"Welcome all first years." Dumbledore bellowed.

"First, a few pressing matters." A small twinkle appeared in his eyes as he continued talking.

"I'd like to begin by announcing our head boy and head girl. Ms. Hermione Granger of Gryffindor, and Mr. Draco Malfoy of Slytherin." There was a mix of applause and boos as Hermione and Draco both courteously stood up and quickly sat back down.

"I hope you will respect the Heads as different as they may be. And of course Mr. Filch would like me to remind all first years that the forbidden forest is off limits. Now enough of the speeches lets eat." Dumbledore declared, snapping his fingers as the food appeared on the tables. Gasps were heard from first years that had never seen anything like this before.

"Like it surprises me that Malfoy got Head Boy." Ron mumbled, his mouth already full with food. Hermione nodded, picking at the food on her plate.

"What's wrong 'Mione? Not hungry?" Harry asked. Hermione shook her head.

"Just tired I guess." She replied briefly.

"Ms. Granger, would you come with me please?" Hermione slowly turned around recognizing the voice of the head of her house. Professor McGonagall. Hermione slowly nodded and stood up.

"See you guys in the common room later." Hermione said, waving at Harry, while Ron simply nodded mouth still full with food.

"What's this about Professor?" Hermione asked following McGonagall out of the Great Hall.

"Have patience Ms. Granger. All will be revealed in due time." Hermione nodded and continued following McGonagall until she noticed Draco standing in the hall.

"Mr. Malfoy, glad to see you're on time." Draco nodded, glaring at Hermione.
"Now as you two both well know, there has been something of a war between Gryffindor and Slytherin. The Headmaster plans on changing this feud by having you two share a room in hopes you two will work out your differences thereby setting an example for the others."

"What!" Hermione let out before she could help herself.

"Please calm down Ms. Granger. You will simply be sharing a common room. You will both have your own rooms." Hermione nodded, her face flushing at her reaction. Draco's eyes turned cold as he shot daggers at Hermione. She knew he was holding back a few choice words in front of McGonagall.

"Now, if you two will follow me I'll show you where your rooms are."
It seemed to take an eternity to get to the common room, but they finally approached a large painting of a knight in armor sitting atop a tall black horse.

"Your password for now will be balderdash. Feel free to change it at anytime. You both will have to be present to change it." Draco and Hermione both nodded.

"Your bags are already in your rooms along with a schedule of what corridors you need to watch and when. I suggest you both get some sleep." McGonagall concluded walking away. Draco turned to the portrait.

"Balderdash." The knight lazily looked at him before swinging open. The common room was decorated in colors of silver and scarlet. The walls were lined with shelves of books and a large fireplace lit the room. A large couch sat in the middle of the room, along with two dark oak desks covered with pieces of parchment, quills and ink. Draco quickly stepped inside leaving Hermione in the hallway gazing at the room. He gazed around the room for a moment before turning his attention back to Hermione.

"What's the matter Granger? Never seen such a fancy room before?" Hermione stepped into the room and immediately felt the warmth from the fireplace on her cold body.

"Look ferret, if we have to share a common room than we can at least act decently." Draco's eyes narrowed.

"Act decent to a mud-blood? Over my dead body." Hermione scoffed and shook her head.

"Now Granger, please resist the temptation to enter my room, I don't want you to get my things filthy."

"I wouldn't touch your things with a ten-foot pole." Hermione spat over her shoulder, as she walked to a dark oak door. She gazed at the door a moment. Engraved in her door was her name.
'Hermione Jane Granger'
She slowly pushed open the door and stepped inside, closing the door behind her. She gasped at what she saw.

The room looked identical to hers at home, only slightly larger. The walls were a vanilla color, which could be barely seen through the layer of posters and pictures hung up; Pictures from the Yule Ball, the world Quidditch Cup and any other time that someone had thought to bring a camera with them. Hermione smiled at the memories she was surrounded by and for a moment forgot that she was sharing a common room with none other than Draco Malfoy.

She walked around the room; In place of her twin bed at home was a large king sized canopy bed, outfitted in Gryffindor colors. Besides the presence of the overly large bed, everything down to the last book she owned was in this room. She finally walked over to her truck at the foot of her bed and began unpacking.
After she finished unpacking, she slowly changed into a pair of pajamas and lowered herself into the plush bed. Sighing she let herself sink into the pillows and closed her eyes.