draco.

Harry enthusiastically nodded his agreement.

"I don't see why not. Besides, I don't believe there are any other seats left in the other compartments. You'll have to sit there," said the usher.

"But you've seen what they've done to me. God knows what more damage they'll inflict if you put me back in with them. I'll be in danger," Draco said in his best pitifully innocent voice, which was quite pitiful indeed.

Harry rolled his eyes.

"I'm sorry...oh wait, here's a seat," the usher said waving into a compartment down the hall.

Two heads popped out past the doorway, one a very puggish looking one with over teased and spritzed blonde hair (with roots!) and the other, a slightly prettier one, giggling incessantly.

"Hi Dracey. I missed you sooooo much this summer. Come on sit with us and I can tell you all about my vacation," squealed Pansy Parkinson waving at him.

"Yeah Dracey. Come on over. We'll have sooooo much fun," added Blaise Zabini.

Draco heard what sounded like a whole army of girls giggling in reply back in the compartment.

"It's your choice," said the usher.

"Maybe I could just sit in the hall. I'd probably be happier," sighed Draco sadly.

"Maybe I should just dump you out the window. It would probably make everyone happier," offered Harry cheerfully causing Draco to scowl at him for the umpteenth time that day.

"Sorry, against regulation. All passengers must be seated in compartments during travel," explained the usher as he headed down the hall to the next car.

Draco looked at Harry. Harry looked at Draco and sighed.

"Okay, I suppose you can come sit with us. I have to take pity on you. No one deserves to be marooned in a compartment with Pansy and her gang, though if anyone did deserve it, it would probably be you."

"Thanks Potter. I'm touched. Really. Though I'll have to agree with you on Pansy. No one deserves that fate."

"Okay, well let's hurry and go then."

Draco let go of Harry's arm and wrapped his own around Harry's shoulder. Harry hooked his arm under Draco's and around his middle to support him. They limped quickly to the compartment, amidst cries of, "Where are you going Draceyyyy?" and, "Oh poo, come back Dracey!"

Harry stopped abruptly at the door and turned his head to face Draco.

"Now you don't say anything, do anything, or look at anyone. Got it?"

"Okay Potter. Whatever you say," said Draco with a short laugh. Harry continued to stare sternly at the blonde.

"You're not kidding?" asked Draco uncertainly.

Harry stared and said nothing.

"Shit, how am I expected not to look at anyone? You might just as well blindfold me, gag me, and bind me," said Draco disbelievingly.

"Be my pleasure," said Harry simply as the corners of his mouth turned up in a grin that Draco had difficulty interpreting as anything but predatory.

Draco, taken aback by Harry's gaze, quickly found himself agreeing to 'play nice' with the other Gryffindors.

Just as Harry reached for the latch a dark blurry figure appeared through the frosted opaque glass window in the cabin door. The door slid open. Dean stood on the other side looking quizzically at the pair.

Harry sighed.

"He has to sit with us 'cause there's no room elsewhere."

Dean nodded and stepped aside to make room for them. Harry got a sturdier grip of Draco and quickly dragged him through the doorway to the nearest empty seat. This happened to be right next to Hermione who looked scandalized at having the unruly Slytherin placed in such proximity to her. Harry looked at her apologetically and took his place in between Draco and the window. Ron and Seamus looked up from the Quidditch magazine they were reading together, with a look of surprise and anger on their faces.

"What's he doing here?" demanded Ron.

Draco smirked.

"I can be wherever I want Weasley," he explained.

"Well I doubt you want to be here. Anyhow we most definitely do not want you to be here. So what gives?" said Seamus.

"All the other compartments were full. Don't worry I talked to him. He won't bother us, will you?" said Harry turning to Draco giving him his darkest most intimidating glare.

Needless to say Draco was not impressed. He smirked back at the black haired boy.

"Yes Dear. Whatever you say," he said in a mockingly sweet tone scooting closer to Harry.

Harry glowered at the insolent blonde.

"I'm serious," he growled.

"Don't worry Harry. I'll take care of him if he tries anything," said Ron enthusiastically pounding a fist into his palm.

"Oh Merlin!" shrieked Hermione. "Don't you even think about it Ron! You've already gotten in trouble. School hasn't even started yet."

