An: As usual, I would like to thank my reviewers for giving me the "moral support" as one reviewer put in their review and encouragement for this fic. Sure, a fic needs a writer's input and effort but what it all comes down to is its audience and I really appreciate you guys being there. Thanks so much and I hope I can write to the best of my abilities with the rest of this fic.

However, much to my dismay, this story is in crisis. Honestly, I have no idea where its going…well I have written the ending and a few scenes, but I have no idea who I am going to get to the ending without sounding too unrealistic. I don't even think I could write a comedy or lighthearted story and indeed I am correct. This story may turn out to be one of a darker sort than imagined. More than just "I fell in love with my best friend's girl". I have a semi-plot however it would mean that there is less of Draco/Hermione, it would come later and perchance, and this story is going to be long. I have written a few plans and point forms but I need to think it through and fix up the loopholes. In the end, it may all sound like a load of rubbish.

Now, about this chapter, well I've seriously had more than three versions of it. Each sounding as bad and unplanned. This is my final, however I am not really satisfied with it. I am trying my best to change the spotlight directions and not just focus on Hermione and Blaise. I want to input a few other ships (perhaps) and do a fair bit of characterizing to support the fic (eg. Pansy). So I hope I've done a well enough job of building the story up.

-Sigh- oh well, I guess writer's block hits us all.

By the way, I hate to say but this may be my second last if not last update for at least two weeks or so.

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Misfit – 05 – Unmasking

For the tenth time, Hermione checked her own reflection in the fogged mirror. It was Friday morning and breakfast was bound to start; yet breakfast was the last thing on her mind. In fact, for the first time in years, she felt like skipping class.

In truth, Hermione just didn't want to face Harry and Ron. She was sure that Ron had told Harry and she didn't want to face up to their reactions. With Ron running off last night, it was enough for her to predict what doom awaits.

As she heard a few urgent knocks from Parvati, Hermione reluctantly surrendered the bathroom to the girl, making her exist back to the dorms. Hermione looked at her timetable, much to her apprehension, it was double Potions with Harry and Ron, along with the Slytherins.

After a long deliberate time on getting herself ready, Hermione made her way out of the Gryffindor commons, but instead, she headed down towards the dungeons.

*******

Harry observed as Ron continued to stare at his untouched, now stone cold, breakfast. Ron himself seemed paler than usual which is a great contrast to brightly lit hair color.

"Ron?" Harry began, as the state of his friend began to irritate him.

Ron gave no reply, in fact he was oblivious to Harry's call or any other happenings in the room. Harry knew very well where his mind belonged. It seemed as though; Ron is in some state of shock ever since last night when he abruptly stormed into the Gryffindor commons.

Harry sighed in pity, going back his rather cold breakfast. He stirred it a bit and then looked up at Ron. Harry suddenly lost his appetite. Pushing his bowl away, Harry got up in search for Hermione, leaving Ron there, still staring at nothing. Completely nothing.

************

As Hermione existed pass the Fat Lady, she found the corridor to be almost deserted. Most as she expected, were at breakfast. She was glad of this as she turned the other way towards the Dungeons.

On her way there, Hermione couldn't help but to run through her troubles over and over again in her mind. No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't force the image of Ron's face out of her mind. It was more than devastation; it went beyond shock. Ron had been one of her best friends since first year. They had gone through so much and now it's all ruined.

Hermione almost broke into sobs but held the tears back. For six years she had always thought that their friendship was eternal, that it was something so special that time itself wouldn't be able to harm it. But she was wrong and all it took was just a few seconds, their friendship was gone.

Hermione felt the worse heat of guilt within her. It was her fault. All her fault. If she hadn't neglected him in the first place, he wouldn't have ever gotten together with Lavender and they would've still been together. This was all her fault.

It was a good half an hour before class started as she arrived at the cold dungeons, Hermione sat herself down on a table and began doing her extra bits of study. She loved potions, she really did, if it weren't for Snape's torments, Hermione would've admitted to absolutely loving Potions.

She sighed in defeat as Hermione failed to concentrate. All she could think about was what had happened last night.

"God, what have I gotten myself into?" She whispered.

Just then, a loud pack of students were coming down from the Hall towards the Dungeons. Hermione groaned as she looked her magical watch, it was in fact time for class and that would've pointed towards one thing, Ron and Blaise in the same room.

Hermione grumbled and waited for the dreaded moment to arrive. It was like waiting for your death, it would come…eventually.

***********

Blaise observed secretly out of the corner of his eyes towards the Gryffindor table. There was no one…well Hermione was missing. Only Potter and Weasley was there. Blaise couldn't help but to smirk as he observed Potter casting numerous anxious looks towards the motionless looking Weasel. Blaise could only assume it was because of last night.

He sighed, Blaise had to admit, he felt no tinge of pity for Weasley. It was after all his fault that he didn't stand by Hermione, it was after all his fault that Hermione was left there to cry. Blaise cringed at the thought of the letter Weasley had once sent Hermione.

"Moron" he muttered quietly.

