Disclaimer ~ I own nothing but the plot. All characters are the property of the wonderfully talented J K Rowling!
A.N. ~ So here is the next chapter, sorry for the delay on it but I rewrote it a couple times, since I just was not happy with it. I think I finally got it the way I wanted it though so I hope you enjoy.
The Slytherin common room was full that evening, many of the students talking about the upcoming quidditch match against Ravenclaw. Crabbe and Goyle were sitting in one of the corners devouring a stack of Cauldron Cakes that one of their mothers had sent them. Pansy was holding court as usual, surrounded by most of the younger female Slytherins and a few from their own year. Daphne was helping Astoria study for an upcoming Transfiguration test and Blaise was playing a game of exploding snap with Nott. Everyone was so involved in their own thing that no one heard the wall open up, or hear the sound of angry feet stomping through it towards them.
"ZABINI!" The sound of Blaise's last name being yelled across the room cause most of the students to turn and look including Blaise himself.
"Whats wrong Dra ..." He never got to finish because he was snatched up by his throat, dragged out of his chair, and pinned up against the wall. By now the entire common room was dead silent, everyone taking in the sight of the two best friends. Blaise stared down into the angry eyes of his best friend and knew that Hermione was back and that both she and he knew Blaise had told Mrs. Weasley.
"Whats wrong? WHATS WRONG! You stupid bastard! How could you? Do you know what you've done?" Draco yelled in his face. Blaise lowered his voice enough so only Draco would hear what he was about to say.
"I know you are angry with me, but this is not the place to talk unless you want everyone to know." He motion to room behind him causing Draco to look back over his shoulder and notice that they did indeed have a very attentive audience. "Lets go to my room Draco. I'll put up a silencing charm and you can yell at me all you want." Draco looked at him for a moment before letting him go and then turning and walking towards Blaise's room. Blaise straightened out his robes before turning to the others in the room who were still just staring at him. "Do you all have a problem! Nothing to see here, go about your business!" He growled at them before following Draco to his room. When he entered he found Draco pacing back and forth across the room, mumbling to himself. Oh he is really pissed. Malfoys do not mumble, Blaise thought. Blaise shut the door, locked it, and muttered a silencing spell on the room. He then turned to face his best friend who was now staring him down with a look of pure hatred in his eyes. Blaise raised his arms in a sign of surrender. "Now Dra ..."
"Don't you now Draco me! What the hell Blaise! Do you have any idea of what you've done!" Draco interrupted.
"I got Hermione the help she needs to help her move past this. You can be as pissed off as you want Draco but you know that she needs help. She can not get through this alone." Draco stared at him.
"She wasn't alone. She had me! She needed me! She turned to me!"
"So what! Now that she can get help from someone else you're pissed because that takes her away from you! That is beyond selfish, even for you!" Blaise paused and took a deep breath, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Without the proper help you and Hermione can never be together properly. I did this for you Draco, I only wish you could see that." Blaise was startled when he heard Draco laughing. He looked up to see his friend looking at him with an incredulously look on his face.
"You did this for me? Seriously?" Blaise nodded. "Well let me tell you exactly what you have done oh dear friend of mine. Hermione is furious with me! She thinks that I went and told you everything. She thinks I broke my promise to her and basically told me that she should never had trusted me." Blaise watched as Draco proceeded to sit down on the edge of Blaise's bed and drop his face into his hands. He took a deep breath, dragging his hands down his face as he exhaled. When he looked back up Blaise was shocked to see the look of defeat on his face. "Do you have any idea how I felt when she told me that? The first person to ever put real trust in me, telling me that they wish they hadn't. You knew how much it meant to me, I told you that much. As for her and I being together, well I think your little chat with Mrs. Weasley put a stop to that. You have single handedly made any relationship that Hermione and I could have had, over before it even started. She won't ever forgive me for this betrayal, and the funny thing is that for once I actually didn't do anything." Blaise walked over to Draco and stood in front of him.
"Look. I'm sorry that Hermione is upset with you, and I'm sorry that you feel like I betrayed you but I am not sorry for telling Mrs. Weasley. She needed someone other then you to help her mate. Someone who could understand what had happened to her. Someone that would know the pain she has been going through." Draco's head shot up as he replayed what Blaise had just said in his mind.
"Wait. Are you saying that...?" Draco didn't need to finish his sentence because Blaise already knew what he was going to ask and was nodding his head at him. "But how did you know?" Blaise reached into his robes and pulled out his wand. He pointed it towards the chair in the corner and levitated it over to him, sitting down when it was settled on the floor.
