The rest of the train ride was like any other that had passed, and before anyone knew it they had pulled into the Hogsmeade station. Ron, Harry, and Hermione shared a carriage with Neville and made small talk until they pulled up to the castle. It always took Hermione's breath away the first time she saw her beloved school lit up against the night sky, its turrets plunging into the heavens and the moonlit grounds welcoming her back every year. Her stomach clenched as she remembered that this would be the last time she would be greeted this way.
Draco hurried towards the entrance after leaping from his carriage, eager to get away from Crabbe and Goyle for a few moments. The stench building up inside was enough to kill a man of Hagrid's size. Rolling his eyes, he wondered how two boys could reach the age of seventeen with such bad hygienic habits. He stopped a few yards from the nearest carriage to watch Hermione gracefully take Harry's outstretched hand and step down from her carriage. His eyes narrowed and he let out a small "tut" of jealousy. Draco was just beginning to hope that Ron had died when he saw Ron leap out of the carriage behind Hermione and sling his arm around her shoulders. His eyes became two slits of gunmetal ready to kill. He stalked into the castle behind them, clenching his fists and baring his teeth.
"Before we begin our feast, I must announce that this year's Head Boy and Girl are Draco Malfoy of Slytherin, and Hermione Granger of Gryffindor." There was a smattering of applause before Dumbledore continued with his usual start-of-term announcements. Hermione blushed as all the seventh year Gryffindors patted her on the back or grinned at her. On the opposite side of the room, Draco looked annoyed as Pansy and Blaise both slid into seats next to him and rubbed up on him. She looked back up at the teacher's table.
"...also added to the list of forbidden items. Mr. Filch will gladly let you know just how many things you aren't allowed - I believe the count is around five hundred or so now. That is all, and so... Tuck in!"
Before Hermione could begin eating, she felt a tap on her shoulder. Behind her was Professor McGonagall.
"Hermione, dear, after the feast you should meet Headmaster Dumbledore outside his office. Mister Malfoy should be there as well." Hermione nodded in understanding and turned back to eat.
Draco had just chosen a prime piece of chicken when he felt a tap on his shoulder.
"What?" he inquired exasperated.
"Pardon the intrusion, Draco, but after the feast is finished you are to meet Dumbledore outside his office. Now, am I excused?" Snape face showed sarcasm as the corner of his lip turned up.
"Yea, whatever," Draco replied, his back turned and his face flushed.
Outside the gargoyle statue stood Hermione, tapping her foot impatiently. She couldn't wait to see her private dorm and had rushed away from the feast as soon as she was through eating. She looked at her watch. Surely the feast would be over by now.
"Miss Granger, I see you wasted no time getting here."
She whirled around on her heel. "Professor Dumbledore, how did you get up here so quickly?"
He simply grinned and popped a lemon drop into his mouth. "The answer to that is - why, Mister Malfoy, what a pleasure to see you well."
Hermione turned back to look at Draco, who was giving a slight nod to the Headmaster. Dumbledore grinned and motioned for them to follow. A few corridors later, they arrived at a portrait of two beaming students.
"Hogwarts first Head Boy and Girl. Draco, Hermione, may I introduce you to William and Elizabeth."
"Oh please, call me Lizzie, and he's just Will. We will be seeing a lot of each other this year after all!"
"Pardon my formalities, Lizzie." The girl smiled and waved her hand in a carefree way to excuse Dumbledore. "Now, the two of you must choose a password that you can both remember."
"How about Silver?" Hermione suggested, smiling at Draco.
"Excellent idea Hermione. Draco?"
Draco nodded his approval.
"Silver it is," Will beamed and the portrait popped open.
Inside the portrait hole was a large room the size of any common room, but instead of the typical stone floors, a shiny mahogany wood floor peeped out from under antique area rugs. Two plush white leather couches were flanked by camel colored leather chairs near the blazing fireplace. Moonlight poured through three large windows at the end of the room and onto a large desk surrounded by more chairs. Behind a small staircase was a line of bookcases against a wall. Hermione and Draco both stared around the room that was now theirs.
"This is the area that you are to share. The desk is for schoolwork and anything the two of you need to collaborate on. If you are wondering about the extra chairs, they are for any prefect meetings you may need to have. Now, can I lead you up to your bedrooms?"
Without waiting for an answer, he climbed up the staircase to the landing where there were two openings.
"Sir? Where are the doors?" Hermione pulled curiously at the red velvet curtain in the doorway.
"Ah well... I decided that this year, it would be better for the Head Boy and Girl relationship if there were no doors inside the dorm. That way you can't shut anyone out or shut the door on any problems." Dumbledore opened the curtain to reveal another large size room. "Hermione, this is your personal area."
Hermione had to fight her jaw from dropping. A queen sized four poster bed was surrounded by more deep red velvet curtains. This room was covered in creamy white deep carpeting with mahogany furniture. Another large window with deep red curtains was the centerpiece for a small sitting area, with a chaise lounge and nightstand. There was another small desk in this room situated near a large wardrobe. Hermione was deeply impressed with a small fireplace of her own with a plush red armchair and a small table for books. Dumbledore pointed towards an actual door.
"That is your bathroom… I felt that it deserved a real door. Now, Mister Malfoy, this way."
They both followed Dumbledore out of Hermione's room and into the opening on the left, covered by a deep green curtain. The room inside was nearly identical to Hermione's with the same creamy carpeting, but what was red for Hermione was green for Draco.
"House colors... rather cliché and expected." He was fighting against his admiration for the room.
Dumbledore chuckled. "You can change them if you like, Mister Malfoy. Just ask the house elves to do it for you. Now, if you'd like to check out the bathroom."
He opened the door to the bathroom and both students saw that everything was done in a simple white, with a few navy blue accents. They saw the luxurious bathtub, the nice shower, and the two rooms for the loos - and then they both furrowed their brows.
"Wait... there's two toilets in here..."
"Wait... there's another door over there..." Hermione rushed and opened the door opposite to the one they were standing in. "Wait... THAT'S MY ROOM!"
Both jaws fell to the floor as they stared at Dumbledore waiting for an explanation.
"Ah yes, well... I decided to encourage the two of you to get along, it would be best if you shared a bathroom. Hence the doors." He smiled at the teens and popped a new lemon drop into his mouth. His cleverness amazed him at times.
Draco and Hermione looked at each other, then back at Dumbledore, then back at each other. With one final look around the bathroom, they looked into each other's rooms and at the doors.
"WHAT!" "WHAT!"