The Hollow Beneath Hogwarts

82. Come Together

Sloane knocked quietly on the door and waited.

For a few seconds there was only the muffled sound of pages turning from inside.

Then came the familiar voice.

"Come in."

Hermione.

Sloane smiled to herself. She turned the brass knob and slipped into the bedroom, closing the door softly behind her. The sight waiting for her immediately made her smile wider.

Harry and Hermione were sprawled across the bed sideways, surrounded by textbooks, parchment, quills, and open notebooks.

The entire mattress had practically disappeared beneath piles of homework. Hermione had three different books open at once.

Harry appeared to be losing a fight with an essay. A crumpled piece of parchment sat abandoned on the floor beside him.

Another rested on his chest.

"You look comfortable," Sloane teased.

Harry glanced up. "We're dying."

"We're studying," Hermione corrected automatically.

"The same thing."

Hermione rolled her eyes. Only then did she seem to realise Sloane was standing awkwardly near the doorway. Not leaving. Waiting.

Her expression immediately softened.

"I was hoping you'd both be here." That caught Harry's attention. Sloane rarely sounded nervous. "I wanted to know if we could talk to you for a few minutes?"

Hermione closed her book slightly.

Harry lowered his quill.

Both exchanged a look.

"We?" Harry asked.

Sloane pointed over her shoulder. "Out in the common room."

Harry frowned. "There isn't anyone behind you."

"No."

"Draco?"

"Maybe."

Harry groaned.

Hermione laughed.

"How many people are waiting out there?"

Sloane's smile became suspiciously innocent. "...a few."

Hermione immediately became curious. "A few?"

Sloane clasped her hands together. "It'll only take a couple of minutes."

The fact she sounded ready to beg if necessary made Hermione even more curious. She immediately closed her textbook. "Sure."

Sloane visibly relaxed.

Harry noticed.

Whatever this was, she was genuinely worried they might refuse.

Hermione slid off the bed.

Harry followed.

The moment they entered the common room, Harry understood why. Draco and Theo were sitting side-by-side on one of the sofas near the fire.

Draco looked deeply uncomfortable.

Theo looked excited.

Those two things together rarely ended well.

Harry immediately became concerned.

Hermione became intrigued.

Very intrigued.