Chapter Three

The next few weeks of school flew past, with a surprising amount of consistency. Something during the school day would amuse Blaise enough that he'd talk about it until they went to sleep, they'd get in run-ins with Potter and his crew of dimwits, lose points in Transfiguration, laugh when Gryffindors lost points in Potions, start ignoring Blaise around dinner time, do homework in the common room, talk until after midnight, and then go to sleep. When Quidditch season began, they started another tradition. Blaise and Draco always awoke first on Quidditch Saturday, both of them huge fans of the sport, then they would yell loudly until Pansy and Hermione woke up. They'd wander down to breakfast, where the only other people awake were the Quidditch teams playing, and if Slytherin wasn't one of them, they'd decide who they wanted to win, and place bets. When Slytherin was playing, they bet how much Slytherin would win by.

The fourth match-up of the season was on October 30th, the day before Halloween, and it was Slytherin vs. Gryffindor. Of course, on this Saturday, the Slytherin table was almost full by the time Hermione, Blaise, Pansy and Draco got there.

"So," Blaise began, as they sat down in their regular seats, "By how much, do you think?"

"With Potter as Seeker?" Draco smirked as he filled his goblet with orange juice, "I'd say by at least 200 points."

"Really? I've heard people talking about him. Apparently he's," Blaise scowled, "decent. So I'm going to bet we'll win by 125."

Pansy and Hermione, who didn't actually like Quidditch very much, always waited until after the boys had bet, and then they'd each place their bets with one of them.

"I guess I agree with Blaise," Hermione said as she grabbed a piece of toast.

"And I'm with Draco. We're going to beat them by so much, they'll be crying about it until Christmas!" Pansy threw a grin at Hermione, who chuckled, knowing that Pansy always tried to put in at least one comment to get the boys more excited, no matter how lame an attempt it usually was. Apparently, though, it was enough for the rest of the table, for everyone who had heard her started cheering until the Gryffindors picked up on it and started chanting, "Gryffindor, Gryffindor." Draco and Blaise started the booing, but as always, it was Slytherin versus the rest of the school, so it wasn't long until the entire school had joined in on the Gryffindor chants.

"We'll see who's cheering after the game!" Marcus Flint, the Slytherin captain, yelled. A few others from the Slytherin team hollered in agreement, until the Slytherin's roars outweighed everyone else's.


"AND OLIVER WOOD BLOCKS THE QUAFFLE. SLYTHERIN IS DOWN BY 40." The stadium was as loud as it had ever been, with every last student and teacher, no matter how disinterested they may have been in the beginning, watching the game with wide eyes. Four hours had gone by since the game had begun, and Slytherin had been ahead for most of it, only losing their lead around half an hour ago. Hermione followed Harry Potter's every move, watching him swerve and dive as he avoided Bludgers. So far the Snitch had been sighted five times, each instance it disappeared within moments.

"Potter's got game," Blaise whispered to Hermione. Hermione nodded and shivered simultaneously. The temperature had dropped at least 20 degrees in a week, making it bitterly cold. The brutal wind whipped around them, causing the crowds to take their eyes off of the game long enough to huddle together. When their gazes returned, the students gasped, seeing that Harry Potter now was dangling from his broom with one hand. As everyone gawked up in horror, Potter's broom flipped around, as if trying to throw him off. Which could only mean…?

"Someone's jinxing the broom," Hermione whispered to Draco. Draco nodded slightly, a smirk on his face,

"But who? They're officially my hero," he muttered back. Grinning, Hermione turned her gaze to Slytherin's Seeker, who was taking the opportunity to hunt for the Snitch. Every member of the Gryffindor team stayed frozen in midair, trying to figure out a way to help their newest player to safety, while the Slytherins threw the Quaffle three times into an unguarded hoop.

Suddenly, people were screaming, Hermione glanced over in time to see Harry Potter plummeting to the ground. A loud voice echoed across the stadium,

"Tardus cado." And then, Potter's fall slowed to such a sluggish pace that Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape and a few other teachers managed to make it down to the field before he hit. Hermione turned her gaze back to the game, where she saw Slytherin's seeker, Terence Higgs, flying around with a golden orb in his right hand.

"It's over," she whispered to Pansy, pointing at Terence, "He's got the Snitch."

No one but the Slytherins noticed. Finally, they saw Marcus and Terence fly over to Lee Jordan's score booth.

Everyone in the stands stayed silent as headed down their stands and back to the school. The teachers escorting Potter were already at the doors. The entirety of Slytherin House stayed in their seats.

"And…Slytherin wins," Lee said, blankly, glancing up to see how far his fellow Gryffindors had gotten, "Like anyone cares," and then he turned off the microphone, and jogged after his friends. Slowly the Slytherins began exiting the stadium as well, cheering at their victory or laughing together over Potter flailing from his broom.

"So," Blaise started, cheerily, as they headed back up the hill towards the school, "final score was what…260-120? So we won by 140."

"Ah, yes," Hermione cheered, "we won! Pay up!" She and Blaise put out their hands, waiting as Draco and Pansy rummaged through their cloak pockets for 10 Galleons.

