Title: Somebody Out There (5/15)
Author: silverphoenix
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Summary: In the middle of a war, there are going to be casualties. This is inevitable. When two people lose their friends, they come to realise that death is not the end of happiness.
SOMEBODY OUT THERE
Part Five: Chasing the Sun
The seventh of July was the day that Blaise realised he was in love with Hermione.
There were no fireworks exploding; there was no warm glowing feeling that spread throughout his body making him feel safe and cared-for. There was no sweeping, orchestral music and there was definitely no heartfelt declaration of his love. It did not even surprise him. It was just so completely and utterly natural to him, as though he had known it all along. Perhaps he had.
On that day, he came home from training. Hermione was there already there at their flat as she was currently studying for a Stealth and Tracking exam. She was there, sat at the dining table, several books open in front of her as she diligently copied notes from the texts. Her neat handwriting already covered several sheets of parchment in a variety of colours of ink.
Sunlight shone through the window, creating a halo around her head. She sucked on the end of her quill, not even noticing his arrival as she mouthed the written words in front of her. It was so normal and it was something that he came home to day after day.
And Blaise knew.
She was the summer in the winter of his life. She was a sweet summer day, carefree and fresh and, for a moment, all thoughts of the War escaped him. She was the calm in the middle of the storm, and he loved her.
Blaise knew that he wanted to be with her forever at that moment, that he did not want her to go to waste - to be another casualty in the War. He wanted to make memories with her that went beyond friendship. She was already the last thing that he thought about at night, and the first thing that came to mind in the morning.
As she turned the page of her book, she glanced up. "Hi, Blaise. I didn't hear you come in." She smiled brightly at him. "How are you?"
Although he was tired and aching from the day's training, Blaise grinned good-naturedly. "I'm good. Thanks."
She looked confused. "Why are you staring at me? Do I have ink on my face?" She wrinkled her nose, rubbing it with her finger.
"No, your face is fine."
"Good." Hermione was relieved. Pushing her chair back and flipping her messy plait over her shoulder, she picked up the empty glass on the table. "Do you want a drink? I fancy cracking open a bottle of wine tonight. We could get Chinese," she suggested. "Or Indian? You up for a curry?"
"Curry sounds great," Blaise enthused, tugging off his cloak and hanging it on a peg on the wall. Kicking off his shoes, he added, "Nothing too hot, though."
Hermione nodded, walking out into the kitchen. "Red or white?" she called; Blaise heard the clink of wine glasses. She poked her head around the door. "We have both."
"White."
And Blaise knew there was no turning back.
