Author's note- Before y'all get into this chapter, I'd just like to say something. I've been getting some mixed reviews, and even lost a few readers, due to my "Playboy Draco" and Astoria. That's all fine and dandy, I'd just like you all to please remember that Draco, as JK Rowling wrote him, isn't a good guy. He's a jerk. By making him loveable, and having him fall in love, I'm creating and Out of Cannon character. Now, I understand that I won't please everyone with my writing, and that's certainly not my aim. If you enjoy my story, great! And if you don't, that's okay, too. Those of you that have been wondering whether to unfollow, or to stop reading, I urge you to do what you feel is best. Perhaps my story isn't for you, and there's no hard feelings. I thank you all so much for having taken the time to read everything that's been posted thus far and I hope there are people out there that will continue to read the remaining chapters. I feel there's lots of exciting stuff to come! :) Okay, I just had to get that off my chest. And now onto the chapter! -Sarah

Chapter Twenty

The Head's Tower was quiet when Hermione returned from her meeting with the Headmaster. Draco must be out doing rounds, she thought. She went to her desk and sat down to do her homework. After about five minutes, however, she snapped her book shut and threw her head down on the desk.

She exhaled sharply and sat up again, resting her chin in her hands. She closed her eyes and thought about everything that had happened in the Headmaster's office.

When she was finished eating, Hermione said her goodbyes to her friends and made her way through the Great Hall to the faculty table. She had never done anything like this, so she wasn't sure if she was allowed on the dais, or not. She decided it was worth the risk though and quickly walked up the steps.

When no one stopped her, she walked over to Professor Dumbledore and politely tapped his shoulder. "Um, Professor Dumbledore, I'm sorry for interrupting your dinner but…"

Dumbledore smiled kindly at her and stood. "It is no interruption, Miss Zabini, I've had my fill."

"I, um… I was wondering if I could speak with you in private?"

He gestured for her to walk with him. "Of course," he said, "There is something I wish to discuss with you as well, though I have a feeling it is the same as what you wish to discuss with me."

"I believe it is, Headmaster."

"Then let us talk in my office."

They walked in silence to the Headmaster's office, where Dumbledore offered her some tea. Hermione declined and sat in the comfortable chair in front of his desk.

As he sat, Dumbledore pushed a small tray of lemon squares toward her. "So, Miss Zabini, what can I help you with?"

"I know Draco mentioned some concerns he has about a nightmare I had last night to you."

"And some pain you've been having behind your eyes," Dumbledore confirmed.

"Yes."

He looked at her over his half-moon spectacles. "Your nightmare was no nightmare."

It wasn't a question, and she knew that. She didn't know how he knew, but he always knew. "No, sir."

"What did you see?"

Hermione told him everything she had seen in both visions, explaining her point of view and everything she felt along with them. Dumbledore listened patiently and took in everything she said before saying, "I had a feeling that Lucius was up to something. I've been keeping an eye on him since you were revealed to be a Zabini."

She furrowed her brow. "You have?"

"Yes, and in the interest of full disclosure, I know about the Prophecy."

Hermione swallowed and tried to speak, but she couldn't. "You needn't worry yourself, my dear child," Dumbledore said kindly, "Your father wrote to me and asked if I would meet with him. When I did, he explained everything and asked for my help."

"Have you known all along?" Hermione questioned quietly.

"Hermione, when one is as old as I am, there is very little that is unknown to them. However, I didn't know everything until I met with Pietro before term started."

"I'm scared, Professor," she confessed after a moment.

Dumbledore nodded. "I would be rather worried if you were not," he said, "Arrangements have been made for both sets of your parents to go into hiding should the need arise, however, I don't think that is necessary just yet."

"But you think it might be at some point?"

"Should Lord Voldemort learn that you are a piece of the Prophecy; yes."

They had gone on to discuss what the plans would be if Lord Voldemort did ever find out that she is The Bearer that was Prophesied. All of that was well and good in her opinion. It didn't completely ease her fears, but it did help some to know that there was a plan.

