Dorm Mates
Once each student had been handed their schedules for the school year, a few decided to stay in the common room to catch up and compare their timetables with each other. A few had taken to discovering their new dorm rooms, unpacking their trunks that had been left there by the castle's house-elves as soon as they had arrived back at Hogwarts. Hermione had turned her nose up at the idea that the elves were still made to work there, but once she had talked to Sissy, a young female elf who had been employed by the school to work in the kitchen, Hermione had been reassured that it was actually Sissy herself who had reached out and asked about a job vacancy. In Sissy’s own words “Mistress McGonagall, ma’am, ensures Sissy is paid handsomely, yes she does, yes she does.”
The dorm rooms had been split into girls and boys, each room having mixed houses to instil the ‘inter-house unity’ that their Headmistress had strongly reinforced throughout the rest of the day. Harry and Ron had been hesitant to go anywhere near their dorm rooms until absolutely necessary. Harry wasn’t keen to share a room with anyone who would look at him as though he had hung the very stars in the sky, and Ron wasn’t significantly looking forward to sharing a room with a potential Slytherin. Hermione had chastised them both and had called them both idiots. With the scolding, Hermione had gone off to settle in and unpack her bags in her new dorm room and hadn’t returned back into the common room. If Harry and Ron were brutally honest, the whole situation threw them back to first year when Hermione had refused to join them, her young, haughty voice ringing out as she said “Now, if you two don’t mind, I’m going to bed before either of you come up with another clever idea to get us killed or worse… expelled!”
They would never mention this to Hermione though, lest they breathe their last breath.
And so an hour had passed since their friend had gone up to her room, leaving Harry and Ron in the common room playing exploding snap. As they got to their fifth round, they were left as the only ones in the room. It wasn’t until they noticed a few of the portrait’s residences were staring down at them with disdain, wanting to sleep but unable to do due to the light being kept on until the last student leaves the room.
The two teens looked up at the most vocal portrait with sheepishness. Neither could pinpoint who it was in the frame; too many throughout the castle to be sure they wouldn’t offend the painting if they got the wrong name. With reluctant acceptance when coming to acknowledge the fact they had stayed up as late as they possibly could, Harry and Ron packed up the game, got up, and made their way to the staircase.
The time-tables had their dorm room names written at the top of the parchment, each having their own significant name; Flos, Spiritus, Incrementum , and Solis . With bated breath held, anticipation a ball in each of their stomachs they opened their dorm - Incrementum’s - door. The door opened with a soft click.
Harry scanned the room, it was eerily quiet. There were five four-poster beds and all but two were closed. The two with their curtains still open, waiting to be claimed, were situated at the far-right corner. Thankfully they were set next to each other and Ron had managed to claim the one right against the wall before Harry had even been able to internalise the sheer size and warmth of the dorm room.
Harry scowled at his best friend, feeling somewhat betrayed at the fact that he was the one left to sleep beside God-only-knew who.
“G’night Harry.” Ron said, voice muffled with tiredness, his voice low so as to not wake up their already resting dorm mates. He had fallen asleep the moment his head hit the pillow, and Harry couldn’t have looked upon his best mate with more fondness.
For all his annoyance at Ron taking quite possibly the best bed in the room, Harry let the scene remind him of the years prior in the shared Gryffindor dormitory.
After scouring through his trunk at the base of his new bed for some pyjamas. Harry sat on the side of the bed. He placed his glasses on the bedside table and pulled out his wand from the back pocket of his jeans, closed Ron's bed curtains for him, and snuffed out the lights between the two beds. Harry placed his wand under his pillow for easy reach; old habits die hard. He lowered himself onto the mattress and pulled the sheets over himself. He rolled back onto his side and looked up at the window high up in the wall, watching gentle clouds drift past the moon as the brightest star shone in the night sky.
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‘Aw, look, he’s looking up at us.’
‘Or he’s just looking at Moony.’
‘I was his favourite after all.’
‘AUGH! I am disgusted you would ever insinuate such a thing my dear Moony. I, and we all know, was his favourite, I’m his goddamned Godfather! I will not stand for such blasphemy!’
‘Well done Moony, you’ve gone and angered the puppy.’
‘Don’t worry Prongs, we’re well aware his bark is worse than his bite.’
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Harry didn’t know when he fell asleep, but all too soon the sun was steadily rising up and blinding him as it shone through the window. He groaned and groggily pushed himself up, rubbing his eyes with his free hand.
Trust him to be the one to forget to close his curtains.
The sound of a trunk closing and the rustling of fabric caught his attention, forcing him to get out of his bed and settle his feet against the cool wood floor. Harry grabbed his glasses and placed them haphazardly on his face, the world appearing sharper at last.
Ron was still snoring in his bed next to him, so Harry decided to let him sleep on. Casting a Tempus to check the time – 6:50, lovely – he thought he might as well get ready also. He wasn’t going to get any more sleep at this rate. Once he was up, he was up.
Walking to the base of his bed to open his trunk, Harry came face to face with an already primly dressed Zabini, who was staring straight back at him.
