"That's it, he's such a little troll! He's going to pay for this Neville, mark my words!" The tips of Ron's ears were turning red as he slammed his queen onto the chessboard.

"I highly doubt that Draco has stolen Neville's remembrall again Ronald. I think it's probable that he's got other things on his mind than reliving first year, don't you?"

The golden trio and Neville sat by the lake enjoying the last sun of the September evening. Neville and Ron were laying propped up by their elbows playing chess, Hermione was engaged in a book and Harry was leaning with his back to a large oak tree tossing a snitch between his palms, sleeves rolled up carelessly. The returning 8th year students had been permitted to wear their own clothes instead of uniform, since all of them were over 17 and legally adults. Most had opted for casual muggle dress, with a few notable Slytherin exceptions. Ron donned, as always, his Chudley Cannon jumper that matched his hair perfectly. He looked at his girlfriend with disgust.

"Draco. Draco! Since when has it been Draco? It's an awful name, even worse than Malfoy."

"He's not his father." She shivered. "The name Malfoy always makes me think of Lucius. You should try and stop being so judgmental now the war is over. There are no sides anymore."

"Have you forgotten 'Mione that this is Draco Malfoy? Ferret face, pureblood-loving, muggle-hating, thief! Oh and did I mention death eater? I don't even-"

Hermione narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips, stopping Ron in his tracks. Somehow, unbelievable she had managed to tame his temper since they'd started dating. 'Whipped' Harry mouthed at Ron and grinned, receiving a middle finger in return. Sitting out here in the grass, with the sun setting in the distance made it feel almost as if it was third year again; that no war had happened that no one had died. Neville was patting the grass, his hand seeming to bounce off the sharp tips as he did so. If a stolen remembrall was the biggest of their worries, they were doing quite well, Harry thought.

Just last week they had returned to Hogwarts. Harry had missed it here. Due to a ministry project, the castle had been nearly entirely rebuilt and the traces of dark magic that remained were almost unnoticeable. All of Harry's year had been given the chance to resit the year and gain the qualifications they needed to gain jobs in the wizarding world. Not that half of them needed it of course. Hermione had been offered several jobs, the most surprising of which had been a journalist for the Daily Prophet working under the supervision of none other than Rita Skeeter. She had, of course, politely declined. Ron, Harry and Neville had been offered jobs as aurors but had all thought it better to wait a year. Coming back to Hogwarts had been a chance for them to take a break from the real world and become immersed in school life once again. Quidditch, detention, hell, even petty fights with Malfoy had become desirable to Harry. It had surprised him just how easily that Malfoy had adjusted back into Hogwarts. Even with a dark mark on his arm, he was still the Slytherin prince, still exactly how he was before the war. Harry had even heard some 6th year ravenclaws giggling to themselves the other day about how sexy the bad boy image was. It disgusted him that they thought that, the war still raw in his mind. Nonetheless, he was glad that Malfoy had settled in okay., and that confused him. Why should he care about him at all?

"I probably have just lost it, honestly it's no big deal. Besides what would he want with my remembrall? He has that little silver notebook that he writes everything in remember."

Neville turned pink, embarrassed at admitting he'd studied Malfoy's habits enough to know that he carried the book with him. Despite killing Nagini and making a name for himself as a hero, he was still terrified of the blonde and watched him cautiously whenever he was near.

The last slither of the sun was disappearing behind the lake, and it got suddenly dark. A splash of a giant tentacle in the water indicated that it was time to head back up to the castle. Upon reaching the castle they headed to the great hall just in time to catch the main course before it was replaced with bowls of treacle sponge. Ron eyed Malfoy suspiciously but looked away quickly when the boy in question sent a smirk his way. This only confirmed to Ron that he was guilty of stealing the glass ball.

As a group of Slytherins stood up to leave, professor McGonagall stood and tapped her glass.

"8th years, if you could remain behind afterwards please. There are a few arrangements I would like to discuss with you."

Harry ran his fingers along the table top impatiently whilst waiting for the younger years to leave the hall. He had really wanted to go flying after eating, it was something he hadn't done properly for months and was dying to get back into it. He hadn't told anyone this yet, not even Ron, but he had been in contact with a few professional teams and he thought he could make Seeker in at least one of them. It was just what he needed, he held no strong desire to be an auror. He had had quite enough dark magic for his lifetime.

The rest of the wizards departed and soon only the 8th years remained, scattered between the 4 tables. The aging professor cleared her throat and smiled kindly at the students in front of her.

"I would yet again like to profess how proud I am of you for returning to Hogwarts to complete your studies. Every single one of you." She looked at Malfoy as she said this. "I realise that it was not an easy choice for you to make. This castles many dark memories, for all of you, and we must not forget that. As you have no doubt noticed, your living arrangements are not ideal."

Harry agreed with this. Extra beds had been placed into the already full dormitories in the Gryffindor tower, and he had found himself rooming with 5th years that stared at him with awe constantly. He just found it disconcerting. In fact, one of them was plain creepy. Just two nights ago he had awoken to a face staring in between the curtains surrounded his bed, which quickly disappeared when Harry started. Definitely not ideal.

"We are a community at this school, and it would do you good not to forget that. The rivalry between houses has to stop here. For this reason, you will be rooming with members of different houses. And no, Mr Weasley, there isn't any room for discussion."

Ron looked angry, then proceeded to give Blaise Zabini his most evil stare as if doing so would mean that he wouldn't have to room with him.

"As I am not entirely unreasonable, I'll let you decide who it is you room with. The only conditions are, firstly that they are in a different house to you and secondly, as I'm sure you're aware, we will allow only same sex rooming." Daphne looked disappointed at this and sent Zacharias Smith a longing glance.

Professor McGonagall placed several keys on the teacher's table and put a quick charm on them to prevent the conditions of the rooming being broken.

"You'll find the rooms on the fourth floor, next to the large portrait of Merlin. I hope that this arrangement will help put our past behind us and help us work towards a more harmonious school community. Goodnight."

She turned to leave before pausing at the small side door.

"Oh and Mr Longbottom?" She added, "I think you might have lost this."

Hermione sent Ron a knowing look, as Professor McGonagall held out the remembrall in her cusped hand.