A/N: I have Tonks in her last year at Hogwarts. I believe before J.K.'s now infamous retcons via twitter and that mobile game, which I don't really count as canon, there was a bit of a debate about if Tonks was there or not in Harry's last year.
It could have worked either way. I highly doubt Tonks, who was in Hufflepuff, would have bothered with a group of first year Gryffindors while she was working on N.E.W.T.s and getting ready to be an Auror. Either way this is an AU, so it is allowed.
I'm mentioning again this is a non sex scene version of this story. It is my story and I am bringing it over from another site. It has the same title there. I have tried to do some things to better clarify this. I mention it in my profile here and it is also mentioned in the summary of the stories on the other site. Hopefully this will show that I am not plagiarizing my own story.
Chapter 5: Roommates
"Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Hannah Abbott, Susan Bones, and Tonks?" Harry read the name plate outside the room he was sharing with three girls and this Tonks person. He thought he heard the name mentioned somewhere on their table during the feast, but couldn't place a face to the name.
"Odd that the dorm seems to be Co-ed," Harry said to the others. All three girls were blushing to different degrees. "Shall we?" he then asked as he opened the door.
They walked inside and it was like a small cozy living room with a partial kitchen area. There were also five separate bedrooms and two bathrooms. There were a number of chairs and a couple of couches around small tables.
"Phew…" Susan said with a relieved smile. "No offense, Harry. But I'm really glad we have separate bedrooms and two bathrooms," she said.
"None taken. This is irregular for me as well," Harry said. It was partially true. The warehouse was technically one shared large space, but there were separate living areas in it for people. He was right by both Boss and Davey, so it was in a way like a house with three people considering the spaces sort of joined together. This was still odd by comparison.
Shortly after they looked around, the door behind them closed. The first years looked behind themselves to see a heart shaped faced girl who seemed to be in her last year giving them a big smile. She was wearing her hair about shoulder length and white blonde in color.
"Good to see you're all here. My full name is Nymphadora Tonks, but everyone calls me Tonks and no one, not even Dumbledore, dares call me by first name. Well… okay. So, my parents call me by first name, but they only do that because they're stubborn," she said giving off an aura to show she was serious about them calling her Tonks and nothing else.
"Hello, Tonks," the group greeted showing they were not about to call her the wrong name.
"Good. Seems you all have it. Go ahead and make yourselves comfortable. We have things to discuss before we all call it a night," she said brightly.
Once the group was seated, she started to speak again. "Now before we get to proper introductions, I'm sure you have all noticed we do things differently here in Hufflepuff when it comes to housing. Loyalty and hard work are key for all Hufflepuffs. As a way to instill that, we have more of a home feel than the other dorms. We have mixed living spaces and each of you will be in charge of the upkeep. The rooms are still cleaned once every two weeks by the castle staff, but in between that time you all must keep it up to scratch. We will not tolerate a dirty living space, though few want that in the first place anyways."
"Are all of the years like this?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, they are. This will be your group for your time here at Hogwarts. If problems arise with your roommates, which is very rare in Hufflepuff, you may speak to a Prefect or our Head of House, Professor Sprout," Tonks said.
"Good to know…" Hannah said in relief.
"Am I really that scary?" Harry asked the girls with a bit a joking air.
"Well… no… it's just really different," Hannah said.
"This is the case for everyone. That is why seventh years, like myself, volunteer to help ease you into this kind of a living environment. First year is usually long enough for everyone to get used to it. You all do have separate bedrooms and you can lock the doors. Alohomora, the unlocking charm, will not work on the doors. Prefects on official business or in cases of an emergency, can force open the doors if needed. I am what muggles call a Resident Assistant, or RA for short. I am not a Prefect, but I too have their same access privilege during my time here for just you four," Tonks said.
"Are the restrooms a boys and girls?" Harry asked.
"No, they are not. However, you have to knock before entering to make sure no one is in them. You will have to decide how to handle showers. The best ways are to either come up with a schedule or simply wake early enough you can wait if they are both occupied," Tonks said.
