"Excuse me," I said. The boy blocking the door opened his mouth - about to retort with something rude no doubt - then saw who was asking and shot away down the corridor.
I dragged my trunk into the carriage and pushed it up onto the shelf, no longer allowed to use magic. I'm not supposed to use magic at home either, but with mother being a qualified witch (Merlin knows how or why) the Ministry couldn't tell if the spells were hers or mine so I got away with it. I was in our usual Slytherin cabin, third down from the rear entrance of the Hogwarts Express. It was always annoying being quite so early, but mother insisted on getting me there at least an hour before I or anyone else needed to be there. Apparently she didn't have the capacity nor moral obligation to look after me for any longer than strictly necessary, which didn't surprise me and I wasn't so very upset about. At least here I don't have to put up with her sullen face or monotone voice, and I'm free to think a little while.
***
"Morning, Beautiful," the handsome blonde whispered as he slid through the doorway and into the seat next to me. He placed a tender kiss on my lips and I smiled up at him as he stroked a strand of my hair off of my face with his finger. I ran my own fingers down over the crisp white shirt he had on, over his stomach and then round to his back where I pulled him into a hug.
"Morning," I said with a little grin, almost shyly, but with a feeling of ecstatic happiness growing inside me. It was the same fuzzy kind of warmth I had gotten every time I had seen or thought about him since New Years Eve.
Draco pulled my left hand from around his waist and linked his fingers into the spaces between mine, his thumb running over the silver band on my third finger. He looked down at me and hugged me a little tighter for a second, before bringing the finger up and kissing the diamond and emerald embellishment on the antique Malfoy heirloom.
"Perfect. Can't wait to be back at school. I can see you everyday again," he whispered in my ear.
And it would be perfect. Except this all had to be kept secret from everyone else. I love that. That we have promised each other to one another forever. And when the time comes, we'll get engaged, and then married. Keeping it a secret is going to be awful though, but better than having everyone doubting us or trying to break us up, or saying we're too young and foolish to know what we're doing. They don't know anything about us so how would they know? But still, it was just between us, and only he and I knew about the ring on my finger. To everybody else it was non-existent; invisible.
Draco's fingers slipped from mine as several pairs of footsteps approached and Blaise, Crabbe and Goyle entered and sat down.
"Alright boys?" I asked, receiving a couple of nods from Draco's henchmen, and a quiet yes from Blaise who it seemed was deep in thought. His eyes scanned the Platform through the window and then darted in the opposite direction when the door slid open again and in walked Aurelia, Maeve and Natalie, with a timid looking Frankie in tow. They all sat down: Natalie sliding in next to Draco; Maeve opposite; and Lia by the window, gazing out at the passing students as the wandered by the train. I saw Potter and his gang of pathetic outcasts trail by. Finally decided to return, after he disappeared at the end of last term before the holidays began. We'd all decided Umbridge had kicked him out over his consistent 'You-Know-Who has returned' speeches. Except he used His real name, because Potter thinks he's some sort of daredevil superhero to whom social acceptability doesn't apply. Wrong. And who cares if He's back anyway? He's not doing anything, He's not hurting anyone...yet. I don't care that much anyway - I'm Pureblood. It's only mudbloods like Granger and Charlotte Rosenthal and Olive Beaumont that need to watch where they step. I'm safe.
We spent the morning just sitting around in the train compartment, talking about Christmas and New Year. The party had gone down tremendously with everyone and Frankie said she'd even heard some of the Ravenclaws talking about it as she passed by them earlier. I was pleased with that - just something else to add to my repartee of fabulous get-togethers; another boost to my reputation. Not that that really concerned me at the minute, I was still too pleased with the weight of the ring around my finger to be much bothered with anything else.
