ooc: lol actually I'm fixing to go soon as well. Got some errands to run as I have no food in the house. But I'll be back before you probably.

"Yea Ginny. You were great last year. Not to mention you're in good with the Captain." Ron winked at Harry. "I'm starved when are we going to get there. Seems like this drive takes forever. I never remember it taking this long on the way to the train but it always seems that way coming from the train."

Draco walked briskly, with his head held in a proud manner that was sure to display his power of Head Boy to anyone who dared to look his way, towards the carriage he saw Audria put herself into. As he approached the carriage he pulled the door open quickly and surveyed the insides, looking to see if she had come to join anyone else. While he stepped up, and into, the carriage he stated, with upmost satisfaction in himself, "The young prefects have obviously heard of my reputation. They cringe every time I snap a word or order to them. Can you believe that? They have a long way to go to live up to me or anyone else that could rightfully call themselves a Slytherin."

The satisfaction he took from such ordeals were of extraordinary levels and the immense power that he felt from reigning above so many people gave him an ever increasing amount of superiority. A devilish smirk played across his lips as the carriage began it's journey towards the castle.

There were few things in life that Audria truly considered a beauty and the Hogwarts castle from this view was definitely one of them. She always felt as if she was on her way to a haven of some sorts and could hardly handle the thrill of the carriage ride. Although her mind was brainstorming of daring endeavors to tackle at Hogwarts for the year, any person looking her way would only see an indifferent Slytherin with her head held high and a solemn look on her face. Glancing sideways, Audria watched the many students and just as she was doing this she noticed Draco entering the carriage.

"Look who decided to show up ten minutes too late," she said watching him closely and then turning her attention back towards the castle. "Hello to you too, Draco," she responded, ignoring his comment about the prefects altogether. It wasn't as if she wasn't used to Draco and his haughty manners but something was starting to bother her more and more each day she spent with him. Though she'd never admit it to anyone else, perhaps it was that her feelings for him were growing. She admired the amount of pride he had immensely. Yet, it wasn't as if she was fine with being told something and then left hanging.

"Aside from taunting the prefects, how are you?" she asked, finally turning her attention back to him.

"You know exactly why I'm late. I have other priorities that I need to take care of." Draco stated defensively. He looked away from her and out at the droves of students still mulling around carriages and wondering just where to head off to. "This year will be the best year we have ever had, Audria. I am quite sure of that." He paused momentarily and eyed her with his scrutinizing eyes. After finding nothing that could be remarked upon in his usual manner, he continued, "There are many plans this year, as I'm sure you know. Many things will be happening."

He took a moment of silence, contemplating her question, perhaps, even debating on whether or not to answer any of her questions or remarks. With the way that she greeted him, it would be within every right of his to ignore every thought of hers, he was certain of this. He decided against that. It would most likely result in her seeking revenge on him. Obviously, the better choice here would be to oblige her in ways that he could. Though, it would be foolish for him to apologize. He never did such a thing. "I was not taunting. Merely exercising my authority over them." He looked at her and smiled slightly. "And I'm doing well. Very well, in fact. I am looking forward to this school year."

Another moment of silence while he sat in thought and looked out as the carriage was coming ever closer to the castle. "What about you, Audria?" He asked with reluctance to share in any time that could be spent with attention on him. But, he knew that she would resent him if he didn't speak of her, or to her, in any way. For him, and his apparent safety, it would not be wise to cause that in her.

Audria blinked at him and shrugged. "Right," she replied, after a long pause. Best year? She was tempted to further the discussion by asking him if anything would ever meet his expectations but decided against it. As he continued on with the "things that were going to be happening" he struck a nerve and she was ready to explode. "Who's plans are we speaking of, Draco? Yours? Mine? Or your parents and him? You know very well that I don't intend to take part in any of those plans and so long as I have a say, I'll be watching your back because it seems to me you're acting like a fool," she ranted, and kept her eyes locked on his. At times, it amazed Audria that Draco allowed her to speak in the manner that she did. He certainly would not have wasted his time with anyone else but he knew, just as well as she did that he depended on her (though he never would admit it) and so she continued to pull his strings.

Sighing, she shrugged away his question about how she was doing. "Let's just drop it..." she whipered, upon seeing Crabbe, Goyle and a few other Slytherins chattering in a nearby carriage. Smiling their way, she laid her head on Draco's shoulder and turned her attention towards the castle once again.

Neville had been pestering with Trevor when he opened Harry's, Ron's, Hermione's, and Luna's room. He grimaced at Hermione thinking how many times she would have to help him this year with homework. Surely Granny would be more proud if it was less than 100 this year. "Mind if I sit here Harry?" he asked.

ooc: We're still in the carriage...but I'll make it so we arrive at the castle I hadn't done that because Harry hasn't responded to his thread but it's all right.

The carriage came to a stop outside of the castle and Ron got out and helped Hermione out of the carriage. When he saw Neville standing on the steps. "Hey Neville. Have a good summer?"

