Chapter 13
It was the Monday after Blaise had kissed and Hermione was still confused as she took part in the rehearsal for the lingerie fashion show on the upcoming weekend. The show directions had all the models do their first walk down the runway barefoot, followed by heels, still in their normal clothes.
As Daphne watched Hermione strut down the catwalk, pose, turn on her heel and walk back up the runway, she could tell something was off by her friends facial expression.
She found Hermione, getting undressed backstage. A scarlet red lingerie baby doll piece was hanging nearby for her to wear on the next practice walk.
"Morning Hermione" the blonde smiled at her.
"Oh hi Daphne" the brunette smiled back as she looked over the lacy boy shorts she going to wear.
"Is everything okay?"
"Yeah everything's great" Hermione replied trying to sound convincing.
"Hermione…" Daphne sighed.
"Well there is something I wanted to talk to you about, at lunch okay?" Hermione asked quickly before slipping the baby doll over her naked torso.
"Lunch it is" Daphne nodded before going back out to the hall to watch the models practice for Saturday night.
At lunch, Hermione now dressed in dark denim shorts that showed off her toned legs much to the envy of Daphne. She wore black sandals and a black fitted tank top.
Daphne had dressed that day in navy skinny jeans and a lemon fitted tank top, finished with 3 inch nude peep toe heels.
They found a quiet café nearby to have lunch.
"So what's up?" Daphne asked as the waiter handed them menus and walked away.
"Well you know how, Blaise dropped me off at Gin's on Saturday night?"
Daphne nodded.
"Well he picked her up too on Sunday morning" Hermione further explained.
The blonde's eyebrows rose "Oh really?"
"Yeah and that's not all…we had breakfast together"
Hermione noticed Daphne smirked.
"I figured it would be nice for Ally you know, to have breakfast for once with both her parents"
"Did something happen Hermione?"
"yeah" signed the brunette looking away.
"Yeah?"
"He kissed me" Hermione told the blond witch, trying not to smile at the memory.
"Oh Salazar, he didn't?" Daphne gasped covering her mouth.
"He did"
"Oh this is just too good" Daphne laughed.
"Sorry?" Hermione asked in confusion.
"Never mind…..may I ask how was Mr Zabini's kiss?" Daphne smirked again.
"I won't lie, it was amazing" Hermione admitted blushing a little.
"Then what happened?"
"That's it Daphne after we kissed he just left" Hermione replied frowning slightly.
"Oh…..I'm sorry about that Hermione"
"Don't be, it's not your fault" replied the brunette laughing a little.
"And I'm guessing he hasn't been in contact"
"No he hasn't and I'm a little scared to contact him first"
"But you do want answers right?"
Hermione nodded.
"Well then be the brave Gryffindor and approach him" Daphne told her as the waiter came over to take their orders.
It was now Thursday, Hermione had decided that today she would follow Daphne's suggestion from Monday.
She dropped Ally off with her mother and made her way the Ministry.
"Hermione, how are you?" Tracey asked, she ran into the brunette in he atrium.
"I'm pretty good and you? How's Orion doing?" Hermione asked.
"He's pretty good, although we caught him the other day reaching for the floo powder, who knows where he could have ended up" the former slytherin sighed heavily.
"Oh dear…" Gasped Hermione.
"Yeah, Draco moved it out of his way now and put a charm on the container so only he and I can see it now….anyway what bring you to the Ministry?" Tracey asked.
"Oh I'm here to see Blaise" Hermione replied, smiling a little.
"Oh really?" Smirked Tracey.
"You know it's weird how all Slytherins smirk" said the brunette.
"Perhaps, but I should really get going, I'm running late for a meeting with Harry of all people, see you soon Hermione" Tracey rambled off before giving her a quick hug and hurrying off.
Hermione made her way to Blaise's office.
So much had happened since she was here last, he had taken her out to dinner, she had told him about Ally, they had started to get along after fighting her him hating her and now they had kissed. Oh Merlin!
Hermione approached his secretary's desk. She was once again reading a magazine, but a pile of mail could be seen on the side ready to be sent out. At least, she's not completely unreliable Hermione thought to herself.
She cleared her throat but didn't gage a response from the secretary.
Hermione decided on a different approach.
"You know, I probably can get that dress for you" she said.
His secretary looked up and her eye's widened.
