Disclaimer: I own nothing, although I wish I did, so don't sue.
A/N: Hey, everyone! Thanks to all of you who have reviewed my story! It makes my heart flutter to know that you all care. J/K. I think that if your heart did flutter, then you may have some sort of medical problem. I would like to thank all of the wonderful people who reviewed my story:
Horse Girl3: Glad you like it
RonniekinzLuvr: yes, he does have a thing for granger (whoever you are talking about). Thanks for reading!
Cocoamo1223: one of the people who read my story said it stands for "Alternate Universe" but they don't know what it means.
I-hAd-No-Id3a-FoR-a-NaMe: I love your name. Very original. I will take my time with this story.
Penguinkid69: sorry I haven't read your story (well, by the time I totally finish the chappie, and get it on fan fiction, then I may have already read it)! I'm sure your story is very good!
VonDutchBabe: thanks. I see AU everywhere, but I never know what it means. Now, I have an idea. Thanks!
Crimson Sadows: glad you like the chappie! It was fun to write!
Chapter Three
The next morning, Blaise woke up earlier than usual, to work on his little "scheme". He quickly got dressed, then slumped onto the couch. He began thinking about Hermione Granger's interests.
Okay. I know that she likes to study. Maybe I can get Snape to have her tutor me, or get us both into detention. I need to figure out some way to get her alone. No way would I be able to get friendly with her with Potter and Weasley always around. I could always talk to her little friend, the youngest Weasley. Her name starts with a G. Gemmy, or something. I think it's…. Ginny! That's right! I will talk to Ginny in the library, or something, and talk to her about Hermione.
With that , he stood up, and headed to the Great Hall.
Lunch
Blaise had been trying to get a chance to talk to Ginny all day, but she also seemed to be around Harry and Ron just as much as Hermione. He was sulking at the Slytherin table, when he noticed Ginny get up. As she exited the Great Hall, he followed her. She led him all the way outside, to a tree near the lake. She sat down against the tree, and pulled out a small diary and a quill, then began writing.
Blaise cleared his throat. Ginny looked up. "Can I help you?" she asked.
"Yes," he said, walking over and sitting down next to her. "Can you tell me a little bit about your friend, Hermione Granger?"
"Why do you want to know?" Ginny asked.
"No reason," he said, nonchalantly. "Just wondering." After the look from Ginny, he sighed. "Okay. See the truth is…..I have a thing for Granger, and I want to get a little closer to her." Okay, it was a total lie, but Ginny seemed to believe him.
"Sure," Ginny said. "Whaddya wanna know?"
"Just some of her interests, and where I could find her to talk to her." Ginny told him that she would be spending most of her night in the library, studying, and that he could find her there. "You're such a smooth talker," Ginny teased. "I'm sure you don't need to know her interests to get her eating out of your hands." Blaise smiled. "Thanks," he said, then stood up. "I gotta go," he said. "Thanks again." He walked off, and about five minutes later, Ginny headed to class, too.
Library
Finally, the end of the day came. Blaise hurriedly ate his dinner, then, after noticing that Hermione had left, stood up and headed for the library. He strode down the corridor, and reached the library.
Okay, Blaise. The little Weasley is right. You don't need to know anything about her, just use a little of that Slytherin slyness, and you will have snatched herright out from under Draco's nose.
He walked in, and saw Hermione sitting at a table near the back, all by herself. Perfect, he thought, smirking, then walked over and sat down.
"Hey, Hermione, right?" he said, smiling. Hermione looked up from her book and nodded.
"You're Blaise, aren't you?" Blaise nodded. "What do you want?"
"A little defensive, are we?"
"Well, you are from Slytherin, right? I haven't exactly had that good of luck from Slytherin's." Hermione was thinking about the kiss the night before.
"Would this have anything to do with my friend, Malfoy?" Hermione nodded.
"I mean, I don't even think he liked me before my makeover," she said. "I hate guys like that, the ones that only go after girls for their looks. The girls are normally are really stupid, anyways, so it is kind of a waste of time. Like, would you ask out a girl just because she is beautiful?" Blaise sighed, then nodded. "Well, what am I suppose to expect? You are from Slytherin, like I said before. It's in your nature."
"It's okay," Blaise said, smiling. Hermione smiled. "But I wouldn't always go out with a girl just for her looks," he said. "I think that brains matters, too." And with that, he reached across the table to Hermione's hand, and laid his hand over it. Hermione smiled again, but she didn't take her hand away. This is good, Blaise thought. Very good.
