The next week went by in a blur. Later that night, Draco was sent back to Hogwarts. He told them that his mother was going to be alright. She was being taken care of and would probably be back home in a few days after several check-ups. Theo and Pansy were tried for their attempted crimes against the wizarding world to which Draco and Harry testified. Astoria Greengrass was also present as a witness to Draco's kidnapping. Theo and Pansy were sentenced to 10 years in Azkaban right next to his father. As a reward for good behavior and bravely buying time for the aurors to stop them, Draco's tracking spells would be taken away and he was free to go anywhere he wishes as long as he finished his 8th year.
The three of them did their best to adjust back to normalcy. News of what had happened spread quickly, but strange stares and whispers weren't anything new to them, so they ignored them. The Winter Ball was approaching the coming weekend and it was Hermione and Blaise's job to finalize everything despite the drama.
They were sitting in their common room, papers and lists spread out on the table and the couches.
"What about bringing guests?" Hermione asked him as she took a sip of her hot tea.
"One guest should be allowed per student," Blaise said. "Although the main point of the ball is to be bringing students and houses together. We should do something to promote inter-house unity."
Hermione waved her wand over the papers spread around on the couch. They neatly arranged themselves into organized stacks on the table. She lay back down on the couch and put her arms behind her head.
"You're right. How about a contest? The best couple from different houses will win a prize or something and people can cast votes throughout the ball."
"I like that idea. I'll let McGonagall know to set up a voting area," he replied, making a note to remind him to do that later.
Blaise looked over the list of rules and regulations for the ball while Hermione appeared to fall asleep. Things seemed even more different between them lately. It seemed to him that they practically acted like a couple, except they weren't. Perhaps she was waiting for him to make a move, which he certainly was willing to do if it weren't for the fact that every time he tried they were interrupted.
Another thing he realized was that if she was asking about bringing guests to the ball, did that mean she wanted to invite Harry as her date? Or perhaps she was referring to some of the friendships formed with other schools during the last ball. But then did that mean she wanted to invite Viktor Krum?
There were so many little things making him nervous. He had planned to ask Hermione to go to the ball with him, but if she planned on inviting someone else he didn't know what he would do.
This morning's potions class was a partner assignment to find certain ingredients for a potion they would be making as a class. Blaise and Draco were walking by the lake looking for certain water roots. Hermione had been paired with a boy from Ravenclaw and was sent near the forest for something else.
"So who are you going to take to the ball?" Blaise asked Draco as he was checking their textbook for the exact plant they needed. He stumbled for a moment and looked a bit surprised.
"I hadn't really given it much thought…Actually I'm not sure if I'm going to go," he mumbled, suddenly seeming more interested in the page than before.
"What? Oh come on you've seen how much work we've put into this thing. It will be fun!"
Draco examined a picture in the book before slamming it shut. "At the last Yule Ball, Pansy was hanging all over me the entire night. It was terrible."
Blaise laughed, remembering that night. "You didn't seem to mind it too much back then."
"I had actually planned on asking Greengrass to the Yule Ball that year, but someone else got to her first." Draco admitted.
"Which one?" Blaise asked. There was Astoria and Daphne. As far as he could remember, he had never noticed Draco interacting with either of them very much before until recently.
"Astoria. I always thought she was kind of pretty."
"Why don't you ask her to this one then? Besides, you two always get along well enough at Slughorn's parties," he pointed out.
Draco gave him a flat look. "Do you really believe that after all the drama revolving around me this year that she'd want to be anywhere near me? She barely spoke to me during the trial. Especially after being attacked simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time with me. The person I wanted to ask in the first place isn't available, so I highly doubt Astoria doesn't have a date by now anyway."
"She doesn't seem overly upset about it now though. Wait, you had planned on asking someone? I thought you said you hadn't given it much thought."
Draco's eyes widened, realizing that he had said too much. "Just…oh never mind," he said, turning away clenching his jaw.
Blaise looked at Draco in confusion. What was wrong with him? If he had planned on asking someone that wasn't available and it wasn't Astoria…the only other person he had been close enough to recently to ask…
"Draco?" He said tentatively.
"What?" Draco replied rather irritated now.
Blaise gulped, afraid of the answer. "Did you want to ask Hermione?"
Draco didn't answer and looked at his feet. His fist clenched the textbook tightly. That was all the confirmation Blaise needed.
"Oh…I see," he mumbled in response. This changed things. It also explained why Draco had been so abrasive when he saw him come out of Hermione's room a few days ago. But how could Draco suddenly have feelings for her? Had he just never noticed?
"It doesn't matter. Just forget I said anything ok? I know you're planning on asking her." Draco said, shoulders sagging in defeat.
"Do you like her? As more than a friend," Blaise asked.
Draco blew a strand of hair away from his eyes. "Honestly, I don't know. I started caring about her a few weeks ago. It's humbling to know that despite your past mistakes, someone can start over with you like she has with me…I was angry when I thought you two had slept together."
"I remember," Blaise said feeling a little guilty.
"But I'm not in love with her. Not like you are," he said seriously, turning to face Blaise.
Blaise took a step back in surprise. "What?"
