Veela Love

Once they arrived at Hogsmeade, the group disembarked the train. Many people stared as they passed. It was definitely odd seeing the groups of Gryffindors walking with the Slytherin. Luna of course walked with them but people weren’t staring because of her. 

“Do you think it will be like this all year?” Harry leaned over and whispered to Hermione.

“Honestly, I hope not.” She answered under her breath. 

Draco laughed a little, “It probably will be like this for at least the first couple of months. You would have gotten stared at anyways, being war heroes. Now you will get even more since you are walking with a death eater.” He grabbed Hermione’s bag from her as they walked.

”Don’t say that.” Hermione told him sternly, stopping in her tracks. “You are no more a death eater than Theo. I will not have you saying that nonsense.” She stared up at him as he looked down at her. His eyebrows were knitted together. He was searching her eyes as if trying to figure out if she actually believed what she was saying.

”Okay,” he said slowly, “but others will be looking at me as if I am evil. You will probably be guilty by association. You really shouldn’t be seen with me. I don’t want to affect your life in such a negative way.”

Hermione rolled her eyes, “Whatever. I am a war hero. That will make you innocent by association.” She flipped her wild curls over her shoulder and started towards the carriages. When all he did was stand there and stare after her, she turned back and said, “Well are you coming or not?”

Draco shook his head and followed after her. “I will follow you anywhere, Hermione.”

Hermione’s steps faltered as her cheeks warmed. Clearing her throat she looked at him, “Good.”

-

The carriage ride was quiet. Hermione and Draco sat across from each other again followed by Theo and Harry and then Daphne and Luna. 

Everyone seemed to realize that this would be most people's first time back to the castle since the final battle. As they came around a curve and the trees cleared the castle came into full view. 

It looked exactly as it had before the destruction had occurred. Draco took a steadying breath before turning away from Hogwarts and facing Theo. “You weren't lying.” Draco whispered, “I see them now. Sorry I thought you were full of shite mate.”

Theo leaned in closer to Draco, “It’s okay Draco. I am sorry that you can see them now.” Theo sat back up and looked away from him. Draco knew that Theo didn’t like mentions of his childhood. But he wanted Theo to know he wasn’t alone. 

Harry, who must have heard them, said to Hermione, “I reckon you and Ron should apologize to me too. You both thought I was crazy when I said I saw them. Luna is the one who told me I wasn’t, since we could both see them.”

Hermione rolled her eyes at him, “Harry I didn’t say you were crazy, I just said that there was nothing there. I guess it was the one and only time I was wrong. And I will not be repeating that statement, ever, so savor it.”

Harry let out a snort as everyone turned back to watch Hogwarts get closer. Draco knew that Harry had said that to let Theo know he wasn’t alone.

-

Before the 1st years arrived in the boats, McGonagall requested that 8th years meet her in the entrance hall. All the other years were ushered into the great hall to be seated. 

Once all 18 had gathered, the Headmistress began, “I am sure you all know the circumstances surrounding your final year here at Hogwarts is going to be different than what you expected. I would first like to thank you all for returning. I know that many of you probably had a hard time making the decision so, again, I thank you. A few things to note, we have created a new common room for the 8th years. You each will have your own living quarters. It is located on the fourth floor corridor behind the tapestry of the lady playing the piano. The password is unity. There is an age line at the entrance. No one under 17 is able to enter without a professor's permission. There are going to be new tables in the great hall starting in the morning. We thought that for the feast and the sorting it would be easier to divide you up but tomorrow there will be round tables. We expect you all to lead by example and show inter house unity. Now, because you are all of age you are able to leave the grounds each weekend. You are able to travel anywhere you like but I would prefer to know if you are planning on going somewhere other than Hogsmeade. Your classes will all be taken together as if you were all of the same house. Some 7th years will be attending these classes with you. Your schedules are already in each of your dorm rooms. I expect great things from all of you. Now let us enter the great hall and take our seats.”

With that the headmistress turned and entered the great hall leaving the 8th year to follow her. They all followed after her. Hermione tried to take her bag from Draco but he just smiled and sent her a wink that had her turning red. 

They all headed to their house tables to take a seat and wait for the 1st years to arrive. It didn’t take too long for the small class to be sorted. There was only one incident when the first Slytherin was sorted. Everyone was silent. The 1st year looked scared to move from their seat. Hermione elbowed Harry hard in the side and began clapping. Everyone soon followed suit and the rest of the sorting went off without a hitch. 

