Just recently I've become obsessed with Hermione/Blaise stories and felt compelled to write one of my own. This is the first time I've written a fanfiction outside of Gundam Wing related stories. If there is any inaccuracies that conflict with the books I apologize, please leave a little message in a review if there are. Anyway, on with the story and please review.

The Roses of Winter

Part 1

By Kiyoko

1-31-04

The luminous moon hung high in the clear sky that night as he watched a figure dash quickly across the crisp grass of the evening toward the lake. He didn't need binoculars to know who was down there gliding across the land so freely. He had seen her do this numerous times from his position atop the astronomy tower. Even the dead of winter could not prevent her from dancing across the lake's frosty shores. He wished he could watch her close up as she unraveled her limbs like a flower to sun's warm rays. The moon's lunar beams reflected off her pale, clear skin as she twirled to a song long forgotten. He wished he could feel the freedom and joy that rolled off of her in waves, but he remained in his position, happy to watch her soar.

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Hermione Granger was usually a morning person. Her daily routine consisted of waking up at precisely 6:30 a.m., striding through the Gryffindor common room at 7:15, down at the Great Hall for breakfast at 7:20, and then off to her first class of the day at 7:50. Today was not one of those mornings. The bright morning sun streaked through the high tower windows directly into Hermione's face causing her to stir a bit. Why is it so bright? She thought to herself, the sun never rises this early in winter. Slowly she fluttered her eyes open sleepily revealing dark chocolate orbs to the sun. Rolling over she turned to stare at the alarm beside her bed, then nearly had a panic attack.

"Seven thirty! Oh Merlin I'm going to be late!" she shrieked at the top of her lungs before plunging into the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth. With speed she didn't know she possessed she pulled her long locks of silky dark brown hair into a ponytail, threw her uniform on before shrugging into her black Hogwarts robe, grabbed her messenger bag, and bolted out of her dorm room as if the place were burning down around her. I can't believe I slept in! she chastised herself as she swung around a corner down to the transfiguration corridor. McGonagall's going to be furious if I'm late. Hermione thought idly. Racing around another corner blindly she barely had time to squeal as she slammed full force into another being. The pair went sprawling onto the floor as Hermione knocked them to the ground, landing on the poor student. Absolutely mortified, the flushed girl rolled off the person she had bulldozed and began gathering her items.

"I'm really sorry," she began as she shoved heavy tomes back into her bag, "I can be such a klutz at times." Smiling slightly Hermione looked up and could have died on the spot. First she noticed the tan, olive colored hands then trailed her eyes up his face. Piercing cobalt blue eyes met hers, his face surrounded by lush black hair. It could only be one person.

Oh Merlin, I did not just run into Blaise Zabini!

Concealing her shock she hastily stood up as he did the same. He handed her a stray book that had fallen out of her bag and she was able to utter a small thanks before darting around him down the hall just fast enough to miss the brief look of longing in his eyes. Out of all the people I could have ran into, it had to be him. Even that ferret Malfoy would be better than him! Hermione's face flushed bright red as she continued her way to the classroom. I must have looked like such an idiot!

She didn't know when her little crush had begun. Before her sixth year Hermione didn't even know he existed. This year he was in four of her classes; Ancient Runes, Arithmacy, Advanced Potions, and Astronomy and she couldn't keep her eyes off of him. The little book-worm couldn't help but admire his glossy black hair and gorgeous olive complexion. And to top it all off he was extremely bright. She wasn't the only one noticing him apparently. Since the year started his name spread like wildfire throughout the female population of Hogwarts. Girls swooned as he walked by and guys couldn't help but glare.

Who was this boy that came out of nowhere with his shy demeanor, handsome good looks, and god like body? Lavender and Parvarti had spent many late nights giggling over him. Hermione had never seen him be cruel to anyone contrary to typical Slytherin behavior. Blaise's family was supposedly rumored to be as wealthy, if not more, than the Malfoys. She fondly remembered a moment in the Library when he helped her reach a particularly high book and slightly brushing against her shoulder. All she could do was mutter a polite 'thank you' as she practically ran away.

Finally she skid into the transfiguration classroom barely on time. Still mortified by her actions only moments ago, she groaned silently before slamming her head on the desk.

Why me?

