Disclaimer: The plot is mine, the characters are not.

Casual Manipulation
By: Azareth Sakura
Chapter Two: Initiating Incentives

Ron's stomach grumbled. Loudly. So loudly, that his best mate for seven years, The Boy-Who-Lived, Harry Potter heard it, and laughed. Laughed. As if food matters could even be laughing matters, Ron thought. He shot an indignant look at Harry before he rolled over on his bed and shoved his head under the pillow, scowling in irritation.

Laughingly, Harry said, "Hey, Ron, let's go to the kitchens and get you some food... even though you just ate dinner." He laughed some more.

Ron brought his head up from under the pillow. "Really?" He said eagerly, "Well then, grab the map! Let's go!" Harry obligingly dug through his trunk for the parchment and then grabbed his wand.

"I solemnly swear I am up to no good."

All at once the little black ink lines that made up the map of the halls of Hogwarts came into focus, building the blueprints in an instant. Outside of Gryffindor Tower there were no professors, ghosts or Filch. Harry and Ron considered this lucky, and just as Harry was about to wipe the map clean, he saw something that made his head turn.

There, at the library, were two sets of footsteps walking out of the library together. Harry's eyes widened.

"What's Hermione doing walking with Blaise Zabini?" He asked Ron, shocked.

"She'd never willingly speak to him," Ron said, "what if he's hurting her?"

The two boys looked at each other, at the map, and then back at each other before bolting out of the dormitory, headed full speed for the library.

Draco sighed. Again. He was lying on one of the sofas in the Head's common room (the green one, of course), sprawled out thinking back to the past summer. After he told Blaise his secret (he refused to acknowledge that he felt better now that someone knew, even if it was a stupid twat like Blaise) the two of them had set to work on creating a plan to get Hermione to fall for Draco (once again, he ignored the thankful feelings he had for Blaise being a true friend).

He remembered how he sat backwards in a chair, his head resting on one hand, where his fingers mussed up his uniquely colored blonde hair as he watched Blaise pace before him. Blaise walked and talked, occasionally taking bites out of a chocolate crème puff the house elves had brought up for the boys. This part of the plan had been called "Identification, Assessment, and Damage Control," and it was, in Draco's opinion, pretty intense. "If you want to get anywhere with Granger," Blaise had said, "you're going to have to give up a lot. Things won't go your way for a while, a long while, but…" he paused and gave Draco a piercing sort of stare, "you'll have to hang on. Eventually, she will warm up to you. And then, you will strike!" He exclaimed suddenly, "You will make your move, and Granger will be yours for the taking."

Draco had been listening raptly, besotted with the image Blaise was painting of him as the persevering knight-in-shining armor sort of bloke who would, after all trials and tribulations, get the girl, and live happily ever after. He pondered this for a moment. Was he really alright with a happily ever after with Hermione? He knew he couldn't picture his future any other way— he had been in love with her, starting third year when she slapped him. Besides, the idea of waking up to her every morning, everyday for the rest of his life was a beautiful one.

Blaise had gotten in his face then, for not paying attention to what he was saying, "It's that sort of behavior that'll have Granger deem you unworthy of her time and affections," he'd ranted. He had then continued on to list out several of Draco's faults and flaws (which irritated Draco like no other; it wasn't as though Blaise was some sort of saint either), before the two of them and broken down each one and figured out how to change it for the better.

For example, they had worked tirelessly until Draco could say "Muggle-born" without first meaning to say "Mudblood." This was a feat he was particularly proud of, for he had grown up in a racist pureblooded home, where the term was used in daily conversation. Another thing the two had done was perfect Draco's treatment of House Elves.

Both Slytherins, as well as pretty much the rest of the student body knew of Hermione Granger's apparent dislike for the enslavement of House Elves (though everyone else knew they liked being servants). "For you to get on Granger's good side," Blaise had explained, "you need to be nice to House Elves. She'd appreciate that sort of thing." Draco had scowled, but nevertheless learned to watch what he said to the elves.

