Chapter Six

That night, when Maria arrived home, she was informed of the dancing incident. It was one of the house elves who told her that the dance teacher had left in a rage, yelling that she quit, and Maria looked angry. She marched up to Blaise's room, where she had been informed they were. She opened the door and marched in.

"What is the meaning of this?" She cried. "You fire another dance teacher?!" She yelled. "Blaise, you can't keep doing this."

"I know, mum. But it wasn't our fault! She nearly made Granger cry!"

She stopped, her face softening as she turned to Hermione. "What did she say, honey?" She asked concerned. "Are you alright?"

Hermione sighed. "I-I just… I can't dance. And she got… angry and said some things."

"More like screamed them at her, mum. She even called her a hussy." Blaise added.

"Oh, honey, I'm so sorry!" Maria hugged Hermione to her chest, like a mother would. "I knew she was a bit of a cow, and constantly all over Blaise or Draco. I just wanted them to learn how to dance. That way, when they do find someone to love, they can be all romantic and mushy."

Hermione snorted. "Malfoy, romantic?"

"What's wrong with that?" He defended. "I can be romantic. Just ask Pansy." He tilted his nose up in the air mockingly.

"Mate, you know Pansy wouldn't agree to anything you said right now." Blaise said wisely. "After what you said to her. I mean, come on, as if you'd say that!"

"Oh, what'd he do?" Hermione asked nosily as Maria shook her head and left with a smile.

"Nothing!" Draco said loudly. "We're getting off topic, here. Who says I can't be romantic?"

"I say you can't be romantic." Hermione piped up.

Draco smirked. "Are you sure about that, Hermione?" He asked in a low, husky voice. He took a step toward her and she stood mockingly. "Because I can prove you wrong, if you want."

"You can try, Draco."

He swooped down and took her hand, looking her in the eyes as he kissed it gently. "You look ravishing tonight, Miss Granger." He kissed her hand again and she shivered slightly.

"Even in my boxers and t-shirt?" She asked, mock swooning.

"Oh yes, I believe so, but I bet they'd look better on my floor." He said, getting closer to her.

"But what would I wear?" She asked, aghast.

"Nothing, my dear. That's the point." He pulled out his wand and a rose appeared in his free hand. He handed it to her with a smirk. "For you, m'lady."

"Why thank you, kind sir." She curtsied and he bowed.

Blaise started clapping loudly, chuckling. "Bravo, bravo. What a performance. I swear, you pair could be in a play. How does Romeo and Juliet sound?" He asked mockingly.

Draco smirked. "See, I told you I could be romantic."

"Malfoy, dear, that was so… cliché. You need some coaching in the romance section." Hermione retorted.

He sputtered. "But I was sweet and mysterious and… cute!" He said, outraged. "How is that not romantic?"

"Cute? Honestly, Malfoy, you've got to think, you've got to know what this girl wants before you go off, assuming she wants some mysterious, cute and sweet guy. You never know, she might like lilies better."

He sighed. "This is why Pansy hates me." He concluded. "I'm unromantic."

Hermione laughed again. "You're not unromantic, Malfoy, you just don't know what kind of romance Pansy wants. All you have to do is look at her and find out what she likes. Talk to one of her friends or something. Get Blaise to ask."

He snorted. "Now I'm taking love advice from a bookworm."

She glared at him. "Fine, Malfoy, you keep screwing up your relationship with Pansy and don't blame me. I refuse to be the blame when she stops talking to you, again." She sniffed the air.

Draco groaned. "Granger, you are… annoying."

"And right." Blaise added. Draco scowled.

"Just because she's female." He muttered. "Besides, Granger, what makes you think you can give me romantic advice?" He raised a blonde eyebrow at her.

She bristled at his insinuation. "In case you were wondering, Malfoy, I have had romantic relationships before, I mean Viktor was very –" Hermione stopped abruptly, her face darkening into a sad expression. "Never mind." She muttered, looking down to hide her watering eyes.

"Hey, Granger," Draco said softly as he took a step toward her. "It's okay to cry." He stood about a pace from her, looking concerned. Her eyes didn't even flicker up to him. Instead, she kept her eyes on his feet. "Look at me." He said softly.

She shook her head. "No."

"Please?" He asked. "If you look at me, I'll let you give me more love advice." Draco tried.

"Hermione," Blaise began. "Who else has shown romantic interest in you? Apart from Krum, that is." He asked, changing the subject.

She remained silent and Blaise shared a look with Draco. It was obvious she was scared or sad. "He was once really sweet and romantic." She said quietly. "Before he… you know…" She sniffled.

"Look, Granger, you've got to leave those things behind. You can't dwell on what he was."

"What can I dwell on then?!" She suddenly asked, her head snapping up. "I love him! Even after what he's done to me. And I know you think it's stupid, but I don't care. I just can't stop loving him and it drives me crazy not to see him, even if he is a bloody monster." She glared at Draco and then shrank back in fear. "I'm sorry."

Draco took the final step forward and pulled her into his arms forcefully. She struggled as he hugged her, but soon gave up and went limp in his strong arms. "Don't be afraid of me, Granger. I won't hurt you, no matter what you think."

She sobbed into his chest and buried her face in his shirt. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, so sorry." She whispered.

"Another thing, stop apologising. You don't need to be sorry. You haven't done anything wrong." Blaise said. "You can't help who you love. But when you finally do realise what he is…" He let it trail off, knowing that she would catch his meaning.

"Just forget him for now, Granger, you're better off." Draco said, and then flinched when she pulled away to glare at him.

"How would you know what's better for me, Malfoy?" She asked, angry again. "You were the one who tormented me mercilessly for years on end, calling me a mudblood, a beaver and other things! How would you know?!" She pushed him against the chest and stormed out, her emotions flooding her in waves so strong, she thought she might collapse.

She ran to her room and slammed the door shut behind her and threw herself on her bed. There, she proceeded to sob and cry until she fell asleep, exhausted.

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In the morning, when Hermione hadn't come down for breakfast, a worried Maria summoned a house elf. "Go and check on Miss Granger, Velar, and bring me news of her right away." The house elf nodded and was off with a crack.

He returned minutes later, huffing and puffing, eyes wide with fear. "The Lady Granger is not in her room, Mistress. She is gone." He said, bowing down. "Velar searched her room, but no sign of The Lady Granger. Her wand is gone, as well, Mistress."

Maria stood up from her seat. "Are you sure?" She asked, the elf nodded. "Send out more house elves and search the grounds."

"Yes, mistress, we will report back to you when we find her."

"Thank you, Velar." He left with a crack and she turned to the two boys sitting at the table in silence. "Boys, if she's not here, I want you to go and find her. I know she's an adult, but I just don't trust her not to go back to Krum. I just want you to check that she's safe. I don't know what Krum will do to her if she goes back to him."

"Yes, mum." Blaise said, Draco nodding along side him.

Maria walked out of the kitchen and into the study, where she waited for the news.

Draco slammed his head on the table. "This is all my fault. Why did I say anything? My mouth should be permanently shut." He groaned.

"It's not you're fault, Drake. You were trying to be nice and help her, but she… she's been through a lot and I guess she's a bit stressed." Blaise commented. "She might not have even left. She could still be on the grounds, or even at Potter's."

Draco simply sighed, and waited for news of the missing girl.