"Ms Granger, sorry I didn't know you were standing there, I'll just go see if Mr Zabini is free" she said quickly standing up and heading over to his door.
"Thank you" smiled the brunette.
"You may go in" the secretary told her kindly.
Hermione smiled at her before opening the door.
She entered his office to find him standing at the window looking out.
"Something good happening outside?" she asked.
"Sorry?" Blaise asked, still looking out.
"Never mind, how have you been? " the witch asked him.
"I'm doing well and you, how's Ally?"
"She's well Blaise, my mum is taking her grocery shopping today" she replied sitting on his couch
"Poor kid" he laughed finally looking at her.
"You know I've tried to contact you" she told him.
"I Know Hermione, I'm sorry"
"What are you sorry for?"
"A few things, kissing you on Sunday, not returning your messages, I'm a coward, no wonder I wasn't in Gryffindor" he laughed a little.
"Well I was told to use my lion courage and approach you first"
"Who told you do that?"
"Daphne"
"Ah ever the wise witch she is" Blaise pouring himself some tea. "Would you like some?" he asked looking over at her.
"Sure thank you" she smiled back.
He set her tea in front of her on the table.
They both sipped their drinks until Hermione decided to break the silence.
"Blaise I want to start by saying thank you for kissing me on Sunday" she smiled nervously at him.
"You want to thank me?' he asked raising any eyebrow as he set his cup back down on the table.
"Yes, that kiss brought back many nice memories for me"
Blaise cleared throat, clearly uncomfortable at her inference. "Right well, I'm happy that I was able to do that for you" he replied.
"I definitely think we should spend more time together with Ally ….for her sake really" Hermione told him.
" Yes, its good for kids to see their parents together…..even if we aren't" he told her.
"Aren't we friends Blaise?" She asked him.
"We are" he confirmed.
"Well that's good for now" she said finishing off her tea.
"What do you mean for now?"
"I'm not going to drag it out Blaise, seeing you again, having a child with you, everything really, including our kiss, it felt…well it felt right" she smiled at him shyly.
"Are you saying you like me?" he asked in wonder.
"I do, but if you want to remain friends and nothing more, I would respect that" Hermione told him.
"Well that's a very smart thing to say"
"I may be a model, but I'm still the brightest witch of our generation" she told him smugly.
He laughed "You certainly are"
"I want to take this very slowly however, I don't want to jump into a relationship with you too soon and then having us both hurting Ally.
"Hermione I like you too" he told her in all seriousness.
"You do?"
"For sure, your're smart, a great mother, a fantastic friend, you're kind, considerate, generous and not forgetting sexy as hell" he finished.
Damn it, I meant to say gorgeous not sexy! Blaise thought, mentally face palming.
Hermione's mouth was agape, especially at his last few words. "Why thank you" she replied, once the shock wore off.
He smiled back at her.
"Are you okay with taking this really slowly?" she asked.
"I am" the wizard confirmed.
"Would you like to come to the new parent's lunch at Ally's school on Monday?"
"Sure I would, I can threaten all the boys to keep their hands off my daughter" he replied..
"The kids won't be there, it's the parents only Blaise"
"I can still threaten their parents" he winked at her. Damn even his wink is cute Hermione thought to herself
She laughed at his words.
"Good, what are you doing Saturday night?" she asked. Yes she did want to this slowly, didn't mean she could leave him wondering…
"I'm free why do you ask?"
"I've got a fashion show at the Finch Grand hotel, I want to invite you, Daphne will obviously be there, but Ginny and Tracey are coming too"
"What about the other girls?" he asked.
"Well Pansy and Astoria are both pregnant right now and I didn't think they would feel too comfortable at a lingerie fashion show" she smiled at him.
She saw the cogs turning his head.
"Lingerie, as in you'll be nude" he asked
"Not completely nude Blaise" she reasoned.
"Well no, but um, why me?" he asked
"I can't ask Harry or Ron, that's just too uncomfortable and Neville would probably never hear the end of it from Pansy, if I asked him, and you're the best choice really" she standing up to leave.
"Uh, well, yes I'd love to come" he told her.
"Good, I'll see you then" she started walking to his office door.
"Um Hermione, what colour is your outfit on Saturday?" he asked her.
"Red, Scarlet red" she smirked before leaving his office.
Oh holy hell Blaise thought to himself.