"Well, I am used to waking up early. 6AM at the latest most of the time, but usually 5:30AM. So, do we want a schedule?" Harry asked the others.
The girls were in thought for a moment. Hermione spoke up. "I'm also used to waking up about the same time. How about we just not worry about a schedule, unless you three want one." She looked to Hannah, Susan and Tonks in turn.
"The decision is for you four to make, not me. I am just here to make sure you don't get into too much trouble and to help settle arguments if you four can't," Tonks said.
"Breakfast is served 7am to 9am, right?" Hannah asked.
Tonks nodded and added, "Your first class is at 9:30 Monday through Friday."
Hannah was in thought. "I don't mind if it is just a take turns thing," she said.
"We can change it later if that doesn't work out," Susan said as Tonks, Harry and Hermione nodded in agreement.
"So, you all are in agreement?" Tonks asked. The four first years nodded. "Great! That settles that. Now on to your rooms, they are pretty much identical and you can combine them in any way you want," Tonks said.
"Combining my room with Harry's…" Hermione said in a quiet voice as she seemed to have an almost dazed smile at the thought. She didn't immediately realize she was overheard.
"Yes… You could. If he wanted that as well. You can also uncombine them whenever you wish. That doesn't require agreement from those involved. If you all wanted, you could even combine all of your rooms into one large room. Mine will remain separate. I am here to help you four, but I also have to worry about my N.E.W.T.s," she said.
"What are those?" Hermione asked.
"In fifth year, you will all take O.W.L.s or Ordinary Wizarding Levels. They are a big test over everything you should know by that point. The score on those will determine what advanced classes you can take sixth to seventh year. In seventh year, you get N.E.W.T.s or Nastily Exhaustive Wizarding Tests," Tonks said.
The first years couldn't help but laugh a little to the name.
Tonks chuckled as well. "Yes. The name is a little ridiculous and a little exaggerated. They are still very important. They are essentially your graduation exams and will play a role in what careers you can choose from. I actually plan on becoming an Auror after Hogwarts. Soooo… I have two to three years of extra study as an Auror apprenticeship," she explained with a sigh.
Tonks then brightened up again and said, "Anyways. Let's get on to proper introductions. I will start. To give you all an idea on what I mean. As I said earlier, call me Tonks. I am in my seventh year here at Hogwarts and I am studying to be an Auror. I am taking Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Charms and… History of Magic." She had a slight frown at the mention of the last class.
"As an Auror, you are required a minimum of five N.E.W.T.s with either Exceeds Expectations or Outstanding for your grades. The first four I said are required regardless, but the last one is whatever you want it to be. I chose History because despite how boring and out of touch Professor Binns is, the class isn't too hard if you study the books enough. I figure I will be busy enough working hard for the first four that adding something, even like Herbology, would be unnecessarily difficult," she said.
She then cheered up again and said, "I am also a Metamorphmagus!"
"Oooo! That's amazing!" Hannah said, her eyes filled with wonder.
"To what degree?" Susan asked in interest.
"I'm a full Metamorphmagus. That is part of the reason I want to be an Auror I can literally go anywhere as anyone and my targets would never know it," she said with pride. It had taken her a few years to find pride in her natural gift, but she had it now. It was much easier once she had control over it fully.
"Ummmm… what is a Metamorphmagus? I'm a muggleborn and I haven't read every book on the wizarding world yet," Hermione said. Harry almost chuckled, but then he realized she might actually mean it was only a matter of time until she did read every book.
"Metamorphmagi are born as such. It means I am able to change my physical appearance at will. I could look like anyone I wanted or any way I wanted. I could even change to be a guy… but I don't really like going that far. It gets confusing and I like being a girl. I do have some problems with my hair though. If I get really emotional, my hair will change colors," she admitted with a slight blush.
"How do you not abuse such an ability?" Harry asked.