"I found out accidentally, fourth year. My Aunt Irina had accompanied my mother and I to Diagon Alley to purchase my school supplies. We were in Flourish and Blotts getting my school books when the Weasleys came in. My mother and aunt had no idea that I was in the stacks behind them when they started speaking to one another."
Aunt Irina got a stunned look on her face as she watched the large family of red heads walk through the door.
"Whats wrong Irina dear?" Ms. Zabini asked her older sister. Irina motion towards the family and watched as her sister followed her gaze. "Its the Weasleys. So what?" She said turning her nose up in disgust. Irina slapped her sister's arm.
"Don't be like that sister dear. After all, it wasn't that long ago that you had less then they do." Irina smirked at her sister. "What was it that happened to husbands five through seven again?" Irina watched as her sister's face turned beet red.
"You haven't answered my question. What is it about the Weasley family that has put that look on your face?" Irina shrugged.
"I'm just shocked thats all. I never thought that Molly Prewett would go on to have such a large family. Not after what happened seventh year." At this Ms. Zabini's face changed to one of remorse, and nodded in recognition of what her sister had said.
"You still remember that?" Irina nodded her eyes glazing over with the memory.
"I don't think I will ever forget it. When I found her in that room I knew right away what had happened to her, I mean her clothes were lying next to her completely torn. She had been beaten so badly that I could barely recognize her underneath all the blood and bruises. If it wasn't for the fact that I noticed her MOLLY necklace when I was covering her with my robes I wouldn't have known who she was." She paused for a second to collect her bearings. "I don't think I could have gotten over something like that, but I am glad to see that she did. That she was able to move on."
"That was all she said about the matter, but it was enough for me to know what had happened." Draco sat there not really knowing how to respond to what he had just heard. "So you see. If there is anyone that can help Hermione get through this it is Mrs. Weasley. From what my aunt described, she went through hell and yet she was able to move on, have a family. Hermione needs someone like Mrs. Weasley helping her. Mrs. Weasley is living proof that she can get through this and that her life isn't over just because of one horrible act of violence." Blaise leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees, his chin resting on his fists. "Look mate. I know you would love nothing more then to hex me into oblivion for going behind your back with this, but just know that I didn't do it to hurt you or her. She needs more then just you helping her Drake, you have to see that." Draco stood up quickly and started to pace again.
"You think I don't know this Blaise! You think I don't know that she needs more help then I can give her! Of course I do, I'm not bloody stupid! You should have told me what you were planning! I had the right to know!" Blaise jumped up and turned towards him.
"You wouldn't have let me Draco and you know it. She has you so twisted that your brain isn't functioning clearly!"
"I would have if you told me why! If you had told me why Mrs. Weasley could help I would have been fine with it. Hell I would have brought Hermione to her myself!" Draco threw his hands up into the air in frustration. "Now Hermione once again hates me only this time its for something you did!"
"Look, I'll fix this. I'll go talk to her before I leave for home tomorrow."
"Don't bother Blaise. I think you've done enough already." Draco said heading for the door, and lifting the charms. As he walked out the door and headed down the hall he didn't hear Blaise's muffled response.
"You know I'm going to anyway!"
Hermione heard the portrait slam shut announcing that Draco had left in a huff. She had waited until she had entered the safety of her room before letting the dam that was holding back her tears break. She just laid there and cried, crying not only for herself but for Mrs. Weasley too. Her story had touched Hermione in more ways then one. First of all she now knew that there was someone she could talk to who did in fact know what she was going through, what she was feeling. Mrs. Weasley had also shown her that she could move on from what happened and have the life that she always wanted to. She could allow herself the opportunity to love someone once again and to allow them to love her back. She could have the fairytale wedding that she had dreamed of ever since she was a little girl and the family that she had always wanted.
As Hermione shed what she hoped would be her last tear for a while, she couldn't help but think about Draco's betrayal of her trust. No matter what Blaise may have told Mrs. Weasley, she knew that there was no way that he could have figured out what had happened to her. Sure, students had noticed that there had been a change in her but from the rumors circulating throughout the school they all thought it was because of the whole Ron/Lavender situation. No he definitely told Blaise, which brought up the question of how many other people he had told.
How could I ever believe that Malfoy had changed? How could I actually think that he would keep his word? After all, once a slimy git always a slimy git!
But hes been so nice to you. Staying with you after you had a nightmare, bringing you food when you weren't up for going down to the Great Hall, making sure you always have someone walking with you so you won't be in the halls alone. The old Malfoy would have never done those things. Hermione shook her head trying to block out the arguments of her inner voice.
