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Blaise was still smirking as she left and he started on his way to the Slytherin common room in the dungeons. For a second though, he thought back to the project McGonagall had given them, and he frowned.

He wasn't a participant in the war, he didn't know how everyone felt. His best work on this project might not be enough. While he was used to being one of the best, this might set him back.

When he thought back to Hermione again, his mood lightened and he smiled, his smile widening with every step until he couldn't stop laughing.

It was too funny how easily he had gotten to her.

Hermione always put up a wall when he was around, ever since the first time he'd made a move on her a few weeks back. The wall was her defenses against everything he said and did. He imagined it was high and had spikes . . . and a moat filled with acid.

It was curious really, how fast it began to crumble when he'd gotten her against that wall. He was just starting to think it'd never break.

The first time, she was surprised more than anything. He'd only done it because he'd overheard her saying she'd never be daft enough to let him screw with her head like the other girls here. He wanted to test that. To his annoyance, after she'd gotten over her surprise, she started laughing and walked away.

Afterwards, it became a game.

The next time he'd tried, she got irritated and walked away again, and the third time she realized he wouldn't stop trying and just did her best to ignore his advances.

For a while, it was just like that, him going after her, her turning him down with her head held high.

Tonight was different though.

Tonight was slightly pink cheeks trying to hide in the shadows. Tonight was shallow breath that raced with every word he spoke.

Tonight, it had started to feel like he was finally winning.

It was the stairs, that was all. She'd run up four flights of stairs in her haste to get away from him, so her heart was beating fast. It was just the stairs.

Hermione slumped against a wall in the shadows beside the entrance to the Gryffindor common room, hands on her knees as she waited for her breathing and heart rate to settle.

Blaise was an idiot. He was an idiot and a player and a jerk whose only purpose was to make her life a living hell.

Just . . . Why him? Out of anyone that could've been Head Boy, why did McGonagall have to pick him? Why?

"Hermione? You okay?"

She turned her head to find Ron looking back with concern. "I'm fine Ron."

He looked at her doubtfully. "Did McGonagall actually want to see you, or was Zabini just being a prat?"

She smiled. "She wanted to see us. I'm fine Ron, really." Hermione added when he still looked worried.

He nodded. "Okay. Well, we were about to start a game of Exploding Snap, want to play?"

Hermione looked at him blankly. "Who all is playing?"

"Me, Harry and Ginny." He replied with a smirk. "We're taking turns, but we need a fourth player."

Hermione shook her head firmly, a smile on her face. "Nope. Ginny gets way too competitive. The last time I played with her, she almost ended up breaking my wand."

"You're just afraid to lose Hermione!" Ginny called from the couch in front of the fireplace.

Hermione's smile widened. "I'll watch though."She told them, walking over.

Forget Blaise. He may ruin her life during the day when she had to work with him, but she wasn't going to let him rule her entire life.

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