Things took an odd turn, however, when Dumbledore brought up Harry.

"In the interest of keeping a level-headed young lady such as yourself even more level-headed in a time of such stress and confusion; I think it might be wise for you to confide in someone close to you that might know what you're going through."

Hermione eyed him curiously. "In regards to what, exactly, sir? The Prophecy, having visions, Lord Voldemort wanting to kill me, suddenly finding out I'm not actually a biological member of the family I thought I was a member of, or suddenly having some weird psychological connection with the twin brother I've only known I had since July?"

She huffed and folded her arms across her chest. Dumbledore chuckled softly. "By all means; Miss Zabini, don't hold anything back."

She blinked and then sighed. "My apologies, Professor."

He inclined his head. "That is not necessary, dear girl. You have been through a great deal in a short amount of time."

"Yes," she agreed. She mulled over what he was suggesting and said, "So, you think I should talk to Harry? Tell him about the Prophecy, and all that?"

"I think it is time for you to trust in him the way he has trusted in you all these years," he said kindly.

Hermione was pulled from her thoughts by the sound of the portrait hole opening. "Hi," Draco said when he came into view.

"Hi," Hermione replied.

Draco ran his hand through his hair and rubbed the back of his neck. "I didn't think you'd be awake when I got back."

He walked over and sat on the couch with a deep sigh. "Where were you?" Hermione questioned as she followed and sat down next to him.

"I went to clear my head for a bit, try to process everything and then I did rounds."

"Hm… Yes, Blaise and I gave you all quite a bit to process; didn't we?"

"Yeah, you really did," he agreed, "But it's like Potter said… Whatever you need; we're there."

Hermione leaned in and kissed his cheek, lingering ever so slightly. "Thank you, Draco."

He gave her a tender smile before saying, "Well, I'm knackered so I'm going to bed. Don't stay up too late."

"I won't. I'm quite knackered myself."

Draco stood and kissed her forehead sweetly. "Goodnight, Love."

He tiredly walked up the stairs and to his room. He was so tired he didn't even bother changing into his pajamas; he merely flopped onto his bed and passed out.

He was surrounded by hooded figures in gold masks. His heart was racing. Several feet in front of him, Lord Voldemort sat in a high-backed arm chair, his red eyes focused on the young man. "You have done well, Draco. Come," he waved the boy closer, "Lord Voldemort has seen your loyalty and wishes to reward you."

Draco looked over to his father, only known to him by the unique mask he wore. Mr. Malfoy nodded almost imperceptibly and Draco closed the distance between himself and The Dark Lord. He took a deep breath and held out his arm.

The next morning…

At breakfast, Hermione felt a little strange. She felt better knowing that she now had help in figuring out these visions of hers and Blaise's, but there was still something about it that bothered her.

In the Room of Requirement, she had confessed that she didn't know what she was seeing, but that wasn't true. She hadn't gotten a clear look the first time, but she had clearly seen Lucius Malfoy sitting in his study. Her second vision, however, had been as clear as day.

She had felt that, for the time being, she needed to keep certain details from her friends; particularly Draco. It wasn't that she didn't trust them, she just felt she needed a little more time to grasp the reality of everything happening to her. Draco was an entirely different story.

Since agreeing to the betrothal, Hermione had started seeing the potential she and Draco could have as a couple. She knew there were certain things she could trust him with, but she wasn't sure about this. She didn't like that feeling, but she just couldn't be sure that he wouldn't run to his father and tell him everything. It was for that reason, and that reason alone, that she hadn't completely let her guard down around him.

Even though she couldn't tell Draco that she was having visions of his father, she needed to tell someone. Dumbledore had suggested speaking with Harry, which made sense. He had a lot more experience with things like this than she did, and he wouldn't judge her. She glanced over at him and caught his eye. "Can I talk to you?"

Harry nodded. "Go ahead," he said.

Hermione shook her head and looked around. "Not here, come on."