They had initially been slightly fearful (and very wary) of this new behavior, but as the summer progressed, they became accustomed to it, and Draco found that his food tasted better, and their services in general had been better than before as well. Maybe there was something to this politeness bit he mused to himself.

Returning his thoughts to the present, Draco mulled over what Blaise had suggested earlier that afternoon while the two boys had been idly playing a game of Quidditch. He had said that Draco's initial civility was doing well for their plan, so it was safe for him to proceed on further into the plan.

Step One: Be nice. Really nice.

"Hermione Granger, I'd like to ask you to be my girlfriend."

"be my girlfriend."
"be my girlfriend."
"be my girlfriend."

Hermione froze as the phrase repeated itself over and over inside her mind. Time seemed to stop, the world seemed to end, and almost a minute passed before she unfroze her features long enough to blink once. Blaise raised one of his perfectly shaped (in a completely masculine sense, of course) gorgeous raven-colored eyebrows as she started to laugh. Loudly.

That was the last straw. For Madam Pince, that is. She angrily stormed over to the Head Girl and told her to remove herself from the library; she was quite finished with it for the night. Hermione rose and gathered her things, still laughing. Blaise was rather confused. Seventeen years of good breeding, yet none of his etiquette lessons ever mentioned what to do when the person with whom one is conversing bursts into loud, maniacal, and uncontrollable laughter (which doesn't seem to be stopping anytime soon). So he said nothing, but followed her as she laughed her way out the door.

"Granger." He said as he grabbed her arm to stop her from giggling all the way up to the Head's Tower. "What is so funny?"

Hermione took a breath to stop laughing, but found she was unable. Blaise looked on in growing irritation.

About five minutes later, her laughter subsided (somewhat) and she took in several large, gasping quantities of air before she asked, "You want me to be your girlfriend?"

"That is correct."

"And your best mate fancies me."

"Affirmative."

"And you want me to be your girlfriend?"

"I thought we went over that one already."

"Why?"

"You don't like Draco, right?"

"I don't hate him."

"Ooh, this is good. She doesn't hate him!" Blaise muttered to himself, more plans forming in his sneaky, conniving mind.

"Come again?"

"If a boy fancies a girl, eventually he's going to tell her how he feels, right? When he feels like he just can't keep it a secret anymore, right?"

"I suppose so."

"What better way, to save yourself from the awkward rejecting by already having a boyfriend? That way he'll be able to move on without suffering too much heartbreak. With me so far?"

"Yes…" Hermione said slowly, mulling it over in her mind. Blaise's idea wasn't actually a horrible one, even if his reasoning for asking her out was a complete and total lie (but he'd never tell her that).

"And wouldn't it be horrible of you if you selected someone to play the part of boyfriend without them knowing that you were using them to dissuade Draco?"

"I would never-

"Yes, yes, I know, you're too much of a Gryffindor to ever do that to someone, blah, blah, blah. The fact of the matter is, I'm offering someone for you to use; I'm offering myself to you: Blaise Zabini, at your service."

Struggling with herself for a moment to hold in the laughter that was bubbling up inside of her, Hermione tried to keep a grasp on her rational thought.

"What's in it for you? If you're Malfoy's best mate, why would you even consider asking me out? Isn't there some unwritten rule about asking out your best mate's crush?"

"First of all, my dear," Blaise began as he stepped closer to her, "You don't know Draco like I do. Draco Malfoy does not get crushes, on anyone." Hermione stepped back as Blaise continued to come closer. "Secondly," he continued as he cornered Hermione between a wall and himself, laying both his hands at either side of body, so she was trapped there, "Draco didn't actually say he fancies you.." Blaise was lying through his teeth, but Hermione would never know. Besides, it was all for The Plan, and she and Draco would eventually be much better off for it.

