Hi again =) sorry it's short, I'm still getting into this one!
I don't have answers,
And neither do you,
But I know the pain of a heartbreak
(When a Heart Breaks, Ben Rector)
The feast began as all the others did; the sorting hat still sang the same song, the first years joined their houses with characteristic excitement, but to Hermione, the feast seemed bleak. Gryffindors around her chattered happily, helping themselves to food, and seemed oblivious to the witch, who was just pushing food around her plate. She looked up when McGonagall stood to make announcements, and directed the prefects to lead to students from the hall. Across the hall, she caught the eye of her blonde companion, who was shaking his head slightly, and eyeing the festivities with more than a little hostility. The two of them rose together, and began the trek from the hall to their new rooms.
When they arrived at the painting on the second floor that concealed their rooms, they both paused- neither knew the password. After a few moments of thought on her part, and glaring at the painting on his, Hermione had an idea.
"I think I read something about this, actually!" She tucked her curly hair behind her ears, and withdrew her wand. Muttering something that sounded Latin, she gave her wand a flick and then turned to face him.
"Touch the painting," she commanded. He opened his mouth to argue, but thought better of it. He jabbed a finger into the canvas, causing the figures within it to stir and titter angrily at him. She reached out and placed her palm flat against it for a moment, then withdrew her small hand.
"What do you want the password to be?" She asked. He shrugged noncommittally. Hermione shook her head, bemused – Malfoy was showing more restraint that usual. The angry boy she used to know would have suggested something rude, or hurtful; as long as it made his companion uncomfortable, he would be satisfied.
"Okay… it should be something others won't guess. How about 'agapanthus'?" She asked.
"What in Merlin's name is an 'agapanthus'?" Draco asked, flabbergasted.
"Oh. It's, um, it's a Muggle flower. They're quite lovely, in the summer…" Her companion just shook his head, muttered the password, and pushed into the chambers. She heard the door slam, and with a sigh, she followed suit, closing her door softly, and wishing they could have spoken more.
Hermione awoke suddenly, and for a moment in the dark, she was unsure what had roused her; after a few seconds though, she knew exactly what it was. Through the thin walls, she could hear her companion tossing and turning in his sleep, and shouting at the demons that still plagued him long after losing the war. Hermione placed her palm against the wall, and wished there was something she could do to help, then lay back down, knowing there wasn't.