When Hermione stood up and grabbed her things, Harry rushed to follow. She led him to an empty classroom that was never used and locked the door when they were inside. She then pointed her wand at the door and said, "Muffliato."

Harry looked at her in surprise and chuckled softly. "I thought you hated that spell."

Hermione blinked. "Yes, well, I can't risk others hearing our discussion."

He knew from the tone in her voice that this was going to be a deeply serious discussion. "All right, what's up?"

"I lied yesterday when I said I didn't get a clear look in my visions."

"Okay, so, what did you see?"

Hermione took his arm and made him sit before saying, "Before I tell you anything, I must swear you to secrecy."

"All right."

"I mean it, Harry; you can't tell anyone," Hermione urged, "Not Ron, not Ginny… No one."

"I get it, Hermione. I won't say a word. Promise."

She took a deep breath to calm herself and nodded. "Hermione, what's going on with you?"

"I'm sorry, I'm just a little… What I have to say is very important and my telling you puts everyone I care about at risk," she said.

Harry looked at her in concern. He placed his hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently. "Hermione, I promise, nothing you say to me now will ever leave my lips," he said kindly, "You have my word."

Hermione patted his hand. "Thank you, Harry. I just… I don't have anyone else that I can talk to about this."

"Okay, so talk to me. What's going on?" he questioned softly.

"The visions I had… They were of Lucius Malfoy."

Harry's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "What?"

"The first vision I had wasn't completely clear, but I know I saw Lucius Malfoy sitting at a desk, and then in my second vision, I clearly saw him arguing with Bellatrix Lestrange about some task he'd been given."

"A task? What task?"

"I don't know, it was never mentioned. All I could get before Draco woke me was that Lucius had been given a task by You-Know-Who and Bellatrix wanted to know what progress had been made."

Harry leaned forward and gave Hermione an intense look. "Tell me everything."

Hermione immediately launched into every possible detail she could give him. She spoke very fast and hardly took any breaths. Harry was used to this, of course, because one didn't become friends with Hermione without getting used to it.

When she finally finished talking, she stared at Harry and waited for him to speak. She had given him quite a lot to think about so she knew it would take him a minute before he would weigh in. She also knew that he had a very quick, and brilliant, mind, regardless of what his grades showed.

Harry wasn't honestly certain what to say. He was shocked by what he'd just heard and also a little in awe that Hermione had managed to remain so calm all this time. When he had first found out that Lord Voldemort wanted him dead, he had been a complete wreck. Then, when he'd first begun having visions and learned about his own prophecy, he'd become a walking time bomb of emotions; particularly anger. How Hermione was handling her situation with such… grace… he had no idea.

"Hermione, with everything you're going through, how are you not tearing everything and everyone apart?" he asked in awe.

Hermione wiped a tear from her cheek as she laughed softly. "Believe me when I say there's a part of me that wants to," she confessed, "I've been trying to hold myself together from the moment I found out that I'm a Zabini, but I'm starting to lose grip, Harry, and I don't know what I'm supposed to do."

She took several ragged breaths and covered her face with her hands as she began to sob. She hadn't truly cried since the day the Zabinis had come to take her to Zabini Mansion. Every bit of stress, every insecurity she'd been feeling; everything she had been feeling since that day finally caused her to crack.

Harry began to feel very uncomfortable as Hermione cried. He knew he needed to do something to console her in some way, but he wasn't sure exactly what. He was at a complete loss as to what to say so he did something he had never done before. He stood up and wrapped his arms around her in a tentative hug.

He had hugged her before, but she had always initiated it. This was the first time he had initiated a hug between them. Apart from that, there was nothing special about the hug. He just held her in his arms and let her cry.

When Draco had woken up that morning, he'd realized that he hadn't finished the Potions essay Professor Slughorn had set. He knew that if he didn't finish it, the lenient professor would most likely make him do lines, or something, as a form of punishment. He wasn't looking forward to that so, after bolting down a quick breakfast, he headed to the library.

