Draco's P.O.V

The platform of the Hogwarts express was buzzing with vibrant life as usual I pushed my trolley along and stuck Taurus in the owl compartment between Sugar Cookie and Coco. Then I made my way around to board the bright red engine that would take us back to Hogwarts. After walking trough about five car's I saw Astoria and Blaise engaged in deep conversation about the finer points of chocolate frogs and if they beat Amorieta cookies. I knocked on the compartment door and Blaise stood up to open it and said, "Its good to see you mate I'm so sorry that I missed your ball but family emergencies called." My tone was kind as I said, "It's no problem family should come first, Astoria you have been pretty quiet is everything alright?" She looked and nodded her head vigorously and said in a unusually shy tone, "I'm fine don't worry about it."

My eyes fell on her throat and resting around it was my snitch, it gave a weak flap of its wings before stilling once again. I sat down and Crabbe and Goyle walked by and gave us dirty looks it was alright though because we simply shot looks back at them. They were still mad about the fact I fired them. It was probably the best decision I have ever made, now they wouldn't get in the way besides I was skilled enough to handle myself. Blaise stuck his tongue out as they walked past and Astoria smacked him on the head and said, "Behave"

My mind carried me back to the previous year and all of the changes that occurred in my life. It was a struggle against former ways but after swallowing my pride I had managed to apologize to several people except Crabbe and Goyle, they were worse than me when it came to being a bully. I eyed Astoria as she was reading her new defense against the dark arts book by Remus Lupine. She looked gorgeous, wait back up there and listen to yourself Draco. Don't let yourself be turned into a blushing fool. My tone was calm when I said, "So what's the plan for this year guys"Blaise quirked an eyebrow and said, "Have fun what else?" Its good to see that he has his priorities straight don't worry about studying at all" Astoria laughed and said, "Well I'm going to worried about my studies and finding adventure" She is clearly too excited about all of this and has some kind of death wish, just wonderful. I love my perfectly normal calm friends its just great."

The trolley rolled by and skipped our compartment and Blaise was having none of it he practically dove out of the compartment hit the floor and ran after the trolly with his pants partly down, it was the funniest thing I had seen all year also it was slightly messed up. Astoria was giggling and said, "Blaise is certainly going for it isn't he that mighty trolly doesn't stand a chance, all chocolate frogs must die" She the leaned back in her seat and asked, "So what do you want out of life Draco" This caused a sigh to escape me and I said, " That's a complicated philosophical question, I suppose I want a life that is meaningful." She cocked her head and said what do you mean by that?" There she goes asking me the hard questions. My tone was sure as I said, "My father has pretty much wasted his life. He may have more money than he knows what to do with but has he really made a difference, no he hasn't. I want to know that I've made a difference and your the driving force behind that desire thank you" I reached out and stroked her cheek she blushed and turned away, did I do something wrong?"

The train was rumbling down the tracks when all of a sudden it stopped Blaise had not come back yet either. The only sound was our breathing and the steam coming out of the train. Astoria's breathing rate had picked up and she said, "Draco I don't think this is a maintenance problem I think something might be wrong" The minute she said that the train temperature dropped about twenty degrees and she started to shiver. I had worn a nice black button up jacket so I slipped it off and gave it to her. She smiled and said, "Thank you so much are you sure your alright with out it." I nodded and then the temperature dropped further and the train windows froze over and then the water particles from our breathing froze in mid air and came out in clouds. Then a sight I will never forget assailed my eyes, it was a tall figure cloaked in a ragged black cloak and it stopped in front of our car and its bony hand began to push the compartment open. Astoria spoke in a bare whisper and said, "Dementors what are they doing here" I was too transfixed to answer her, the creature had finally opened the compartment and it was scanning the area it then started to move towards Astoria. It looked as if it were about to attack her but she pulled her wand and yelled, "Expecto Patronum"

It was a shock when a white ethereal phoenix burst from the tip of her wand and drove the Dementor back, that thing booked it out of our compartment. She then got up and closed the door and she threw the switch to lock it. I really hope Blaise found another compartment to hang out in. My mind was then brought back to the fact Astoria just used a fifth year spell as a second year, that level of mastery was unheard of. My tone was curious as I inquired, "Astoria how did you do that. You shouldn't be able to master that spell yet." She smirked and said, "Draco there is no age limit to when you can learn certain spells. You just have to apply yourself." I nodded and said, "Would you teach Blaise and I to protect ourselves from Dementors."

She nodded and Blaise suddenly came bursting in the compartment out of breath and said, "Bloody hell guys this train is crawling with Dementors and they don't look friendly!" I resisted the urge to face palm and said, "Thank you for the update you Italian Stallion" Astoria looked at me funny and said, "Your both idiots aren't you?" We nodded in synchronization and she sighed and mumbled, "Its worrying that you agree with me" The train started to move after about a half an hour of being stuck under creeping gaze of cruel creatures. As we pulled away I could have sworn I saw a huge black dog but as soon as it appeared it was gone, no more chocolate hearts for me after ten o' clock it will make you see all sorts of weird things. I looked over and saw Blaise sprawled out on the seat across from me snoring softly and mumbling about how a mandrake root was eating his hand. I rolled my eyes and turned my head to the side where Astoria was asleep on my shoulder and her chest was rising and falling rhythmically. Her eyelids fluttered like the wings of a butterfly and she looked fragile. I tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and planted a kiss on her head and laid my head on the window and let the cool embrace of sleep wash over me as I geared myself up for Hogwarts.