Better Ridiculous Than Boring (Drabbles)

Hermione huffed as she yanked on her dressing gown and made her way out of her room. This had been going on for a month now, and so she knew she’d never get any sleep if she didn’t vacate the dorm entirely. The noise was ridiculous, but she couldn’t help but smile. She was happy for her boys. They deserved something good after the last few years. 

Avoiding the main halls where she knew Filch was prowling, she made her way down to the dungeons, and whispered the password as she reached the portrait. Slipping inside, she crossed the common room and entered the dorm. It had become something of a pattern, since she knew for a fact that there was an empty bed inside. 

“I was wondering if you’d show up.” Malfoy said, not looking up from his book. It was dark, save for his bedside lamp, and he was wearing his reading glasses. Very few people knew he needed them, and she was oddly humbled that he’d trusted her with the knowledge. Particularly when she knew he thought of it as a weakness. 

“Harry and Ron are both entertaining this evening.” She replied, heading for the other bed in the room. 

He put his book down and grimaced. “You really don’t need to tell me about what the Weasel is up to. It’s bad enough that I’m forced to hear so much about Potter.” 

“Could be worse, you know. You could actually have to hear them…entertaining.” She smirked as she pulled the duvet over herself, and he snorted. 

“You’re a saint, Granger. You want something to read? I’ve already moved all of Theo’s bookmarks, so you can borrow whatever strikes your fancy.” He waved a dismissive hand at their shared bookshelf, and Hermione glanced at the stack of books on Theo’s bedside table. She’d come to learn that the wizard liked to be reading several at once, and so the movement of his bookmarks was a particularly effective way of winding him up.

“A cruel and unusual punishment. Does sleeping with Harry really warrant it?” She looked back at Malfoy and he smirked. 

“Absolutely. I’m going to have to befriend the chosen git if this carries on much longer. That’s an incredible sacrifice on my part.” 

She rolled her eyes and leant back against the headboard. “I thought it was just a post-war celebratory thing, but I think they really like each other. For something long term, I mean.” 

Malfoy scoffed. “The amount Theo goes on, it’s no fling, at least not to him. I’ve not seen him like this before. I’ll never stop making cracks about Potter, but they both deserve something good. As much as it pains me, it’s nice to see.” 

“Are you going soft, Malfoy?” She grinned, and he scowled at her. 

“Fine, I pray every day that they have a messy break up and are both emotionally scarred for life because my only source of joy is the misery of others. Is that better?” 

“It’s more in character. Makes me feel comforted. Steady in the familiar.” 

“You sleeping in here is becoming more familiar.” He replied, a statement rather than a question, and she hummed thoughtfully. 

“It is. I think it’s getting better.” She replied, and he nodded. 

“I’m glad, Granger.” He said genuinely, looking over at her. She smiled. “For selfish reasons, of course. How am I supposed to have an intelligent conversation with you if you’re joined at the hip with your golden morons?” He smirked, and she laughed. 

“Of course.” She said. “Are you coming tomorrow, by the way? You didn’t sign up on the sheet.” 

He sighed. “Is there any point in me coming? I can’t cast a patronus, not with this thing on my arm.” 

“I showed you all that research I did. It’s not that you can’t cast one with the mark, it’s that nobody’s ever tried before. It’s not impossible, it’s just an unknown.” She replied. 

“I don’t…I don’t think I can stand in a room of people and have them all watch me fail.” He said quietly. 

“Malfoy, it’s not a room of people, it’s a room of your friends. None of them can cast one either. That’s the point.” 

“I’m not ready, Granger.” He said a little more firmly, and she smiled sadly. 

“Ok. It’s your choice.” They had an unspoken respect for each other’s boundaries. After the war, everyone was more than a little fucked up, and so they knew how important it was to just be kind. Whether that meant making allowances for Hermione’s attachment and control issues, or always being sure to remind Malfoy that he had a choice and that his decisions were his own, those boundaries were respected. It was why McGonagall had bent the rules on mixed dorms and allowed Hermione to stay with Harry and Ron for their so-called eighth year, even if she'd been sleeping in Theo’s bed recently. War left scars, and a new normal had emerged as a result. She knew that Malfoy understood her, perhaps more than anyone else, and so she’d been surprised with how safe she felt around him, even after only a few weeks. With the advent of NottPott - the name coined, enforced, and exclusively used by Theo - she’d had to face her fears and trust that Harry would be alright without her for a night. Her sleepovers with Malfoy had revealed the startling amount they had in common with each other, and, unless she was horribly mistaken, they were well on their way to becoming good friends. 

“Were you wanting to sleep soon?” He asked, interrupting her thoughts. He’d taken his glasses off, and was looking back at her, his wand pointed at the lamp. 

“Sure. I won’t inconvenience Theo’s books any more than you already have. I don’t want to make myself complicit in the crime.” She smiled, and he laughed softly as he turned out the lights. 

“Night, Granger.” 

“Night, Malfoy. Thank you.” She said. 

“Anytime.” He replied. “I like it when you’re here.” He added softly. She smiled as she pulled the covers over herself.