The Roses of Winter Part II
By Kiyoko
A deep voice rang through the hall. Hermione whipped around so fast she nearly stumbled toward the cold stone floor. Her deep brown eyes met a sea of swirling blue and she nearly gasped out loud.
"Zabini," she panted," don't frighten me like that!" Still breathing hard she knelt down next to the stereo switching it off.
"My apologies."
Hermione tried to ignore that little voice in the back of her head screaming 'Blaise' repeatedly. She was surprised she could utter a whole sentence let alone two. As his first sentence finally had time to register in her head, she inwardly groaned. He was watching me dance, how embarrassing!
"What were you dancing to?" he asked curiously, his eyes peering straight into hers.
"Time to Say Goodbye, it's a muggle song." She explained quietly trying to control the rapid beating of her heart. She was still a little high off the dance and his proximity wasn't helping her swirling head any.
"It's beautiful," he began," Su le finestre mostra a tutti il mio cuore che hai accesso." Blaise finished in Italian.
"From every window unfurls my heart, the heart that you have won." Hermione translated and pondered the words for a moment. Blaise looked startled for a moment before he said, "I didn't know you spoke Italian."
"I don't, I just know this song very well. It's one of my favorites."
"Oh," he replied lamely and mentally kicked himself. Hermione stood there staring at him completely confused. Was she actually having a real conversation with him? She wasn't crazy enough to imagine this was she? If it was real, Hermione didn't want to let go.
"Do you normally dance alone?" Hermione tried not to look surprised at his odd question.
"My hobby, I guess you could call it, isn't exactly well known to others. Mainly myself and well…you I guess," she explained shyly. Hermione had never told anyone about her passion, didn't think anyone would care. Slowly she began dressing herself in the garments on the floor and slipped her shoes on.
"Hermione you don't have to go, I didn't mean to intrude." Her insides twisted almost painfully as she heard her given name slip off of his lips.
"Uh no," she began as she shrunk her stereo down then shoved it in her bag, "I should be going anyway. I think I missed dinner." Hermione heaved her bag off of the ground and slipped the strap over her shoulder," but don't worry you weren't intruding" As she started to head down the deserted hallway, she felt something warm lightly grip her upper arm.
"Wait," she heard him almost whisper in her ear. A slight shiver went through her body and slowly she swerved her head up to look into his eyes.
"I'd like to watch you dance again sometime, if that's ok with you." It was at that moment that Hermione realized she must have been dreaming. There was no way Blaise had just asked that question. Completely stunned she stupidly uttered "uh, sure" then bolted down the hall. Her brain shifted into overdrive, a million thoughts racing through her mind.
The next few days passed swiftly and without incident. When Hermione so much as glanced at Blaise, she turned several different shades of red and tried to melt into the background. That night the full moon hung high in the dark starry sky, shining brightly down onto the school. Hermione glanced longingly out of the tower windows. Tonight would be a perfect time to dance near the lake, but her body was far too tired. Instead, she gently closed the large tome on her lap, and then started up the cold stone steps toward her dorm.
When she entered, Parvarti and Lavender were draped across their four-post beds giggling like crazy.
"What's so funny?" she asked before setting her book down on the night stand, then joining the other girls taking a seat on Lavender's bed.
"Oh you know the usual. That and Valentine's Day is only four days away!" Lavender giggled again then flipped a long strand of blonde hair over her shoulder. Normally Hermione refrained from participating in such mindless drivel but decided what the hell.
"So what's new on the romance front?" Hermione questioned lightly. She didn't want to sound overly curious otherwise Lavender might have a heart attack or spontaneously combust. Hermione's unusual interest passed right over her dorm mates heads and Parvarti opened her mouth to speak, "why Blaise Zabini of course! He is after all the most eligible sixth year bachelor!" Hermione could practically see hearts dancing around her head. "I mean Malfoy is always on again off again with Parkinson so that leaves him out and well Harry… no offense Hermione, has been a little off since the end of last year." Hermione could only sigh at the last part. Poor Harry, the whole Sirius incident really took a chunk out of the poor bloke.
"Since Blaise," Lavender began picking up where Parvarti left off, "is totally on the market, every girl in school wants to be his Valentine. Yesterday supposedly her received loads of cards and chocolate." Hermione stared back at her blankly. She'd bet a million Galleons they had both sent him something.
"Oh c'mon Hermione, don't look at me like that. You can't honestly tell me that Blaise isn't gorgeous!" Parvarti exclaimed trying to contain her giggles. Suddenly she wished she hadn't joined their conversation.
