TWO: Apple Cider
"Remember what I told you to do, play with her feelings and find anything strange or anything out of the ordinary, and report it to me."
"Yes, I know, you've already told me that a hundred times."
"I know, but you need to remember, your job is to bring the Gazette down."
It's six o'clock, and everyone is just getting ready to go.
"Hey, Pat, what are you going to do in the party?" I asked one of the reporters, Patrick Merkins.
"Oh, the usual. Getting so drunk I can't even piss straight. What about you, Vivian?"
Vivian just stared into space, not replying to Patrick's question.
"Don't bother, Pat. She's day dreaming about Ron again and how they will someday make auburn-headed and freckled children."
"Oy, I'm still here!" Vivian said, offended.
"Hermione, do you mind if I bring the wife along?" Jay McPhee, another reporter, asked.
"Sure, I don't mind." I said. "Oh yeah, Jenny, I checked with the caterers and there won't be any carrot cake."
"Thanks, Hermione!" Jenny replied.
Slowly one by one everyone Apparated back to their homes, changing so they could go to the party. By then, it was only me and Vivian left.
"Hermione, don't you feel something weird?" Vivian asked.
"Other than the fact that my bum hurts from working too much, no." I replied.
"No, really. It's about the Prophet."
"What? That load of rubbish can't do anything to us."
"Well, they could. I'm just worried that Draco might be jealous of our success and he might try to ruin our reputation to bring the Gazette down."
"Viv, I think you've been reading too many crime stories." I said, calmly. "Don't be so paranoid! The journalism world is tough, but not that tough."
"Alright then," she sighed, grabbing her suitcase. "But I just have a funny feeling about this." She Apparated back to the apartment, leaving me alone in the office.
"Thanks for coming." I said as I shook the hand of one of the guests that just arrived in Apple Cider.
Apple Cider was a huge bar and nightclub with an art gallery feeling to it, with works of abstract art hanging on the walls and strange mobiles on the ceiling.
It was half past seven, and the guests were just starting to pour in. I guess they were trying to be fashionably late.
I straightened by black dress again, and pulled it down, since it was so short. I had it washed Tuesday in the launderers, but they had shrunk and Viv threw a fit when we picked it up.
I tied my hair into a loose bun, since it has not changed. It is as bushy as ever, even if I put on a Hair Straightening spell, it would probably last for a few hours.
The DJ just started playing, and everyone just stayed at the bar, drinking martinis and talking to each other.
Half an hour later, the club is already crowded. Most people are dancing on the dance floor with their boyfriend, girlfriend or spouse.
That just makes me sad.
Twenty-six and still single. In a few more years, I'd turn thirty and have to start lying about my own age. I figured if I get married now then in four years I don't need to lie about my age.
And I have my parents' blessings. They've been trying to set me up with their friend's sons ever since I've turned twenty-one.
Viv has been trying to get me to date other people, and to prove my point she accidentaly set me up with my own cousin last year.
The problem is I just don't feel like dating anyone. I'm over Krum, but something just doesn't feel right.
Viv, being the 'love expert' says that it would be natural, since he did cheat on me and I do feel guilty because I thought that I couldn't satisfy him enough.
I saw Vivian dancing with Ron, and I'm happy for them, but I just wish that I could be the one on the dance floor, dancing with some one I love.
The song ended, Vivian and Ron went to the bar, where I was standing.
"Great party, Hermione, I would've thought you still were that bookworm in Hogwarts, but I guess I was wrong…" Ron complimented.
"Thanks." I replied, shyly.
"Hermione, what's wrong?" Viv asked, concerned. She paused for a moment.
"If it's about Krum, forget it. He was an idiot to cheat on you." Viv said.
"He was an idiot to do anything wrong to you, since if he were here right now I would punch him to next week." Ron said, "He didn't deserve you."
"Thanks guys, I can manage." I said reassuringly.
"Then go out on the dance floor. There are many single men out there." Viv said, pushing me.
"And what if they're all queer?"
"You'll turn 'em straight!"
Five minutes, that's how long I can stay in that blasted dance floor.
I admit I'm not the greatest dancer, and I'm not the worst, either. But I couldn't dance there since it was so bloody crowded.
The worst thing about it was that nearly everyone in the club was on the dance floor, and it would probably take an hour just to get from one side to another.
