The common room was wonderful. It reminded Harry of a cosy cabin in the mountains, not that he'd ever been to a cosy cabin in the mountains, or on holiday anywhere for that matter. There was a massive window with a panoramic view out onto the lake that was absolutely breathtaking, and big fluffy pillows sat all along the deep ledge for the students to sit and look out. There was a huge fireplace, and a circle of extremely comfortable looking armchairs and sofas, a dark coffee table in the middle. A deep red rug blanketed the floor, and in the corner of the room there were tables with chairs and little lamps for studying. Harry could definitely learn to love it in here, maybe not as much as the Gryffindor common room, but it was nicer than he expected. Ron seemed to agree as he slapped Harry's shoulder lightly with a grin. 'It's alright in here mate!'

Hermione was smiling too, clasping her boyfriends hand happily.

'Oh I'm so glad we're back', she squealed suddenly, pulling the two boys into a hug. Harry and Ron rolled their eyes at each other, but hugged her back all the same. Truthfully, Harry was glad to be back too, even if he didn't feel so happy at the moment. Maybe this was what he needed to pull himself out of this- this pit he'd fallen into since the war. Ron had to go and ruin their little moment however.

'Don't get too excited yet mione', he said, 'we still don't know who were sleeping with'.

It was Hermione's turn to roll her eyes at them, accompanied by a head shake and tutting.

'I for one am going to make the most of this year, there isn't any point not trying to make friends with whoever I end up with anyway', she lead the way down a corridor that led off the common room, doors leading off to the different rooms, still talking, 'we might surprise ourselves'.

'I doubt it', Ron muttered with a groan, coming to stop in front of a door about halfway down. 'I don't believe it, this is awful, does she want us to die this year? Why not put us in with Neville or something? Even Finch-Fletchly would be better than this!', he banged his head against the wood.

Hermione scowled at him, disapproving, then flounced off to find her room. Harry gulped. He knew who it was going to be, but didn't dare read it. He had to ask, just in case.

'Go on then, what's the verdict', he asked tensely.

'We've got Draco Fucking Malfoy', Ron muttered grumpily, 'and Zabini'.

'Oh' , Harry said, his heart sinking. Maybe Gryffindor dorms would have been better after all...

The two boys entered the room reluctantly. Their trunks had already arrived and sat on their beds. So had their other two room mates. Zabini was lounged out in his bed, eyes closed, Malfoy was meant against his dresser, which was opposite his bed. Which was next to Harry's. Why couldn't they at least have been out at polar ends of the room, but no, they were as close as possible, only about 2m apart. Perfect, Harry thought frustratedly.

'Well, well, well', Malfoy drawled, 'what a lovely surprise Potter. I simply can't wait to spend a year getting to know you amongst your filth with Weasel here'. He raised an eyebrow suggestively at Harry, and Harry blushed, furious at himself for it. What was wrong with him?

'What happened to being nice Malfoy?', he snapped back angrily.

'I never said nice, Potter, just that we might refrain from ripping each other's throats out. I don't do nice'.

'Right', Harry said awkwardly, not sure how to reply to that. It was true, Malfoy hadn't asked them to be kind to each other.

'Right', Malfoy replied mockingly. He straightened up from where he was leaning and sauntered up close to Harry, who was still standing in the doorway. Harry hadn't realised how tall he'd become, he just barely reached his shoulders. He wasn't thin like last year either, still slender, but more muscular and broad shoulders. His face had softened, his jaw line still strong, high cheekbones, and his hair was softer, fringe brushing his forehead, still as white blond as ever. His silver eyes were the most striking, like pools of moonlight, Harry thought. Wait, did he really just think that? About Malfoy? Truth was, however, the blonde boy was shockingly handsome, this was the first time Harry had ever really noticed. He smelled really good too, a deep, musky cologne that drew Harry in. He felt slightly intoxicated by it all for some bizarre reason. He was probably just very tired.