"Of course she does," Lavender said, "she'd have to be blind to think otherwise."
"Ok, ok, so he's a bit handsome no big deal." Hermione knew she'd be fighting a losing battle if she had denied it. Part of her heart fluttered pleasantly while talking about the dark-haired boy she constantly dreamed about.
"I can't believe he doesn't have a girlfriend. That boy could have any girl he wanted!" Parvarti pouted for a moment before the wooden door suddenly swung open and Ginny Weasely burst into the dorm.
"Oy, Hermione there you are!" The red haired girl exclaimed, "What are you doing?"
"We were just talking."
"About what?" the younger girl questioned. Hermione tried to think something up, not wanting to be caught with her hand in the proverbial cookie jar, but Lavender beat her too it, "Blaise Zabini!" Ginny's eyes lit up before plopping herself down next to Parvarti.
"He is so dreamy!" the youngest Weasely exclaimed and Hermione nearly fell off the bed in shock then gave a loud sigh, "not you too Ginny!"
Tuesday: Three days until Valentines Day
The next morning Hermione entered the near empty Ancient Runes classroom and took a seat near the front of the room. Slowly the other Hogwarts students began to trickle in and take their seats. The class contained twenty or so students comprised of all four houses because of the small number of students who had signed up to take the class back in third year. Eventually the Professor strolled in and began the day's lessons plans. A few minutes later the door slowly swung open to reveal Blaise silently entering the classroom. The Professor looked over at the door, noticed the late student, then motioned for him to sit in the front row next to Hermione. The black-haired Slytherin flashed her a small smile before setting his books down and taking a seat to her right.
How am I supposed to concentrate!
Hermione suddenly tensed up next to him while she averted her eyes back to the parchment in front of her scribbling notes furiously.
"Alright class, today we will be splitting up into pairs to do a short project and presentation." The professor began moving around the classroom passing out folders to the students.
"On your desk is a very rare and complicated rune. Your assignment is to research the origin and uses of the rune; you will have the remainder of the class to complete the work." Hermione automatically swiped the one folder placed on the desk after it had barely touched the wood.
"On Friday, you and your partner will give a 2-3 minute presentation on you rune. Now…" the professor said, while looking over the class carefully, "turn to the person seated next to you…" Hermione hesitantly turned toward Blaise, slowly moving her face up to meet his eyes.
"Congratulations, meet you new partner." The poor girl couldn't help her mouth from falling open slightly. Quickly she turned back to the folder clutched in her hand then hid behind it as she blushed slightly. For the next few moments, Hermione looked over the folder's contents, scanning and memorizing the rune.
"You know," a voice suddenly said to her right, "partners usually means working together." The Gryffindor whipped her head around and locked gazes with Blaise.
"Huh?" she replied stupidly. Blaise rolled his eyes playfully at her before reaching over and yanking the folder out of her hand.
"We can't work together if you keep this thing to yourself," he explained quietly.
"Oh right. Well, I think we should split up the research between us and focus on our own portions to maximize our productivity," Hermione ordered. Blaise was taken back at her sudden forwardness. No wonder she had perfect grades, she had her system set up flawlessly.
"Ok, how about I focus and explain the origin and you, its uses." Blaise suggested. The girl nodded in agreement before jumping out of her seat to select a few helpful texts from the small book shelf at the back of the room. When she returned, Blaise had his standard text out, his eyes scanning the printed lines.
"Here, these should help." Hermione plopped down a small stack of books between them and then settled herself down to begin working. The period passed quickly for Hermione as she spent her time vigorously taking notes. She was so wrapped up in her work; she missed the little glances Blaise kept sending her. When the dismissal bell rang she rolled up the parchment on the desk then shoved it into her bag. Throwing her bag over her shoulder, she turned to face the dark-haired boy next to her.
"Blaise," she began, getting his attention," I know we don't have to, but I was hoping we could get together before next class to polish our presentation." Hermione looked at him hopefully mentally restraining herself from pouting. Blaise prayed his eyes didn't light up at her suggestion. Managing to keep an even tone he replied, "I don't see why not…do you have Thursday evening open, just after dinner?" Hermione mentally went through her schedule probing for an opening.
"That's fine, how about the Library at six?" Blaise nodded his approval then gave her a shy smile before leaving. Hermione took a deep breath letting out a small sigh. Merlin, I going to be practically alone with him for who knows how long. Oh the madness of it all!