"Then, she just grabs Zabini and says 'how's this for forward' and plants this huge kiss right on his mouth. I've never seen him with so much facial expression!" Amanda Turns laughed, a girl in Ginny's year. Ginny felt Hermione tense beside her. She and Blaise had been sneaking around for two weeks now and Ginny knew. At the chess board with Ron, Harry growled,
"no one wants to hear any damn thing about the Slytherins, Turns! Knight to B-7." Harry was angry, they could both tell; he was hurt for Hermione.
"I do," Ginny smiled, tapping one finger after the other on her thigh. She did that when she was counting hexes and jinxes she knew, "who did that? It takes a pair to just grab Zabini like that." Of course, Amanda had no idea how Ginny really meant that and nodded. At the chess board, Harry smirked. Hermione on the other hand was trying desperately to plan a route of escape before it got any worse.
"Daphne Greengrass." Amanda replied and it stung, deeply.
"Oh!" Hermione gasped, snapping her book closed. Amanda, Lavender and the twins looked over to her, confused, "I forgot to take that book back. Madame Pince is going to be furious!" she lept up and hurried for the door.
"Want some company?" Harry called, trying not to look worried.
"I'm a big girl, Harry." She scolded, pushing through the door.
"Check mate, mate." She heard Ron chuckle. Hermione ran for the Quidditch Pitch where she was supposed to meet Blaise in twenty minutes anyway. She knew he wouldn't be there, there was no way he would think she hadn't heard about that. But maybe Sirius was. Sirius loved to run about the grass at night. Maybe she could talk him into biting Blaise; biting him hard. He'd have to leave then though. Then again, he'd warned them he might leave soon anyway. She flung down her bag and looked around, not seeing the huge dog. Huffing, she broke down and began to cry.
"Oh, Bella," Blaise cooed, getting down beside her five minutes later. He put a hand on her shoulder that she shrugged off. "Mia, do not do this to me, it hurts."
"Yeah, right." She snarled, "I didn't even think you'd show after practically making out with Greengrass in the damned halls!" she lept up, pulling her bag onto her shoulder, "you're so damned lucky I can't find my dog. He'd bite you so hard you wouldn't know what hit you. You stay away from me, Blaise Zabini."
He lept up, chasing her under the stands and grabbed her arm, turning her around to face him,
"Bella! Stop this, I did not kiss her. You are correct, it did take place in the halls; however, it was she that kissed me, not the other way around. She did it forcefully, bella, I didn't want it. Did you not also hear I shoved her away?"
"No," Hermione pouted, lip quivering.
"Why do you think I would betray you?" he asked gently. She leveled him with a glare, fresh tears streaming down her face.
"Because she's so damned pretty; she's a pureblood, a Slytherin…" her shoulders shook and she scrubbed at her face, "I… I've seen her on your arm, I've seen her watch you lately, I…you don't do things with me."
"I don't do things with you?" he asked, "Bella, I am out here flying with you regularly. We spend hours conversing. Tell me, what is it you wish me to do? What things am I not doing, exactly?"
"You don't… you're not like other boys. The most you do is hold my hand! You never… am I not attractive enough, Blaise? What is it?" He leveled such a heated glare at her that she shrank away.
"Bella," he ground out, cupping her face, "I find you very, very attractive. You far outshine any slag like Daphne. You would never pull such a disgusting stunt as she did today."
"That's a lie." She growled, pulling away, "since we started this, I've paid more attention to the rumors. From what I hear, you're a regular sex god in Slytherin. You've had plenty conquests. You're dating me and never once made a move."
"It is not a lie and you will not accuse me of lying," he snarled, "are you jealous, mia? Those girls, they were met needs, that is all they ever were. You are mine, you are a lady and I intend to treat you like one. You think," as he growled he advanced and she backed up, a little afraid, until they were well under the stands, "you think I am not attracted to you, bella? Do you believe that is how I feel?" He pulled her to him, crushing their bodies together and grabbed her hips firmly, lifting her against one of the support beams. Then, he wrapped her legs around his waist, her skirt pushed all the way up and his erection noticeable, pressed firmly against her. "If you think I do not want you," he growled, pressing to make sure she felt it, "you are wrong. I want you every day." He growled in her ear, the knuckles of one hand trailing down her torso while the other firmly grasped her bottom, fingers spread out to keep her where she was. She gasped, pressing into him and he growled in return, crushing her mouth in a bruising kiss full of heat and tongues.
Then, just as suddenly, it was over, he pulled back and lifted her gently off of him at the waist, setting her down. He adjusted his robes, flattened her skirt and hair, and then he smiled brilliantly at her, giving her another soft kiss. He cupped her face in his hands and his crystal blue eyes stared at her intently.
"I'm sorry." She rasped, voice husky. He nodded,
"it is understandable, mia. Simply… do not doubt me so, si? You are no conquest, you are my lady. I will never betray you, of that I assure you. I do, however, want you. Forget Daphne, she is nothing."
"He hasn't done anything more than kiss you and hold your hand?" Sirius asked for clarification, whispering like a spy in Hermione's ear before sliding around her to get the basket of rolls. She nodded, making to reach for the salad under his arm,
"not much more. He's kissed me more once, because I doubted him."
"He's a true pureblood then, I approve." Sirius nodded, going over to set his arm loads on the table. She passed him with hers and nodded,
"thank you." No one at the table, except maybe Ginny, had any idea what was going on. They all spoke amicably about Quidditch, the school year so far and other things. They'd been at Grimmauld Place for three days but finding a secret place to talk was increasingly difficult with Ron and Harry around.
"His family is neutral you know." Sirius whispered, "that's a plus."
"I didn't know that." She frowned, shaking her head, "I like it though."
"Thought you might."
They then sat down to dinner as though nothing had happened. Hermione was generally quiet tonight, thinking about Blaise. What was Italy like at Christmas, what were his traditions, would he like his gift? She'd just made up her mind when the caterwauling charm went off. Sirius spun, casting the charm to let him see what Death Eater had set it off and how many. It was only Severus, staggering heavily with the weight of someone else in his arms. Then, they all noticed the shock of platinum hair.
"DRACO!" Harry screamed, scrambling for the door, "DRACO!"
Severus rushed past and up the stairs, unharmed. He was heading for his room and potions. "LUPIN!" he barked, "Can you administer these?"
"Yes." Remus nodded, rushing forward. Severus nodded,
"I must go, there is a student that needs me." He snarled at Harry, "had I known, this never would have happened." And he ran out. Realizing no Order member knew Harry and Draco were dating, Hermione ran to the edge of the stairs to listen, heart in her chest, as Severus called out,
"Seven, Zabini Terrace!" and vanished in green flame. Harry's heart wrenching sobs had her stiffening her resolve and running to his side, draping her arms around him. Ginny crouched, rubbing circles on his back. Sirius, who seemed to realize instantly, turned,
"Ron! I need your mum, tell her to get Poppy and hurry!" Casting a confused look at Harry, Ron ran from the room.
"S'my fault." Harry sobbed. Sirius scowled at him,
"Harry James Potter, it is not your fault. He's going to be fine."
"No, no, I made him a spy! I begged him to join the Order… this was never supposed to happen!"
"It is not your fault!" Remus barked. Hermione jumped up and pushed back her sleeves as Ron ran back in,
"What can I do?"
"Mum's on her way."
"Thank you, Ron. Hermione, tie him down. Ginny and Ron, get Harry out of here! I don't have time to wait for the anesthetic." Remus said gravely, "I need Severus."
"He's going after Blaise." Hermione said, voice dead.