Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter but do own A Granger's Guide to Dating (well not technically because it's my mom's until I actually start dating . . . but you get the picture . . .) so please don't sue!

A/N: Be aware of the movement of time in this chapter, the choppiness of the transitions, and also be prepared for yet another boyfriend switch. Also, make sure to review! So without further ado, here is the next installment of Phoenix Flames. REVIEW!

Chapter 13 - A Granger's Guide to Dating

Hermione woke up early the next day (November 1st) and groaned as she recalled that she was now dating Terry Boot as of last night. She opened her eyes blearily and shut them immediately after seeing it was six thirty in the morning. 'I'm in for it now... Terry has a certain notoriety for his concept of moving his relationships along as fast as he possibly can,' at this thought her eyes flew open and she jumped out of her bed. 'Thank God I kept it with all my school supplies . . .' she thought as she knelt down by the trunk at the foot of her four poster bed and began rummaging through it.

After five minutes of tireless searching she grabbed the object of her hunt from the bottom of the chest. She fell back onto her bed with a triumphant smile as she looked at the familiar title: A Granger's Guide to Dating (Revised Edition). She opened the book that held all the rules her parents had taught her about dating and raised her to believe with all of her heart.

She had been given this book after fourth year when they heard about Viktor Krum (even though she'd already had all 125 rules memorized by that point in time, and she wasn't dating Viktor either,) and she always kept it with her since then. There was absolutely no point in telling him (Viktor) about it since nothing amount out of their short lived "relationship" anyways. She also knew there was no need to show Harry or Ron because they were always perfect gentlemen to her and each 'romance' was purely platonic anyhow. But she felt she would need to use it now and very soon.

She pushed the need to show this to Terry aside and got up thinking, 'I wonder whose up . . . I need to get breakfast before quidditch practice, so I guess I'll find out shortly. Maybe I can visit Draco if he's awake . . .'

With that in mind, Hermione quickly grabbed her robes and outfit, and made her way to the bathroom to take a shower and brush her teeth and hair. She then pulled on her white undergarments, socks and tank top followed by her light blue jeans and slipped on her zip-up, hooded, angora jacket that faded from periwinkle blue on top to medium blue on the bottom.

After pulling on her school robes, she rushed into her room, grabbed her white shoes and hair tie, and made her way down to the common room. All the while she was pulling her shoes on and holding her hair piece with her teeth, nearly tripping down the stairs, making a very comical scene if anyone were to have seen it.

It was only then she realized that she forgot her wand and broom (which she was quite sure she'd need if she wanted to attempt playing quidditch that day.) She ran up to her room and grabbed them and ran back down to the common room once again.

'It's so quiet without everyone in here . . .' she thought as she walked to the entrance.

Before leaving, she held her Firebolt between her knees, and pulled her hair into a messy bun, and then grabbed her broom and headed to the Great Hall for breakfast.

Just as she was entering the Great Hall, she spotted Ginny and Lavender making their way down the stairs with the boys shortly in tow.

When they saw her they waved and Lavender called, "Hey Her-" The others quickly silenced her before she could say more and Lavender got the point.

They made their way to Hermione and Lavender guiltily said, "Sorry, I forgot . . ."

Hermione smiled, "That's all right, just be more careful from now on, I can't afford to have my identity uncovered. Everyone else is hopefully still completely clueless about me, and we need to keep it that way, so please don't slip up again . . . No one else can know who I am . . ." that last part was said in a whisper just as somebody walked by.

They walked into the Great Hall none the wiser about the two pairs of eyes watching their every step.

! a Week later in an empty classroom !

"Hey Dallas!" said an eager Terry Boot as he sat down next to her attempting to give her a peck on the lips, but she turned her cheek to him. "I got the note that you wanted to talk to me, what's up?"

"Listen Terry, we need to talk. I want you to read something really quickly. Accio guide!"

As soon as the book landed, Terry picked it up and began to read aloud. "A Granger's Guide to Dating (Revised Edition) . . .