Following the sorting, McGonagall stood and made a short speech about inter house unity and the feast followed. Then they were all dismissed to their dorms. Ginny waved to them as she led the Gryffindor 1st year off to the tower. Draco and the rest of the Slytherin 8th years made their way over to the others slowly. As a group they all left to find their new common room. 

Climbing the stairs to the fourth floor corridor, they found the tapestry and entered into their new common room. The area was decorated in all of the house colors with the walls a pale grey.

The area was large with a fireplace. In front of the fireplace were three couches large enough to seat four. There were four large armchairs and a table in the middle. On the other side of the room seemed to be the study area. Three large tables with six chairs around each were beside a large ceiling to floor bookcase. Before heading into the hall, a small kitchenette sat with a few chairs at a little bar.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qCvgDo-RgySbCWW4KKvqteGlybiavuz1

Everyone stood, taking in the living area. Hermione obviously headed straight for the bookshelves with Draco trailing after her. 

“This is nice, having books available for us in the common room. I am sure this will save us some trips to the library.” Draco commented as he saw that the books on the shelves were all books pertaining to their classes. 

Hermione ran a finger along the spines of the books with a thoughtful expression on her face. “I always loved going to the library but this is convenient,” she said. 

Draco hummed in acknowledgement. “I think the others are finding their rooms. Shall we,” he questioned gesturing down the hallway. 

“Oh, I guess we should.” 

Once in the hallway they saw that immediately through the doorway the women's bathroom was on the right and the men’s was to the left. There were 8 rooms on either side of the hallway with one room and the very end of the hall.

Everyone was claiming their rooms and as they did so each person's name appeared on the door. On the right was Hannah, Susan, Ernie, Neville, Pansy, Blaise, Theo, and then Daphne. (Daphne and Theo were unable to share a room, not for Theo’s lack of trying. He was allowed in but only one name would appear.) On the left was Seamus, Dean, Anthony, Micheal, Padma, Parvati, Ron, and Harry. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QYAgue5YIQVNdTWtNVDvwZdIidU-jfe_

The last room at the very end of the hall had both Hermione and Draco’s name on it. This caused Hermione’s heart to pick up. He could hear it and rushed to reassure her. 

“I will sleep in the common room. Don't worry, we won't share a room. I am sure that makes you uncomfortable. I will speak with McGonagall about the room situation. I am sure it is just a mix up.”

Hemione said nothing and just kept walking towards the door that had their names on it. Draco couldn’t lie to himself, of course he wanted to share a room with her. If he had it his way they would before the end of the year but he didn't want her to be upset or feel rushed.

When she got to the door she reached for the handle and turned the knob slowly. She turned around and said, “Well you should come see it. It has your name on there too.” And with that she opened the door and entered. 

He could only follow her. Inside was beautiful. The walls were a dark blue. There was a fireplace in the left corner with a deep green couch and armchair facing it. In the opposite corner there were two desks facing the windows with bookshelves next to them. On the left wall between the desks and the couch was a bathroom door. There were two wardrobes in the right corners of the room on either side of the bed that was against the right wall. The bed had light pillows and a burgundy comforter. The entire room was decorated tastefully. There was only one problem. One bed and only one bed was in the room.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hUe8f99hvp09esCu7rviWQaOLhx5bCn5/view?usp=drivesdk

Hermione looked around as Draco was having an internal breakdown. 

Why would McGonagall only put one bed in the room? Did she think that we would sleep together? Will we? No of course not! She will sleep in the bed and I will sleep in the common room. This is so awkward. I don't think she has even noticed yet. She is just staring at the books. What is she thinking about? Draco’s thoughts were cut off with Hermione’s head whipping around to look at him. 

“All of these books are for our classes but there are also books about Veela I have never seen,” she said to him.

This caused him to consider. What would the implications be that the headmistress would set them up in a room with one bed and all of the information on Veela’s they could want?

“That’s good. You will be able to do more research if you want to,” he answered her.

“Oh? We have a sitting area. The couch looks very comfortable,” she commented as she took in the rest of the room. When her eyes fell on the bed she blushed furiously.