Five minutes of pushing through the crowd, and I gave up and sat down again in the bar.
At least I could still talk with someone.
"Hey Draco, Pansy. Glad you could make it." I greeted Draco and his wife.
"Hermione, good to see you." Pansy said, "You look good today."
"Thanks." Hermione said.
"Well, to be a good sport, I'll have to say congratulations on your success." Draco said, shaking my hand.
"And to be a good sport, I won't stick out my tongue and say 'nananana'." I replied.
Pansy nearly choked on her Grey Goose.
"That was a joke, Draco. Don't need to take it so hard on your ego." I said.
"Oh, hahaha…" He laughed lamely. He turned around and tapped on a man's shoulder.
The man turned around and I could swear time stopped. He was absolutely gorgeous, black curly hair, slightly tanned skin and violet eyes.
"Hermione, I want you to meet my friend, Blaise Zabini." Draco said, gesturing to the man of my dreams. I mean, the man! "We used to go to Hogwarts together, remember?"
"I think I remember you, from Slug Club, right?" That future lover of mine (I mean Blaise!) said.
"Yeah." I sighed. Great Hermione, nice first impression.
"I'm Blaise Zabini, nice meeting you." He stuck out his hand for me to shake.
"Hermione Granger, the Gazette. Pleasure." I shook his hand and said that as quick as possible, to avoid unwanted babbling.
"Oh, so this is the legendary Hermione, eh?" He asked, intrigued. "Friend of Harry Potter, chief editor of the Owl Gazette and local smarty-pants."
"That's a funny way of saying the latter, but yes. That's me." I said awkwardly.
"Is there a Mr. Malfoy here? I got a call for a Mr. Malfoy!" The bartender shouted from all the noise.
"That's me!" Draco yelled back. "I got to go, I'll be back in a sec." He and Pansy pushed through the crowd to get to the bartender.
So it was just me and Blaise, nodding our heads or tapping our feet to the beat of the music. Gorgeous, wonderful Blaise with his Italian-ness. (I guessed he was Italian since he cursed in a language resembling Italian when Ron accidentally stepped on his toe.)
"So, what was it that you do for a living?" I asked, trying to strike up a conversation.
"Oh, I used to work for the Zabini enterprises." He said, as if it were nothing. "I inherit the company, you see, but I quit and let my cousin take over."
"Wait, the Zabini enterprises?" I said, surprised. "The most successful company in the wizarding world? Wouldn't that mean that you are giving away a zillion galleons for your cousin?"
"Yes, but I don't mind about the money." He sighed. "It was never my 'thing'. I'm looking for something more adventurous than counting money and selling things."
"I see…" I said. I looked at the DJ, he just changed the song to a fast one.
"You want to dance?" Blaise asked.
I struggled not to blush, and stuttered a 'yes'. He took my hand and lead me to the middle of the dance floor, and the way I see it, it seemed as if he were Moses and the crowd was the Red Sea. I felt they were staring at us, and all I could do was smile.
When we stopped, we started dancing to three fast songs. But then, a slow song came.
I stopped and stepped away, trying to leave the dance floor, but Blaise took my hand and pulled me closer.
"I'm not good at slow dancing! I'll make an utter fool of myself…." I complained.
"With me, you won't. I don't mind if you step on my feet." He said as he pulled me closer.
I gave in and put my arms on his shoulders. He was a head taller than me, and I could easily rest my head upon his chest. I know it's strange to do that to a person you just meet a few minutes ago, but I just couldn't resist.
Blaise didn't seem to mind, he just hugged me tighter.
I finally got what I want. To be on the dance floor and dance with the one that I love.
Only thing is, he doesn't know that yet.
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A/N: I'm writing fanon!Blaise just because I like him better than canon!Blaise, okay? Sorry if this one's a bit shorter than the last chapter... :(
QuotheTheRavenNeverMore: Thanks! I appreciate it! Uh, don't worship me. I'm not that worthy for anything. XP Wait, never lick a monkey eh? I'm born in the year of the monkey, so does that mean I'm not to lick myself? XP Hope you enjoyed this!
vagrantben: Thanks for your review! I hope you enjoyed this!
redlightspin: I'm sorry, but Luna isn't going to play a big influence in this story, or will she… (da-da-DUM!) I hope you enjoyed this!