He had been working for an hour when someone walked up to the table he was working at and sat down. "You're a hard man to find."

Draco looked up from his Potions essay and set down his quill as he leaned back. "Astoria, what can I do for you?" he asked.

She leaned down and whispered, "Why don't you pack up your things and come with me? I have something in mind that I think you'll find more fun."

He pretended to think for a moment, then shook his head. "I've got an essay to finish and then I'm meeting Hermione for rounds."

Astoria pouted. "Oh come on, blow off rounds for one night."

Before the previous night, Draco probably would have had to fight so hard to keep from taking Astoria up on her blatant sexual offer. However, now that his choice had been made, he found it quite easy to ignore her. "I can't. Astoria, I'm Head Boy, I can't just blow off my duties to go off somewhere and have a romp with you; I have responsibilities."

"All right, perhaps I'll see if one of the Gryffindor quidditch players is available," Astoria said.

Draco chuckled and went back to working on his essay. "Go right ahead; two of them are attached two are girls, and the other three are just plain dim."

Astoria narrowed her eyes momentarily before saying, "Or maybe that Dean Thomas bloke; he's handsome."

He could tell that she was trying to make him jealous by mentioning Gryffindors as prospective partners for a snog. It wasn't going to work, though. He wasn't going to be dragged into her games. He had better things to do, better people to do them with. With that thought, Hermione came to mind.

He glanced up and saw that Astoria was still standing there, staring at him. "Was there something else?"

"No, I'll be going now."

"Okay, bye then."

Astoria's expression grew angry. She put her hand on her hip and continued staring at him. "You know, Draco, one of these days I'm going to stop coming around and then all you'll be stuck with is a bookish prude who doesn't even like you."

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind," he replied without looking up.

When she was gone, Draco gathered his things and left the library. He checked his watch and found that it was nearly time for him and Hermione to be doing rounds, so he quickly headed toward Head's Tower to drop off his books.

Hermione was already there, sitting on the couch, reading a book. "Hey," Draco greeted, "Are you ready?"

"Ready for what?" Hermione questioned, continuing to read.

Draco chuckled and set his things down at his desk. He then walked over to Hermione and reached over her to take the book out of her hands. "Hey! I was reading that!" She complained.

"Yes, you were," he agreed with a laugh, "and I'll be happy to give it back when we're done with rounds."

Hermione looked at her watch and jumped up. "I can't believe it's that late already!"

Draco marked her page and closed the book, looking at the title. "Ah, no wonder you were so enthralled, this one's a real page turner."

She could hear the light mocking in his tone as he spoke. She shot him a quelling look as she pulled her sweater over her head. "I know some research can be dull, but this is important. I mean; Blaise and I need to figure out what's going on with us, and how to control it."

He set the book on his desk and walked over to her. "I know, Love," he said, rubbing her arms comfortingly, "And I promise that as soon as we're done with rounds, I'll help you go through this book, and any others you've found."

Hermione gazed up at him in shock. "You… You want to help me?"

"Of course," he replied, confused as to why she would be shocked at that, "I've even remembered seeing some books in the library at Malfoy Manor that might be of use. I'll write Mother tonight and have her send them along."

She smiled. "That would be lovely, Draco, thank you. But we mustn't let our school work suffer."

Draco rolled his eyes and groaned. "I wouldn't dream of it. Now, can we go? The sooner we get done with rounds, the sooner we can eat dinner."

His stomach growled softly then and they both laughed. "Come on, then. We'll do a quick sweep of the castle and go eat dinner."

He grabbed her hand as she began moving away and kissed her knuckles. "Bless you!"

Hermione's cheeks flushed but she didn't pull her hand away. Instead, she threaded her fingers through his and gave him a shy smile. "Well, this is a new step," Draco commented.

She began to pull away but Draco tightened his grip. "It's not too soon?" she questioned.

He lifted their hands to his lips and shook his head. "Not too soon," he said before brushing his lips against the back of her hand.

