A Little Help from a Snake // Tomarry

8: Train Has Left the Station*

Revised: January 11, 2022

Added a scene at the end

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I am so hyped for second year

Draco wrote to him the next day, saying that Harry had missed the fight between Lucius Malfoy and Arthur Weasley. Apparently, Mr. Weasley had physically thrown himself at Mr. Malfoy, as if he had forgotten he had a wand. Harry shook his head slightly. So much for setting an example, he thought as he read how the twins cheered their father on.

Harry wished that time would speed up. He had read the books Draco had given him eagerly, but between that, he was bored. And irked. Because Dudley's constant taunting, while only weak and empty threats, was getting on his nerves. At least he wasn't using his fists anymore; Harry's magic lashing out once earlier that summer had been enough. Still, he could just stop being an idiot for a minute.

"Dobby?" Harry called after one day when he had woken up in a particularly bad mood.

The house-elf appeared in front of him. "Yes?"

"My cousin is annoying me. Can you do something about that? But don't let him know you're there or that I am behind any of it."

"Yes, sir, Harry Potter." Dobby disappeared with a small pop.

When Harry heard Dudley complaining that he couldn't fit in his clothes or complained about the food tasting terrible, he smirked. Revenge, no matter how small, was sweet.

He got on the train on September 1st and was reunited with Hedwig and Draco. "The Malfoys treat you right?"

Hedwig cooed contently.

"You doubt my skills for taking care of owls?" said Draco, raising his chin.

"Should I?" Harry countered.

"Course not. Besides, all I had to do was feed her to shut her up."

An offended Hedwig flapped her wings and smacked him in the face.

At that moment, Pansy arrived. "Hello," she said, putting her trunk away. She did a double take at Draco's hair, which had strands sticking out, and blinked.

"Don't say a word," muttered Draco, trying to flatten it.

"A word," said Harry. "Hey, Pansy."

"How was your summer?" she asked.

"Boring. I almost hexed Dudley for his constant whining."

"Almost? Huh." Pansy looked mildly impressed. "Beats what I would have done."

Azure poked her head out and slithered over to Pansy, who began running her fingers down Azure's back. The two had formed a bond throughout first year, and Azure sometimes even slept in the girls dorm.

'Weasel incoming,' Azure warned after a while.

Sure enough, the compartment door opened. But it wasn't Ron like Harry had expected; it was Ginny, his younger sister.

"Hi!" she said, her red face clashing with her hair.

"Hello?" Harry said slowly.

"I just wanted to thank you for the books," she said.

Oh, that had been her. "You're welcome."

Ginny paused as if contemplating something. Then she spoke again. "Would you like to join me and Ron?"