Karina's POV

I push my luggage cart down the train station passing by many confused muggles. Snowy squaks from her cage as we get closer and closer to platform 9 3/4. Behind me is Narcissa and Draco. Lucius didn't come because of "important" business. Sometimes, I wish I could just cut off all his hair.

As we run through the wall, all I can think about is how excited I am to start the year. Narcissa helps Draco and I put our luggage on board the train, then she hugs us both. We wave goodbye as we board the train and walk through the hall. Finding an empty compartment, we sit beside each other in a relaxed silence. Suddenly, the door slides open and in pops two boys.

"Do you mind if we join?" The taller less chubbier boy asks.

"Sure why not? I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy." Draco reaches out his hand to shake theirs.

The two boys shake his hand then sit down in the other side of the room.

"I'm Goyle. Gregory Goyle. You can call me Goyle." The taller less chubbier boy again speaks.

"And you can call me Crabbe. Who are you?" Crabbe looks over at me who was leaning on Draco's arm just watching.

"My name is Karina Grey. Nice to meet you two. Say Crabbe do you have a first name?" I hear Draco snicker.

He already knows that I do this everytime we meet someone new. If I like you and you become my friend you will be called by your actual name.

"Uh yeah it's Vincent." He looks slightly confused.

"Well Vincent and Gregory it's a pleasure to meet you. I hope we can become great friends." I smile at the two boys who look dumbfounded probably at the fact that I called them by their first names.

Draco bursts out laughing.

"You know I actually do go by Crabbe. I don't remember the last time someone called me Vincent." He shudders.

"Well Vincent. Your mum named you Vincent so I'm gonna call you Vincent." Smiling widely at him I watch his face turn pink a little.

Draco laughs even harder at this.

The four of us talk more about our parents and lives. I explain everything to Vincent and Gregory since they're pure bloods also.

Suddenly, girls rush past the compartment giggling. We hear them say Harry potter. Vincent's eyes go as wide as his face.

"Did they just say Potter? As in the boy who lived?"

"Yes they did Crabbe. We saw him the other day at Diagon Alley. He was with that giant my father told me about, Hagrid. Let's go have a chat with him boys."

The three stand up and start to leave. I whistle which makes them freeze and turn around.

"Be nice. We want friends not enemies. Remember?" I say this more towards Draco.

I know how he can be. He has good intentions most of the time. But growing up with a father like Lucius Malfoy does some damage to you.

"Always." Draco smiles then quickly turns his face blank.

They walk out the compartment leaving me to wonder why he always does that. He only shows me and I guess now his two "bodyguards" yet friends his nice side.

Draco is the sweetest person I know. Well minus Cedric Diggory. He's another great friend. He lives a few houses down from me and Gram. He's always fixing and repairing stuff for Gram. He's so sweet.

Back to Draco. I know he does stuff and says bad things sometimes but he has a good heart. Just don't get on his bad side. Because if you're on his bad side then you're on mine.
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3rd Person's POV

"Are you really Harry Potter?" Ron blurted out.

Harry nodded. The two boys sat in an empty compartment as the train starts to move.

"Oh- well, I thought it might be one of Fred and George's jokes," said Ron. "And have you really got-- you know..."

He pointed at Harry's forehead. Harry pulled back his bangs to show the lightning scar. Ron stared.

"So that's where You-Know-Who..."

"Yes," said Harry, "but I can't remember it."

"Nothing?" said Ron eagerly.

"Well-- I remember a lot of green light, but nothing else."

"Wow," said Ron.

He sat and stared at Harry for a few moments, then, as though he had suddenly realized what he was doing, he looked quickly out of the window again.

"Are all your family wizards?" asked Harry, who found Ron just as interesting as Ron found him.

"Er-- Yes, I think so," said Ron. "I think Mom's got a second cousin who's an accountant, but we never talk about him."

"So you must know loads of magic already."

The Weasleys were clearly one of those old wizarding families the pale boy in Diagon Alley had talked about.