The rest of the day pasted fairly well for Hermione. During Ancient Runes and Arithmancy she had managed to ignore the dark haired Adonis seated just a few desks away; although she couldn't keep her embarrassing little incident from that morning from replaying over and over in her head no matter how much she tried.

Straight after her last class for the day she headed over to the Library to begin the Transfiguration essay McGonagall assigned that day. Two and a half hours and three feet of parchment later, Hermione rolled up the essay and stuck it in her bag before heading out of the library. Not feeling hungry that night Hermione slipped up to the fourth floor and into and unused corridor. This particular hallway was well lit from the moonlight streaming in from the line of windows on one side and fairly wide.

Hermione set her bag down at the edge of the corridor then pulled out a small black object. Grabbing her wand from inside her robes she gently tapped the object with her wand and muttered a spell. A moment later a black stereo appeared and Hermione smiled. It had taken her months of research to figure out how to make it work with magic instead of electricity. She stood up and shrugged out of the slightly faded school robes. I should buy some new ones. She thought quickly. The Gryffindor then unbuttoned her crisp Oxford shirt and tossed that down to join her robes. Underneath she wore a simple white, thin-strapped, tank top. Kicking off her shoes next to her robe, Hermione hit the play button and waited for the music to begin flowing through the black speakers.

Softly at first the music began to flow into the corridor. Just as Andre Bocelli and Sarah Brightman's Time to Say Goodbye reach her ears, she moved. Gracefully she twirled in soft and gentle movements. Hermione had taken ballet lessons as a child before attending Hogwarts and every summer since then. Though her dance techniques were not what they should be at her age, she took any spare time to practice. Hermione knew she could never be great. Girls her age were already well experienced in point work, but she had never learned how due to her limited instruction during the summer only.

When I'm alone I dream of the horizon and words fail me.
There is no light in a room where there is no sun
and there is no sun if you're not here with me, with me.

Sarah Brightman's high voice sung the beautiful words in Italian. With hands flung wide Hermione twirled down the music filled corridor

From every window unfurls my heart the heart that you have won.
Into me you've poured the light,
the light that you found by the side of the road.

Hermione let the soft melody wrap around her tiny body. Every bone, every muscle, every fiber felt the music pouring through the corridor. She let her eyes flutter closed as the song melted into her body, fueling her soul.

Time to say goodbye.
Places that I've never seen or experienced with you.
Now I shall, I'll sail with you upon ships across the seas,

seas that exist no more,
it's time to say goodbye.

Hermione felt every word caress her gently as her heart felt like it would burst in her chest. The young woman let everything go as she danced: school, friends, Voldemort, Blaise…they all melted away as the dance took over her mind. The deep baritone on Andre Bocelli broke out just as she was in the middle of a pirouette.

When you're far away I dream of the horizon and words fail me.
And of course I know that you're with me, with me.
You, my moon, you are with me.
My sun, you're here with me with me, with me, with me.

The Brunette was so consumed within her dance she didn't notice another presence quietly enter the corridor. He watched her pour her soul into the flowing movements of her body creating the most beautiful dance he'd ever witnessed. How he craved to join her on the stone stage she had created, the compassionate moon her only audience.

Time to say goodbye.
Places that I've never seen or experienced with you.
Now I shall, I'll sail with you upon ships across the seas,
seas that exist no more,

The intruder could almost picture his hand on her waist, the other secured in her tiny hand. He imagined them swaying together to the sweet love ballad, her warm hands blazing against his body. Just one dance, that's all he wanted, just one taste of what it might be like to be with her. Soon the beautiful voice of the woman joined the man's powerful baritone for the last chorus of the song.

I'll revive them with you.
I'll go with you upon ships across the seas,
seas that exist no more,
I'll revive them with you.
I'll go with you.

Hermione could feel the song ending in a great crescendo that nearly lifted her off the ground. She sung the last line together with the music and executed a final twirl of emotion.

You and me.

Suddenly all movement stop and Hermione began breathing hard. She reached up a hand to wipe a bit of perspiration off of her brow then took a moment to reflect on her dance.

"Do you normally dance alone in corridors Granger?"

A/N: I'm planning on making this a three or four part story. Hopefully I'll finish this just in time for Valentines Day. Please leave a review if you have sometime. Thank you!