"This isn't going to blow up, is it?" Hermione asked as she eyed the small box that George had given her. George placed a hand over his chest.

"Hermione, I'm hurt! You know I'd never give you anything that'd hurt you."

Hermione's brow rose of its own accord. "Oh, but it's okay to give me a hair beret that made my hair turn colors every fifteen minutes?"

George smiled. "It didn't hurt, did it?"

Hermione rolled her eyes as she laughed. "No, I suppose it didn't. However, I think I'll open this in my room to limit the danger to others."

"A wise choice," George winked, and then he walked off while whistling a tune.

Hermione shook her head at him and turned to head to her bedroom where she always stayed when visiting the Burrow. She wasn't kidding about keeping George's Christmas gift to her in her bedroom. She wasn't necessarily going to open it now, but the last time she had kept a present from him in one place for too long it had gotten up and walked away –literally.

"You're not scared of my brother's gift, are you?" Ron asked. He had spotted her as she climbed the stairs and followed after her.

"Scared? No. Wary? Highly." Hermione replied as she set the box down on her night table and placed a sticking charm on the bottom of it.

"He promised me it wouldn't bite." Ron told her. "Didn't promise me the same thing though."

Ron frowned as he showed her his finger and Hermione had to place a hand over her mouth to stop the onset of giggles.

"I honestly have no sympathy for you." She said. "You should've known better."

"Yeah, I guess. But hey, since we're here, I can give you this now."

Hermione's brow furrowed as he pulled out a long black box from behind his back. She hadn't even noticed that he'd been hiding something there. "But you already gave me my present."

"I know, but I couldn't really resist."

There goes that word again. Hermione thought. But it didn't have nearly the same ring, chime, or hum, as it did when it had left Draco's lips. She pushed those memories aside so that she could concentrate on the here and now. In said present Hermione was opening the box to reveal a locket. She blinked rapidly at the trinket and opened it to find two small photographs. On the one side was a photo of her and Ron when they were kids –twelve maybe –and the other, she noted a bit with dismay, of when they had gone on a trip together when they were still dating.

She loved the locket, she did, but the photos inside made her heart conflicted.

"Oh, Ron, this is…" Hermione's words trailed off. Ron was too busy slipping the necklace from her fingers and putting it around her neck to notice her hesitance.

"I have to be honest," he told her. "I've had this since January."

"January? January?"

Ron nodded. "I had planned to give it to you for Valentine's Day, but then...well, you know."

"I know." She replied as her eyes travelled to the locket that now hung over her chest. "Ron, the locket is lovely, but I don't know if I can-"

"Think nothing of it." Ron said quickly. "It has a different meaning now than it did before. I know we didn't work out, but you're still my best friend, Hermione. And this was for you. Promise me you'll wear it?"

Hermione's chest constricted at the dilemma. Ron could say that it meant nothing. That it was just a friend giving another friend a gift. But she knew him. To wear something that symbolized a love that they once had…

"Of course I will." She said reluctantly. Ron smiled and hugged her and she hugged him back, the cool feel of the locket weighing heavily between them.

"Come on," Ron said as he pulled away. "Let's get back to the rest."

Hermione nodded and followed him out of her bedroom. When they finally made it downstairs she felt like everyone's eyes were on her. Had they noticed that Ron had gone upstairs after her? Had they noticed that they came back down –Ron's face wearing a complacent smile? It may have just been her imagination, but it sure felt like it. Her hand gravitated to the locket and her stomach turned. She needed fresh air. She needed fresh air immediately.

Despite the cold she slipped out of the back door and into the yard. Her wand was back in her bedroom so she couldn't put up a Warming Charm. So, what was she going to do? Stand on the back porch and freeze to death? However awful, it still sounded like a better idea than to face the many Weasleys knowing that they all probably knew what this locket was supposed to mean.

"Hermione?"

"Hi, Ginny," she replied without turning around. Her body suddenly began to feel warmer and she smiled. "Thanks."

"No problem." Ginny walked forward and eyed her friend carefully. The brunette looked to be in serious distress, and it took all of five seconds for her eyes to land on the locket that her friend was fingering and she gasped.

