The Redemption of Draco Malfoy

Chapter 6: An Uncomfortable Ride

Draco only had time for two more meetings with Ginny before the Christmas holidays. They had decided that the topic of "How to get rid of Lucius Malfoy" was off-limits until after break, so they talked instead about their end-of-term exams and what Christmas was like at their homes.

And then it was time for him to leave her. He couldn't say good-bye properly, without giving away their secret. He winked at her as they boarded the Hogwarts Express, but that was all he could do.

He shared a compartment, once again, with Crabbe and Goyle. This time, though, Pansy and Millicent were also in there. Even before the train started moving, Crabbe was getting his hands on Millicent and Goyle was nibbling on Pansy's ear. Draco tried to bury himself in his book, but after half an hour or so, he couldn't ignore the sounds coming from his travelling companions.

Too bad I can't be doing stuff like that with Ginny, he thought. But ugh. Not in public. I can't believe those idiots are feeling their girlfriends up in front of an audience.

He slammed his book shut, slipped out of the compartment, and walked down the corridor in search of a new seat.

The first compartment he came to was full of first-year Ravenclaws playing Exploding Snap. Nope. Next was a compartment containing the Creevey brothers and a bunch of other Gryffindors, pawing over photo albums and squealing excitedly. Draco shuddered. Definitely not there.

There were only four people in the next compartment. Draco swallowed suddenly. Did he dare? He opened the door and stood, uncertainly, trying to decide whether or not to enter.

"Do you want something, Malfoy?" Ron Weasley's voice sounded irritated but he made no move to get up from his seat. His arm was draped over Hermione Granger.

"Just looking for a place to sit," said Draco uncomfortably. "Do you mind?"

Ron and Hermione shot glances across the aisle at Harry, who spoke up. "Don't your, er, buddies like you any more?"

Draco blushed. "They let me in their compartment but, well, I was rather, well, annoyed at how they were behaving with their girlfriends..."

Hermione gave him a know-it-all glance. "So? You're a prefect. Dock them for unseemly conduct."

Draco rolled his eyes. "Right, Granger. You are also a prefect. Why don't you go over and do just that, since you're the brave Gryffindor."

Ron looked at Hermione and she looked back at him and nodded. Together, they got up and walked out of the compartment. Draco sat across from Ginny with his book. "I won't disturb you. Just looking for some peace and quiet."

Ron and Hermione came back a moment later. Both were flushed and giggly. "I think I'll wait until they're done with, ummm, how shall we say, the act before I tell them off," said Hermione.

"They're that far already?" asked Draco. "They didn't have their clothes off when I left a minute ago."

"Well," said Ron, "Let's just say that's what we think they were doing under those blankets..."

"I put a darkening charm on the window and locked the door," said Hermione smugly. "But still--doing it with the other couple in the room--ugh!"

Draco picked up his book and lost himself in it again. He looked up every now and then to glance at Ginny, who was trying her hardest not to stare at him.

When the food cart came, he put down his book long enough to eat and tried to make polite conversation.

"So, Harry, are you visiting Ron this Christmas?" (He hoped not; he didn't want a Death Eater attack on the Burrow.)

"No, the Dursleys are actually having me back. Their vicar asked why I didn't ever come home for Christmas, so they thought they'd do something righteous for a change." Ron and Hermione whooped in delight at this pronouncement and even Ginny giggled.

Rats, Draco thought. He knew the Muggle home was well warded and that Harry would be safe there. Too bad. He wanted so badly for his father to tell him that his mission was complete, so that he could spend extra time with Ginny.

He retreated back into Antidotes for Nasty Poisons and soon fell asleep.

When he awoke, Ginny was prodding him awake. "Mr. Malfoy, we are almost to the station," she said.

He smiled. "Thank you, Miss Weasley. I will go and find my trunk now." Nodding almost politely at Harry, Ron, and Hermione, he added: "Thank you for not hexing me out of existence." And then he left.