"Oh-oh. Look what you've done Ron," muttered Seamus. "We only just gotten her to shut up about this before you came in," he explained to Harry who nodded in understanding.

"For goodness sake! We haven't even left the station yet! If you even think about doing something stupid like that Ronald Weasley...and stop doing that, you look silly, like an anorexic Crabbe and Goyle! Really..."

Ron stopped punching and placed his hands in his lap sheepishly.

"Who knows what they'll do to you when we get back to school. You've no need to go adding more to it. And furthermore - "

"Please Hermione. Give it a rest. I only meant that if he got out of hand. I'm not going to do anything okay? I'm sorry!" said Ron looking decently cowed down and chastised. He crossed his arms to brood but quickly tired of it and turned back to the magazine along with Seamus.

The carriage lurched at that moment as the train started moving. Harry stared out the window as they moved past the platform. Draco looked at him. This trip was getting boring already. Draco, determined to entertain himself, turned to Hermione, who was still shaking her head at Ron (he was oblivious as usual), and decided to start a conversation.

"Not bad Granger. I'm quite impressed," he said throwing a nod towards Ron.

"Oh, Ron's not so bad. You just have to know how to handle him. He's basically just a big cuddly puppy, not so tough as he likes to pretend," she found herself explaining. Realizing whom she was talking to, she blushed, "Er...I mean, shut up Malfoy. Ron could pulverize you and I should let him too, except that he'd get in trouble."

"Sounds like you keep a pretty tight leash on your 'puppy.' I'm starting to feel a bit sorry for the poor Weasel."

Hermione narrowed her eyes at the blonde.

"Let's get this straight. If Weasley's your puppy then you must be his...bitch?" he continued attempting to bait her further.

She clenched her hands into fists, rage gleaming in eyes shining angrily.

"Shut up Malfoy!" She screeched, clearly having had enough of his insults.

Draco smirked, having achieved his desired results. This is all too easy, he mused.

Harry turned from the window and decided it was time to intercede.

"Is hurting people all you can do Malfoy? You promised you wouldn't do this. So apologize to her, NOW!" he said with authority.

"You can't tell me what to do, Potter," Draco informed Harry calmly.

Harry looked at him sternly and Draco stared back.

"Apologize!"

"No!"

Harry, without thinking, gave him a kick in the leg.

"Ooooooohhhh. Christ what was that for?" cried Draco grabbing his already swollen ankle, clearly in pain.

Harry started.

"Oh, Malfoy...I forgot...I'm sorry!" he said worriedly. Then he remembered why he'd kicked Malfoy in the first place.

"Now will you apologize? I can do that again you know," he threatened.

Draco, recovering from the assault, glared at Harry.

"Fine. I'm sorry."

"Look at her, not me. And address her by her name...her first name. Show a little respect Malfoy," Harry said cockily. Getting Draco Malfoy to apologize to someone was a very heady experience.

Draco's glare intensified, but he valued his body very much so he turned to the angry witch sitting next to him.

"I'm sorry, Hermione."

"That's okay. I forgive you," said Hermione with delight.

Draco crossed his arms and pouted. She smirked.

"Oh how the mighty have fallen."

Draco looked up at her and shrugged carelessly.

"Oh well, you know what they say Granger. The meek shall inherit the earth."

Hermione snorted, "Ha. You, Draco Malfoy, meek? There's a laugh."

"Whatever you say Granger," he said with a sigh.

"What? No witty derogatory comeback? Who are you and what have you done with the prick we all love to hate?" she said sarcastically.

"It's still me."

"I'm amazed and astounded."

"Pretty tame when he's in pain isn't he Hermione?" said Harry.

"I'll say," she replied somewhat incredulously.

"I think I like you this way Malfoy," said Harry grinning at the incapacitated blonde.

"Which way, tame or in pain?" asked Draco with a wry smirk.

"Both." Once again Harry gave the boy an odd grin.

Draco scooted towards Hermione.

"Malfoy what are you doing? Get away from me. This is my part of the bench," she screeched.

"Children, children, please. You wouldn't want Uncle Harry to have to punish you, now would you?"

Draco raised an elegant eyebrow at the raven-haired boy grinning like a fool next to him.

"You know, sometimes I wonder about you Potter," said Draco shaking his head. "But I'm sure the Mudblood here can tell me all your little kinks."

"Don't call me Mudblood," said Hermione.