As the conversation progressed and the train moved speedily into the countryside towards Hogwarts, I zoned out. Draco and I were sitting close enough together that he managed to catch my hand in his without anyone seeing. His thumb stroked across my knuckles softly as the others started on about the homework they'd had over the holidays, and then began betting on how many new Ministry Decrees Umbridge had managed to pass in our absence. I said very little and squeezed Draco's hand slightly. Neither of us were particularly bothered if the others saw that we were together, but every time people got involved, everything gets complicated. And then we go back to putting on the show everyone is so used to seeing, and it isn't really us and we lose what is real. So for now, even I thought that keeping it low key and secret was the best thing for us, despite my desperation to tell someone. I had to tell Nat at some point too - she's my best friend after all.
***
"Kayla. Kayla," a voice whispered in my ear. I shifted a little in my seat and turned into the warm body next to me. "They're all out doing the rounds. I said I'd stay and get ten minutes peace."
I opened my eyes blearily and found myself in the train compartment, the blinds pulled down and the door locked. I arched my back like a cat as I yawned and stretched, then turned to face Draco.
"Mmm, ten minutes peace you say? I can think of a better way to spend that ten minutes," I tempted him, in a husky voice brought on by sleep. I brushed my lips against his and ran a finger down his chest, over his shirt. He moaned into my mouth and pulled his waist to mine, pushing me backwards onto the seat and hovering over me. His hands ran down my arms and waist, inching my top up a little to expose my stomach, and his fingers drew complex patterns over my skin. They then meandered on down to my thighs, where they rested as my hands tangled themselves into his blonde hair, knotting my fingers in it as we kissed. I was hard-pressed to stop when we heard voices pass by outside but I pressed my hands to his now exposed chest, and pushed him away a little. He knelt over me grinning a lopsided smile before helping me up. I decided I'd get my robes on, which entertained him for a while longer; arranging my outfit to his preference, smoothing out my skirt between kisses. I forced myself away from him again, though I could've quite happily stayed there for the rest of the train journey. It was past lunchtime though and the trolley had already been by, so I found my purse and opened the door to go and get food so I wasn't completely starving. As it turns out, I can't just survive on Draco's love - despite what he likes to think.
Draco looked disappointed as I turned to walk out, a pout forming on his adorable face. I shook my head at him sweetly and smirked - I had this guy exactly where I wanted him, as he did I.
"Well, if you aren't staying here with me and putting yourself to any decent use, make yourself useful and get me a sandwich off the trolley, would you love?"
Cheeky bugger. I blew him a kiss and swaggered out into the corridor, hips swaying seductively for his benefit. I paused in the doorway and turned to look back at him, his hair in all directions and his pale face flushed. His shirt was still open at the chest and rumpled from our encounter. Very sexy. But perhaps I should tell him so the others don't work out what went on...
"What you waiting for woman? Get going," he said jokingly, accompanied with a wink.
...Or perhaps not, I'll let him work it out and explain if they catch on. I rolled my eyes back at him as he lounged on the seat and wiggled my fingers in a wave, walking out and away until the last fingertip disappeared from his view.
The corridor was generally empty, it usually was at this sort of time - everyone had had food and were now lazing around gossiping about the other students new haircuts or relationships. Thrilling. I almost skipped my way down past cabins full of other kids talking away happily. And for once I didn't begrudge them for looking so excited; I didn't mind the couple kissing in the corridor, or the First Years that ran past after an escaped cat - I felt the same way. For the first time in a long time I felt right, like everything had suddenly been pieced together and a light had come on. I even smiled at some passing Third Year Hufflepuff boys and blew them a kiss, leaving them fighting over who I'd aimed it at. Merlin, love does some funny things to a girl. But I like it so I shan't complain.
I calmly waited in the small queue formed at the Food Trolley. I noticed the woman who operated it for the first time really - she's always been there but I never really paid much attention. She looked so sweet and joyous with her crinkled eyes and whispy white hair; like a fairy godmother, in her lilac robes. She even had that high pitched voice that tinkled when she laughed at the Fourth Year trying to decide what to buy.