No, no, no. That was all a part of his plan. Build up my trust until all my walls were down and then use my feelings for him against me! Hermione jumped as she heard the portrait door slam shut again, announcing Draco's return. She could hear him stomping around in the common room, muttering to himself. After about a minute or so she could hear him climb the stairs and enter the hallway to their rooms. She held her breath as she heard him pause outside her door for a minute before heading into his room for the evening.
Think about it Hermione. Think about his reaction when you told him. He was visibly shocked by the whole thing. You never even gave him the chance to respond to your accusations. If he had really been spreading your secret around then why hasn't anyone said anything to you about it. You know there are plenty of Slytherins who would love to use that information against you. Face it. You need answers. Hermione kept staring at her door as her mind fought with her about her previous actions. It was true that she didn't give him a chance to defend himself, and she had noticed that he was shocked by everything she had said to him. If he hadn't voluntarily told Blaise about what happened though, then how did Blaise find out and why did he choose to go to Mrs. Weasley of all people. Did Blaise know about her rape too and if so how? She had to many questions and not enough answers. Hermione once again shook her head to clear it and then came to a decision. She needed answers and tomorrow, before the students headed off to catch the Hogwarts Express to go home, she was going to get them. Tomorrow she would confront Blaise.
It was quite early when Blaise entered the Great Hall for breakfast. There was barely anyone in it since most everyone was either still sleeping or finishing packing up to head home for the holiday. Blaise glanced quickly towards the Gryffindor table noticing a few students sitting there quietly eating. None of them were the Gryffindor he was looking for though. He decided to head over to his table a grab some breakfast while he waited for her to arrive. He turned around only to come face to face with the person he had been looking for. "Hermione! Just the girl I was looking for I was..."
"Stuff it Zabini! You and I need to talk." Hermione interrupted rudely. Blaise nodded and followed her over to the end of the empty Hufflepuff table and took a seat across from her. Blaise watched as Hermione looked around and quickly said "Muffliato" before turning back towards him giving him her most fierce looking glare. "I have questions that need answering and you are going to answer them truthfully, understand." Blaise nodded and motioned for her to continue. "Did Draco tell you what happened to me?" She said softly, her glare faltering slightly. Blaise shook his head.
"No Draco didn't tell me anything. You did." Hermione stared at him shocked.
"I did no such thing!" She protested, knowing that she never said a word to him about her attack. Blaise held his hand up to quiet her.
"If you would calm down for a second I will tell you what happened."
"Fine! Please enlighten me to how I supposedly told you." She said waving her hand at him in an almost dismissive way. Blaise smirked at this before telling her about the night he had gone to their dorm. Hermione listened as he described how terrified she was and what she had said before Draco was able to wake her up.
"Needless to say I put two and two together and when I asked Draco about it he refused to tell me anything, however he didn't deny it so I knew I had guessed right. Next question." Hermione stared at him for a moment trying to take everything in that he had just said. She remembered that night vividly and now that she really thought about it she had noticed something out of the corner of her eye. She thought that it had just been a shadow but now she knew it was him leaving the room.
"Oh no!" She gasped. "I accused Draco of breaking his promise to me. I was horrible to him and he didn't do anything." Blaise nodded.
"Yes he came and informed me of his displeasure last night." Hermione noticed that he rubbed his throat as he said this and wondered exactly how Draco showed his displeasure. "He wasn't exactly thrilled that I went and said something to Mrs. Weasley but it needed to be done and if given the chance I would do it again."
"Why?" Hermione said, startled by his resolve. "What do you get out of it?" Blaise smiled at her.
"Its not what I get out of it so much as what you both get out of it. Draco will probably Avada me when he finds out I told you this but hell he already wants my head on a platter." Blaise took in a deep breath before saying the words that Hermione never thought she would ever hear. "Draco cares about you Hermione, more then you think. His feelings for you run deep, but they are also new to him and he doesn't know how to react to them."
"Feelings? Draco has feelings for me?" She asked him quietly, feeling her heart speed up slightly. "But what about Astoria?"
"Astoria? You mean Greengrass?" Hermione nodded. She knew what she had seen two days ago in the common room and she remembered the conversation she and Draco had, had before she had left for the Burrow. Blaise laughed heartily, as if Hermione had just made the funniest joke in the world.
"What? I saw them together in the common room and they looked quite cozy together. You were there so you know what I am speaking of. Besides, he did not deny that they would make a lovely couple when I mentioned it to him, in fact he agreed and even stated that something might happen between the two of them." This made Blaise laugh even harder, since he already knew how Draco had truly felt about the whole Astoria conversation the two of them had, had. "Why are you laughing!" She said getting angry. She did not see how the situation was funny at all. If Draco truly had feelings for her then how could he be all over Astoria right in front of her like that. Blaise calmed himself down so he could answer her.
