Note: Obviously it's been awhile. I'd make excuses, but I'm too old for that now. Sorry this is short. Honestly, this chapter took way too long to push out. My easy, enjoyable writing seems to have fled. But some of the recent reviews and messages I've received really touched me and I felt I owed you guys something.
Hopefully I can manage some addition soon, if only the wrap the story up.


Chapter Nine: The Trick of Flight


Draco pulled the broom up to a sharp stop, looking at Hermione with concern.

"Granger? Are you okay?" He asked. She stared up at him with wide eyes.

"I just...I wasn't expecting that." She murmured. She looked down at the ground and quickly looked back up. "Wow. That's a long way down." A tinge of fear crept into her voice. Draco smiled

"It's okay, I promise. I won't drop you." He moved the broom forward a couple inches. Her hands flew to his neck and tightened. He shook his head with amusement "You never change." She didn't respond.

He stayed out of the pitch, where the other students were practicing, and contented himself with flying around the perimeter. After about three laps, Hermione started to relax slightly, releasing her death grip on Draco and leaning back slightly. She look around, seeing the whole of the grounds.

"Wow. It's so beautiful." She murmured, "I can't believe I could forget a place like this."

"It sure is." Draco replied, though he was looking at the witch in front of him. After another couple minutes, he headed back down to the ground. "I hope that makes you feel a little more comfortable with me." He said, helping her off the broom before he shouldered it. She smiled softly.

"I feel like there's this great tension lifted from you, from me, when we're up there."

"Like old animosity and politics don't matter." Draco filled in. She nodded.

"Draco!" shrilled a familiar voice. The blond spun around to see Pansy glaring at him, "We need to talk." She crossed her arms and stood patiently. Malfoy hesitated, glancing at Hermione. She smiled.

"Go ahead. I'll be fine. I'll just watch the practice." She motioned to the Gryffindors still flying above them. Draco nodded and Pansy reached out, snatching one of his arms and dragging him off.

"She never changes."

Hermione blinked at the dark-haired young man who had just appeared on her left. "Who never changes?" She asked.

"Pans. She's always commanding Draco to do something." He replied with a chuckle. Hermione gave him a blank look. "I'm Blaise. We met earlier. In potions."

"Oh yes! I apologize." She said with a slight blush, recalling his kiss on her hand. He grinned.

"I wanted to offer you a brief tour of Hogwarts. No doubt I'm the first." He said gallantly. Hermione broke into a smile.

"You are actually. How kind. I've been wanting to wander around, since it looks so exciting."

"Well then; allow me." He offered his arm and she blushed again before taking it and allowing him to lead her back towards the large castle.


"This is gorgeous…" murmured Hermione, whirling around the open area of the library. The bookcases hugged along the walls like a perfectly fitted dress and it gave the brunette girl a sense of comfort.

Zabini leaned against one of the solid tables, reveling in his own excellent idea. He had a feeling the Gryffindor bookworm would enjoy seeing the library.

She suddenly ran up to him and threw her arms around his neck. His eyes went wide.

"Thank you. This place, out of the entire school, feels the most like home. I can't thank you enough for showing it to me." She pulled back and gave him a wide grin, eyes sparkling. He stared openly at her for a moment. She looked gorgeous, glowing like this. He couldn't help but take advantage as he leaned towards her, his eyes intent on her lips.

Pansy sighed as Draco looked at her warily.

"Draco, I'm just worried about your parents finding out. Don't look at me like that. She sat next to me in Potions….it was sort of awkwardly adorable." Pansy said with a half-shrug, "I'm just trying to make sure you don't get dragged to Dumstrang to avoid 'fraternizing with mudbloods'."

"Don't call her that." Draco hissed.

"Oh hush. I don't mean it in a specific sense towards Granger. Just the term your own parents will use. Plus, you're the one who was a complete dick to her at the end of Potions."

They meandered around the halls of Hogwarts Draco telling Pansy the story of flying with Granger. It didn't take for them to reach the library. There was enough of a lull in their discussion for Draco to hear familiar voices from the library.

"I can't thank you enough for showing this to me." It sounded like Hermione's voice. Draco glanced in the doorway.

Blaise's lips descended onto the brunette and his arm slipped to her waist.

Draco heard Pansy gasp in surprise from next to him as his vision turned red. He stepped quickly into the room.

It was only a brief moment before Hermione pulled back, her expression horrified.

"No." She said firmly. Draco stopped and remained silent, watching her gaze harden as she stared at Blaise. He turned bright red, "You misunderstood me entirely. I was just...thankful that you showed the library."

He shuffled his feet awkwardly.

"Yeah. Sorry. I knew that. I just...you looked really happy. I'm an idiot."

"I couldn't agree more." Draco cut in. Hermione whirled around, her eyes wide. Blaise met Draco's eyes coolly.

"How'd your talk go, Pans?" He questioned, while staring Draco down. Pansy sighed.

"Fine. I didn't think you were going to be that much of a bloody idiot, Blaise."

"What the hell are you two talking about?" Draco hissed. Blaise rolled his eyes and glanced down at Hermione for a second.

"I am sorry Hermione. I really didn't mean to kiss you. I was just going to be nice and actually treat you like a person by showing you around. Considering Draco here has decided to just be an ass unless you're near a broom."

"What the fuck, Blaise?" Draco growled, stepping closer. It was Pansy who put her arm on his shoulder.

"He's right, Draco. You're telling me about this amazing girl at the lake the other day, then run off after Granger. I'm not stupid. But the way to talked to her after Potions was ridiculous. We're almost done with school. We're grown-ups now. Stop acting like a twelve-year-old and man up." She said. Hermione let a smile slip out.

"Why aren't we friends?" She said with a chuckled. Pansy's expression twisted.

"Well. That stupid twelve-year-old behavior only recently became obviously stupid to me...but I don't want to get a job where I'll have to worry about the people I treated like shit in school. I want a job where people respect and listen to me." She held out a hand to Hermione, "I'd be happy to be friends now."

Hermione shook it, "Happy to be your friend, Pansy." She glance back at Blaise, "And I'd still like to be friends, as long as you don't plan on more of that."

"Definitely not. As funny as watching Draco spontaneously combusting would be..." He said, tilting his head in pretend contemplation. Malfoy relaxed with a low laugh.

"All right. You guys are right. I was an ass." He looked at Hermione and she shyly met his gaze, "I'm sorry. Forgive me?" He asked, moving closer to her. One of his hands went up and brushed her hair back. "I should have said something about this clothing trick they did. Though your hair does look extra...fantastic." A smile graced her face.

"Thank you. I forgive you. You did rescue me, after all." She said with a twinkle in her eye. He tangled his hand deeper in her hair and used it to pull her closer, his face drifting closer to her.

The chemistry and attraction rose and curled its tendrils around them as their lips touched again. And again.

Pansy and Blaise slipped out of the room, giving each other a mutual look of triumph.