"Really now?" Hermione raised an eyebrow as she ceased her struggles for a moment. "Then how, pray tell, do you gather he's in love with me?"

Blaise caressed her cheek gently before trailing his hand down her neck, her shoulder, and her arm, before finally firmly settling on her waist. He leaned in close to whisper in her ear, "He doesn't need to tell me, I just know it. He's my best mate, Granger, he stares at you all the time. Not glaring, staring. He creates problems for those two bodyguards of yours, but not for you."

Hermione's eyes flickered shut as Blaise's hot breath tickled her ear. She tried unsuccessfully to suppress her shudder (which, as Blaise knew, was most decidedly not from the cold). He smirked, knowing he had her right where he wanted her; body full in betrayal of her rational thought, he knew she'd agree to The Plan (albeit unknowingly).

"So answer me, Cara mia," Blaise smirked again; no girl had ever been able to resist him when he broke out his native Italian.

"Ans-answer you w-what?" Hermione stuttered, as she was having trouble with rational thought. Blaise's proximity coupled with his delicious scent was driving her body crazy.

"Be my girlfriend." He repeated, kissing her softly under the ear. This turned out to be a rather sensitive spot, as she gasped and arched directly into his touch.

"Be my girlfriend…" the words once again resounded in Hermione's mind, and served to help break the spell Blaise's charm had been casting on her. Her eyes flew open, and her face took on a horrified expression.

Unprepared as he was for her reaction, Hermione was able to push past him and moved so that she was standing behind him, away from the wall.

"Granger-

"Hermione!"

Both Hermione and Blaise turned around to find Harry and Ron in the corridor, racing towards them. The two boys stood in front of Hermione, protecting her from Blaise (and blocking his view of her) as Harry asked her if she was all right.

"Was Zabini bothering you?" he asked her, his green eyes filled with curiosity.

"Yeah, because if was then Harry and I can beat him up for you, Hermione." Ron added.

Hermione smiled and said, "Don't worry about it, boys. Zabini was just asking me something about his patrol schedule since he's a prefect. Everything's fine." Harry nodded, and Ron scowled at Blaise before the trio turned to leave. Before they could though, Blaise's voice stopped them.

"Granger, just think about everything I told you.."

"I will."

"And, Granger?"

"Yes?"

"My offer will still be standing when you make up your mind."

Hermione nodded quickly as she grabbed the boys' arms and pulled them out of the corridor, studiously ignoring the quizzical looks they were giving her.

Blaise sighed and held his head in his hands for a moment, cursing quietly to himself. That had not been a part of The Plan. He was now starting to wonder whether or not The Plan would even take flight, considering Granger had not completely fallen prey to his charms as he had expected. Besides, it was uncanny how her bodyguards always seemed to show up whenever they weren't wanted, the sodding gits.

It was then when another thought came to him— Granger had smelled nice… she'd even felt good pressed up against him, her flesh molding with his.. and she had been able to throw him off his game right at the height of it. Draco was right about her, she wasn't like the other girls they knew.

Blaise straightened up to his full height and put on a determined face. He was Blaise Zabini, damnit, and if there was anyone who could see this love story through without the players of the play noticing it (until it was too late at least) it was him. As cold and calculating as Draco was, he was not as observant as the Blaise. And since he noticed things which most people tended to ignore, he would be able to show Granger just how much Draco had changed and thus sway her over to The Plan. He would because he was Blaise Zabini, and he did not give up.

With that thought in mind, and a renewed sense of purpose, Blaise walked back to the Slytherin dorms, considering a multitude of varying additions to The Plan.

Hermione walked swiftly, very swiftly, almost running to the Head's Tower as Harry and Ron followed her (they insisted on walking her back). She was eager to get back (so she could finish her essay), and more importantly, escape from Blaise (and to not think about the ideas he had planted in her head). She slowed down as she reached the portrait, gave the password, then stepped into the common room, her two boys on her heels. She sighed and sank down on one of the sofas, setting her things down on the carpet next to her feet as she closed her eyes and massaged her temples for a moment.

