A/N: Wow! 39 reviews! For only one chapter! I'm surprised and utterly pleased at the results of the first chapter of my fifth story – a terrific, huge THANK YOU! to everyone who reviewed!
For those who asked, Blaise Zabini has actually only been mentioned once so far in the Harry Potter series, during Harry's first year at the Sorting Ceremony. The only thing we actually officially know aboutthe character Blaise Zabini is that he was sorted into Slytherin. Of course, the idea of having a new character that can be interpreted as male or female, with any description, is alluring and many authors use him as a main character in their Harry Potter fanfiction. It's also an easy way to drop Goyle and Crabbe as Malfoy's incredibly dull best friends and make Blaise the new best friend, someone generally perceived as much more witty and intelligent. I hope that clears up that question, and that none of you are confused over who Blaise is anymore. Please tell me if there are still any further problems or questions about this particular character.
I apologise in advance for any further chapters that may not appear for a fair while – I seem to have developed the habit to drift away from stories for a certain period of time, and I know first-hand just how frustrating it is when authors don't update ASAP! I'm sorry, but I currently have four stories in progress – which isn't much compared to many other authors – but I also have my final two years at school upon me (I'm in Year Eleven, VCE, at high school in Australia, don't ask me what the equivalent is in America, England or any other country!) so I'm finding it hard to give my stories the attention they deserve. I much prefer to update my stories over a longer period of time if it means they are of a much higher quality rather than rushing things and posting hastily typed chapters up. I'm a born perfectionist, and I can't stand to hand up work or write something not up to my usual standards. I'm also occasionally struggling with writer's block (Every writer's worst nightmare, I'm sure!), or have just lost the intended plot of one story, and need to pause for a while and re-gather my thoughts and ideas about the original plot of that story. Believe me, however, when I say that each and every single one of my stories currently in progress willbe finished – eventually!
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, or anything relating to it. The only thing that I own is this plot – though it is slightly clichéd…
Without any further ado, here's the next chapter! Now then, this is a special (though slightly belated)Easter present for all of you, so enjoy! Oh, and HAPPY EASTER! And just to bribe you all into reviewing after this chapter, get into the spirit and review if you want a virtual chocolate Easter egg! Okay, okay, I'll stop babbling now and let you read onwards!
Hermione sighed contentedly as she settled into her seat at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall. Ginny promptly dropped into the seat beside her, and together they watched as Harry and Ron, across from them, complained bitterly about having to wait to eat.
Ron glared grumpily at the new students filing nervously into the hall. "Midgets." He muttered. "What good are those lot going to be? They're so small even Flitwick won't see them and will trip over 'em."
"Ron – " Hermione began, casting him a reproachful look, but was abruptly cut off by the familiar squeals of two girls.
"Oh, Hermione! We didn't even recognise you at first!" Came Parvati's breathless voice as she unceremoniously dropped into the seat in front of the brunette witch, rudely elbowing Ron aside. A thump indicated that a disgruntled Harry had also been dislodged from his seat as Lavender's beaming face appeared in front of Hermione's eyes.
Lavender's eyes widened as she noticed just how different Hermione was. Parvati, however, was rather blunt. "I absolutely adore the tan, Hermione, it's dee-lish – "
"And that hair – !"
Parvati nodded. "I positively love the rich colouring, sweetie, and your eyes – such a pretty blue – is that from those Muggle things you put in your eyes, or is it that really nifty spell they advertised in Witch's Weekly a month ago?"
"Erm – " Hermione hedged nervously, surreptitiously glaring at a laughing Ginny.
Parvati smirked devilishly at her best friend, turning back to survey the fidgeting witch. Slyly, then, "So – who is it, then?"
"Er – what?" Hermione looked flustered and faintly puzzled.
"Who's the lucky boy you're trying to impress by changing your looks, that's what!" Interrupted Lavender before Parvati could reply.
"Impress? But – what…? I don't, I mean…I don't want to do that!" Hermione exclaimed incredulously.
The two girls opposite her exchanged knowing looks, before sauntering off with a casual wave and a firm promise to discover Hermione's mystery boy.