"I heard you went to live with Muggles," said Ron. "What are they like?"

"Horrible- well, not all of them. My aunt and uncle and cousin are, though. Wish I'd had three wizard brothers."

"Five," said Ron.

For some reason, he was looking gloomy.

"I'm the sixth in our family to go to Hogwarts. You could say I've got a lot to live up to. Bill and Charlie have already left-- Bill was head boy and Charlie was captain of Quidditch. Now Percy's a prefect. Fred and George mess around a lot, but they still get really good marks and everyone thinks they're really funny. Everyone expects me to do as well as the others, but if I do, it's no big deal, because they did it first. You never get anything new, either, with five brothers. I've got Bill's old robes, Charlie's old wand, and Percy's old rat."

Ron reached inside his jacket and pulled out a fat gray rat, which was asleep.

"His name's Scabbers and he's useless, he hardly ever wakes up. Percy got an owl from my dad for being made a prefect, but they couldn't aff-- I mean, I got Scabbers instead."

Ron's ears went pink. He seemed to think he'd said too much, because he went back to staring out of the window.

Harry didn't think there was anything wrong with not being able to afford an owl. After all, he'd never had any money in his life until a month ago, and he told Ron so, all about having to wear Dudley's old clothes and never getting proper birthday presents. This seemed to cheer Ron up.

"... and until Hagrid told me, I didn't know anything about being a wizard or about my parents or Voldemort" Ron gasped.

"What?" said Harry.

"You said You-Know-Who's name!" said Ron, sounding both shocked and impressed. "I'd have thought you, of all people--"

"I'm not trying to be brave or anything, saying the name," said Harry.

"I just never knew you shouldn't. See what I mean? I've got loads to learn... I bet," he added, voicing for the first time something that had been worrying him a lot lately, "I bet I'm the worst in the class."

"You won't be. There's loads of people who come from Muggle families and they learn quick enough."

While they had been talking, the train had carried them out of London. Now they were speeding past fields full of cows and sheep. They were quiet for a time, watching the fields and lanes flick past.

The countryside now flying past the window was becoming wilder. The neat fields had gone. Now there were woods, twisting rivers, and dark green hills.

There was a knock on the door of their compartment and the round-faced boy Harry had passed on platform nine and three quarters came in. He looked tearful.

"Sorry," he said, "but have you seen a toad at all?"

When they shook their heads, he wailed, "I've lost him! He keeps getting away from me!"

"He'll turn up," said Harry.

"Yes," said the boy miserably. "Well, if you see him..."

He left.

"Don't know why he's so bothered," said Ron. "If I'd brought a toad I'd lose it as quick as I could. Mind you, I brought Scabbers, so I can't talk."

The rat was still snoozing on Ron's lap.

"He might have died and you wouldn't know the difference," said Ron in disgust.

"I tried to turn him yellow yesterday to make him more interesting, but the spell didn't work. I'll show you, look..."

He rummaged around in his trunk and pulled out a very battered-looking wand. It was chipped in places and something white was glinting at the end.

"Unicorn hair's nearly poking out. Anyway."

He had just raised his wand when the compartment door slid open again. This time it was a girl wearing her new Hogwarts robes.

"Has anyone seen a toad? Neville's lost one," she said.

She had a bossy sort of voice, lots of bushy brown hair, and rather large front teeth.

"We've already told him we haven't seen it," said Ron, but the girl wasn't listening, she was looking at the wand in his hand.

"Oh, are you doing magic? Let's see it, then."

She sat down. Ron looked taken aback.

"Er-- all right."

He cleared his throat.

"Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow, Turn this stupid, fat rat yellow."

He waved his wand, but nothing happened. Scabbers stayed gray and fast asleep.

"Are you sure that's a real spell?" said the girl. "Well, it's not very good, is it? I've tried a few simple spells just for practice and it's all worked for me. Nobody in my family's magic at all, it was ever such a surprise when I got my letter, but I was ever so pleased, of course, I mean, it's the very best school of witchcraft there is, I've heard-- I've learned all our course books by heart, of course, I just hope it will be enough-- I'm Hermione Granger, by the way, who are you." She said all this very fast.

