CHAPTER 21

It was slightly awkward. Okay it was very awkward. The couples had all entered their common room and on seeing that most of the room was similar to their house common rooms (apart from the colour combination, of course) they had all made a way to their respective rooms. All the rooms had proper name plates and so it wasn't hard to locate one's own room. And that's exactly where Draco Malfoy currently was which would explain the awkwardness.

He had been the first to enter the room but the sound of footsteps behind him had made him aware that Hermione had followed him and was standing a little behind room, approximately somewhere near the door. Now the awkwardness, you ask? Well curse his luck that when he had entered the room, the first thing he had noticed was a bed. Exactly one to be precise. Him and Hermione would have to share a bed. Of course, they would have to share a bed. Living in Grimmauld Palace after the wedding had ensured that the couple was under no circumstances required to even sleep in the same room, forget about the same bed. But now... well the hormonal, teenage side of his mind did quite like the idea but would Hermione? Oh no, she was standing behind him, wasn't she? Was she also thinking the same thing? Would she be blushing? He could turn around and check that out but what would he say? What would she say? He took the coward's way out and just walked towards what he assumed was the washroom and shut the door behind him.

This is not happening. This is not happening. Please, this is not happening. That was the only thought Hermione had in her mind when she saw a bed in the room. She was expected to share a bed with him. She could always transfigure the chair in the room to a bed or something equally comfortable but Professor McGonagall's warning was still there in her mind. Do not change the decor of the room. But she could always ask him to sleep on the floor right? Or maybe the couch in the common room? Or would she have to give up the bed and sleep somewhere else? Really, a wedding had nothing but headaches... and a good-looking husband, but that didn't count for it was a bad thought.

Hermione Granger was not a naive girl. She was not a flirty, giggly girl and she definitely did not spend time on thinking about boys. But currently it seemed, her mind had a mind of its own. A mind with a mind of its own. Oh, the irony. But it was still in no way untrue. Since her marriage, Draco seemed to be a fixed presence in her life. She saw him as regularly as she saw Harry and Ron (which is everyday) and when she didn't, she would subconsciously search for him. But that wasn't much needed for he was always around. At Grimmauld Palace, the train ride, the carriage journey to Hogwarts, in the library and now this room, which was technically his room as well. And really, when somebody is ever present, it is quite hard to ignore his existence and his knowledge and his dry sense of humour and his good looks... No no no... Bad thoughts Hermione, very bad thoughts. Taking a deep breath she decided to head to the common room.

Padma Patil looked at her sister and there was only one thought that came to her mind... Envy... Yes, she envied her sister. Now, before somebody begins to judge her, rest assured that Padma loved her sister very much. The two had always had a healthy relationship and were more than sisters. They were best friends. But to Padma it seemed that Parvati was the luckier one. She was slim while Padma still had a little baby fat, Parvati was beautiful while Padma was not, Parvati was considered the smarter one of the two sisters by her parents, despite the fact that it was Padma who was in Ravenclaw. But Padma's envy was never shallow. She never did anything to tarnish Parvati's reputation and always defended the girl. She had even admitted to Parvati that she was jealous of her and had given her the reasons too. But Parvati had said that it wasn't Padma who should be jealous. She had said that Padma was the intelligent one, the one who was not fat just healthy, the one who was beautiful as all the guys that both the sisters liked at the same time chose Padma. They were each other's anchor, each other' s support. They fought yes but they always made up. But right now, Padma was extremely envious of her sister.

Theo sat at one of the couch's in the common room with Parvati in his lap. And from the blush that adored her sister's cheeks, it was quite easy to guess what Theo was actually whispering to her sister. Parvati had found love. Padma was happy, really she was, and she wished that Theo wouldn't break Parvati's heart but that little voice of envy stayed.

"They look good together. Happy too." Hermione said and Padma turned towards the Gryffindor sitting beside her. Padma turned back to look at Theo and Parvati and her lips turned into a smile. "Yes they do. They are the luckiest ones amongst us apart from Neville and Hannah."

"Ya, ya they are." Hermione replied and Padma thought she heard a sigh escape the Gryffindor's lips. " You know maybe if you appeared a little more cheerful about your marriage, people might believe it's true." Padma said, a very Slytherin smirk on her face.

" What do you mean?" Hermione asked.

"After six years of fighting and name calling, you can' t really expect people to believe you when you say you married for love. It is obvious the marriage though true is just an act. I know Hermione. I was placed in Ravenclaw for a reason." Padma answered.

"I know. But the circumstances. I had to marry him. He was my only choice." Hermione said and the added quickly, "Nobody knows of it."

"You don't need to justify yourself to me, Hermione. And don't worry your secret is safe with me. But work on it a little. You might just find the guy you are looking for in Malfoy." Padma said, her eyes wondering back to her sister and Theo.

"Shouldn't you preach what you say and give Ernie a chance." Hermione said and the words stuck in her mind. Here Padma was, giving advice to Hermione about her marriage while at the same time not even giving a try to her own. With renewed enthusiasm, she smiled and turned towards Hermione, "You know what, you would have been an excellent Ravenclaw." Saying this, she left in search for Ernie. After all, there was work to be done.