Disclaimer: Everything is owned by J.K. Rowling except the plot.

Summary: Hermione Granger and her friends are back to Hogwarts for their last year. What happens when she is back and guys start to notice her more? In a good way. NOT Ron/Hermione. Draco/Hermione, Harry/Hermione, Blaise/Hermione

Chapter 4: Confusion

Draco Malfoy entered his friend's dormitory. He and Blaise agreed to meet to head down to Hogsmeade together.

I guess he's not here yet. He thought to himself thinking he was the only one in the dorm, but suddenly he heard a noise coming from Granger's room.

Oh. That must be Granger ... A few minutes go by. What in the bloody hell is taking Blaise so long? He thought impatiently.

He then heard a groan and later a loud thump then nothing. What was that? He tried to ignore it, but something in his gut told him that something was wrong.

"Granger?" Draco called up. No answer. Sighing, he lifted himself up slowly and began treading to her room.

He knocked on her door and it creaked open a little. Thinking something was out of sorts, he pushed the door further, "Granger?-" he started and saw Hermione sprawled on the ground. Oh bugger, she must have fainted. He thought. Kneeling slowly next to her, he shook her a bit. "Granger? Granger? Can you hear me?" He tried to get some response. She wasn't reacting.

He groaned knowing that he had to help take her to the hospital wing now. He wasn't going to leave her there unconscious. He is not that heartless. He searched for his wand. He reached into this pocket. Not there. His other pocket. No. Damn, I must have left it back at my room. He growled in frustration this time realizing he had to manually carry her. He lifted her up and adjusted her to a comfortable position.

She's lighter than I thought. He noted.

Making sure she was secure in his arms, he started to head out the dorm. She finally stirred a little. "T-thanks." He heard Hermione say weakly and completely blacked out after. He scoffed in disbelief and disgust. This girl...even when she's unconscious she's nice. If you knew it was me, you wouldn't be as grateful.

He continued to carry her out. As he was trying to walk as fast as he could go to the hospital wing, he heard people start to whisper about what they were witnessing.

"Is that Malfoy carrying Hermione Granger?"

"First Zabini, now Malfoy? What's going on?"

Do people have nothing better to do than gossip? He continued toward his destination quickly ignoring everything else. Where the hell is Potter when you need the stinking git? He thought angrily.

Draco kicked the doors to the hospital wing open angrily when he arrived. Soon after, Madame Pomprey came bustling out of her office upset.

"Who's kicking my doors?" She huffed. She saw Hermione in Draco's arms and quickly changed her attitude. "Mr. Malfoy, what happened? Please set her down here." As she indicated to one of the beds. Draco placed Hermione slowly on the bed and told the witch what happened. Warily trusting in his story, she began to analyze and treat the younger witch.

Standing outside at the entrance of the castle, Harry and friends were waiting for Hermione to join them to walk to Hogsmeade together. As they were happily chatting with one another, a group of students leaving the castle were gossiping the latest.

...

"Did you hear? My friend said she saw Malfoy carrying Hermione Granger in the halls?"

"What? That's ridiculous."

"Yeah, I heard that some people saw him heading to the hospital wing. What happened to her? Why was he carrying her?"

...

Hearing this, Harry immediately bolted towards the hospital wing with Ron, Neville and Ginny in tow. On his way there, he encounters Blaise who is heading to the Head dormitory to meet up with Draco. He notices the frantic look on Harry's face. What's going on? He thought as looked on in confusion.

"Hermione! Hospital Wing!" Harry shouts out to him as he continues to run.

Blaise followed him promptly and the two rush in the hospital wing making a ruckus upsetting Madame Pomprey the second time that day. She tried to shoos them away.

Blaise looked around and saw Hermione in one of the beds with Draco next to him.

He furrowed his brow. What caused her to black out? I know she's been having headaches these past few days, but she said she was fine. Damn, I should have made sure.

Harry saw Malfoy and instantly grabs him by the collar.

"What did you do?!" Harry growled.

Draco looked at him amused by his reaction. "Before you assume anything, I suggest you let go of me." Draco calmly said. Harry tried to restrain himself and slowly but reluctantly removed his hand from the other boy's clothes. After brushing and correcting his clothes, Draco continued to explain what happened in the dorm.

Harry looked at Malfoy with displeasure not believing any of his story. Shortly after, Madame Pomprey came over to the boys to explain what she discovered with Hermione removing Harry's focus from Malfoy to her.

Hermione fainted due to exhaustion and stress. Hermione had more classes than most of the students her year on top of her Head Girl duties. She said that Hermione will need to be more careful the next few days, but for now she must rest. She continued to shoo them out of the room. As this was happening, the rest of the gang arrived and looked around for her worried.

