Hermione's first night in her new Head room was not what she accepted. She expected to unpack and setup her room, maybe read a book and then fall asleep in her big comfortable bed. Well so far she had unpacked and had setup her room and did read a little bit. But she just couldn't fall asleep. Yes her bed was very comfortable much more so than her old one in Gryffindor tower. But she just couldn't sleep! Instead her thoughts were occupied by none other than Malfoy!
She just couldn't get it out of her head how much he had changed. She wondered what brought on this change. With Voldermort back and the war growing ever closer she never expected Malfoy of all people to change and if he did defiantly not like this. She was determined to find out what happened and why he was suddenly the student who wanted to blend into the background, when malfoy has always been at the center of everything, and why his eyes held so much sadness. She fell into a restless sleep trying to figure out how to help malfoy.
Meanwhile Malfoy did not sleep at all and when he did drift into a sub-conscious sleep, it was only to wake minutes later panting and sweating from nightmares. Eventually he gave up as he usually did and tried to read but gave up only pacing deep in thought. Toward morning he got a change of clothes and quietly went into the shared bathroom to shower. He stood under the blistering hot water for a while trying to get all the horrible memories from his summer. After a few minutes he washed and got out, dried off and dressed.
Hermione woke feeling not so rested, grabbed a quick shower, dressed in her Hogwarts uniform and went into the common room. That's where she found Malfoy; he was sitting on the couch dressed for the day with his bag. She checked the clock to make sure she had the right time. Yes it was. There was still a good 20 minutes before breakfast would start. She wondered why he was up so early. Not wanting to disturb him she went into the kitchen to make some toast, she wasn't going to go down to breakfast till she had to meet Ron and Harry for class; she was going to head to the library first.
"Mafloy" she said slowly trying to pull him from his thoughts. it took a moment but when he looked at her she once again saw the pain in his eyes.
"Do you want some toast and jam?" she asked holding out a plate to him.
He nodded slowly and took the plate. She smiled, and went to grab her plate. She sat down beside him and they started to eat in silence. After a couple of minutes she started chatting about her summer and the year ahead. When they finished she took their plates to the kitchen and cleaned them.
"I'm heading to the library, I'll see you later and we'll work out Heads duties?" she asks getting her bag and cloke.
"Sure" he replied simply.
"Ok see you then" she says exiting through the portrait.
After a quick trip to the library to check out a book shed been meaning to read. Then she hurried to the great hall to meet Ron and Harry. She found them quickly at their usual place at the table.
"Hey 'mione, where have you been." Harry asked when she sat down.
"Don't tell me you've already been to the library!" Ron said spitting food on his plate. "School hasn't even started!"
"I needed a book Ronald!" She says defensively. "And don't talk with your mouthful!" She's scolded pulling Harry's plate further away from Ron.
"Sorry" he mumbles swallowing his last bit of food.
"Here's your schedule 'mione, we've got double potions and transfiguration then lunch and double DADA" Harry says handing her the paper.
"Oh! And I found out who our new DADA professor is!" he continues quickly "its Lupin, last night was a full moon that's why he wasn't at the feast."
"Oh! That's wonderful Harry! I was hoping we would have a good teacher this year and he's the best!" She says excitedly.
"So how's sharing a dorm with Malfoy? did he give you a hard time? We will deal with him if he does." Ron said glancing over at the Slytherin table not seeing Malfoy there. "Where is the git anyway?"
"Dunno he was in the common room when i left." She replies shrugging, looking around the great hall.
"'Mione you promise to let us know if hes bothering you right?" Harry asks looking at her closely.
"Sure, and i can take care of myself you know." She says nibbling on a piece of Harry's toast.
Hermione decided not to tell them about Mafloys changed attitude. She figured they'd see it for themselves soon enough and for some reason she just didn't want to talk about Malfoy with Harry and Ron.
After a few more minutes of light conversation they left for their first class double potions. The class went by pretty smooth; Snape insulted everyone he could as usual. Malfoy however didn't say a word, he did his assignments with talking and Hermione noticed that he didn't really interact with the Slytherins or join in in their jokes or tricks against the other students. The Slytherins certainly hadn't changed at all.
The rest of the day went by as usual. Hermione and the rest of the Gryffindor's were all especially excited to have Lupin back as their teacher, and made sure to let him know.
By the time she made it back to the common room after a quick dinner she was tired but defiantly happy to be back at school.
Malfoy was already there waiting for her when she walked in. He was sitting on the couch in practically the same spot she had left him this morning. If she hadn't seen him in class today she would've thought that he hadn't moved. He had his homework and some books spread out around him and on the table in front of him. He moved some of the papers to the side without saying a word when she walked over, so she could sit.
She pulled out her homework and started on it as well. After a couple of hours of working on their homework in a comfortable silence, Hermione put her finished essays and notes away and stacked her books together.
"I'm going to go get some more parchment and put my things away are you almost done? I thought we should get started on our Head duties." She says breaking the silence between them.
Malfoy looked almost startled, almost like he had forgotten she was there. He quickly recovered replying "Sure, almost done."
Once she got her extra parchment and grabbed a fresh quill she sat back done in her spot. She started making notes on the parchment waiting for Malfoy to finish.
About 5 minutes later he settled his papers to the side and moved his books. They started making schedules for the prefects for patrolling duty, as well as their own schedules. Malfoy didn't talk much just mostly nodded to Hermiones ideas, making a small comment here and there. It only took about 45 minutes to complete their lists.
"Done!" Hermione exclaimed, putting the top on her ink bottle. She turned to Malfoy, they came face to face. Her eyes widened, she could feel his soft breath on her face. She hadn't noticed that he was leaning so close to look at the lists. He realized and leaned back.
Biting her lip Hermione thought now or never to ask him about his change.
"Uh Malfoy?" she starts. He looks up at her waiting for her to continue. Taking a breath she starts again "umm… did something happen? I mean you've… sort of changed…" she says trailing off.
She continues to look at him watching the emotions play over his features. She saw hints or anger, fear, pain and mostly sadness. He was quiet for along time.
"I know its none of my business you don't have to tell me, I was just curious why you weren't so….." she trails off again realizing she had been about to say "mean". She looks up at him when she sees a small smile grace his lips.
"Arrogant? Rude? Annoying? Why I'm not such a pathetic arse hole this year?" he finishes for her softly looking up at her.
"I'm sorry; it's just… are you ok?" She says letting out the breath she didn't realize she was holding.
"I'm fine Granger, I just ….. I had a rough summer." He finishes finally, with the same sadness in his eyes. "I'm going to bed, see you tomorrow." He says after a few moments of silence. He rose and went to his bedroom closing the door softly behind him.
Hermione put away her things and went to her room as well. While getting ready for bed she thought of how she could get Malfoy to trust her, to open up to her. She was worried about him.