"I have. I used to get in trouble during my middle years for turning into Professors and even school ghosts. That's part of the reason why I'm not a Prefect. I stopped doing that after fifth year though. I didn't want to jeopardize my grades by getting more detentions and less time to study," she admitted with a nervous giggle.
"I kind of did it to have fun with my abilities. I still have fun with them now. I just have fun with them in other ways. One of the things you will all notice is I really like to change up my hair. I can use any combination of colors I like and I also like to come up with the most unique and creative hair styles possible," she said. Tonks then laughed and added, "When I really get into it, I come up with completely unrealistic hair styles that only I could accomplish."
The others laughed as well and were all kind of eager to see what wacky hairstyles their RA would come up with throughout the year. "Now then, I'll call you out each in turn. You go next, Susan," Tonks said with an encouraging smile.
"Okay… ummm… I'm Susan Bones. I already told them, but I will tell you as well. Yes, I am related to Amelia Bones. She is my aunt and no. She will not go easy on you just because you knew me at Hogwarts," Susan said. Tonks gave an over exaggerated expression of disappointment as she winked at the others causing them to laugh.
"I am also very different from her. It bothers me when people always expect me to be tough and extra strict like she is. I take more after my… mother… She was rather meek, but also really strong when needed. Both of my parents died. It was by a bunch of Death Eaters that escaped the first time because 'Imperius'. They jumped my parents while they were on one of their date nights. My parents at least took out half of them and my aunt got the other half in jail with long term imprisonments. They couldn't use coin to buy their way out with Imperius that time at least," Susan said. Hannah hugged her friend and Susan smiled to her warmly in thanks.
Harry mentally frowned to what Susan said. None of the Knights were fans of corruption, especially in the justice system. They preferred to handle things properly, but they weren't so naïve to think that will always handle a problem. As a Street Knight, he was prepared to get dirty, but only if needed.
"Hannah has actually been a good friend of mine for several years already," Susan said as she continued and smiled to her friend. "I actually am not sure what I want to do with my life yet, but I am not keen on being an Auror. Though I do wish you the best of luck, Tonks," she finished with a smile.
"Dawww. Thank you. It seems I got stuck with at least one cute first year," Tonks said with a light chuckle as Susan blushed. "Alright next up. Hannah," she called.
"I'm Hannah Abbott. I've been friends with Susan for a good bit, as she said. I'm glad to be in Hogwarts and Hufflepuff! I'm a ummm half-blood. My mom is a muggle-born and my dad is a pure-blood. I don't think anyone here cares for such things though," she said. She wasn't sure what to say in her proper introduction.
"Some in Hufflepuff take pride in their blood status, but I've never come across any who think in the ways You-Know-Who and his lot do. Most of them end up in Slytherin," Tonks said.
"Good to know. I'm ummm… looking forward to Herbology and not just because Professor Sprout teaches the class. I... Don't really know what else to say. I'm sorry," Hannah said with a slight frown.
"You did good," Tonks said with a warm smile. "Now, it's your turn Hermione," she said.
"I'm Hermione Granger. I'm a muggleborn. I really love studying and I really hope to make friends with others in Hufflepuff. I'm looking forward to all of the classes. I like reading and so I've already covered a lot of our textbooks for the year. I even already tried out a few spells," she admitted.
"When? Where?" Tonks asked.
"Oh. Ummm. Diagon Alley. It was when I was getting my supplies. I kind of slipped away for a moment while my parents were in the Leaky Cauldron having a couple of drinks together. I wasn't gone long enough for them to start worrying too much," Hermione said.
"That explains it. You should be careful, Hermione. The Ministry makes a special point of tracking magic for those who live in muggle areas. It is because you have not only the restriction of underage magic, but also the Statute of Secrecy to worry about in your case. Though… And you didn't hear this from me, but you can get away with using magic in highly populated magical areas like Diagon Alley. Too much magic for them to properly track," Tonks said.
"I will keep that in mind. Thank you, Tonks," Hermione said with a grin. "What else to say… Oh yeah. My parents are both dentists, Healers specializing in teeth I guess you could say, so I might have a bit of sweet tooth while I'm here," she admitted with a giggle.
