Draco looked around apprehensively as he stepped onto platform nine and three quarters.

He was desperate to see her again, desperate to know she was okay. But a part of him feared it. He hadn't heard from her not once. He was frightened she wouldn't turn up, or that she would, but wouldn't want to know him.

It was simply killing him.

"Remember what I said, son." Lucius drawled, as Draco was about to embark on the train. "The Ministry has placed a very important person amongst you this year, and I fully expect you to support this. I have promised Cornelius the Malfoy's full cooperation behind the Ministry's movements."

"Yes, Father." He answered tiredly, sick to death of hearing about the importance of keeping the Ministry onside for the sake of reputation.

He disappeared onto the train, heading straight for the Slytherin compartment, looking through each window on his way, hoping to catch a glimpse of Aurora. But no such luck.

He collapsed on a seat next to Blaise, feeling extremely heavy hearted.

"Man, you look like you've had a crap summer." Blaise muttered, studying his friend's pained expression.

"It was." Draco gritted. "I haven't heard from Aurora since Diggory's funeral."

"That's rough. Although, I heard her old man collapsed at the graveside and has been in the closed ward ever since. Perhaps she's just been a bit preoccupied with that?"

Draco's heart twisted at the thought of what Aurora had to go through. But he wished so much that she felt she could have opened up to him.

The train puffed them out of the station, and feeling completely restless, Draco jumped up, determined to find her. If she was still going to Hogwarts, then she would be here somewhere.

As soon as he stepped out into the corridor, he bumped into a furious looking Pansy.

"There you are!" She hissed with her hands on her hips. "Haven't you forgotten something?"

Draco just stared at her, baffled. What was this woman going on about now?

She thrust a finger at his chest. He looked down at the shiny badge pinned to his robes. Damn. He'd forgotten about that.

He miserably followed her to the prefect carriage where, to his horror, he had to share with Weasel and the Mudblood.

They were then handed out a list of jobs they had to do, including monitoring the corridor, picking up litter, and checking no one was using the trains bathrooms for extra curricular activities.

"Isn't this servants work?" Draco scoffed, sneering down at the list.

"Well, there are benefits," the Mudblood interjected.

"Like what, exactly?" Draco spat. "A shiny gold sticker for scraping off the most chewing gum from under the tables?"

He was mightily pissed off. All he wanted to do was go and find Aurora. But instead he was subjected to this shit.

"Come on Drakie, lets patrol together." Pansy said, fluttering her eyelids up at him. Draco shuddered. Did she not remember how pissed off he was at her for upsetting Aurora?

At least he could look out for her, though, he thought, as they made their way down through the carriages, purposely taking points off any Gryffindors they happened across. ("Fifty points from Gryffindor for having a stupid name, Longbottom!" "Get bent, Malfoy!")

"Ooo, lookie what we have here!" Pansy cackled as she stopped to look through the door of a compartment, her eyes lighting up as if she'd just spotted the most delicious dessert.

The compartment in question contained the Weasley twins. And with them, laughing, was Aurora.

A mixture of jealousy and anger ripped through Draco's stomach. Pansy tittered with wicked glee as his hand went on the handle and fiercely slid open the door, making a loud clattering sound. The noise made all three look up, startled.

"Draco!" Aurora's eyes widened as they met his.

"Fifty points from Gryffindor," Draco sneered, ignoring her and glaring at the twin sat next to her instead.

"What the fuck for?" The twin cried.

Draco stood back, and kicked a discarded juice carton from the corridor into the compartment. "For littering."

The other twin, sat on the opposite side, stood up, his face filled with fury. "Get the fuck out Malfoy."

"Careful," Draco snarled, pushing his face right in his, "or I'll dock you another fifty for living in a filthy pigsty."

He could hear Pansy cackling behind him as Aurora gave a little horrified gasp. He knew he was being over the top, but the anger he had felt upon seeing her laughing with them had overtaken any sensible or reasonable thought.

"Sit down, George," the other twin ordered, glaring coldly at Draco. "The stupid git isn't worth it. Besides, I'm sure Harry will do something miraculous at the end of the year to win us the house cup."

Reluctantly, it seemed, the twin called George sat down.

"Draco?"

Draco dared glance at Aurora who was looking up at him, horrified.

"What?!" He spat, making her visibly flinch.

"Come on, Drakie," Pansy simpered from behind him, "I'm bored now, and we've got loads more Gryffindors to have fun with."

Aurora looked up at him, hurt swimming in her eyes. Draco hesitated, swallowing.

And then he turned, following Pansy out.

...

I bit back the tears as Draco slammed the compartment door behind him.

"Blimey!" George scoffed, "why the fuck did Dumbledore think it a good idea to make them prefects of all people?"

"Are you all right?" Fred asked, looking at me concerned. "I know you and him had a bit of a thing last year didn't you?"

Had? His choice of wording made my stomach twist horribly and my heart pain in my chest.

"Y-yes," I stammered trying not to cry. "It's just been a long summer, that's all."

I felt sick. I had been afraid that Draco would be like this. I had hoped he wouldn't though. I had hoped he'd still be my Draco; my kind, sweet, loving Draco.

"Hey, fingers crossed you'll end up in Gryffindor with us." Fred grinned, "It really is the most awesome house."

"We'll love you no matter which house you're in, just so long as it isn't Slytherin." George said darkly, glaring at the spot Draco had just stood. "Nothing good ever came out of that place."

My hand delved into my pocket and I clutched at the moonstone inside. This time it didn't give me comfort, but instead, a horrible, cold anxiety as it crept into my heart.