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We Belong Together

Chapter 3 – Vanishing Acts

The rest of Hermione's week past rather uneventfully, if you counted the odd scuffle between the conscientious and up-right citizens of Gryffindor tower, and the scum of the Slytherin dungeons, as uneventful. They had been a great interest between the sixth years, regarding their Herbology partners, but Hermione had not wished to divulge the identity of hers. Why, she was not exactly sure. Perhaps it was the fact that the tall, black haired and just as dark eyed Slytherin was best friends with the Golden Trio's arch nemesis. Maybe she had no intention of being hounded by Paravati and Lavender regarding trivial facts about Zabini's life and ways to get into his bed. It seemed ridiculous those two could get so giddy over a boy. Sure, Hermione had her fair share of crushes, but they were simply not practical, so they had been ushered to the side and forgotten about, the only exception being that of Viktor Krum, and Merlin only knew why she had acted on those particular feeling.

Crushes were simply a waste of the precious time she could be spending revising notes or working on extra credit assignments. Those petty emotions simply had no place in her life. Not yet.

By the time Thursday evening rolled around, the 6th years were wound up tighter than a rubber band, for Friday would be their first Herbology class since Tuesday, and it was a practical lesson, which meant they would be traveling to their first destination that afternoon. Even Hermione had to admit she was terribly excited, despite the fact that she would be working with a Slytherin. The best friend of her most hated person at that. But Hermione was determined not to let that minor detail get in the way of a top grade, and she joined in the excited chatter with her fellow Gryffindor's that evening over dinner, curious about their locations and what their partners would be like.

Hermione looked up form the conversation in time to see Draco Malfoy stalk past the Gryffindor table, talking seriously with the tall Italian boy. Blaise Zabini.

"… stupid old woman made me spell every single one of those stupid portkeys we're using for Herbology. Most ridiculous detention ever." He growled to Zabini. Just as he was passing the end of the table, he caught Hermione's eye, sneering at her.

"What are you looking at mudblood?" Malfoy spat, venom lacing his already hurtful words. Hermione cast her eyes downward, not letting him see the tears brimming in her brown eyes.

"I pity the poor Slytherin that got partnered with that" he added to Zabini, loud enough to Hermione to catch, as Malfoy and his companion continued towards their house table. Despite the fact that, that comment was like adding salt to the wound, she found another emotion surfacing. Surprise.

Blaise Zabini hadn't told.

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Friday morning dawned with an electric energy crackling in the air. The excitement was almost tangible, and Hermione loved it. Loved that for once, her fellow students were excited about class. Foreboding no longer accompanied this exercise. She wasn't quite sure of the reason why Blaise Zabini had not shared the name of his partner to the rest of his companions, but she was glad. She knew, had it been Draco, or Pansy, they would have told anyone within the vacintiy that they were partnered with the disgusting mudblood, loving the sympathy they would have gotten.

But Zabini had proved that he was different, without saying a word. Perhaps it was a good thing, perhaps it was bad. But for that moment, Hermione didn't seem to care. This assignment was going to go off without a hitch. She just had a feeling.

Herbology wasn't until late afternoon again, so the 6th years and their unfortunate teachers that day had to make it through a day of classes. It was no mean feat. In fact, even Snape seemed to have little control over his class that day, which resulted in 200 points from Gryffindor, 150 from Slytherin and 5 detentions for various students.

Finally, after choking down lunch, the 6th year Slytherin and Gryffindor's hurried out of the hall 10mins early, and made their way hastily to the Greenhouses. Perhaps Professor Sprout had anticipated this, for the Greenhouse door was already open, and their teacher sitting at her desk, marking papers. A hushed silence fell over the group as they filled into the room and towards their desks. Professor Sprout did not look up immediately. She continued to scribble notes as though she had no idea her class were waiting, impatiently, into front of her. She mumbled something, nodded once, placed the paper aside and looked up smiling at the expectant class.

"Ahh, wonderful, you're all here." She said, smile still in place. She seemed oddly calm. Perhaps too calm for a woman about to send 30 children to 15 different locations around the world. Perhaps she had forgotten? But it became quite clear that she hadn't when she produced a box full of oddments, and Hermione heard Malfoy mutter something about detention to Zabini.

"Now, I know how anxious you all to start our little project, but I must fill you in on some things before we depart" she looked around the hesitant room, before continuing.

"Now, you will each have 45 minutes in which to find study and collect your sample and return to school. You will use the spell I included in your package to reactivate your portkey. We have made precautions to know where you are at all times, and retrieve you at need be, so no funny business" she added seriously, though it sounded quite funny to the rest of the class.

"Now, if you will all meet up with your partners, then come up and collect your portkey and your list, and then you can be off"

There was some scrambling at these words, and some hesitation. Hermione cast her eyes around the room, only to find Blaise was already walk towards her, leaving Malfoy behind with poor Neville Longbottom, who would be partnering him. He simply nodded to her, and then motioned to Professor Sprout. Hermione was starting to think he must be mute, when he said "shall we then?" and made his way up the front of the class, weaving between partners and up to the Professor.

"Ahh, Mister Zabini. Wonderful. Here is your portkey" she said, handing him an old wooden jewelry box "and here is yours and Miss Grangers list. If you'll kindly wait outside with the rest I shall be out shortly" Blaise took the list and headed back towards Hermione, handing her the portkey. Hermione wished she could have gasped, and spoken of its beauty, for the box, though small, was intricately engraved. Old and expensive looking. Hermione glanced upwards, only to find her partner had made for the door already and she ran to catch up.

Once outside, Hermione noticed two other couples waiting, including Lavender and Crabbe and Paravati and Pansy. The silence was strained, and then suddenly, it was broken, by a shrill voice.

'Oh you poor darling Blaise, being partnered with that. Disgusting Mudblood" she added in a stage whisper "why on earth didn't you tell us darling. We could have done something for you" Blaise said nothing, but Hermione was not sure if that was because they had just been joined by the rest of their class. He showed no outward signs of sympathy for Hermione and the effect the hurtful words had, had on her. Maybe he wasn't all the different anyway.

"…ok everyone ready? 5, 4, 3…" Hermione had been so lost in thought she only just heard Professor Sprouts words a moment before it was too late. "…2, 1"

There was the familiar sensation, a sharp tug in her naval, the dizzying spinning, and the rush of sound and colors, like being sucked down a kaleidoscope. And then, there was nothing. No sound, no color. Just black.

This wasn't right.

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