21

Time on the bet was running out, and while Draco had kissed her – twice! – Hermione was none the wiser to what was actually going on. It had been two days since she had last seen him. Two whole days with absolutely nothing to work with. He was avoiding her; she was certain of it. In fairness, what had she expected? He was Draco Malfoy. He didn't like her; he was just messing with her head. It was no doubt a new game of his. She had been a fool to think (and hope) otherwise.

Hermione had to return to her life. She had been neglecting her friends this month, pushing them away in hopes of forming a relationship with one of their worst enemies. It was not something she was proud of.

She was sitting at the lake's edge, trying to force the dirty feeling she got from this area away. If she didn't want Harry and Ron to know about her narrow miss with Temple, then she couldn't let them see her freak out whenever they headed towards the lake.

Besides, she couldn't allow one bad memory to taint hundreds of good ones. Especially the most recent, the one that had happened directly after the bad. Draco Malfoy had saved her and then kissed her. It shouldn't count as a good memory, but Hermione was through fooling herself about how she felt. She liked Draco, a lot. If only her feelings were reciprocated.

If her feelings were reciprocated, would Harry and Ron ever forgive her? Hermione sighed.

"You too, huh?" Hermione startled as she realised Blaise Zabini stood behind her. She tensed a little, her hand falling to her wand.

"Whoa, I come in peace," Blaise said, laughing, holding up his hands. "Though I guess I understand that reaction. Is this where it happened?"

"You know?" Hermione asked quietly. Of course, he knew! Temple probably bragged about the whole experience.

"Draco filled me in. Good job on your right hook by the way." Blaise sat down, a respectable distance from Hermione. A gesture much appreciated.

"Thanks, I guess?" Hermione turned her gaze from the lake to Blaise. "Look, I don't mean to be rude, but what do you want?"

"I know about the bet." There was no beating around the bush; he just came right out with it. Hermione's eyes widened in horrified surprise. If Blaise knew then no doubt, Draco did too! So that was his game, huh? Mess around with her a little, make her think she stood a chance and then ditch her at the last minute?

"H-how?"

Blaise laughed. "A little weasel told me. Don't worry; I haven't told Draco. Why would I ruin the fun?" A little weasel? Ginny! Ron had gotten it wrong when he thought she was chasing after Draco. It was Blaise she had been sneaking around with. Hermione wondered how long it had been going on for? She had been sure Ginny was still obsessed with Harry. Ginny was smart. Perhaps her drooling over Harry was simply a front.

"So if you're not going to tell Malfoy, what do you want?" Hermione demanded. Why was Blaise here? Even if he were secretly dating Ginny it didn't mean that they had to be friends.

"I wanted to give you some advice," Blaise said, shrugging.

"Advice?"

"Draco likes you."

"One, that's not advice and two, it's not true either."

"It is true," Blaise argued. "And my advice is not to give up. He likes your fighting spirit; it's what first drew him to you."

"If you say so."

"You don't believe me?"

"Of course not."

"You know why he's staying away from you don't you?" Blaise asked, ignoring her disbelief. When Hermione shook her head, humouring him, Blaise continued. "He thinks his father will kill you. He's trying to protect you. Show him you don't need protecting. Show him you're not afraid of his father." Blaise stood up. "And if you are scared of his father then end this bet now because you'll have me to deal with if you hurt him." With that, Blaise walked away, leaving Hermione alone in stunned silence.

What he'd said made sense, but could it possibly be true? And if it were true, what was Hermione meant to do about it? Lucius Malfoy couldn't touch her in Hogwarts, but during the summer she was defenceless. She wasn't allowed to use magic, although the rules could be bent for self-defence. Still, he was a full grown man, a Death Eater to boot. If he decided to come after her, it didn't matter how smart she was; she would be dead if he wanted her dead.

A relationship with Draco Malfoy wasn't worth risking either of their lives over. It would be better if she just stepped back, as he had, and got through the rest of Hogwarts pretending none of this had ever happened. If that was the best option, then why did it feel so wrong?

She couldn't help it, though. Hermione had always thought Draco was the bad guy; she had never humoured the possibility of him being anything but. Now that she knew behind it all there was a nice guy, she couldn't help but want to save him. It was more than that. He wasn't just a goal to achieve anymore. Hermione found herself thinking about him, and when she started, she couldn't stop. It wasn't about the bet anymore. Hermione wanted Draco to love her, bet or no bet.

And what of the risk of death that possibly lingered over her? Well, what of it? She was best friends with Harry Potter; her life was almost constantly at risk! Hermione could handle herself, and she didn't need anybody else to save her, certainly not Draco. The more she thought about it, the more it annoyed her that he was apparently ignoring her to protect her.

Hermione wasn't having any of it. She stood up.