Chapter 4: Old Habits
After dinner finished in the Great Hall, all the students started heading back to their common rooms to get ready for bed. 'I'm off to find Tate, I'll see you back in the dorm' Fleur whispered to Hermione as the crowd left the entrance of the hall. Fleur pushed through the crowd while searching for Tate. 'Tate' she called. Just as she tripped on her robe, Fleur fell on the steps of the hall. A hand shortly appeared. 'Need a hand up?' asked a familiar voice. As Fleur looked up she saw Tate. 'Thanks' she replied. She brushed her robes and stood up straight. 'How do you like your new house?' Fleur asked with a questioning look. 'Their good, I guess. Kinda sucks that I can't be in the same as you' Tate replied. 'Well, you're a pureblood and you have a Slytherin spirit. You'll still have classes with us and we'll still associate with you even though your not a Gryffindor.' Tate looked relieved. 'Uh, Fleur' Tate said embarrassingly. Fleur looked him square in the eyes. 'Yes Tate?' Tate looked at his feet then back up at Fleur. 'I was …err… wondering...if umm you could take me to my common room?' asked Tate. She giggled and started leading him down towards the dungeons.
As they were passing a few empty classrooms, Fleur noticed Draco up ahead. Her pace got faster. As she reached closer she called 'Malfoy'. He quickly turned to face her. 'Yes Delacour?' She stopped as they were a foot apart. 'I was hoping you'd be able to take Tate to the common room since I can't remember the way' Fleur asked. Draco looked sussily at Fleur then smirked. 'I will on a condition' Draco questioned. Fleur looked at Tate then back at Draco. 'What condition would that be Malfoy? He stayed silent for a moment then replied, 'That you come along with us, don't want your friend here being to nervous of my particular presence' Fleur laughed. 'Fleur you don't have to. Hermione is waiting for you back at Gryffindor tower' Tate spoke. He didn't want to make Fleur go out of his way just for him. 'Nah it's cool Tate I'll take you' Fleur smiled sweetly. Draco looked questioningly at Fleur but said nothing. 'So err, Malfoy. What year are you doing?' Tate asked, breaking an unusual silence. Draco looked at Tate. 'I'm doing sixth year with Fleur' Draco replied. Fleur noticed that Draco called her Fleur instead of Delacour. She smiled to herself and thought I wonder what Draco is thinking right now, if he noticed he called me Fleur instead of Delacour. 'Fleur, I'm curious, you're a pureblood like Malfoy and I. How come you're in Gryffindor and not Slytherin?' Tate asked. 'Coz she'd prefer to be with Potter then people like herself' Draco snapped. 'Shut up Malfoy it's nothing like that. Tate, the sorting hat had thought hard and asked which one I'd prefer. I chose Gryffindor because of my bravery' Fleur replied. The lights in the hallway started to dimmer as they approached the dungeons. Tate noticed that Draco was harsh to Fleur when it came to her friends but always thought it was unusual that he kept glancing at her, every once in a while. 'Well, here's your common room. I'll be off now' Fleur responded as she noticed the staircase heading to the Slytherin common room. 'What class do you have first?' asked Draco. She looked at him trying not to giggle. 'I've got double Herbology then double Potions' she replied. 'I've got Potions with you' Tate replied. 'I'll bring you to Potions. That alright with you Delacour? Don't want him getting lost' Malfoy replied. Fleur nodded. She waved goodbye and started heading towards the Gryffindor tower. Tate and Draco made their way up to their dorm room since they were now sharing. As they entered, you could here Crabbe and Goyle snoring.