Hermione groaned loudly as she slumped down in her seat. "Those two! Honestly – me? Try to impress a boy? They've gone barmy!"
Ron sniggered. "More likely that you'd try to impress a teacher."
Hermione glared and smacked her hand across his head. "Ron!"
Ginny laughed at her brother, before turning and smiling as Seamus, Dean and Neville joined the group as the Sorting was drawing to a close.
Neville gaped incredulously at Hermione, clutching his toad, Trevor, to his chest. "Her - Hermione?"
The witch smiled gently. "It's me, Neville."
Seamus and Dean stared, plates full of beef casserole long forgotten.
"What happened to you?" Dean said in awe.
Seamus, though, caught on more quickly. His mother was, after all, a pureblooded witch. "Lengthened Concealment Charm, huh? I'm guessing, of course, that you didn't want your features to be changed, that is, and haven't done it yourself."
Hermione started slightly, turning her eyes to his. "How'd you know?"
"Me mam told me about those charms once. Said her family used to use them." He turned to survey her thoughtfully. "But…aren't your parents…?" His eyes widened. "Unless…"
Hermione nodded glumly.
"Adopted, then?"
Another nod. Neville and Dean looked surprised, then sympathetic.
"D'you know who your real family is?" Dean asked carefully, his eyes curiously searching her own.
Hermione hesitated, glancing towards her friends. Ginny frowned slightly, deep in thought, then grinned mischievously. "I've just realised – if Gryffindor House knows your problem, we will all be able to protect you even if he finds out, Hermione. No Slytherin will take on the whole House."
Harry's eyes widened. "That's a good point, Ginny." Ron nodded along with Harry.
Hermione sighed, and then sent her friends a tired look. "You do realise it might mean that I won't have any support in the end after they know the truth?" She said dryly.
"It's not like you chose your family, Hermione."
"Oh? But isn't that exactly how we judge others, especially the Slytherins? By their families and supposed reputations?"
Ginny groaned. "Hermione, look, maybe there are 'good' Slytherins, but we're talking about you at the moment."
Seamus, Dean and Neville were staring at them, identical frowns marring their faces.
"You need to tell them, Hermione." Came Harry's quiet voice. Hermione turned towards him, catching the tilt of his head towards the three bemused boys.
Sighing, she surveyed her fellow Gryffindors quietly. "Seamus was right. It is a lengthened Concealment Charm, one specially created for the members in my real family only. A pure-blooded family."
The three boys shifted in their seats.
Dean's eyes narrowed marginally. "There's something else." He stated in a low voice.
Hermione closed her eyes briefly. "Yes." There was a slight pause, before she took a deep breath and went on. "We realised that it must be a pure-blooded family because of the strength and originality of the charm. So we looked through historical documents and books on pure-blooded families, looking for a family with the same features as me."
"And I found a family that matched perfectly." Ginny added quietly as Hermione hesitated.
There was a heavy silence. "Who?"
Hermione looked at them, her eyes troubled. "The Zabinis."
Neville abruptly paled, Dean hissed, and Seamus jerked, eyes unconsciously seeking out the dark-haired Slytherin, Blaise Zabini.
"You're related to Blaise Zabini?" Seamus asked.
Hermione looked miserable, positive that they would hate her. "I'm his sister."
Dean whistled softly, amazed. "No wonder you didn't want anyone to know."
"Does he know?" Neville asked fearfully.
Hermione glanced towards the Slytherin table. "I hope not."
Ginny looked pensive. "I've never heard of the Zabinis being directly involved in the really Dark stuff, and they aren't supporters of Voldemort."
"Malfoy's his best friend, though." Ron pointed out, glaring absently at the blonde Slytherin.
"We don't know that Malfoy is exactly a miniature Death Eater yet, Ron. Besides, if Dumbledore suspected Malfoy of being a Death Eater, he wouldn't have kept him as a Prefect."
Ron remained stubborn. "Like father, like son, I say."
Harry sighed. "That's not the point, Ron. Hermione's brother is Zabini, not Malfoy, and even if Malfoy is a Death Eater, it doesn't mean Zabini will follow him. He's not completely stupid, from what I've heard."
Hermione smiled. "He's apparently incredibly intelligent, but fairly quiet in public."