"Oh no, Ron is an idiot!"

Hermione turned to her. "What?"

"That," she explained as she pointed to the piece of jewelry. "I told Ron expressly not to give that to you. But of course he would go ahead and do something stupid anyway-"

"It's not stupid, Gin." Hermione interjected. "It's not stupid at all. It's a lovely gift, it's just…"

"Inappropriate to give." Ginny finished.

Hermione didn't want to agree, but she found herself slowly nodding as she looked down at her present. "This was meant to show that we both loved each other, but it's just not the case anymore. I feel...a bit thrown for a loop wearing it, to be honest."

Ginny frowned as she threw an arm around her. "Look at it this way. Once we're back at Hogwarts you don't have to wear it anymore."

"That would be terrible of me." Hermione said sadly. "But you know what? I'll take the more recent photo out. At least that way I can still wear the locket, but not be burdened by the fact that-"

"-My brother's still ridiculously in love with you?"

Hermione nearly groaned. "Did you have to say that?"

"Sorry." Ginny tinged red. "But...he is, you know."

"I know."

"And I don't think you should wear the locket." She continued. "Especially if you're uncomfortable wearing it. Plus it might lead Ron on if you do."

"I don't want to ruin his holiday." Hermione said. "I'll wear it until it's over. And then I'll tell him that I just can't accept it."

The Christmas dinner was more than a dinner really. His mother insisted that it was a simple get-together. A small cohort of family and friends to "mingle and jingle" and then have a lovely meal. Draco, on the other hand, could smell a party from a thousand yards away, and this –with its fanciful Christmas wreaths, silver and sapphire blue streamers, the light music, and long tables of hors d'oeuvres –this was a party. A soiree, if he wanted to use a more elegant term.

Guests had begun to arrive about a half an hour ago and now, about another half an hour later, Draco figured the event to be in full swing by now. He wouldn't know. He had purposefully gotten dressed late and had only just put on his last cufflink.

"Draco," a voice addressed him that he hadn't heard in months. "I've come to drag your moody arse to the festivities downstairs."

The blond turned around with his first true smile since he'd returned home from Hogwarts. "Blaise,"

Good ole Blaise. He had left England two and a half years ago for Italy to visit some extended family, got bewitched by a woman who had spilled her wine on him, got married, and hadn't left the country since. They wrote each other often enough so they didn't become awkward friends, though they had made it a point not to see each other in public. At least not for a while. The last thing they needed were the gossip mills turning that Voldemort's followers were congregating again.

"I know my mother invited you, but I didn't think you'd actually make it. How's the new job treating you?"

"The bags under my eyes are ruining this handsome face." Blaise replied with a cheeky grin. "But, hard work aside, it's going well. How's Hogwarts?"

"I've written you about Hogwarts."

"Yeah, you have, and I'm getting tired of the I have an essay due tomorrow afternoon letters. Use your big words, Draco. Flesh it out a little!"

Draco resisted the urge to roll his eyes and instead stuffed a hand into one of his suit jacket pockets. "It's mayhem."

"Hmm, mhmm," Blaise nodded. "Well, you were always a sucker for punishment. Anyway, let's get going. I left my wife down there to get her ear talked off by Daphne and I just know she's planning my death right now."

"Is Pansy down there?"

Blaise's eyes widened. "Is that why you're holding away in your room? Merlin, Draco, grow a set already."

"Blaise,"

"I mean it. It's just Pansy."

"Yes, just Pansy. The woman whom my mother is desperately trying to set me up with." Draco scowled. A smirk settled onto Blaise's lips.

"Ah, I get it. The mother of the house wants to be a grandmother already." Blaise said. He shrugged and then crossed his arms. "I mean, I suppose there are worst witches out there."

Draco looked offended. "I hope your wife rips into you when you get back there."

Blaise was smiling again. "She probably will –not that I mind. That woman has a beautiful voice when she's screaming at me in Italian."

Draco couldn't help but smile back as he took in his friend's enamored look. With a shake of his head he led the man out of his bedroom and followed the sound of frivolity until they made it to a large dining room sans the dining table. It would reappear when it was time to be served dinner.