Harry looked at Ron, and was relieved to see by his stunned face that he hadn't learned all the course books by heart either.

"I'm Ron Weasley," Ron muttered.

"Harry Potter," said Harry.

"Are you really?" said Hermione. "I know all about you, of course-- I got a few extra books. For background reading, and you're in Modern Magical History and The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts and Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century.

"Am I?" said Harry, feeling dazed.

"Goodness, didn't you know, I'd have found out everything I could if it was me," said Hermione.

"Do either of you know what house you'll be in? I've been asking around, and I hope I'm in Gryffindor, it sounds by far the best; I hear Dumbledore himself was in it, but I suppose Ravenclaw wouldn't be too bad. Anyway, I'd better go and look for Neville's toad. You two had better change, you know, I expect we'll be there soon."

And with that she left quickly.

"Whatever house I'm in, I hope she's not in it," said Ron.

He threw his wand back into his trunk.

"Stupid spell-- George gave it to me, bet he knew it was a dud."

The compartment door slid open yet again, but it wasn't Neville the toadless boy, or Hermione Granger this time.

Three boys entered, and Harry recognized the middle one at once: it was the pale boy with unusually blonde hair from Madam Malkin's robe shop. He was looking at Harry with a lot more interest than he'd shown back in Diagon Alley.

"Is it true?" he said. "They're saying all down the train that Harry Potter's in this compartment. So it's you, is it?"

"Yes," said Harry.

He was looking at the other boys. Both of them were thickset and looked extremely mean. Standing on either side of the pale boy, they looked like bodyguards.

"Oh, this is Crabbe and this is Goyle," said the pale boy carelessly, noticing where Harry was looking.

"And my name's Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."

Ron gave a slight cough, which might have been hiding a snigget. Draco Malfoy looked at him.

"Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask who you are. My father told me all the Weasleys have red hair, freckles, and more children than they can afford."

He turned back to Harry.

"You'll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there."

He held out his hand to shake Harry's, but Harry didn't take it.

"I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks," he said coolly.

Draco Malfoy didn't go red, but a pink tinge appeared in his pale cheeks.

"I'd be careful if I were you, Potter," he said slowly. "Unless you're a bit politer you'll go the same way as your parents. They didn't know what was good for them, either. You hang around with riffraff like the Weasleys and that Hagrid, and it'll rub off on you."

Both Harry and Ron stood up.

"Say that again," Ron said, his face as red as his hair.

"Oh, you're going to fight us, are you?" Malfoy sneered.

"Unless you get out now," said Harry, more bravely than he felt, because Crabbe and Goyle were a lot bigger than him or Ron.

"Draco Malfoy. What in the world are you doing?"

Everyone turns their attention to the girl standing at the door of the compartment. Harry feels his stomach turn to knots. Ron's face tinges pink a little. Harry stares at the beautiful colored girl who has dark brown hair and hazel eyes. Her teeth are perfectly white and straight. And her face is glowing.

"Nothing." Draco snaps turning back to look at Harry and Ron.

"Boys I think we should go. Okay?" The girls talks but Harry doesn't even listen to what she's saying.

Crabbe and Goyle nod then leave the compartment. Draco still stands sneering at the two dumbfounded boys who are still looking at the girl.

"Draco." The girl says lowly while grabbing his arm.

"This isn't over Potter and Weasley." Draco says as he steps out the room.

Harry and Ron snap themselves out of the trance they were in.

"I think it is Malfoy." Ron teases.

Draco speeds away. The girl looks over at them and smirks.

"Cute but next time I won't stop them."

And with that, she turns away from the two looking gobstopped and hurries after Draco.

"Who was that?" Harry asked Ron while falling back into the bench.

All he could think about was how heavenly her voice was. And how pretty she looked. Was this his first crush? Probably not if she hangs out with Malfoy.

