Draco Malfoy raced towards the barrier. It would be freedom, once he was on that train, running away from his life in the shadows of his parents. He knew that when he got to Hogwarts, he could make a name for himself, instead of being known for his so-called Death Eater parents. He raced towards the train, waiting for his trunk to be taken on board. After a hug from his mother and a handshake from his father, he runs towards the train, which he swings himself onto.

He walked through the hall of the train car, looking for an empty compartment where he could scheme his plans to become at the top of the food chain, head of the table. But as he walked up and down the corridor, he couldn't find any empty compartments. He stopped in front of one that had two boys that looked his age inside it, and he slid the door open and sat down onto the seat across from the boys.

"Hello," he said, in a bored, drawing voice. "I'm Draco Malfoy, it's my first year here. What about you?"

The boys nodded and kept staring at him. They both were large, with dark brown hair and heavy faces, but one was taller than the other. Neither of them looked very bright, as they stared stupidly at Draco, who watched them with little interest. Suddenly, an idea came to Draco.

"I'm looking for a few people, probably first years, who'll train me, you know, help me with homework and carry my books and things. What do you think?"

The taller one gave him a confused look, then said, "What do you mean, train? We're on a train."

Draco stared hard at him. "Train as in follow. I want two people to follow me around, you know, carry my books and help me with school. It will make me look good, and it will make you look good too, since my family's pureblood and all." He waved his hand into the air as if imagining something. "Would you like to do it? I need some people to call friends, to say that I'm alright and all that. What're your names, anyway?"

The taller one said, "I'm Goyle, and this 'ere is Crabbe. I'd be up for it if Crabbe 'ere is. The short one grunted what sounded like an approval.

"Does he talk, or does he just grunt and nod?" Draco waved his hand at Crabbe, who turned red in the face.

"I can talk, 'ust fine." Turning to Goyle, he said, "Did you know that 'arry Potter is on this 'ere train? Rumors been floatin' round."

Draco leaned forward, looking curious. "Harry Potter is on our train? Where?"

Crabbe turned and faced Draco. "Some said that 'es here down the 'all. Why you askin'?"

Draco stood up abruptly. "C'mon, he said, hurriedly, "We've got to go find him, get him to join up with us." He slid the door open and walked into the corridor. He waved for Crabbe and Goyle to follow. "C'mon."

The boys slowly got up and followed Draco into the hall. They paced don't the corridor, looking into each compartment for a boy jet-black hair and green eyes, with a scar on his forehead. While Draco was looking aside and walking, he ran into a short, bushy-haired girl.

"Sorry!" She exclaimed in her neat British accent. "I didn't see you there, I just was looking something up in a book."

Draco stared at her. She was a shorter, thin girl, with brown eyes and brown bushy hair. She wore her Hogwarts robes, and was carrying a stack of books. When she spoke, her white, two buck-teeth flashed. "I am sorry", she said again, looking up at Draco.

Draco had been staring at her, opened mouthed. He had never met someone so unique and who talked so fast. He finally managed to stammer, "No, you're fine, I wasn't looking where I was going."

The girl looked back at him with a look that he couldn't quite understand. "Oh," she said, then recovered her posture. "I'm Hermione Granger, it's my first year at Hogwarts. What about you?"

Draco replied, "It's my first year too. I'm Draco Malfoy."

Hermione smiled. "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Draco Malfoy. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to my compartment. I've just been to Harry Potter's compartment, talking with him and some boy. Did you know he was here? I've read all about him, he doesn't seem to know just how famous he really is. He's quite quiet actually, and very polite for a boy who hasn't grown up in the magical world. Not to say that I have either."

Before she could slide past them, Draco stepped in front of her. "You've been to Harry Potter's compartment? Where is it?"

She looked up at him, as if he was something she expected to be pleasant, but was a curse in disguise. "Go down two more compartments, and it'll be the one on your left. Now, if you'll excuse me." She pushed past Draco and began walking hurriedly down the corridor. Draco turned to watch her go. "Thanks very much!" He yelled to her. She turned and flashed a little smile at him before she turned into her compartment.