Harry wasn’t sure what the next action was to take, he hadn’t been in close proximity with another Slytherin since the Malfoy's trial. And so he stiffly turned and opened his trunk, deciding that actively making himself busy would be the best option to take.
Zabini stared for a few more seconds, a neat eyebrow raising as he stared at Harry before moving to a long-standing mirror near a mahogany desk set up against the far wall near his own bed. Harry watched as Zabini delicately tied his green and silver Slytherin tie around his collar in the mirror. Zabini caught his eye in the mirror, once again his eyebrow lifted high, and although no words were spoken, Harry felt chastised and continued rummaging in his trunk for his own Gryffindor robes, tie, trousers and a clean shirt.
Harry stood up in victory having found his favourite school shirt, all the others too itchy or too tight, and began to dress himself. Whilst he was in the middle of changing, Ron and Harry’s fourth roommate decided to grace the world with a yawn and god-awful bedhead. Harry gave a slight nod and smile to Goldstein, one of the few Hufflepuffs who had returned this year. Anthony was part of the D.A. and was generally a good sport. Harry was pleasantly surprised to see Neville walking back into their shared dorm freshly washed and clothed and ready to start the day. He caught Neville’s eye and the two engaged in an enthusiastic greeting of ‘Good morning’.
Deeming it enough time, otherwise Ron would never forgive him for making him miss the first breakfast back at Hogwarts, Harry walked over and yanked the curtains open. “Come on mate, you’re gonna miss breakfast at this rate, it’s seven thirty.” A mere groan replied to him, so Harry took it upon himself to roll Ron over onto his side and gently punch his shoulder, causing a snort of agitation to sound from the back of his friend's throat.
“’M up Harry, for the love of God…”
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‘Reminds me of Pete in a way’
‘Nah, that has Sirius written all over it. Don’t you remember how he used to be back in Hogwarts? Not even an earthquake could wake him up.’
‘That’s because you’re not me, James.’
‘Hmm… I don’t know about you guys, but Ron reminds me of Marlene when we tried to wake her up in the morning.’
‘Well that’s because Marlene and Sirius were one in the same.’
‘Don’t I get a say in any of this?’
‘No.’
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Hermione was waiting impatiently at the bottom of the stairs that lead to the boys dormitories, her foot tapping against the rug covered floor and her arms crossed across her torso. Her tense shoulders slumped in synchrony with her relieved sigh once she saw the two boys clambering down the stairs. “Good, I was worried I’d have to break down the door. Must you two take an age to get ready? Breakfast is well on its way.”
“Good morning to you too, Hermione.” Ron replied, gentle fondness lacing his voice. He walked up to her and eased her arms to uncross so he could hold onto her hands, dark against light. It was, in Harry’s perspective, a perfect match. He watched out of the side of his eye as Ron dipped down to place a chaste kiss to Hermione’s full lips, watched as Hermione finally fully relaxed once she knew nothing had happened during the night.
This was the first night they were separated after the summer. They had grown used to being able to get to each other at the first sign of trouble; a nightmare, a flashback, a lingering memory. The three of them were unsure of the restrictions placed on the stairs and doors of the dorm rooms, if there were spells to reject the opposite sex from entering, and they didn’t necessarily want to test it just yet.
“So! How was your first night in the dorms?” Hermione addressed the both of them, her hand still clasped in Ron’s.
Harry shrugged, “We’re rooming with Anthony. Goldstein. You remember him, right Hermione? Part of the D.A., pretty decent at spell casting and got a strong patronus.” Hermione nodded her acknowledgement, “Yeah, him, Neville and uh… Zabini.” He offered no more description.
Ron gave a full body shiver, “My only reassurance is that he’s on the bed all the way on the other side of mine. Poor Neville, man, can’t imagine what it’s like sleeping next to a Slytherin. Slimy Git.”
“I thought he was rather pristine than slimy…”
Ron and Hermione looked at Harry, stunned for a moment. It was Hermione who was the one to start talking again, Ron looking a bit too green in the face to respond.
“Well… I’m glad one of you is mature enough to set aside your differences.”
Harry went to vehemently disagree that he had only said what he had said because, despite other Slytherins they’d met and known, Zabini was one of the few who actually put effort into his appearance. Except for one tall, gangly blond. But truth be told, said Slytherin boy had seemed to let himself go as of recently. Not that Harry had been actively looking out for, but it’s hard to ignore when the once shining star of the Slytherin house had dulled. Significantly . Harry’s words died on his tongue when he realised no amount of talking was going to get him our of the mess he’d started, and therefore decided to gracefully and tactically change the subject.
“How’s your dorm situation, ‘Mione?” If either one thought that his question was not slick, Harry elected to ignore them. Better live in ignorant bliss than suffer embarrassment.
Hermione fiddled with a few strands of her tightly coiled hair before tossing them over her shoulder whilst she answered, “Hmm… it could be worse I suppose…”
Ron looked to her, turning his head slightly to be able to directly address her, “How so? We talking ‘these people could kill me in my sleep’ worse, or ‘ugh I have to listen to petty girl drama for the rest of the year’ worse?”
