"Cutting it close ain't ya lad? School starts back up tomorrow after all." Tom said with a warm smile.
"Nah, I timed my return just right. I'll grab the train tomorrow with the rest." I said calmly.
"Suppose that's fine too. Now what's this about food?" he asked.
After a large amount of food including desert I headed out into the alley and from there Gringotts. I took a trip to my vault and collected my suitcase and it's contents before spending the rest of my day relaxing in my room at the pub.-
The night passed quietly and in the morning I set out for Kings cross station on the knight bus. Platform nine and three quarters was abuzz with families returning their students to Hogwarts. Some were sad and others seemed like they were itching to get rid of the children again. I ignored these people and found an empty room to occupy. I didn't bother closing the door though since Terry and Mike were likely to be joining me soon enough.
"Drake." a familiar voice said from the doorway.
I looked up slightly confused "Malfoy. Something I can help you with?" I asked curiously.
"There have been..... rumors. About you, and about Beauxbatons. Are they true?" he asked cautiously as if almost afraid to offend.
"I'm afraid you'll need to be more specific. I am rather out of the loop gossip wise I'm afraid, a downside to where I was you see." I said with a shrug.
"There are rumors among the ministry and pureblooded families. That you can acquire..... unusual items. That you stayed at Beauxbatons over the break, that you might be exchanged with the school next year." he said quietly.
"I have been known to get my hands on one or two rather interesting bits and bobs I suppose. As for the student exchange, yes that was something I was offered when I stayed at Beauxbatons as a guest. Madam Olympia is a wonderful host and her school is simply a treat." I said not denying any of the rumors.
"How? How have you managed all this while being a first year?" he asked with a hint of frustration.
I sighed "Your father must be giving you grief over it I take it? Probably saying something along the lines of it being unacceptable that all the pureblooded heirs are being shown up by me right?" I asked and he stiffened.
"How do you know that!?" he demanded with wide horrified eyes.
I chuckled "Your father is predictable. Don't get me wrong he can be clever and all that but the way he thinks and his personality make him laughably simple to understand. He is a creature of situation. He acts based on what he perceives as the advantage or disadvantage of the current moment." I said casually.
He frowned at that and looked like he wanted to argue but stopped when his mind subconsciously layered what I said over his own memories of his father.-
It was highly amusing to see his face shift in real time as he more and more realized that his dad was in fact just that simple. The understanding must have shook his worldview a lot because he just stood there with a lost look on his face for a minute or two before finally excusing himself to go and brood over the realization. Honestly Draco was much more clever and quick mentally compared to his father. I suppose it was a mix of nature plus nurture really.-
Living under his fathers strict thumb and influence sharpened him subconsciously but until he got free through Hogwarts, albeit temporarily, his mind couldn't fully grow out. He was all but forced to think for himself because his father wasn't constantly around to keep his mind rigid. Now he was starting to develop his own personality and thoughts, not just what his father forced him to have. Even in the books this same trend was there subtly in the background. I wondered how things might turn out now that I'd broken the illusion his mind had about his father. Would he become drastically different? Would he fall into familiar steps once more? I can't wait to see.-
I sat quietly looking out the window as Terry and Mike showed up.
"Those gifts were bloody brilliant mate!" Mike said with a grin as he threw an arm over my shoulder in a one handed hug.
"Bah, that was barely anything. I wanted to give you both something you'd enjoy and was practical. Those were the best I could find for the current you." I said waving it off.
"And we love them. It's kinda funny how they try and help us play." Terry said with a chuckle.
"They damned well better! I bought the most premium sets I could find, all the bells and whistles." I said with a matching chuckle.
It was nice to be back with my friends. Not to say I didn't enjoy my time in the Cyberpunk or One piece worlds but those weren't MY world. My time there was temporary so there wasn't that constant connection that you got from friends who were just there if you needed them. We chatted about our experiences over the holiday with me all but being the center of attention with my tale of travel.-
I didn't mention going to different worlds but I talked about Beauxbatons and Flammel. I talked about going treasure hunting based on a lead I had, not mentioning it's source though. They listened with rapt attention as I regaled them with my tales. I paced myself and made sure to wrap up the story right as we were pulling into the Hogsmeade station.