Draco sees the group and decide it was time to make himself scarce. Blaise noticed the blonde exiting the room. Knowing Hermione was not in danger, he slowly followed him out.

Sounds of footsteps echo the halls as the Slytherins headed down from the hospital wing. Both deep in thought as they continued the path to the entrance of the castle.

What is so special about that mudblood for so many people to rush in to check on her? That's how Gryffindors are. So bloody loyal. Making such a big deal out of nothing. Stupid Scarhead even dared to put his hands on me. Draco pondered and scowled. He glances over at his friend. ...but Blaise entered the same time as Potter. He looked out of character and a bit frazzled. I guess he was worried he would have extra Head duties... Yeah, that must be it...

Hermione should be alright. I have no reason to stay. Her best friends are there. Blaise thought to himself. Since knowing her, she's always overworking herself. If it was just the two of us, I could be back there watching after her. He thought sadly.

Flashback

Blaise just completed his workout regime for the day. He headed to the gymnasium's cafe for a drink. He paid for his drink and turned to leave and saw a girl sitting alone in a quiet area of the cafe reading a book. With a second glace, he noticed it was Hermione Granger. His cousin, Antonio having the friendly and persistent personality that he had kept forcing Hermione to join in Blaise's workout with him. This gave them time and opportunity to know one another. Since the accident on the first day of her job, they started to be more corial and amicable with each other. He felt that she was pretty easy to talk to. He never thought he would be friends with a non pureblood. He didn't really hate them, but just didn't care to make the effort to know them.

"That book good enough to recommend?" He went up to her table.

Too focused on her book, she didn't hear him and continued reading.

"Hermione?" He tried again amused.

This time Hermione heard someone calling her name. She glanced up and saw Blaise with a smirk looking down at her.

"Blaise! Finished for today?" She asked him surprised.

He nodded slightly. "Came to grab a drink. Seems like a good book." He said motioning to the book she was holding.

"Oh yeah. My friend recommended it to me. Pretty interesting. It's a thriller mystery. I can lend it to you when I'm done if you'd like."

"Sure. I have to get going though. Just dropped by to say Hi."

"Yeah, I should get back. My break is almost over anyways." She shut her book, gather her things, and began to stand.

At that moment, a group of children just finished with their summer camp came running excitedly through the cafe. One of the children accidentally knocked into Hermione, but looked back quickly and shouted an apology. "Sorry lady!" He called back while keeping up with his friends.

Hermione surprised by the sudden impact began to lose balance. "Ah!"

Blaise swiftly grabbed her waist and pulled her up against his chest.

Time seemed to stop. He looks at her warm honey colored eyes. Why does this feel right? Am I imagining things? I don't even know her that well. He thought. ...But you could. Another part of him decided. Breaking away from his thoughts. "Are you alright?"

Stunned, Hermione reddens. "Y-yes. T-thank you." She stammered.

Wanting to stay in the position longer, he holds her a bit longer than necessary and released his hand slowly.

"Well, I have to go back now. I'll see you." She said regaining her composure.

"See you." He repeated keeping his gaze.

Hermione leaves for Antonio's office as Blaise turns to the exit. He left the building confused and deep in thought. Little did he know, at that instance he was starting to fall for her.

End Flashback

The two Slytherins continued their way to Hogsmeade. Back in the hospital wing, Harry and his friends were trying to convince Madame Pomprey for them to stay until Hermione woke. She refused adamantly, and they pushed more until she compromised with letting one person stay. They decide to take shifts and promised to notify each other once she woke. After Ron and Ginny's shift, Harry stayed at her side.

It's nightfall; the bustling and chattering sounds of students in the halls turn to silence as students are asleep in their beds. He looks at her peaceful sleeping face.

He holds her hand with both hands. I've never been so terrified. I had thought something horrible happened. Thank Merlin. I don't know what I would have done if something did. He thought to himself as he rested his head on their clutched hands. He felt her stir, and his head shot up.

Hermione slowly opened her eyes. Her head was hurting a little, but not to the degree of when she was in her room. Why? Why am I in the hospital wing? What happened? She looked around and saw Harry holding her hands looking elated. "Harry?"

"Hermione! You're awake!" He said happily.

"What.. what happened?" She asked hoarsely.

Harry proceeded to tell her that she fainted from overwork and stress. Madame Pomprey came out of her room and checks on Hermione again. After she was done, she told Harry to say his goodbyes and leave so Hermione could rest. Harry tried to protest.

