Better Man

The Head Dormitory

After the feast, Hermione and Malfoy helped the prefects guide their kids to their respective Common Rooms. It was then that they were approached by Professor McGonagall.
"I'm pleased to see the both of you working well together. I'd had my doubts about whether or not you could put aside your differences," Professor McGonagall said, folding her emerald robe clad arms.
"I would never let petty differences get in the way of doing my job, Professor," Hermione replied. She glanced at Malfoy who nodded.
"I'm not one for holding grudges, Professor," Malfoy said lightly, staring directly at Hermione, who felt her face heating up.
"Very well, let us be on our way. I expect you're both tired and I still have to show you the Head Dormitory."
"Wait, what?" Hermione interjected, then winced as she realised she just interrupted the Headmistress. "What Head Dormitory?"
"Surely you've read the letter? The Head Boy and Girl each have a room adjacent to a shared common area. You'll not be in the Gryffindor Tower this year, Miss Granger," McGonagall replied curtly. Hermione glanced at Malfoy, expecting him to be panicking himself but instead he just looked bored.
"It was in the letter, Granger. Didn't you read it?" Malfoy said casually.
Honestly, everything was a blur after she read that she was Head Girl.
"Professor, I'm not sure it would be appropriate for us to live together," Hermione gestured wildly between her and Malfoy.
"You said that you would not let differences deter you from your job, did you not, Miss Granger?"
"Well, yes."
"Then I expect you to uphold your previous statement, regardless of living arrangements. The Head Dormitory was created specifically so that the Head Boy and Girl from different houses would be able to work together more efficiently than they would if they had to cross the castle every time there was a schedule change. I've no doubt that you are both struggling with the events of last year, however you assured me of your abilities to work together and I trust that you will do so," McGonagall said as she lead them down the convoluted hallways. "Now, if this is going to be an issue, perhaps I can find someone more suitable for the job."
"No! I mean, no, Professor. We can - I can do this. It's fine, I was just surprised, I'd never heard about it before," Hermione said hastily.
"No problems here, Professor," Malfoy replied calmly. Hermione wanted to curse his composure straight out of him.
They came to a narrow corridor Hermione hadn't seen before. At the end was a portrait of Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin. She recognised them from Hogwarts, A History. They had their backs to each other, though every so often one would glance back at the other.
"This is the entrance to your common room. The current password is fizzing whizbees. You can change it if you like but you will have to inform me of any changes you make."
Hermione and Malfoy nodded.
"Now, I wouldn't expect much out of these two. This portrait was made back when they were still talking to each other and their likenesses have adopted said differences."
Hermione grit her teeth at the irony of the whole situation.
"Would one of you like to say the password?" McGonagall asked. Malfoy cleared his throat and stepped forward.
"Fizzing Whizbees," Malfoy commanded, his hands behind his back. The portrait swung open and Malfoy gestured for McGonagall to enter first, Hermione following after with Malfoy bringing up the rear.
A roaring fire lit up the common room and Hermione could see at once that it was similar to the Gryffindor tower. Cosy red carpet covered the stone floors, however there were black leather couches and two black armchairs, similar to what Harry and Ron had described in the Slytherin Common Room. There were two large windows that, though it was dark, seemed to overlook the edge of the forest and part of the lake. The walls were bare, save for the back wall that was covered top to toe in bookshelves. Hermione could barely contain her glee when she spotted that.
"It's lovely, Professor," Hermione gushed. McGonagall gave a small smile.
"I'm glad you approve, Miss Granger."
Malfoy glanced around the room.
"It'll do," he sniffed. Hermione rolled her eyes. Nothing was good enough for Lucius and Narcissa's golden boy.
"We will meet again in the morning to discuss particulars regarding the Head positions, including any problems. I'm sure you're both exhausted," McGonagall said calmly. "Mr Malfoy, your room is upstairs to the left. Miss Granger, the same on your right. I trust that you remember the rules pertaining males entering the girls dormitory, Mr Malfoy?" McGonagall questioned.
"Would never even cross my mind, Professor. Seriously," Malfoy responded with a revolted look on his face. Hermione tried to put on her best poker face but she imagined she looked much the same as her counterpart here. McGonagall gave him a stern look over her spectacles before turning away.
"Stranger things have happened, Mr Malfoy," McGonagall replied as she strode out into the night, emerald robes gliding into the darkness behind her.