"Okay, then."

"Okay, then," Draco repeated. He then led her out of Head's Tower and they began their sweep of the castle, remaining hand in hand.

At dinner, while Hermione was helping herself to another serving of yorkshire pudding, Blaise squeezed himself in across from her. She glanced up at him and smiled. "Well, this is a surprise," she said.

Blaise's brow furrowed. "I've never sat at another house table," he said, "Is that allowed?"

Hermione looked at him thoughtfully for a moment. "I suppose I could let it slide just this once," she said teasingly, "I mean; there's nothing that forbids it exactly."

Blaise chuckled. "You should know," he teased, "You've got all the rules memorized."

Hermione laughed and nodded in agreement as she swallowed the mouthful of food she'd just put in her mouth. "That, and the unifying of houses is actually encouraged; especially in dark times. So, what brings you over, dear brother of mine?"

"Can't a guy just want to have a meal with his little sister?" he retorted, pulling a plate of strawberries with clotted cream toward him.

She eyed him carefully. "Mmhmm, but you've got something on your mind."

Blaise huffed and bit into a strawberry. "Damn this connection, or whatever, we have."

Hermione smiled. "You're happy about something."

He broke into a grin as he chewed. "I got a letter from Beatrice this morning."

"Ah, your lovely bride-to-be. How is she?"

"She's well. Beauxbatons started a few days ago so she's already got loads of homework. She's looking forward to the holidays so that we can spend some time together."

"Oh Blaise, that's wonderful! Have you two already started making plans?"

"Not official ones, but the wedding will most likely be the main event this Christmas."

"I get the sense that you're not completely thrilled by that."

Blaise took a large gulp of pumpkin juice before answering, "I am; really, I'm thrilled. Beatrice is a lovely girl and I'm lucky to be marrying her. I'm just a little nervous about how quickly it's happening."

"I see."

"We both wanted to wait until we're finished with school, but her father won't allow her to transfer here until we're married."

Hermione nodded. "Yes, I can your problem."

"You mock me but I'm having a real crisis here."

She smiled gently at him and reached across the table to take his hand. "Blaise, you're both seventeen, meaning you're both of age. Beatrice can transfer here without her father's permission if she chooses to," she informed him, "I'm also pretty certain that if you speak with our parents, they'll allow you to postpone the wedding until you're done with school."

He snorted. "After they agreed to allow you and Draco to choose whether you marry, or not? I highly doubt it."

"You won't know unless you try. Write them. The worst they can do is say 'no'. Besides, you're asking for a postponement, not a complete dissolvement of the engagement."

Blaise nodded. "I don't think it'll work, but it's definitely worth a shot," he said, "I'll write them tonight."

First Hogsmeade weekend…

Draco stood among all the other students that were going to Hogsmeade, waiting for Hermione. They had plans to spend some time together in Hogsmeade. They had discussed it the previous day and had decided to go together and then join their friends at lunch time in the Three Broomsticks.

Neither one of them had really spent much time with their friends since school started so it was time for just friends. Though, he didn't really think anyone could blame them for spending a lot of time together, they were getting married after all, even if she didn't have the ring on her finger just yet. To be honest, he hadn't been able to get up the courage to actually propose to her.

There wasn't really anything stopping him, he was just a perfectionist and wanted everything to be just right when he asked her. There was quite a lot on both of their minds as well so, more often than not, they spent most of their time chatting about what little they had found as far as Hermione and Blaise's visions were concerned.

"Here she comes," Blaise suddenly said, nudging him out of his thoughts.

Draco looked around and spotted her easily. He smiled to himself when he saw her wearing her Muggle clothes. He wasn't sure of why, but he really liked Muggle clothes on her; they seemed to suit her better than the school robes they had to wear.

Today she was clad in a pair of dark blue jeans, snow boots, and a tightly fitted puffy down jacket. Sitting atop her head was a dark gray beanie that she had pulled down to cover her ears. She seemed to be laughing about something one of her friends had said because her face with lit up with a bright smile and she was shaking… though the shaking could have been from the cold.

