A/N: I am NOT the author of the Harry Potter series. And I replaced previous Authors Note with 'Chapter 4: Feast, New Teacher & Dungeons' so pls don't skip it! On with the story. Shall we…

Chapter 5: New Friend

"What the fuck are you doing here?"

"Nothing, just chilling" Hermione said nervously. "I did not hear a word you said. I swear Zabini!"

"What are you talking about Evangaliste? I saw two Slytherins banging the door violently and I wanted to know what they were doing out of their beds after curfew!"

"Oh, thanks for saving me than." Blaise Zabini was a Slytherin Prefect, a bit perverted but which Slytherin was not. He was ok though.

"So I get a reward right, for saving you from being raped and all." Zabini said with a suggestive look.

"Yeah, you got to spend a night with Parkinson. And not Pansy I tell you." Hermione said sarcastically.

"Ha ha. Funny Evangaliste."

"Yes I know. I am one great laugh aren't I." said Hermione. She had no idea why she was showing her insecurities to Zabini.

"Who said you were?" said Zabini. She was waiting for a rude comment so his kind voice startled her. "The person who thinks you are a laugh must be delirious."

"All the Death Eaters do."

"Well there you go." Blaise said smiling. She smiled back. Zabini sounded sincere, and his smile was not forced like many others' around her. It was genuine. She always knew Zabini was not hostile like the other Slytherins but she never thought she would enjoy a conversation with him in a classroom at the dungeons after curfew.

"So, Evangaliste, why were they after you?"

"I came to the dungeons to patrol the area and when I was leaving I heard whispers, a fiery discussion. They were talking about something overdose and one of them must have seen me. They chased me so I ended up here."

"Not that brave huh?" said Zabini. He did not sound mean, but rather friendly.

"Don't shove it in my face." Said Hermione grinning.

"So, about my reward-"

"Perv!"

"Hey! Who said anything perv!" Zabini chuckled. "I was going to ask you if you would like to be friends."

"Oh," said Hermione, "sorry. Yes, I would like that Zabini."

"Than you have to stop calling me Zabini. It is Blaise." He stuck his hand out to shake Hermione's, as if they just met.

"Hermione."

Than, out of the blue Blaise asked, "Is it weird to pronounce your true name now? I mean you went with Granger for what- six years? Why did you do it in the first place?"

She was meant to get angry at the question but when she saw the innocence in the way he asked, she patiently answered.

"Being 'Granger' was a heavy burden, a weight I did not need to carry but it was necessary. When I was alone I was me. As silly as it sounds it is true. I mean my father used to be a Death Eater and most probably you know how dark Evangalistes were. Except my cousins. They, actually we, are the only Evangalistes who are not on the dark side. They were lucky because they were living in France. My uncle so in love he quit everything dark for my aunt. Therefore, his ties with the family were cut. However, my father- he was evil. And my grandmother, Callista, ugh even thinking of her makes me puke. Did you know my first word was going to be mudblood!"

She glanced at Blaise. He was listening with care and interest, so she continued. "Callista, taught me to be dark. I used to think muggles were cockroaches. I was raised to crush them. That was until I saw one of theirs blood. My mom was always against it but she was a weak voice. She may be a Pendanté but still she was in the Evangaliste territory. When Callista died we were relieved. Therefore, when my Hogwarts letter came I decided that I should purify myself from my past doings. And there was no better way than to experience it."

She finished with a sigh and turned to Blaise. His face was blank now. Suddenly he hugged Hermione. She was startled.

"Fuck, I'm going soft. But Hermione," he looked into her eyes, "that's exactly what I want to do, to purify myself. Although my family was always neutral I still feel guilty to others."

Hermione snorted. "And they say our lives are like bubbles of champagne…"

"Yeah" he chuckled, than looked at his watch, letting go of Hermione. "Shit, you must go back. It is going to be your curfew. I will accompany you to your room. Safety comes first." He smiled.

"But it has passed your curfew hours ago!"

"So? You won't take any points from me; I just saved your life!" Obviously he was joking, though he was dead serious about accompanying her.

"Fine let's go."

When they reached the Head Dorms in one piece Blaise said goodbye and left, only to return two seconds later with a panicked expression, breathing heavily.

"McGonagall is patrolling! Shit, shit, shit. I am dead to my balls! Sorry Hermione… What am I to do?"

"First, don't stand on the corridor, she may see you. Secondly, do not panic, be my guest. Wait you are best friends with Malfoy, be his guest. Than you will not be sleeping on the couch." Hermione said trying to soothe the frantic boy down.

"You sure have a brain." Blaise said while stepping in to the common room. Hermione chuckled.

"Evangaliste!" They froze thinking it was a professor behind the portrait. Hermione told Blaise to hide in her room, which he obeyed. She slowly opened the portrait, only to sigh in relief.

"Sneaking boys in huh! Something I least expected from you." Smirked Malfoy.