"Yeah. You do. We were on the train together. She really helped me devour our snacks. Especially the Sugar Quills," Harry said with a chuckle. Hermione blushed a little but smiled happily.
Susan giggled as she said, "At least we know what to get you for presents, Hermione."
"Anyways… I am really looking forward to the year and the rest of my years at Hogwarts. I didn't even know magic existed until I got the letter. I thought the odd things that sometimes happened around me were just bizarre coincidences," Hermione said in conclusion.
"Well good to hear all of your introductions. Now, we just have Harry left. I will confess I am a bit surprised you ended up in Hufflepuff. Most thought you would go straight to Gryffindor," Tonks said.
"I'm Harry Potter. The Hat actually said I had attributes for all of the houses. But more so Hufflepuff," Harry started. He was then in a bit of a debate for a moment on what to share. He guessed he would be rather forward with them. "I can explain why, but I want to make sure it stays with just us. I only want to share it with people I choose. I especially don't want it getting to Dumbledore if possible," Harry said.
"I give you my word I won't tell anyone," Hermione said easily. She knew things were different with Harry already, but she did want to know more. There was also that tug again. It was telling her this was important.
"Hmmm… This sounds a bit dodgy," Tonks said in thought.
"If it is of any consolation, Hagrid already knows what I plan on saying. He was in charge of helping me get my supplies and we spent a good bit of time together. He even came to my birthday party which was shortly after we returned from Diagon Alley," Harry said.
"Okay. That works for me. If Hagrid knows and hasn't already told Professor Dumbledore, it must be for a very good reason. I do suggest you talk to Professor Sprout about it though. She is our Head of House," Tonks said.
"I'll see about doing that. I just hope she doesn't go to Headmaster Dumbledore right away," Harry said.
"I-I-I'll listen and give you my word I won't tell either," Hannah said with a slight stutter before she grew determined and finished her proclamation. She was surprised how heavy things felt to her suddenly.
"As long as it isn't, I'm actually evil and plan to take over the world! I'm on board too and won't tell anyone without your permission," Susan said. She felt a strange pull on her magic saying this was right. She was wondering if the others did as well.
Harry gave a chuckle. "I don't plan on taking over the world. I just plan on getting people to realize Hufflepuff is a greater house than they thought. I know what most think about it," he said.
"I can completely get behind that," Tonks said with a determined nod. The others nodded as well.
"Well then. The truth is I have lived in the muggle world the whole time up until now. I also didn't know about magic until the letter. Headmaster Dumbledore placed me with my muggle relatives and my aunt and uncle completely loathed me. I am guessing it's because of being a wizard. Until Hagrid told me when he came to help, I thought my parents died in a car crash and drunk," Harry said.
"What?!" Tonks shouted in anger. Her hair turned a very beautiful but fierce red color.
"Why were you placed with them?!" Hannah asked shocked.
Harry shrugged his shoulders. "Hagrid told me it was because Dumbledore didn't want me to grow up being a celebrity or something like that. I'm sure it was something more though. Hagrid also said both he and Professor McGonagall didn't like his decision, but at the time they figured he knew best. My aunt and uncle really hated me though. They didn't hit me or anything like that, but I was blamed, shouted at and grounded for pretty much everything bad that happened," Harry said.
"That isn't right at all!" Susan said in a voice that was much fiercer than you would think coming from her. It seemed she not only got her mother's meekness, but also her strength when pushed as she talked about earlier.
"Yeah. They were the worst type of muggles you could get to know. They had me live in a cupboard under the stairs for the time I was with them. I also cooked most of their meals and did most of the chores around the house," Harry said with a huff.
He was over them, but still didn't like what they did to him. He also didn't just bottle it up. Boss always told him to work through emotions and not suppress them, and not let them control you.
"You also said you were with that guy you called Boss when we first met at Flourish and Blotts. What does that mean?" Hermione asked. The gears were turning in her head, but she didn't like where they were going.
