Chapter 4

Disclaimer: JKR owns everything.

"Stay, as much as I really need you to be safe, I need you to stay too."

"good, now that that's settled, you better get back to the manor. I'll sleep here and you can come back tomorrow as early as possible and we'll think of something that won't raise Lucius' suspicions. But before you go let me write a note for Narcissa."

Hermione reached into her pocket and grabbed a spare piece of parchment and a quill. She jotted down a quick note.

"Here. Give this to her and I'll see you tomorrow, get some sleep and avoid Lucius. I don't want to see you with another bruise so be careful."

Hermione passed Draco the note, he just nodded and turned to leave before he turned his head back to Hermione and said "thanks". Hermione sighed deeply as the door to Oasis closed. She sat down at the kitchen table looking at the meal that had lain forgotten. She started to eat not caring that it was cold, figuring that she may need her strength tomorrow. As it started to get dark she took her shrunken trunk from her pocket, enlarged it and removed pajama pants and an old form fitting t-shirt. She found a blanket in the closet and decided to sleep on the couch instead of a very uncomfortable looking bed she had discovered in a back room.

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She didn't even hear anyone enter. Two figures slowly walked towards the lump that was Hermione on the couch. The sun had just risen and a stray ray lit up her light brown curls.

Suddenly Hermione didn't feel so asleep anymore. She was warm under the blanket but something didn't quite feel right. Her eyes remained closed but she listened intently to the sounds around her.

"Should be wake her?" and unfamiliar voice whispered.

"Nah, let her sleep I'm starved, want some eggs or something, I haven't eaten since Hogwarts" This voice she recognized as the drawl from one Draco Malfoy.

Hermione quickly rose, running a hand through her hair. "When I said early I didn't mean this early!" She exclaimed in a sleepy voice. Both boys jumped.

"God Hermione you scared me!" Draco shot back. He had obviously been awake from hours. Draco was well dressed and it looked like he had recently come out of the shower.

"Yeah I'd say you did!" The other boy stated. Hermione finally pulled her attention to the teen who stood besides Malfoy. Tall, well taller than herself anyways. He wore loose jeans and a t-shirt from a muggle band called Wintersleep. When she finally looked at the face she recognized him as none other than Blaise Zabini.

"Hey, umm" she started a little distracted, "did I hear someone mention breakfast?" she finished awkwardly after basicall gawking at Blaise.

Blaise being completly oblivious continued, "Yeah Draco said he was going to put on eggs or something, but seeing as I don't really trust his royal highness to know how to make anything other than toast, I believe I'm going to take over." He laughed with Hermione as Draco began to pout.

They all laughed and talked together like they had all known each other for years, As Blaise prepared their meal and they ate. Hermione was a little surprised never actually speaking to Blaise during her time at Hogwarts, though she had always noticed the few students to keep up with her academically. Blaise never really participated in class and they were never paired for project but yet he still made marvelous marks. Even though you could definatly tell Blaise and Draco were good friends Hermione found herself hoping that they were just friends.

Draco seemed to notice the thoughtful expression on Hermione face. "Umm, Hermione can I talk to you for a second in the next room?" He questioned tentativly.

"Ah, sure Draco..." Hermione said snapping out of her reverie, sounding a little confused.

The walked quickly to the next room and Draco just looked at her carefully when they got there.

"What?" Hermione began a little uncomfortable under Draco's stare.

"I should ask you the same thing, whats bothering you? And don't tell me it's my father cause I can tell when people a scared of him, he elicits a certain, je ne c'est quoi, in people expressions."

"No you're right I wasn't thinking about him, I was wondering umm. Well, I guess

talking to you could be classified as talking to a girl, right?" Hermione

asked. She added a quick, "No offense."

"None takin'"

"I was wondering about Blaise, and, umm, if he shared your...preferences...?"

Draco snorted.

"Hey!"

"No no, not laughing at you at all, don't worry, just the thought of Blaise and another guy, well lets just say he's as strait an arrow and then some." He continued to chuckle to himself.

"Well, good to know I guess" Hermione stated as she went to go back to the kitchen, Before Draco quickly came up behind her and whispered into her ear, "Very good to hear seeing as you are so his type" He made a hasty escape, leaving a moderatly shocked Hermione in his wake.