"That's just a rumour, Hermione." Ron argued.
Hermione grinned. "Actually, Ron, he's in my Arithmancy class, and he's quite good at it. Between Malfoy and him, the competition almost makes me nervous."
Ginny laughed, then turned sombre as she surveyed the other boys. She glanced at Hermione's still worried features, then straightened in her seat. "You don't hate her, right, guys? No matter who her family is?"
Dean, Neville and Seamus simultaneously shook their heads. Hermione's eyes watered slightly as she leant forward and hugged each of them, murmuring a quiet 'thank you'.
Seamus grinned at her. "Don't worry, Hermione, let us handle it, and by the end of today, you'll have every Gryffindor supporting you."
Hermione traded a nervous look with Ginny. "Uh…are you sure? I mean, Ginny and I can tell everyone…" She trailed off.
"Nonsense!" Seamus and Dean grinned at her, then turned back to their plates.
Hermione sighed once more, before moodily turning to pick at her food.
……o.:.O.:.o……
The Hall quieted as Dumbledore rose to his feet, smiling warmly at the students. "Before you leave, I have an announcement to make." His eyes flickered towards the Gryffindor seventh years for a brief moment. "I am highly pleased to announce that this year's Head Students are Hermione Granger, from Gryffindor, and Blaise Zabini, from Slytherin." A storm of enthusiastic applause rang through the Hall as Dumbledore beckoned the two students forward to receive their badges.
Hermione glanced frantically at her friends. "What am I going to do?" she whispered furiously, her eyes flicking nervously towards the Slytherin table where Blaise was slowly rising from his seat. Harry, Ron and Ginny briefly looked stupefied.
Ginny swore softly as she saw the curious looks Hermione was receiving. "You have to go up there. Just hope his parents haven't told him about a missing sister."
Hermione glared. "I look like the female version of him. He's going to know, Ginny!"
"Well, we can't say you're sick, how obvious would it be that you're faking it? Besides, the Head Girl has to show her responsibility and get up there right now!"
Ginny shoved her friend up out of her seat, and Hermione shakily made her way towards the front of the hall. Reaching Dumbledore, she gave him a nervous look, but he only smiled at her, light blue eyes dancing merrily. She turned, resigned to her fate, and saw Blaise's eyes widen slightly as he strolled towards them.
"Granger."
"Zabini." She saw the ghost of a smile flicker across his face as he looked at her, and she cursed inwardly, knowing that he was amused by the irony. Then it was her turn for her eyes to widen as she realised that Blaise had been shocked by her name, not by her appearance. So, Hermione mused absently, he had already seen her, but hadn't realised who she was until now. So much for keeping her appearance and identity secret. Hermione felt the sudden urge to glare at her meddling Headmaster – the first year he had ever decided to present the badges during the Welcoming Feast, and it was conveniently the year that she was Head Girl, and was trying to hide her newfound relationship to the current Head Boy.
As they stepped back, pinning their new badges onto their uniforms, Blaise leaned over to murmur into her ear. "Don't you think 'Zabini' would have been more fitting for you, Hermione?"
She froze. Oh, he knew, all right.
He chuckled softly, and his hand rose to tug on one of her curls. "We have much to talk about, little sister."
"Not if I can help it." She snapped back irritably. She glanced at him, expecting him to scowl at her, but he merely looked amused.
"I see you've inherited Mother's temper." He told her dryly.
"You'd be slightly unsettled and irritated if you just found out you had a brother who, along with his group of friends, hate you."
Blaise looked mildly startled. "I don't hate you, Hermione. Not even when I didn't know who you were." He cast a glance at her. "What happened to not judging on appearances and family relations?"
"You were listening?"
He tactfully ignored her furious question. "Believe me, Hermione, Malfoy wouldn't ever hurt you, either. He's rather decent once you get to know him. A bit irritating, though, I'll admit." He sent her a crooked grin.
She snorted. "Yeah, only because I'm your sister."
His eyes darkened slightly. "There's more to it than that, but it's not my place to tell you. You'll have to ask him yourself."
"I'd really rather not ask him anything. However, if I ever have a death wish, I'll know to go talk to him." She responded wryly.
