Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or world, everything belongs to JKR, etc. etc.
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Chapter 5
Hermione was having trouble thinking straight. It almost felt like the world was hazy, moving in slow motion. Malfoy was on top of her; his weight pinning her down, his hips pushing into hers, his lips hovering above her own. His thick blond hair tickled her forehead. As he leaned down for a kiss, she felt her breath hitch-
And then she woke up. Alone, in her bed. Did I seriously dream about the ferret? And I wanted him to kiss me? Wait- I don't actually want that, right? Hermione sat up. She was definitely not falling asleep again after that, and it looked to be at least 6 am by the light peeking through her curtains. She wasn't sure what time Ginny would be over, but Lark had clearly returned sometime in the night, as he was perched rather haughtily on her windowsill.
"Hey buddy, want a treat?", she murmured, fishing a few treats out of a drawer in her nightstand. He nipped the treats out of her hand and consented to be lightly stroked on the head. Now came the task of facing Ginny. Deciding she'd better be up and dressed early just in case an angry redhead came storming through the floo. She cringed at the possibility of Ron finding out and insisting on coming... She'd feel horrible if he got a hold of her mother and did anything violent. He might think I need saving or something.
About an hour passed as Hermione got dressed for the day and had breakfast. She'd picked a pair of blue flare pants and a white baby tee, paired with a set of white sandals. When she made her way down for breakfast, the house-elves had made pancakes, which Hermione had with a healthy helping of strawberries and banana slices. By the time Ginny showed up, she'd settled into an armchair by the fireplace, reading a book and waiting.
"Hermione?" Ginny yelled as she stepped out of the floo around 8:30 am. "Herm- oh you're here".
"Hey Gin", Hermione said, setting her book aside and standing up.
"Are you ok? I know you said not to call in the order, but do you need help?", Ginny said in a whisper.
"No, Gin, everything is just fine. Hold on, I'll call Blaise", Hermione replied, setting a calming hand on her friend's shoulder. "I promise, I'm not in any danger here. BLAISE?", she finished with a shout.
"Merlin, Hermione! Hold on, I'll be down in a second", the girls heard Blaise shout from somewhere deep in the Manor.
"Gin, we should probably sit down somewhere. Put your wand away, will you? He doesn't bite", Hermione said with a sigh.
As Blaise came through the door a few minutes later, Hermione watched Ginny for any sign that she'd start shooting off spells. Instead, Hermione saw a look of concealed interest flash across the redhead's features.
"Zabini. A pleasure to see you again", Ginny said smoothly. "I believe I haven't seen you since Slughorn's parties".
"The pleasure is all mine, Ginevra", Blaise said, gracefully seating himself in an armchair by the girls. "I wasn't aware you'd be joining us today".
"My apologies, Blaise. I sent off a letter last night, and didn't have time to let you know", Hermione said apologetically.
"So, Hermione, as nice as this is, would you mind explaining why you're at the Zabini Manor?", Ginny said, clearly impatient. "If they're forcing you to be here, I swear-".
"Gin- Gin, it's fine. Just give me a minute to explain, please", Hermione interrupted hastily. She then proceeded to give a thorough retelling of the past week's events. It was rather difficult, as Ginny kept interrupting to ask questions, many of which implied her skepticism of the genetic testing done by the ministry.
"How do you know they aren't faking it?", she demanded.
"Gin, they tested multiple times. I'm listed on the family tree... You know as well as I do that's nearly impossible to forge", Hermione said.
"I'd like to add, Ginevra, that my family isn't exactly out there trying to harm the Wizarding World's Golden Girl. We've been distinctly neutral for centuries", Blaise added with a smirk.
Brushing Blaise off, Ginny continued: "Hermione, have you told Ron and Harry?".
"I don't know how to tell them, Gin", Hermione said, somewhat abashed. "Harry's hiding himself away in Grimmauld Place, and Ron is- Well, Ron is Ron".
"Have you two- Well, have you talked much since the...?", Ginny asked tentatively.
"No... I don't really know what to say to him", Hermione said, looking down at her lap and twiddling her fingers.
"Well, as pleasant as girl-talk is, I am going to Draco's. I'll be there all morning if you need me", Blaise said somewhat hastily, standing up and excusing himself to step into the floo.
"Draco's? As in Malfoy? He's still friends with the ferret?", Ginny asked curiously.
"Best friends", Hermione said, a look of discomfort flashing across her face as she remembered the dream that woke her up. "He's been around a couple of times since I came here".
"Is he still...?", Ginny asked with a giggle.
"Still a prat? A bit, but just because he's an ass", Hermione said, rather disgruntled. "He doesn't seem so prejudiced anymore".
"A piece of ass is more like it", Ginny said with a smirk. "And so is your brother, for that matter".
"Ginny!", Hermione exclaimed. "That's- You know what, I can't even- that's appalling".
"I'm just saying", she said, shrugging. "Maybe Malfoy's really changed, you ought to see if there's even a potential friendship there".
