Chapter 21, I don't own Harry Potter (I'm sure we all wished we did)

Being home was great. To sleep in her room just brought a great feeling. Hermione hadn't wasted time unpacking it was the first thing she did when they got back.

Mother had been happy to have both Blaise and Hermione back. Although the look on her face showed that she had been stressed out. Mother had also said she wanted to talk to them in the morning since she knew they would have had a long day. So they spent the rest of the day lounging about the house.

But there was one thing she couldn't shake off. The look on Draco's face when they met their parents on the platform was filled with pure hatred. But another thing was Blaise was glaring at Draco and vice versa.

Sure she wanted them to be nicer to her but they had always been best friends. She wouldn't want to ruin that for them, no matter how much she couldn't stand the way they treated her when they were together. It would sort of be like her not being friends with the twins. It was unthinkable.

To make sure her suspicions were correct she corned Blaise in his room the night they had gotten home. Just to ask what was going on. Just because she was still unsure of his apology, didn't mean she couldn't try to be nice.

''What's going on between Draco and you?'' She asked her brother who only raised a brow.

''What are you talking about Hermione?''

''I saw the way you guys glared at each other on the platform. Are you really that draft to think I wouldn't notice a sudden Chang in the way you treat each other?''

He groaned looking up at his ceiling before looking back at her.

''Seeing as there is no lying to you, and that you would figure it out sooner or later, we got into an argument.'' He said plan and simple.

''About what?'' She crossed her arms knowing there was more to the story.

He gave her this look that said 'really?' For a moment they had a staring contest. But being as she wanted answers she won, causing him to groan again.

''About you, that seems to be all we argue about. How I apologized, how I don't bug you like I used too. He said it was strange of me to what to be friends with you, that I was defending you for nothing.''

Hermione was taken aback slightly, she for one thought it would have taken more to get the truth out of him, and two he actually stood up for her. For a moment she actually thought that he had Changd, but then she realized it was still too soon to know if the Chang would even stick.

''Thank you.'' She said quietly. He looked at her confused but she didn't meet his eye.

''For what?''

''For defending me against you best friend.'' She said just as quietly. ''But you can't destroy your friend ship.'' She said to him. Surprisingly she felt extremely guilty for almost messing up their friendship.

Once again he looked at her strange.

''You have to promise me, Blaise. No matter what happens to me, you and Draco will stay friends.'' She said to him.

''Hermione-''

''I'm being serious! I know what it's like to lose a close friend.'' She thought of Harry and their fight.

''Hermione-''

''And I don't want you to lose that, I mean you and Draco have always been friends, always together and I don't-''

''HERMIONE!'' Blaise yelled at her causing her to shut her mouth and look at him. He had finally gained her attention. ''We got into an argument; sure, He's just been bugging me by the way he talks about you. But I don't think I can be friends with someone like that. Well atlessed I don't think so.''

Hermione signed.

''It wouldn't be fair to you if you lost your best friend because your annoying sister.'' She crossed her arms again. ''So promise me you will make you with him when we see him tomorrow.''

''Hermione-''

''I said promise!'' She said pointing a finger at him.

''Fine I promise I will be friends again with Draco Malfoy.'' He gave up with a huff.

Hermione nodded her head in victory, but gave him a small smile none the less. Atlessed she had managed to have a civil conversation with her brother.

Unknown to them, they had someone listening to them. Adelia had just been walking by when she heard them talking. Honestly she thought she was going to have to step in. But after hearing Blaise and Hermione were talking about, it made her swell with pride that she did something right.

…~~…

Hermione walked out of her brother's room into the hall only to come across Crookshanks sitting in the middle of the hall with his tail swishing back and forth.

''What are you doing?'' She asked him with a smile reaching down and patting his head. ''Well, c'mon I have to go to the library.'' Her homework was sitting on the table there waiting to be done. And being Hermione she wanted to start it, even if it meant that she would be tired the next day.

Hermione didn't even have to look back as she walked knowing that Crookshanks was following behind her.

…~~…

Draco stood in his room staring very intently at the photo of him and his ex-best friend Blaise Zabini. They were standing in front of the entrance of the quidditch stadium just before the big championship. It had been exciting for them. Hermione had come much to their dismay but she didn't so much as say a thing the whole match. He so badly wanted to rip the photo to shreds and burn the little pieces out of existence.

