Chapter three: I don't know why
Dinner that night was a noisy affair. Many students looked extremely tense as they walked in to the great hall, and kept looking up at the ceiling. Some even refused to sit with their legs under the table, afraid of being trapped; They sat on the long benches with their back to the table. It became especially awkward when trying to eat.
The Slytherins were very subdued, as it had leaked that they couldn't return to their dormitory. Others among them were extremely anxious to know where they would be sent. Draco Malfoy, however, knew exactly where he was going to end up.
It seemed that fate was conspiring against him in every possible way. His friends, his school, even his own body, had been betraying him lately. There was only one thing that could happen to top it all off. He eyed Potter, and grimaced.
"Good evening." Dumbledore had risen and was addressing the school. "I am sure you will all be relieved to know that all accessible corridors, staircases, etc… have been warded." He, and all the rest of the teachers, looked extremely tired. "So, the danger has been lessened for now. We must all be on alert, even so.
"The teachers and I agree that the dungeons are not safe even with the wards we have erected, and so they have been sealed off. The Potions classroom and stores have been relocated to the Transfiguration hall, in the empty class room on the right.
"The closing of the dungeons also means the closing of one of the houses. We have decided to relocate the Slytherins to the other house dormitories." Those that did not know this would happen immediately began whispering with their house mates in shock. Dumdledor raised his hands for silence. "We will be relocating the Slytherins by class…
"Before I give you the assignments, I beg you to be patient through an old man's wheezing waffle.
"What ever the unfortunate circumstances to bring us to this point, I want to remind each of you that this same event could've happened to any of the houses. To be displaced from your home, and place of comfort, is a stressful event. I therefore urge all of you to show compassion and understanding… and most of all tolerance and acceptance.
"These are dark times, and it does not do to dwell on differences and fight amongst each other, when such dangers from the outside are gathering their forces. I feel, though the event to bring us to this point is unfortunate, that this will be a beneficial experience for the entire school. It is imperative you forget your petty differences, and reconcile in the face of a new danger.
"Stand together, Hogwarts, as students, not as houses, and show loyalty to each other as befits your brother."
Professor McGonogol was the first to clap, Hermione was the second, and slowly the rest of the school joined in. Dumdledor's eyes twinkled.
"You might regret clapping when I'm done with the assignments." He smiled at them. "First, second and third year Slytherins will be going to Hufflepuff."
Professor sprout glared at her house and they all started clapping nervously.
"Fourth and fifth years will be joining Ravenclaw." Ravenclaws clapped as well, but it wasn't heard over the roar of indignation at the Slytherin table, that erupted from the mouths of the sixth and seventh years.
Only Draco Malfoy remained in his seat, seemingly unconcerned. He knew it was coming, fate had always enjoyed torturing him.
"Yes, and finally… the sixth and seventh years will be joining Gryffindor." The Slytherins had regained control, they sat back down and were throwing Dumdledor looks of deepest disgust and hatred, but holding their tongues.
"I understand there is greater house rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin, which is why I placed the oldest students of both houses together. I trust that your maturity will keep your tempers and competition from becoming violent, at the very least. I do hope all of you will use this opportunity to genuinely get to know each other as people, undivided by house lines."
There were several snorts and sneers from Gryffindors and Slytherins alike.
"Prefects from receiving houses, please lead your new house mates to their new dormitories and see to it they are comfortable. You are dismissed."
Hermione stood up and was about to call out to the Slytherins to follow her, but Ron cut her off.
"Can you believe it! Living with MALFOY!" He spat in anger. Hermione shrugged. She had already figured out who they would be getting. When she saw what rooms were being expanded, and the beds that were coming in, she new her suspicions had been correct.
"At least you don't have to sleep with Pansy." Hermione muttered. Ron's face contorted in disgust. She left him standing there, looking as though he were about to vomit.
"Slytherin sixth and seventh years, this way please…. To your new common room." Hermione called, and waved her hand at the group of upper-years, who again looked mutinous.
The Slytherins reluctantly followed Hermione, Ron, and the seventh year prefects out of the great hall and through the warded corridors, where magic was now palpable, to the portrait of the fat lady.
"This is the fat lady, the portrait that guards the common room." Hermione said.