"I've seen the way you look at her, the way you act around her, the way you touch her all the time. It's more than flirting. You're fallen in love with Hermione Granger."
And with that, Draco started walking firmly towards the water and began to wave his wand, searching for the correct plant. Blaise slowly followed him, not knowing what to say. Everything Draco said had been true…his feelings for Hermione had grown into something much more. And it seemed like she felt the same way.
Later that afternoon, Hermione was on her way to Ancient Runes class when she noticed Ginny and Harry talking at the end of a nearby hallway. Harry was here? Why wouldn't he tell her he was stopping by? They seemed to be finishing their conversation. Ginny smiled at Harry and brought him in for a light hug before saying goodbye and heading into the classroom ahead of her.
Very confused, Hermione made her way over to Harry, who was stuffing something in his pocket with a small smile on his face.
"Harry!" She exclaimed, as she took her turn to hug him.
"Hey, Hermione. I was coming to surprise you…well, update you on what's going on and talk to McGonagall. Ginny ran into me and wanted to talk to me."
"About what?"
"She asked me if I would go to the Winter Ball with her…as kind of a starting over thing."
Hermione's jaw dropped open. "What about Dean?"
He shrugged. "Ginny never cheated on me with Dean. They're just close friends…It's kind of complicated."
"Explain it to me later? I have to go to class."
"Of course. I'll see you later," he said, giving her one last hug.
After class, Hermione found Harry waiting for her in the common room of the head dormitory.
"Hi, Harry! How did you get in here?"
"Blaise let me in. He said to tell you he'd be back later this evening."
"Oh, alright." She said, sitting down on the couch next to him. "So tell me what's going on."
"I'm back in the auror department, although they have to take me through the basic training since I missed most of it. Oh, also I put new wards around my apartment."
"Good. Your safety is the most important thing to worry about."
"Agreed. I'm planning on moving soon." He shifted slightly. "Also, I saw Ron yesterday."
"Really? What did he want?"
"He came to make sure I was okay. He also apologized to me in his own way about what happened between you two."
"He came to visit me a few months ago and said the same thing. Although it didn't end very well after he said some nasty things about Blaise."
"Sounds like Ron's tact," Harry sighed. "I do think he's changed a little bit though. For the better. He seemed like he was in a healthier state of mind yesterday."
"I hope so. He deserves to be happy, despite everything." Hermione smiled as she fondly remembered the three of them together on their adventures.
"Oh right, Ginny. I was on my way to McGonagall's office when she pulled me aside. She basically told me that when we had our fight about the letters to Dean I never let her explain…that's true I suppose. I was too angry at the time and I just assumed she had been cheating on me."
"So what was she writing to him about?"
"Dean was injured over the summer, which he spent rebuilding Hogwarts. Ginny found out and reached out to him in the hospital. He opened up to her that he had been having problems at home, and he had purposely gotten injured so that he wouldn't have to go back home until school started."
"That's awful," Hermione gasped. "So she was just helping him through it? I guess I understand but she must have known how it looked at the time."
"She did, but she was so withdrawn from everything. All of the Weasleys were. We agreed that we wanted to try us again, but take things slow."
Hermione studied Harry for a moment. "Wait, then why was Ginny so mad at me?"
"She was angry that you left Ron. She didn't know about what he did to you, and assumed you left him out of selfishness when you couldn't bear to help him through Fred's death. Don't worry, I set the record straight," he added when he saw the brief offended look on her face.
She took a calming breath before looking at him again. "Well, good. Thank you for setting the record straight. She asked about you when you were gone. It was clear she was worried."
"It's nice to know that at least on some level she still cared," he sighed.
Hermione took his hand and squeezed it comfortingly. "We all care, Harry."
"Thanks," he replied with a warm smile. "So, what's with you and Zabini these days?"
She lurched at the sudden change in subject. "What do you mean?"
"I may wear glasses, Hermione, but I'm not blind. You like him don't you," he said teasingly. He laughed at her deep blush. "I knew it! You two were practically a couple already when I was found."
"We're not a couple!" She said, swatting his arm.
"But you do like him?"
"It's…complicated," she finished lamely. He raised an eyebrow, silently encouraging her to elaborate. "It never seemed like the right time, if you know what I mean. A lot happened this semester with your disappearance, and then there was Draco's kidnapping and Theo's scheme. Every time I thought we were getting close enough, something would get in the way."
"That doesn't answer my question."
"I care about him. A lot. But it's more than that…I think I might be falling in love with him, Harry. And it scares me. The last time I fell in love, it was with Ron, and you know how that turned out." Hermione confessed sadly.
"Blaise isn't Ron." Harry reminded her firmly. "Don't let what happened with Ron hold you back from something you want."
"You're right. So do you think he feels the same way?"
"He'd be an idiot if he didn't. And yes, it's pretty obvious."
Hermione giggled. Harry was right. Blaise hadn't exactly hidden his feelings. He had done all but confess them to her.
"What are your plans for the rest of the afternoon? I'm finished with classes for the day."
"I'd love to stay with you longer but unfortunately Anabelle wants me back at the department as soon as possible. But don't worry, I'll see you soon at the ball right?"
"Yes. Definitely," Hermione said pulling him in for a hug as they said goodbye
