Finally :) Thank you for your reviews! I enjoy reading what you have to say and I really appreciate you taking the time to do that for me! Let me know what you think. Hopefully this weekend I'll have some time to write... it is a 3 day weekend after all! I may be moving in the near future (I have no clue when yet) AND it's getting SUPA cold in my city. Yuck! Anyway, enjoy :)
It wasn't until her hand was on the Hospital Ward door that Hermione faltered. Was she allowed to be in here? What would Blaise think of her running over here like this? Well, he did give Draco his phone, so that has to count for something. Hermione shook away her thoughts and pushed the door open softly.
Draco was lying on the couch by the window, staring straight up at the ceiling. No one else was around, and Hermione wondered where Madam Pomfrey had gotten off to, as it was Draco's first night. Hermione padded over to the couch and perched on the back, tossing a sad smile Draco's way. His eyes focused on hers and he squeezed them shut again before sitting up straight.
"I didn't think you'd come here. I didn't even think you'd reply through the phone. I thought you hated me."
Hermione moved to sit next to Draco on the couch, his head falling into her lap. It was odd, seeing Draco look so broken. Hermione wasn't sure what to make of it, but at the same time she felt a need to comfort him. Her delicate fingers stroked through his soft hair, his eyes closing at the soothing touch.
"Draco, I don't hate you. I just couldn't deal with you acting the way you were. But we don't fit. I don't know that we ever will. Regardless, I care about you deeply and for some reason I feel a need to see you get better. As much of a drag as it is to stay in this room, it helped me so much to be in here. I have a whole new outlook on life. I'm not the same girl I was before the war, I'm not the same girl I was when I was using. I'm brand new. Clean slate. And I couldn't be happier that I've been given the chance to shine."
Draco murmured in agreement, his head drifting to the side. Hermione snorted when she realized he was asleep and she gently pulled herself out from under his weight, laying him back down so he can continue sleeping. She walked to the side table near his bed and scribbled a note for him to find tomorrow.
Draco,
Christmas break starts next week. I'm assuming you'll be staying here. Well, so will I. And I'm still trying to figure out my life, so you probably won't see me much. But if you get lonely, let me know. I'll see what I can do.
xoxo,
H
As she was nearing the common rooms, a strong pair of arms shot out of a classroom and dragged her in. The room was dark and Hermione couldn't focus. Fear rose into her throat until she heard a familiar voice whispering huskily in her ear.
"You missed our date, cara."
Hermione gasped, remembering the conversation she had with Blaise earlier. She tensed and turned on him, ready to explain herself.
"Something the matter, cara? I just wanted to see you."
Hermione instantly relaxed, swatting Blaise on the arm for scaring her. He hugged her and laughed, a booming, hearty sound. Hermione melted into his hug and kissed his cheek. He chuckled and led her to a table so they could talk. The apprehensive look in his eyes set Hermione on edge, since she wasn't aware of what caused it. She cleared her throat, hoping to clear the air.
"Blaise, I'm so sorry about our date. But if I'm going to be honest with you, it's partly you're fault! You gave Draco your phone so he could talk to me. He freaked me out and was acting all weird, then when I found out where he was I wanted to see him. Make sure he's okay. I realize it sounds completely insensitive toward you, but I just...I don't know. Feel connected to Draco? Now that he's trying to get better? Wow, I'm just making things worse."
Hermione shook her head, cheeks tinged pink. She wasn't able to say anything that sounded right, so she opted for silence instead. The anxious look never left Blaise's face, in fact it increased as Hermione continued talking. Once she shut up, he blinked and opened his mouth.
"Hermione, I need to ask you something."
She blinked, nodding him along to his question. Oh shit. He's going to ask about Draco. She swallowed, a lump rising in her throat. He smiled warmly at her and grasped her hands, running his calloused thumbs across her smooth skin.
"Well, it's about Christmas break. You see, my mother decided to take a vacation with her newest husband to a remote location in the Swiss Alps. She'll be gone the entire time I'm home. I know you were planning to stay here, but consider this option. Will you come to Italy with me?"