She kicked him lightly in the ankle to emphasize her point, the point being that she was not to be trifled with.

"OWWW!" Draco howled in pain.

"And I don't know any of Harry's kinks, let alone all of them. Now, behave," she warned.

"I should have taken my chances out the window," muttered Draco.

Hermione threw him a confused look while Harry just sniggered. Ron, Seamus, and Dean continued to pay no attention, so deeply were they engrossed in their conversation about broomsticks.

Draco shrugged and leaned back against the seat.

"I really don't see what the problem is with saying Mudblood. It's what you are, isn't it?" he started conversationally.

Hermione rolled her eyes.

"No it is not what I am. I am muggle-born. And even more so, I am a witch. And even more I am a human being who deserves respect and compassion."

"You go girl," said Harry.

Hermione glared at him.

"Okay. So you're a human being. And you're a witch and a muggle-born. But I'm a pureblood. Which makes me a better wizard than you, which makes me a better human being than you, which makes me overall better than you which means I can call you any bloody damn thing I well please!"

Draco smiled haughtily at her, proud of his seamless logic and so blatantly brilliant intellect.

Hermione glared daggers at him.

Draco, seemingly unaware of Hermione's murderous intent, decided to go on and prove his statement, "Right, Mud-bmlphf?"

Harry threw a pleading glance at Hermione and she grudgingly put down the twelve hundred paged Arithmancy book she was about to slam over Draco's head. Harry released his hand from Draco's mouth as soon as the danger had passed.

"Why'd you have to go and do that?" whined Draco.

"Shut up. That was the second time I've saved your arse today. Be grateful I have a heart," he said in exasperation.

"Yeah right," muttered Draco rubbing his ankle gingerly.

"Do everyone, including yourself, a favor and go to sleep Malfoy," Harry said with a deep tired sigh.

Draco scowled, "Fine. I was about to anyway."

He leaned back and closed his eyes instantly dozing off. After about an hour he was still asleep as Harry and Hermione played ping-pong with his head. Currently the ball was in Harry's court.

"Ugh, my shoulder is falling asleep," Harry complained.

He pushed Draco onto Hermione's shoulder.

"Haaarry, stop. I don't want him on me."

She pushed him back.

"And I do?" countered Harry pushing him back. "It's your turn anyway. He's been on me for at least fifteen minutes."

Hermione made a face, "But he drools in his sleep," and she pushed him back to Harry.

"Oh great, so I get to have him drool all over me?"

Ron looked up from the game of exploding snap he was playing with Seamus and Dean.

"Why don't you guys just lean him back against the head board?" he suggested.

"Because he doesn't stay there," snapped Harry in annoyance.

Just then they heard the scuffle of steps running towards them. The steps stopped outside their compartment, and then the door slid open.

"What's the matter Neville?" asked Hermione.

Neville stooped over in the doorway to catch his breath and then looked up with a look of abject terror written all across his face.

"I-it was horrible. They m-made me do things. T-terrible things," he stammered.

"Who Neville? What happened?" asked Dean.

"Pansy and the Slytherin girls."

They all nodded knowingly.

"I-I-they made me do Teen Witch Weekly relationship quizzes, and-and they made me p-paint their toe nails."

He burst into sobs.

"It was horrible. I only got away because she eventually realized that she didn't know me and that I wasn't a Slytherin. She threw me out. It was one of the happiest moments of my life. You know she read me my horoscope. 'Beware of the snake pit. Lest they tempt you to stay, heed these words and run, run the other way.' I'll never doubt divination ever again!"

He paused, looking around the compartment.

"No seats?"

"Well Malfoy's asleep anyway. Why not just roll him onto the floor?" suggested Ron.

Harry and Hermione looked at each other and shrugged. They lifted Malfoy off the seat and slumped him ever so gently to the floor in between the two benches, where he curled up and started to snore contentedly. Neville sat down in the empty seat and started a conversation with Hermione about carnivorous plants of the Drosophyllum genus. Harry started to work on his eight scroll summer potions essay of which he'd only finished one and a half scrolls, and the other three busied themselves with the eternal debate of football vs. Quidditch, leaving their potions homework for until the very last minute (which is when one gets the most satisfaction out of doing homework). And Draco continued to snooze there on the floor for the remainder of the trip.