As I walked away, I glanced back. Hermione was staring at me. She blushed and looked away, smiling that little half smile. I noticed Harry looking at me oddly. He nodded and looked back at Hermione, who was saying something to Weaslette. The Weasel stood off to the side somewhat, but he too was looking at her. I turned and went off to Herbology with Blaise, Theo and Kendall, whom I met on the way. The day passed in a blur – I couldn't help but notice how Theo was acting. He was being himself, like usual, but looked very happy, and laughed a lot more than usual. He invited Kendall to sit with us during Lunch, and she did, looking pleased. I didn't mind Kendall – she was one of the nice ones. A pureblood with wavy, near black hair and dark blue eyes, she'd always been considered one of the most pretty girls in Slytherin House, and I couldn't help but agree. She was sassy and smart too, one of the girls I'd never dared to try and charm. She would have smacked me one right in the mouth if I had. At the end of the day, I took the boys back to my Common Room, Theo somewhat reluctantly, he'd wanted to hang with Kendall.

"You like Kendall, don't you?" I asked Theo, waggling my eyebrows at him and motioning for them to sit down. Blaise grinned at me and we shared a knowing look.

Theo turned pink. "She's a friend. That's all."

"But that's not all, is it?" Blaise said, chuckling.

"I – don't-"

"You do." I said, laughing. "You don't need to deny it."

Theo slumped backwards into the seat. "She doesn't know, anyway, so-"

"Tell her." Blaise and I chorused, grinning.

Blaise looked at me, then turned to Theo. "I'll tell Veronica if you tell Kendall, deal?"

Theo was indecisive. "God, Theo, just do it. What's the worst that could happen?" I said, raising my eyebrows.

He sighed. "Fine. Deal."

Blaise let out a whoop, and Theo let out a small grin. At that moment, the portrait swung open and Hermione walked in. She paused uncertainly when she saw our gathering.

"Hermione, come sit with us!" I called encouragingly, smiling at her.

She looked apprehensive. "Do you boys mind, if I do?"

Theo and Blaise both shook their heads, as if they could care less.

She sat down next to me on the couch, staying close. I slipped an arm around her waist comfortingly, something that didn't go unnoticed by Blaise or Theo. They exchanged an incredulous look.

"Grang-Hermione, where are your Gryffindor friends?" Blaise asked, trying to be polite but he couldn't keep a note of derision out.

Hermione looked a little frosty. "In their Common Room, I suppose."

"Oh." Blaise fell short. "I would have thought you'd bring them here."

Hermione smiled a tiny smile. "I do, occasionally. Draco's never here when I do, though."

"You do?" I injected, confused.

"Yeah, after you've disappeared for the night. Do you mind?" Hermione added, sounding worried.

I thought for a minute. "Not really. We already established we could bring our friends here, like I did tonight." I gestured toward Theo and Blaise. Theo was looking at Hermione, and Blaise just looked bemused by the whole thing.

"Hermione – if you don't mind my asking," Theo began, "why are you and Draco even friends? I thought you two hated each other."

Hermione smiled at Theo. She had evidently taken a stronger liking to him than Blaise. He had been more polite, I mused, watching her.

"Well we weren't, at first, but we kind of decided that since we were gonna be living so close we thought we'd might as well try and be friends, I guess. Is that a bad thing?" Hermione added, giggling as I squeezed her tight against me.

Theo grinned. "No, it's not, just weird after all these years."

"A bit, yeah." Hermione agreed, nodding.

"I think you and Harry might actually be alright. But Weasley and I will never be the best of friends, sadly." I said. Hermione raised her eyebrows.

"I reckon you're right. I don't think Ron likes you very much – probably even less now after I defended you." Hermione mused, not really speaking to anybody in particular, even though it was directed at me.

"You defended him?" Blaise repeated, incredulous once more.

"Well, Ron was being horrible and Draco's my friend, so…" Hermione let the sentence trail off.

Blaise roared with laughter suddenly, causing all of us to jump. Blaise bent over, pissing himself laughing. He finally sat up, grinning like a mad thing. "Sorry mate, you've just never been the type to need help – no one dares mess with you in Slytherin House."

Theo nodded in agreement, and I raised my eyebrows, trying not to smile. "Just because Hermione stood up for me doesn't mean I'm weak."

"But you needed help from a muggleborn, Gryffindor girl!" Blaise said, still laughing.

Before any of us could say anything, Hermione stood up angrily, went over to Blaise and slapped him, hard.

Theo and I gaped in shock. People in Slytherin might not fuck with me, but Blaise was a different story. He was trained in some muggle martial arts, something called Karate, and he was the strongest guy in Slytherin – his haughty air usually scared people off before they dared even do anything, anyway.

Blaise looked up at her, surprised. He felt his cheek gingerly. There was a handprint there, imprinted against his dark skin. Hermione bent down, her beautiful and terrifying face inches from his.

"I may be a muggleborn, but I have more class than you do by a long shot. I'm proud of my house, and my heritage." Hermione looked him straight in the eyes. "I don't have a problem with Slytherins, but when you insult me like that after I've been nothing but polite – then we have a problem." Hermione was fierce, yet she stepped back, and with a nod to Theo and I, she swept away up her stairs. Theo gaped after her, unsure what to do or say. I looked at Blaise, who looked shellshocked.

None of us spoke for a moment. Then-

"She has got some serious sass, you know?" Blaise said, sounding oddly appreciative.

I grinned. "She can stand up for herself, she doesn't need help."

Blaise nodded. "I know she just slapped me, and I should curse her or whatever, but I can't help but think she's right. I was out of line."

My jaw dropped. Blaise never admitted to doing anything wrong, so he must be serious. Theo shook his head, amused. Blaise stood up.

"Tell her sorry from me, won't you, Draco?" Blaise requested, pulling Theo up from his seat.

"I will."

Blaise nodded. "See you in the morning."

"Bye, guys." I said, waving.