"I recommend the Pumpkin Pasties," she told him as he pondered, "I made them myself." She let off another silvery laugh and looked up at me with a smile and winked kindly. I couldn't help but grin back. She took the pasty the guy had handed her and wrapped it in a napkin so he could take it back to his cabin to eat. She tucked his silver Sickle into a tiny lilac bag that matched her robes and turned to the next customer.
"Just a chocolate frog, please," the tiny girl asked, holding up two Knuts. The trolley lady smiled sadly and told her that Chocolate Frogs were three Knuts, to which the little girl burst into tears. It was quite possibly the saddest and cutest thing I'd ever seen; imagine not having enough money to buy a chocolate frog, and then getting that upset about it.
"Here," I whispered as I slipped four Knuts into the girl's palm, "Get yourself another one on me." She went silent and wiped her face with the back of her hand before mouthing 'Thank you' at me. I think she was too stunned to speak. I mean, I am Kayla Ashton, when am I ever nice to any one? I was shocked myself really, but in a good way - this girl was a Ravenclaw, not even a little Slytherin student - and I rather liked the feeling of pride spreading through my chest. Pride for helping someone else with the best of intentions without wanting something in return. Very mature of me, I thought, I'm sure Daddy would be proud too.
By this time, the girl had paid for her two Chocolate Frogs and scuttled past, looking back over her shoulder every few steps as though she thought I'd be chasing after her demanding my money back. Once upon a time I might've done but right now I was too giddy to bother. Being with Draco was clearly the best thing to happen to me in ages - I was like a new person - Ladies and Gentlemen, Citizens of Hogwarts, I present to you the New Kayla Juliet Ashton. I smiled to myself a bit at that.
One before the front of the queue, however, I decided I couldn't be a good girl all the time. It was a little boring. And wasted my time - I'd already let two people in front of me - and to top it off, this smiling is making my face ache something chronic. How on Earth do people do this all day everyday? People like Luna Lovegood who have a constant dazed smile on their face must have no feeling in their cheeks, or else a spell to numb the pain. Who wants to smile all the time anyway? I gave up with waiting for food, it couldn't be that long until we reached Hogwarts, so I turned to walk back towards our compartment.
"Woah, sorry Kayla!" an Irish-accented Gryffindor I recognised as Seamus Finnigan gushed as he stepped out into me from the boys bathroom. He had his hands held up to his chest defensively and had a worried look in his eyes. I'll give this being nice thing one last go.
"It's alright Finnigan, just don't make a habit of it." I grinned at him and then laughed at his astonished face and stuttered 'but's that followed me down the hall. I strode back into the Snakes cabin to find Blaise sitting alone gazing out the window.
"Hey Blaise. Where is everyone?" I asked, a smile still plastered on my face. Normally people were back by this time to make sure they had time to change into their robes. Blaise was already in his silver and grey tie and black robes.
"Draco is on Prefect duty I suppose, though I don't know why he's bothering now, he hasn't the rest of the journey. Nat went to get changed a while ago and never reappeared. Everyone else is still wandering I guess. Frankie's next door but..." he paused mid-sentence, a weird expression finding it's way onto his usually composed face. Jeez, more good Samaritan work. I am a regular Wonder Woman today.
"What's up with you and Frankie, Zabini? Still not asked her out yet?" I asked kindly. They both like each other, they're both available so why not just...get together?
"I was going to. But I get the feeling she's worried what her friends would think about us. They've already ditched her because she's hanging with us; and I'm glad she is, but it's a bit sad - that they're so superficial to think she's a different person just because she's changed who she hangs out with." He sighed heavily, his poise visibly crumbling as he exhaled.
"Well that's those stupid Ravenclaws and Gryffindors for you; I suppose the Hufflepuffs are too stupid to notice really." Blaise stifled a laugh, though he let out a snort and I began giggling. We both sat their in hysterics for ten minutes, until I spoke again.
"Just speak to her Blaise. Surely it's better to tell her and know what she makes of it all? Who knows, she might even say yes." He looked up with a renewed glint of purpose in his eyes. I winked. "I highly doubt it though; who'd want to go out with a deep and meaningful, muscly hunk like you, ay?" We both began laughing again, clutching our stomachs as they began to ache.