'So here's the deal Potter', Malfoy said, leaning his face down closer to Harry's, who was feeling a bit dizzy now, with that warm, sweet breath washing over his face again. 'You'll stick on your side, and we'll stick to ours, got it?'

Harry nodded vaguely. He didn't things could speak properly at the moment, something was very wrong with his vocal chords. And his heart. And his brain... Merlin knows.

Malfoy smirked at him, drawing back and stepping away. 'Alright there Potter?', he mocked snidely.

Harry flushed again angrily. He couldn't let Malfoy do this to him all year, it was only the first day back and he was already embarrassing himself. He gave the blonde a dirty glare, and stomped over to his bed, slumping exhausted onto it. He was too tired to unpack now, he'd do it tomorrow. The only thing he could think about now was sleep. Ron had the same idea. Harry quickly pulled on some sweatpants and an old t shirt, much to big for him, one of Dudley's old ones, then fell into bed, asleep almost instantly.

It was inevitable that Draco would end up on a room with Potter. Of course, it would be unfair if his year was too good. There had to be some catch that would ruin it for him. Harry was just too delicious, however maybe he could get used to this. Harry was so easy this year, blushing every time they so much as made eye contact, it was, for want of a less Hufflepuff word, completely adorable. Draco cringed at himself for admitting it, but what could he do? Another bonus was seeing a semi naked Harry, as he stripped down and changed without a thought. He may have been thin, but he was muscular, his skin bronzed from the summer sun. Draco wanted to go over and trace his fingers down the dip in his spine. Shame he had to dress in such ugly clothing, even if it was just for sleeping, Draco thought. A top that big hid any sign of abs.

He and Blaise were all to happy to follow suit as Ron and Harry clambered into bed, and within minutes all four were sound asleep, Draco lulled peacefully by Harry's steady breathing. At least he'd get some of Harry, if not in the way he would like.

Draco was woken by a jolt by the sound of screaming and sobbing. It was pitch black and he couldn't see anything. His first instinct was fear. What if he was back in the war, what if he'd just been dreaming. Before he could react however, a lumos charm was cast, and Ron leapt out of his bed. Draco could see now where the screams were coming from. It was Harry. He watched, frozen in shock and horror as the smaller boy convulsed in his bed, a haunting cry ripping from his throat. Ron was by his side in seconds, grabbing Harry's shoulders, shaking him hard.

'Wake up Harry', he whispered hoarsely, 'come on mate'.

Harry's eyes flew open, and he let out another chocked sob that made Draco's heart clench. 'Hey, hey, you had a nightmare', Ron said, still knelt by his best friends bed, hands comfortingly on his shoulders.

Harry sat up quickly, hurriedly wiping his eyes and giving Ron a shaky smile. 'Sorry, I fell asleep too quickly to remember, I'll try not to forget again'

Ron frowned deeply at this. What, did Harry take dreamless sleep or something? Draco had for a short while after the war, it just made things easier, stopped the nightmares until they became bearable. We're Harry's still that bad?

'You know I don't like it mate, it doesn't feel right, you really should speak to someone...'

Dreamless sleep was addictive, Draco thought, maybe Harry had a problem with it? He wasn't about to ask however, potter didn't need to know that he'd gone soft.

'It's fine Ron, really, I'm fine. It wasn't a bad one'.

Ron nodded slowly, but still didn't look happy. 'Alright mate. Well, try get back to sleep ok?' He looked concerned, and Draco was worried.

'Thanks', Harry whispered, his voice croaky from the crying.

'Night', said Ron, returning back to his own bed.

'Night', Harry replied.

Neither of them had noticed Draco was awake, and he was glad. He wouldn't have known what to say, he'd rather just have gotten into bed with Harry and pulled him too his chest until he stopped crying. Harry would probably murder him however, so best not. He fell back into a fitful sleep, to the sound of Harry's ragged, erratic breathing.