Three\'s Company

Beta'd by: Meagan Thanks so much!!!

Hermione stood beside Draco Malfoy in the Prefects compartment of the Hogwarts Express. She was Headgirl and he was Headboy this year and it was time to give the announcements to the Prefects.

"In addition to the usual rules and our usual duties, this year Professor Dumbledore has asked us to show inter-house unity for our classmates." Hermione began.

"Basically, most of us aren't sleeping in our House dorms this year." Draco cut in. "You will tonight but tomorrow we'll all be sharing a dorm and common room with someone from another House."

"Half of you will pick names out of this hat. Keep in mind that two of each year will be staying in the House dorms as constant authority figures. You will also be paired with someone else in your year." The 5th years went first, then 6th, and finally 7th.

Ron and Padma were going to be staying in their House dorms. Pansy was sharing with Susan Bones from Hufflepuff, Terry Boot was paired with Ernie McMillian. Leaving, ... "Well, Granger, looks like it's me and you."

"That shouldn't surprise you, Malfoy. Nor should it surprise you that we're the only Slytherin/Gryffindor pair. You had to have guessed that Dumbledore would want us sharing. I swear, he rigs these kinds of things." The young woman insisted.

"You sound like you don't agree with him." Draco stated.

"I agree to the point where partnering you with anyone else would be murder. I can stop myself from killing you." Ernie, Terry, Susan, Padma, and Ron all snickered. Pansy just grinned.

Draco opened his mouth to retort, could think of nothing, and closed it again. Hermione grinned then addressed the rest of the people in the compartment. "At the very least, make an attempt to be civil to one another as you do have to live with each other all year." She could feel Draco's glare on the back of her head. "In the meantime, that's everything for now. Malfoy and I will take the first patrol. Pair up with your new roommate for yours. Those of you who do not have a new roommate, pair up with the other person in your year who doesn't. Everyone clear?" She recieved nods and she and Draco set off down the train.

"Why was I made Headboy? I thought Dumbledore hates me?" Draco decided that he would make this one attempt at being civil. If she responded like he thought she would, with the usual ferret-face/git taunts, he wouldn't try again.

"He doesn't. He hates the fact that you might become a Death Eater and so he's showing you support and attempting to implant the idea that he'll look out for you. Personally, I don't think you could torture or kill someone in cold blood. I think you could to save your own arse. Or parents." She added with a more pensive look. "Just don't tell Ron and Harry I said that. They still think you're an evil git." She grinned slightly.

"Perceptive, aren't you?" He asked after a moment.

"Usually." She stated, slightly bitter.

"Only usually?"

"Maybe I'll tell you some other time."

"Painful subject?"

"Sort of. It makes me feel kinda stupid as well, actually." She told him.

"And now I am insanely curious about this subject."

"Later." Hermione insisted. "We're going to have to try to be civil to each other's friends when they come visit, you do realize?"

"I know. And I'll make an attempt if they will."

"And the same holds true for me." Shortly after that, they parted and went to their own compartments.

"Ron told us you have to share a room with the ferret." Harry said by way of a greeting.

"True, and while we're on the subject, behave. You don't have to be friends with him, but there will be no curses or hexes thrown at any of the Slytherins should you come visit me. If you insist on speaking to him at all, he's Malfoy not ferret, git, or any variation thereof. Do I make myself clear?"

"Hermione, you can't be serious. He's an evil git."

"Ronald, there is no proof that Malfoy is a Death Eater, yet. He's roomed with me and he's Headboy so that Dumbledore can show him that he has another option. I will NOT let the two of you mess this up." She insisted.

"Hermione, us being civil is great, but what if he's not?" Neville questioned.

"I've already spoken to him about that and he's agreed to try if you all do. He's talking to his friends about it now as well." She answered simply.

"Well, we'll try then." Ginny smiled.

"Thanks guys." She sat between Ginny and Neville.

"Hermione, I need help. I didn't get any of my Potions stuff done yet." Ginny pouted slightly, knowing the older witch would help her. Recieveing a slight nod from Hermione, Ginny pulled out her Potions book and parchment and the two started working.

They spent the majority of the train ride working on Professor Snape's homework assignment. The boys left them part way through and the two girls changed. While the boys were gone, Hermione turned to Ginny.

"When are you going to tell them, Gin? Charlie knows now. Me, Neville, and Dean know. You should tell Harry and Ron."

"Hermione, Ron still hopes that I'm hung up on Harry. And they think I'm dating Dean, remember? How am I supposed to tell them that I'm gay?"

"Just like that, Gin. You know your family would have no problem with it."

"I know, I will." She paused. "Did you hear about Neville's newest crush?"

She grinned. "Yep. He wrote to tell me. Actually, I'm happy for him. That means he's gotten over his fear."

"Me and Dean were talking over the summer and we were wondering how you managed without us that long?" Ginny questioned.

"Lots of blood pops, actually. And your brother Charlie."

"You told him?"

"Yeah. I was crying and got blood on his shirt. He asked me and I told him."

"Girls, can we come back in?" Harry knocked.

"Yeah." Ginny called back. They were sitting side-by-side again.

A few minutes later, Dean came to sit with them. Neville moved to sit with Harry and Ron while Dean sat on Ginny's other side. He put his arm around her waist and she leaned back slightly. To anyone in the know, this was casual between friends. To everyone else, it was affection between boyfriend and girlfriend.