Disclaimer: I own Layali Meskhenet, and nothing else. I'm borrowing J.K. Rowling's characters. Other than that, I own.. (empties pockets) Some lint, a stick of gum, and 32 cents.
Layali yawned and flopped down on her bed in her new dorm room, tired after the long train ride and extravagant feast which she'd slipped out of early. Running a hand through her long, wavy ebony hair, a light sigh fluttered from her lips. It was her sixth year at Hogwarts, second to last before graduation. It was tomorrow that the results of her O.W.L.s would be revealed, and her fate in the wizarding world decided.
Hearing the door to the room open, she lifted her stone gray gaze and turned her head to see who it was. "Hello, Layali." Hermione said, closing the door behind her and sitting on her own bed, across from Layali's.
"Hey, 'Mione." Layali replied to her roommate. They'd met on the train just today and talked the whole way, becoming quick friends. As a result, they'd been magically assigned as roomies.
"I'm so nervous about my O.W.L.s, I couldn't eat.." Hermione said, wringing her hands and chewing on her lip.
Layali nodded, replying, "Me too. Well, I ate a little, but not as much as is usual for the Start of Term Feast." Hermione tapped her left foot nervously, and Layali continued, "You should go down to the kitchens and ask the house elves to make you a cup of chamomile tea and infuse it with a bit of a sleeping draught. You'll never get any sleep otherwise."
Hermione shook her head vigorously. "No, I won't be the one to submit those poor creatures to more labor, let alone on the first day back!"
Layali remembered just then that she had recently been appointed Treasurer of S.P.E.W., so caught herself before she rolled her eyes. "Right, sorry. Well, I'm sure they'd let you make some yourself."
"Perhaps." Hermione replied thoughtfully.
"Well, consider it. I'm turning in." Layali said, changing out of her robes and climbing under her sheets in just her undergarments. It was her usual sleeping attire, whether she'd showered or not. She was mind-numbingly exhausted – she'd bathe in the morning. Wouldn't do to pass out asleep in the shower, now, would it?
"'Night." Hermione mumbled as Layali closed her bed curtains. She sat on the foot of her own bed for a few more minutes before standing quickly and heading to the kitchens. Maybe over a cup of tea she could give some of the house elves the hats she'd knitted over the summer..