Chapter 2: The Castle
Harry and Hermione walked into Hogwarts. Sighs of relief that it looks exactly like I did before the battle. The Great Hall was alive with excitement but Hermione noticed something odd
"Harry look over there. The Slytherin table is less than 1/2 full."
"Maybe most of them were to embarrassed to show their faces. "
"Maybe but-"
"Everyone please take your seats." Headmistress McGonagall spoke with the same twinkle in her eye that Dumbledore was famous for.
" Now to start things off, I will be taking over as headmistress of Hogwarts. We are so glad most of you could return back for this new year" at that moment her and everyone glanced quickly at the Slytherin table. "Now the rules..."
"Harry, do you notice that none of the Slytherins from our year are at the table? Also that Professor Slughorn is missing?"
"Honestly Hermione I highly doubt any of them will show up. Plus Slughorn could just be running late. "
"But I still think it's quite odd" On that Hermione swore she caught a glimpse of blonde hair in the entranceway of The Great Hall.
"One last thing students," Hermione turned back her attention to McGonagall. " Many of you have noticed some familiar faces at your tables. The student whose education was interrupted last year had the option to come back and finish classes and exams appropriately. But due to the the possibility of overwhelming and crowding the dorms, those students will be sharing a new dorm."
McGonagall looked over at all the confused faces. "These students will still represent their house and will wear the appropriate uniforms, but will live in unity with the other houses. After everything you have been through, I'm sure this wouldn't be too difficult of a task. "
From that statement she saw many bewildered looks but many nods of agreement.
"What about Slytherin?" Someone from Hufflepuff shouted.
"There are a few Slytherins who have returned. They will be coming in with Professor Slughorn."
"But what about the ones from deatheater families?!"
"I assure you that any student returning has promised that they will be on their best behavior. Our goal will always be to keep Hogwarts safe. " McGonagall looked at the time. "Alright time for everyone to head to their dorms. Returning 7th years follow me. "
"Alright students here we go." McGonagall stood at the entrance of the painting guarding the door. "Regressus!" On that the painting swung open revealing the new common room they all will be sharing. "Now everyone please remember this password."
Hermione was mesmerized by everything, including the beautiful marble fireplace and the large bookshelves overflowing with books. There were black leather chairs by the fireplace and a mix of brown leather couches, and wooden tables and chairs spread throughout. To the left were the girls dorms, to the right the boys. Hanging from the vaulted ceiling were all the house banners.
She recognized almost everyone from over the years including Seamus, Neville, Lavender, and Dean from her house, along with a few others from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw.
She turned around to see Harry having a chat with Susan and Neville and wandered over.
"Hi guys, Godric this common room is amazing."
"Hey Hermione" Neville said with a toothy smile. "Maybe they felt bad after everything and decided we deserved an upgrade. How's Ron doing? You two looked cozy after the war."
"Ummm well thanks for asking." She chewed her lip, hating being put on the spot. " Well um..."
"Her and Ron and taking a little break to figure each other out."
"Oh blimey I'm so sorry Hermione." Susan said as she elbowed Neville in the ribs. The Hufflepuff girl then gave a shy smile to Hermione.
"Its okay, I just need to figure out myself without the stresses of a Wizarding war."
Just then the door to the common room opened and in walked about 7 Slytherins. Hermione instantly recognized Blaise Zambini, Theo Knott, and Pansy Parkinson. Everyone stood silent as they awkwardly walked in.
"Damn I knew I got good lookin over the summer but you don't have to bloody gawk." Theo said, winking and severing the silence.
There was then a gasp when the prince of Slytherin himself walking in behind everyone. Looking pale and almost sickly, like he hasn't slept in months. But still tall and brooding, a flash of angst in his silver eyes..
"What the hell do you think you're doing here? We don't want any death eaters in our dorm." Neville spoke, try to give off a domineering stance.
"Fuck off Longbottom." Said Zambini standing between Neville and Draco.
"Don't tell me to fuck off. I have the right not to sleep with one eye open."
"Yeah well you don't know what he has been through and he has just as much right to be here."
"Poor rich privileged Malloy got tired of hiding behind his mum and dads money."
"Everyone just shut up!" Everyone turned toward Draco whose eyes were in angry slits. "Everyone fuck off and leave me be or I swear to Salazar I will curse every one of you." He then pushed past Blaise and Neville and stormed up to the dorm. Pansy chased after him
"He didn't seem well." Whispered Harry.
"Fuck off Potter. Like I said, you have no fucking idea what he's been going through. What any of us have!."
"Other than trying to kill Dumbledore and becoming a deatheater?!"
"For the 'Chose One' you really have no bloody idea what life is like for other people. We don't want to be stuck with you as much as you don't want to be near us. But here we are so you lot better learn some fucking manners."
Blaise was clenching his wand like he was ready for a fight. But then the anger in his dark eyes turned to sadness and he shook his head and followed up the stairs. Turning and muttering a "Fuck off." before disappearing.
"Well that was intense" Lavender mumbled along with a nervous giggle. "Hermione let's say you and I go check out our rooms. I think we're dorming together."
Hermione rolled her eyes and mouthed "Help" to Harry as Lavender dragged her up the stairs.
Once upstairs Hermione unpacked everything and put it away neatly. The complete opposite of her new roommate who had everything thrown everywhere.
For some reason she couldn't get over the look in Malfoy's eyes. Before he stormed off he looked defeated and depressed, very unlike the cocky Slytherin she once knew. She knew he didn't actually try to kill Dumbledore and that he was forced into that situation. But the way he treated her all those years..
She shuttered at the thought of him calling her a mudblood. Rolling up her sleeve she saw the faint scar that Bellatrix carved into her skin. Done at the same house Malloy grew up in. The same house where he didn't kill her even though his father and aunt were trying to force him to.
Draco was laying on his bed, fighting a migraine and listening to his roommate and fellow Slytherin, Theo, talking about girls with Blaise.
"Damn the war did the mudblood Granger good, eh?" joked Theo
"Right mate, my father would be rolling around in his grave if I tapped that." laughed Blaise. "What about Pansey? Does Draco plan on snogging her all year again?"
"Fuck off man, she's so annoying. All I use her for is a good snog when I need it. But you seemed to be quite close to Greengrass all summer. Bloody hell I barely got to see you without her attached to your mouth." Draco smirked.
"Hey man don't try to change the subject."
"Well going back to that mudblood. " Theo said between bites of his chocolate frog. "Draco did you see her just staring at you? Almost like she was better than your pureblood self."
"Nah I think that she was just as surprised as anyone that he showed himself. Hell I was even doubting you would come."
"Well it was either here or in the hell my mother created." Sighed Draco. "But I think I ought to sleep soon... do you mind."
"Oh fuck off Draco, Theo and I will just go to my dorm. Enjoy your pity party." Blaise said as him and Theo quickly grabbed their things and left. Leaving him alone to his thoughts
"Why did she stare at me like that? Draco mumbled to himself.
From here this story should pick up a little. This is my first time so sorry if its a little slow.