Who doesn't like to do Christmas shopping? Especially if you have a friend like Blaise, who makes everything fun. Maybe Hermione doesn't feel like that, but maybe she's in for a surprise in the end… and a surprise for you all!
"And he left you there? Did he at least pay for dinner?" Blaise asked Hermione the next day while they were doing some Christmas shopping.
Hermione didn't want to talk to Ginny about what had happened at the dinner, and Draco wasn't the best person to talk to when it came to matters of the heart. And Hermione had wanted Blaise's help to make a plan to get the two idiots together, so talking to Blaise, it was.
"No, Blaise, he didn't pay for the dinner either! You heard that he left me after seeing his ex at the restaurant, right? Who does that?" Hermione was fuming, but Blaise didn't seem to care.
"People who haven't dealt with their past and aren't available in an emotional capacity. Confused people hurt others," Blaise said, and Hermione stopped walking, surprised at his solemn words. Blaise continued to walk, not noticing she wasn't beside him. When he did, he turned to look at her. "What?"
"Who would have thought you would say something so wise and not make a joke afterwards?" Hermione asked in awe, walking after Blaise. "I think it's safe to say that you have grown up. I'm so proud of you!"
Hermione hugged Blaise in the middle of the shopping centre, not caring that everyone was looking at them strangely.
"All right, stop it, weirdo! I'll have you know I'm a wonderful person who knows how to give advice to people when needed." Blaise tried to push Hermione away but wasn't getting anywhere. "Jesus, Granger, do you have arms made of steel?"
"I know that means you love me, so I won't scold you for how you insulted me." Hermione finally let go of him but still clung to Blaise's arm. "You should say something to our two stubborn friends."
"Draco and Ginny?" Blaise asked.
Hermione nodded. "Of course, Draco and Ginny. Who else do you think I was talking about?" She made a face at Blaise, who only shrugged. "It's obvious they have the hots for each other, but they don't do anything about it."
"It's because they're afraid that if they act on their feelings but end up not working out, everything will be awkward, and they'll lose their friendship. So, they'd rather be miserable alone than happy together."
"Who are you and what have you done with the real Blaise Zabini? The real Blaise Zabini would have said I should lock them together in a room until they shag their brains out." Hermione was laughing at the glare Blaise sent her. "I never knew you were so insightful; why don't you show this side of yours more often?"
Blaise shrugged before he said, "Because I know if I start to give advice or say what I think, you lot will never let me forget. I prefer you all leave me in peace because I don't want to deal with whatever happens with you all."
"You can't even imagine how cherished I feel right now," Hermione deadpanned, and Blaise glared at her in reply. "All right, I'll stop saying anything, but you aren't fun when you're in one of your moods."
"Says the Miss 'Don't talk to me, I'm PMSing'," Blaise taunted without missing a beat. It was Hermione's turn to glare at him. "You can't even deny it, can you?"
"Shut up, Blaise," Hermione grumbled but smiled when Blaise laughed at her. "Let's go find a gift for my grandma, and then, we can search for something for Gin and Draco."
"Oh, I love shopping for Granny Granger," Blaise said, a spring in his step now that he knew where they were heading.
"What do you mean? I didn't even know that you knew my grandma. Why is this the first time that I'm hearing about this friendship?" Hermione raised her eyebrow at Blaise, demanding an answer.
"Of course I know her!" Blaise cried. "She sends me Christmas cookies while I send her a gift in return. We get together for some tea and gossip after your family Christmas party."
Hermione shook her head and laughed. "This explains how Granny knows a lot about my life before I even tell her. I can't believe you gossip about me!"
"She's just worried about you and if you're happy," Blaise replied, and Hermione stared at him, still amazed. "What? I told you we talk. She called me last week to remind me of our date."
"I still can't believe you're friends with my grandma," Hermione murmured, not wanting to think about it anymore. "All right, since you're so friendly with Granny, let's go buy something for her."
"Oh, I know exactly what you should buy for her! She told me what she wanted from one of her grandchildren." Blaise dragged Hermione towards one of the stores.
"This is going to be a long day," Hermione muttered, seeing how excited Blaise was. He was bouncing on his feet and Hermione could see how his body was vibrating with energy; she thought that he was capable of lighting a Christmas tree by himself.
"Stop moping and grab your wallet, 'Mione. You're going to love what I choose!" Blaise was getting more and more excited by the minute, talking faster and almost dragging Hermione towards the stores.
"I thought it was something that my grandma said she wanted," Hermione said, confused.
"She did choose it; I'm just choosing the colour," Blaise replied with a shit-eating grin on his face. "C'mon, Granger, it's time to spend some money."
Hermione didn't have any other option besides following Blaise into the store and trying to reign her friend in.
"If I tell Ginny Draco would realise that she's the queen of his heart, do you think I can convince her to wear the tiara I got for her?" Blaise asked two hours later when they had finished shopping. "It's a shame if she won't use it."
