Conflicted Loyalites

Chapter 6

Draco's POV

Of course I'd end up sharing a room with bloody Potter. I don't know why I'd expected otherwise.

I ignored him as best I could in the short time it took for me to neatly pack and fold my clothes away and walk into the Common Room. I waited for a few minutes after he left to follow him out.

I liked these new dorms. They were more spacious than the previous ones; neater and more flexible. Although, in my opinion at least, they were a little too warm for what I had grown accustomed to. I'd liked the coolness of the dungeons, even if it was quite unwanted in the colder months. The fireplaces here were a welcome change however. I no longer had to sit and shiver before the measly green flames of the Slytherin Common Room.

You weren't forced to sit, squished up together on the couches anymore. No, now we had the leisure of beanbags.

A beanbag was something I was unfamiliar with. I'd never encountered such an object before in my life. It was such an odd idea. A bag of fabric filled with little hard balls. I'll admit, it didn't sound too appealing. However, when I actually sat down on it, next to Pansy and Blaise, I found it to be quite relaxing.

It did prove to be very difficult to look elegant on a beanbag. I gave up trying after a short time and relaxed backwards into it, enjoying the comfortable feel of it beneath me, and chattered quietly with Blaise and Pansy.

I spotted Potter and his little group at the other side of the Common Room, speaking with a Hufflepuff girl I hadn't seen before. Many people seemed to be talking with those of other houses.

Ravenclaws were locked in deep conversation with Hufflepuffs, Gryffindors chiming in at random times, being their annoying selves no doubt. Even a few Slytherins were snuggled up in the couches with other house members. There was a very tranquil feel to the place as it filled with murmuring conversation, quickly rising in pitch.

I'd never really thought about how many interhouse relationships and friendships there must be. It was unnerving to see everyone interacting to say the least. Then again, change is good.

Games began as the night dragged on. The little groups that had been dotted around the large room started up spontaneous matches of Scrabble and Wizard's Chess.

I'd never come across an enchanted Scrabble board before, so i wasn't all that sure what to expect as I joined into one of the games. One of the Mud - no, I'm done with that, it's just a reminder of my ludicrous father - Muggleborns had brought the set along with them. Surprisingly, it was a Hufflepuff, not a Ravenclaw as I would've first guessed.

They were clustered around a table depicting all four house symbols merged together in a multicoloured shield. Fitting really, since all four houses were at the table.

Potter and his little following had decided to breeze over and grace us with their presence. Oh goody. I shot them a glare as they made themselves comfortable. There were plenty of other games, albeit more crowded than this one. I'm sure they could have joined in somewhere else. I forced myself not to focus on Potter for too long.

Bloody Potter. I'd never be free of him would I? All I wanted was a nice, relaxing game and instead I'm sitting here, facing that stupid prick.

He smirked at me. SMIRKED. His eyes were very green in this light, glinting gemstones shimmering with the most beautiful glitter.

'Stop it,'I chided myself, flicking my gaze away from Potter and back to the board.

I watched as Blaise took his turn, adding the word 'Potion' to 'Pinnacle'. I didn't really take part, just watched from the sidelines teaching myself how to play.