"This is a nightmare. I'll wake up from it any moment now." I told the boy in the mirror, though he didn't seem to believe me. Understandable, even infected by a Muggle I'm a Malfoy and smart enough not to believe my own lies. I could hardly ignore the creature's leavings, the trials and tribulations of what would happen were the stuff of nightmares. The mere idea of failing so often set chills running down his spine, Malfoy's don't fail. What angle had the future version of myself been working I wonder?

The sudden puff of smoke startled me not that I'd ever admit it, the strange bald creature cringed away from me even as it began speaking.

"Master Draco, Masters is saying it is being time to be Flooing."

I huffed, great, no time to plan. I had forgotten it was September First in my horror of being invaded by the mind of that pathetic Muggle. The silly thing seemed to think just because he was a self-insert he could contend with the magic of a Malfoy.

I was just about to punish the thing before the Muggle's memories assaulted me- the very same house elf could toss about Father like so much rubbish and would soon be free to get revenge on me. No, best ignore my impulses to put the thing it's place until I was sure the elf wouldn't be getting free.

"Take my Trunk to the Floo, Elf." The creature visibly startled, surprised but quickly popped to the trunk and away before I could change my mind and order it to punish itself.

Downstairs I saw my Mother waiting patiently on a chair while my Father impatiently was tapping his cane against is foot.

"About time- let's go."

I maintained as much dignity I could as Mother gave me a short hug and gave a serious nod after Father told me "Do us proud."

Soon I carried my feather-light trunk through the train in search of Crabbe and Goyle.

I found the two lunks had already claimed a cabin and were playing exploding snap, though knowing my feelings on that juvenile game immediatly stopped upon my entrance.

"Crabbe, Goyle, come with me- I have networking to do." Say what you will about the filthy Muggles, they had their uses. The memories taught me better than Father had managed the fine art of making friends and influencing people.

Harry Potter was most likely lost to me for now- first impressions counted for an unbelievable amount and it was obvious he already chose his side by mere coincidence of his birth and no doubt the half-baked schemes to integrate the boy with Weasleys. You would think after seeing how the worthless Muggles dared lay hands on a Wizard he'd be on the right side.

That didn't mean there was no benefit to trying, at the very least least annoying a Weasley.

More importantly, there were more students of worth than some stupid half-blood.

Sure, my mind was a bit of a mess and I had little idea what I wished to achieve, but no matter what knowing the right people will help in any number of situations.

After greeting the right minded Purebloods- most of whom I already knew I started looking for new contacts.

A disheveled boy going compartment to compartment was my first mark.

"H..Have any of you seen a toad?"

I snorted and the boy jumped in fright. "Come with me Longbottom, I'll get your toad." I didn't have to look behind me to know that the oafs were baffled but they were of no matter.

"Um, that's.. that's okay- um-"

"Malfoy, Draco Malfoy, and it is of no importance. Purebloods should support one another." Nearly light-dribble but tolerable to say, it was even true. Thinking about it, killing the blood traitors wasn't the right way to go about things, and as I dragged a protesting nervous Neville along I mused that there just weren't enough wizards to spare- the traitors and mudbloods could make perfectly fine concubines, perhaps even set up some breeding camps...

I knocked on the last cabin door, an annoyed looking teen opened up.

"What do you want twerps?"

A slight sneer at the insult but I let it pass by me, "Longbottom here has lost his toad, can you cast a quick summoning spell?"

Looking incredibly put-upon the teen said "Fine, what's the toad's name?"

Neville catching on that he really could get him back managed to say "Trevor sir" without that annoying stutter.

"Accio Trevor" the Prefect muttered with a come hither motion with his wand, "Should be - ah" he caught it as it zoomed over our heads and was back in the cabin before Neville could thank him.

"Thanks Malfoy." He seemed genuinely surprised to be saying that, and I gave a pleased smirk and nod.

We parted ways and it was time for the fated encounter.

I knocked- people appreciated politeness even those undeserving of it and a soulless abomination opened the cabin door.

"Whutchu want?" The red beast spat with a glare displaying the half chewed candy in his mouth.

My look of utmost disgust didn't phase what was obviously a Weasley, and I quickly pushed past him, his impotent shout of "Hey! What the-" Crabbe and Goyle Merlin bless them stopped him from doing something foolish as I nodded to the other boy. "Potter, I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy, I'm pleased to properly make your acquaintance." I held out a hand which he looked at like it was venomous.

I sighed and did my best for a sad look as I retracted my offered hand, ignoring the Weasel's uncouth laughter at my introduction. "I do apologize for my behavior as we were getting our robes- it was a rather stressful day, I had hoped we could start fresh..."

He blinked and took on an astonished look as if no one had ever apologized to him before, and seemed to think about it- his emotions on clear display for everyone.

"I guess I can understand that, but if you were really sorry why did you push Ron?" He said slowly and cautiously.

I grimaced "What would you do if a member of a family that was at war with yours spat half digested food in your direction? Honestly Potter, I do hope you teach it some manners if you decide to keep it."

"Hey, I'm not a pet or somethin' and I've got plenty of manners- mor'an you!" The red faced Red head spat out.

I didn't dignify that with a response and Harry seemed unsure. I sighed, I knew this wasn't likely to work.

"Very well, I see that you'll need time about to think about it- but despite what you've been told not every Slytherin is the epitome of evil, nor is every Gryffindor some noble well-mannered knight." A glance in Weasley's direction with a light sneer to emphasize my point, and I was soon making my way out of the cabin before Weasley could string together an insult, his reddening face impotently glaring at me.

I smiled, even if it didn't work that had been rather fun, and surely I had sown doubt in Potter's mind.