Trick or Treat

The Head Boy and Girl suites at Hogwarts were arguably some of the best rooms in the castle. It was certainly the most luxurious and Draco Malfoy felt right at home as he sank into the dark blue cushions of the plush couch that was situated before an intricately carved fireplace. A mahogany coffee table with matching carvings held an ice cold glass of pumpkin juice. The rest of the Head's common room consisted of two tan armchairs, soft white throw rugs tossed across the hardwood floors, ceiling to floor bookcases and a large round table with several chairs for studying with friends. Two spiral staircases led up to their respective bedrooms, with a shared bathroom between them.

Draco reflected that the Head's accommodations were actually better than the ones he had at Malfoy Manor, but that was only because his parents were absent. His mum and dad had been overbearing since the second war came to an end and frankly, he was getting sick of all their coddling. The need to escape became more and more overwhelming as time passed, so when McGonagall had written to ask if he would like to repeat his seventh year, Draco had jumped at the opportunity. The offer of the Head Boy position was a surprising, but welcome addition. He knew that he wasn't the Headmistress' first choice (her precious Potter decided not to return), but it was better than the alternative.

Draco had no idea what kind of reception he would receive in Slytherin House. His parents had defected from the Dark Lord and the elite Pure-bloods would neither forgive or forget that transgression. Draco had gotten his answer during this year's welcoming feast. Very few Slytherins in his age group had decided to return, but the few who did wasted no time in letting him know exactly where he stood. Draco might have been amused by their attempts to imitate a Basilisk, but somehow, knowing that those glares were directed at him, took all the fun out of it. The stares and whispered promised retribution. Being murdered in his sleep had never been high up on his list of priorities.

It only made him appreciate his own room that much more. Draco didn't even mind sharing the accommodations with the current Head Girl. Hermione Granger; Gryffindor, feisty, scarily intelligent and a Muggleborn. Draco should hate her. He had hated her, but the war had changed him. He had no desire to live through another Dark Lord. Though few and far between, there were some Pure-bloods that, like him, realised change was necessary if they wanted to avoid dark times in the future. Changing his views was no picnic; it was the hardest thing that Draco had done in his eighteen years, but it was happening. Though she didn't know it, Hermione was a big part of his progress.

It happened during the summer months. To escape the manor, Draco volunteered to help with the repairs in the castle. He was the only Slytherin from his year group to do so, so the Headmistress had paired him with Hermione, trusting that her star pupil could keep him in line. Draco had been expecting distain, arguments and maybe even a curse or two. A small part of him even welcomed it. Maybe then he would stop feeling guilty for standing still while she was tortured by his aunt. More than anything, he wished he could cast aside his pride and apologise what he'd done, but he was still a Malfoy and Malfoys did not say they were sorry. Hatred. Yes. He could have handled that.