"What was Zabini really telling you before we got there, Hermione?" Ron asked her. "If it were really something about patrols wouldn't he ask Malfoy since they're both, you know, Slytherin? Their lot always sticks together." Harry nodded and trained his thoughtful gaze on her. At the mention of Blaise's name Malfoy looked up.

Malfoy had been sitting in the common room doing some work for Potions when Hermione and company had come in. He had been about to say something when he realized they hadn't noticed he was also in the room. Stealthily, he crept up to his room where he left the door slightly open so he could hear what the Gryffindors were saying about Blaise. He wondered if it had anything to do with the business Blaise had mentioned when he left dinner, or if it had to do with their plan.

"I already told you it was nothing," Hermione replied, in a slightly exasperated tone. "He probably couldn't find Malfoy and that's why he came and asked me. Now I have an essay to write so you two better go back to Gryffindor Tower before you get caught for sneaking around after curfew."

The two boys agreed, and she hugged them both as they all said goodnight to each other. Draco was hit with small pangs of jealousy as he watched them interact. After the wonder idiots left, she sank down on that sofa again, and sighed. He watched her carefully and noted that she had come in looking a bit worse for the wear. He cleared his throat as he walked down the stairs. "Alright there, Granger?"

Immediately, Hermione's eyes flew open, widening in horror. Her face drained of its color, and noticing this, Malfoy asked her again, this time uncertain, "Alright there… Granger…?"

"Y-yes." Hermione forced out, "J-just a bit tir-tired," she started to gather her things again, desiring very much to flee to the safety and solitude of her room.

Be nice, be nice, be nice, be nice, Draco chanted in his head. It was his new mantra, one that Blaise had introduced him to during the summer in Italy when he decided to help Draco out with his Hermione-situation. Blaise had told him to be nice to Hermione, try not to fight as much with Potter and Weasley, and to be charming and attentive to the Head Girl. Blaise had also muttered on occasion about needing a plan, but whenever Draco had asked him about it, Blaise would tell him to practice being nice. Draco scoffed at this, for he knew he was plenty nice (his mentality was a little warped).

"You don't look so well," Draco began, a bit hesitantly. "Are you sure you don't want me to help you to the Hospital Wing? Or perhaps get you a Pepper Up Potion?"

Hermione turned from the stairs she was walking up and stared at him. Alright, she thought, who is he and what has he done with Malfoy. True, Malfoy had been decent before her conversation with Blaise, but he hadn't been deliberately nice. It was strange. Unsettling. Blaise's voice came unbidden in her mind, What better way, to save yourself from the awkward rejecting by already having a boyfriend? What better way indeed.

But accepting that would mean accepting Blaise's proposal. And that was a bad idea. A very, very, bad idea. Nevertheless, try as she might, Hermione could not get the fact that Blaise's idea would probably work. Not to mention it would stop Malfoy's strange behavior. She didn't mind it so much as she wasn't used to it. Really.

A couple of minutes passed as she was thinking all this, and Draco was getting slightly impatient (he wasn't used to being ignored). "Granger?" he asked, the impatience noticeable in his tone.

"Hmm?" she replied rather absently, her mind still wrapped around her earlier incident.

"Honestly, Granger, I'm trying to be nice here and you're completely ignoring me. What are you, daft? You crazy bint-

Draco took note of her once again glazed appearance, "ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME!" He glowered petulantly at her.

"What? Oh. Yes. I'm listening." Hermione seemed to have snapped out of her trance, "I'm just going to go to bed now, but thanks for the offer."

"Goodnight then I guess.." Draco trailed off. Hermione nodded uncertainly before continuing up the stairs and into her room.