It was as though Draco's eyes were trained to spot trouble because they landed on Pansy almost immediately. She was on the far side of the room conversing with a few of his old schoolmates and his mother. And of course, with his luck, his mother's son radar would go off and immediately lock eyes with him. And yes, of course, she would point him out to Pansy. And, most assuredly (how could one think otherwise?), the woman would politely ditch her current company and begin making her way towards him.

"Have fun,"

Draco whipped around to Blaise with accusatory eyes. "Where the hell do you think you're going?"

"Unlike you, I have a wife to entertain." Blaise answered. "Although, you might have one sooner than you think." He added with a smirk and repeated his have fun remark before disappearing into the crowd for his other half.

Draco was going throttle him for this, but he didn't have the time. Pansy was by him now and throwing her arms over him.

"Draco! It's so wonderful to see you!" She cried in his ear. He wouldn't be surprised if it bled.

"Yes, it's,-" he grunted slightly as he politely crawled out of her grip, "-nice to see you too."

"How've you been? Your mother mentioned that you went back to Hogwarts to finish your last Year."

"She did, did she?"

"Mhmm," Pansy nodded as she grabbed a glass of champagne that floated by. Draco raised his brow slightly.

Liquor? Before dinner? Mother, what in Merlin's name were you thinking?

"How's the place? How're the people?"

"The school looks fine and everyone…" Draco cleared his throat. "Well, students are students, right?"

"Of course. Studying and mischief, I'm sure." Pansy said. She gave him a not-so-subtle look-over and Draco felt incredibly cheap as she did. Was anyone else seeing this? He did a quick look around as he did, but no, everyone seemed to be lost in their own little worlds. "So," she continued, "how's school been for you? Studying or mischief?"

You've got to be kidding…

"Studying, Pansy," he answered. "Just studying,"

Liar.

"Really?" Pansy said in surprise. "How noble of you. If it were me, I'd be getting into all kinds of mischief."

She was smiling in what Draco could only assume to be a seductive manner. She even dared to graze his arm some. Seriously though, was no one seeing this? He couldn't imagine anyone behaving in such a way. Not the Greengrass sisters (both of whom whose last names had changed by now), not Blaise's wife, not even...not even Granger. In fact she'd probably fit right in with simple semi-formal evening wear and intelligent conversation.

It was as Draco thought of her that he felt even more uncomfortable with Pansy's presence. He had to do something. Anything to distract the witch. As he looked around, he finally found his answer.

"Daphne?"

Daphne turned. A gracious smile appeared as she walked over. "Draco, it's lovely to see you. Pansy! Why, I haven't seen you in ages."

"You two should catch up." Draco grinned. "I'll be back in a bit."

Pansy opened her mouth to contest, but Daphne had already opened hers and had dragged the black-haired woman into conversation. Draco had absolutely no intentions of going back, and instead stole himself away out to the balcony.

Peace. Silence and peace. Thank Merlin-

"So, who's the lucky woman?" Came Blaise's voice.

So much for silence, Draco thought, and he tilted his head in confusion as he turned away from the balcony's rail.

"Sorry?"

"The woman," he repeated. "You're seeing someone."

"What on earth makes you think that?"

"Other than the fact that you haven't denied it?" Blaise grinned. "I saw you out there. You were dodging Pansy like she had Dragon Pox."

Draco scowled. "You already know how I feel about her."

"I do. But it was how you were dodging her that was interesting. It wasn't a I don't want to be around her kind of ducking. It was more of a...If my girlfriend catches me with this woman I'm a dead man kind of variety. So, who is it?"

Draco sighed. "I'm not seeing her, Blaise."

"Oh ho, but there is a 'she!'"

Draco cursed.

"Come on, mate." Blaise encouraged. "Spill it."

Draco didn't want to "spill it," but he knew his friend. The man wouldn't drop this so easily and would only bombard him for the rest of the night, Floo calls, and letters for his answer. Might as well get on with this train wreck.

"Remember that ball I told you about?"

"Yeah. You said it went well, nobody recognized you, and it felt good to just be free for a while. What of it?"