-&-&-&-
Blaise and Hermione's friendship began to bloom over the month, and people began to see them together so much, they didn't even think twice. Blaise was very happy. He was also happy because Draco seemed to be getting even more miffed by Blaise and Hermione being together. Blaise knew it was a matter of time before he could get Hermione to kiss him, and he knew Draco would be pissed.
Right now, Blaise and Hermione were walking around the hallways, talking. It was after dinner, and, since the next day was Saturday, the students above 5th years could stay up an hour later.
"I have so much homework tonight," Hermione said. "Stupid Snape totally loaded us up, didn't he?"
Blaise smiled. "He did, I have to admit." Blaise took a deep breath. "So, tomorrow is the trip to Hogsmeade, right?"
Hermione nodded slowly. "Well, I was just wondering if you would like to go with me?"
"Why would you want to go with me?" Hermione asked.
"Why wouldn't I want to go with you?" he teased. "You're smart, beautiful, probably the only person I can really talk to. So, will you?" Blaise looked so longing, that Hermione had to say yes.
"Great," Blaise said. He put his hand behind her neck and tilted her head up to his. He slowly lowered his lips to her, and when she didn't pull away, he deepened it. He had noticed a closet while they had been talking, so he led them over to it. He pushed open the door, and led her inside. After shutting the door, he gently pushed her up against the wall, and wrapped his arms around her small waist. She pulled him closer to her, and put her arms around his neck. He gently pushed his tongue on her lips, asking for entrance, and she didn't hesitate. She opened her mouth and let him search around, while making circles on her back. She gave a little moan, and he smiled. They sank down onto the floor, and Hermione wrapped her legs around him. He moved his mouth, and began nibbling on her ear, which made her giggle. He made his way down to her neck, and lightly sucked. His arms began creeping up her shirt, and tickled her back. They snogged for a little bit longer, then Hermione broke the kiss.
"Wow," she said, smiling. She stood up, bringing Blaise with her. They left the closet, hand in hand, and made their way to the Gryffindor portrait of the Fat Lady.
"I gotta go," Hermione said, indicating to the door. "See you tomorrow?"
"Yeah," Blaise said. "Meet me at the Three Broomsticks around 9ish, okay?"
"Can't wait," Hermione said, giving Blaise a light kiss. She whispered the password to the Fat Lady, then, after the portrait opened, stepped in.
Blaise turned around, and started walking to the Slytherin common room, with knowing that someone was following him. Finally, Blaise stopped. He turned around to find the corridor empty.
"Draco, come out from that corner," he said. "I know you are there." Draco stepped out from the shadows, then jumped on top of Blaise, and began throwing punches.
"Dude," Blaise said, blocking him. "What are you doing?"
"What did you do to Hermione?" Draco asked. "I saw you two go into that closet, and you didn't come out for a while."
Blaise managed to get Draco of off him. "What, were you spying on us?"
"You know that I like Hermione," Draco said. "Yet you still went after her."
"What can I saw?" Blaise asked. "Hermione has changed, and I like that change, very much. You got good taste."
"You are horrible," Draco said. "I thought we were friends."
Blaise sighed. "Look, if you want Hermione, fine. We are meeting at the Three Broomsticks tomorrow at 9, and I will dump her. She will be in so much disarray, that she will cry on anyone's shoulder. That is when you show up." Draco opened his mouth to speak, then closed it. "Right," Blaise said, smirking. "It is a good plan. Now, I gotta go, and get some sleep. Later." And with that, Blaise was gone.
Draco slumped against the wall. How does Blaise do that to me? How does he make me seem like the bad guy?
-&-&-&-
Hermione woke up the next morning, bright and early, and hurried into the shower. When she was done, she straightened her hair and let it lay loose down her back, then changed into a denim skirt and pink halter top. She applied some blush, eye shadow, mascara, and lip gloss, then put on a pair of pink, strappy, two-inch heels. She added a white leather jacket, then went down to the common room, and began working on her homework.
About half an hour later, Ginny came downstairs in blue jeans, and a yellow t-shirt, with the word 'Cutie' across the chest, her hair up in a messy bun.
"Hey, 'Mione," Ginny said, plopping down on the couch next to Hermione. "Are you still meeting Blaise at the Three Broomsticks?"
Hermione nodded. "I'm pretty sure we are." People began coming into the common room, so Ginny and Hermione stopped talking.
The Three Broomsticks
Hermione entered the Three Broomsticks later that day, at about 8:50. Ginny was accompanying her, and they found a table near a window, and ordered two butterbeers. They drank them and talked for a little bit, until Hermione noticed Blaise walking towards the door.