"I'll be okay, Harry. Thank you for everything. I don't know what I would do with you." She said as she smiled weakly. His face flushes at her comment.

"I'll be back tomorrow as soon as visiting hours begin." He leaned over, hugged her, and left for the night. She nodded and watched him leave.

Harry must have found me and brought me to the hospital wing. She thought smiling before tiredly drifted back to sleep.

Despite Madame Pomprey's effort to force her to stay, Hermione left the hospital wing the next morning. She was told to remember to be careful and take it easy for the next few days.

"Thanks for coming to see me, everyone." She beamed at her friends. "I'm fine, really. I need to go to meet up with Blaise for the Heads and Prefect meeting." Hermione assured. Her friends looked at her warily.

"I'm fine! I promise!" She said exasperated.

"If you feel even a slight uneasy, you stop what you are doing and rest." Ginny ordered still uneasy for her leaving the hospital wing so soon.

"Yes, yes. I know."

"If you need anything, you can have someone come and find us and we will be there as soon as we can." Neville added.

"I got it. I'm going to go now." She said amused by her friends.

"I still have time before our Quidditch practice. I'll walk her to the meeting." Harry volunteered. He walked next to her and picked up her belongings.

"Thanks, Harry." She said looking up at him. "Thanks everyone. Don't worry." She hooks her arm with Harry's and they make their way to the meeting room. Harry's side feeling hotter than normal. This action made his heart skip another time. This means nothing. This is just me feeling happy that my FRIEND is fine and out of the hospital wing. This means NOTHING. He tried to convince himself.

They see Blaise waiting for her inside the room at the front of the room.

"Hermione? Madame Pomprey let you out already?" Blaise asked surprised.

"I told her I was fine, but she tried to make me stay. I prevailed in the end." She smiled.

"What? Then shouldn't you have stayed?"

"Not you too..."Hermione said with a sigh.

"Don't waste your breath, Blaise." Harry spoke up. "We tried already. She's too bloody stubborn."He turns to Hermione with a playful glare causing her to giggle. "Well, I'm off then. See you guys later."

They said their goodbyes. People started to fill in and the meeting was under way.

"Thank you for everyone to come on time. We have two main points to talk about today." Blaise started.

"First off, Dumbledore has informed us he has scheduled two balls this year. He wants to improve Interhouse relationships. The first one will before winter break and the second before the end of the year. The winter ball will have a winter masquerade theme and the spring ball will have a moonlight night theme. Dates are not required although recommended. We Heads alongside Prefects will take shifts during the nights to monitor students." Hermione presented to the room. Unable to control their excitement, the Prefects started to chatter and talk animatedly about the news.

Blaise raised his left hand and cleared his throat. "I know you all are excited, but we need to finish this meeting." They started to settle down and Blaise began to speak. "Second main point, the game keeper will be bringing in a dangerous creature for the sixth years this week. Please be on the look out."

"What is the creature?" A Prefect spoke up.

"A baby occamy. Although it's only one and a half years old. It is still considered dangerous. Please do not approach it unless in emergency. It is very aggressive when you do."

Hermione and Blaise then took turns with the rest of the small discussion points for the meeting. As everyone else shuffled out, the two stayed back picking up their papers.

"Ready to head out?" Hermione asked Blaise closing her bag. She started to pull up her bag when all the sudden, Blaise swiftly took her bag and slung her and his bag on his left shoulder. "Yes." He answered confidently. "Where to?"

"You didn't have to. Thank you. I can manage. " She tried to take it back.

"I insist." He moved the bags away from her. She grabbed a part of it, but loses her balance as he moved pulling her sideways.

"Woah!"

He turned quickly and wrapped his arm around her shoulders pressing her against him. "Are you okay? You should be more careful. Let me help you." He said as he looked down.

"Yeah, that scared me. Thanks again, Blaise. This is the third time you saved me..." She faced him as she thanked him. She stopped in mid-sentence as she noticed his stare.

He kept his gaze on her peering into her eyes intensely. She froze, unable to avert her eyes. His strong arms around her made her feel safe. At that moment, all she could see was him. Nothing was around them. They only had each other in their eyes. He leaned closer as he closes his eyes. Their lips inches apart.

A/N: So? You like? If so, feel free to review! If not, still feel free to review! Or follow! Or favorite! Or continue reading! Anything's good! Hope you had a great holiday. (Christmas, Hanukkah, or whatever holiday you celebrated!)

Once again, One PUUUUNNNCCCCHHHH! (Pretty awesome manga, by the way.)

Thanks again for giving my story a chance! You are the best! You deserve a puppy or kitten. Whatever floats your boat.

Cheers!

-DiagonAlleyorBust