Hermione's jaw dropped, her mind wandering back to their trip to Europa Park and fake Italy. Warmth filled her body as she envisioned the two of them dancing, remembering the romance she felt. A brilliant smile lit up her face, but no words would come out of her mouth. She grasped Blaise's face and kissed him softly, lovingly. He chuckled and kissed her back, and finally she found her voice.
"Yes. Absolutely. It sounds amazing! I can't believe you're asking me to spend an entire month in Italy with you! I need to go find Ginny. And I need to pack!"
Blaise's laughter boomed in the empty classroom now. Hermione kissed him thoroughly again before rushing out the door to find her best friend and tell her the news. A pang of guilt ebbed in her mind as she remembered the note she left for Draco, but it eased away. She was sure he would find out from Blaise before the week was over.
Ron, Harry, and Ginny were standing on Platform 9 ¾, waiting for Molly and Arthur to show up. Daphne hung on Ron's shoulders, kissing his cheek every so often. Pansy pouted off to the side of the group, upset that Justin had already left to meet his parents. Theo and Lucie chattered away about when they would be able to see each other over the break. Blaise stood next to Hermione, an arm draped casually across her shoulders, the couple perfectly content with their holiday plans. The group talked about amiable things, for once ignoring the Marriage Law or Draco in the Ward. One by one, the group dwindled, until Hermione and Blaise were the only two left on the platform. Blaise smiled and held out his hand, apparating them away to his house in Italy.
The house, villa, rather, was located in the city of Isernia. Blaise had explained to Hermione that his mother enjoyed the smaller population of their region while still being close to Tuscany and Rome. The house was tucked away on a hillside, and Hermione noticed there were no neighbors nearby. She could make out the lights of the closest house down the hill, but the twinkling was so dim she knew it was quite a distance. Blaise's house was simplistic, but elegant. Tall antique pillars crept past the second story and up to the roof. The architecture favored smooth, round edges, and the doors and windows were framed with round entryways. As Hermione entered the house, she gasped at the extravagant interior. She had always known Blaise's family had money, but it was now apparent just how much they really had. Each room was clad in warm, regal colors, maroons and reds in one room, violets and navys in another. Each room was kept pristine. Hermione was afraid to sit anywhere, since nothing looked worn or used. Blaise gave her a tour of the house and led her to one the larger guest rooms that she would be occupying. She noticed the proximity to his bedroom and blushed at the thought.
After she had unpacked, Blaise took her to Florence for the evening. Hermione donned a rose colored strapless dress with a sequined bust. The silk skirt of the dress had an alternating hemline: the front fell above her knees while the back rested at her ankles. Blaise looked suave in his chocolate brown suit. He took her to a small restaurant, a sign outside boasting their excellent wine lists and music for dancing. The couple ate their meals and talked amiably about the holidays. They sat back, sipping their wine as they watched couples sway on the dance floor. Blaise grinned at Hermione.
"I think it's about time you experienced dancing in real Italy."
He pulled her out on the floor then wrapped his arms tightly around her, drawing her closer to his body. Hermione melted into his embrace, feeling warmth rush through her. They moved perfectly together. Hermione gazed up at Blaise, whispering softly in his ear.
"Thank you for inviting me to spend Christmas with you. This is the most incredible experience. And there's no one I'd rather be here with than you."
Blaise smiled and captured her lips with his. The pair danced and drank wine for the next few hours before Hermione felt exhausted and ready to leave. They apparated back to Blaise's house, and Hermione got ready for bed, pulling on an oversized t-shirt that belonged to Blaise. It barely covered the necessary body parts, and Hermione giggled as Blaise's eyes raked over her body. He walked her to the guest room door and leaned against the door frame.
"You know, Mione, you're welcome to sleep in my room if you'd like. I don't want to pressure you into anything, but I like being close to you. It would be amazing to fall asleep holding you."
Hermione swooned at his confession, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling his lips to meet hers. He grasped her hand and led her down the hall to his bedroom. Hermione was shocked to see that this room was not as pristine as the rest of the house, and she was glad. She slid daintily into his large bed as he turned off the lights and slipped in beside her. Hermione felt Blaise's arm encircle her waist and he pulled her body to meet his so they were spooning. Hermione intertwined her fingers in his and closed her eyes. Merry Christmas, Me.