He smirked at her. "If you insist. You are stubborn, aren't you, sister dear?"
"Stop calling me that."
"Why not? You are my sister."
"Do I really need a reminder?" She muttered, as she watched Professor McGonagall approach.
"Congratulations, Miss Granger!" Hermione smiled faintly as her favourite Professor beamed down at her, patting her shoulder. Nearby, she noticed Snape muttering something to Blaise, his hand on the younger Slytherin's shoulder. Her Professor briskly led her towards the two Slytherins.
"Well, Severus, shall we show them their new dormitory?"
Hermione brightened as she remembered that the Head Students got the privilege of having their own personal dormitory. Her gaze darkened, though, as she saw a smirking Malfoy approach the group as McGonagall left to acquire the password from Dumbledore.
"Professor Snape, may I accompany Blaise?" He said smoothly, blonde hair falling into slate-grey eyes. Snape nodded, and Malfoy fell into step with Blaise.
Hermione breathed a sigh of relief as she saw Harry, Ron and Ginny race up towards them. Panting, they skidded to a halt. "Professor – "
Snape's lip curled. "Potter, you have duties to do as the new Gryffindor Quidditch Captain. You may not accompany Miss Granger."
Harry glared. "Sir, Malfoy's a captain, too – "
Snape interrupted smoothly. "Mister Malfoy has already handed in the list of the team members for this year, and has obtained all the correct forms. You, on the other hand, have not."
Harry growled lightly as Snape swept past him with a sneer.
The three looked at each other desperately, then Ginny held an infuriated Harry back. "Ron – you go help Harry, it'll get done faster that way. I'll go with Hermione."
McGonagall returned as Ginny made to join the group, and Snape said nothing, merely glaring as the girl linked arms with Hermione, drawing her away from Malfoy and Blaise.
"He knows." Ginny said quietly. It wasn't a question.
Hermione sighed. "What am I going to do, Ginny?" She glanced behind her, and shivered as she saw Malfoy and Blaise both fix their eyes upon her.
"I don't know, Hermione, I just don't know."
"He said he doesn't hate me."
"He's your brother, Hermione. He probably loves you."
"Not me; loves the idea of a sister, perhaps."
"Don't be ridiculous, Hermione."
The group slowed to a halt in front of a large portrait of a wolf.
"Right," Professor McGonagall said. "This is your new dormitory. The password is Incantatem."
The wolf raised its head, golden eyes surveying the group, before allowing the portrait to swing to the side, revealing a warm fire flickering light over a comfortable looking Common Room.
"Well, good night, then. I suggest that you draw up timetables for Patrol Duties for you and the Prefects as soon as possible. Mister Malfoy and Miss Weasley, as Prefects themselves, may be able to assist you."
The two professors turned abruptly and left, leaving the four students to venture into the new dorm.
The two girls shot through the opening, spotted stairs leading up to a door labelled 'Hermione Granger – Head Girl', and hastily headed towards it. They weren't fast enough, for Hermione stiffened as she felt a hand gently pulling her into a warm chest. She felt Blaise wrap his arms around her, hugging her tightly, before guiding her to sit on a deep, forest-green couch. Ginny slipped past and sat beside her friend, both of them nervously glancing up at the two Slytherins.
Malfoy smirked, grey eyes roving over Hermione's form as he sank onto the opposite couch, lounging back lazily. Blaise sighed as he sat beside his friend, taking in Hermione's wary eyes and trembling posture.
"You should have told me, Hermione."
She looked at him incredulously. "Are you mad?"
He grinned even as Malfoy snorted. "Perhaps, little sister, perhaps."
Hermione's curiosity was overflowing her nervousness. "How can we be in the same year level if I'm your younger sister?"
Blaise smiled. Finally, she was relaxing – if only slightly. "We're twins, actually, but I'm about six minutes older than you."
Hermione let a soft 'oh' escape from her mouth. She shifted on the seat, glancing at Ginny.
Malfoy, however, was leaning forwards, studying her face. "You look extremely similar, you know."
Blaise rolled his eyes. "Identical twins normally do, Draco."
Hermione glanced sharply at her brother. "How long have you known about me?"