This however, was loud enough to catch Draco's attention. He glanced at Blaise who seemed too focused on something else other than his breakfast. It hadn't been the first time someone's noticed. Just the other day, Pansy claims to have seen Blaise in dreamland or as such. Something just didn't seem right.

"Blaise, what do we have first?" Draco asked, seeing as a simple question was enough to catch his attention.

However, Draco received no answer. No matter what Pansy's records were for exaggeration, she had been right when she said Blaise was in dreamland.

"Blaise" Draco said a little bit louder.

"What-t?" Stuttered the boy, plastering a look of confusion on his face.

"Nothing. Are you ok? You seemed a little distant back there"

Blaise straightened in his defence. "I'm fine, why would you say that?"

Draco, who hadn't expected Blaise to get that defensive was shocked to say the least. "Uh well you just seemed like something's constantly on your mind…and I mean constantly. What's up Blaise?"

Blaise didn't know how to answer. Draco had been his best friend since they were little kids. Blaise never liked lying to Draco because in the end Draco would know for a fact that he was indeed lying. Draco always good at painting guilt on Blaise, even when they were small.

"I'll talk later" Blaise said briskly, before rushing out of the Great Hall, leaving a very bemused Draco with a extremely inquisitive mind.

**************

When Hermione saw Harry entering the Dungeon, she almost felt like her doom was approaching. She had expected a tremendously angry Ron following Harry, ready to explode at her for her betrayal.

However, Ron didn't, in reality, Ron wasn't there at all which surprised Hermione as she knew from past experience that Harry and Ron were inseparable.

Pretending not to look, Hermione concealed her curiosity but going back to her work. But she could sense Harry approaching to the table. It was predictable.

"Hermi-" Harry began, but he was cut off by Neville's loud plea as he motioned for Harry. Even Neville didn't want to be alone.

Hermione pretended not to notice Harry, as she focused on her homework when Harry took a seat just a table away.

It was going to be a long two hours.

********************

When Draco had entered the room, he found much to his surprise to see Granger sitting in his usual seat, a table that well and truly one could say, belonged to the Slytherin side of the classroom.

Draco moved his eyes in search of Potter and the Weasel, to his discovery, he found Weasel absent to the scene and Potter sitting alone on the table next to Hermione. He couldn't help but to smirk, as he wondered what could've happened to distort their golden relationship.

Draco walked towards his table with Blaise closely following from behind. When he had approached, it didn't seem to occur to Granger that Draco was standing in front of her. Irritated enough, Draco was sure that Granger was trying to ignore everything in a mad attempt to concentrate on Potions. He shifted his eyes towards Potter's table, where he motioned for her attention. Smirking again, Draco found the finest amusement to initiate this very fine day.

"Granger, you're sitting in my seat"

Hermione looked up to see the smirking Draco Malfoy and a almost sympathetic looking Blaise. She knew very well that Blaise would've worked out the picture quite clearly with Ron absent and Harry a table away. But to cease all suspicion, she turned her attention back to Malfoy.

"Granger, you're in my seat," He repeated again.

"Oh? Well that's a rather incorrect statement, see you usually sit here and not here, on the current seat I'm residing on"

Draco cringed, 'why did she have to be so difficult' he thought.

"Well this is my table, go sit next to Potter or Weasel…oh wait but Weasel isn't here today. My Granger, what ever did you do to the poor boy?"

This made Hermione cast an instant glare but before she could say anything, Professor Snape's voice boomed into the dungeons and all the talking ceased to a minimum.

"Com'on Draco, you can sit next to Pansy if you want, I'll sit here" Blaise said, hoping not cause a scene, as he motioned Draco towards Pansy.

Draco directed an odd look towards Blaise.

"Draco, com'on lesson is about to start. I'll sit next to Pansy if you wish" Blaise quickly added, hoping that it was a cover-up of good quality.

As Snape's voice once again filled the dungeons, Draco moved towards the seat next to Pansy, while Blaise took a seat next to Hermione.

They instantly granted each other a look before they turned their attention to a very cranky, very suspicious professor Snape who was shifting his eyes between Blaise and Hermione, then eventually Draco.

*****************

As she walked towards the fourth floor, saying good byes to her fellows as they themselves, approached the Astronomy Tower, Hermione was virtually stunned as someone in one of the abandoned classrooms pulled her.

Hermione opened her mouth to scream but the captor was faster. When she had entered the classroom, there was enough light for her to distinguish her captor. She could almost kill him.

"BLAISE!! Never ever do that again!" She snapped, as she watched him chuckling away.

Seeing this, she was about to retort once again but was silenced with a kiss. Her anger melted away. 'Damn you Blaise' she cursed mentally but gave in to it.

When they had finally broken apart, it was well ten minutes into Arithmacy. Hermione gasped at the time.

"Go to go," she said frantically.

"So tell me about this morning," Blaise said.

"Blaise, I'm already ten minutes late for Arithmancy!"

"Oh fine, I'll talk to you later ok? Meet me at the usual place after?" Blaise said, finally giving up.

Hermione nodded, giving him a quick kiss and briskly made her exist to Arithmancy.

Seeing that fact that there was no point in turning up for one of Trelawney's 'you're going to die' lessons, Blaise grabbed his bag and carefully made his way up to the Slytherin commons. There was just one more thing to do.

