A.N - Special thanks to my beta MrsFelton1988. Hope you all enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 9

Alone in her flat, Hermione was irrationally, unequivocally, absurdly seething with anger. It was like a dam broke, and a tsunami of fury crashed around her. She didn't think she had ever felt this level of emotion before and there was no logic behind it. Her body was shaking, and a flicker of a thought slipped her mind. It would have been so easy to slit his throat. Just a flick of the wand and it would easily slice through the skin like butter. She could almost imagine his shock as the blood trickled down his porcelain neck. She could visualize him gasping to breathe, as his throat pooled with thick burgundy liquid blocking his airway. She envisioned his eyes, beautiful and grey widened with fear. Her body tingled with magical energy and adrenaline. Her head felt lighter like she had a runner's high.

A loud knock on the window shattered her reverie. She shook her head, her mind cleared, and she felt abruptly calm. All the rage she felt a second ago vanished with a blink. There was another tap on the glass. Hermione let in a handsome tawny owl that stuck its talon out to provide her with an envelope. She gave it a little treat and with a happy hoot, it flew away.

The envelope had the Nott wax seal on it. Hermione ripped it open and began to read.

THE CHECKLIST – HOW TO INTRODUCE YOUR SECRET-TWIN TO YOUR FRIENDS IN THE WORST WAY:

- Spring shocking news on unsuspecting friends suddenly without any warning

- Ensure at least one wand is drawn amongst the group for ready for an attack

- Someone in the group apparates away early

- Uncomfortable conversation galore

- Stand awkwardly around

- Share important family items that is bound to overwhelm your sibling right before meeting the friends

Well, look at that! I'd say we each got an O in completing that checklist. Both of us checked off each and every item! Who would have thought we'd be so effective?

In all seriousness, I am sorry that you left upset Hermione. I'd like to see you again soon. Would you want to join me at the manor for supper tomorrow night? Around 6? Hope you can make it.

Theo

Hermione smiled at the letter. They definitely should have planned out how to share the news. Meeting each other's friends ended up being a disaster for the both of them. She liked the way he was able to joke about it. It made her feel like she could take those tense moments and shape them into something a little more light-hearted.

The following day, she woke up to a headache again and since the potion had not been working, she decided to go to a muggle pharmacy to see if perhaps non-magical medication would help. Throwing on a pair of dark jeans and a crisp white long-sleeved t-shirt, she apparated into a secure alleyway in the heart of London. It was a surprisingly warm day in June. Hermione had been tempted to wear something sleeveless but ever since she had that scar on her forearm, she hadn't felt comfortable without sleeves down to her wrists. She had tried all sorts of potions, charms and spells but nothing removed the scars. The sunlight glimmered against the necklace and she saw reflections glitter across the alley as the rays hit the indigo diamond. She tucked the necklace under her shirt, hiding it away as she realized that it contrasted drastically with the rest of her outfit. After inhaling a couple of the tablets, she decided to roam around the city and enjoy a rare moment of anonymity which she had not had since the war had ended. For the first time in a month, she felt almost at peace as she strolled around the Japanese Garden Island of Regent's park admiring the natural beauty and enjoyed the warm sun on her skin. After devouring a delicious brunch, she found an old bookstore, purchased a book, and spent the rest of the day cozied up in a small café reading. At twilight, Hermione found an isolated lane and called for Vippy.

As they walked through the manor, Hermione trailed slowly behind the house-elf still filled with happiness. She realized that it was the first day in a long time that she had just to enjoy her own company. Vippy continued walking through the manor.

"Are we not going to be in the library tonight?" she asked, surprised.

"No Mistress. Master is in the dining room for supper. Please come with Vippy." he responded

When Hermione arrived at the entrance of the room, she realized that Blaise and Draco were also seated at the table with Theo. She stopped abruptly, shocked at the sight of them.

"Mistress Hermione is arrived." Vippy announced loudly and then disappeared.

All three of them rose from their chairs the moment they saw her. Hermione felt herself blush. She wasn't sure if it was a pureblood thing or not, but it suddenly dawned on her that they always stood when she entered the room. It was very odd. None of the guys she'd been around ever behaved like this. She supposed that it might not necessarily be about being a pure-blood but more related to their wealth and aristocracy.

Looking at them, she felt severely under-dressed in her denim and tee. They were wearing fairly nice robes, although she realized that they usually dressed up in elegant robes and this was perhaps just a normal evening for them. Hermione had assumed that she and Theo would have had a night researching in the library with a quick dinner like the last time. Clearly, she was mistaken.