He couldn't believe that Blaise, his BEST friend, had picked his loser of a sister over him, his BEST friend. He wouldn't admit it out loud but he was jealous. Ever since they went to Hogwarts Blaise had Changd. He didn't want to tease Hermione but instead befriend her. He didn't want to do the fun stuff but instead study. He had never studied before and suddenly it was the most important thing in the world!

Atlessed he got Blaise to go to the quidditch match.

With a sigh he put the picture back on his desk. Worst of all Blaise wasn't talking to him.

''It's not fair!'' He said crossing his arms, lying back in his bed.

…~~~…

The next day she had been correct about being tired. Not that she would let that show. Today was the say that the Malfoy's would be coming over for lunch. Meaning Draco was going to be there as well.

When she woke up this morning she was shocked to see that everything outside was covered in snow. Normally the snow would be moved to the boarders of their estate. Hermione didn't wait time as she got dressed in her white turtle neck, her blue plaid skirt, and her black shoes.

Crookshanks stood by her door waiting for it to open so he could go catch some mice.

When she made it into the dining room she found that she was the only one up. That was unusual as Mother was normally at this time.

''Ripple?'' Hermione said quietly. In a snap a little house elf appeared in front of her.

''Yes Miss Hermione?''

''Can you bring me some toast with jam on it?'

''Of course Miss.'' The little house elf bowed low to the ground before disappearing again.

Hermione thought that it was too quiet without Blaise and mother being up with her.

Before she knew it Ripple came back with her toast.

''Thank you.'' She said with a smile as the plate was placed on the table.

''This was Ripple is for.'' He disappeared again.

She ate her breakfast quickly then walked back to the library. She wanted to finish her transfiguration essay by tomorrow.

…~~~…

''Narcissa!'' Adelia said when she saw her good friend, with a huge smile.

''Adelia, It's been such a long time since we got a chance to just sit and talk.'' She nodded in agreement as the two of them hugged.

''Lucius, nice to see you again.''

''That it is. And it's such a nice day out.''

''Please the snow would be better if it were worm.'' She turned to Draco who seemed to be upset.

Blaise and Hermione stood side by side. This didn't go unnoticed by Lucius, or the way Draco was glaring at the two of them. He had noticed it at the platform too. He would have to speak with Adelia to see if she noticed it too.

''Hello Mrs. Malfoy.'' Hermione said politely. ''Hello Mister Malfoy.''

Blaise stood silent.

''Now, shall we head to the dining room?'' Adelia said with a smile, there was a bit of tension forming around the kids.

…~~~…

Lunch was an uneventful thing. The adults tried multiple times to break the silence that had formed around them. Every time it was broken it would quickly form back. Normally they would have a much better time than this.

After lunch, Adelia, Lucius, and Narcissa were in the library going over plans for the winter ball that was coming up soon. Probably also going over the list of guests as well.

Blaise, Draco, and Hermione were seated in the living room. Silence surrounded them. Hermione sent Blaise a look that reminded him of his promise to her the day before.

He shook his head but she narrowed her eyes at him. He sighed but turned to Draco.

''I'm sorry for how I acted on the train.'' His voice broke the silence. Draco looked at him with a raised brow then crossed his arms.

''You're sorry for taking her side?''

Blaise looked at Hermione who nodded her head.

''Yes, I still want to be your friend, but I won't be a bully Hermione.'' He said quickly and left no room for argument.

He scrunched up his nose. ''If you must, I accept your apology.''

Draco wouldn't admit it but he was actually happy about the arrangement. It meant he had his best friend back. Even if it meant he couldn't bully Hermione anymore. Instead he would just ignore her.

''Then we're friends again?''

Draco nodded. It wasn't much longer after that they ran off, probably to play a game of chess or something like that.

Hermione looked around the room.

It was silent except for the grandfather clock that ticked.

She sighed. She was alone...again. She could only hope that Blaise would realize the sacrifice she had made for him. Sure she was happy that they were still going to be friends, but it reminded her of how few friends she really had.

