Blaise walked into his own dorm room, feeling slightly dazed. When Granger had grabbed him in the hall earlier, she'd pulled him to the side and quietly informed him that she'd changed that night's patrol. She'd explained that she'd partnered them together, because she was hoping they could talk.

He's been slightly nervous, at first. After all, he could hardly be considered a friend of hers. But she'd been quick to explain her reasoning. She knew that he was friends with Draco, and she was hoping he could give her some advice in dealing with the moody Slytherin.

Her boldly asked question amused him, but it also shocked him. It had never occurred to him that Hermione Granger, Gyffindor Golden-Girl, and all around book worm, would be interested in a playboy Slytherin.

Well, well, well. This could make things easier for Draco. Can't have him finding this out just yet: wouldn't be interesting enough!

Unlike Granger, Blaise had been all too aware of Draco's presence in the hallway earlier. He knew Draco hadn't heard enough to know anything definite, but if his expression had been any indication, he wasn't please to see them together. When Blaise caught sight of the new schedule, he knew for sure. Draco had marked out every one of Hermione's patrolling partners, and filled in his name instead.

Blaise almost laughed out loud. By God, Draco was jealous! Being the good friend he was Blaise would never really take Draco's girl, but one that Draco was merely pursuing was fair game. If it would help drive the younger boy insane, then Blaise was more than a willing to start making up to Hermione every chance he got!

He'd kept that firmly in mind all through his talk with the Head Girl. Hermione was a Gryffindor through and through: which basically meant that she was about as subtle as a sledge hammer.

It took her a moment to gather her courage, but once she'd managed that, it was full steam ahead. "Blaise, I need your help in dealing with Draco."

"Why me?"

"Because," she smiled softly, "You seem to be one of the best friends he has."

"Pansy, Crabbe, Goyle…"

"Okay, let me rephrase that: you're one of the best friends he has that's not as thick as a tree!"

Ah, that Gryffindor tact, again! "Thanks, I think. Well, what can I do you for?"

"Tell me about Draco. Please! I don't understand him. Sometimes he acts almost like we're friends, then other times he acts like he can't stand me. What changes his mind?"

Blaise could say one thing for her. She had courage. He never would've imagined that some-one would have the guts to say what she just did. Honestly, did the girl have no sense of self preservation?

"Okay, Granger, listen-"

"Hermione."

"Excuse me?"

"My name is Hermione. Please don't call me 'Granger'. Only enemies do that, and I'd really like for us to be friends."
"Sure. Well, Hermione, first of all you need to know that Draco is: Wait. Why the sudden interest in being his friend? You've fought for the last six years quite comfortably, so why the change now?"

She blushed.

That was answer enough as far as he was concerned, and he snorted in amusement.

That seemed to annoy her and she hurried to defend herself. "To tell the truth, I've always found him to be rather 'good-looking'. He was just such a prat all the time that his looks didn't matter. He changed, Blaise. I know this summer was hard for him, and I don't want to be like Harry and Ron."

Blaise was so surprised that she said that about her best friends that he didn't even try and hide his curiosity. "What do you mean?"

"Well, Harry refused to believe that Professor Snape was anything other than the evil bastard we first thought him to be."

"Yeah," Blaise grinned. Snape had told Draco about the Golden Trio suspecting him of trying to steal the stone in their first year, and Draco in turn had told Blaise.

"Not that Snape didn't deserve a lot of the animosity that Harry felt," Hermione continued, "but even now that the war's over, and we know the reason he acted like that, Harry refuses to accept the possibility that things can change. Now, Harry's the one who's doing most of the antagonizing, therefore deserving Snape's wrath."

She took a deep breath, and then smiled apologetically. "Sorry. I didn't mean to go off on a tangent like that. The point of it was, Draco's been making some attempts, albeit, very small and subtle ones, but attempts none the less, to change his behavior. I want him to know that I accept that, and that I'm also willing to start over. I just don't know how to tell him that."

From that point on, Blaise was pretty much useless, seeing as how he was completely dazed. Never, not even in his wildest dreams, would he have expected her to say something so…profound, and wise. It occurred to him then, that this is part of what it meant to grow up. Hermione Granger was no longer a girl, but a young woman. Although he wasn't known for openly mocking Gryffindors, like many of his house-mates were, Blaise had to admit he never cared much for them one way or another. He certainly hadn't found anything about one that he liked: but tonight for the first time he looked at Hermione with respect.

He still planned on trying to make Draco jealous, but it was no longer in the interest of fun: that was a side benefit! Now he knew that she truly cared for the Head Boy, and to tell the truth, she'd probably do him a world of good. If Draco's behavior was any indication, he cared for her, too.

"Okay, Hermione. I'll help you."

She smiled. "Thanks! We're done tonight, but maybe I can schedule us to patrol together again tomorrow. We can talk more then."

He smirked. "That'll be kind of difficult, love. Draco saw that you'd put my name in tonight, so he charmed the schedule to always put you two together."

"Oh." She looked disappointed. "Okay, we'll have to find other ways to get together and talk. I was serious, by the way, when I said I wanted for us to be friends as well." She gave his hand a squeeze. "Draco's not the only Slytherin I was prejudice against for no reason."

He squeezed her hand in return and nodded. "We'll find a way. Good night."

By this time they'd reached her door and he started off towards his own rooms. Just as he reached the end of the hallway, he turned back. "Oh, and Hermione…"

"Yes?"

"First lesson in dealing with Slytherins: we go more for the subtle approach and tend to take for granted that people understand our meanings."

She looked confused. "Not really following you."

He smirked. "Remember what I told you about him changing the schedule? Well, he was jealous. That was his way of assuring that you'd be with him, instead of me, or any one else."

The way her face lit up reassured Blaise that he was doing the right thing. "Good-night, Hermione!" He walked off, whistling softly under his breath. Draco would never know what hit him!

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A/N: Okay, this story is being a lot more about Blaise than I originally planned. Sorry about that, the characters keep doing their own thing, because to be honest, this wasn't how I planned on the story going at all. If you think the summary, or anything is too misleading, please tell me, maybe I can change it. (Stupid thing only lets me put in two characters) Hopefully, the characters will decide to behave soon and we can get in some good quality DM/HG moments…

--BTW…I don't really remember much about Blaise from the books other than his name and being in Slytherin…so, every thing I'm writing about him, as far as character wise is from the top of my head, so sorry if he's OOC..does anyone happen to recall anything about him from the books, that I may need to know? (even though it may be a little late now!)

--And a big thanks for all my reviews: I really enjoy the encouragement!!!