Hermione raised a brow at Ron, swiftly rolling her eyes. Although he was right to speculate, she had hoped he would be less dramatic about it. “A mixture of both I suppose…” She seemed to ponder her final answer before saying, “There’s only one girl who could possibly attempt the first, if given the right motive to do so.”
Harry and Ron shot each other alarmed glances over Hermione’s head before looking back at her, urging silently to carry on.
“If you two nosy boys must know, I’m sharing a room with Susan, Padma and … Pansy. So far so good, but it's only been one day.”
Ron and Harry both recoiled, a grimace contorting their faces. It appeared all three of them were dealing with their own Slytherin dorm mates this year. Oh, what joys.
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‘Could they be any more dramatic?’
‘Oh hush Sirius, as though you were not the most dramatic out of us all. You barely spared your poor brother a glance the entire time at Hogwarts.’
‘Yeah, cheers for that Sirius.’
‘Hey! That was because I thought you were a no-good, Death Eater git! I’ve had a change of heart since then.’
‘Clearly.’
‘Moony, Regulus is being mean again!’
‘oh shush, you big baby.’
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The Great Hall on the first morning back to school was filled with excited chatter and the sound of cutlery clanging softly against each other. Harry blocked out the noise to appreciate the serenity that was the Hall, comparing the first night back to the first morning. It was just as magical, just as alien.
The candles that were levitated in the air no longer dripped wax at random intervals. Instead, they seemed to be held under a statis charm to prevent any fire or wax hazards. The sky was awash with blue, soft clouds, not unlike the ones Harry watched from his window the night before, drifted through the manmade sky, the sun not seen but it was bright enough that the Hall could’ve done without the candles.
The teachers sat at the head of the Great Hall, looking out amongst the students, keeping a watchful eye yet still enjoying their breakfast. Headmistress McGonagall sat in the same seat Headmaster Dumbledore had sat. It was nice to know some things hadn’t changed.
Harry let himself be dragged towards the Gryffindor table and sat down beside Hermione whilst Ron immediately started to load his plate with a full English breakfast. Before the plate had been set back onto the table he had eagerly stuffed his mouth full of perfectly cooked bacon. Hermione had instantly told him to slow down, only for her command to fall on deaf ears. There was just no getting through to Ron when food was involved.
Harry had loaded his plate, and started eating quickly. Not as quick as Ron, but it was a speed that rivalled his best friend.
“So far so good, eh lads and laddie?” Came a lilting Irish accent. Harry’s head had lifted away from his plate to look up at Seamus who had dragged Dean over and saddled up next to Ron. Neville has found his way to sit on Hermione’s other side, a few of the younger year Gryffindor’s scooching over to make space for him. “God, I’ll tell ya, the shock I got last night seeing Draco bloody Malfoy in my dorm room. Thought I’d stepped into an alternate universe, ain’t that right Dean?”
Dean hummed in approval of Seamus, having had a mouthful of food and unable to reply.
Harry couldn’t prevent his nose from scrunching in distaste, “He hasn’t tried anything, has he?” He could tell Ron was just a second behind Harry, having wanted to ask the same question.
Dean shook his head, “Nah, in fact, he’s the most docile of the lot of us. Terry Boot had me howling with laughter. I can't lie, man’s funny as all hell.” A small smile that attempted to smother a laugh that was threatening to spill pulled at Dean’s lips.
Seamus rolled his eyes, seemingly a bit put out. “Aye, well that’s class ‘nd all, but to put your mind at ease Harry, as Dean said, he hasn’t tried anything. Honestly, out of everything I’m only weary of him. He ain’t what he used to be like.”
“To be fair though, we don’t even know what he was like to begin with.” Dean interjected, “For all we know, he could’ve had that ridiculously lengthy night routine back in the Slytherin dorm.” He shrugged, and continued shovelling food into his mouth, Ron and him having matched each other in a silent challenge to see who could finish their heaps of food first. Both of them gracefully ignored Hermione’s pleas for them to slow down and not choke.
Seamus leaned over to look at the three sitting opposite him, staring at Harry, Hermione and Neville in turn before whispering, “Did ya know he flicks the lights on and off three times before settlin’ down? Swear I heard him charming his curtains the same way before it finally fell silent. Had me eye’s trained on his bed, could barely sleep a wink.”
Dean snorted, which ultimately caused him to choke on the food in his mouth. Hermione rolled her eyes, muttering ‘I-told-you-so’s under her breath. Around the mush of food he said, “Shut up Seamus, you were knocked out and snoring like a steam train before you head got to the pillow.”
Seamus flushed a bright red from embarrassment, the rest of them falling into laughter.
Harry couldn’t help but feel a pull to turn around. He ignored it. He had grown to rely on peripherals to alert him to danger, and this was just curiosity. And curiosity got him nowhere in life. So, digging his feet into the floor and his palms into the wood of the table, he ignored the urge to look over his shoulder. He already knew what was there, waiting for him once he turned around. If they wanted to come over and talk, or continue to stare, that was their choice. Harry was no longer falling victim to his unnerving need to know, and act before thinking.