"Believe me Hermione nothing is going on between Astoria and Draco other then friendship and nothing ever will."
"How can you be so sure? I know what I saw Blaise."
"You of all people should know that you can't always believe what you see. There is no way that Draco and Astoria will hook up. You have a better chance of hooking up with her then Draco does or any other bloke in this school for that matter." Hermione just stared at him letting what he had just said sink in. Why in the world would I have a ... Oh!
"Wait. Do you mean to say..." She didn't finish due to the the violent nodding of Blaise's head saying she was correct in her thoughts.
"I shouldn't have even told you but I know you won't say anything. She is not ready for her parents to find out that she is more interested in the females in this school then the males." He paused for a second before giving her his best smirk. "Can't say I blame her either." Hermione felt her face flush as she realized that she had once again shoved her foot firmly into her mouth where Draco was concerned.
"I've made a complete prat out of myself." She said shaking her head. She then shyly looked up at Blaise. "I do care about him Blaise. Thats why when I thought he had told you about what happened to me it hurt so bad. I didn't want to admit it, not to myself and definitely not to him. I just don't know what to do." She said shaking her head.
"Whether you choose to tell him how you feel or not is all up to you. All I'm saying is to just let him be there for you and don't always assume the worst when it concerns him. If you do I promise you won't regret it." He reached across the table and gently patted her hand. "Now if you will excuse me I have to get ready to go. Have a lovely holiday Hermione." With that he got up and walked out of the Great Hall.
Hermione sat there and pondered everything that Blaise had told her. She had been wrong on so many levels, not only where Draco was concerned but with the whole situation in general. She had to admit that while she was pissed that Blaise had taken it upon himself to get Mrs. Weasley involved, now that she had time to process everything, she was glad that he did. After telling her story to Mrs. Weasley she had felt as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She felt less ashamed with herself and more anger towards the monster who was truly at fault.
"Mione!" Hermione looked up quickly and saw Ginny standing in front of her smiling. "What in the world are you so deep in thought about? I must have said your name at least seven times." Hermione smiled back up at her.
"Sorry Gin, just got a lot going on up there, as usual."
"Not a problem. The carriages will be leaving soon for the station and I just wanted to say good-bye and tell you I was going to miss you." Hermione stood up and walked over to her friend giving her a gentle hug.
"I'll miss you too Gin."
"What about us?" Hermione looked up to see Harry and Ron standing there looking at her sheepishly. Hermione let go of Ginny and went over to hug her two best friends.
"Well, I guess since it is the holidays I can forgive you for now, but know that I am still pissed at you both for your recent behavior. You had no right to do what you did to Draco." Ron looked up at her.
"We just don't trust him Mione and not too long ago neither did you. Thats why we were so sure that he had put some spell on you or something when you started being friendly with him all of a sudden." Before Hermione could answer him, Ginny stepped forward.
"Look Ron, as much as I still don't trust the fer.. I mean Malfoy, doesn't mean that he hasn't changed in some ways since last year. I mean, I haven't heard him be mean to Hermione or pretty much anyone all year. Well at least not without him being provoked first." She said pointedly, staring the two of them down.
"Shes right Ron. As for my relationship with Draco, well as the school heads we have had to learn to deal with one another and in that time we have realized that we aren't those same people we once were. We get along now... or at least we did."
"What do you mean did? What happened?" Harry asked looking concerned. Hermione shook her head.
"Nothing to fret over. I jumped to some assumptions that I shouldn't have and may have ruined our friendship." She said sadly. Harry took a deep breath.
"Well then you need to go speak to him and work it out." Hermione looked up at him stunned. Harry smiled. "I'm not saying I'm thrilled with this sudden friendship of yours but Malfoy obviously means something to you, something important, so you should go to him and fix whatever happened." Harry stepped forward and gave her another small hug. "Have a great holiday Hermione."
"You too Harry." She said hugging him back, not feeling one bit uncomfortable in his embrace.
"Now go talk to Malfoy before he starts turning back into an evil little git." Harry said before turning to leave with Ginny and Ron. "Bye Mione."
"Good-bye Harry, Ron, Gin. See you all when you get back." She waved at them until they disappeared out of the Great Hall. She smiled to herself as she realized that in that moment she felt almost normal, and it felt good. Okay Hermione! The holiday has begun, you are slightly back on track with Harry and Ron, and you are starting to feel normal again. Only one thing left to do, she thought as she headed out of the Great Hall and up towards the head's dorm. Time to fix things with Draco!
So what did you think. Are you happy that Hermione has realized that even she can be wrong at times? Do you think Draco will forgive her? I would love to read your comments, and thoughts.