Title: Summer of Uncertainty (1/?)

Author: granger2malfoy

E-mail:

Disclaimer: I am not JK. But that's not what the voices in my head keep saying.

Pairing(s): Blaise/Hermione, Ron/Hermione
Rating: PG-13
Archive: Yes

Warnings: None

Summary: Due to threat on the Golden Trio and Hermione's family, desperate measures are taken the summer before their seventh year. How does this effect Blaise Zabini?

It was the last night before they left for their summer holiday; Blaise Zabini slowly finished his chocolate pudding enjoying the rich, creamy dessert. He glanced down his table as remember how that year, his sixth, changed his life in so many aspects.

On the train back to Hogwarts, Blaise learned from the rumor-mill named Pansy that Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Nott were all shipped off by families to Durmstrang Institute for remainder of school in protest to Dumbledore's restatement. Leaving only Blaise Zabini only 6th year boy, Snape automatically named him Prefect with the statement he was truly worthy of the title and appointed Seeker with a promise to be Quidditch captain the next year, if he wished.

With Draco and his clan out of the scene, Blaise was forced to take center stage and decided to something about the reputation Slytherins had because of Draco's asinine beliefs. All his housemates because of his sound advice, intelligence, and compassion for the younger Slytherins respected him. While he remained Slytherin at heart, he single handedly redefined Slytherin but still remaining cunning and great ambition with being cruel and vicious.

Right before Halloween, Snape had asked him about his thoughts on Death Eaters and Voldemort. Blaise told him that his family was a very old family of purebloods and never considered it an option with his extreme actions, especially since that the dark lord was only half-and-half. They never officially took a side, but refused to help Voldemort's cause and Blaise stated he felt with it with no harsh feeling for Muggles or Muggleborns. From that conversation on, Snape took him under his wing, of course in a Snape way, by giving him weekly, private lesson DADA lessons and books for him to read on the subjects they covered.

Feeling the need to do more with his influence, Blaise took some time to make up his mind about something he had wanted to do since last year. One night before the Christmas holiday, he approached member of the golden trio with bushy brown hair to ask her advice on the subject of his thoughts. Granger had been polite to him since the school year started and listened to his dilemma without speaking a word till he was done. After about an hour's worth of talking, she told him to meet her the next night with a list of all Slytherins that could be trusted to join Dumbledore's Army. After several meetings between the trio and him, fifteen Slytherins joined the ranks of the DA and were as good as their word. They proved they could be trusted as proved all the people who doubted them wrong. Within a month, Blaise was considered as an equal to Ron and Hermione but only Harry bested him in duels.

Blaise found himself very busy as he studied for his classes, fulfilled his Prefect duties, and learned everything he could about fighting against the dark side. Doing all of these things made him more aware of the Gryffindor know-it-all. He saw Granger in the DA classes and often found paired with her when Ron paired with Luna and Harry walked around the room and instructed. He had to admit she was good, almost as good as him. She had helped talk Harry into giving him a chance by letting him and the other Slytherins join the DA. Granger was also in his Ancient Runes, Arithmacy, and Advanced Potions were they were paired up since they were the only was from their own houses that made it into sixth year Potions. Potion class was always pretty uneventful with Neville no longer in the class and she made a good partner with a mind to match his. But she always remained the Gryffindor know-it-all in his eyes.

His head of house approached him at the table and stated, "Mr. Zabini, the headmaster would like to see you in his office after the feast. Then come to my office afterward, so we can tie up a few loose ends."

"Of course, Professor Snape," Blaise responded as he watch his mentor walked out of the great hall, billowing robes and all. Some things never change.

After he finished his second helping of pudding, Blaise left the Great Hall and headed for his appointment with Dumbledore. They spoke for a few hours about his thoughts on Voldemort, his private lessons with Snape, on helping the light side and his plans for summer vacation.

With the long meeting with the sugar-happy headmaster, who kept forcing lemon drops on him, Blaise met with Professor Snape in his office and gave him the address to his parent's summerhouse in Italy. His head of house ordered him to get some sleep but didn't need to since he already knew he needed his sleep for tomorrow was going to be a long day.

After breakfast as he finished packing his belongs, Snape came into his dorm, which was empty since it was just Blaise that lived there. "It is time. Are you all packed and ready to go?"

With a swish of his wand, his trunk shrunk to the size of an apple and he tucked it safely in his traveling cloak. "Packed and I am as ready as I'll ever be."

Snape chuckled at his student's comment and lead the way toward the headmaster's office. Once they arrived he noticed a group of people already occupied the room. Potter, Granger, and Weasley sat in the wooden chairs in front of Dumbledore's desk. Standing behind Harry, Blaise recognized their old DADA professor from third year, Remus Lupin. Some tall guy that with red hair and dragon's hid boots on leaned against the wall between two paintings of sleeping past Headmasters. That must be another brother of Weasley's.

Snape stepped into the room along the left side of the door. That left Blaise enough room between the Potions Master and the door as he leaned against the cold stonewalls.

"Ah. Welcome, Mr. Zabini. Now that we are all here, there is some things that needs to be told and some issues to be discussed. Usually, the three of you," his hand jester to the golden trio, "would stay at the Headquarters once Harry left the Dursleys'. This year there is going to be a change of plans," Dumbledore paused as he put a lemon drop into his mouth. "Anyone else want one?"

He must be addicted to sugar. Blaise looked over to where Granger was sitting in a chair between the two boys. Ron had his arm draped across the back of hers. It was known that they were dating but nothing serious from what Blaise could tell. He saw it more of a friendship with the benefit of occasional holding hands. He never saw them kiss, touch, or always smiling, like the rest of the love-struck teenagers in the castle, did. But it was none his business and really didn't give a damn about her non-existent love life.