Cho, Fred, and George were all a year ahead of her. She could talk to Cho in the common room and at meals, but Cho had other friends that she talked to too. She only got to really talk to Fred and George when they came to find her in the library. At meals they would sit and talk with their house mates, occasionally pass her notes in the shape of a plane.

She wasn't talking to Harry, Ronald hated her, and no one in her year really wanted to talk to her.

She had the relationship with Blaise like and Owl and a Rat. One hides from the other. The same thing could be said for Draco. Sure they made up but it doesn't mean they were close, let alone friends with him. He could still relapse.

She stood up and straightened out her skirt and walked to the back door. Grabbing her cloak and gloves she walked out into the cold air. For some reason Mother had allowed the snow to stay. Which was a good thing in her opinion, she liked the snow. There was a white blanket covering the grass. The path had been cleared of the snow and any ice.

Removing one of her gloves she picked up a hand full of snow that had collected on to the wall and watched as it slowly began to melt from the warmth of her hand. A smile began to appear on her face.

She dropped the partly melted snow back on the ground. Removing her other glove and placing it in her pocket she walked further over on the wall. Before she knew it her arms were full of snow. She threw it into the air above her head. She watched as it slowly fell back to the ground, covering her in the processes. The flakes that fell onto her skin melted.

When it was all on the ground Hermione went to get more snow to do it again but she felt a flake on her nose. She turned her head back to the sky to see that it had started to snow again.

…~~~…

''Adilea, have you noticed any…differences in Blaise since he has returned from Hogwarts?'' Lucius asked his friend.

She didn't even have to think about it.

''I have, but I believe you are bring thing up id this has something to do with Draco?'' She asked to which he nodded.

''Yesterday, I noticed that Blaise and Draco were…glaring at each other. Before they left they had been inseparable but on the platform it was like they couldn't wait to get away from each other.''

''Draco didn't even say a word when we got back to the manor.'' Narcissa said.

''I think I know why, Blaise has actually been changing.'' Both listened in. ''He and Hermione were talking last night. Turns out Draco and Blaise had gotten into an argument over how Blaise didn't want to bug Hermione.''

''I would hope not after the troll incident. '' Narcissa said.

Adelia shook her head.

''It would seem that my son was willing to give up his friendship for her. But she wouldn't allow it. Made him promise he would be friends with Draco again.''

Both fell quiet, taking the information in. It was Narcissa that broke the silence.

''She is so much like her mother, isn't she?''

''Think of others before herself, even if it meant she would be hurt.'' Lucius finished.

''I worry of how that will affect her in the years to come.''

She looked out the window to see Hermione standing outside looking up at the falling snow. Alone.

…~~~…

When she came back in the Malfoy's were preparing to leave. By the looks of it, it seemed as if Blaise and Draco had never got into an argument as they chatted and made promises to meet up again before the party.

Crookshanks rubbed up against her leg as she said her goodbyes, signaling that he was hungry.

''Mother?''

Adelia turned to her.

''Yes darling?''

''You said I could invite Cho and her family correct?''

''I did, are they coming?'' Hermione nodded.

''Her Grandparents will be coming too.''

''Wonderful, this is going to be the best one yet.'' Adelia said with a wide smile.

After she had given Crookshanks some food she walked to her little cave. It had been a while since she talked to them and in a way she wanted to update them on what had been going on. She even told them about the troll, which they found both fascinating and frightening. It was nice to talk to them again.

…~~~…

The wait had pasted by quickly. The party had been set to be 4 days before Christmas.

Now Hermione found herself standing by the door greeting their guests as they came. Her dress was a bronze color. It wasn't ugly; in fact it was quiet pretty. The dress went to just below her knee, and the arms came to just her elbows.

So far the Malfoys', the Changs', the Flints', the Notts', the Greengrass', the Goyles', the Crabbes', and along with many others had arrived.

''You can go ahead and mingle with your friends dear.'' Hermione looked at her mother, who nodded. Hermione walked into the ball room where the adults were talking and the kids either looking board or were chatting with their friends.

Hermione walked through the crowed. Saying hello and answering questions that were asked like how she was doing.

''Hermione!'' She turned to see Cho headed her way in a beautiful blue dress. She had a black sash around her waist. ''I see that up escaped greeting duty.'' Hermione laughed.

''No, mother told me to come and 'mingle with my friends.' I think she keeps for getting your my only friend.''