This revised edition of A Granger's Guide to Dating gives all boundaries to any romantic relationship and should be followed accordingly to permit maximal efficiency in searching for a future spouse. Although there are no punishments for breaking the rules, these rules are meant to help build a meaningful relationship by restricting physical intimacy so as to learn whom is worth pursuing and what kind of relationships should be avoided. Physical intimacy can cloud one's judgment about who people really are and can hold a bad relationship together. So without further ado, this is the compilation of one hundred and twenty five dating guidelines for a healthy and fruitful relationship.

1. no relationships until the age of sixteen

2. no polygamy

3. no sexual contact of any sort

4. no discussing previous sexual experiences

5. no speaking about future sexual experiences (even if engaged)

OooOooOooOooOooO

38. no touching beyond hand holding and hugging

39. no public displays of affection (except for hand holding and hugging)

40. no official dates for the first week of the relationship

41. no dates of any kind until all work is done

OooOooOooOooOooO

73. no being alone together until two to three weeks from the initial beginning of the relationship

74. no being alone on dates until complete trust is gained by both parties

75. no being alone at night (unless otherwise required)

76. no being alone in each other's bed rooms for the first month

OooOooOooOooOooO

119. no kissing for the first two weeks of the relationship

120. no kissing anywhere except the cheek or hands (until love is declared by both parties)

121. no declaring love until it is really meant

122. no declaring love for at least two months from the beginning of the relationship

123. no dating for more than three months unless both parties would seriously consider marriage as a future option

124. no propositions of marriage until both parties are out of school

125. no propositions of marriage before the age of eighteen . . ." Terry trailed off as he finished the long list 20 minutes later. "What does this have to do with anything Dallas?" he was clearly confused.

"Well I'm a Granger too, I have followed these rules for my whole life until this week because of you, and I would rather I could go back to the old way . . ." Hermione explained.

Terry looked as though he would blow a fuse anytime now, "But Dallas, you're not a Granger by blood, you don't have to be a prude like Hermione was just because they raised you. This stuff is psycho bull shit!"

Hermione did everything in her power not to burn him to death or punch his lights out. She took in a deep breath, "Granger or not, I follow these rules Terry and if you want to keep going out with me, you will honour my wishes. And don't ever insult Hermione in front of me ever again."

Terry didn't seem to be getting the picture and began moving closer and closer to her, "Dallas someone who's as hot as you are, really shouldn't be so prim and proper . . ."

He was uncomfortably close to Hermione at this point and she gulped as he pulled her closer to him. It was all she could do to keep from killing the sodding bastard at that point.

"Besides, I highly doubt you follow these rules exactly . . . there's no way you're a virgin . . . You probably just like to say you follow those rules just to seem pure and innocent. Probably because you know that most guys find that really incredibly hot. Why would you ask me here otherwise? I bet you anything that is you just let loose a bit and stop being like this you and I would -"

"Do you really want to finish that sentence Boot?" asked a voice from behind them. They turned towards the door to find Blaise Zabini and Draco Malfoy glaring at Terry.

"Sod off! I bet you two are just jealous because I'm going to get into her knickers be-"

SMACK!

Everything went suddenly very quiet as Hermione slapped Terry and said, "Fuck you Terry! We're definitely over with . . . I'm just surprised it took you this long to fuck it up! Just know that after this moment, I don't ever want to talk to you again." Hermione stormed out of the classroom hoping to God that she burned the bastard at least.

She decided to go sit out by the lake to cool down, Professor Rubar would understand if she was late.

! Back in the classroom !

"Hey Drake, I think I'm going to go talk to her, she looked pretty pissed," said Blaise to Draco about a minute after Terry left.

"Okay, let her know I'm sorry about what happened with Boot, and I'm probably going to be kicking his ass anytime now if I can get away with it . . ." Draco said while glaring daggers after the aforementioned person.

"Will do," he said beginning to leave.

"And Blaise?" Draco waited for him to turn around, "Don't leave her alonewhether or notshe decides not to go to class all right?"

Blaise nodded and with that, he left.

! Back at the lake !