**********************

After a very 'deadly' lesson of Divination, Draco made his way up to the Slytherin commons in search of Blaise. Strangely enough, much to the contribution of Blaise's recent strangeness, he was not present during Divination. Now seeing as the fact that Blaise was always fascinated with the stars ever since he was a kid, it had seemed very strange for Blaise to miss a lesson of his liking.

After conquering mountains of stairs and past groups of whispering girls, Draco finally made it to the commons. To his liking, it was abandoned. He had been with Crabbe and Goyle long enough to learn that food was everyone's number one priority, if not, then they have some very serious issues at hand.

When Draco arrived at his dorm, he found to his dismay, no one to be there either or rather Blaise to be absent.

Placing his items down on the table, Draco sat himself down on the bed. He fiddled with a little Quidditch figurine that he had obtained during the last Quidditch cup. He watched as the miniature version of Viktor Krum flew around in his hands. These kinds of toys had always managed to amuse Draco.

However, it was the entrance of a very cautious looking Blaise that caught his final attention. Draco glanced at the boy, before placing down his figurine. He observed the best friend in a curious manner.

"Where were you?" Draco asked curious, raising his chin slightly to acknowledge Blaise's presence.

"Library," he replied without even looking up, as he rampaged through his trunk of robes.

This caused Draco to raise his eyebrows, 'Blaise's excuses were getting worse' he thought.

"So, tell me" Draco started in a rather inquisitive manner.

This caused Blaise to look up, but before he was about to open his mouth, Draco beat him to it.

"Tell me…everything," Draco finished, locking eyes with Blaise. If Draco didn't know better, he would've sworn to see a tinge of nerves unstable behind Blaise's eyes.

Blaise dropped the robes he was holding and stood up, raising his chin to face Draco. Blaise knew very well that he couldn't post-pone the inevitable. He let out a breath.

"I'm dating Hermione," Blaise said finally.

Draco remained silent.

"You know? Hermione Granger," Blaise continued, avoiding awkward silences.

"Granger? Gryffindor? Mudblood?" Draco finally spoke.

At the last word, Blaise cringed. He would've expected better from Draco especially after all that has happened.

"Don't call her that!" Blaise snapped.

"Blaise, what are you thinking? She's so…" Draco motioned for the word. "…So different!"

Blaise finally lost it. "How is she different Draco? What? Because she's in Gryffindor?! Or because of her heritage?! Does it really matter? I would've thought after all that has happened, that you would actually make an effort to set those differences aside Draco".

"Blaise" Draco tried to cut in.

"No you listen. Draco, I've known you since we were little, I've known your family for as long as you have. I know what they're like, they're just like mine. We were both taught the same things, Draco. The same beliefs were forced into us and for years we've both believed in it. We were so covered in our own prejudices that we failed to see the light. But you know ever since last year…ever since the war, it's all changed. I...those differences between them and us, they seemed so minor" Blaise paused to look at Draco.

"She's no different to any of us, Draco." Blaise paused, but before Draco could interrupt, he continued.

"Do you know how I found her? She was there, outside, on a cold marble stairway, crying her heart out over Weasley. I was shocked at first, but I realized I was so stuck into my preconceived beliefs that I failed to see anything outside the square. I don't want to end my life knowing that I've gone with tradition and I don't want to feel more regretful than I am today because of my actions" .

Draco sat there, he felt rather guilty as Blaise finished his long talk. He knew Blaise was right. The war last year had shed many new light into Draco's perspective. It was difficult at first, knowing the fact that all he had ever thought to believe in wasn't true, hell, his whole identity had been built around it.

"Blaise," He started quietly. "I don't have a problem with you seeing Granger".

Blaise gave him a second look but smiled in appreciation. Blaise knew very well that Draco had changed, it was just up to him to realize this and when he does, Blaise would sure be there.

"Thanks," Blaise said, "So guess…I'll see you at dinner".

"Where are you going?" Draco asked, knowing that lunch hadn't yet finished.

Blaise turned around as he approached the door, he placed on a smirk.

"To ask Hermione to have dinner at the Slytherin table tonight."

With that he left a very intrigued Draco to ponder.

**************

An: So sorry. I know that was crap. Writer's block and all. And yea hectic life and all. But I do have a BETA now. Shout outs to Atasha!

Oh yes, special thanks to ALL my reviewers! A big shout to Taintless for your wonderful review!

So yea, that chapter was overly long. You may expect longer in the future. I couldn't find a place to end the chapter but the place where I ended it (even though its wasn't a very good ending). The story is progressing. I have a relative plan as to where its going and trust me, its not going to be all that of a light-fic.

Right, now before I ramble any further, I shall let your views take the spotlight with that button over there. Your comments are greatly appreciated.

Ps. Shameless plug here Please visit my forum! You shall have the joys of speaking to me (I'm sure you're all D-Y-I-N-G to meeting me :p). Anyways, it's a forum for fanfiction writers. It consists of many things! Here's the url (with http :// in front) frozenengima.proboards30.com

Anyways, I always seem to ramble. Excuse me.