Their last week spent at the Burrow was, to say the least, comfortingly stressful.

"And don't forget to pack tonight," Mrs. Weasley added shrilly as Ron pushed away his plate looking stuffed.

"T'nght?" he said through a full mouth. "We duh lee 'til ng-wok."

"But it will take a week for you to remember everything," said Mrs. Weasley with the learned skill of deciphering Ron's incoherent food-words. "And I don't want that last-minute scramble. And make sure you keep Crookshanks in his traveling basket when we leave!"

They packed into the Ministry cars on September first and were shuttled off to the King's Cross station by two dark, grim looking aurors.

"What's up with him?" Percy whispered dubiously as they felt their chauffeur's gaze burn into them.

Although it was evident as to why they were there, it still appeared to be a surprise to Harry when one of them grabbed his upper arm and began to steer him towards the barrier.

"I can walk, thanks," said Harry irritably as he yanked his arm out of the auror's grip. As if to prove his point, his walk was executed with painful intention.

Ron stifled a laugh and followed suit. By the time everyone had crossed, there was nearly two minutes before the train would leave.

"Hey hey hey, get on!" Nico shouted to a struggling Thalia as she fought her way through the crowd.

"Hey! It's everyone here!" Thalia barked. "Maybe if they got out of the way —" And with one big shove, she leapt onto the train.

"What was that crowd?" Hazel gasped.

"Harry, obviously," said Hermione. "Come on, let's get to the Prefects compartment."

With Ron, Hermione, Frank, and Hazel, Piper headed to the front of the train.

"So d'you know who the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is gonna be this year?" Piper asked.

"Probably another poor bloke who can't last another year," said Frank.

"Harry said it's someone named Professor Slughorn," said Hermione. "He's taught at Hogwarts before, I wonder what made him come back."

The Prefects compartment held Anthony Goldstein and Padma Patil but was missing one pale-haired boy.

"Where's Draco?" asked Piper as she entered.

"Why're you asking us?" said Anthony. "You're his partner."

"Which is why I'm asking you," said Piper in annoyance. "Because I don't know where he is and as his partner, I should know."

"Well, if you find him, let him know that you two are taking the first patrol."

The patrols were somewhat of a joke as the Hogwarts Express wasn't particularly in need of security, but they strolled the halls anyway. Piper figured Draco's presence really wasn't necessary and that she would find him anyway on her way down, so she took her time.

"Hi, Piper," said Blaise as she walked past him.

"Hi, Blaise," said Piper. "D'you know where Draco is?"

"Yeah, he's back in our compartment."

"Where are you going?" asked Piper as she noticed he was walking opposite of the direction he pointed to.

"The new teacher's invited me to lunch or something," said Blaise with a shrug. "Dunno why."

"Alright, well, have fun."

She paused to let Blaise pass her then continued on down the hall. She passed a compartment with Will and Nico and some other Hufflepuffs and waved a quick hi in greeting. Harry, Neville, and Luna were in another compartment on the side. Percy and Jason were talking to Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan, and Thalia and Annabeth were speaking to a few Ravenclaws.

"... except they were so muggle obsessed, or maybe that's just an American thing, but I swear, every day we had breakfast from this Starby place —"

"Starbucks?" corrected Piper as she slid the compartment door closed behind her.

"Yeah, Starbucks," said Pansy. "Hi, Piper."

Draco propped himself up on his elbows as Pansy said this. "Hello," he said. Piper sat down in an empty seat next to Pansy and he lowered himself back down, his head resting on Pansy's lap.

"Have you never had Starbucks before?" Piper asked in amazement. "They're literally everywhere."

"Why would I?" said Pansy. "It wasn't even that good."

"Maybe they're better in Britain. Why'd you go to America?"

"My mum thought it was too dangerous here," Pansy laughed sardonically. "She doesn't want me to be 'influenced' by my dad."

Piper found herself frowning. She knew Pansy's parents weren't on the best terms with each other, but she had no idea about their split views on Voldemort.

"Anyway," Pansy continued. "She was being a prat."

Just then, the compartment door slid open, and Blaise Zabini walked in, looking bored.

"So, Zabini, what did Slughorn want?" asked Draco.

Blaise turned to slide the compartment door shut and paused in confusion as it bounced open again. He smashed it with greater force and it rattled in profuse rebellion and continued to bounce open. A few moments later, the door was pushed open violently and Blaise flew into Goyle's lap.

Piper reached over and slid the door shut easily with her toe, and Blaise clambered up, glowering.

"Slughorn? Just trying to make up to well connected people," he answered.

Draco frowned. "Who else did he invite?" he asked slowly.

"McLaggen from Gryffindor," said Blaise. "And someone called Belby from Ravenclaw —"

"Not him, he's a prat!" Pansy commented.

"And Longbottom, Potter, and that Weasley girl," Blaise finished.

"Longbottom?" Draco exclaimed incredulously. "What's Slughorn got interest in Longbottom?"

No one seemed to have a solid answer, and he continued, "and the Weasley girl? What's so special about her?"

"Slughorn probably taught the older Weasley boys," said Piper. "He might've wanted to get to know Ginny, get to know the whole lot? But then he could've invited Ron too —"

"Who would intentionally invite Weasley somewhere," Draco laughed. "Well, I pity Slughorn's taste. Maybe he's going a bit senile. Shame, my father always said he was a good wizard in his day. My father used to be a bit of a favorite of his. Slughorn probably hasn't heard I'm on the train, or —"

"I wouldn't bank on an invitation," said Zabini. "He asked me about Nott's father when I first arrived. They used to be old friends, apparently, but when he heard he'd been caught at the Ministry he didn't look happy, and Nott didn't get an invitation, did he? I don't think Slughorn's interested in Death Eaters."

Draco looked taken aback for a moment. "Well, who cares what he's interested in? What is he, when you come down to it? Just some stupid teacher... I mean, I might not even be at Hogwarts next year, what's it matter to me if some fat old has-been likes me or not?"

"What do you mean, you might not be at Hogwarts next year?" said Pansy indignantly, shifting in such a way that Draco had to crane his neck to keep himself comfortable.

"Well, you never know," he said as he settled back down. "I might have — er — moved on to bigger and better things."

"Do you mean — Him?"

Pansy was regarding Draco as if he was on a pedestal, which was odd since she was looking down at him.

Draco shrugged. "Mother wants me to complete my education, but personally, I don't see it as that important these days. I mean, think about it... When the Dark Lord takes over, is he going to care how many O.W.L.s or N.E.W.T.s anyone's got? Of course he isn't... It'll be all about the kind of service he received, the level of devotion he was shown."

"And you think you'll be able to do something for him?" said Zabini scathingly. "Sixteen years old and not even fully qualified yet?"

"I've just said, haven't I? Maybe he doesn't care if I'm qualified. Maybe the job he wants me to do isn't something that you need to be qualified for," said Draco quietly.

His eyes flickered over to Piper, and for a moment, his mouth parted again, like he wanted to say something. There was something in his eyes that sent a dry chill down her spine. Then he blinked, and it was gone.

"I can see Hogwarts," said Draco finally, standing up. "We'd better get our robes on."

[Sept 25, 2018: story not abandoned, updates are just REALLY slow]