Wanting to be closer to her, Draco gave Blaise a look that clearly read, "I'll see you later," and headed off toward Hermione. Just as he was about five feet from her, two massive figures stepped in front of him, blocking his path. Draco looked up at Crabbe and Goyle questioningly. "Crabbe, Goyle," he said, nodding at both of them in turn.

He took a step to his left in order to step around him but Goyle stepped in front of him again. "Get out of my way, Goyle."

Goyle shook his head. "We have something to say to you," he said slowly.

"Oh?" Draco questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah, see, we think you've been spending too much time with Granger," Crabbe said.

"Right, you haven't been spending any time with us… your friends."

Draco rolled his eyes. "Really, you two; you sound like a bunch of girls," he said, before adding with narrowed eyes, "and her name is Hermione."

"Is there a problem here?"

Goyle looked at the intruder of their conversation and said, "Sod off, Zabini; this is between us and Malfoy."

"Yeah, why don't you send that Muggle trash you call a sister back into the hole she crawled out of?" Crabbe spat.

Both Blaise and Draco took a step forward, Blaise getting chest to chest with Crabbe, while Draco actually grabbed Crabbe's shirt collar and yanked him forward. "Tell me I did not just hear you call my fiancée trash," Draco said through clenched teeth.

Crabbe pulled Draco's hand from his collar and sneered, "That's what she is, Malfoy… trash."

Blaise stepped back and drew his wand. "Take that back, or regret that you ever spoke against her."

Goyle broke Draco's hold on Crabbe and got between the three boys. "You've both changed," he said, "Choosing a Muggle-born over your best friends? It's not right."

Blaise narrowed his eyes and aimed his wand more accurately. "She may have been raised by Muggles, but she's pure-blood, Goyle, you know, being my twin sister and all."

Draco huffed. "Don't bother trying to explain things to these two, Blaise, they wouldn't understand it."

Crabbe and Goyle cracked their knuckles and pulled ugly faces of anger and disdain. "Don't talk about us like that," Crabbe sneered.

"Or what?" Draco questioned with a smirk, "You'll bludgeon me? You wouldn't get close enough to try."

The two buffoons moved forward and made to swing punches.

"STUPEFY!"

The four boys flew apart, leaving a small crowd of students looking around to see who had knocked them all on their backsides. A few feet away, Hermione stood with her wand drawn and an angry scowl on her face. "Five points each from Slytherin for fighting," she said.

Crabbe and Goyle looked at her in shock. "You can't do that!" Goyle exclaimed.

"Actually she can," Draco said with a smirk, "and I'm taking another ten for your cheek."

Goyle narrowed his eyes and glared at Draco harshly. "You're going to wish you'd never done that, Malfoy."

"That's another ten for threatening the Head Boy, Goyle," Hermione stated, "Do I need to continue, or would you like to keep your mouth shut and go about your business before a professor gets involved?"

Goyle helped Crabbe to his feet as he said, "You've forgotten who your friends are Draco."

"I haven't forgotten; I've just found out who my true ones are."

Crabbe and Goyle stared at them in disbelief as they stalked off angrily while Draco and Blaise glared after them harshly. "I can't believe those gits!" Blaise exclaimed, "How dare they talk about Hermione like that!"

"How dare the two of you get into a fight," Hermione shot at them, placing her wand into her back pocket, "By rights you should be banned from future Hogsmeade visits."

Blaise and Draco both stared at her in shock. Goyle and Crabbe had been insulting her and she had the nerve to yell at them for standing up for her? They didn't think so! "They started it, Hermione!" Blaise argued, "Did you hear what they said about you?"

