A/N: Three years ago, I started writing fanfiction. One of my first, horrible attempts was a story involving a certain grumpy, dark-haired Professor. Finally, I can say that I've managed a story that I'm confident enough about to share it with the world xd Let me know what you think!

"We don't need no education

We don't need no thought control

No dark sarcasm in the classroom

Teachers leave them kids alone

Hey! Teachers! Leave them kids alone

All in all it's just another brick in the wall

All in all you're just another brick in the wall"

Pink Floyd - Another Brick In The Wall

King's Cross Station is crowded, as usual. Everyone seems to be in a hurry, quickly walking past each other. I'm strolling somewhere amongst them, carrying a large travelling backpack. When I reach the brick wall in between platform 8 and 9, I take a moment to put my earphones and iPod away, looking around to check if there are any Muggles around who could see me. Since they're too busy minding their own business, as always, I walk straight through the wall, disappearing.

Platform 9 3/4 is packed with witches and wizards whom are saying goodbye to their children, most of them crying. For a moment, I'm happy my parents aren't here, although Mother would never cry in front of others. A bit nervous, although I'd never admit it to others, I make my way through the crowd and onto the Hogwarts Express. While admiring the black and red interior, I try to find a place to sit. I get a lot of curious stares, but ignore them, continuing to look. After a while, I let out a frustrated sigh, my quest for an empty seat rather unsuccessful.

As I enter another compartment, I run straight into someone. I let out a surprised yelp, losing my balance. Great, Ali, running into someone on your first day, great move. To my surprise, two hands prevent me from falling by grabbing my upper arms, and I find myself looking up at a white-haired boy with all too familiar, piercing blue eyes.

"Draco, hi! I didn't see you there, I'm sorry." I apologize, giving him a smile. I have to admit that I'm happy I ran into him out of all the people that were on this train.

"No problem, Ali. Are you okay?" He asks, giving me a quick once-over.

"I'm fine, no worries." I wave his worries away.

"Anyway, what are you doing here? I thought you were studying abroad?" Draco asks, surprised.

"I was, but Mother thought it was time I returned. She doesn't want me missing out on the 'Hogwarts experience'." I explain while rolling my eyes, making Draco laugh.

"I can imagine. Still, it must be strange to start here in your fourth year. Aren't you nervous?"

"Just a little, but I'll be fine." I admit. I know that Draco won't tell anyone. He remains silent for a moment, looking at me.

"Would you like to sit with us? There's plenty of room left with us anyway." Draco asks, shrugging casually.

"I'd love to, thanks." I answer, giving him a grateful smile. It was rather sweet of him to suggest, for I knew how important his reputation was to him and his family, as was who he was seen with. He had made the question sound casual, but it meant a lot more to him, so that was nice of him. As I follow him through the train, I can't help but feel glad that I at least know someone here. My Mother and Father both work at the Ministry of Magic, and my Dad often works together with Lucius Malfoy. They're friends, so ever since we were little kids, Draco and I would play when our parents brought us along to boring parties. It's been a while since I've seen him, though, with me studying abroad.

Draco enters a compartment, me still following him. I find two rather chubby boys and a dark haired, rather pretty boy with dark skin and dark hair.

"Guys, this is Alistair Leroy. Ali, these are Crabbe, Goyle and Blaise Zabini." Draco introduces us, making me shake hands with all three of them.

"How nice to have such a pretty human being in my presence." The dark-haired boy notes with a charming smile.

"The pleasure is all mine." I answer with a grin, causing Draco to scoff.

"Hey Draco, your Mommy is looking for you." Crabbe or Goyle says teasingly, making me roll my eyes at the comment. When I follow the boys' gazes, I find Lucius and Narcissa standing not too far away. At first, Narcissa notices Draco and waves at him, Draco waving back in embarrassment. When her eyes meet mine, I grin and wave at her, making her wave back with a smile. His Father gives Draco a stern look, making him drop his hand immediately, but gives me a smile and a nod of his head, making me smile back at him. Draco's parents were rather harsh on him, for they found it important to look good, but I could say the same about my Mother, so I didn't really mind, although it kind of sucked to be Draco in my opinion. Still, they'd always been kind to me, and I rather liked them as people. They were a lot less horrible, once you got to know them. It was a shame that not that many people got to see that side of them, but the same could be said about Draco. From a young age, we'd both been taught not to show our true feelings, and that being vulnerable was something that people would always take advantage of.

Soon enough, the train's whistle sounds, snapping me out of my thoughts. Then, we're leaving, waved off by all the parents who are still on the platform. The ride to Hogwarts is long, nothing really interesting happening. Mostly, Draco does the talking while we listen, but I don't mind, for I've gotten used to it over the years. I don't like Crabbe and Goyle much, for all they seem to be able to say are insults towards other people, especially Gryffindor's, but Blaise is rather nice, being very kind to me, and funny as well. When an elderly woman stops, pushing a trolley full of candy, all of us buy some, spending the rest of the train ride laughing, talking and eating. Halfway during the ride, I go to the bathrooms to change, rather happy that Draco told me to before I ended up being the only one in Muggle clothes. I'd been wearing ripped jeans, an oversized band shirt that I tied at the waist and a red jean jacket, black Dr. Martens underneath it. I don't really like the school uniform that consists of a black robe and more black clothes, but it'll have to do. When the train finally stops, it's already dark outside, but it had been surprisingly fun with the boys. Sure enough, they were a bit childish and spoiled at times, but boys will be boys, right?