Blaise leant back, watching her carefully. "I've known for a few years, now, that I had a sister, but I didn't catch sight of you until I saw you boarding the train." He grinned. "There's no mistaking the traditional black hair and the bright blue eyes."
Hermione nodded, then turned her gaze to her hands, twisting them in her lap.
"You want to ask something."
She looked up, her eyes startled as she glanced towards her brother.
He smirked lightly at her. "Your facial expressions are rather easy to read, sister."
She glared at him, then exchanged a look with Ginny. The red-headed girl gave her friend an encouraging smile. Hermione drew a deep breath, then looked up at Blaise. "I want to know why your…our…parents abandoned me."
He winced. "Don't put it like that, Hermione. They never wanted to leave you to another family, but they had no choice."
"Explain." Her eyes looked hurt, lonely. Confused.
His eyes met hers. "You know we are not Voldemort supporters."
She nodded, then hesitated, glancing at Malfoy.
The blonde boy's eyes darkened slightly. "I'm not my father, Granger. I have no intentions of becoming a Death Eater, nor will I betray your family and reveal their opinions on the war to my father and his group."
Hermione glared at him. "Prove it, then."
His eyes simmered angrily. "I don't have to prove anything to you or your ridiculous Gryffindor friends. Does trust come so hard for Gryffindors as well, then?"
"I refuse to trust someone who has spent over five years tormenting me and my friends for our backgrounds and beliefs." Her temper flared. "Or have you forgotten, Malfoy, what you used to call me?"
Blaise hissed. "Draco – surely you didn't call her – "
Malfoy cut him off, fury radiating from every line in his body. "Look, Granger, I know I was never exactly civil to you, but even when I started to form my own opinions, do you think I could let my father know?" His voice quietened. "Imagine if I stoped being so cruel to you. Father would have been furious with me for defying him. He has no qualms about torturing people who...displease...him."
Hermione stared at him, her anger draining from her even as guilt swelled up in her. Why had she never thought to think past outward appearances? And come to think of it, since Lucius had been imprisoned, Malfoy had stopped the taunts and jeers. She suddenly felt sick, and incredibly tired, swaying on the spot. Ginny cast her a worried look.
"That's enough," Blaise said quietly, watching his sister's face pale, and the way she suddenly looked so frail.
Malfoy's nostrils flared, but he stayed quiet, his own eyes noticing Hermione's distressed state.
Hermione shook off the shroud of fatigue threatening to engulf her senses, and turned her eyes towards Blaise. "You still haven't told me why." She said softly.
He sighed, running a hand though his hair, blue eyes searching her own. "The first time Voldemort rose to power, he was desperate to recruit followers to spread the terror. Our family, as an old pure-blooded one, were considered perfect candidates for his new Death Eaters. We had only just been born, and Mother was terrified that Voldemort would find out that she had had twins, and would attempt to take one of us. It was well known that he wanted to use a pure-blooded child to increase his chances of immortality, but he was smart. Voldemort knew his followers would turn against him if he took their precious children, as most only had one child to carry on their lines.
"Because we were twins, our parents knew that if word got out, Voldemort would take the less important twin, the weaker twin. He would have taken you, Hermione. Mother cast our family's concealment charm on you, and sent you to a Muggle adoption centre. Voldemort was informed that I was an only child, and turned his hopes elsewhere. Father protected mother and I as best as he could, but was forced to join Voldemort's ranks, or have his family killed. He turned spy soon after, along with Snape. The rest..." He trailed off with a sigh. "It hasn't been easy, little sister."
Hermione and Ginny stared at Blaise as he finished speaking.
"I never knew," Hermione breathed. Her eyes filled with tears. "I can't believe I was so ready to blame our parents for carelessly abandoning me."
She stood shakily, and moved away silently.
Ginny stood quietly and went to her friend. "I need to go, Hermione, but…" She hesitated, then glanced at her friend. "Go to sleep, Hermione. You need it. We can talk tomorrow about all of this, but right now you need a break from it all." She smiled slightly as she glanced at a concerned Blaise. "I think you'll be perfectly safe here with Blaise. Hell, if he's anything like Ron, he'll be so protective he'll suffocate you."
