The lectures were going well with good student attendance and plenty of interest. The new building was great and so far, most lectures had been full to capacity. Hermione's conversation with Draco about flying was still playing on her mind. He seemed fascinated with her confession and she wondered why? What difference did it make to him if she could fly or not?

Her lecture with Neville had gone well too with Neville actually bringing up the incident with the pixies himself. He'd just launched into it and Hermione had watched him, surprised. The tale had gone down really well with the students and Neville had seemed to enjoy telling them. Hermione was beginning to think if these lectures weren't working like therapy sessions for them all!

She had a lecture this morning with Harry and Ron which she was looking forward to. Obviously, they were going to touch on the subject of their battle with Lord Voldemort and they'd sat together last night to prepare. It had made Hermione feel very nostalgic, the three of them working together and it was the first time she'd felt comfortable with Ron in a long time.

This afternoon there were no lectures as there was to be an official photo opportunity with some newspaper journalists who were also going to be able to ask the returning visitors about how they thought it was all going. They had been asked to wear formal clothes and there was a buffet and drinks being laid on in the lectures building.

She had just over an hour before the lecture so Hermione had decided to take a walk. She felt like she had been so busy that she hadn't had a chance to explore the castle and reacquaint herself with it. She took a walk down towards the woods, past the Herbology greenhouses. She could see a class of students in the nearest greenhouse with Neville who was holding up a fierce looking brown plant. She felt a little bit like a proud parent seeing Neville like this and then she wondered if that thought wasn't just a little bit condescending.

As she rounded the greenhouses and headed towards the formal gardens that had been created since she had left, she saw a familiar dark head. She was about to call out to Harry when she heard another female voice so she tiptoed around the hedge, trying not to disturb them.

As she drew nearer she could recognized Cho's voice. So Harry was with Cho then? He hadn't mentioned her at all to Hermione but she'd seen the look on his face on the second day in the hall. Hermione had never been sure about Cho and she wasn't convinced she was good for Harry. Cho was stunningly beautiful now but she seemed aloof and distant. Harry needed someone full of life with a sense of humour. Hermione almost laughed out loud when she realized she was now acting like Harry's mother as well!

She rounded the bottom of the hill and walked along, past the edge of the wood towards the lake. The sun kept going in and out behind the clouds and it was very pleasant. The lake was sparkling in the distance where the sun was hitting it and Hermione settled herself on a bench for a few minutes, glad of the peace and quiet.

"Granger."

A deep, smooth voice interrupted her thoughts and she turned to see Blaise standing a few feet away with Draco just behind him.

"Oh, hi." Hermione said. She wasn't quite sure what to do next so she babbled an unnecessary explanation for why she was here. "I Just thought I'd take a few minutes to gather my thoughts. It's been hectic hasn't it?"

"Well, if ever you need help realaxing..." Blaise said, his implication clear by the teasing grin on his face. Hermione stared at him, shocked by his answer.

"Excuse me?" she said, indignantly.

Blaise came and sat down by her, sitting quite close, his arm placed along the back of the bench. Hermione immediately felt uncomfortable. "Just kidding, Granger – I just wanted to speak to you about your broomsticks."

"What about them?" Hermione asked, wondering where this conversation might be going. She glanced up at Draco who was still standing a few feet away. He raised his eyebrows just slightly but said nothing.

"Well, my department at the Ministry is always looking for new ways to test out our magic," Blaise answered and then he paused and leant even closer, "you know I run the Department of Experimental Magic, don't you?"

Hermione made a show of moving further away from him. He was startlingly good looking, even more so than Draco, if she was honest, but he seemed to be very aware of it and his slightly flirty attitude made Hermione feel just a little uncomfortable.

"Run it? I thought you were the deputy head?" Hermione asked, seemingly innocently but she knew she was making a point. She was surprised to hear a deep chuckle and she looked up to find Draco grinning at her.

"Blaise - stop trying to impress her, it's not working," he commented.

"I'm not trying to impress her. I do practically run the place as Worthington is ready for retirement," Blaise defended himself but grinned at them both.

"So, don't tell me? You want me to volunteer in a test your running to see if Muggle born wizards can really do magic as well as Purebloods?" Hermione asked, rolling her eyes. this. "I think you'll find I've already proved that."

"Sarcasm doesn't suit you, Granger," Blaise answered, smoothly. "You should leave that to my esteemed friend over there."

"So - broomsticks?" Hermione prompted him, eager to get this over quickly.

"Oh yes. Would you be interested in letting us experiment on some of your brooms? If the tests work then we could come to some arrangement for you to use the spells permanently. If they don't work you'll be compensated."

Hermione stared at him, regretting being sarcastic to him. He was being perfectly reasonable but somehow her defenses were always alert around former Slytherins. "What sort of spells?"

"All sorts really. It depends what we're testing at the time."

