Disclaimer: I don't get a cent for this. So please send me at least 10 euros or more on my address… (j/k)

Warnings: Spoilers for HBP: yeah, sure if you can read between the lines. But it happens after HBP.

A/N This chapter is longer. More fun for me, knowing that you masochistic-suckers still read it D

5. The Date

"How do I look?"

Blaise was standing in front of Draco's bed in the Hospital wing, his hair tied together in a small ponytail, covered in gel he stole from Draco's trunk.

"You look like you've just been plucked out a horse's arse," said Draco darkly.

"You're just jealous," answered Blaise simply.

"No. You really do," grinned Draco. "But go ahead, show her how slimy you really are." Blaise's eyes darkened slightly. He only put the gel on his hair, because Draco did that a lot .

"But you are jealous," he said silently.

"I don't care. It'll go away as soon as she gives you a nice kick in the arse and starts dating me."

"So confident… how about I break your arm, just for good luck, eh?" snapped Blaise.

"Get out of my face," smirked Draco bitterly and turned around so he wouldn't have to look at his friend anymore. Blaise frowned but left quickly. As soon as he was out he took his wand and put a cleaning spell on his hair. His hair was now gel-less and he felt better. He also let it fall on his shoulders, wondering if Hermione liked guys who had long hair.

He ate his lunch silently and quickly, glancing at the griffindor table every once in a while. As soon as he saw Hermione stand up from her seat, he also stood up and headed for the exit. She followed and they met at the entrance hall.

"So…your place or mine?" he asked in a nervouse voice.

"Let's make it yours," she said lightly, and his heart skipped a beat.

"Can do," he said and after a moment hesitation took her hand and smiled at her. She smiled back and blushed. What the hell are you doing, Hermione? she told herself, move your hand, pull it away! But there was something in his look that only made her fingers tighten their grip.

"I like your hair that way," she said in a small voice after they had entered the dungeons.

"Really?" he asked, glancing at her.

"Yes…you should wear it like this more often," Hermione smiled. Blaise's look became brighter as if he had just begun to like the world in a more colorful way.

"Well now that I know you like it, I might," he stated, winking at her and she grinned. She was beginning to like the guy. He didn't seem so wrong, with those deep blue eyes and long raven hair. She already knew he was smart. Now she only needed to find out what kind of a guy he was. She never paid much attention to him in the previous years, short of him being one of the best students in their year.

"Here we are," he said, pushing aside a tapestry.

She just stood there for a minute, stunned. "You have your own library," she whispered. "I didn't know there was a library in Slytherin…"

"Well, that's because it's not in Slytherin. It's mine," he answered proudly. "Dumbledore alowed me to have it, a few years ago, so I got this place and I also moved in here because I love to read before I go to sleep."

"That was a brilliant idea! I'd love to sleep here too," she said, running to the first stock of books on her left. He smiled, wishing she would sometimes and closed the door that was hidden behind the tapestry.

"So… about that essay…"

"Oh, right," she said and put down Magnificus Totallis book she just opened. She followed him to the table and sat down. He stood behind her and peeked over her shoulder.

"Well, that seems allright… but here, you see, this rune translates as twisted, not wicked," she mumbled. She corrected some of his mistakes, though was amazed how much he had written, that has been correct. After some time, she felt a slight weight oh her shoulder. Her voice changed slightly, but she didn't move. Blaise put his hnervousand oncolourful her shoulder gently, as if he only allowedwanted to make suralrighte she was there.

"You know…you did very well on this essay," she said lightly when she finished.

"I owe you a drink for helping me, though," he winked and she smiled.

"I'd be happy if you just escorted me back to Griffindor for now… we can leave the drink for later."

"Oh… so it wasn't a date," he said in a muffled voice. She glared at him for a second, but he seemed so sweet and sad, that she had to smile.

"Well, let's say it was," she whispered, leaning a tad closer to him. He looked into her eyes in a slightly twisted way.

"So is this the part where I get my good-night kiss?"

"No," she laughed. "You'll get it when we get back to Griffindor."

"Let's go, then!" he said without hesitation and took her hand, leading her out of his private library in the dungeons.