“This way to your new living quarters.” Dumbledore breathed, leading Malfoy and I up the Grand Staircase, instructing us to move quickly. Here at school, the stairs are constantly moving and changing, between all seven of the floors. My heart hammered against my ribs, and I kept stealing glances sideways out of the corner of my eye. Malfoy seemed very calm, but there was irritated edge to his aura, like he'd rather be swimming with the squid in Black Lake than share a room with a 'Mudblood' Gryffindor whom he loathed ever since First year. Was Dumbledore off his nut? Had his brilliant mind finally cracked? We stopped outside a tall picture with a golden frame, a young woman with blonde curls and a round face perched on a short stone column, her pale legs crossed out in front of her. The pink dress was pale and complimented her freshly-fallen-snow skin tone well. “For now, the password is 'Tear of the Phoenix'. Only Lydian, this lovely lady here,” he paused to wave a hand over the now giggling woman. “Will know the password and whom to give it to. If it changes, she'll let you know. Goodnight.” he gave us both a smile. I returned it stiffly, but Malfoy only made a face that looked an awful lot like a sneer. As soon as our Headmaster disappeared down the stairs, I heard a sharp intake of breath.
“Listen, Granger,” he began, but I waved a dismissive hand at him. “Yeah, I know. You're sorry to have me as a roommate this year. Honestly, I'd much rather be stuck in a room filled with multiple venomous Tentaculi. But fact is fact; we're stuck this way.” I finished in a rush, and he closed his mouth again. “Hmph… Took the words right outta my mouth.” He turned to Lydian, whispering the password and slipping inside. He is so intolerable! With a huff, I followed his lead, gasping at the sight waiting inside. There was a long, silky red couch in front of a roaring brick fireplace, and two matching armchairs. Little figurines lined the mantle. A green serpent with gray stripes and its mouth open, baring two dagger-like fangs for Slytherin; A gold lion with a bushy red mane and a ferocious snarl on his face for Gryffindor; A purple badger with yellow claws on its hind legs, front paws hooked down for Hufflepuff; and a proud bronze eagle in flight with blue eyes for Ravenclaw. There was a throw rug in the little fire area, the Hogwarts crest dead center and the house crests in each corner. I looked over to the other side of the living chamber and squealed in delight; a whole wall of books! Hurrying over, I ran an index finger along the spines, skimming titles curiously. “Don't wet yourself. They're only books,” I heard Malfoy hiss from the couch, but I ignored him, mind racing with thought.
“I wonder what the bedrooms look like,” I mused, chewing my bottom lip in thought. I bounded up the spiraling stone staircase, stopping between two polished oak doors. On my left, the door had two golden words; Head Girl. Obviously my room! My palms itched anxiously as I turned the knob, shoving it open, engulfed by the sweet scent of fresh vanilla and lavender, incense smoke wafting through the room. There was a twin bed, sapphire blue satin sheets covering it, four pillows against the narrow polished headboard. I couldn't help but smile at the House Tapestry's hanging on the crimson wall above the bed. I turned to the mahogany dresser, opening the drawers, surprised to find my clothes in it, all color coded and in stacks. The top drawer were my unmentionables, the second drawer down were socks and tights, third drawer were pajamas, and the fourth one had accessories; hats, gloves, and scarves. This was perfect! Call me weird, but a good organized living space is a good way to make me smile. Feeling insanely giddy, I went over to a vanity, the same mahogany wood shaping it. My flat iron was set atop the flat surface, ready to go, and the curling iron was tucked away. Ironic considering how curly my hair is…. The makeup was organized, by category, across the top, and my jewelry box sat patiently by the left side. With a happy sigh, I turned back and flopped down onto the cool comforter, sinking into the memory foam of the bed. It couldn't be more perfect! But my eyes widened as I saw all my books, organized by title then by author last name, lining a brand-new bookshelf. Now, it couldn't be more perfect. It was like Dumbledore had read my mind when he designed the bedroom. All this happiness almost made me not mind having Malfoy as my roommate... Almost.
Pajama pants tucked under my arm, I padded to the bathroom nestled in the corner, walking across the cool white tile floor to the shower. The glass door was unsmooth, to blur me from anyone that might accidently intrude. Once I sat the clothes down, I opened the sliding door and turned the silver handle with a red H on it, then the one with the C. Not really surprising that my bathroom objects were already in here. Shampoo and conditioner were in a little basket under the wide showerhead, and my body wash was nestled between them. Deodorant, the razor and shaving cream… It was like my mother herself had set it all up. I loved it!
Once the water was just right, hot but not scorching, I slipped out of my clothes and stepped in, closing the sliding glass door. As soon as the water touched my pale skin, I shivered. Today had felt extremely long and tiring, like all the other times it’d been the start of a new year; the last of the first… The water running down my narrow face, I almost didn’t even notice the tears that had escaped. Was this really it, the last year of school? My knees couldn’t hold me up anymore, I sat down on the floor of the wide, square shower, hugging them to my chest. The tears that took over had me shaking. I sat there, crying, until the water ran cold…
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