Chapter Text
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Roommate From Hell
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Harry stared at Hogwarts. Returning after a year of camping was wonderful. He was looking forward to learning magic without the threat of death hanging over his head. Even if Snape’s still headmaster.
“I can’t believe you’re returning to school,” Ron whinged, interrupting Harry’s thoughts.
“I think Harry’s being very smart, actually,” Hermione chimed in. “This way he gets the education he was denied.”
“You could have the roommate from hell,” Ron warned.
Harry laughed. “I’ll be fine.”
Ron sighed. “All right, but Floo if you need help.”
Harry smiled. “I can handle anyone they throw at me.”
“We’ll see.”
~
Draco inspected his dorm room. It looked exactly like the room he’d occupied during his other years at Hogwarts, only less...green.
“I can’t believe you’re returning to school,” Pansy huffed.
“It’s not as if I learned anything last year,” he said. “I was too busy trying not to draw attention to myself.”
“Wish I’d managed the same.”
Draco sighed. “People will forget. Eventually.”
Pansy laughed bitterly. “Unlikely. Anyway, why not just hire a tutor?”
“This feels...necessary.”
“Fine.” Pansy rose. “I’m off before anyone sees me. Call if you get the roommate from hell.”
Draco laughed. “I’ll be fine.”
~
“...expect you to get along, gentlemen. No fighting, no hexing. Clear?”
Harry glanced towards Malfoy, whose face was expressionless. “Yes, Professor.”
McGonagall smiled. “Excellent. Now, as you are technically adults, you have no curfew. I’ll trust the two of you to be discreet should you decide to engage in more...adult pursuits, such as having...guests stay over.”
When she left, Harry gestured to a bed. “Okay if I take that one?”
Malfoy shrugged. “Fine with me.”
“We should work out some rules,” Harry continued.
Malfoy smirked. “Don’t be a roommate from hell. That’s the only rule.”
Harry nodded. “Agreed.”
~
Draco surreptitiously watched Potter. He’d assumed girl Weasley would be visiting their room whenever possible, but he never even saw them talk, much less socialise. In fact, if he didn’t know better, he’d have thought Potter was avoiding all Gryffindors.
Staring into the book he was pretending to read, Draco sighed. Not that I’m spending much time with Slytherins either.
Draco liked rooming with Potter. Far from a roommate from hell, Potter was proving quiet and respectful. He doesn’t even snore. And he’s not bad looking.
Draco blinked at the turn his thoughts had taken. Well fuck. I’m in trouble--
~
Harry shifted, taking the opportunity to glance at Malfoy, who seemed engrossed in his studies. Merlin, he’s gorgeous.
Swallowing hard, Harry tried to concentrate. I’m here to learn, not to ogle my roommate.
Things would have been simpler if Malfoy had been the roommate from hell. Maybe then I wouldn’t be harbouring ridiculous fantasies.
As far as Harry could tell, Malfoy hadn’t been in contact with any of his friends. He’d been dreading the possibility of running into Parkinson some evening, but so far she hadn’t made an appearance.
Malfoy licked his lips and Harry almost moaned. I’m so fucked--
~
Draco made sure to never be alone at Hogwarts. Given his role in the war, he knew certain people had it in for him.
To his surprise, Potter was never too far away. He was a constant presence, almost like a bodyguard. Draco became accustomed to seeing him nearby. Eventually, they even began studying together.
Pansy kept sending owls offering to rescue him from his ‘roommate from hell’. When Draco finally told her they were actually getting along, she started teasing him about his ‘Gryffindor boyfriend’.
I wish, Draco thought, staring at Potter as they studied together. But it’s impossible.
~