Dumbledore ambled over after dinner, his blue eyes twinkling. Ron's attention had been captured by Flitwick, and they were making a time to meet to discuss the navigation charm, when Dumbledore interrupted.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I will need to talk to Ron tonight. Perhaps you can do it tomorrow.' Dumbledore waited while Ron and Flitwick made a revised time, then spoke to Draco and Ron together.

"Well, I have some things to do right now, so I will ask Ron to show you to your rooms, Draco. You're both in the unmarried teachers wing, though you'll be the only ones there at the moment. Draco has the room next to yours, Ron, as none of the others are prepared. I will come to see you both for a cup of tea this evening...is 9 o'clock suitable?" Ron and Draco nodded, and Dumbledore beamed as he turned away. "I will see you then."

Draco had been looking covertly at Ron since Dumbledore had come over, but Ron had avoided his eyes. He didn't look at Draco now, either, and set off even as he spoke.

"Come on. We're on the third and fourth floors, in the north tower."

"Are you sure you can remember the way?" Ron didn't even bother to answer, though his back seemed to tense a little. Draco could have kicked himself. He didn't know why he was being so confrontational. The last time he had spent time with Ron, right before the war ended about five years ago, they had managed to talk civilly enough. They had been working in the same section, desperately trying to stay alive and win the war. But tonight, as soon as he realised who the red-haired figure next to Flitwick was, his mouth had opened and his foot had wedged itself in there. Damn.

The rest of the way to the rooms was covered in silence, though Draco had to walk very briskly to keep up with Ron, who seemed to stride along without apparent effort. He would have asked Ron to slow down, but was sure that Ron would use the opportunity to say something cutting. The worst of it was that it would be entirely his own fault. Since Draco was not much given to self-realisation, the thought made him more uncomfortable than ever.

At last, Ron stopped in front of a portrait of a nun and a monk. The nun was doing embroidery and the monk was reading a book of prayers in an ostentatious manner. When the nun saw Ron she put down her embroidery and smoothed her hair.

"Hello, Ron. Welcome back." She glanced at Draco before turning her attention fully back to Ron and smiling at him. "Are you in for the night?">

"Yes, Therese, I am." He smiled charmingly back, and Draco scowled a little. Someone should be paying attention to him. The monk joined the conversation now, and as he looked up from the book he was reading so carefully, the corner of another, and decidedly more salacious, publication peeked out from behind it.

"Now, Therese," said the monk sternly, ¡°you should be paying more attention to finding out who this other new person is than in flirting with Ron." He looked Draco up and down, and so did Therese.

"I would much rather pay attention to Ron," she answered. "I am quite sure that he is capable of making sure someone as undersized as his companion doesn't do any mischief, Turpin."

"Well, yes, he is a little weedy,¡± conceded the monk, "but that doesn't alter the fact that we need to know who he is. Introduce yourself, then!" he suddenly barked at Draco, who scowled even harder.

"Draco Malfoy," he said smoothly, in spite of his scowl. "Perhaps you have heard of me?"

"Malfoy?" Turpin asked. "I've got no use for those old families who think they're so special. It won't get you any favours round here, boy!"

"I hate to interrupt," said Ron, smiling wickedly as Draco's discomfort increased, "but we need to go in. Kai ba." The portrait swung open and as they clambered in Draco heard Therese call out:

"Come and visit any time, Ron, dear."

They found themselves in a large and well-furnished common room, with desks and chairs and comfy couches. The windows faced north and there was a nice balcony with more chairs and couches.

"This is the common room. As Dumbledore said, we are the only ones here at the moment, though I think there are normally only three or four inhabitants anyway. Our rooms are on the next floor." He led them up the stairs and pointed to a door that had already been marked Draco Malfoy. "That's yours. It¡¯s right next to mine, so I guess we have to share the bathroom. See you at 9 o'clock." With that, he disappeared into his room, leaving Draco standing in the corridor.

Draco entered his room, which already had his trunk standing at the foot of his bed and his owl cage on a table by the window. He moved round mechanically putting his things away, his mind occupied with how to retrieve his position and stop behaving like such an adolescent, while not going so far as to apologise to Ron. He didn't like being in the wrong, and was aware that tonight's behaviour had made him look foolish. Not something that a Malfoy relished. On the other hand, there was no real reason to be polite to Ron, really, except for the fact that they were going to be seeing each other every day, eating together and sharing the same bathroom. He scowled. He didn't want to think about it. It reminded him of the last time he had been in close quarters with Ron.

Draco eventually decided to treat Ron in a friendly manner, without any snide comments, and say something in passing to Dumbledore about what a bad headache he had had when he had arrived, using it as an excuse for his bad temper and rude manners.

Dumbledore was a little early, and found Ron conferring with a house elf about the exact kind of supper to be served. The elf bowed low and scampered away as Dumbledore came in. He allowed himself to be persuaded to sit outside, where they had a view of the sunset from the edge of the balcony.

"Well, Ron," started Dumbledore. "How was your first day?"

"Pretty good, sir," answered Ron. "It's a lot of work, but I think I can handle it."

The elf arrived back with the tea tray at the same time as Draco appeared from his room. He came outside and joined them.

"Headmaster. Weasley." He sat on a chair near the table.

"Come now, Draco, there is no need for you and Ron to be on such formal terms. In fact, that's why I asked to see you tonight." Dumbledore turned to Ron and indicated that he should sit down. Ron did so, and poured the tea while Dumbledore spoke.

"Ron, Draco is here to do a practical project in charms. He has decided to choose warding as his specialist area, and so he is going to check and ward the boundaries of Hogwarts, under Flitwicks supervision. However, he will need help for the parts of the boundary that lie within the Forbidden Forest. It will be your job, Ron, to accompany him when he does these parts, and also at any other time that he needs help." Dumbledore waited for comment, sipping his tea. Ron said nothing, just looked at Draco, who felt obliged to say something.

"Um- yes, well, I'd be glad of your help, Weasley," he said at last, inwardly wincing at the insincere sound of his words. Obviously Ron thought they were less than sincere too.

"Not at all, Draco. Just doing my duty."

If Dumbledore noticed the tension, he didn't comment on it, instead complimenting Ron on his tea ("You're obviously Molly's child" he said), and leaving them to catch up on old times. Ron showed no intention of doing so, and turned to go as soon as the headmaster was gone.

"Wait," said Draco. He felt hot and flustered. "I do appreciate your help. Ron. Really. And I'm sorry for earlier." He looked down at his feet. "You know. It was just- a surprise to see you, and I didn't think." He was blushing now, and wasn't sure of what he was saying. He certainly hadn't intended to say so much, but it was hard to stop.

"It's OK," said Ron, breaking into Draco's words. "I understand. Let's begin again." Draco almost rebelled against such graciousness, but he accepted it, and offered Ron a cream cake, remembering that they were his favourite.

"How did you remember?" asked Ron.

"I remember lots of things. From the war. How you would always eye the cream cakes hungrily when we had them, but would never eat more than your share,¡± answered Draco.

"Sometimes you let me have your one," said Ron, softly, and they both looked away into the night.

Draco went to bed that night feeling less embarrassed than he could have felt. Obviously he could get on with Ron Weasley, and it wasn't just the war that had made them temporary allies. He went to sleep contentedly.

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