"Oi, what's all this laughing about? Why are you talking about me - a muscly hunk? I don't think I warrant laugher," Draco's voice drawled from the doorway, a wicked gleam in his eyes. Blaise and I both stopped mid-laugh and sat silent for a minute. And then Draco flexed. Like a proper showing-off-the-guns routine, kissing his biceps and posing. It wasn't even that that got me, it was the look on his face of complete self-love; Blaise noticed it too and we were all found some half an hour later still rolling on the floor of the compartment with tear streamed faces. I swear I've never had a funnier ride to Hogwarts ever.
***
"In the name of Merlin's most magical wand, shut the hell up and let me eat, you fit of pink fluffy anger; before I hex you with all I'm worth until you are nothing more than the dye used in your hideously ugly clothes." Turns out lack of food made me angry. And vicious. And bitchy. But she spoke for so long in her pathetic high-pitched voice about absolute nonsense that interested, nor really concerned anyone in the hall. And the food refused to appear until she sat back down on her gigantic backside.
"Too far Kayla, too far; there's nothing wrong with her clothes, perhaps you should take some pointers. I always did like a girl in a magenta tweed suit and furry pink hat," Draco cut into my little stream of angry thoughts from opposite me. I glared up at him and he held his hands up, pretending to shuffle back on his chair to escape me. He didn't escape the kick I aimed at him under the table though. I almost saw his brain clicking into action, making a mental note - DO NOT PISS KAYLA OFF WHEN SHE'S HUNGRY! I grinned at him in a smarmy fashion.
"I'll know what to dress up as for Valentine's Day then. Forget the skimpy dress - if the boy wants me suited and booted head to toe in pink fur and tweed, that's what the boy shall get. Only the very best for you Draco, dear. I may take a trip to whoever massacred her hair as well, see what they can do for me." Thankfully, my sarcastic rant was cut off by Umbridge stepping off the podium and wedging herself in her chair; meaning the food could finally make a welcome appearance. I ladled rice and a creamy, coconut and lemongrass Thai curry onto my plate and dug in with gusto. It was gone in a matter of minutes and replaced with spaghetti and meatballs. Swiftly followed by a pudding of oozing hot chocolate brownie cake with spoonfuls of chocolate sauce and ice cream on top. Unlike Weasley however, my food actually made it to my mouth and stayed there - there is no need whatsoever for any food to make an unwelcome, half-chewed reappearance. Ever. Urgh, it's vile. They obviously never taught that ginger weasel any manners in the hovel he crawled out from.
As dinner finished I noticed lots of eyes turned towards me, which was normal considering how fantastic I am. Joking, (well, not really - I'm hot) all the Snakes get a lot of attention, but the sheer number of pairs of eyes staring at me as I laughed with my cohorts and chatted happily with Draco was just weird.
"Have I done something that I don't know about?" I asked the table at loud. They all gave me looks that clearly said 'What are you on about?' so I waved an arm towards the staring students.
"Oh, that's right," Nat said from beside Aurelia, "You're on Pixie Dust." I had to swallow hard to stop myself from spitting my drink all over Draco's face as I burst out laughing again.
"Ahh, I see. And how did people find out? I was being oh-so careful to keep it a secret from everyone." I couldn't help but despair at the stupidity of the kids at this school. As if I would do Pixie Dust. Really? It's tacky and unnecessary, not to mention a vile habit. I know some of the Seventh Years last year all got high on the stuff at a party, and all went to class the next day looking more than a little worse-for-wear. I'm pretty sure that one got hooked on the stuff and thrown out for indecent behaviour in school.
The rest of the evening had been spent in hysterics, which probably did nothing to discourage the rumours, but I really couldn't care less. I was just glad to be waking up this morning; to be heading down to breakfast with my friends; to be back in classes; and mainly, to be back spending every single day with the man I love. So I am going to go now, and have a large plate of hot ,double chocolate pancakes smothered in cream before getting back to my life.