Pretty in Pink
Chapter 3
Hermione woke the next day feeling great. She sat up in her bed and looked around. Her room had a beautiful vanity, a cherry wood desk and chair complete with matching bedside tables.
She climbed out of bed and went to the wardrobe that had its own space. She grabbed her undergarments and her black leggings and a thin oversized sweater. She went to the bathroom to shower. She was in awe of it. There was a giant claw foot bath tub, a shower with jets all around and above and a large basin with plenty of counter space.
She turned the shower on to warm and stepped in. She showered quickly, wanting to go see what the library was like. She got out, dried and dressed, putting her hair into a messy bun. She slipped into her flats and walked downstairs. When she got to the bottom, the smell of food and coffee hit her. She looked to see Draco there, two plates in front of him.
"Morning. I thought you'd like breakfast before you lock yourself in the library today." Draco smirked, pouring himself a cup of coffee.
"That's not what I was going to do." Hermione retaliated. "Okay, fine, I was." She finally said seeing the look on Draco's face.
"I made a few things, not knowing what you'd want today." He waved his hand across the small island bar.
"Thank you. Is there enough coffee for me a cup?" Hermione sat on one stool and began to fill her plate with pancakes and bacon.
"There is." Draco handed her a mug to add her cream and sugar.
"Thank you. This was nice of you to do."
Draco shrugged. "I figured why not use the kitchen on a weekend. Besides, we need to get to know each other if we're going to be living together all year." He sat himself beside her and began to eat.
Hermione nodded. "I agree. Just know that I'm not opening up to you quickly. Not after the last six years. I agree we need to promote house unity and who better to do that than a muggle born and a pureblood who was raised to despise me."
Draco felt a pang. "Understandable." He took a sip of his coffee. "So, what kind of reading material do you like?"
"Muggle or magic?"
"Muggle."
"All the old literature. Shakespeare being a favorite, followed by Charlotte Bronte."
"Shakespeare is good. I've read a few of his works. Don't give me that look. Buried deep in the dark crevaces of Malfoy Manor library is my great grandmother's Muggle literature collection. I stumbled upon it one day and became intrigued."
Hermione was slightly impressed. "I haven't been able to read all of them. Our library back home is scarce of anything worth reading. That's why I love the library here. I can indulge in my favorite hobby and learn something new."
"Bookworm." Draco mumbled.
Hermione had finished her food and before she got up to clean bet dishes, they were magically taken away. She finished her coffee and excused herself to the dorm's library. She fell in love instantly. There was a quaint little area with a fireplace and two lounges to read at with windows on each side that overlooked the grounds.
She browsed the shelves, finding books she's already read in the schools library, even some more advanced from the restricted section. She walked a little further and found a section of Muggle literature. She ran her fingers over the spines, carefully reading the titles. She stopped on Pride and Prejudice. She opened the cover to find it was the first edition.
She flipped through the pages carefully and sat on the lounge and began to read.
Draco cleaned the kitchen area with a swipe of his wand. He sat in front of the fireplace, the witch in the library on his mind. He was happy she agreed they needed to be friendly. Draco was so caught up in thinking when a voice clearing it's throat made him jump.
"Excuse me, Mr. Malfoy, for interrupting your thinking, but there is a Blaise Zabini outside the door for you." Rowena Ravenclaw said, bowing.
"Thank you." He said, nodding his head back to her.
He walked to the portrait hole and opened to see, in fact, Blaise Zabini, standing there.
"And why don't I have the password to get in?" Blaise said, walking past Draco and into the common room.
Draco rolled his eyes. "Hello to you too. And we just set it last night. We haven't discussed who should have it yet."
"You have to actually ask the Mudblood who gets the password?" Blaise scoffed as he sat in the arm chair.
"McGonagall's rule. This is the Head's dorm and not everyone can come in. And let's refrain from using that word." Draco said, stretching out on the couch.
Blaise gave him a questioning look. "Caring for her feelings, are we?"
"It's a new year, Blaise. Times are changing. It's time to change with them."
"Whatever. I came to see if you were going to hold Quidditch tryouts this year. Everyone's been asking, even a few girls, although I don't think they should play."
Draco was quickly getting agitated at Blaise. "More thank likely. I don't see why some of the girls can't try out. I know Astoria can play after all the games over the summers we'd play."
"Draco, come on. Girls can't play Quidditch."
Before Draco could say anything, the doors to the library opened to reveal Hermione walking out with a book in her arms.
"Well, the lovely little bookworm Grace's us with her presence." Blaise said, smirking at her.
"Zabini." Hermione gave him a nod. "Draco, I just received an owl from McGonagall. She'd like to see us in her office in an hour."
Draco nodded. "I'll see you later, Blaise. I'll come by the common room later to announce tryouts."
With that, Draco dismissed Blaise. Draco went to his room to grab his robes and then waited in the common area for Hermione. She came down ten minutes later, her hair more presentable and her robes around her shoulders.
"Ready?" She asked. Draco nodded. He opened the door for her and they headed for McGonagall's office.
"So, who should we give the password to? Blaise made the comment earlier about not having it."
"I heard. Honestly, I won't give the password to anyone. You can give it to whoever." She said, keeping her eyes forward as she walked.
"Don't want Potter having it?"
"Not really. He's a friend, but a friend who irkes the nerves a little. The only one I'd probably give it to would be Tonks."
"McGonagall's apprentice? Why her?" Draco questioned.
"She's a friend. Someone I can rely on when I need to talk." Hermione walked quietly after that.
Before long, they were standing in the entryway on the other side of the stone gargoyle that lead to the Headmistress office.
"Ah, come in. Have a seat." She waited for the students to be seated before she spoke.
"Now, as you know, Halloween is soon. I'd like for the two of you to plan a sort of party for the older students. Fifth year and up may stay up into the midnight hour. Younger students may attend and be let go at 8pm. To take the edge off of the past years war. It will be the first of three. The other two will be on New Year's for those who will be remaining here for the holidays and the last at the end of the year for those who are graduating and leaving Hogwarts. I expect each to be planned to the high. I want the students to enjoy themselves this year. I'd like for the two of you to help the staff keep an eye on students but also enjoy yourselves."
McGonagall looked at Hermione and Draco over her spectacles. She could see how the war affected each of them. She could see the changes in the young Malfoy and how Hermione had grown into a brilliant witch.
"We can do that, professor. When do you need the plans for each?" Draco said, slightly surprising her.
"I would like them a week in advanced. To give everyone time to prepare. Also, have the two of you come up with a password for the dorms? It's policy that Headmistress has them at all times in case of emergency."
"Yes ma'am. We've decided to change it every month. We will each take turns choosing. I've chosen "Unity" for the month." Hermione replied.
"Very well. When the password changes, I'd like the courtesy of being informed."
"Yes, professor." They both replied.
"Very good. You are dismissed."
Hermione and Draco stood and left. They walked in silence back to the dormitory. Once back, Hermione went to retrieve her book and left for the lake. She wanted to be outside and reading.
Draco went to the Slytherin dungeons to announce tryouts.
A/N: Well, chapter 3. Sorry it's been awhile. Between work, being mom and wife, and having writer's block, it's hard to stay on top. Hope you're enjoying the story so far. Your reviews keeps the story going!