"It sounds like it would be something worth considering. I'd have to speak to Harry, of course."

"Yeh - of course," Blaise grinned at her and she felt slightly dazzled by his amazing grin. No-one should be this good looking! Blaise must have noticed her reaction because he put his head to one side and raised his eyebrows. "Once you've spoken to Potter, you and I can meet for dinner to discuss it further."

Hermione raised her eyebrows at him. He'd obviously forgotten that he'd been asked out by her best friend. "So how is Ginny today? I haven't seen her this morning."

"She's got you, Blaise," Draco said and they both looked over at him. He looked at his friend. "She's immune to it." He indicated Hermione.

"Do you mind not talking about me as if I'm not here?" she protested. "And what am I immune to?"

"Him!" Draco pointed at Blaise. "A bit of smooth talk, a little wink or two and he's normally got women exactly where he wants them. Including Weaslette."

"Look who's bloody talking!" Blaise said with force.

Hermione's eyes narrowed. "Ginny really likes you," she addressed Blaise. "It took a lot of courage for her to ask you out like that."

"I know," Blaise said. "I like her, she's feisty."

"Then don't try and chat up her friend then!"

"I'm not bloody engaged to her, Granger. I think I'm entitled to keep my options open and for the record I wasn't tyring to chat you up." Blaise shrugged.

"Liar," Draco commented from the sidelines and Blaise turned his grin towards him.

Hermione stood up. "So you won't mind if I repeat our conversation to her later? I'm sure she'd find it interesting."

"I'll repeat it myself!" Blaise said. "Women don't rule me, Granger. Not even gorgeous redheads with plenty of attitude."

"Tell me that again when you've been out with Ginny a few more times," she said.

Blaise actually laughed now, throwing his head back. "You're cute - I like it."

"Cute?" Hermoine couldn't keep the distaste out of her voice. She heard Draco laughing now as well so she put her hands on her hips.

"Yeh - cute," Blaise grinned widely at her. "Let me know what Potter says." He stood up, turned his back on her and walked off as if he didn't have a care in the world.

Hermione glared at his back and then over to Draco who was watching her. "I thought you were bad but he beats you hands down!" she said.

Draco who rolled his eyes "What do you mean, you thought I was bad?" Draco asked.

"I mean I thought your sense of self importance was about as over-inflated as it gets but his is definately worse." Hermione started walking. "I have a lecture now," she glanced at Blaise's retreating figure, "aren't you going with him?"

"No – he's meeting Weaslette."

"Now?"

"Yes – they both have a free morning."

"Great. He didn't manage to mention that when I was reminding him of her existence, did he?"

"What's the problem? She's a big girl, I'm sure she can handle him," Draco said. He was walking along beside her and she wanted to ask him why but didn't dare. "He isn't as bad as he comes across and he does like Ginny."

"If you say so," Hermione said, unconvinced. She realized what he had said and stopped to look at him. "So you do know her name then? Do you think you might ever manage to call me by mine?"

"Ditto."

"What?"

"The 'D' word has never passed your lips, unless I'm mistaken." Draco's eyes were on her face, slightly challenging but also showing a little bit of amusement. "I'll say yours if you say mine."

Despite herself, Hermione's face broke into a grin. He was being amusing and somehow he seemed less abrupt and defensive. She stood back and folded her arms across her chest. "Okay – you're friend thinks he's god's gift to the world. So you either need to tell him to treat my friend with respect or I might have to punch him in his pretty face, Draco." She added his name on the end, slowly and with emphasis. She then screwed up her face as if she'd tasted something nasty. "That felt weird!"

She watched as Draco's own expression changed from amusement to genuine laughter. His eyes screwed up, his lips opened and he really laughed. She couldn't help but join in a little, giving a little chuckle. Draco stopped laughing and faced her, his lips still curved into a smile.

"I'd really like to see that, Hermione." He stopped as soon as her name left his lips, his face becoming serious and Hermione felt the strangest feeling at hearing her name on his lips. Her stomach had done a little flip and she couldn't drag her eyes from his.

"I should hurry – I'll be late for the lecture," she said, dragging her eyes from his face. He just nodded in acknowledgment.

So - I had a real problem with this chapter as I wanted to do a little twist on the usual Draco/Blaise relationship. I've always written Blaise as the joker but I wanted him to have a bit of an edge for two reasons. Firstly - I have something planned, romantic relationship wise later in the story and secondly, I think if Blaise is a little bit edgier it allows Draco to be a bit softer. Anyway, hope it's going as you expect - let me know if you want anyone included more, any particular couples etc. - I'm open to all suggestions. Also, I know Draco is being quite nice and not very Draco already but don't worry, he hasn't completely changed. Something happens next chapter that makes the usual, not so pleasant Draco surface and stay for a while. I wanted him to soften a little before the event happens. x