Blaise walked over to her, lifted her hand and grazed his lips against them. She could feel her cheeks burning. She had observed Draco doing the exact same act to Daphne yesterday, but it felt so intimate to her. He escorted her to the table and pulled out the chair that he initially was seated in. Once she sat down, they joined her. Theo was at the head of the table, with Draco at his left facing opposite her. Blaise took a seat by her. She felt a bit uncomfortable and could feel Draco's eyes on her.

"Daphne wasn't able to make it tonight Hermione. She had a dinner planned with Astoria, her sister, but she sends her regards. Although they might stop by later. Can I get you something to drink?" Theo said. There was a sadness that hung around Theo, like a curtain of grief enveloping around him.

"Oh. Elderflower wine if you have some. Do you all regularly eat dinner together?" she inquired

"No." Blaise's soft voice murmured by her ear. "This is quite special. We wanted to spend some time and get to know you better."

She turned to look towards him and felt the back of her neck tingle. She had never really interacted with Blaise at Hogwarts and couldn't even recall ever speaking with him before. His deep voice near her, made her nervous and she objectively speaking could not help but notice that he was gorgeous. Tall, dark, handsome and charming. Theo placed a glass of wine in front of her.

"So Hermione." She felt a flutter hearing her name against Blaise's lips. "What have you been up to since we saw you last?" He took a slow sip from his glass, which she assumed was filled with Firewhisky.

"Umm. Well, actually I spent the day exploring muggle London. I went to a park, a café, and found this beautiful old bookstore. It was really fun." she shared

"Do you go to muggle London often? I don't think I've ever been." Theo asked

"I used to go fairly often in the summer years ago. But today was the first in a long time." she said with a smile. "What have you been up to since yesterday?"

The bowls in front of them filled up with chilled cucumber gazpacho that was perfect for the warm summer evening. Although she was intentionally not looking at him, Hermione could sense that Draco's eyes had not left her face from the moment she entered the room.

"Well last night, Draco and I hunted down that book mentioned in the journal and I think we finally figured out what she was trying to do. Actually, Draco's been researching all day and he found a couple more books from his manor that might help. He thinks there's this artifact that we can combine with runes to – I'm not sure I understood the process - Draco do you want to explain?"

When she looked up at him, she felt herself squirm under his gaze. It was like his grey eyes were peering into her soul. But there were like steel, cold orbs without any emotion behind them. His face was expressionless.

Blaise's voice spoke up beside her. "Theo. I know you're worried. We swore we would do everything we possibly could to help. We're all here for you." He turned back to look at Hermione. "The both of you. But tonight was supposed to be about spending time together. Not curse breaking."

Theo's eyebrows furrowed; eyes filled to the brim with emotion that Hermione could only call grief. "No. You're right." She felt that there was something wrong; there was an air of unspoken words filled with sorrow between them and Blaise's levity seemed almost like a distraction.

Hermione took a couple sips of her wine hoping that it would help calm her nerves.

"So, the gorgeous war heroine explored the city. It sounds like it was quite the romantic date." Blaise asked smoothly. Hermione felt her cheeks turn pink again at the compliment. She took a few more sips from her glass.

"Umm. No, not a date. Just some quality time with myself."

"Hmm. I don't know if I've ever gone and spent a day with just myself." He said thoughtfully

"That's because your ego's too fragile. You need people around to continuously boost you up." Theo snarked at him with a smirk

Blaise laughed. "True. What would I do without your constant adoration? Blaise, you're so strong, and powerful. I wish I were you." He said with a sarcastic smile.

Theo gave him the finger.

Hermione let out a small chuckle. She felt more relaxed at that interaction and it reminded her of Ron and Harry although infinitely more sardonic than they ever were. Theo, Blaise and Hermione spent a while discussing a variety of things from their hobbies to their ambitions. Blaise was open and vulnerable and talked about how he was trying to make a difference in the world, training to be a healer instead of continuing with the family business. Theo talked about how stressed he's been lately managing all the Nott affairs single-handedly. Hermione felt unexpectedly connected to them.

Blaise smiled at her warmly. The soup bowl had been replaced with a steak salad and the meal ended with a raspberry sorbet. Hermione went to take another sip from her glass and realized it was empty. Theo stood up and re-filled her glass with the Elderflower wine and replenished all three tumblers with Firewhisky.

Hermione felt a dull pain return to the back of her head.

"Hermione, tell me…is there someone special in your life?" Blaise asked her in almost in a whisper near her right ear that made her shiver

"Someone special…?" she replied with a slight question

"She's with Weasley." Draco's low, calm voice called out from across the table. Draco had been silent throughout the entire meal. It was the first time he had spoken that evening.

"Oh um. Actually, we broke up." She mumbled.

Draco raised a single eyebrow, his face blank and impassive.