Sorry for the long gap... Most of these characters aren't mine, but JK Rowling's I'm just playing with them! Hope you enjoy....
Upon entering the magnificent Great Hall after taking the eerily rattling coaches up to school with her train compartment companions, Hermione looked around searching the Ravenclaw table for her co-Head, Rhys. She noticed him about two-thirds of the way down talking animatedly to a small group of students in the seventh year and looked away quickly, not wanting the others to pick up on her glances and the slight rosy tinge to her cheeks. She was a little baffled as to why she wanted to notice him, and him her so much, but for some reason it mattered to her now.
She watched the first-year sorting excitedly, applauding loudly to any new student admitted to Gryffindor, clapping politely to the others. She was trying to memorise each young face that joined their table so that she could check the Prefects didn't leave any behind when showing them the way to the common room later. She was determined to show that she was worthy of the Head Girl title, and took it very seriously, she was planning on going up with them to the Gryffindor Tower herself to make sure they were all OK - she could remember how terrified (yet eager) she was on her first night in the castle before she would set out the to the Heads rooms for the night. She pushed this thought away as it made her nervous to think of living with someone (so handsome) that she didn't know. She admonished Ron and Harry for murmuring to each other about how to scare the first years, they seemed to have taken on Fred and George's roles as trouble makers when they left to hide her lack of concentration on Dumbledore's start of term speech.
Painstakingly long hours later Hermione found herself stepping through a portrait hole behind a painting of a seal splashing nears some rocks into the Heads rooms. Rhys was already there and it seemed he had been waiting for her. There was an awkward moment before they both mumbled a "hello" then Rhys went ahead "I found this note on the table when I got here and thought we could have a look round and talk about it now. Don't worry if you're too tired after the journey though..."
"N-no, of course, now's fine – sorry for keeping you." Hermione stuttered breathily out.
They took a hesitant step towards each other and he handed her the small square of parchment, brushing her hand with his fingers as he did so making Hermione shiver internally, wondering whether it was on purpose or not. After quickly glancing up at him and just as quickly back down she looked at the note and on it, Hermione found Dumbledore's curly script:
Dear Hermione and Rhys,
Firstly, I extend my congratulations on making the post.
I am sorry not to have spoken to you as Head Boy and Girl in person, but trust you have now both spoken to Professor McGonagall regarding your duties.
However, on a lighter note I hope you both enjoy the privilege of having these separate apartments and use them well to aid your passage in your last year here at Hogwarts.
You have separate bedrooms and bathrooms which both hold jinxes so you cannot enter the others without permission. You are now in the shared living quarters and off to the right of the fireplace you will notice another door. This leads to a small kitchenette should you desire snacks or drinks in your own time.
A house elf named Kolle will answer to either of you should you need.
Yours sincerely,
Professor Dumbledore.
PS – you are most welcome to re-decorate the apartments, I know the cream is dull but we did not want to inflict any house colours on you; Kolle will help when called.
Hermione hesitantly looked up into those chocolate eyes, which had been patiently waiting for her to finish reading.
"Do you have any decorating preferences?" Rhys asked with a undemanding grin.
Hermione smiled, still a little nervous "How about something neutral? Maybe a pale blue, violet and silver marble effect... If that is even possible?"
Rhys countered " I think I'd find it hard to concentrate with that many colours in here. How about that for the kitchen, but just one colour on one wall in here to keep it light and simple?"
Hermione blushed and agreed. "I've never given orders to a house elf before though."
"Don't worry, I'll call. Kolle!"
With a slight pop, a small creature wearing a pillowcase with a golden Hogwarts crest on appeared in front of them. It bowed and asked "What can I do for you masters?"
Hermione looked to Rhys for reassurance, who nodded. She said "We would like to redecorate this room and the kitchen and are requesting your help."
"Certainly Miss, how would you like it?"
Hermione realised they hadn't actually decided on a colour for this room yet so expressed her wishes for the kitchen to the elf and turned to Rhys whilst Kolle tottered through the door by the fireplace. They decided on a rustic reddy brown on the wall taken up largely by the fireplace to blend with the mahogany wood.
After telling Kolle that was all they needed from her, there came a slight pause in which Hermione offered to make them mugs of tea. Rhys agreed and they moved into the kitchen which was a lot larger than expected and seemed to hold anything and everything they would ever need there. Rhys found some biscuits and they sat down, the conversation slowly flowing more easily between them as the evening wore on. As the clock struck midnight, they both stopped mid-laugh and looked at each other as they realised they had to be up for lessons the next day. They decided to head at their rooms and bid each other a warm 'Goodnight'.
No sooner had Hermione closed the last cupboard after exploring every nook and cranny of the enormous bedroom and spacious bathroom there was a sharp knock at her door. She called "Come in!" and Rhys stuck his head round the door, and seeing she was decent ambled in in his pyjamas. "Hope you don't mind, I heard you were still up." He looked excited and quickly took a look round Hermione's rooms, both chattering about the luxury and space. Hermione excused herself for a moment, slipping into her bathroom to put on a silky nightie and gown as she had seen Rhys was already in his pyjamas and she thought it make may it more comfy. She re-emerged after quickly brushing her teeth and dragging a brush through her thick, curly hair. He put down her teddy he was holding and just stared for a moment before finding his composure and standing up slightly straighter.
Hermione giggled, thinking 'I've never been this confident around Harry and Ron' and proceeded to cross the room, planting herself on the huge princess bed with silvery silk sheets. She looked up at him and patted the bed beside her lightly. He sank down onto the soft duvet, lounging back onto her pillows still watching Hermione. She started to feel a little self-conscious and wrapped her gown more tightly to her already warm body. He noticed was looked a little uncomfortable and started up a light chatter interspersed with his easy laughs until she relaxed in his presence. He edged toward her a little, so she was again looking up into his soulful dark eyes which were now glittering in the soft candlelight and suggested they play 'Truth'.
Hermione was struggling to breathe normally at this point, with so many conflicting thoughts running through her head. The first, being that close to him in this situation had brought up an irrational desire in her to close the gap between them and kiss his dark plump lips. After this a thought that this evening could get quite personal if she agreed to the game, but she didn't want to push him away and was quite enjoying the strengthening tension between them. The other half of her brain was yelling 'It must be nearly 2am, it's time to sleep!'
The pause she left must have been longer than she intended as Rhys looked at her gouging her reaction, he leaned forward, bringing those lips even closer to her face, his musky scent now sweeping across her making her even more incapable of speech and asked huskily "Have you ever had relations with anyone here?"
I know you may not want to, but please review – even one or two words as it encourages me to carry on with the story. Sorry for the rather long introduction it may seem but it will get better – although suggestions are welcome!