Never The Same

Chapter Four- Roommates

Harry and the rest of the eight years followed Professor McGonagall down the corridors leading up to the third floor, it seemed that the corridor that had once held Fluffy, the three-headed dog that was the first obstacle guarding the philosophers stone was now the location of their common room and dorms.

McGonagall walked up to a nearby portrait holding what looked like a young girl but on closer inspection, Harry realised it was Ariadne, Dumbledores sister, Harry thought that was fitting after all her and Aberforth had helped him, Ron and Hermione, into Hogwarts the night of the battle. 

They stepped through the portrait, Harry giving a quick nod to Ariadne as they passed through, which didn't go unnoticed by Malfoy who looked at him questioningly. When they had got through they looked around, the common room was a perfect blend of all four houses just as Hogwarts should be, none of the house rivalries that had been going on in the years before and during the war.

There were three fires on three walls, two doors at the back of the room led to what Harry assumed to be the dorms, there were sofas in a deep red in one corner with a yellowish gold rug underneath. Along one wall ran an extensive bookcase, the Ravenclaws and Hermione looked at it in awe. In another corner were dark green armchairs with tall backs, in front of a very warm fire, there was a black coffee table between them. In the middle of the room, there was a dining table looking thing with stool type chairs running along with the table. There was another doorway Harry hadn't noticed before, probably as it was stuck between two yellow and brown sofas, Harry peered into what looked like a kitchen, frowning he turned back to Professor McGonagall.

She simply clapped her hands and suddenly the room was basked in candlelight giving even the brooding green chairs in the corner a certain glow to them.

"I'm sure your all aware we have tried to incorporate all four houses into this common room, feel free to change things as you see fit, although discuss with your year before doing so, I suggest a meeting of sorts to discuss any changes or things you would like to do as a year. Interhouse unity is so important especially for your year, so I know I shouldn't be encouraging you but a party might be pleasant, as long as you keep it to eighth years only and no underage drinking occurs. We have tried to pair people from different houses together so you might be confused at some of the pairings if you have an actual issue.." 

She looked at Harry and Draco as she said that, emphasising the word issue as if to say, I know you two will have an issue but don't start I won't help you,

"Then feel free to let me or one of the other teachers know. That being said, your bags are in your rooms get settled, oh and another thing, eighth years don't have a curfew but please set a good example if you see younger years wandering, that is all"

With that the group burst into chatter, everyone wondering who they would be paired with, Harry slipped away from the group, he could hear his name being called by Hermione but he didn't listen, he headed up to the dorms and nearly fainted when he read the two names on the first door,

'Harry Potter' 'Draco Malfoy'

'Shit' Harry thought to himself, it was already awkward enough with the whole great hall spectacle, he didn't know how Malfoy was going to react to his nightmares, he didn't know what would kill him first, his self-destruction or Malfoy. 

Sighing he pushed the door open, the room was a mixture of red and silver, which actually complimented each other quite nicely. There were two four-poster beds just like in the Gryffindor dorms except the covers were a dark silver and the hangings a dark red. The walls were a lighter shade of red with a silver pattern etched in which seemed to gleam, 'probably a charm' Harry thought to himself. There were two desks on the other side of the wall each a rich mahogany, with a vast window in the wall facing out onto the grounds which were dimly lit by the light coming from Hagrids hut. There was a small fire on the opposite wall with a reddish-brown sofa opposite, and a patterned rug underneath. The floor was oak wood and the floorboards creaked as Harry moved across them, next to the fireplace there was a door which Harry assumed would be the bathroom. 

Next thing he knew the door swung open and in came Malfoy, he gave Harry a small smile and walked over to the bed nearest the desks which Harry could now see housed his trunk and other belongings. Ripping his eyes from Malfoy, he looked over to his open bags and began to unpack pulling bits and pieces he had thrown in at the Weasleys. 

"For Merlin's sake Potter, what the hell are you doing?"

Harry looked up, Malfoy was watching him unpack with a complete look of disgust across his gentle features, his clothes and items were all in neat piles on his bed whereas Harrys were strewn across his bed and surrounding area. He shrugged,

"Unpacking?" It was more of a question to himself really, what was he doing, before he got a chance to think about that though Malfoy had flicked his wand and his clothes and schoolbooks had begun to organise themselves and put themselves away. Harry looked at Draco in amazement.

"When did you learn that I've been trying for months to figure it out?"

"Its pretty simple really, you just kind of imagine the clothes being put away and where you want them to go, and it sort of just happens"

Harry noticed he had a slight tint to his cheeks as he said it, probably not used to people complimenting him, he should though Harry thought.

"My mother taught me, said I couldn't rely on her to put my things away while I was at school" 

He had said that with a sad sort of smile, Harry knew that Narcissa had been sent to France with her sister Andromeda after Lucius had received the Dementors Kiss for some closure, Harry expected that Draco would feel lonely here in England by himself. 

"Mrs Weasley tried teaching me but Ron kept distracting me so I couldn't get it," 

He laughed that had been an eventful day, to say the least- it had also been the same day Ginny had come out and properly introduced Luna. 

"How are they? The Weasleys I mean, I know you probably don't want to hear this but I am truly sorry, for everything, the constant taunting and rude remarks especially towards Ron and his mother, it doesn't bear thinking about" 

Harry looked up, Draco looked distraught, as if all the guilt that had been eating away at him all these years had finally been let free and Harry watched as a few solitary tears fell down Malfoys cheeks, before he could change his mind he had stepped forward and engulfed Draco in the biggest hug he could muster, and was surprised when he felt strong arms hug him back, Dracos face was buried into Harry's shoulder and he felt his shirt grow wet as Malfoys sobs became louder. Harry brought them to the floor and pulled Draco closer, one hand on his back and one finding its way into his hair, his cheek resting on the top of his head.

Soon Dracos breathing became regular and he lifted his head and Harry saw wide steel grey, red-rimmed eyes look up at him, it was barely a whisper but Harry heard it anyway,

"Thank you"

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