Draco hastened to reassure her, “Like I said, I will sleep in the common room on the couch. They looked very comfortable. I will be fine. I could probably use Theo’s room. He won’t need it since he will probably share with Daphne. Don’t worry I wont bother you. I don’t know why McGonagall thought that we would be sharing a room. I mean -” 

“Draco, it's okay. We will figure out sleeping arrangements. McGonagall probably thought that if we were not already bonded that we would soon…” her voice began to trail off. 

“Right, well, I uh, I will just grab my schedule and be in the common room if you need me,” he said quickly, grabbing the schedule from his desk. 

“Hold on. Don’t you want to compare schedules?” She sounded a bit hurt but he didnt know why.

Draco turned to face her, “Of course I want to compare schedules with you. Hopefully we took all of the same electives. Then I get to see you all day.” His face was so earnest it made her feel better. She had wanted him to stay a little longer. They hadn't really had time to talk since the train. 

The train, when he transformed upon seeing her. 

“Draco,” she started hesitantly as she walked closer to him, “I don't think you should sleep in the common room.”

His eyes grew wide as they darted between her and the bed.  

Hermione quickly explained, “I just mean that we all will be living in close quarters. The last thing we need is for the others to see you transform because I forgot you were in there. I mean what if I want a cuppa. I wouldn't be able to make one if we hadn't seen each other yet. I think that you should sleep on the couch here. In our room.”

She called it “our room” and Draco’s heart soared until he thought of another issue.

“What do you think everyone will think? Aren’t you worried? Our names are on the door together. Everyone who doesn't already know, has to be wondering why we would be the only ones to share a room. What do we tell them?” He asked her. 

“We tell them the partial truth. We are unable to be separated for too long due to a bond that was enacted between us. We tell them that we are researching it and don’t know much about it yet. They won’t question the two smartest students too much,” she told him easily.

He hummed thoughtfully, “Very cunning of you.”

“Quite. Now our schedules?”

They moved to sit on the couch. Both unrolled the parchment, holding it next to each other. As they sat there, Draco couldn't focus on the page because Hermione’s arm was pressed against his own. With a shuddering breath he looked at her and said, “Well.”

He had never been so close to her. He obviously knew she was beautiful. Sitting next to her gave him a good look at her features. He could see all of the freckles dusting her nose and the way her eyelashes fluttered as she scanned their schedules. 

She turned her head to look at him, not knowing how close they were. Her breath caught in her throat. They were just inches away from each other. She could feel his breath ghosting across her lips. She shuttered. He smelled like her amortentia; apple, mint, and crisp parchment. She realized that she had been staring at his lips and looked up to find his eyes boring into hers. She was stuck gazing into his silver eyes.

His hand came to push a curl back behind her ear. She thought for sure that he was going to kiss her. She didn’t know if she was ready for that but she couldn’t seem to move. He slowly, as if coming from a trance, blinked, licked his lips, turned away, and cleared his throat.

“Right, so, our schedules?” He asked her, not looking at her but at the schedules. She tried to ignore the pang of disappointment.

Draco had dropped his paper when she had turned to him and she was clutching hers so hard that it was practically balled in her hand. She loosened her grip.

After picking his up, he compared them. “Looks like we have every class except Care of Magical Creatures. I will be in Divination when you are in COMC. I assume that Theo and Daphne will be in that class with you. They will walk with you,” he stated matter of factly.

Hermione went to protest that she didn’t need escorts but he beat her to it. “I know you don’t need escorts but we are not bonded, Hermione. I can’t go to class without knowing you are safe. Plus it is Care of Magical Creatures… I know you know that I find some magical creatures a threat to you naturally. I can’t help it. I am sorry,” he told her.

She sighed, “I understand. I just don’t want you thinking I can’t handle myself.”

“I know you can handle yourself,” Draco said honestly.

Hermione nodded and thought now was probably a good time to talk about their living arrangements.

”So you are sure you are okay sleeping on the couch?” She asked. She didn’t know what else they could do.

Draco looked at her once he stood and held out his hand to help her up. “I am, don’t worry about me. I think I will just head for a shower if that’s alright?”

”Sure,” she replied as she stood. “I think I might pop in and talk to Harry before bed, maybe make some tea. Would you like any?” She asked him.

He had made his way over to his trunk at the end of the bed and was magically sending his clothes into the wardrobe to the right of the bed. “That would be nice if you didn’t mind, thanks.”

With that she left to find Harry and he moved to the bathroom to shower.