"Really, we couldn't have figured it out." Sneered Pansy.
Hermione's cheeks darkened, but she just smiled and didn't reply.
"The password is welcome home." Hermione announced, to more snorts and looks of disgust.
The fat lady swung open, and the Gryffindors and Slytherins alike gasped as one.
"What happened!" Asked Seamus, as he looked around wide eyed.
"The common room has been expanded, and furniture has been added to accommodate the new students." A seventh year said. Her name was Madeline, and she was the seventh year prefect.
"Those of you in sixth and seventh year will also notice your expanded dorm rooms, and change of furniture…" she continued.
"But.. what's up with all the green and silver?" Asked Parvati.
"Well… We thought…" began Hermione.. but when Ron and Madeline glared at her she corrected herself. "Ok, fine! I thought it would be nice to change the common room colors to accommodate the Slytherins!"
And indeed, the common room was hardly recognizable. Curtains of light green and tomato red, accented with gold fringe and gray stripes, hung on the windows in place of the bright red and gold. The couches were stripped red with gray, and green with marigold. Some of the furniture pieces, Harry recognized, appeared to have come straight from the Slytherin common room.
Two fires, burning beneath two mantles on either side of the enlarged room, were crackling merrily.
Because Hermione had used lightened versions of the house colors, the combination of the two was rather fetching.
"You decorated, Granger?" Millicent asked. Hermione nodded meekly. "Not bad." She muttered, and received glares from her fellow Slytherins.
"What about that?" Lavender asked, pointing to a table laden with drinks and sweets. Hermione turned red.
"Well…" Hermione began, growing hot. A cold drawl cut her off.
"Did you put mints on our pillows too, Granger?" Hermione became even redder. "My God!" Malfoy exclaimed in disbelief. "You did!" All the Slytherins looked dumbstruck for a moment, before most of them burst out laughing.
Hermione's face was glowing, but she held her head high and said, with dignity:
"Please make yourselves and home, and help yourself to some refreshments…. If you need anything…."
"Come to big-sister Granger… if anyone picks on you, Granger will sort them out, cause she's a Slytherin's best mate. Is that it Granger?" Malfoy drawled.
"Well, it is kind of nice…." One of them began.
"Shut up, Crabbe!" Malfoy and Pansy said together.
"And Goyle, I wouldn't eat that if I were you… this is all too weird… it's probably poisoned." Goyle and Crabbe had ambled over to the snack table and were about to partake.
"It isn't!" Hermione gasped. "look… All I'm trying to do…"
"It's not welcome! We're not welcome no matter how many rose petals you sprinkle across our beds, or treats you leave out for us…. We don't want to be here, and you don't want us here… and no amount of color-mixing, or sugar coating is going to change that!" Malfoy spat, without knowing why he was overreacting.
"Back off Mafloy.." Potter came forward to stand next to Hermione. "She was just trying to make you lot comfortable… and this is what you…." But Draco cut off his defense.
"Aren't you a generous one, Granger?" Malfoy stepped out of the closely compacted group of Slytherins. "The poor Slytherins, displaced because they're all so evil… finally getting what they deserve after all this time. That's what you all are thinking." No one said anything as Malfoy took another step closer to Hermione, who was looking at the floor.
"But not Granger… she's been hanging around with Potter and she knows what to do… It's her job to save the poor Slytherins from their own evil, from their families, from themselves… She's going to show us Gryffindors aren't bad, so we'll all realize the error of our ways and come around!" Eyes were wide everywhere. "She's going to free us… cause we're just another sad and lost cause… What's next? Have you changed SPEW to the Society for the Protection of Evil Wizards." Some of the Slytherins sniggered.
Malfoy was standing inches away from Hermione now, looking down on her with hatred in his eyes.
"Going to save us from ourselves Granger?" He whispered silkily. She visibly shivered. "We don't want your understanding, your compassion. We don't want your welcome home and your flowers and your chocolates!" His voice was gaining in thunder. "We don't want your acceptance! We want you to stick to your side of the room and leave us the hell alone!" Hermione took a step back as he yelled the last bit, and looked at his face, contorted with fury. "GET IT?" He snapped.
She looked down again, and took a deep breath.