Draco plopped back down on the sofa and sighed. He was acting very unlike himself. Normally he was cool, calm, collected, and very suave. He didn't need to do much to get girls- well, anyone really, to fall all over him, but he knew none of that would work on Hermione. His money, looks, even his Quidditch skills- none of that would help him with her. He figured she'd probably value his mind (his marks were second only to hers), but most definitely not his attitude. So that was why he was following Blaise's "be nice" suggestion.

The only problem was that "being nice" was not really a part of being Draco Malfoy. He felt fake and to be perfectly honest, a little stupid for resorting to acting like dare he say it, Potter, or one of those other bloody Gryffindors.

And Draco Malfoy was no bloody Gryffindor.

But Hermione was, and would not be impressed by him if he was a great big sodding prick as he had been. And so he returned to his original mantra, "be nice, be nice, be nice…"

To my readers:
Junsui – There'll be some cool Blaise stuff sprinkled throughout the story :p if you keep reading it that is. I gave you a little taste of it in this chapter, but that is only the beginning haha.

Nothing Rhymes With Orange – I'm glad you liked chapter one. I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well, and I promise that you should be pleasantly surprised by the outcome of the story. I'd love to hear your theories on what the plan is, btw.

Ezarine Bloom – Yeah, the parenthesis is kind of odd. I tend to make a lot of side comments in real life, so the stuff in the parenthesis is similar to that. It's a bunch of snarky, sarcastic things that whichever character's P.O.V. I'm in at the moment (read Author's Note for this) is feeling or thinking. Sometimes it's my own little side comments too :p I'm glad you liked the story and think its unique and has potential. That means a lot to me.

Meinna7 - :x?

Dogstar-ebony – I'm trying very hard not to drag out the story. Because I happen to hate it when that happens ; Blaise actually has two plans. The Plan, and the plan he concocted with Draco over the summer. Stay tuned to see them both in action (:

Memememeeeeee – Your wait is over! I hope it was worth the wait.

Demoness-MarlstonWells69ner – Don't worry, I'll get to all the character descriptions when they flow in with the rest of the part I'm writing. I'm also kind of not going to fully detail what they look like because honestly, I'd prefer it if you read this with your own mental images of the characters in mind. It helps make you a bigger part of the story, and I just kind of like that, ya know?

NelStar7 – I hope you like this chapter just as much as chapter one. And that you like the rest of it as it keeps on coming. Thanks for reading (:

Fallenwings11 – Updated!

D.M. lover – Blaise's plans are pretty trippy. You'll see how it goes :

Lilian – Your wait is over!

Author's Note: Here's chapter two for you. I hope you liked reading it, and are intrigued enough to continue reading my story, because I think you'll be surprised at the outcome. Once again, I want to reiterate that though right now it doesn't look like it, this will be a Draco/Hermione story. Rawr. There are a couple of things I want to discuss in this note before I go to bed (it's almost 5A.M. and I'm getting kind of tired :x).

First of all: you'll notice that what I refer to the characters changes; sometimes I will use their first names, and sometimes I will use their surnames while not in dialogue. This is because I'm sort of writing it in different points-of-view. For instance, if it's in Draco's p.o.v. then Hermione will be Hermione, while Harry and Ron will be Potter and Weasley (or Potty and the Weasel). Similarly, if it's in Blaise's p.o.v. he will refer to the Gryffindors by their last names and Draco and Pansy by their first names.

Second: As I've explained in one of my "to the readers," Blaise has two plans. One is, of course, The Plan, where he asks Hermione to be his girlfriend (don't worry, I will revisit this soon). the other one is the one he came up with in the summer with Draco to help him win her over. It, however, does not work like it was supposed to and well, you'll see how badly Draco botches it up later.

Third: I'm a first year at U.C. Berkeley. I'm also kind of a lazy bum. I won't write unless I'm in the mood, because the story will suck if I force myself to write when I don't feel like it (plus the story won't flow as well). So I hope you'll bear with me as I take forever to update, but I'll try not to be such a procrastinator.

Thanks for reading (: