Differences - HPxDM - One

- Chapter One -

Harry was so glad the Dursleys had finally stopped tormenting him. He was thoroughly sick to death of Aunt Petunia's verbal abuse, Uncle Vernon's physical abuse, and both from Dudley.

Here Harry was, sitting in his room, suffering another terrible summer with the Dursleys. Not surprisingly, he longingly wished he was at Hogwarts again, where he was always most content. Everything about Hogwarts was wonderful; from the Great Hall to the majority of the lessons (excluding Potions). Most of the students there were pleasant, as well, except for Draco Malfoy, Harry's arch nemesis, and second worst enemy. Or so he thought...

But things were about to change.

"BOY! DOWNSTAIRS, NOW!"

Cheering inwardly, Harry leapt down the stairs: he was going to Hogwarts!

**********

"Draco, dear? Draco!" Narcissa alerted her son from his daydreams sharply.

Draco Malfoy was a confused adolescent, desperate for one person's attention. That person, incidentally, was named Harry James Potter.

Draco had fallen in love with Harry in fifth year - last year - and his feelings had always remained strong for the raven-haired boy. However, the Harry Potter in question was completely unaware of Draco's feelings toward him, and assumed that Draco hated him, as they were rivals and enemies. Apparently.

"Yes, Mother?" Draco asked wearily. He was having a particularly exciting daydream, concerning him, Harry Potter and a bed, and was not pleased to be interrupted.

"Well, for a start, my dear Draco, you have barely touched your beef! You've barely eaten anything!"

Draco sighed. "I just ... don't really feel hungry, I suppose." He tried hard to keep his voice dull and uninterested, but Narcissa was not taken for a fool. Undoubtedly, she was a very intellegent witch, plus she was a Healer at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.

"Draco," she snapped suddenly, causing Draco to finally meet her eye, "You have been ignoring me ALL DAY!! Please, tell me what's wrong!" Her voice suddenly became gentler. "Draco, darling, please confide in me. You can tell your old mum anything, you know that ..."

Eyeing his mother, Draco suddenly realized. Of course he could talk to his mother about it. She would soothe him and comfort him, and anyway, there was no-one else to tell. His father was in Azkaban, and the whole wizarding world acted like the Malfoys were scum, all of them, and despicable dirt. Although, it wasn't the wizarding world's place to scorn the Malfoy family. Particularly the Daily Prophet. Stupid, backstabbing magazine.

"Um... mum," Draco started uneasily.

"Yes?" Narcissa prompted, encouraging but kind.

"Well, I like this ... person ... but I don't think they like me back and I don't know what to do ... I'm still mulling it over ..."

A smile crept onto Narcissa's face. "Oh, I know who, darling."Draco merely gaped at her.

"The person you supposedly love," said Narcissa, "Is that lovely girl Pansy Parkinson, isn't it?"

Draco burst out laughing. "Why - would - you - think - that?!"

Narcissa calmed her hysterical son. "So ... it isn't her? Shame. Well, tell me who it is, then!"

Draco blurted it out before he could think twice. "Harry."

Narcissa stared at Draco, wide-eyed. "Ha ... Harry? As in Harry Potter?"Draco blushed scarlet.

"Oh," said Narcissa calmly. "Well, you can't help who you love, I always say. House elves!" she snapped her fingers, "take Draco to platform nine and three quarters!!"

Draco looked at her, his expession stunned and shocked.

**********

Harry sighed with relief. He had finally found a free compartment for he, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Neville to stay in for the long journey to Hogwarts. Shaking and going at a speed of around two-hundred and fifty miles per hour, the Hogwarts Express was still around two hours away from their destination.

When they were all settled in, the dear old lady with the food trolley came along. "Any food from the trolley, dears?" she trilled, the picture of merriment.

"Um ..." Ron mumbled, flushing pink, embarassed. Harry noticed him and knew that he was flustered because he didn't have much money on him.

"All of it, please," Harry said, grinning, as Ron gazed at him in utter amazement. "It's on me!"

Harry handed the money to the little old lady, and the lady left the compartment.

Later, when Harry, Ron and Neville were playing Wizard and Witches Cards: Top Trumps, something totally unexpected happened.

None other than Draco Malfoy slid open the compartment door, sporting a pleasant, not evil, smile.

"Uh, hi."

Neville, who was about to leave the compartment in pursuit of his ever-escaping pet frog, Trevor, squealed and hurried out of the compartment, peering back scaredly for a second, then disappearing from view.

Harry studied Draco's face. To Harry's immediate surprise, Draco actually seemed hurt at Neville's reaction and his less-than-warm reception.

Disappointed and slightly saddened, Draco turned to Harry for support. "Hi, Harry," he said weakly, shy.

Harry was astounded, but replied. "Uh ... hi, Draco. Um ... how was your summer?"
Relieved, Draco answered, "Excellent. How was yours? I-"

But Ron interrupted, his face an angry shade of red, clearly disturbed by Draco. "Harry, train's stopped, let's get off."
Reluctantly, Harry disembarked the train, leaving Draco alone.