"Good question. And part of the reason I don't want Headmaster Dumbledore hearing about this. As far as I'm concerned, he probably thinks it was for the best I was with my aunt and uncle despite all of that. As I told Hagrid, in a very roundabout and much different way it was for the best," Harry said.
The girls listened closer to what he said. Each of them had a pit in their stomach at what he might say.
"The Dursleys decided to kick me out to the streets when I was eight years old," Harry said.
Harry waited for them to calm down. Tonks was shouting all kinds of colorful words that her hair seemed to match. Hermione chose to grab hold of Harry to possibly comfort him or at least let him know she was there for him. Hannah and Susan nodded in agreement to everything Tonks said.
"How can that have been for the best?!" Tonks asked finally as she seethed in anger and started to calm as her hair changed to a mousey brown. Harry guessed that was her true color.
Harry gave a smile. "Because Boss took me in and I did end up with real family, even if not by blood, and I have friends. Boss is the leader of a group called the Street Knights. I'm also a member. Some would call us a gang, but we don't do anything really illegal or whatnot. We also fully cooperate with the authorities whenever they visit the Rust District as it is called," he said.
Hermione gasped and her eyes widened. She looked to Harry in shock. "We've made it a safe place and a very cozy and comfortable home and community, even if it is very peculiar for muggles. The Street Knights end up taking in those tossed aside or who slipped through the cracks of society."
"Muggles are very numerous as you all know, which means we have a lot of good, but also a lot of bad in our world. We look out for each other and help make things better where we can. Our motto is Loyalty to those who deserve it. That's part of the reason I'm in Hufflepuff. Hard work and Loyalty are already a big part of my life and who I am," he said.
"But… I've heard so many terrible things about the Rust District," Hermione said.
"Not surprising. Most of it is also from the past as well most likely. We don't really end such rumors. Leaving them around for those that don't know better helps keep nuisances away pretty much. We'd rather not have to put up with the corruption that comes with 'high class' people suddenly moving in to gentrify the area where we live and push everyone else out of it. Like I said though, we cooperate with those that we should. It has earned us a lot of good faith and we won't be throwing that out anytime soon," Harry said.
"What is something that the Street Knights have done to get this good faith?" Hermione asked.
"Do you remember hearing about the Foster Care Black Marketeer?" Harry asked.
Hermione's intake of breath and wide eyes was the confirmation he needed in answer.
"What is foster care?" Hannah asked.
Hermione answered. "In the muggle world, orphans are put into orphanages or group homes where they are cared for until they are adopted or sometimes placed into the foster care system. Children… removed from their birth parents' home for different reasons or abandoned usually go straight into the system."
She turned a little sad looking and continued, "The Foster Care Black Marketeer was a terrible man. He was really corrupt and wouldn't mind selling children to those that wanted them for less than moral or legal reasons… He would keep it off the books, or make it look completely legit. It was a mess because he didn't keep track of the records properly and there were some that went to him for legitimate reasons. He still mostly sold children to people that should not have children because they only wanted to use them for really bad reasons."
"That's terrible!" Susan said. The others all nodded in agreement.
"It was actually the Street Knights who helped point the authorities down the right trail to collect evidence they would need. One of our number was going to be used sexually by their foster parents. Luckily, they weren't the naïve child their foster parents thought they were. They ran away since no one would believe them. The foster parents were 'upstanding' members of society. They ran into Boss and me, and we helped them. They've stayed with the Knights since then," Harry said.
He made a point of not hinting at who it could be. He even tried to avoid mentioned it was a she. There was no reason for them to learn of Davey's past from him.
"That's really good to hear and surprising," Hermione admitted.
"We also have a man called Professor Lang. He helps make sure we all get the education we need to what would be the muggle equivalent of O.W.L.s from what Tonks said earlier," Harry said.
"What?!" Hermione asked in shock.
