The Courage of Hermione Granger

"Nice of you to join us," an oily voice said from the shadows, and Severus Snape glided out to block their path.

"S-sorry, Professor," Hermione answered, nearly choking on the words, "we got lost, and Malfoy came and found us and led us down here." She swallowed hard, fighting down the bile rising in her throat both from having to lie and having to give Malfoy undue credit.

Snape turned his beady black gaze on Harry, who glared right back but didn't say a word, although that was probably more because of Hermione's heel pressing warningly on his toes than from actual respect.

"Don't let it happen again," he finally growled. "Since the re-Sorting was an unexpected occurrence, we do not have any open beds in any of the sixth year rooms. Therefore, Potter, you will share the prefect room with Mister Malfoy on the boys' side, and Granger, you will share with Miss Zabini until further arrangements are made."

Hermione frowned; As far as she could tell, the dark haired Slytherin glaring from the shadows was very definitely male, so who was this Miss Zabini? Before she could inquire, Snape continued.

" Your things are already there, as well as an extra bed." Ignoring the look of horror on Harry's face as he realized that he would be living with Malfoy, he continued, "do not think that this means you two are entitled to any special privileges." His eyes glittered maliciously as he said the last part, his gaze locked on Harry's.

Hermione could almost hear what he didn't say; the rest of the world may think you're a celebrity, Potter, but to me you're just a good for nothing, spoiled little boy with a hero complex. Snape had an intense hatred for anything and anyone Potter related, stemming from the instant rivalry he had had with Harry's father James during his years at Hogwarts.

"Mister Zabini, you will introduce Miss Granger to her new room mate, and then you are all dismissed. I expect you all to be showered, dressed, and down to breakfast by seven sharp. Good night!"

And with that confusing statement, he departed in a swirl of black robes. Draco and Blaise exchanged a meaningful look and smirked gleefully before turning to their charges.

"Potter, come with me," Malfoy ordered. "Granger, stay here with Zabini."

Harry didn't budge. "I thought Pansy was the sixth year female prefect," he said coldly. "So who is Hermione sharing a room with?"

"None of your business Potter," Blaise snapped. "Enough with the protecting the Mudblood from the big bad Slytherins. Don't worry--I promise she'll still be in one piece in the morning. Right now it's late, and you are not exactly in a position to be demanding answers, so quit being so bloody Gryffindor-ish and for once just do as your told!"

Harry lunged; Hermione sighed and drew her wand.

"PETRIFICUS TOTALUS!" The spell came simultaneously from three throats.

Three immobile bodies toppled to the floor. Hermione looked down at the bodies of Harry, Blaise, and Draco, and then up at the young woman and manwalking gracefully toward her.

"I apologize for my brother and his friend," the strange girl said. Her voice was low but musical, almost like a cat's purr. Offering Hermione a tentative smile, she added, "My name is Catrina Zabini."

Hermione blinked, for once at a complete loss for words. Catrina's smile widened, making her look feral. "Don't worry. I don't bite--at least, not hard."

This day just gets better and better, Hermione thought dazedly. She took a moment to study the pair as the young man strolled over and examined Draco, Blaise, and Harry in turn.

"Don't scare her already Cat--we give the ickle firsties a two day grace period, so at least give her the night to get half way settled before corrupting her," he scolded with a smirk that Hermione recognized instantly.

What's worse than one Malfoy? TWO Malfoys! Ron's voice echoed in her head and she stifled a groan. Enough of this. Time to take charge again.

"I apologize for my friend as well," she finally responded, not pocketing her wand. "Harry and Draco have had a feud going from near the first moment they entered Hogwarts, and with the events of the past year, the animosity has grown rather than waned, I'm afraid."

"Ah, yes. So this is the infamous Harry Potter that's given Voldemort a run for his money so many times? Huh. Well, I'm not particularly impressed, but maybe that's because the drool kind of spoils the whole Boy-Who-Lived hero image. Are you three going to play nicely, or shall we leave you for Professor Snape to find in the morning?" The young man addressed the three prone figures. "I'm sure he would not be pleased to find that not only did you three get outwitted by a couple of fifth years, that you were drooling on his pristine carpet. You know how fickle he is about these things."

Cat snickered. "Luc, quit rambling and get on with it. I'm tired, Granger here is probably exhausted, and I still have a History of Magic essay I have to finish before class tomorrow."

Luc sighed theatrically. "You're no fun, Trin. I'll float them up to their rooms--Snape put Muggle locks on the doors and spelled them so that they would lock from the outside during curfew. At least then we won't have to deal with them until morning, and we'll nip out early for breakfast. Alright?"

Hermione and Catrina nodded. Once all three bodies were floating, Luc directed them single file toward the stairs.

"Night Blaise. Night Draco. It was nice to meet you Harry. I'm sure I'll be seeing more of you soon," Catrina called cheerfully.

Hermione winced as Harry's head hit the wall as Luc maneuvered him around the turn to the second floor.

"Well," she said slowly. "That was ... interesting. Um, thank you for helping out tonight..." She trailed off, not knowing what to say.

Catrina yawned. "Mm. Not very Slytherin-ish of us, was it? Oh well. Come on, I'll show you where our room is. I hope you don't snore; the last room mate I had snored terribly!"

"No, I don't snore...at least not that I know of," Hermione replied in bemusement, following the younger girl up the stairs.

"I'll be sure to tell you if you do, never fear. Ah, here we are." Catrina opened a door and stepped back to let Hermione enter. "This used to be a standard dorm with four beds and all that, but some of the students transferred, so there's more room for us that's left. Most of the girls were happy sharing, so they stayed four to a room, but I like my space so I managed to wheedle this two-fer outta Snape. One of the few advantages of being a Zabini; by the time they got to me, this was what was left, anyway."

Hermione just nodded.

"I took the bed by the window, so that one is yours. All of your books and things are in the trunk already, along with new uniforms. Um, I like to sleep in as late as I can, so if you want first shower, be my guest. Keep your things neat and on your side of the room, and we'll get along just fine. Got it?"

And with that, she climbed into her bed, pulling the covers over her and the hangings closed. Hermione stared at the bed for a moment before heaving a quiet sigh and following suit. Catrina was a very quiet sleeper, quite unlike the soft snoring and breathing of Hermione's room mates in Gryffindor Tower. She wondered if they had found someone to replace her in the room, or if her comfortable four-poster was empty and cold, as cold as she felt inside.

Although surprisingly warm for the dungeons, she still suppressed a shiver, thinking about facing her class mates the next day. Plus she had to deal with Harry and Malfoy. For the first time in her life, Hermione was not looking forward to the first day of classes..