After everyone shook his or her head to decline the headmaster of his candy offer, he remained silent for a moment. Blaise knew somewhat about what the elder was going to say. And the plans directly affect his plans for the entire summer. The headmaster began again. "Harry, two nights ago there was an attack on Grimmauld Place and it was burnt to the ground. The few people there got out safely, but the house is a complete loss. I am sorry but one of the members has not been found yet and it is the only way the Death Eaters could've found it. We fear that the person was – forced to give up the location of our headquarters.

"We are deciding upon a new location for the Order. But there is a bigger threat to the three of you that you need to know about. We have a feeling that this summer Voldemort will do anything to ensure that the three of you do not make it back here next year. Of course, Harry is the most threatened but the two of you are his best friends and could be used against him, if captured. After discussing all the options, the three of you will be separated and placed into trusted hands for the entire summer."

"Separated? Will we be able to owl each other at least?" Ron asked, as he looked pleading to the headmaster.

Before he could answer, Hermione spoke, "No, Ron. It would give away our location if someone intercepted the owls. What is to happen to Harry? He can't stay at the awful place all summer."

Blaise saw a tear run down her face as she held her two best friends' hands. For a brief instant, he felt jealous of their friendship since he had never had a friend he really trusted.

"Harry will only have to stay there two weeks and Remus will be there at all times. He spoke to Harry's aunt and uncle and they reluctantly agreed for two weeks as a maximum. He will then be traveling to different places over the course of the summer with Remus. During the few days when Remus will be unable to care for Harry, another member will replace him till he is able to again. Ron, you and your sister will be spending the summer with Charlie in Romania."

Harry gave a half-smile at his friend and then asked, "And what about Hermione? And her family?"

"Since her family are Muggles, they will accompany her and are to be protected in a wizarding household where they will not be found. She will be safe; I can assure the both of you. There will always be a member of the Order with them and another one will be staying there often as well," Dumbledore explained. He stood from his chair and walked around the front of his desk to stand in front of the trio.

He spoke in a serious tone, "I know this will be hard on all of you. But I can assure the three of you, you will find out if anything should happen to the other two. Now, say your good-byes for it is time to head in your separate ways for the next few months."

Harry got to his feet fist and shook Ron's hand, as he seemed to be fighting back the tears. Hermione's eyes were filled with tears and hugged Harry tight. He rocked her in his arms and kissed the top of her head. Those emerald green eyes looked over at Blaise and the glint of realization appeared as Harry had just figured out why Blaise was there. He pulled out of her arms. "I'm going to be okay and it will be nice to enjoy my chance to spend some time with Remus. Just know I will always be thinking about you two."

He walked away from them as Lupin approached Ron and Hermione and gave hugs. Harry approached the door and offered Blaise his hand. Blaise raised his eyebrow and accept Harry's hand. "I'll see you next year, Zabini." Then in a very low voice with his teeth shown, Harry spoke, "And if I find out you hurt her, they'll never find your body."

Blaise gave a single nod in a show of understanding and replied, "She will be safe with my family. They are not like the Malfoy's. You can trust them. And me."

Harry left them in the room and Lupin swung his cloak over his shoulders as he walked out the door too.

"She's staying with him?" Ron asked in a shaky high voice as he over Hermione's shoulder at the Slytherin. Blaise saw her body lightly shook with sobs in the arms of her boyfriend.

"Mr. Weasley, Zabini has the Order's full trust and was made a member last night. He was been under going training all year for his joining the Order of the Phoenix. Mr. Zabini can be trusted with Miss Granger," Snape said as he stood behind the younger Slytherin.

Ron's eyes locked on to his indigo ones and held the stare for a very long minute. He then returned his eyes to his girlfriend and whispered something into her ear.

Hermione raised her head and looked Ron into the eyes. "Yes, Ron." She moved her eyes to look at Blaise and continued, "I trust him with life and my families. Now, stop worrying about me. I'll be fine with my books and parents to keep me company. You have wanted to study with Charlie for some time. Go enjoy yourself. And send Ginny my love." Her lips placed a short kiss on his cheek and pulled out of his arms to wipe the tears off her face.

The red head walked straight up to Blaise and stands there a moment with barely a foot in between them. Blaise was about two inches short than Ron and not as built, but the year of Quidditch made his reflexes fast to duck if he needed to.

Ron's voice was so low and full on anger that Blaise was the only one that heard him. "You so much as lay a finger on her and it will take years to pull all of the pieces of wood from the broom I shove up your arse."

With that threat made, he stalked out of the office with his amused brother in tow behind him.

Blaise shook his head as he decided they would make good on their warnings. And here I thought she didn't have any brothers to threaten me for her safety.

His indigo eyes meet her warm brown ones and they held each other's stare for moment. Time seemed to have stood still as Blaise found he noticed a few small freckles on the bridge of her nose.

The headmaster interrupted their moment of silence with a clearing of his throat. "Miss Granger as you have figured out. You and your family will be taking up residence at Zabini summer home in Italy. Your parents were told last night and are due to arrive there tomorrow evening. You will accompany Professor Snape and Mr. Zabini to the estate today. I would also advise you to take this opportunity to learn all you can from the two of them during this summer. They will help prepare for any dangers that may – arise. If you need anything, please let Professor Snape know and he will be able to contact me. Thank you again Mr. Zabini for offering your home to them."

Hermione's eyes quickly moved from the headmaster back to his. With a small smile, his eyes pulled away from hers, as she almost seemed to pull him into her soul. Snape opened the door for the two students as they headed off to a summer of uncertainty.

End of Chapter one

Please review and let me know the good and the bad. But don't flame me. if you don't like the pairing of Blaise/Hermione. It will be Ron/Hermione for the most of this but with angst of Blaise/Hermione.