"This is going to be a good day," Blaise yelled, grinning. Hermione laughed along with the rest of her friends.

"Okay, here's the deal," Draco stated. Looking over, Hermione saw that Pansy had jumped on his back, "First pair to the common room gets 10 Galleons each."

"You're just trying to win back your money!" Blaise pointed out, "Lucky for me, I have a relatively light load," he dodged a smack from Pansy, "Jump on, Hermione, come on." Laughing, Hermione climbed onto Blaise's back.

"READY, SET, GO!" Pansy exclaimed out, and the boys began their race. Hermione shrieked in laughter, as she and Blaise took the lead.

"Go Blaise, go," she cheered. The wind lashed at her face, so Hermione hid her head in Blaise's cloak. When she risked a peek to see who was ahead, she saw the school rapidly approaching.

"Hermione," Blaise said, "Quick, the door!" Glancing behind her, Hermione saw Pansy and Draco were catching up, and taking time to stop and open the door would give the other pair the lead. She took her right arm from Blaise's shoulder, making sure she was latched on tight enough around his neck, and grasped in her cloak pocket for her wand.

"Patefacio ianua," she called out, grinning triumphantly as Blaise shot through the doors and down the stairs to the dungeons. Pansy and Draco were far enough behind that Blaise felt comfortable enough to decelerate to a slow jog as he and Hermione approached the common room entrance.

"Serpente astuto," Blaise said, smoothly, the Italian password being no problem for him, as he was Italian. Before the two of them could walk through the portrait, they heard heavy footsteps coming down the stairs. Chuckling to himself, Blaise stepped through the archway and into the common room. He dropped Hermione onto a couch near the fire, then sat down next to her, just as Draco and Pansy entered the room.

"You were right," Draco muttered, breathless, as he sat down next to Hermione on the couch, "You did have a lighter load."

"Hey!" Pansy exclaimed, whacking Draco on the head before sitting down on the armchair next to the rest of the group. Hermione smiled and relaxed against the couch, listening to her friends' conversation.


The next day, Halloween, the school was completely abuzz, because Potter had allegedly been released from the Hospital Wing.

"Already?" Blaise whined during breakfast, "I was hoping for complications. You know, like … they have to amputate his … like body or something, you know?"

Hermione shared a look with Pansy, "Blaise," Hermione started, sweetly, "how much sugar have you had this morning?"

"What are you saying?" he shot back, suspiciously, narrowing his eyes.

"Never mind," she replied, rolling her eyes. Suddenly a large clump of people walked through the doorway into the Great Hall. The twin Weasleys and the rest of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, along with the younger Weasley and Longbottom. People started to cheer when they noticed Potter near the back of the group.

"I can think of a bright side in all of this," Draco said, "We have Potions today, and knowing Professor Snape…"

"GOODIE," Blaise cheered, causing Hermione, Pansy and Draco to stare at him with confused looks.

"Blaise," Pansy said, patiently, holding out her hand, "give it here."

"Fine," Blaise sulked, pulling out a carton of Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans and passing it to her.


"Now," Professor Snape began, "I suspect your essays on side effects of a badly brewed Boil-Cure Potion are ready to turn in. Given the amount of time you had to complete it, I expect them to be done perfectly," he started to circle around the rooms, collecting the parchments from the students who already had them out. He stopped when he got to Potter and Weasley, "Mr. Potter, I see you don't have your essay?"

"No, sir," he stated, "I was in the Hospital Wing."

"Yes, everyone here is aware of your mishap during the Quidditch Game yesterday, but the essay was assigned a week ago. Are you telling me you were leaving it until last night?"

"Sir, I--"

"A zero for you, Mr. Potter. And detention. Tonight, right after dinner."

"But--"

"Tomorrow as well," he replied, and began to walk away.

"Professor--"

"Don't test me, Potter," Professor Snape snarled, stalking back to Potter.

Hermione laughed quietly, then glanced over to see Draco and Blaise, covering their own laughter by looking at their table.


"I guess this happens a lot?" Hermione asked at dinner, as she glanced over at Blaise,

"Oh definitely." Pansy told her, smirking.

"My parents have a Halloween Party every year," Draco replied, looking amused, "and this is always how it ends." He gestured at Blaise.

"I love candy, I love chocolate, it's so great, I can't believe it," Blaise sang, as he bounced around.

"Unbelievable," Hermione laughed, taking a sip of her soup, "And dinner's only just started."

"It only gets worse," Pansy said, seriously.

"Agreed, wait until--"

The doors to the Great Hall swung open, revealing a frazzled-looking Professor Quirrel,

"TROLL, IN THE DUNEGON," he yelled, "TROLL!" And he collapsed. The Great Hall turned to chaos quickly. Everyone was up, and running towards the exit. Some people were screaming, others just frantically looking for their friends or siblings. Hermione, Draco, Pansy and Blaise were up in an instant, being pushed along by their classmates.

"SILENCE," Dumbledore yelled, stopping the chaotic crowd immediately, "Students, follow your prefects to your common rooms, teachers, come with me to the dungeons."