"I honestly have no idea. I don't think I've seen her before."

Ron thinks back to all the conversations his father has had with the family but no name stands out. He thinks back to all the times he has seen the Malfoy's but still nothing pops up.

As the door opens for what seems like the thousandth time, Hermione Granger steps in.

"What has been going on?" she said, looking at the sweets all over the floor.

"This boy named Malfoy and his body guards Crabbe and Goyl came in here making a scene."

"Wait have you met Malfoy before?"

Harry explained about their meeting in Diagon Alley.

"I've heard of his family," said Ron darkly. "They were some of the first to come back to our side after You-Know-Who disappeared. Said they'd been bewitched. My dad doesn't believe it. He says Malfoy's father didn't need an excuse to go over to the Dark Side."

Harry sits and wonders about this new information. Malfoy's family were supports of Vol- you know who. Which means Draco is which could possibly mean the mystery girl is too.
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Karina's POV

After finding the boys about to fight Potter I make them come back to the compartment.

"I thought I said nice Malfoy."

Letting go of his ear, I plop down on the bench. Draco rubs his ear and sits beside me.

"I'm sorry. Stupid Weasley started it. Please forgive me."

"Fine. I'm still upset. Now we have two enemies. Noted I already didn't like Potter because of his parents. But still he could've been great to use." I pout and cross my arms.

"Wow I don't know whether she is pure evil or not." Gregory stares at me with interest of his face.

"I'm nice till you get on my bad side. Or his." I say smirking evily.

Gregory and Vincent nod their heads quickly. Draco and I laugh at the two boys who now look scared. A voice echoes through the train stopping our conversation.

"We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes' time. Please leave your luggage on the train, it will be taken to the school separately."

My stomach lurched with nerves. Draco stands up and holds my hand as the four of us join the crowd thronging the corridor.

The train slowed right down and finally stopped. People pushed their way toward the door and out on to a tiny, dark platform. Shivering in the cold night air I grasp tighter onto Draco's hand. Then a lamp came bobbing over our heads, and we hear a familiar voice.

"Firs' years! Firs' years over here! All right there, Harry?" Hagrid's big hairy face beamed.

"C'mon, follow me-- any more firs' years? Mind yer step, now! Firs' years follow me!"

Slipping and stumbling, we follow Hagrid down what seemed to be a steep, narrow path.

"Ye' all get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," Hagrid called over his shoulder, "jus' round this bend here."

There was a loud "Oooooh!"

The narrow path had opened suddenly onto the edge of a great black lake. It was amazing. Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling inthe starry sky, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers.

"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid called, pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore.

Draco and I sat by each other in the back of a boat. While Vincent and Gregory sat in the front. Draco wraps his arm around my back. Leaning back into his warmth I enjoy the marvellous view. This feels like a dream.

"Everyone in?" shouted Hagrid, who had a boat to himself. "Right then-- FORWARD!"

And the fleet of little boats moved off all at once, gliding across the lake, which was as smooth as glass. Everyone was silent, staring up at the great castle overhead. It towered over us as we sailed nearerand nearer to the cliff on which it stood.

"Heads down!" yelled Hagrid as the first boats reached the cliff; we all bent our heads and the little boats carried us through a curtain of ivy that hid a wide opening in the cliff face.

After we pass, we are carried along a dark tunnel, which seemed to be taking us right underneath the castle, until we reach a kind of underground harbor, where we all clambered out onto rocks and pebbles.

"Oy, you there! Is this your toad?" said Hagrid, who was checking the boats as people climbed out of them.

"Trevor!" some boy we learned was Neville, cried blissfully, holding out his hands.

Then we clambered up a passageway in the rock after Hagrid's lamp, coming out at last onto smooth, damp grass right in the shadow of the castle. Following Hagrid we walk up a flight of stone steps and crowded around the huge, oak front door.

"Everyone here? You there, still got yer toad?"

Hagrid raised a gigantic fist and knocked three times on the castle door.