Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters or places. This all belongs to the amazing JKR.


Over the course of the week Blaise did his best not to think about the date or the girl who was going to be accompanying him. He found himself searching for her everywhere he went.

Constantly needing to see that she was well. He scolded himself on more than one occasion for being so silly about the girl, but he found himself seeking her out again and again.

Hermione tried to ignore the looks she was receiving both from Blaise and a countless number of girls who had heard about Hermione's date with Blaise.

Numerous times Hermione had contemplated simply cancelling the date with Blaise, but she could not bring herself to tell him. The gazes she felt upon her from him were gentle and friendly.

Of course, Harry and Ron had fits when they heard what Hermione planned to do, but Ginny thought it was wonderful, "Aw, 'Mione, don't let my brother and Harry ruin this for you! Blaise Zabini is smart, rich, and hot."

Hermione rolled her eyes as she took a small bite of toast. She had taken to sitting with Ginny in the Gryffindor common room while Harry and Ron played wizard chess, "Ginny, I'm just not sure I can be alone with him in a romantic setting and him get the wrong idea and…"

"Hermione," Ginny spoke sternly, reminding Hermione strongly of Molly Weasley. "Stop it right this instant. There is no reason for you to worry. There will be tons of people in Hogsmeade this weekend, and you can defend yourself very well here if you need to. Which you won't."

"I know you are probably right, Gin," Hermione sighed heavily. "It's just hard to get over the fear of it."

"I'm sorry, 'Mione," Ginny gave Hermione a very sympathetic look.

"Oh stop looking at me like that," Hermione scolded Ginny gently. "I hate that look."

Ginny grinned sheepishly, "I know you do, but I'm just so sorry that happened to you 'Mione."

"Me too, Gin," Hermione took a deep breath. "Me too."

"Ugh," Ginny groaned. "On a lighter note tomorrow is your big date. What are you going to wear?"

Hermione snorted, "I honestly haven't even thought about what I'm going to wear. I assume I'll just wear a pair of jeans and a sweater. It's still sort of chilly outside."

Ginny rolled her eyes at Hermione's low sense of fashion, "Oh."

Hermione sighed and then stood up, "I think I'm going to get ready to go to bed. I have a little bit of homework that I can do. I'll see you all later."

Ginny winked at Hermione and then moved to watch Harry and Ron's game.

Hermione put her hands in her pockets and gripped her wand tightly as she walked down the corridors toward the Head's common room. The entire walk there her heart beat was elevated and she felt a cold sweat breaking out on the back of her neck. She didn't look around, but walked faster.

When she reached the portrait hole she said the password quickly, not giving the couple anytime to talk to her. When she stepped inside she let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She looked up and found two pairs of eyes looking at her. She gasped and stared openly at the two sitting on the couch talking over homework.

Two different shades of blue watched the fear unraveling on her face. Blaise watched her in concern, and Draco simply in curiosity.

Blaise stood up slowly, "Hermione, it's okay. No one is going to hurt you. Would you like some tea?"

Hermione blinked twice before answering him, "Okay."

Blaise nodded his head once and turned giving Draco a warning glance before making his way to the kitchenette to put a kettle on for tea. Draco raised one eyebrow in question at Blaise.

Hermione had walked slowly and cautiously farther into the room until she was by the hearth, where she took a seat in the deep crimson chair she usually occupied. She watched Draco's every movement, as if she feared he would attack her at any moment. "Bloody hell, Granger," Draco bit out sharply. "I don't know why in Merlin's name you are watching me like I'm the big bad wolf, but it's highly annoying."

Hermione gasped and turned away from him quickly, "Sorry."

Blaise growled at Draco, "Don't be rude."

"She was the one staring at me, Zabini," Draco retorted smartly.

"I don't care," Blaise handed Hermione a cup of tea gently before turning back to Draco. "If you are going to talk to her like that you need to leave. This is her common room just as much as it is mine."

"Oh, bloody hell," Draco growled. "It's getting late anyways. I'll see you tomorrow, Zabini."

"Good night, Draco," Blaise watched Draco's retreating figure with a look of annoyance on his face. He promptly put an extra locking charm on the portrait hole before turning back to Hermione. "I'm sorry about him. He really can be a git."

Hermione took a sip of the tea, but didn't look up, "It's okay."

Blaise shook his head, "No it's not. It's bloody rude and stupid of him."

Hermione smiled slightly finally looking up at Blaise with her big chocolate brown eyes, "Thank you."

Blaise raised his eyebrows in surprise, "For what, pray tell?"

"For standing up for me. You really are much nicer than I gave you credit for," Hermione conceded quietly. "And for the tea."

Blaise chuckled, "Why thank you."

Hermione giggled slightly as well at his sarcastic remark, "You are very welcome."

The two sat in companionable silence, neither making any move to start a conversation for what seemed like hours. Finally Hermione stood up, "Thank you again for the tea, I'm going to bed now."

Blaise smiled at her before taking the cup from her hands. His bigger and warmer hands brushing against her smaller, colder ones, "Don't forget our date tomorrow."

Hermione nodded her head and hurried off to her room.

Blaise watched her with a smile adorning his full lips. He wasn't sure where his tenderness for the Gryffindor had come from. He found that he didn't want her to have even one moment of discomfort or unhappiness. It was an odd feeling.

Blaise felt increasingly anxious when he thought of his date the following day with Hermione. He didn't want to do anything that would give her any cause to feel uneasy around him, so he was going to stay away from romantic things.

He had been thinking all week of what they might do. He had finally decided to simply start out getting something to eat and letting the rest of the afternoon play out as it would on it's own.

He set the cup into the sink softly before getting a drink of water and walking to him own room, where he let sleep overcome him slowly while thinking of Hermione.


I know it's shorter than the last few, but it's sort of just a filler chapter. The next one will be longer. Please review and let me know what you think.