"You're laying it on too thick, but if anyone can convince her to do it, it's you," Hermione replied, laughing while imagining her friend's reaction. "Why did you buy her a tiara?"
"Why wouldn't I buy her a tiara? It's pretty and shiny! I'll convince her to wear it soon," Blaise said in a matter-of-fact tone. "I'm surprised you didn't say anything about the gift I bought for Drake."
"Blaise, you bought him slang flashcards because you said he always speaks in a super posh accent and doesn't understand normal human words!" A slow smile spread on her face when she imagined Draco's reaction. "You know he's going to kill you when he opens it, right?"
"I laugh in the face of danger, 'Mione," Blaise replied with a smirk, and Hermione couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up from inside. "Good to know that you find me funny."
"Of course I find you funny, you dim-wit." Hermione shoved Blaise's shoulder teasingly. They continued walking around the shopping centre.
Hermione was feeling good after having spent some time shopping with Blaise. He always made her laugh and was the perfect company when she wanted someone by her side. She was turning to ask him if he wanted to grab something to eat when she caught sight of Theo.
He was just leaving one of the clothing stores she loved, carrying a lot of bags with him. Theo seemed to be weighed down by them.
She hadn't seen him after she had left the coffee shop, but he was still as handsome as ever. Hermione started to walk towards the shop to try to get a better glimpse of him, but then, she realised Theo wasn't alone.
A little girl was holding his hand. She had the same light-brown hair and high cheekbones as Theo; even her smile was like the one that had captivated Hermione in that coffee shop. All of a sudden, the call he had received and the little girl's presence made sense.
Theo was a married man and had a daughter.
Hermione's head started to spin: it wasn't right for her to feel so sad for discovering that Theo was married, she had just met him! They didn't know each other that well, and it wasn't Hermione's business if he's a cheater or not, no matter how cute he was.
When Theo raised his head and looked at her, he seemed to smile. He straightened up before taking a step towards her, but before he could come closer, Hermione grabbed Blaise's arm and dragged him out of the shopping centre.
"Hey, can you stop manhandling me? This sweater is cashmere," Blaise said, trying to stop Hermione. She didn't listen as she continued to drag him with a strength she didn't realise she possessed.
"Sorry, Blaise, but I'm really hungry. Maybe we can go to that great restaurant nearby. You remember it, right? It's the one where they had that delicious truffle risotto, and you argued with the waiter about the right pronunciation, and the maitrê d' had to come and talk you out of challenging the waiter. He almost cried that day, remember?" Hermione rambled as she walked even faster, her heart pounding. "How about I pay for lunch?"
"Sounds great," Blaise replied.
Hermione let out a relieved breath when the restaurant came into view, and they were soon seated at a table inside the restaurant, away from wandering eyes that could spot her anywhere.
"Is there any particular reason why you shoved me out of there? It couldn't be just hunger." Blaise was looking at her with a glint in his eyes and Hermione didn't like it.
"I figured you would want to help me decide where I should have my next date," Hermione said the first thing that came to mind. She regretted saying anything when Blaise's smile stretched from ear to ear and his eyes glinted deviously. "Nothing too crazy, Blaise, I don't want to scare the guy."
"Oh, don't be such a spoil-sport. I wouldn't suggest anything like that," Blaise said, at which Hermione glared at him. "I wouldn't! Who do you think I am?"
"To preserve our friendship, it's better if I don't say anything." Hermione laughed, seeing the mock-outrage on Blaise's face. "Fine, just say where you think I should go for my date."
"There's a garden party happening next week that you might like. It's at one of my friend's parents' house and I have an open invitation that I won't use, so why don't you go instead?" Blaise said, pulling out his phone to show the invitation to Hermione.
Hermione read the formal invitation; it seemed innocent enough. Nothing could possibly go wrong at a garden party, right? She decided she would send her date a message about it.
"Thanks, Blaise. That's exactly what I'll do," Hermione said with a small smile, already thinking of what to wear to a garden party.
"Great! Now that that's out of the way, does this mean I can choose whatever I want for lunch since you're paying?" Blaise asked, opening the menu in front of him.
Hermione groaned.
At least this lunch was going better than the last one, but for some reason, she couldn't forget the look on Theo's face upon seeing her. Hermione sighed and decided not to think much about it. It wasn't healthy to be so hung up on a guy like that, especially someone that she just met.
Sure, Theo had been sweet to her after Terry had been such a jerk, but why did she feel so betrayed for discovering that he was committed? Hermione bit her lip, deciding to let it go soon: it wouldn't be good to dwell on this type of thing.
"Just choose something, Blaise, but try not to make a dent in my bank account," Hermione said, giving Blaise a halfhearted glare.
"Can't promise anything," Blaise replied, skimming through the menu. "And then you say you can't understand why I prefer to spend time with your grandma."
Hermione groaned and decided that it wasn't too early to drink. Whenever she went out with Blaise, that was what it eventually led to. At least this time, she wasn't thinking about Theo—anymore.