''You know that's not true. You have Fred and George.'' She whispered. ''Anyway I want you to meet my parents!'' She said grabbing hold of Hermione's arm and pulling her through the crowds.

The first thing she noticed about Cho's parents was that they were very polite. Her mother had a huge smile on her face.

''Mum, Dad, this is Hermione.'' Cho introduced them.

''Oh! Hello, thank you for inviting us.''

Hermione fidgeted as she stood in the spot light.

''Your welcome. But mother is actually to be thanked. She said I could invite my friend and her family.''

''So modest, that's a great quality.'' Cho's father said with a kind smile.

Cho laughed.

''You should see her when she proves someone wrong, she's anything but modest.''

''Just like all Ravenclaws.'' Cho's mother said.

''Chang!'' Both adults turned to Lucius Malfoy talking to Cho's father.

''Good to see you again Lucius.'' They shook.

''I was actually shocked to see your name on the list this year.''

''Miss. Hermione here invited us.'' Cho pulled Hermione away from the adults as they got engrossed in their own conversation.

''there are a lot more people here than I thought there would be.'' Cho said with a smile.

''Really? Usually we have more but some just didn't want to come this year.''

''Well if it is the Raven brains.'' Both of them turned to see Pansy Parkinson.

''Oh that's original.'' Cho said. They get called that a lot at Hogwarts.

''Can't help that it's true.''

''Just because we are smart?'' Hermione asked the other girl.

Pansy Parkinson had been Hermione's best friend at one point but then Hermione started to get more into books and studying and Pansy got more into clothes and her looks. They just had simply grown apart; it wasn't until Pansy became friends with Draco that she started to make fun of Hermione.

''That's stereotyping,'' Cho stated. ''There are some Ravenclaws that struggle with some of their classes.''

''So what, a majority of you lot are to smart for your own good.'' Pansy said while putting her fists on her hips. She walked away over to Draco and Blaise who were chatting.

''Unbelievable! That girl is horrid; she thinks she's so much better than us.'' Cho vented to Hermione.

''She's not that bad, she's just trying to stay on Draco's good side.''

''You mentioned Draco, said that he was leaving you alone?'' Hermione nodded.

''Ever since Blaise apologized they have been just ignoring me, not in a mean sort of way but they don't say anything nasty.''

''Well that's good, I won't have to send the twins after them.'' Once again they laughed.

They laughed and joked for a while. Occasionally one of the adults would come over and strike up a short conversation with them.

That is until two more Slytherins came over.

''Uh, Hermione?'' She turned to see Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle looking at her.

''Uh, what?'' She hadn't talked to them in a long time. She had never been close to them but after she had fainted she hadn't seen them around.

She waited for one of them to say something which Gregory elbowed Vincent in the rib. That seemed to be the signal to say something as it was then that Vincent spook.

''We just wanted to say we are sorry for how we treated you.''

''We're really sorry, especially about putting you in the Hospital Wing.'' Gregory said. Both looked anywhere but her, that's how she knew they were sorry.

''Its ok, it's in the past.'' Both seemed relieved that she said that by the way their shoulders sagged as they let out a breath.

''Thank you for accepting our apologies, Hermione.'' They said together which was funny as they were usually slow. Hermione gave them a small smile.

After they had walked away the party went off without a hitch. Everyone, even Hermione had a good time. Cho was willing to talk to her throughout the night until her parents had called her over so they could leave.

Even before everyone left Hermione had walked up the stairs to her room. She told them goodnight and goodbye. She was just so tired from the event. Blaise had come up with her since Draco and his parents had left not too long ago.

''Talk about a party.'' He said jokingly. Hermione smiled and nodded.

''It was nice wasn't it?'' She asked and he nodded.

''See you in the morning Hermione.''

''Goodnight Blaise.'' She said as she closed her door. Crookshanks was already on her bed curled up on his usual pillow. She changed out of her dress and brushed her hair before climbing into bed.

She patted Crookshanks soft fur before sleep finally over took her. It had been a good night, even with Pansy's smart remarks about her house, hair, and dress.

So what did you think of this chapter? What do you think will happen next? Is everything starting to look up for Hermione? Will she ever be friends with her Brother?

Let me know what you think in a Review!