The worst days of our lives

A/N: Sorry for the mix up with the chapters! Here is chapter five! Enjoy!

Chapter 5

Hermione sat in front of the fire in their new common room, snuggled between her two best friends. Ginny sat on Harry’s lap, stroking his hair and Neville sat on the armchair opposite of them. Hermione still marveled at where they had come. Together.

It felt good to have two best friends. And of course Ginny. Well, Hermione didn’t consider Ginny to be part of their little group. Ginny hadn’t gone through what they had. She had been a bystander for most of the years. And it was still a sore spot for Hermione to admit that yes, maybe Ginny would make a better, more social at least, head girl.

‘I can’t believe it,’ said Harry, ‘They’re throwing us in the same boat with the Slytherins! That’s not fair!’

Hermione sighed. Sometimes he could be such a baby.

‘I know mate,’ Ron replied calmly, ‘But it’s not that big of a deal. I mean, we all know we’re Gryffindors to the core right?’

Thank Merlin for small favors. It was so weird for Hermione to realize that yes, Ron had matured. Somewhat.

‘By the way Gin, shouldn’t you have first years flocking you for advice?’ Ron asked drily.

Ginny looked thoughtful, but Hermione beat her to answering.

‘Of course not Ron. That’ll come in a few weeks time. They’re still marveling at the beauty of Hogwarts. In a few weeks the groups will be defined and the bullies will start the actual bullying and the people will fall in love out of love, gossiping will start. Those things take time you know,’ Hermione said.

Ron looked at her with a blank face.

‘You’ve given it a lot of thought Herms.’

Hermione had the grace to blush. She felt the heat creep into her cheeks.

‘Well,’ she snubbed, ‘Was it wrong to assume that I would receive the position one day?’

Ginny smiled gently.

‘No, I think you were very right in your assumption Hermione. It’s just…different circumstances I guess,’ she said with a small shrug, then continued to stroke Harry’s hair.

How dare she just dismiss it like it’s nothing? For Hermione this was a big deal. She dreamed of it. She lived for it. She was a bloody prefect!

Hermione told herself to calm down. This wasn’t getting her anywhere.

‘I’m going to check the library. I’ll see you tomorrow,’ she said briskly as she stood up.

Harry and Ron shared a look that said ‘oh Merlin’. Hermione ignored them and strode though the portrait hole, away from their …happiness. It sounded petty, but Hermione couldn’t quite grasp how they failed to miss how important this was for her. And to see Ginny walk away with the title she wanted so badly. It stung. She wasn’t jealous of course, but …maybe she felt envious. Maybe.

She walked down the stairs towards the library, deep in thought.

*****

Draco stood on the bottom of the stairs. He hesitated. Should he go up? Blaise was already there and so was Pansy. He would have to go in alone. Could he do that? The other students didn’t seem too hostile. He was just about to step on the bottom step when someone nearly knocked him over. He quickly moved out of the way so the other student could pass.

It was Granger.

And she didn’t even notice him. She kept her head down and just walked on.
Draco frowned. What the…? Last thing he remembered from Granger was that she had no trouble putting people in their place. He at least expected a scolding for daring to stand in her way.

He watched her disappear around the corner. Was it his imagination or did she grow taller? He shook his head and proceeded up the stairs.

The common room was filled, nearly all students were there. He hadn’t been here before, he didn’t even know this part of the castle existed. Their common room was large and circular, a few couches and armchairs crammed inside. A fire was burning in the grate. Pff, just what they needed: more heat. Like it wasn’t hot enough already? On the left side a hallway led to rooms for the girls, or women, as Draco noticed, and on the right a narrow hallway led to the rooms for the males.

A few people openly stared at him, which Draco countered with a sneer. The stares were starting to get annoying and he hadn’t even been here for one day. He hoped it would wear off soon enough.

He sat down in an armchair, as far away from the Gryffindors as he could, but close enough to have some light from the fire. He really, really did not want to be near them. Especially because there was no Blaise or Pansy in sight. Let’s see, there were Granger, Weasley and Weasley, Potter and Longbottom. Five against one. No, he didn’t stand a chance. So Draco played it safe and left them alone.

Unfortunately Potter wouldn’t have it. Potter kept on staring at him. Draco felt unnerved. He swallowed and went up to his room to retrieve his sketchbook. Better get something done he thought gloomily. When he came back he saw someone occupied his chair. With a small growl he sat down on a different chair, where he barely had any light at all. He grabbed his wand and accio-ed a candle.

Starting with thin lines, he continued to expand the beautiful legs he’d been drawing. The legs now had feet. Very shapely feet, might he add.

Admiring his handy work, he didn’t notice the figure standing in front of him.
‘Never thought you’d be the artistic type Malfoy.’

Draco’s head shot up. Great. His I-avoid-Gryffindors-at-all-costs-especially-if-there-are-more-of-them-around-tactic failed. He quickly closed his sketchbook.

‘Can I help you Potter?’ he asked.

