Author's Note: I do not own any characters or the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, that belongs to the lovely J.K. Rowling.

Look at me go, I didn't wait three months for an update! I actually should have another chapter up by this weekend as this was going to be a really long chapter, but I have decided to split it. This chapter is in regards to Blaise and Hermione's friendship and how it's come to be. I hope you can forgive me for the multiple flashbacks.

Also, since I keep getting writers block and updating every few months, occasionally I will mess up on details. I try to reread before I write a chapter, but sometimes I skim and forget some details. So if you notice any details that need to be fixed let me know.

I hope you enjoy this chapter. Yes, it does not have any Dramione, but come on we need some development of these relationships right?

Enjoy, review, like, or follow!

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Chapter 11: A Fashionable Friendship

Blaise sat in his window seat twirling the letter from Hermione in his hands. It was only Tuesday, but he was terribly worried about his best friend. He had received the letter yesterday morning explaining her mission vaguely and that she would not make it to their weekly shopping/breakfast trip. She would be on her trip with Draco and Merlin only knew how that would turn out.

Though his friendship with Hermione had only began a little more than a year and a half ago, he was quite fond of her. She had helped him accept his true self and he had been there through her rehab, even when the Weasel couldn't pull his own head out of his ass. He stared down at the letter she had sent and his mind traveled back to their first meeting.

*2 months after the war*

Blaise walked into a part of Wizarding Rome that was dedicated to a sort of fashion farmer's market, in which vendors could show off their styles and boutique and shop owners could start up contracts with him. It occurred every single Friday morning and he was so ready to put the war behind him and follow his dream: open a boutique dedicated to clothing all of Wizarding Europe in the finest items.

It had been 2 months since the war had ended. He had purchased his shop and was slowly filling it with various clothing, shoes, and accessories. He only had a few contracts left to sign and he would be ready to fully open his business and begin advertising.

The heat was sweltering in Wizarding Rome and he had to keep using Cooling charms over him in order not to break out into a sweat. And that's when he saw her. She was wearing black Mary Jane heels, black panty hose, black mini skirt, and a white long sleeve shirt. Her chestnut curls had come down her back and she had half of her hair up in a messy knot on top of her head. She was eating some gelato and looking at a silk shirt from one of his favorite vendors. So she must have good taste.

Blaise approached the stand, "I see you like my friend, Mario. He does have good designs, but he has quite a big head." He winked at the vendor who only chuckled at the dark man. The woman turned and lifted her sunglasses, "Yes, well one must have a big head in order to succeed in fashion, don't you think Blaise?"

Hermione Granger stood before him looking beautiful as ever, but something behind her eyes showed some sadness. He couldn't figure out what it was, but something was not the same about the uppity Gryffindor bookworm. She smiled sweetly at him and asked how he was doing.

"Oh as best as one could hope I suppose. I am opening my own boutique here in Rome and Mario is actually one of my stylists," he said gesturing to the tan Italian man standing before them.

Hermione smiled at Mario, "Well your designs are lovely and I cannot wait to see what you have in store for Mr. Zabini here. I'm sure you will not disappoint."

At that Hermione turned away to move onto another vendor to review the work. Blaise shook hands with Mario and caught up with her, "So what are you doing in Rome?"

Hermione looked him warily, apparently trying to figure him out, "Well, if you must know, I have a penchant for fashion. I've had to extend my closet multiple times in order to accomodate my addiction."

He laughed at that, "You? Interested in fashion? I never knew you, Hermione Granger, bookworm, Miss Right, and all encompassing do-gooder Gryffindor, could possibly be interested in fashion! You never seemed like it in school?"

Hermione bristled at his description of her, "Yes, well I was a little preoccupied in school with a madman, now wasn't I?"

She stormed ahead of him, obviously upset by his joking. He ran to catch up with her once more, "Hey, I did not mean any offense. You just never seemed like the type okay?"

Hermione took a calming breath, "Sorry. Let's start over. Hi, I'm Hermione Granger. I love fashion, I enjoy reading," Blaise snorted, "and I am the furthest thing from a Gryffindor princess."

Blaise stuck his hand out to shake hers, "Nice to meet you, I am Blaise Zabini. I am a boutique owner, reading is only enjoyable if it's fashion, and though I may be Slytherin, I am no Death Eater."

From then on they had spent almost every Friday shopping around Wizarding Rome and having breakfast with one another. They had had to stop for a few months after her parents had been murdered.