Hermione crossed her arms over her chest. "As a matter of fact, I did, but regardless of what they said about me, you two should know better that to get into a fight before a school outing," she said, "Especially you, Draco. You're Head Boy! You should be setting an example for the young…"

Draco rolled his eyes at her lecturing and sighed. "Hermione, please; enough with the lectures," he interrupted, "Can't you just be thankful that we were sticking up for you?"

"Draco, I do appreciate the fact that you two stood up for me just now, but honestly, getting into a fight right before we leave for Hogsmeade?"

"What did you want me to do, Hermione," Draco asked in exasperation, "completely ignore the fact that my so-called friends were disrespecting my fiancée?"

"I'm not saying that at all," Hermione said, "I just want you to be more careful so that we can go to Hogsmeade together."

The look on her face as she said this caused Draco's expression to soften. He was beginning to see that she was actually enjoying spending time with him; perhaps even starting to have feelings for him. Then again, he considered himself to be quite a charming lad so it didn't surprise him too much. At the same time, though, he had never believed he was worth loving. Perhaps, with Hermione's help, that would change one day. That, he didn't know. What he did know, was that he was beginning to have feelings for the enchanting creature in front of him.

"All right," he said softly, "I'm sorry; I should have thought about that beforehand."

As those words escaped his lips, a few students that were standing nearby gasped in disbelief. Many students had gotten used to seeing Hermione and Draco together, actually being civil to one another, but there were many that were still trying to grasp the fact that they were getting close. When Draco noticed that there was a group of people staring at them, his eyes narrowed and he shot them a cold look.

Immediately the students turned and hurried away. Hermione smirked at him as the group of kids disappeared around the corner. Draco looked at her and said, "What? I have a reputation to uphold here." He then winked and gave her a small smile as he offered his arm to her.

"Well, you two look like you're not in need of a third wheel so I'll be off," Blaise said, as Hermione put her arm around Draco's.

Before he got too far, Hermione called out, "Hey, meet us at The Three Broomsticks later?"

Blaise waved in answer and got lost in the crowd. "So, what would you like to do?" Draco questioned, bringing Hermione's attention back to him.

"Anything really," she replied, "I've just got to meet my mother first. You're welcome to join us."

"Marjorie's in Hogsmeade?"

"Yes; she wants to have some mother/daughter time so we can get to know each other."

Draco nodded. "I don't want to intrude on such quality time."

"Oh, it wouldn't be an intrusion, really."

"I have an idea. Why don't you go spend some time with your mum and I'll join you in a couple of hours?" he suggested, "I really think you should get to know her on your own."

Hermione thought about it and realized that she agreed with him. "What will you do?"

He shrugged. "I know how Blaise thinks, and I know where he likes to go, I can track him down easily enough."

She squeezed his arm and stopped walking. "And you're sure you don't mind?"

He adjusted her beanie so that it covered her ears a little better and fixed her scarf. "Not even a little," he assured her, pressing his lips to the top of her head, "Now, off you go, I've got another Zabini to find."

Hermione kissed his cheek and said, "We're meeting at that little cafe just past Monsieur DuBois'."

He nodded. "That's a great place. I'll see you there in a couple of hours then."

"Okay, I'll see you then."

Draco watched her walk away and then headed off to find Blaise.

Hermione stomped on the floor a few times, removing the snow from her boots, as she entered the Three Broomsticks. She pulled her hat off of her head as Draco stepped up behind her and took hold of her jacket, helping her take it off. Hermione smiled up at him slightly.

As Draco was hanging up her jacket, and removing his own, Hermione took a look around and noticed that Ginny and the others hadn't arrived yet. "Shall we find a table and wait for the others?" she asked.

"Yeah, lets."

Once Draco hung his coat, the two walked further into the establishment. They easily found a place to sit that would accommodate seven people and Hermione sat down while Draco went to get butterbeers for everyone. When he came back to the table, he sat down and put his elbow on the table, resting his chin in his hand. "Did you ever look at the book I gave you for your birthday?" he asked.

Hermione cringed slightly. "As a matter of fact, I haven't," she confessed, "I've been so busy adjusting to life as a Zabini and trying to help Blaise figure out our visions that it sort of… slipped my mind."