"Gin, is it alright if I ask about- Well, about Harry?", Hermione asked tentatively.
"I'm fine, Hermione", Ginny said roughly. "We just didn't work out".
"Was it the war? Did you just drift apart? No one's told me anything and I'm worried about you both", Hermione replied.
"We just want different things. He wants to hide away in Grimmauld Place, I want to go back to Hogwarts and eventually become an Auror", Ginny said stiffly. "He's barely spoken a word to me since the final battle".
"I get it, Gin. Ron and I are in the same place. I think we're completely over, honestly", Hermione responded, sympathetically.
"So does that mean you're looking for someone new?", Ginny asked, giggling at the appalled look on Hermione's face.
"Gin, you don't quit, do you?", Hermione said, rolling her eyes.
"Not a day in my life", the fiery redhead replied, grinning.
"I guess I'd be open to dating someone this year", Hermione said thoughtfully. "I never really had a chance at Hogwarts before".
"I'd be open to dating your brother this year", Ginny said with a smirk.
"Gin! Merlin that's- he's my brother! And he isn't even coming to Hogwarts, so get that thought out of your head", Hermione said with a look of horror.
"I don't mind visiting on breaks, plus I'll be out of school next year anyway", Ginny said with a shrug.
"I'm not getting involved", Hermione said with an exasperated huff.
The girls continued talking for the next few hours, having the first real conversation they'd had in months. Ginny convinced Hermione to write to Harry and Ron, but Hermione decided not to tell them where she was staying so as not to avoid any altercations with her angry grieving friends and her new family. So that night, Hermione drafted two identical letters to send off with Lark:
Dear Harry and Ron,
I know you haven't heard from me much lately. A lot has happened since I last wrote to you. I'm writing to tell you that after a lot of work by the ministry, it was determined that I am the biological twin sister of Blaise Zabini. Please do not do anything rash; I'm perfectly fine and can assure you that I was not forced into anything regarding the matter. If you would like to see me before I return to Hogwarts, we can meet for dinner or something of the sort in Diagon Alley. If you're still handling affairs, I'm sure I can see you both during the winter holiday instead. I hope you're both doing well.
Love,
Hermione
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The next month sped by, or at least it felt as though it did to Hermione, and before she knew it, she was levitating her bags down King's Cross Station. The last few weeks had been rather hectic for her... She'd never received a response from Ron, instead getting a reluctantly passed-on message from Ginny that essentially informed her that he was too preoccupied with himself to care about her life. Harry had met up with her a week after she'd written; They'd gotten coffee in a muggle café just outside London and caught up. He was surprised and rather disbelieving of her story, but they'd talked and everything seemed to be alright between them. He had insisted on meeting Blaise, just to make sure she was safe with them, but the whole affair had been pretty peaceful.
Both Harry and Ron remained insistent on not returning to Hogwarts, so Hermione found herself at the station with Ginny, Blaise, and a reluctant Draco Malfoy. Blaise was only there to see her and Draco off, but they were supposed to be meeting Daphne at the platform.
"Hermione! Blaise!", the group heard Daphne call from the far side of the platform once they'd gone through the barrier. Hermione ushered the group over to her and they exchanged hugs.
"Daphne! How are you?", Hermione said with a grin.
"Terrific actually! I found the most amazing dress robes yesterday, you absolutely must see them once we're at the castle", she responded.
"Greengrass, nice to see you", Ginny said cordially.
"Please Ginny, call me Daphne", the blonde girl urged.
"Alright, Daphne then. Have you seen Malkin's new line of school robes?" Ginny asked.
"Actually I haven't been to Madam Malkin's, my family has always purchased custom school robes. What are they like?" Daphne replied.
The two girls continued chatting about the latest fashion in robes as Hermione looked on, pleased. She herself was stuck between a very animated Blaise and Draco as they discussed the most recent Quidditch game. Apparently, the Cannons won, despite having, as Draco described, "no chance". Something about catching the snitch out from the other seeker's nose.
The boys wrapped up their conversation quickly as the Hogwarts Express blew its warning horn, signalling that it would depart in 10 minutes.
"Has everyone got all of their things?" Hermione asked, ever the worrier.
"'Mione, love, everyone's here and we have everything", Blaise assured her. "Let me give you a hug".
"I'm gonna miss you, Blaise", Hermione said sadly, embracing her newfound brother. "Will you tell mother I'll write every week?".
"I'll let her know. Draco, take care of my sister, will you?", Blaise replied, directing his attention to the tall boy that was looking on stoically.
"No promises, Zabini. Your sister doesn't usually appreciate my presence", Draco replied, shooting Hermione a veiled glance.
"We'd better be off, Blaise", Hermione said, brushing past Draco's comment and directing her levitating luggage towards the train. "See you on break!".
After Ginny and Blaise broke apart from a lingering hug, the group filed onto the train and filled up a compartment near the back, waving at Blaise through the window before settling down and chatting about their final year.
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