"If that's what you want… that's what I'll do…" She said, so softly only he could hear it… and he was definitely the only one who could understand what she meant. His eyes widened, and he was going to retort but she walked away.
"Sixth year girls, follow me to your dorms. Seventh year girls follow Madeline. Sixth year boys can follow Ron to your dorms, and Seventh year boys follow Michael."
Hermione disappeared up the girls' stair case. The tension in the room slowly dissipated after Hermione left.
Pansy stuck her nose in the air, and she and Millicent followed Hermione out. The Seventh years all went to their respective dorms. Crabbe and Goyle were still enjoying the food Hermione had set out, and Draco didn't feel like being alone in an unfamiliar dorm with Weasely and Potter, so he threw himself into familiar arm chair by the second fireplace and glared at anyone who came close.
Blaise took a seat close by him for the same reason, Draco knew, because he and Blaise were not friends. From then on that fire and those chairs were the "Slytherin section." Unable to tolerate the furtive glances in their direction, Draco got up and went up the stairs, followed by Blaise.
They found the door labeled: "Sixth years" and walked in. Seamus and Dean were in there already, hanging posters on the wall. They stopped, looking really nervous, when the first Slytherins came up.
Draco looked around and recognized his trunk. He went over to unpack his things. Blaise sat on his bed and watched Draco, a twisted smile on his face.
"WHAT!" Draco snapped at the irritating boy sitting on his bed.
Blaise pointed to Draco's pillow. Frowning, Draco picked up the envelope sitting on the pillow and opened it. Inside was a card that said:
Welcome to Gryffindor Draco,
Although we haven't gotten along well in the past, I hope that can change; Especially considering recent events. I meant what I said, all you have to do is ask. Outside that, if there is anything I can do you make you more at home, please let me know.
Hermione Granger
Draco blinked a few times in disbelief. Blaise was snickering, and that caused Draco to look up.
The other boy was sitting on his own bed now, and holding an identical envelope and card. Apparently, the writing amused him greatly.
"What does yours say?" Draco asked quickly.
"Dear Blaise Zabini,
"I don't believe we've ever spoken, but I imagine that will change now that we are house-mates."
"Imagine! She thinks we're bloody, honorary Gryffindors now or something!"
"I do however, remember your very astute observation of the magically amplifying effects of blood in potions. Not to insult you, but I've heard that you're quite evil."
"Malfoy, she drew a smiley face!" Malfoy snorted in reply.
"But I'm sure that's exaggerated."
"Ha, if only you knew!" Malfoy said darkly.
Dean and Seamus were looking scandalized.
"I hope to learn more about potions from you, as your grades always seem to endanger my standing."
"Good lord, another smiley face."
"Perhaps we can study together some time. Do make yourself at home.
"Hermione Granger."
"I can't believe it, she actually wrote personal letters to all of us." Draco said, when he discovered similar cards on Crabbe, Goyle, and Nott's beds.
"Aww, and look, there are little silver and gold chocolates beneath the cards!" Blaise said in a very honeyed voice, then he burst into maniacal laughter.
Draco saw Seamus and Dean exchanging looks of disgust before turning away.
Draco fell onto his bed, suddenly feeling extremely antisocial.
He looked up at the velvety black curtains and tried not to think about how he'd yelled at Granger.. when in truth, she hadn't done anything wrong, other than show she cared.
The truth was, he wasn't angry with her because of anything she had done, he was angry because of what he had done. Draco remembered the disgusted looks on the faces of his house mates when he came outside from the hospital wing, not because he'd saved someone's life… but because it had been Granger.
Pansy, coming to his defense as usual, had pointed out that Granger now owed him a life debt, and the rest of his house had been satisfied. Even so, life had become extremely difficult for him now that his father was in jail.
It's all Potter's fault, he told himself, like he always did when he was angry at himself or his father, knowing full well it wasn't true.
Not for the first time, he replayed those first moments of lucidness after the accident. He couldn't remember anything very well until he was in the hospital wing and Madame Pomfrey had healed his head injury.
Then he'd been left alone with Granger, and of course the first thing she did was ask the one question he had no idea how to answer.
"Why?"
He wished he knew.
Turning restlessly, he closed his eyes, and tried to sleep.