Potter was no reason to get worked up over, still he couldn’t help but feel threatened. Draco’s hand moved to his pocket. He wrapped his hand around his wand, feeling the smooth wood in his fingers. With his wand, nothing could happen to him. He was vividly reminded of his childhood teddy bear. With the Bear around, nothing could happen to him. At least, that was what he had believed. The Bear didn’t help much once he got older though.

‘Changed your ways in prison? I heard there’s this thing they do to pretty boys like you in prison. Decided you rather play for the other team?’ Potter asked, his arms crossed over his chest.

‘Is that an invitation Potter? Although I have to decline, I don’t swing that way. But I think Weasley there would just love to get you close to him.’

Potter narrowed his eyes.

‘I think it’s better if you close your mouth Malfoy. Words coming from you is never a good thing. Besides, you’re alone and-,’ Potter said, but was rudely cut off.

‘Ah Potter. You again. Stop harassing Draco okay? He’s not interested. I thought he made that quite clear,’ Blaise stepped in. Draco was thankful. With a small grin he looked at Blaise who seemed thoroughly snogged. His hair was mussed up and the top buttons of his shirt were open.

‘Anything else Potter?’ Draco asked arrogantly.

Potter glared at them, muttered something under his breath and stalked off.

Blaise sat in the armchair opposite of Draco.

‘It’s not like Potter to just pick random fights. What did you say to him? Blaise asked.

Draco tried his best to put up an innocent front.

‘I did no such thing. He came over here first.’

Blaise snickered.

‘Are you also going to tell me he started it?’

Draco glowered.

‘He so did.’

And Blaise laughed.

*****

Later that evening Draco decided he liked his new room. It was small, yes. Even smaller than his bedroom at home. But it was comfortable. And private. No snoring, no silencio spells to make sure the others won’t hear you wank. Or hear you screaming in the middle of the night when the nightmares were plaguing you. Yes, Draco could get used to this.

He couldn’t help but feel slightly paranoid though. Potter slept next door. He really really disliked Potter. He claimed to be such a saint, while in reality he kicked others when they were down. Draco ignored the voice in his head that told him that he always started the fights and that was probably the reason why Potter disliked him so much. Or maybe it was just because he was more handsome. Potter was probably gay and had the hots for him. And tried to ‘express’ himself by verbal sparring. Yes, that was probably it.

Satisfied with his own logic, Draco decided he needed a shower. Badly. He grabbed his things and left his room. As soon as he was about to enter the common room he heard frantic whispering.

‘Hermione. I…, I can’t not tell her. But I’m not sure if I want to. I feel guilty Herms.’

Granger and Potter. Draco sneered.

‘You can’t Harry. What do you think she’ll do? Some things are better left unspoken,’ Granger whispered back.

So Potter had something to hide, interesting. Draco glanced around. The common room was almost deserted. Must have something to do with the fact that it was one in the morning.

‘That’s easy for you to say! You and Ron aren’t together anymore, but-.’ Potter stopped as soon as he saw Draco standing in the doorway.

*****

Hermione waited for Harry to continue. She knew it was futile, telling Ginny would get them nowhere. It would only mess everything up. Besides, like Ginny never had a fling in her life. Hermione snorted inwardly. Harry had to see reason. She was the one who would get all the blame in the end.

When Harry didn’t say anything she looked at him. He was staring at a point over her shoulder. Hermione looked over her shoulder and gasped.

‘Malfoy! Eavesdropping now too?’ Harry asked snidely.

‘Harry stop it,’ she said. When Malfoy didn’t move she frowned. ‘Don’t let us stop you Malfoy. Go on.’

Malfoy smirked and walked past them to the showers.

‘Where do you think you’re going?’ Harry asked.

Hermione sighed. That wasn’t any of their business. And she was not all that interested anyway.

Malfoy turned around with a blank look upon his face.

‘Where does it look like I’m going?’ he said as he proceeded to the showers, ‘To the showers, duh.’

And he was gone.

‘Harry, was that really necessary? Stop it and just leave them alone!’ Hermione said as she dropped back in her chair.

Harry looked mildly guilty.

‘I just don’t have a good feeling about him being here. Can’t be good, a death eater and murderer in the castle.’

Stupid Harry, Hermione thought. When would he learn? She scooted forward and grabbed his hands.

‘I think of all people, you would have to agree that we’ve had enough fighting to last a lifetime. It would be a good thing to stop here,’ she spoke softly, ‘Let it go Harry. Making Malfoy’s last year horrible isn’t going to make you feel better about everything you’ve lost. Just let it go. Hatred is what got us into this mess in the first place. Let it go.’

Hermione released Harry’s hands and walked towards the girls dormitories.

‘Good night Harry. And we’re not finished yet.’

****

Harry sighed and buried his hands in his hair. Hermione just didn’t understand how he felt. He needed to talk about it. With someone who preferably wasn’t Hermione. She knew, but she didn’t understand. He needed to make someone understand. He couldn’t go to Ron, Ron would be furious. Ginny would be even worse. Ginny would dump him, he was sure of it. And still he considered telling her. Anything to get rid of the shame. He knew it should never have happened, but at the time it seemed like a good idea.
Probably thinking with the wrong head. He shook his head and went to bed.

It could all wait till tomorrow.