Draco was immediately take aback by her explosion, though, he should have expected it sooner or later. She had never been one to approve of the things his family were doing, and especially, not anything he was doing. He kept looking into her eyes, willing himself not to shrink away from her rage, but it was useless for him to try. He looked away. It was one of those rare moments where he showed his insecurity unknowingly. Yet, it all disappeared with the next words he said, "We'll talk about this later. You know just as much as I do that I do not, and have never, had much of a choice in the matter." He stated in a low, but forceful voice.

He followed her eyes to the carriage that was rolling beside them and noticed who was inside it. Crabbe, Goyle, and a few other Slytherins. They were well within conversation distance, but he didn't wish to strike up a conversation with the dimwitted fools. Instead, he chose to sit in silence with Audria. And with his arm still wrapps around her shoulders, he gave her a gentle squeeze that surprised even him. He quickly dismissed the action that took place and looked away from her.

After reaching the castle he ordered the ignorant fools that followed them after exiting each of their carriages to the house common rooms so that he may discuss matters with Audria. He led her near the lake and laid out on the grass, waiting for her to sit beside him and begin the matters they had struck up in the carriage.

"Everyone has a choice in every matter..." she mumbled under her breath but decided to let it go. He was right. This was neither the place nor the time. Plus, if they were going to start the year off like this, what was to come of them anyway? Before long, they'd end up resenting one another because of the constant bickering. She shuddered at the thought of losing the relationship she had with him. As malfunctioned as it was, there was just something that seemed to fit right and so long as that something remained, she wasn't going to give up on him.

Smiling at the involuntary motion, Audria glanced up at Draco as he looked away. "You know, you'll eventually get used to it. You might as well quit the tough kid act," she told him teasingly. Nudging his side, she finally perked back up and smiled at him again. "Plus, with all that quiditch training over the summer, how else will you get over me beating you in front of all your little friends?" she asked, raising an eyebrow and holding back the giggles.

"Draco, what are you doing?" she asked wondering what he had planned. "The lake? Are you mad? What happened to your precious priorities?" she asked, looking back in the direction where the carriages were halting. It didn't surprise her that no one dared to question nor stop Malfoy (Including Filch) but still, this was taking it a bit too far. She stood in front of him for a few minutes debating whether to stay or leave but resorted to sitting down next to him. "15 minutes, tops."

Sorry guys! I'm on central time in the US. It is just now four for me. I just got out of school half an hour ago. Sowwwy

Harry smiled as the carriage came to a stop. He helped Ginny down, holding her hand the whole way. He laughed at the whole situation, "Ginny, unless you completely forgot how to play Quidditch, you have your spot....Hermione I really think you should try to learn to play. You'd love it, I just know it." Harry scowled as he saw Malfoy and that Audria girl getting out of a carriage.

ooc: Whoa, guys! I leave for a day and...BOOM. Slow down. . Lol. JK.

Luna smiled at Harry. She liked the Room of Requirement, but it didn't matter where they had their DA meetings, as long as she got to go. "See you, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny," she waved, hopping off the carrage and going to the Ravenclaw table in a kind of skip. She looked around for Neville absently.

ooc: no problem. Central here too but I've gotta go get ready so this'll be my last post until around 11 maybe 12

Ron smiled thankful at Harry for backing his idea. He looked in the direction that had so suddenly changed Harry's mood and frowned as he saw Draco. "Look at him. Thinks he's above the rules now. He knows we're supposed to go to the Great Hall and await the sorting..."

Draco looked at her scathingly, "This is a priority. The first one at the moment." He paused and looked around, noticing for the first time that everyone had exited their carriages, and had even noticed the two of them by the lake. They didn't have much time at all, he realized. "Look," he said looked at her and continuing to whisper, "At this time, I have no choice." He pause for a moment and looked around with ever more scrutinizing eyes before speaking again. "But that doesn't mean that I won't have any." His hand gripped hers for a moment and then he stood, leading her away towards the castle before anyone could say two words to him, even her, about what just occurred out at the lake. There would be no answers for those who questioned him, he thought dominately.

As he walked his face slowly returned to the normal appearance in that he looked even more arrogant than last year, far more superior, and more condemning of other people than ever before given his higher status within the school this year. He sneered at Harry and Ron as he walked by them and headed towards the Great Hall for the sorting. "Let's get this over with." He said to Audria harshly.

Audria stood her ground as Malfoy attempted to speed her away toward the castle. It was just like him to give his two cents and ignore anything she had to say. Perhaps they should get back but the least he could've done was allow her to say something -- anything would have done. That bit of courtesy would have been enough. "We'll see about that," she simply responded and finally walked onward with him.

Audria watched him sneer at Harry and his friends and sighed inwardly. This was ridiculous. Although Audria was high on being a Slytherin, the relationship Draco shared with Harry was absurd. Yet, it wasn't her place to say anything. She had attempted several times and failed miserably. In fact, every relationship of Draco's was in some way, pointless and bitter. His parents. His so-called friends. His proffessors. Everyone. "You go on ahead and catch up with Hermione. I can walk perfectly fine. I'll see you at the table," she told him and with that, she was off inside the castle. Turning back around, Audria glanced at him with an odd expression on her face. Please don't get in too much trouble, she thought to herself.

Ron brightened slightly as Hermione confronted Draco. This is going to be something to remember. He turned to Harry and whispered, "This'll be good."