Draco sat in the Great Hall, surrounded by empty seats. He would have so few housemates this year. When McGonagall had proposed that he return to Hogwarts he had been uncertain. He knew most of the school would know what had occurred at the end of last year. Would they hate him or think he was weak? His pride bristled at the thought. But he had agreed to come to Hogwarts because he knew he would be lonely, and finally driven mad, left at HQ with only Order members as occasional and grudging company.

There were other perks to returning to school. His own suite, a position of authority and protection being the main perks. As an only child, ignored by his parents and with only one true friend, he had learnt to find peace in silence and enjoyment in his own company.

He had been surprised to learn Potter, the Weasel and, most importantly, Granger were not returning for their seventh year. He had always thought Granger too studious to miss even a single lesson and he had met Mrs Weasley and knew she could be frightening at times and would never allow one of her children to miss part of school unless there was an important reason. Whatever the Golden Trio were doing, it was vital to the war. Potter, the-boy-who-lived, the-boy-who-bloody-well-will-not-die; I hate him…he's so…good and pure. While I can definitely say I am not evil, I'm not, I repeat, not good or pure.

*

Finally, Draco had found peace and quiet away from the great crowd of gibbering baboons he called his peers. The Heads' suite looked perfect. The common room was off-white with a gold and silver stripe around the waist coating. The silver and gold, of course, were taken from the house colours. Several large, comfortable armchairs and sofas stood near the fireplace and large bookshelves, filled with interesting looking books lined the walls. Each Head student had a wooden desk that was equipped with parchment, ink and quills. The common room was a pleasant mix of Slytherin and Gryffindor colours, modern and antique and practical and elegant styles, suiting the two Head students perfectly.

Draco's bedroom was up the stairs to the left of the common room. In the centre of the room was a great mahogany four-poster bed with luscious forest green bedclothes and curtains and silver pillows, trimmings and ties. There was a large mahogany wardrobe and chest of drawers set and an ornate full-length gold mirror against the cream walls. Draco sank his toes into the plush, thick forest green carpet and turned towards the door in the right wall.

Opening the door Draco received a shock as he came face to face with the Weaselette.

"Oh," she said lamely. "I guess this leads to your room."

"I have to share a bathroom with you? I warn you, I'm not a morning person and I need a long time in the bathroom every morning before I'm ready for the day ahead."

"Good thing I only take a short time in the bathroom every morning, huh?" Ginny remarked.

"Now, I'm going back to my room. We should talk later about Hogsmeade trips and our other Head duties."

With this Draco Malfoy left the room feeling slightly off balanced but that the conversation had gone as well and briefly as expected.