"How it get in??" Hermione asked, glancing behind her to make sure her friends were still there.

"Not by itself," Pansy replied, "Trolls are too stupid."

"That's why I'm confused," Hermione told her, as they followed the crowd of Slytherins down to the dungeons.

Once the Slytherins were away from the chaos, a regular volume of chatter emerged. Everyone knew that trolls were only dangerous when you didn't know how to fight them, and lucky for the Slytherins, their parents had taught them well.

"Well? Let's go find the beast," Draco suggested, "It can't be too hard."

"YAY," Blaise cheered, "LET'S ATTACK IT!" He charged ahead, deeper into the dungeons.

"Merlin," Hermione muttered, "Well come on, he can't do it alone," and they ran after their overexcited friend.


Finally they found Blaise at the far end of the dungeon.

"I can't find it," he said, dejected, his hyper-ness obviously beginning to wear off. But suddenly there was a loud bang from the empty classroom near them. They looked at each other: Hermione shrugged, Blaise hummed, Pansy smirked, and Draco nodded and muttered, "Might as well." With that, they hurried over to the door and pulled it open.

There was a second crash the second the door opened, Hermione stepped backwards surprised. Potter, Weasley and Longbottom were standing in front of a full-grown mountain troll with their wands out, trying to decide what spell to use.

"I don't remember any!" Longbottom cried, hiding his face from the debris the troll kept throwing.

"This was a lousy idea, then," Weasley complained, jumping away from a chair the troll had tossed at him.

"Well we can't levitate him, he's too big?" Harry replied, though he said it in more of a question form.

Draco chuckled under his breath, "Somnus," he called out, pointing at the troll. The beast's eyes began to close, and it began to snore. And fall.

"Tardus cado," Hermione repeated the spell Dumbledore had used on Potter during his fall. The three Gryffindors spun around, eager to see who had saved them. Their grins faded when they saw the Slytherins.

"Your welcome," Draco said, smirking.

"We didn't need your he--" Potter cut off when the classroom door swung open again, and his eyes widened. Hermione turned around, and saw Dumbledore, Snape and McGonagall step in, looking angry, then surprised.

"The troll," McGonagall stated, "who knocked it out?"

"We did," Draco replied, smugly, "While Potter and his friends stood around stupidly."

"I could see why my students were down here," Professor Snape stated, "This is the dungeons after all, but why are three Gryffindors down here, while their dorms are on the seventh floor?" He raised his eyebrows, "I suggest detention for the three of them."

"Oh?" McGonagall glanced angrily at Professor Snape, "The Slytherin dorms are on the other side of the dungeon. I find it hard to believe they got lost."

"They will all have detention tomorrow evening at 7pm," Dumbledore said, quietly.

"Headmaster," Professor Snape began, "I must protest, my students were the ones that knocked out the troll. I hardly think it's fair…"

"Yes, and I applaud them for it, but they were to go straight to their dormitories, as your students were to do as well, Minerva. 7pm, be at Hagrid's hut."

The three Gryffindors grinned at their luck, while Hermione had to suppress a groan. The dumb half-giant hated Slytherins.


Author's Note: Hey y'all. I haven't updated in like … a really long time. Sorry about that. Anyways. What did I want to say about this chapter? Oh yeah, isn't it weird to think about, how many things would be different about the book if Hermione wasn't there? As you can already tell, Harry probably would have fallen from his broom because Hermione didn't set Snape on fire. And Harry wouldn't have gone after the troll to save Hermione, because Ron never offended her in Charms. IT'S WEIRD, ISN'T IT? Obviously, there will be more of that. What else? Oh yeah, isn't Blaise hilarious? I think I made him a little too crazy when he was hyper, he almost seemed drunk. Or high. Or both. But whatever, I love making Blaise random. OH YEAH. I wanted to say, I never knew for sure what Blaise looked like. I've heard he was Italian, black and as white as Draco. I'd have to say my favorite is Italian, but I'm actually pretty sure he's black. I chose Italian because I like him as that better. I just said that. Oops, I'm ranting again. TIME TO REPLY TO REVIEWS.

rebecca: I guess this wouldn't be as soon an update as you wanted. And yeah, I'm probably going to throw in a Potter/Granger conflict in the next chapter or so, maybe during detention. Harry have a crush on her is a good idea too, or just trying to bother Draco and Blaise by flirting but they're 11 right now, so if I continue, I'll definitely put that in like year 3 or above. OVERPROTECTING HERMIONE IS GREAT, ISN'T IT?

TheCrzyinglyInsne1: I know, isn't Blaise hilarious? I hope you enjoyed him this chapter too. Tell me if he was too insane.

Also thank you to me-twilighter, steph_malfoy713, dracolover69, and PinkSlytherin. Please review. (:

Tardus cado: Latin for slow fall or slow the fall.

Patefacio ianua: Latin for open door or open the door.

Serpente astuto: Italian for sly serpent.

Somnus: Latin for sleep.

SO SORRY FOR THE 3 E-MAILS SAYING I UPDATED!