"Well...there might have been a bit...more to the story."

Blaise's mouth dropped. "More? You little git. What else was there?"

Draco took a deep breath and refused to meet his friend's eye. "I might have...slept with someone from the ball."

"You had a one-night stand?! Bleeding hell, that's my territory!"

"Was your territory," Draco corrected. "Don't give Liliana a reason to kill you."

"Fine, fine, but...wow. Contrary to the rumors that wasn't your thing."

"It really wasn't. Still isn't. Especially since...it happened twice."

Blaise's jaw dropped again, but this time wider. "I can't believe it. You wait until after I'm married to get interesting?"

Draco glared at him, but that only made Blaise laugh.

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding. Sort of. Oh, Draco, this is too good. Who was it?"

"...If I tell you, you'd better swear on every bottle of wine you own that you won't tell anyone."

"Every bottle?"

"Zabini!"

"Okay, alright, I swear."

Draco held the railing of the balcony hard before he finally let slip her name. "Granger,"

Blaise was silent. He was silent for nearly a full minute before Draco had to concede and look at him. When he did, he found him standing there with a finger on his chin and his forehead creased.

"What are you doing?"

"Going over a list in my head as to who that woman might be."

Draco nearly tore his hair out. "There's only one Granger we both know, Blaise."

"Oh yes, yes, I know, but that's just...crazy." Blaise said with an inappropriate chuckle. "You really want me to stand here and believe that you and Hermione Granger slept together? Not once, but twice?"

"That's exactly what I want you to believe."

"No way," he shook his head. "I refuse to believe it. Not that there's anything wrong with Granger –she's always been pretty in her own way. But for her to sleep with you? Hell, I had a better shot than you did!"

Draco shot him a cruel look, but Blaise put a set of hands of surrender.

"No need to murder me. It's just...with your history and all...I would've never thought-"

"Neither did I." Draco admitted. "The first night I could've chalked it up to the ball, you know? It was a pretty seductive night. But that second time? Not so much."

Blaise gave a low whistle. He didn't say anything more and neither did Draco. They both simply stood there out on the balcony, digesting what had been said aloud. But there was something more that Draco wanted to say. No, more like...find out. It irked him to the bone to have to ask this, but there was no one else he would turn to with this matter, nor was there anyone else who would be so frank with him.

"Blaise," Draco asked hesitantly. "How did you feel when you first met your wife?"

Blaise couldn't hide his surprise at the question. "Honestly?"

"Honestly,"

"Enchanted," he answered without thought. Draco stared at him incredulously.

"Seriously?"

"Do you want more? How about captivated? Enthralled? Head over heels-?"

"Alright, alright, enough," Draco said with a wave of his hand. "I get it. You're desperately in love with her."

Blaise chuckled. "You asked me how I felt when I first met her. That's nothing compared to how I feel about her now."

Draco's incredulous look was back. "You can't honestly tell me that you felt all of that just by meeting her once."

"Considering I married her a week later should be proof enough for you."

Draco groaned as he put his head in his hands. Blaise stared at him and as he did and nudged him gently with his shoulder.

"Is this your way of breaking it to me that you're in love with Granger?"

Draco snapped his head up and looked at him. "What? No!"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm definitely sure. I'm not hardwired to fall in love with someone that fast."

Blaise clapped a hand on his shoulder and grinned. "How do you know if you've never done it before?"

"Blaise?" A feminine voice broke the air. Both men looked back and found Liliana standing in the doorway with a huge smile on her face. "Sorry to interrupt, but there are charmed snowmen putting on a show just outside the window! You must come watch. It's absolutely delightful."

"Ah, love calls," Blaise said to Draco with a wink. He left him then to be by his wife's side while Draco went back to thinking about a certain witch.

Author's note: Okay, so I just LOVE Blaise. I laughed myself silly writing the scenes with him and I really hope that you did too. Everyone needs that one friend to talk some sense into you. Blaise is that friend.

Also, this story got past the 100 mark in followers this week. *jumps around room.* Thanks a lot guys :D

Until next time,

-WP