Title: Summer of Uncertainty (2/?)
Author: granger2malfoy
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Disclaimer: I am not JK. But that's not what the voices in my head keep saying.
Summary: Due to threat on the Golden Trio and Hermione's family, desperate measures are taken the summer before their seventh year. How does this effect Blaise Zabini?
Previously in chapter 1
The headmaster interrupted their moment of silence with a clearing of his throat. "Miss Granger as you have figured out. You and your family will be taking up residence at Zabini summer home in Italy. Your parents were told last night and are due to arrive there tomorrow evening. You will accompany Professor Snape and Mr. Zabini to the estate today. I would also advise you to take this opportunity to learn all you can from the two of them during this summer. They will help prepare for any dangers that may – arise. If you need anything, please let Professor Snape know and he will be able to contact me. Thank you again Mr. Zabini for offering your home to them."
Hermione's eyes quickly moved from the headmaster back to his. With a small smile, his eyes pulled away from hers, as she almost seemed to pull him into her soul. Snape opened the door for the two students as they headed off to a summer of uncertainty.
Chapter Two
Hermione Granger silently followed the two Slytherins down the stairs away from the Headmaster's office as the summer was going to be much different than she expected. At least, she'd be able to spend some time with her parents before her last year at Hogwarts and then the beginning her adult life.
Snape paused at the bottom of the stairs behind they could be seen by any passers by. He turned toward Blaise and lowered his voice as he spoke. "Now, it is not yet ten o'clock. So, you both need to head in separate directions. Miss Granger, please return to your dormitory and you will notice that your packed trunk has been already taken to the Zabini's summerhouse. There is a small bag already packet for the trip. Meet Zabini in the back of library in ten minutes.
"Mr. Zabini, you know what to do. Remember to keep a low profile and you must never miss a dose. I know you will not disappoint me. I will see the both of you much later. Give me five minutes before leaving these steps."
With those final words, the Potions Master walked down the hallway toward the direction of the dungeons. Questions started to spin in her head about the arrangement that had been made for the trip to wherever they were heading and the rest of the summer. Hermione was about to ask all the questions to the quiet Slytherin as he watched the deserted corridor. But she thought better of it because one never know who could over hear you within the wall of Hogwarts. She stood behind him as she watched him adjust his cloak and tap his leg in a nervous motion.
Zabini stuck his head out to insure no one was near by and then turned back to her. "Okay, the hallway is clear. No give me three minutes before you head back to your dorm. Don't give anyone the hint that you are not getting on the train. If someone asks where your trunk is, just tell him or her that it is downstairs where Ron is waiting for you. Make sure no one sees you go to the library and I'll be there in thirteen minutes. Now, don't ask me any questions till I tell you it is all clear."
The raven hair Slytherin headed down the corridor without even looking back. She noticed that he was a good five inches taller than Hermione but an inch or two shorter than Ron was. Zabini also had nice broad shoulders, not that she paid much attention to such things. She had a boyfriend that treated her right and who she really cared for. Ron and her started to date during the past Christmas break when he gave her a locket and asked her to be his girlfriend. Everyone had expected him to pop that question, as it was obvious how he felt about her for the past few years.
Yet, she still unsure if she felt the same way that he did. Yes, she enjoyed his company when they weren't fighting, which every few weeks they'd get into a fight about nothing really important. After a few days of the silent treatment, she'd go to him to apologize and he would return the statement. She couldn't stand to have him or Harry mad at her. They were her only true friends that she would do anything for. Yes, she had Ginny as a girlfriend but they rarely fought because they simply agreed to disagree.
But with Ron, it was that he was always right, even if he was wrong and he knew it. That was the thing that bugged her most about him was his stubborn streak with a temper to match. True, she was stubborn and strong willed but she at least listened to the other's side.
A heavy sigh left her mouth as she left the staircase after the minute mark from when Zabini left her. A headache started to come on as she walked to her dorm and past many students who were busy getting down to the carriages for the Hogwarts Express. She was not stopped by anyone as she entered the common room. A second-year blonde almost crashed into on the girl's staircase. The girl shouted as she ran out the portrait opening. "Sorry about that, Hermione. See you next year."
Hermione shook her head as she entered the dormitory and saw the medium sized purse on her bed with a note that stated- Crookshanks was already taken with her luggage. She knelt down and pulled a small, pale blue box out between her mattress and shoved it into her new black purse. "Okay, it looks like I am ready."
She paused at the full-length mirror on her way out and tucked her long curly hair behind her ears. Hermione had decided that morning to wear a pair of black jeans with a raspberry-colored tee shirt. With her traveling cloak on her arm, she leaned forward to examine her lips as wished she had time to put it on a little lip-gloss. "Aaagghhh, he is not my boyfriend and I am worried about lip-gloss. Pull yourself together, Hermione."
Her feet carried her at a fast pace down to the library and she still had a minute to spare. She tried to catch her breath as she made her way to the back of the library. Luckily, Madam Pince seemed to be away for the moment. Hermione sat on the edge of 'her' table where she always worked on during the past six years.
"You know red is not my color." The voice of Blaise behind her caught her attention as she turned her body to look at him. Her eyes widen as she saw Ron in pair of blue jeans and a navy tee shirt under a black cloak. He smirked at the obvious look of shock on her face as he crossed his arms in front of him.
Hermione shook her head and tried her best not to laugh as she realized Blaise must've drunk some Polyjuice Potion to give the appearance that Ron was accompanying her. In a very low tone, she said, "Smirks are a Slytherin thing. Ron would never smirk."
"No, he'd have a stupid look on his face and that is not a Slytherin thing," Blaise's commented with Ron's face gave her a dirty look.
With a push off the table, she stepped up to the body of her boyfriend and stood on tiptoe to whisper in his ear. "Between the two of us, you're right. Now, just work on the voice and you'll be fine."
"How's this," he attempted to mock Ron's voice but it sounded more like Professor Flitwick.
She shook her head and he tried several more times but only just frustrated. She put her hand on his arm and stated, "Maybe you should just try to remain the quiet Slytherin that you are under all that red hair."
"Good idea," Blaise said as the bell chimed that it was ten thirty. "Okay, we need to get going. Now, just follow my lead and act normal as if you were with Ron. We are going to floo by to a certain carriage station and then we will be riding for about three hours. Then we will be taking a special portkey to our final destination. Don't ask any questions till we are on the carriage. All right?"
"Sure, let's get going, Ron. Hate for us to be late." Hermione gave a huge smile as she put her hand in the nook his arm and gave him a wink.
Blaise shook his head as they headed out of the library and toward the nearest exit. "What have I gotten myself into?"
End of Chapter 2
Please review and let me know the good and the bad. But don't flame me. If you don't like the pairing of Blaise/Hermione, it will be Ron/Hermione for the most of this but with angst of Blaise/Hermione and MORE Severus Snape. ;)