Better Man

The First Night

The silence that followed McGonagall's departure was thunderously loud. For the first time since birth, Hermione was lost for words. Where was she supposed to go from here? She hadn't been prepared for the Head Dorms, though admittedly that was her fault for not thoroughly reading the letter. However, even if she had known, she'd probably still be standing here awkwardly silent next to a Slytherin who last year had wanted her dead.
"Right, well I suppose I'll head to bed," Malfoy at last broke the silence. Hermione glanced across the room to a winding staircase that Malfoy started to walk towards.
"Don't get any ideas about us being best friends just because we live together. You keep your distance, I'll keep mine," Malfoy said casually. How did everything that came out of his mouth sound so bored? Hermione's poker face couldn't convince a baby that she'd stolen their nose.
"Don't worry, Malfoy. I'd rather die than be friends with you," Hermione replied scathingly. Malfoy rolled his eyes.
"Goodnight, Malfoy."
Hermione climbed up the stairs before he could respond with some equally snarky comment and came across a hallway with a door at either end. The one closest to her said Head Girl on it so she pushed the heavy wooden door open with all her strength.
Inside was a four poster bed more beautiful than the one she'd left behind in the Gryffindor Tower. Each post had incredible carvings that seemed to change colour between red and gold.  While she wasn't the creative type, she did have to admire its beauty. It wasn't flashy or looking like something you'd find in a rave, it could be mistaken for reflecting light.
Her trunk sat at the end of her bed. She swept past it to a lovely antique wooden wardrobe. It reminded her of the old French armoires she'd seen when she went antiquing with her parents a few years ago. Merlin, that seemed like a whole other life now.
Beside the wardrobe was a door, which she was pleasantly surprised, lead to a huge bathroom. Hermione could hardly contain herself. Putting up with Malfoy was worth never having to share a bathroom.
It was simple but roughly the size of a small swimming pool. Similar to the prefect bathroom but a little bit nicer.
Closing the door behind her, Hermione went back into her room and looked out one of the three tall windows. She could see the lake through one, the edge of the quidditch pitch through another and what looked like Hagrid's hut through the last, though in the darkness, it was hard to be sure.
All of a sudden, Hermione felt a wave of exhaustion hit her. Standing no longer seemed as effortless, so she had a quick shower before collapsing on the bed, hair still dripping wet on her pillow.

***

"NO!"
Hermione shot up in her bed. Grasping her wand she listened intently in order to determine where the cries of anguish were coming from.
"Stop! No - no, stop! STOP! PLEASE!"
Hermione bolted down the short hallway and burst into Malfoy's room where she saw the boy thrashing around in his bed, drenched in sweat and still asleep. She ran to him and sat on the edge of the bed and grabbed his shoulders, shaking him.
"Malfoy! Wake up!" Hermione called, but he didn't even register. She shook him harder.
"MALFOY! Oh, for Merlin's sake, DRACO! WAKE UP!" Hermione was practically yelling now. Still, Malfoy remained locked into whatever was torturing his unconscious mind.
After a few minutes of incessant thrashing and yelling, Hermione gave in and slapped him as hard as she could. Malfoy's eyes shot open and he sat up in bed, shaking. His eyes darted about the room before landing on Hermione.
"Granger, if you wanted a little attention after business hours, you could've said so a bit earlier in the evening," Malfoy drawled, though the tremor in his voice gave him away. Hermione rolled her eyes and turned away as he hopped out of bed in nothing but his trunks. Malfoy poured himself a glass of water from the jug next to his bed. Hermione busied herself looking around the room. It was much the same as hers, though everything was on opposite sides. The four poster reflected green and silver like hers did red and gold. It was lovely and understated.
"You can relax, Granger. I have pants on," Malfoy said coolly. Hermione glanced his way and then lifted herself off the bed.
"Right well, next time you decide to have a midnight rave, don't invite me," Hermione said coolly as she walked towards the door. "Also, most people say thank you when someone helps them, in case they didn't teach you that in PureBlood Supremacy Training.
"Thanks," Malfoy muttered. Hermione turned around to look at him.
"Good night, Malfoy."