"I know what you have heard. He was accused of having forced himself on a 16-year-old female student in exchange for better grades. It was actually the opposite. She approached him and tried to get him to raise her grades in exchange for sex. He said no and her daddy wasn't happy about that. He and his daughter came up with the fake allegations. Professor Lang was found guilty, but in the first round of appeal he was easily cleared. 'Daddy' however made sure that part of the story was swept away," Harry said.
"I can't believe that… But it is also true... I remember seeing a news blurb about that since you mentioned it," Hermione said in thought. She remembered that because she ended up asking her parents questions about it.
"There's also the fact most people didn't care about the trial really. The allegations alone were enough to condemn him in their eyes. He was forced to barely survive and while he did. He wasn't doing what truly brought him joy and meaning in life. Boss found out the truth and approached him and so Professor Lang joined us as well and more of our people are getting certified to teach so he won't have as big of a load on his shoulders," Harry said.
"This really is a lot to take in…" Hannah said as she held her head.
Harry waited a moment for them to process the information. "There are lots of stories like that in the Knights. We have people who were framed for crimes they didn't commit, but got off in the end. They were still tossed aside because of the accusations alone. Some people were accused of nefarious connections and all sorts of things. We find these people along with others tossed aside and give them a home," he said.
Harry continued. "There are actually a lot of Street Knights in England. Many got the help they needed and help us out in the rest of the world outside of the Rust District. But we are well aware of how bad things can be. That's why our motto is Loyalty to those who deserve it and not just loyalty above all else or something like that."
"Now on to the other reason why I was picked for Hufflepuff," Harry said after a moment to brighten the mood.
"What was it?" Tonks asked. Hermione was beaming. She already knew the answer because they discussed it on the train.
"Hufflepuff is actually the house with the most potential. We can be anything really, we just choose to work hard for it and be loyal to our friends. We aren't limited to bravery more than anything else. We don't have to spend all of our time plotting and scheming while watching our backs. We can still have ambitions, but we bring actual friends with us that we can fully trust. We can also be really smart and do well in classes without having to care more about studying than anything else. We can even be a mix of all four houses," Harry said with a smile.
"I like that!" Hannah said with a smile.
"Me too!" Susan agreed.
"That's how Hufflepuffs should think and everyone should realize it," Tonks said with a smile.
"Harry's reasoning is part of why I re-examined my thoughts on the houses and realized I wanted to be here more than any other house," Hermione admitted. She looked a little ashamed as she said, "I'm sorry for kind of thinking what everyone else did."
"No worries. You're new to the wizarding world. You had a lot of other things probably on your mind," Tonks said with a smile.
"Still… I will be the best I can be in Hufflepuff. The hat did point out a part of me that I kind of knew was there. I just hadn't realized it fully… I'm not exactly the type of person who had lots of friends. Like the hat said though. I'm very loyal to those I consider friends. I partially wanted to come here just because Harry said he wanted to be here," Hermione said as she gave Harry a smile.
"I'm glad you did. It is nice having someone I already considered a friend here. I look forward to being friends with you all as well and the others in Hufflepuff," Harry said.
"I do too! I kind of already see you three as friends too," Hannah said and Susan nodded.
"I guess we all are then," Hermione said.
"I'll agree to that. I just didn't want to be presumptuous," Harry said smiling.
Tonks sniffed back a comically large tear and gave a grin as she said, "Dawwww… My firsties really are the best!"
[-] [-] [-]
"Now that we have proper introductions taken care of, I'll show you all how to combine rooms. Gather around me," Tonks said as she went to a blank part of the wall in their dorm. "Oh yeah first thing first," she said.
She aimed her wand upwards and there was pop sound. Suddenly the rooms all had name tags on them. Harry and Hermione were next to each other along one wall. Susan and Hannah were on the opposite wall. Tonks had her room along the back wall near the entryway.
"All you have to do is find a blank part of the wall. Place your wand on it and say Mapus Combi," she said while demonstrating. Soon a map appeared on the wall where her wand was. It showed all of the rooms on it. "Hannah. Susan. Would you help me?" she said to them. They nodded and came over. "Place your wands on your rooms," she said.
