Better Man

Seventh Year

Over the next few nights, Hermione noticed Malfoy's tendency to scream in his sleep didn't settle down. She was exhausted waking up to it, not to mention waking up Malfoy whenever he went on too long. He seemed to be able to wake himself up sometimes and other times he was locked in so deeply to whatever he dreamt about that Hermione was forced to help him if she ever wanted to sleep herself.
After the third night in a row, Hermione resolved to go to bed earlier than Malfoy so she could get at least a couple of hours in. She'd noticed he generally went to sleep around 11pm so she aimed for 9pm in the hopes of not turning into a sleep deprived monster.
Now it was officially their first day back, Hermione was scrambling. She'd already been through the required readings several times but still she fumbled with getting ready. It had been so long since she'd been alone at Hogwarts, something she had hoped would never happen again. She had Neville at least, she reasoned. And meal times could be spent with Ginny and Luna as well. It would be fine.
Hermione rushed down the stairs, stuffing books into her bag as she walked, crashing straight into the Head Snake.
"Watch it, Granger. It's too early in the morning for you to bother me yet," Malfoy groaned, rubbing his ribs from where she had accidentally elbowed him.
"Oh my mistake, let me just adjust my entire life to suit you, how's that?" Hermione remarked.
"It'd be a lot better than dealing with this every morning," he replied. He glanced at the top of her head. "Honestly, Granger, have you ever considered brushing your hair? It might actually make you look respectable."
"Unlike you Malfoy, I don't have to worry about whether or not anyone respects me," Hermione said sweetly.
On that happy note, Hermione pushed past the slimy Slytherin and out of the common room. Some days were great, she hardly ever saw Malfoy. Other days were...not so much fun. Between his nightmares and her own, plus all the work of seventh year and being Head Girl, a lesser mortal would've caved already.
Not Hermione Granger.
*************
The day passed by in an inexplicable blur. Hermione already had her homework done, and then some, so now she was down at the Quidditch pitch watching Ginny yell at boys twice her size with a quarter of her skill.
Luna and Neville sat with her. Luna was reading a book on magical creatures while Neville stroked the plant he was holding and singing a soft lullaby to it. The plant almost seemed like it was falling asleep and definitely let out a few noises that sounded like soft snores.
"How's it going living with Malfoy?" Neville asked quietly, not disturbing the pink and green plant.
"It's a bundle of laughs, really," Hermione smiled. Neville smiled back. Hermione sighed.
"I mostly avoid him, if I can," she admitted. Neville nodded understandingly.
"How's working with him?"
"Aside from initially working out Prefect schedules, we haven't had much to do with each other. Tonight is the first time we'll have rounds together."
"How exciting."
"Oh shut up."
They continued to chat about classes, Harry and Ron, Neville's plant, and made fun of Malfoy a few more times. Hermione didn't mention Malfoy's nightmares, or the fact that she'd seen him in his underwear. She kept that one to herself.