"Stuff it Malfoy! Blaiseeeeeee!" Blaise snuck out his head from Hermione's room and let out his breath seeing Malfoy. However, Malfoy's jaw dropped.

"Blaise! You were snogging Blaise!"

"Yes-what? No!!" Blaise was howling with laughter. Hermione was waiting for a question like- well she did not know but it definitely was no this!

"Draco, man, is it okay for me to crash here tonight? It was a long night." Blaise said.

"Okay!" Draco said, still shocked that his best friend came out of the head girls room. 'Bedroom' mind you!

"Great. Goodnight Hermione!" he kissed both of her cheeks.

"Goodnight Blaise. Malfoy" she said and went to her room to get some sleep.

"Did I miss something?" said Draco glaring at Blaise.

"Yeah," Blaise said, "life!" and laughed.

"Very funny. Bastard." Draco said and went to his room, followed closely by Blaise.

"Yup, that's me!"

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In The Head Boys Room

"What were you doing in Evangaliste's room? And what was all that mushiness?"

"I was hiding blondie. What were 'you' doing outside after curfew?

"It was not my curfew, I'm head boy! And do not change the subject but I was at Dumbledore's office. Nothing you expected huh…" Draco smirked, than his face became serious. "Are you going out with her?"

"Where did you get that idea?!!" Blaise said shocked. Draco raised one of his eyebrows.

"Obviously!"

"No, fucker, we're friends. She's really cool." Draco snorted.

"She's a fuckin' know-it-all Gryffindor! A goody-two-shoe! What a friend."

"She reminds me of someone… Who was it, yeah, you!" Blaise said smirking.

"No way! Gryffindor for Merlin's sake! Too bright for my taste. I'm going to kill you, rip you to shreds Zabini!"

"Bit touch, aren't we?" Blaise said still smirking.

"I'm going to sleep," said Draco suddenly. "Today was too much drama for me take." He slid into his bed and pulled the covers to his head. Blaise conjured a pillow and got in the bed too, only to put his legs towards Draco's head.

"G'night fucker!" Blaise said and drifted off to sleep.

"You feet better not be in my mouth in the morning." Draco mumbled and fell asleep.

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-Almost 5 weeks later-

"Ugh… too much light! I'm burning!" Hermione tried to open her eyes but sunlight was poking her eye out. "More sleep!" she grumbled and closed her eyes once more.

It was the first Saturday of October and first Hogsmeade trip of the year was today. Nothing interesting or drastic had happened last month, except the time Neville accidentally transfigured Mrs. Norris's fur pink. Filch was furious but Dumbledore let it go. It was Neville after all. Voldemort was silent, just a killing here and there but it was what they expected, nothing less. Blaise turned out to be a great friend and he understood Hermione better than most. Harry and Ron –well mostly Ron- was angry when Hermione told them about Blaise, but when Blaise met them –he wanted to- they liked him, not caring if he was a Slytherin or not. He still spent most of his time with Malfoy but when he was not he was with Hermione. Last three weeks Harry was becoming quieter than ever and yesterday at dinner he told Ron and Hermione that he had some important things to say. So they decided to meet at the shrieking shack but first Harry was going to Madame Puddifoot's with Ginny. Ginny was taking him there to torment him. When she saw his face after she told him where they were going for a date she howled with laughter. Hermione was going to meet Blaise. He needed her help to find a birthday present for his mother. And Ron had detention with Filch until lunch.

Half an hour later Hermione was still struggling, not decided to sleep or to wake up. Light side won. As she threw the covers from her body, she yawned. She studied until two in the morning and it was only nine now. She was staring at her clock. She stayed like that for some time than suddenly got up, gathered her hair in a messy bun and went to the bathroom. The bathroom she 'shared' with Malfoy. He had his stuff everywhere. Even though they were organised they were way too many, even she did not have that much stuff.

The bathroom was huge. Almost as big as her room at home and that was saying something. Bathroom floor was black granite; walls were painted white and dark green. 'Go Slytherin' was Hermione's first thought. There was a bathtub, which was the size of a small pool. There was one long counter facing the bath. Top of it was also black granite; it had two sinks –one for the HG and one for the HB, below were the mahogany drawers (they put their stuff in it obviously). Over the counter there was a long mirror, as long as the counter. Toilet was close to the bath. It had a separate door which could be locked from the inside, unlike the bathroom itself. HG bathroom door and HB bathroom door were facing each other.

Hermione walked over to her sink, took her toothbrush and toothpaste and started to brush her teeth. When she was nearly done Malfoy stepped in from his door. He looked at Hermione, who was wearing a mini nightgown, and went to his sink near Hermione. Hermione said "Good morning" which sounded nothing like that, as she still had the brush in her mouth. She spat, cleaned her mouth and walked towards the bath. She glanced at Malfoy who was watching her from the mirror while brushing his teeth.

"I am going to take a bath," Hermione said, she hoped he would get the hint and leave but she knew better.

