A/N Leah: Your wish is my command :)
I know my chapters aren't that long, maybe they will get longer, I don't know. But I'll try to keep them frequent. :)
Chapter 2 - Uncertainties
He stared at Hermione, processing everything Professor McGonagall had just told them. This was either the best of worst news of his life. He was sharing a dormitory, and table at lessons, with the girl he had spent the last seven years tormenting. This was his chance to prove he had changed, that was, if he managed not to royally mess it up.
"So" he said cautiously.
"So" she repeated, eyeing him curiously.
"Er, um... Which, er, bedroom would, er, you like?" He finally managed to finish. To his surprise, Hermione laughed.
"Which bedroom would I like? When have you ever cared about anyone other than yourself Malfoy?" She asked him, still laughing. She started to say something else, but was hit by another wave of laughter and stopped.
"I was trying to be nice Granger," he practically spat at her. "If it's all the same to you, I'll take the bedroom on the right."
He stalked into the bedroom on the right, which was now his bedroom, bringing his trunk with him. As much as he regretted snapping at her, she had hit a nerve. He knew that he had deserved it, and probably worse from her, but she did not know what he had been through in the past few months. How could she? He immediately groaned, so much for a good first impression, he thought bitterly.
He decided to try and occupy his mind by unpacking. He put his clothes in the closet, his books on the table with his bag, parchment, quills, and ink. He looked at the bedside table and shelf, for most people, these would be places to put pictures and knick knacks from home. He, however, did not want to be reminded of home. He sighed, and flopped onto his bed.
His room was decorated much the same as the common room. Each wall a different house colour, and white furniture. They really want to promote House Unity, he thought, well, after what had happened last year, he could fully understand why.
He heard a faint knock, too far away to be on his door. Was someone knocking on Hermione's door?he wondered. No, we're the only two here right now, he decided. He cautiously exited his room to find house elves in the common room.
'We are bringing food to you by order of the Headmistress!" one of the elves squeaked, as all the elves started laying down all sorts of food on the table. "We be being back later to collect the dishes!" another elf say, voice not quite as high as the first.
"Right, er, thanks" he told them.
They all bowed and scurried off.
"Granger! Food's here!" He bellowed, hoping she would hear him.
"Be there in a minute!" She called back.
He sat down on the couch and waited for her to arrive. After what was probably very close to a minute, knowing Hermione, she came out of her room. She was no longer in school robes though, she had changed into her pajamas. Her hair was wet, meaning she had also showered. He could not help but noticed how the water in her hair was dripping onto her shirt. Without it's bushiness, her hair looked, well, sexy. As his eyes travelled up to her face, he noticed that her eyes were slightly red, she had been crying. By the looks of it, she had also tried to cover up the fact that she had been crying, though not altogether successfully.
"You waited for me." She looked quite startled by this fact. She was probably used to Ron, who would stuff his face whenever food was in sight, not caring if he offended anyone.
"Well, when you have parents like mine, you learn to wait" he laughed bitterly. His parents were very strict when it came to manners. He recalled all the punishments he had received when he had not behaved up to their standards, which was always, because he never lived up to their standards.
She simply nodded at this, his parents were probably quite a sore subject for her. She sat down, and for a while, they ate in silence. The food, as always, was delicious, and Draco spent the whole time plucking up the courage to speak again. After he finished the last of his main course, he put his fork down.
"Do you think we will really be able to do this whole House Unity thing?" He asked her. He was slightly nervous, though McGonagall was right, if they could become friends, it really would set an example for House Unity. But the question was, could they do it?
"I don't know, Malfoy" she sighed "I mean, I want to set a good example for the rest of the school, but we hate each other. You tormented me throughout all of school. You persecuted me and my friends in the war. You hate muggle-borns and I am one! I mean, I understand what Professor McGonagall was saying by if we could get along, anyone could get along, but it seems like it's a bit 'if' to me." She sighed again.
He stayed silent for a few minutes, letting her words sink in, not really sure on how to respond.
"I'm sorry Granger." He said simply. "I know that sorry cannot take back the things I said to you, or any of my previous actions, but I'm sorry." He put his head in his hands and sighed. When he finally looked up, she was still looking at him, as if not sure how to react.
"Do you hate me Granger?" he asked. She had said they hated each other, assuming he still hated her. He knew she had good reason to assume that, and that only hurt him more.
"I don't know, Malfoy" she sighed again.
"Is that your phrase of the evening?" he smirked, trying to lighten the mood a bit.
She smiled.
"I don't know, Malfoy" she laughed
Thanks for reading!
Always,
Shan :)
