So very sorry… I usually don't do author notes but, I felt that this case really warranted an explanation direct from the source… First, I know that I haven't updated in a long while but… yeah, suffice it to say that my writing had been curtailed for several personal reasons… The second apology I want to make is that chapter 20 was deleted… and then put back up by a very frantic author…:P so, to those who commented that I'd already posted that chapter… THERE'S your explanation. And to further apologise… I'm making myself sit down and write what I have, though I personally don't think it's eany good… So, without further ado, here's chapter 21 of…

Reality Bites Hard

Hermione smiled and took the arm her cousin offered.

"Isn't it great?! Now we don't have to hide how close we are!"

Blaise couldn't help but grin down at her. Even though she was tall, he was easily taller and the top of her head barely reached his eyes.

"Yeah it is. But still, what are you doing all alone with only Mr. Snarky over there for company?"

Marcus reached the two of them just in time to hear Blaise's question, and the hidden barb, and he scowled, crossing his arms across his chest.

"I am NOT snarky!" Marcus snarled, starting Hermione who hadn't even heard him coming. Her brows furrowed as she tried to figure it out. It disturbed her that she hadn't even sensed him when she had been training to do just that the past week. Even Father was pleased with her progress, which was hard considering that HE could learn a new curse in less than 10 mins (not that there are that many curses that he didn't know!), and yet… she hadn't sensed Marcus.

It was… very disturbing to say the least.

'I'll have to up my training some more then,' she decided silently. 'I can't afford anything like this happening ever again!'

"-waiting. Right, Hermione?"

Hermione snapped back to the present, blinking in confusion.

"What?"

Blaise smiled.

"Mr. Snarky here said that I should leave. And I told him that Aunt Rowena and Mrs. Malfoy would still be at Madame Malkin's since your dad told them to wait for you."

"Oh, right. Sorry, um… we should probably find Mother as soon as possible…" Hermione said.

"Alright. Off to Madam Malkin's we go then!" Blaise said loudly. "Lead the way Mr. Snarky!!!" he taunted Marcus, bowing from the waist in a mock bow with Hermione's hand tucked safely into the crook of his elbow.

Marcus snarled.

Blaise raised his hands saying, "Alright, alright… NOT Mr. Snarky then…" He winked at Hemione who giggled, enjoying herself. "My apologies then, Lord Snarly!"

Hermione couldn't help it. She laughed while Marcus glared at Blaise and stopped only when she saw her new friend's pained expression.

"Aw, come on Hawk! It's not like he called you something disgusting or vile like 'Smelly' or anything like that. And it's true that you snarl… though I don't know about the snarky bit… that's Professor Snape's tittle!"

Marcus' glare softened as he tried to turn in on Hermione, who gave him her own version of 'puppy dog eyes', and sighed in defeat.

"Alright, Princess…" he muttered, totally forgetting about Blaise. But he remembered quickly when the other boy started to laugh. Thinking that Blaise was laughing at him, Marcus turned on the full force of his death glare and focused it on his laughing companion. If one could call Blaise his companion… Blaise, still laughing, waved him off and turned to Hermione with tears of mirth in his eyes.

"P-Princess???" he managed to get out between laughs and gasps for air. Hermione blushed and, rolling her eyes, reached up to smack him soundly on the back of his head.

"Silly," she mumbled, chastising him for laughing at her.

Blaise composed himself but was still grinning when he slung an arm over her shoulders, Hermione having pushed him away while she was struck by her earlier bout of laughter.

"Sorry Cousin… But, it's just that I never imagined that you'd let anyone call you something so… girly!"

Hermione huffed as they started to walk.

"And since Marcus has SUCH a 'darling' name for you…" Blaise beamed at her.

'Why do I have a bad feeling about this?' she thought, feeling the shivers slither up and down her spine before settling in her gut.

"I think I should have one for you too…"

'And there it is…' she thought dryly. 'I'm doomed…'

"Fine…" she conceded. "But you know the rules of what NOT to call me…" Marcus smirked.

"It's your funeral if you do, mate," he warned.

'He called me 'Mate'!' Blaise thought wildly. 'Get a grip Zabini! He probably didn't even notice…'

Blaise shrugged the threat off, ignored that Marcus was just a few steps away looking oh-so-delicious, and proceded to name as many silly nicknames for Hermione as he could. The two of them secretly being friends ever since their 3rd year when Hermione had elected to take every single class, Blaise could think of a LOT of silly and downright WEIRD names.

He didn't mind when she vetoed every single one he mentioned. He was a Slytherin after all… It would just make her more agreeable when he finally told her the name he'd chosen. She would be so annoyed at the silly thing he was spouting that she'd let him call her what he wanted, provided they weren't stupid, of course…

It would suit her soon enough, after an intensive make over from him on her hair, etc… But he knew that she would resist. Even if she would look absolutely gorgeous with black hair and a silver or emerald streak or two… maybe red… AHEM! The name was just too daring for her to accept it without question. Which was WHY, exactly, he was spouting off names such as 'Cream', 'Flower', etc… weird names.

They argued while they walked, Marcus keeping quiet for the most part, Blaise asking for reasons and Hermione stating why she would NOT, under ANY circumstances, be called 'Rose' or 'Chrystal' or, Merlin forbid!, 'Darkness'! None of those names fit her at all, and Hermione frowned. She'd thought that Blaise knew her better than that and so felt a bit disappointed that he couldn't think of better names.

Before they knew it, they were standing in front of the 'acclaimed' dress shop and causing quite a scene with their loud arguments. Blaise and Hermione were standing almost nose to nose, yelling loudly. Or they would be, if they had been the same height. As it was, it looked like Blaise was leaning down to kiss her while she leaned up… if they had been quiet and not yelling their heads off, that is…

Marcus had had enough of their nonsense and, even though he enjoyed the sight of the other boy's animated face that was usually so cold and bland he had reached his limit.

So, he did the only thing he could think of… He yelled.

"ENOUGH!!!" Marcus shouted, stepping in between the quarrelling duo.

Blaise gave a sigh of long suffering and said, "Alright. I give up! I'll call you… Sin!"

"WHAT?!"

To Be Continued Soon

sorry everybody but no Draco as of yet… don't start doubting me!!! This fic WILL be a Draco and Hermione so please don't all get your knickers in a twist! :P 'til next time!

Sakurayamakawa… signing off! :D