"Okay, Gin, he's coming," Hermione said.
"I'm out," Ginny said, leaving the table. She went over to a table closer to the bar.
Blaise walked over to Hermione, and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He slid into Ginny's now empty seat. Blaise secretly cheered, because he was sitting with a view of the window so he could see Draco when he came.
"So, Hermione, how are you?" Blaise asked.
"Good," Hermione replied. "I have to go get some quills later, so can we do that afterwards?"
Here I go, Blaise thought. Time to break up with her. "Well, see, the thing is, us being together, well, I just don't think…."
"Don't think what?" Hermione asked.
Blaise looked out the window, and saw Draco leaning up against the wall, looking at Hermione. Why should he get all the girls? a voice in his head said. Why can't I have this one? He gets everyone else, he doesn't need Hermione to add to his collection.
"Hello, Blaise, anyone home? Is something wrong?" Hermione waved a hand in front of his face.
"What?" Blaise said. "Um, no, nothings wrong. Let's go get your quills." He stood up, and held out his hand. Hermione took it, and they walked out of the Three Broomsticks, right past Draco.
Draco stormed into the pub, fuming, and sat down with a burst of anger. "Who does he think he is?" Draco muttered. "Thinking he can steal her from me? He must be crazy."
A shocked Ginny plopped down across from him. "They say the first sign of insanity is talking to oneself."
Draco looked up. "I don't need advice from the youngest Weasley. These are big kid problems that you wouldn't understand."
"I have 6 older brothers," Ginny said. "Try me." Draco sighed, then poured out his story, starting with when he realized he liked Hermione (the end of fifth year) until just now, when Blaise snatched her from under his nose.
"Wow," Ginny said when he was done. "But I think I know exactly what you should do to get Hermione." She leaned closer to Draco and began explaining her plan.
-&-&-&-
Hermione and Blaise spent the afternoon together, and enjoyed themselves immensely. Finally, they had to leave Hogsmeade. Hermione gave Blaise a kiss outside of Hogwarts, then hurried to her room to freshen up for dinner. After brushing out her hair, and spritzing on some perfume, she joined Ron, Harry and Ginny, then they went to the Great Hall.
Ginny seemed in her own world when they got to the Great Hall. She kept looking at the door, then her watch, then her plate. She finally stood up, and hurried out of the hall, calling back that she wasn't very hungry. Hermione didn't think anything of it. She also didn't think anything of it when Draco stood up a few seconds after Ginny had left, and hurried out after her.
Gryffindor Tower
Hermione hurried up to her room after dinner, and changed into a pair of silk, yellow pajama bottoms, and a matching t-shirt. She brushed out her hair, then went back downstairs to hang out with Harry and Ron before she decided to go to bed.
Ron and Harry spent some time playing wizard chess, while Hermione read a book. Ginny was leafing through a magazine and Lavender and Parvati working on their Divination homework. Hermione closed her book and stood up.
"Where're you going?" Ginny asked, looking up from her magazine.
"I think I'm gonna head to bed," she said, yawning.
"Night," Ron and Harry said in unison.
"Good night," Ginny said. Lavender and Parvati mumbled good night.
Hermione went up to the girl's dormitory, and went through her normal ritual that she did before going to bed every night (brush her teeth, wash her face, et cetera, et cetera), then opened the curtain around her bed. That is when she spotted the note.
A single piece of parchment was resting on her pillow, with her name written on it in elegant writing. She picked it up, and unfolded it, then read the letter:
Hermione, my sweet,
You may never find out who has written this letter to you, yet you may already know. I don't care. All that I care about is that I love you. Yes, I love you. You may think that it is a silly little crush, but it is much, much more than that. I have known you forever, and when I first met you, I just thought you were an annoying little know-it-all. But I was wrong. You are more that that. You are what makes me get up every morning, and face the day. Your voice makes me smile, your appearance makes me wish everyone looked like you. I know that we can never be together, yet I wish we could. But, alas, it is only a wish, a wish that I hope to make come true some day. I will not be able to tell you who I am, but go to the fourth floor, third door on the right, and you will find another note, something like this, waiting for you. It is waiting for you like I am waiting for you.
Love always,
Your Secret Admirer
P.S. Do not tell anyone about this note, except your closest friends.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it! Six pages! Oh, yeah! Who rocks? I do! I am soooo proud of myself. Thanks to all of my readers! You're the best! I think that this is a cliffie, but I am not sure.
I have a few questions, though:
1. What is a 'beta' reader?
2. I know what 'AU' stands for, but what does it mean?
Thanks, if you can answer them! Bye!