The girls did so.
"Good. All you have to do is bring them together. You two and any others combining rooms have to do this together," she said. Hannah and Susan did as she said.
There was a grinding sound and the first years watched as Hannah's and Susan's rooms combined together. They all quickly went over to it and looked inside.
"Everything is there. Your beds, your desks, your sitting chairs, your wardrobes and your changing areas. The bed curtains are enchanted to keep sounds from your bed disturbing others. They also make it a bit quieter for you to sleep better at nights. You have to close all of your curtains for the enchantments to work," Tonks explained.
"How do we divide rooms?" Hermione asked mostly out of curiosity.
Tonks brought them back to the map. "Simply place your wand on the room and move it away from the combined room," she said motioning for Susan to help.
Again, there was grinding sound. Hannah and Susan now had separate rooms. They looked in and everything was in order and the rooms were now half the size they were when combined. "It just takes one to divide the rooms, but it takes all involved to combine," Tonks reiterated.
"Ohhh Susan! Can we please share rooms?" Hannah asked. Susan nodded as she and Hannah once more combined their rooms. "Yeah! Roommates and besties!" Hannah said with a cheer as she again hugged the other girl.
"That's it for your orientation. Oh yeah. Curfew. You have to be back in Hufflepuff by 9:30 pm Sunday night through Thursday night. Friday and Saturday, it is midnight. You can't leave Hufflepuff until 5AM, but that is rarely a problem. Exceptions are detentions, Prefect patrols, and classes. Astronomy is late at night. For first years, I believe it is at midnight. You will get your schedules tomorrow and classes start Monday," Tonks said with an exaggerated yawn in the way only a Metamorphmagus could do so, earning a laugh from the first years.
"Goodnight all!" she called before disappearing into her room.
"Goodnight," they called back to her.
Shortly after Tonks called it a night, Hannah and Susan did as well. "Goodnight, Harry! Goodnight, Hermione," the girls said together before retiring to their shared room.
"Night you two," Harry and Hermione said in reply.
After that, Harry turned to Hermione and said, "I guess we should call it a night as well."
Hermione looked to have something on her mind. She then nodded and asked nervously, "Can we ummm… share a room as well?"
Harry was surprised. "Are you sure? I'm a boy and you're a girl. Are you sure about that?" he asked.
"Yes, I am," Hermione replied. She felt oddly happy Harry said she was a girl. He wasn't just seeing her as there. He realized she's a girl!
"I'm not opposed to it… But is that a good idea?" Harry asked again in concern.
Hermione gave a warm smile. "The fact you are asking such questions oddly puts me more at ease with the idea,"
"Okay…" Harry started. "We can re-divide them if things get too complicated or uncomfortable," Harry said.
Hermione smiled and said, "This is true."
The two then combined their rooms. Harry was kind of blushing at the idea. Hermione was as well, but she really wanted this. She felt her magic seemed to be excited as well. Hermione really didn't get this, but she was drawn to this idea and Harry.
She wasn't complaining though. She felt good around Harry. He was her first friend. She felt even happier around him the longer they were in each other's company. Then there was the train ride. She really liked that, even with the interruptions. She hoped Harry felt the same way with her.
Harry was liking this idea and also terrified of it. Sure, they were really close to each other in the Warehouse, but that was different. This was different. He really liked it though. He felt as if this was part of the right thing to do.
He also wouldn't mind getting to see Hermione in the mornings before she got ready for the day. They had changing areas that were private from each other, so that wasn't something they would have to worry about. He knew he would have to get used to her and the other girls, since they were roommates anyways.
"Goodnight, Hermione," he said after he was in his pajama pants and shirt. It was different wearing it since he usually didn't wear a shirt to bed.
"Goodnight, Harry," Hermione replied blushing cutely. She was in a light blue colored and short-sleeved nightgown that ended just below her knees. It even had a pretty floral pattern along the top of it.
Both went to bed that night thinking how amazing and interesting Hogwarts was going to be. They were eager for Monday to come.