Dinner had been humiliating. He knew he wouldn't have to worry about a Howler- his father was much more the poison in the tea type. Taking a moment to eye his tea warily, he didn't notice everyone around him standing and moving toward the doors until another small boy (blond, carefully combed hair: good, freckled: bad) gently patted his arm. "C'mon, or we'll miss the password to the common room."

He followed his new companion, pleased he seemed content to keep the silence, and was surprised when they followed the flow of students down. He'd thought only Slytherin had rooms in the basement. He was resigning himself to a life of yellow when the group paused at the portrait of a woman, resplendent in robes of gold-embroidered blue. She spoke quietly, too soft to hear from the back of the group, when the prefect replied in a strong voice: "Fidelity."

The portrait swung open, and Draco got his first view of his new home.