"Okay" said Malfoy uninterestedly.

"O-Kay" sighed Hermione. She took off her nightgown, she did not care if Malfoy saw her bra or not, as far as she was concerned it was the same as bikinis.

She saw Malfoy was infact not looking. Good for him. Maybe he is growing up. Malfoy cleaned his mouth and started to leave, at the door he said:

"Be quick Evangaliste, I need that bath. And by the way… nice nightgown." Hermione rolled her eyes. Growing up was a phrase which was polar opposite to Draco Malfoy. Still he is showing progress.

While Hermione was relaxing and refreshing in the bath, Malfoy was pacing in his room. What was taking her so long? He was being nice letting her access the bath first. He did not even know why!

Shit, I will be late. What if she decides to dry her hair by towel! It can take hours. She has such long hair! Or what if she decides 'Oh well lets irritate Malfoy and let's shave my legs so he can't use the bathroom'? Fuck, fuck, fuck… I need to use the toilet. Gah! I need to pee for Merlin's sake. One, two, three…

With that, Malfoy rushed in to the bathroom, just as Hermione was covering herself with a towel, went inside the toilet –not even looking around- and locked it from inside. Hermione was appalled. One second she was humming while getting out of the bathtub, second later she was horrified by Malfoy in boxers running for his life. Than she started to laugh.

"Laugh while you can Evangaliste! Because this was a one time only show!" Malfoy shouted from the toilet.

"Fine. I'll use a pensieve."

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Hermione was sitting in Three Broomsticks, waiting for Blaise to show up. He was late for 10 minutes, which was something odd because he was always on time. Hermione took another sip from her butterbeer and saw Blaise over the cup. She waved and stood up.

"You look gorgeous Hermione."

"You look quite charming yourself."

Blaise laughed.

"I'm sorry I'm late Hermione but I had to wait for a friend, who wants to come with us."

"No problem, who is it?"

"Evangaliste!"

"Malfoy! Blaise?" she whined.

"We should go, he he…" said Blaise sheepishly. Hermione and Malfoy groaned. Hermione decide to ignore him but it was extremely hard as he was such an annoying prick.

"Okay Blaise, I decided to go to Dragan's Jewels first. They are most likely to have something your mother might like."

"Whatever you say Mione. As far as I am concerned I have to buy a present, rest is yours to deal."

Hermione rolled her eyes. Boys were so insensitive sometimes –and some like Ron, always. When they went in to the jeweller they were greeted most enthusiastically, after all a Malfoy, a Zabini and an Evangaliste entered the shop.

"How may I help you," a short, bald, ogre looking man said in a house-elf like manner with a fake smile plastered on his face.

"I would like to see your emerald and sapphire necklaces please. Heard they were the best." Said Hermione politely. As the man rushed to get the necklaces to show her, Malfoy started to look around which made Hermione happy as she was getting extremely irritated with Malfoy breathing down her neck.

The plump man hurried over to Hermione and Blaise with five boxes in his hand. He sat each of them on the glass table and opened them.

"I also wanted to show you a ruby necklace which is extremely exquisite."

Hermione observed the necklaces. First one had an emerald four-leaf clover. Bit young for Mrs.Zabini thought Hermione and closed the box. Both Blaise and the ogre-ish man were watching her intently.

Second one had an emerald snake in the middle of the chain, tangled to it. Too rebellious. She closed it also. Third one was a simple heart made from ruby. It would look too simple with Mrs. Zabini's jewels. Another box was closed. Fourth one was a sapphire skull with a snake in it. Creepy was all Hermione could think of. Too much resemblance with the dark mark. Last one was simple yet perfect! It was a row of sapphires arranged so that the smallest were at the back of the neck and the largest was in the middle. Hermione turned to Blaise.

"How about this one Blaise?"

"Brilliant. Let's buy it." Hermione once again rolled her eyes. Blaise turned to the man. "Make it a fancy present please. Here you go." He gave the man a lot of Galleons. Hermione tapped her foot. Was he a jerk or was he just pretending?

"Blaise aren't you forgetting something?"

"No? Oh my, yes! Please do not wrap it with pink paper! My mum hates it!"

"Ugh! Are you daft? You didn't ask how much it costs!"

"Really? Merlin! He he," he grinned. "How much is it by the way?"

"220 Galleons" the stout man said, undoing the pink wrapping paper and rewrapping it with red.

"Cool."

Hermione sighed.

While they were leaving, Hermione saw a necklace with a sapphire heart. She fell in love with it and showed it to Blaise.

"Nice pick Evangaliste, for you I mean." Said Malfoy walking towards them. Hermione ignored him and got out of the jeweller. At least one shop did the trick. So she said farewell to Blaise and headed to the three broomsticks for a serious gathering with her two closest friends.

A/N: Fooled most of you, did I not? Seriously, you thought it was Draco behind the door, right? Anyway, review please and tune in to find what Harry has to say ;)