Hearing that made Draco a little upset. It had taken him a lot of time and effort to track that book down. He'd selected it carefully and had been quite proud of himself when he'd found it. It was no secret that Hermione loved books so he thought it was the perfect gift, especially given its magical history.

"Hermione, it took a good portion of my savings to buy that book for you," Draco chided, trying not to sound too huffy, "I would've thought you'd read it by now."

"I'm really very sorry, Draco," she said, "I've been meaning to read it… honestly."

Draco was about to reply to that, but he was interrupted by Ron and Luna joining them at the table. "Butterbeer, great, I'm freezing," he said, picking up a glass and taking a large gulp of the hot liquid.

"Good heavens, Ron," Luna said, picking up a napkin and handing it to him, "use some manners, will you?"

Ron wiped his mouth on his sleeve and looked at Luna with a questioning look. "What?"

"You were dripping butterbeer down your chin," Luna told him, "You know, it's actually more polite to greet people before guzzling down food or drink."

"Oh."

Hermione giggled softly at the pair. Ever since the two of them had started dating, there had been a change in both of them. Ron had become more aware of people's feelings, and Luna had become less strange. "You two really are quite the couple, you know that?"

Ron made a face at her, while Luna smiled serenely. "Shut it, Hermione," Ron told her.

"Thank you," Luna said at the same time.

Moments later, Harry, Ginny, and Blaise came bounding through the door, shaking the freshly falling snow from their clothes. Blaise smiled when he saw Hermione and Draco and waved at them. Hermione waved back but Draco merely nodded at him. "Sheesh, what's got into you?" Blaise asked when they reached the table.

"I think he's upset because I haven't read the book he gave me for my birthday yet," Hermione whispered.

Blaise chuckled as he sat down and grabbed the remaining glass of butterbeer. "I probably should've warned you about that," he said teasingly.

Draco smirked and flipped the bird at Blaise, who laughed and flipped it right back. "Did you two do any shopping?" Ginny asked, looking at Draco and Hermione.

Hermione nodded. "A little. I spent most of the morning with my mother, but after Draco joined us, he and I went off to do a little shopping."

"Get anything good?" Blaise asked.

"A few books and some things I was running low on."

"Did you see that new clothing store that opened up just down the street from Zonko's?" Ginny questioned.

Hermione drank some of her butterbeer and nodded. "Yes, there are some really cute things in there."

"There really are!" Ginny agreed. "And the prices are really affordable. I got a really good deal on a couple of shirts."

While the girls chatted on about the clothes they'd gotten, or the items they had their eye on, the boys discussed more "manly" things like the Zonko's products they'd bought, and the many sweets they planned on consuming. They were all so caught up with their conversations that none of them noticed how quiet Blaise had gotten.

He had been listening to the conversations with interest when he suddenly began having difficulty breathing. It almost felt as though he was having an asthma attack, but he didn't have asthma, or any type of allergy that would cause him to react this way. He tried to speak, but couldn't, so he banged his palm on the table to get someone's attention.

They all looked over at him and saw him clutching at his throat. "Blaise, what's wrong?" Hermione questioned, immediately standing up and going to him. Before she reached him, however, he suddenly went rigid.

"Blaise!" Draco and Hermione shouted in unison.

Blaise couldn't move, he couldn't breathe. Hermione reached out to touch his arm, but just before she made contact with his skin, he began shaking violently. The group looked at him with wide eyes as he continued to shake. A second later, his eyes rolled into the back of his head and he fell forward onto the table.

Hermione quickly got behind him and pulled him up by the shoulders. It took a great amount of effort for her to lift him even slightly, but Draco saw what she was trying to do and quickly helped her. After giving him a brief nod of gratitude, she then moved to Blaise's side and knelt down beside him, patting his cheek a little roughly in the hopes of snapping him out of whatever was happening to him. "Blaise… Blaise… BLAISE!"