Hermione wasn't even sure if Blaise was the kind of guy she'd consider dating, not having dated much herself in the past a little here and there. The spot light being Victor Krum, but he was only a fling and she couldn't see herself with someone like Krum for something longterm. When Hermione entered the kitchen again, She looked at Draco and Blaise who were talking in hushed whispers. Hermione studyed Blaise like she did to so many others. His hair was dark and wavy but not really that long. It suited him. He had high cheek bones giving him a very strong prescence. She could tell through his clothes that he was strong and agile and must play quidditch or some other sport often.

"Hey Hermione, Nice to welcome you back to earth." Dracos voice made her jump and a small blush crossed her face.

"Uh, yeah hey, I'm gonna go change and then we should brainstorm on how to get us the hell out of here. All of us." She began timidly but her confidence returned as she spoke.

"We actually came up with a plan early this morning, we'll fill you in after you change, get the Granger seal of approval, or is it the Nott seal of approval now?" Blaise smiled at her as he spoke. Hermione was a little surprised he knew she was a Nott but figred it was a given seeing as He was related to the Granger and of course that he was Dracos best friend.

"Oh cool! Tell me all about it when I get back, oh and Blaise, lets not get used to calling me a Nott just yet, I'm not really used to being a pureblooded witch with family serving the most evil man in over 300 years." Hermione talked matter of factly but then smiled at her two new friends as she went to the next room to change in privacy.

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"What do you think of my cousin?" Draco said while raising his eyebrows at Blaise.

"Well, lets see quick witted, smart, jovial, and one more thing that I noticed- hot!" Draco had to laugh at his friend.

"Well, as you know she's family to me now so I must intercede and do the completly predictable warning of..'you hurt her and I'll cut your bits off' but no worries, I have it on good authority that she may fancy you too" Draco spoke seriously throughout his whole speach but buckled in laughter once he spotted the look of terror in his friends face.

"Anyone want to let me in on the joke?" Hermione chirped up as she entered the kitchen.

"Oh umm, it really, really wasn't that funny" Blaise said curtly, trying to cover the blush on his face by drinking out of his water glass.

At this Draco only laughed harder.

"Well at least we're in good spirits this morning, anywho, how about you guys fill me in on your plan."

Draco finally got himself under control."Ah yes, the plan! Well Hermione it's like this. Me and you are ging to travel to the Zabini Manor. You of course under the invisibility and me trying to avoid any 'goodbye' presents that my father would insist a presenting me with. Then we will hopefully spend the rest of the holidays there. Which will be just great seeing as this is the last summer we are legally obligated to come back to our places of residence."

"Wow, good plan, but what about Narcissa, and will Lucius actually let you go?" Hermione racking her brain trying to discover any other faults in their plan.

"Well it's like this" Blaise began "The Zabini's, being very good friends to Narcissa, have upon her request, invited Draco to stay for the summer. Lucius is a man very intent on keeping up appearances and will not deny my family's request. Thus Draco doesn't really have much of a choice now, as for Narcissa, it really is much easier for her when Draco is not at home. Lucius pretty much ignores her all year 'round except when Draco is there to remind him of his 'dirty little family secret'"

"Well, that pretty much covers it, what do you think Hermione?"

"Good plan, a least it seems to be able to keep you safe till school comes aound. But there are some traveling details I want to go over..."

The three teens continued to polish their plan. They were to leave for the Zabini manor in two days time and until then Hermione hid out in the Oasis and was often visited by her Slytherin conspirators. Now that Hermione knew that Draco and Narcissa would be safe for at least a short while she was able to relax and think about her summer at the Zabini house, not taking one spare moment to think about her Gryfindor friends.

AN: Hope you like the chapter! I just want to take the time to thank all of you guys who reviewed! You know who you are and also my wonderful Beta! Luthien Black who helps me correct my stupid mistakes! Haha, also I wanted to welcome everyone out there to give me a retarded amount of constructive criticism or ideas or anything you want! You could even type me out a review full of giberish. Thanks again, I'll update tomorrow sometime hopefully!

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