Hermione smiled at her friend. "Thanks, Ginny. I'll be fine. You'd better go – it's already past curfew." Ginny nodded and left, shutting the portrait quietly behind her.
Hermione drew an uneven breath as she stared out the window. She felt Blaise steer her gently back onto the couch, between himself and Malfoy. Both boys watched the distressed girl carefully. Hermione drew another shuddering breath, feeling slightly hysterical, then tremulously glanced up at her brother, feeling a rush of emotions go through her. He gravely opened his arms, and she curled up into his chest, crying quietly as he embraced her.
"I was…so, so…a-afraid, Blaise…that you'd hate me, or some one would hurt me, or – or…that you wouldn't accept me, that I wouldn't get my…my real family back…a-and…I feel so guilty, for…for…thinking…"
Blaise hushed her, holding her tightly to him as she sobbed brokenly into his chest. Malfoy watched, silently, an unusual expression flickering in his eyes.
Hermione quietened eventually, and she felt her eyelids grow heavy as she drowsily leant against her brother. It felt so good to be able to trust someone again so much, and she knew, instinctively, from the way Blaise protectively held her, that he'd never let her be hurt.
Blaise glanced at his friend. "Hold her for me." He muttered, gently shifting Hermione and lifting her into Malfoy's arms. She stiffened, but the cry on her lips died as she looked up at her brother as he reassured her.
Blaise sighed as he saw her edge out of Malfoy's arms, and pushed up his sleeve, revealing a tanned limb with no markings. "I have no mark, Hermione." He tilted his head towards Malfoy. "Neither does he. Trust us."
He glared at a sullen Malfoy until the blonde boy huffed indignantly and dragged his own sleeve upwards. Hermione stared. There was no trace of a Dark Mark on his arm.
She glanced up once more at Blaise, then, feeling sleep invading her senses once more, she let herself sink into the warmth of Malfoy's chest, his arms slowly encircling her. She wondered briefly when he had changed so drastically, but stored the question away to ask her brother later.
Blaise rose and entered the small kitchen adjoining the common room, seizing three mugs. Two minutes later, he came out with three mugs of steaming hot chocolate. He grinned as he saw Hermione perk up as the delicious smell drifted across the room. Handing the other two mugs out, he leant back, watching as Hermione slowly separated from Malfoy, her hands clutching the warm mug as she drank. He shared a significant look with his friend as his sister placed her drugged mug of hot chocolate on the table. Malfoy immediately understood Blaise's reason for drugging his own sister: she was distressed and desperately needed the sleep.
Feeling suddenly even more tired, Hermione sighed as she leant back, blinking drowsily. She felt long, elegant fingers run through her hair, massaging her scalp, relieving the slight headache she hadn't even realised had been building up. Her mind protested violently as she leant her head back, knowing that it was indeed Malfoy's talented hands. She ignored her sensible voice, closing her eyes. Blaise grinned as he noticed the interaction between the two, then forced down a laugh as he saw Hermione sink down onto Malfoy's chest once more as her eyes closed. So much for her hating him. Then again, the Sleep Draughtdid tend to relax people.
Hermione sighed and breathed in deeply as she settled into Malfoy's warm chest, her mind blissfully hazy. For some reason, she felt relatively safe in his arms, but it was different than it felt with Blaise. She shrugged the thought away; she was so tired, and so warm…Hermione gave in as she felt sleep beckon alluringly to her. Over her head, two male voices conversed in low tones.
Blaise surveyed his friend as Malfoy shifted Hermione's head onto his shoulder. "You're going to have to tell her everything, you know. None of this will make sense, nor will your desertion to the Dark Side, not until she knows everything."
Malfoy's eyes swirled varying shades of grey as he stared at the petite girl in his arms. "I know, Blaise, I know."
……o.:.O.:.o……
The colours meld together, separate and form together once more.
The world is grey,
The grey of the unknown,
The grey planes of thoughts, actions and ideals.
The shades of grey are hard to swim in,
Yet swim we must.
And those do not
Drown, lost in the multitude of tones
Dreaming of colours that are but mere illusions.
……o.:.O.:.o……