Hermione noticed a figure walking out of the castle and approaching the lake. She quickly wiped the tears away from her eyes on her sleeve. Who was that? She studied the person and squinted to try and make out their very Italian facial features. She could recognize the hair and the way that the person carried himself ashe walked.

It was Blaise Zabini.

"Phoenix!" he called out as he approached.

"Yeah, what is it Blaise?" she asked politely.

"I just came out here to check on you, and I come bearing a message from Draco. He says that he's sorry about Terry and there is an ass kicking session about to take place in honor of you. So how are you doing, I mean are you okay?"

"I'm fine . . . hey would you help me up?" asked Hermione stretching out her arms to him.

He easily lifted her and they began walking back towards the castle.

"So what class are we late for?" he asked in a business-like tone.

"Well, for me it is Ancient Runes Level 5, for you . . . the hell if I know . . ." she said shrugging.

Blaise chuckled and said, "How about we skip the class for today, I'm sure you're probably really upset about the whole thing with Boot, and you look like you could do with some time away from classes."

Hermione was about to instantly reply with no, but realizing that she was too upset to concentrate very much, she decided to do something she would never dream of doing in a million years, "Okay."

"Wow, I'm surprised you didn't flip out over my suggesting that . . . from what I heard about your sister, I would have thought you'd have thought it sacrilegious to skip out on school . . ."

Hermione shrugged, "Normally I'd agree with you, but I think you're right, I could use some time away from class. I wouldn't be able to do much in the way of translating my book right now."

"Okay, so where would you like to go?" he asked offering his arm, which she took hesitantly.

"Let's just walk around the grounds for now, it's chilly but it's a really nice day out."

"Yeah, it is that . . ." after a long pause and much walking he continued to talk gently squeezing her hand for reassurance, "So how is quidditch practice going?"

"It's great, I never thought flying and quidditch would be so fun, but I'm really glad now that Draco taught me how to fly. Ravenclaw team is doing really well so far . . . we have a pretty strong team. How about you? You're on Slytherin's team aren't you?"

"Yeah, I'm the keeper. I'd rather have been a chaser, but our team was in desperate need of a keeper and I happen to be one of the only Slytherins that could block a quaffle to save their life."

Hermione chuckled lightly at that, "Yeah, but you guys had a great first game. So obviously someone must have done something right in choosing the new team members."

"That they did, and it was Draco who chose, he only let the very best on."

There was another pause then he added, "Doesn't Ravenclaw have a match on Sunday?"

"Yeah against Gryffindor."

"You have a lot of friends on that team, you ready to take 'em on?" he said playfully.

"I was born ready," said Hermione with fire in her eyes (literally.)

! Back to Draco !

"Mr. Malfoy, are you sure you don't know the whereabouts of Ms. Turoe? She's twenty minutes late!" exclaimed Professor Rubar.

"Professor, the only thing I can tell you with certainty is that she had an incident this morning and is probably blowing off some steam right now, I think Blaise is with her though, so she's fine," said Draco silently thinking, 'Blaise you numbskull! You'd better not be making a move on her!'

"Very well, please continue with your translating," said the Professor sighing and walking into his private office.

Draco continued working away and counting the minutes until Advanced Charms.

! Back outside near the end of class !

Hermione and Blaise were having, in Hermione's opinion, the most intelligent and stimulating conversation she'd ever had with anyone other than a teacher or Draco. She was really enjoying having someone to talk to about different and random things.

As the bell rang signaling that class was over, Blaise asked suddenly, "Hey Phoenix, I know that this is very sudden and you're just getting off of a relationship, but would you like to be my girlfriend?"

Hermione considered for a second, and noticed that she was still holding his hand after almost an hour and dropped itfeeling slightly weirded out that she hadn't even noticed it until then, 'Well, I promised I'd go out with anyone so long as I was available, and I'm comfortable aronud Blaise, so it shouldn't be too mush in the way of being problematic. . .' "Sure, Blaise, that'd be lovely."

"Great! Hey let's get going to Charms," said Blaise taking her hand in his once again.

Hermione sighed quietly, 'Here we go again . . .'