A/N: Someone I forgot last time. The lovely Nina, who is amazing in every way and a most loyal reader.

By the way: all italics, unless specified otherwise, are Hermione's thoughts. Except for when emphasis is being put on a particular word.

Disclaimer: I think the word "disclaimer" speaks for itself.

The next morning Hermione stood in the common room wringing her hands over and over. Her heart beat fast with thoughts of the plan she and Blaise had made the night before to show the school their relationship. Also, thoughts of the curse Malfoy had put on her made her extremely uneasy. Anyone could tell her to do anything and she would have to obey. She felt more vulnerable than she had in her life.

Blaise entered the common room.

Phase One: private display of affection to warm up for public display Hermione said to herself, smiling at the humor of the seriousness.

She walked up to Blaise and placed a kiss on his cheek. "Good morning."

Blaise smiled back at her. "Good morning to you, Hermione. Are you ready?"

No. "Yes."

The couple walked down to breakfast a bit later than usual in order to get a crowd.

Phase Two: minor public display of affection.

When they reached the entrance, Blaise and Hermione's hands connected. Hermione couldn't quite comprehend the feeling she experienced when she held his hand, but it was curious to her. She felt sort of…safe; safer than she'd ever felt when they were walking side by side. Now she felt as if she were connected to Blaise, as if they were moving as one. Hermione liked this new feeling very much.

They walked down the tables holding hands, receiving many whispers and turned heads from students. Hopeless gossips asked their friends: "Are they dating?"

Hermione's heart sank when she saw Harry and Ron staring at her in disbelief and she wanted to run away, but Blaise gave her hand an encouraging squeeze and Hermione reminded herself that she was doing the right thing.

Seeing Ron stare at her was the hardest, because she had feelings for him. Sure, he could be temperamental and stubborn, but he really was sweet and goofy underneath all of that. Ron was the exact opposite of her, yet they had been attracted to each other since third year. Hermione hated breaking his heart more than anything in the world.

After breakfast it was time for Phase Three: major public display of affection. Hermione and Blaise walked out into a corridor that had about ten students milling around in it, including Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil, the biggest gossips in Hogwarts.

"Put your arms around my shoulders" instructed Blaise quietly. Hermione did it and Blaise put his arms around her waist. "Now we look into each other's eyes."

Lavender nudged Parvati and pointed at the couple. Hermione heard a few giggles.

Here it comes. Oh god, this is it, he's leaning towards me. Ron.

Their lips locked into a passionate kiss and gasps came from the two gossips.

You'd think they'd try to be even a little subtle.

Hermione couldn't even focus on the kiss. She didn't want to. She wanted to be back in Gryffindor, helping Harry and Ron with their homework and knitting elf hats and reading a book on her favorite chair by the fire.

She broke the kiss, but by then Lavender and Parvati were probably off somewhere spreading the word.

"Is something wrong?" asked Blaise. "You seemed…distracted."

"Well, I don't suppose I'm used to having an audience" snapped Hermione, and began to walk away. She couldn't help but feel as if she had cheated on Blaise by thinking of Ron before and during the kiss, but it wasn't like she could help it.

Blaise caught up with her. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked.

"Yes" Hermione answered quickly.

"You know I could just order you to tell the truth and you would have to obey." Hermione stopped walking and turned to face Blaise.

"You wouldn't dare."

"Don't be so sure" countered Blaise with a wicked grin. Hermione scowled at him and he backed off. They turned the corner and Hermione felt something fall into her pocket and saw Harry and Ron walk by her. Making sure Blaise wasn't looking, she pulled a note out of her pocket and read it.

Hermione,

There's a nosebleed nougat in your pocket. Lose Zabini and meet us in Myrtle's bathroom alone as soon as you can.

-H & R

Hermione reached back into her pocket and sure enough, there was a nosebleed nougat. She quickly bit off the right end and instantly felt the blood running from her nose.

"Hermione, you're bleeding!" exclaimed Blaise. Hermione put her hand up to her nose and gasped.

"I'm going to the girls lavatory" she said and rushed off before Blaise could respond.

Hermione pulled a tissue out of her pocket and held up to her nose as she chewed the other end of the nougat, and the blood flow stopped. She pushed open the door to see Harry and Ron looking impatient. Hermione wiped the remaining blood away and wasn't quite sure what she should say to them.

"Hello" she said happily. They looked at her with both surprise and annoyance.

"Hi, Hermione" said Ron, not very cheerfully. "What in the bloody hell is the matter with you?"

Hermione was slightly taken aback by this. I've been suffering in Slytherin and they yell at me?

"I'll tell you what's the matter: I've been blackmailed into dressing like a slut, I've been forced to date Blaise, I've been almost raped, I've been tortured by the Cruciatus Curse, I've had to do what everyone tells me too, and I've had to allow blood come out my nose. Now I don't know how you two think I've been doing, but the truth is, I'm bloody miserable and I miss you!" said Hermione, tears flowing from her eyes. She didn't know how those words managed to escape her mouth, but it made her feel a lot better.

"Hermione, I'm so sorry" said Ron sincerely. He stepped forward and embraced her in a hug. She cried in his shoulder for a few moments.

Stop blubbering Hermione, you look like a fool. Hermione straightened up and wiped away her tears.

"Tell us everything, Hermione" said Harry smiling. "Just a little slower this time."

Hermione told the details of her time in Slytherin. About the modified picture and the new clothes, about Blaise and about Nott, about Malfoy and about the curses. Both Ron and Harry made outraged noises at most everything, which made her feel better.

"I can't believe this!" said Ron angrily. "There must be something we can do. We can talk to McGonagall."

Hermione shook her head. "Malfoy will discover what I'm up to and tell me not to."

Ron slammed his fist on the sink in rage, making his eyes water slightly.

"Never mind me, we don't have much time. What's been going on with you?"

Harry went into detail about Dumbledore's private lessons and Quidditch and the Slug Club. Hermione loved hearing about it. She hated feeling out of the loop as far as Harry's life went. She felt useless without Harry and Ron; incomplete.

"Will you excuse us, Harry?" asked Ron, much to Hermione's surprise. What is he doing? Harry nodded and exited the bathroom.

"Ron, wha-"

"I couldn't stand seeing with Zabini"

"Yes, I-"

"Hermione, I love you"

Did he just say what I think he said? Better check.

"Come again?"

"You heard me, I love you"

Now that that's cleared up.

"Oh, Ron! The only thing that got me through kissing Bla – Zabini was thinking about you. I…I love you too."

Ron reached around her and pulled her into a kiss. He wasn't nearly as good as Blaise, but Hermione found it cute and participated happily. The door opened slightly and Harry yelled in.

"Ron! Let's go! Someone's coming!"

Ron broke the kiss, gave her hand one final squeeze, and hurried out, grinning.