Disclaimer: Don't own Harry Potter.

Author's Note: The story will be ending soon. I don't know how I will end it, but Hermione and Draco will end up together, don't worry.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Hermione woke the next morning and dreaded getting out of bed. She didn't want to deal with Draco, after their kiss, and she wasn't too excited to talk to Blaise. After she ran away from Draco, she had left the dance completely, even though, technically, she was suppose to stay until the dance ended officially. She figured Draco could handle the dance alone. She hadn't talked to Blaise, so she didn't know about his and Ginny's kiss.

A hesitant knock on her door made Hermione sit up. "Come in," she said, expecting Draco to enter her room. Instead, it was Ginny and Blaise. "Oh. Hey, guys," she said, smiling. It fell when she saw their faces. "Is something wrong?"

Ginny glanced at Blaise. "Hermione, we need to talk to you about something." She turned to Blaise. "Maybe I should go first, alone," she said, her voice low. "Might be easier on her." Blaise nodded, gave Hermione a weak smile, then left the room, shutting the door quietly.

Ginny smiled feebly at Hermione and sat next to her on the bed. She reached for her hand and took a deep breath. "Last night, something happened."

"What?"

"Blaise and I did something...not right." Hermione looked at her quizzically. "We...kissed."

Hermione's eyes widened in shock and her mouth fell open. Ginny hurried on, "It was a mistake, he thought I was you, we were drunk, we realized really quickly that we were kissing the wrong person, we both regret it, please forgive us."

After a moment, Hermione chuckled dryly. "I guess this is what they mean by karma. I've made out with Draco so many times, it's totally understandable that my boyfriend would kiss someone else. My best friend, no less!"

Ginny looked at Hermione in confusion. "I don't think it's suppose to be funny. You're suppose to get upset and not want to talk to either of us for a month. Then, you'll make up with me first because we're best friends, then you'll make up with Blaise because you won't be able to live without kisses."

Hermione smiled. "I'm just not like that, I guess. Also, I kind of did something...not good last night also."

"With Draco?" Hermione nodded and Ginny's face broke out in a smile. She smacked Hermione's thigh lightly. "God, I felt so bad about Blaise, and then you go and kiss you-know-who!"

Hermione sobered up after a few moments. "I think I'm going to break up with Blaise. Obviously I have issues that don't allow me to keep a boyfriend, at least without cheating on him."

"That's because you're meant to be with Draco! Why won't you just admit it?!"

"Because...it's complicated."

"That is the saddest excuse I have ever heard. If Draco had the hots for me, I would totally jump him."

Hermione smirked. "Then why don't you? Nothing's stopping you. Or are you just scared?"

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Duh! He would never even look at me like that! He's in love with you! Can't you get that through your head? Everyone sees it. Why can't you?"

Hermione shrugged halfheartedly. "I really don't know. I guess, based on all of our history, it's hard for me to think that he's changed completely. I mean, I know that he has, because of all the things that he has done for me, but I just can't commit completely. Maybe I need to go celibate."

"Yeah, like that would solve all your problems. You just need to tell him how you feel."

"But I don't know how I feel! I don't know if I like him as much as he likes me."

"But you do like?" Hermione nodded. "Then just go with that! You probably do like him as much as he likes you, it's just hard for you to admit it. If you guys go out, and really talk about your feelings, then you'll realize how much you do like him. Okay?"

Hermione sighed. "I guess. I just...don't know."

Someone knocked on the door lightly. "Come in," Hermione called out. Blaise opened the door a bit, and poked his head in. He looked at Ginny. "Did you tell her?" When she nodded, he rushed over to Hermione's side and took her hands in his. "I am so sorry, we didn't mean it, please forgive us!"

Hermione smiled and rubbed his hands. "I do, I know it was a mistake. It's okay. I'm okay." She turned to Ginny. "Can you give us a minute alone?" Ginny nodded and scurried out of the room.

Hermione looked at Blaise. She really liked him, a lot, but she didn't know if she loved him. She wanted to, really bad, but she couldn't help thinking that, if she pretended to love him, just to see what would come of it, it may end in disaster, at least more so than what it was now.

She took a deep breath. "We're not working out," she said slowly. Blaise began to say something, but she held up a finger. "Let me finish. I really like you, but there is another issue that must be factored into what we have." She nodded towards the door. "I don't know how I feel about him, but I won't be able to truly figure out my feelings if I'm with you. And I don't think I'll be able to...love you, if I have even the slightest bit of feeling for him."

Blaise shut his eyes and slowly rubbed his hands over his face. "How long have you been thinking about this?"

"For a while. I kissed Draco last night, and that, paired with the fact that you kissed Ginny, even accidentally, made me realize I'm not putting my all into this relationship. I would rather you be with someone who loves you completely than someone who isn't sure of her feelings."

"What does me kissing Ginny have to do with anything? You should be upset."

"I think that, since I'm not upset, that means I'm not totally into this relationship. Any other girl would have blown up and ignored you both for a month. I don't want to do that."

"Maybe that just means you're more mature than most girls. Why should it mean you don't like me anymore?"

"But I should be upset! Even a little bit! It's not normal! I feel like I should be upset, but I'm just not. That should mean something."

Blaise thought for a moment, then nodded. "Okay. We can break up. But if you ever want to get back together, I'm here. I still want to be friends, if that's okay."

Hermione smiled. "Of course. I love being friends with you." She pulled him into a hug and held him close.

Blaise stood after a few minutes and walked to the door. "You should probably talk to him," he said, looking over his shoulder at Hermione.

"Gods, why does everyone keep saying that?!" She feel back and pulled the covers over her head. "I'll be in here for the next few hours if you need me," she said, her voice muffled. Blaise smirked and exited her room, shutting the door quietly behind her.

Ginny had left the common room, but Draco was still out there, lounging on the couch, reading a magazine. He looked up when Blaise entered the room.

"Is everything okay with her?" he asked, his face concerned.

"We broke up," Blaise said, still standing. He saw Draco's face light up, but Draco tried to hide it, badly. Blaise smirked. "It's okay, I know how you feel about her. You may want to give her space for a couple days, let her rest. She's...having a hard time." Draco nodded.

"Did something happen between you and Ginny?" Draco asked.

Blaise looked around uncomfortably. "Um, yeah. We...sort of...k-kissed."

Draco's eyes widened. "Seriously? Did you, um, mean to?"

"God no! I was drunk and I thought she was Hermione!"

"I guess Hermione and I don't have that excuse. Wait, did she break up with you because of that?"

"Not completely. Apparently, she likes someone else." Draco's face fell. Blaise smirked. "I'll let you ponder that one for a little bit." He walked over to the portrait door. "Make sure she eats today," he said, not looking over his shoulder. He shut the door quietly and Draco looked over at Hermione's door. He was really worried about her.