The corridor was crowded—students shoving trunks, first-years clutching owls in cages, prefects barking orders no one followed.

You found an empty compartment near the end of the train. Slid the door shut. Dropped onto the seat, stretching your legs out as the compartment door whooshed open again.

Draco Malfoy lingered in the doorway. He looked at the empty seat beside you. Then at Blaise. Then back at you.