Title: Somebody Out There (10/15)
Author: silverphoenix
Rating: T
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 Ten: Surrender
"And then, just as we were about to so the assault course, Justin broke out in hives all over his face. It would have been funny if he hadn't been in so much pain." Hermione laughed at the memory, leaning her head against Blaise's shoulder. "Actually," she corrected, "it was funny." Blaise sniggered at the thought of it; he had been busy working on the Concealment and Disguise portion of his exams.
He took a hasty gulp of his wine as she moved closer to him, her body pressing against his as they sat together on the sofa in their flat; if she carried on doing that, Blaise was not going to be held responsible for his actions.
"I think I've had too much wine," Hermione announced.
"I don't think I've had enough," Blaise murmured.
"Pardon?" Hermione twisted so that she could look up at him. "What did you say?"
Blaise kissed her. Surprised by his action, Hermione's glass fell with a thud to the flood, the red liquid seeping into the carpet. She responded willingly to his touch, soft beneath his fingers and breathless when she eventually pulled back. "We can't do this," she whispered.
"Yes we can." He placed his lips to her temple, and she drew a ragged breath. "I can't fight this off anymore. I surrender."
"It's just the wine talking." Her brown eyes reflected her fear.
"No, it's me."
"Blaise?" she murmured as his lips drifted lower down her neck. "Are you sure about this?"
"I've never been surer of anything."
"Everything will change." Her hand snaked behind his head, her fingers burying themselves in his dark hair. Blaise pulled back, his eyes meeting hers.
"I don't care. I need you now, Hermione. I crave you." He kissed her softly on the lips. "You're in my dreams, Hermione… well, do you want me to keep going." A gentle, shaking hand pushed her hair from her face. "I love you, and I've already come all undone."
The words he chose to use were not lost on Hermione; memories of Blaise stood, wet from the rain and crying… When she found the words to speak, her voice was a whisper; "I'll put you back together, piece by piece." She kissed him, knowing that she was crying, allowing herself to surrender to his touch; he was gentle, unsure, murmuring his love for her as he kissed her.
"Blaise?" she whispered. "Blaise?"
He opened his eyes; Hermione grinned at him. "Am I boring you?" she asked. "You fell asleep just as I got to the good bit."
Blaise sat up suddenly, his wine sloshing in the glass that he still held tightly in his grip and knocking Hermione to one side. His heart was beating hard; he could already feel bitter tears building. Hand trembling, he handed Hermione his glass. "I'm going to bed," he told her, voice harsh.
"You're in my dreams, Hermione…"
She looked confused. "Okay, see you in the morning, Blaise." Then, she added, "Sweet dreams."