*6 months after the war*

Blaise was locking up his shop for the evening when an silvery-blue otter appeared in front of him, "Come quickly. My parents. Dead." How the hell Hermione had produced her Patronus was beyond him, but he felt the familiar tug on his navel as he apparated to the residential street in London. He could feel dark magic surrounding her parents brickstone home. He could hear wailing coming from inside the home.

He approached the home, keeping his head on a swivel with his wand out. As he approached the front door he saw three bodies on the floor and only one was moving, racking with sobs. He pushed the door open and when it made a creaking sound, she turned around with her wand pointed at his throat, "What was the color of the shirt that started our friendship?"

Blaise gulped and looked at her earnestly, "Well, that's still up for debate. I say that it was coral and you say that it was salmon. Though both are incredibly different Hermione."

At his admission, she fell against him and wailed so loudly his heart began to break for her. He saw her parents finally, slumped on the ground and obviously killed with an unforgivable. The air around them crackled with dark magic. He shuffled her to the couch and she summoned a pensieve from her room. She pulled a wispy memory from her temple and dropped it in the basin. Blaise, not asking any questions, dipped his face down into the silver liquid and saw the murder completely unfold in front of him. When he emerged, Hermione had moved back to lay over his parents. Blaise summoned his patronus and had it speed off to the only other man who could help her.

A few moments passed before he heard two pops of apparition outside of the house. Potter walked through the door first and then came the damn Weasel. Potter looked to the dark wizard, while Weasley turned to walk outside and began vomiting in a bush, "What the hell happened?"

Blaise kept his eyes on Hermione as if she was a rabbit that was about to take flight at any moment, "Death Eaters. Why did you bring him?"

Harry looked outside at his red-headed friend, "Because that's her fiance. That's who she needs right now."

Blaise looked doubtfully at him, but nodded his head in assent. He and Hermione had only been friends for 4 months, it's not like he could give them any advice. Surely they would know how to help her more than he.

Shortly after that night, Hermione had started acting out, drinking all throughout the day, and had become addicted to Dreamless Sleep Potion. No thanks to that fucking Weasel or Piglet as everyone was now calling him. He had practically fed her every drink and potion, he had taken her to multiple clubs, getting her high on various drugs and potions, and he had used and abused her until he had his fill. Blaise had tried to talk to her, but what he could he say? He didn't want to ruin his friendship and any time he would talk poorly of her choices or Weasley, it would only drive her closer to him. Three months after Hermione's parents had been murdered, she had shown up at his doorstep.

Blaise had heard a pop of apparition outside of his home. It sounded like someone had started retching onto the sidewalk when he got up from the couch. He opened his door and there she was high on some potion or another. She had bruises on her face and her clothes had been ripped. Her eyes were bloodshot and she had dark, purple bags underneath her eyes. She was no longer the woman he had met 7 months ago. She was the shell of that woman in Rome. He picked her up and brought her inside. He showered her, gave her new clothes, and gave her some tea. He wrapped her in a blanket, pulled her limp body into his lap, and held onto her until she fell asleep.

Hermione woke the next morning with a raging headache and unsure of where exactly she was at. She felt strong arms wrapped around her and she pulled away from the man who was breathing heavily underneath her. She came to face to face with her Italian friend. She noticed his eyes starting to flutter and he opened his dark eyes to stare her in the face, "Hermione. You need help. I know we have only known each other for 7 months, but you need help. Please let me take you to St. Mungo's."

Hermione didn't argue, didn't fight, just nodded her head. They both stood up from the couch, he held her hand and walked towards the fireplace, "Hermione, no matter what happens, I will be with you."

She squeezed his hand as they walked into the fireplace and Blaise threw down the floo powder speaking loudly and clearly, "St. Mungo's psychiatric ward."

Weasley had been there that day and had supposedly gone through all of the therapy and rehab with her, being the supportive fiance she needed. It took 3 months of visits with a doctor, late nights of withdrawals, and group therapy sessions before Hermione was doing okay. 6 months after that Weasley had reverted to his old ways and Hermione felt so trapped with him. That was until his recent public outing of his cheating. In that time that Hermione had gone through her rehab, she had helped Blaise accept himself. She had helped him to own his attraction to men and even had helped him get a few dates here and there. Granted none of them had ever stuck until Theo.

Blaise's companion walked into the living room to see his boyfriend sitting in the window seat looking out thoughtfully. He saw him twirling a letter in his hands, "Still worried about Hermione, I see?"

Blaise looked to the tall brunette and gave him a sad smile, "I can't help it. She's my best friend and we have been through so much. What if Draco pushes her too far?"

Theo gave him a knowing smile, "I think Draco will push her the right amount Blaise."

Blaise looked away from him and sighed, "I hope you are right love. I really do."