Chapter 5
Hogwarts still felt like Hogwarts, just not as happy anymore. Parts of the castle were still under construction but for the most part it looked exactly the same.
"It feels weird to be back, doesn't it? It's like nothing has changed." Hermione breathed.
Harry agreed.
From a distance he could hear the comforting voice of Professor McGonagall echo through the corridor, well it was Headmaster McGonagall now.
"All eighth year students follow me please, yes you Neville, this way."
As she passed they caught each other's eye and Harry felt her warm smile hit him right in the chest. Why did he have a lump in his throat?
The three of them began to follow and soon they were being ushered into what seemed like an unused classroom.
"Are we all here? Okay, welcome back all of you. It is a very brave decision that all of you made to return to Hogwarts. I know it will not be easy for you to forget the events that happened here so if anybody feels like they need to talk to someone, counselling sessions are available. Just ask any member of staff, there's no shame in it. Now, this may come as a shock to some of you but the school has had to make a decision. Due to the construction and lack of space in the castle the eighth years will all share one common room and you will each be sharing a room with one other person."
The room erupted into muttering a and gasps from the students. As Harry looked around he guessed that there couldn't be more than sixty of them.
"Silence please! You will all have a chance to discuss your thoughts with each other after the ceremony. Now if you'll allow me to continue I shall read out everyone's roommate."
Dread filled Harry's stomach, he couldn't believe this. What if he ended up with a complete twat, or worse someone who'd want to talk all the time.
As McGonagall started reading out the names, Harry let it become white noise. He finally heard his name being called.
"Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy."
The dread in Harry's stomach turned into jelly. All eyes in the room now turned to him. When he looked up he caught sight of the platinum blonde had that was oh so familiar.
There's no way they'd pair him with Malfoy? Was McGonagall serious, they'd kill each other.
"That's not on mate, must be some kind of joke, surely?" Ron muttered in his ear.
Harry didn't think the new headmistress was the pranking type.
While the rest of the names were being called out Harry mulled over the thought of living with Draco Malfoy for a year. A whole year of the two of them, he wasn't sure they'd last a week. It must have been some kind of mistake.
When the headmistress had finished reading out the list the room was silent. Gone were the traditional separate house dorms, they'd all been mixed together.
"Now some of you may be wondering why the houses have been mixed together and I'm sure some of you are disappointed that you won't be sharing a room with your friends. The school have decided that there is too much anomisety between some houses and we're hoping to create a a relationship of respect between you all, no matter what your house."
The room erupted into a symphony of groans , complaints and protests.
"If any of you wish to complain, could you please write a formal letter and we will try to get back to you as soon as possible."
At that even Hermione tutted under her breath. Harry could understand why she was upset, she was paired with Pansy Parkinson. To
"Fucking Zabini? This is bloody ridiculous!"
Ron was a deep shade of ruby and Harry thought he spotted his clenched fist shaking.
"Guys maybe it won't be as bad as we think, I do think they're sorry for everything that's happened."
Harry only half believed what she was saying, although he hadn't seen his roommate since his trial. But he did think Malfoy had changed, he seemed more vulnerable somehow. As if he could read minds, the infamous blonde turned to look directly at Harry, piercingly blue eyes holding Harry captive, neither could back down now. After what seemed like an eternity Ron was the one to brake the spell.
"Look if we go to the library straight after the ceremony we can memorise as many protection spells as we can...Ouch! What? I'm serious!"