Dec. 21

Hermione woke the next morning with a stretch. She then dropped her feet on the side of the bed and looked at her surroundings. She knew that last night she had been portkeyed out of Hogwarts, and was now in the Zabini household. She turned her head to look over her shoulder. She gave a soft smile.

She walked over to the door, and quietly opened it. She looked down the hallway, left and right, and when she realized that no one else was awake she stepped out into the abandoned hall.

"Now for the washroom." She mumbled and made her way past Blaise's room. She stopped when she got to the second door, and slowly opened it.

Once Hermione was done she decided that she would look around the mansion. So she walked in the general direction that she hoped would be where the kitchens were. As she walked down the hallway, she looked at the pictures that lined the walls. She paused to look at each one carefully, becoming more sure that she was actually apart of the family. It was hard to ignore the resemblance in the photos, and with herself. Blaise included. She walked down them and came to a picture that she was dead sure was her parents.

Now she thought them to be her parents because the man in the picture had pale skin, and the woman had a olive tone. She looked to the right and noticed another picture with her mother and, she assumed, Blaise's mother. They both looked as different as night an day. Though they both were surprisedly beautiful, they didn't look anything like each other.

"Blaise doesn't usually bring any of his friends back to the house." The voice behind sounded, causing Hermione to jump. "So you must be Draco's friend."

Hermione turned at looked at an elderly woman. She figured that the woman in front of her would be her mother's mother. Her grandmother. She was still very handsome, and Hermione couldn't help but smile at the woman.

"I suppose I am Draco's friend, Mrs...."

"Nan. Just call me Nan. And if I was any younger, my dear I would have given you a run for your money." Nan winked. "He is a dashing fellow. Very charming as well. A rake I suppose."

Hermione laughed. "See I hear about that infamous charm. But I personally have yet to see it."

Nan raised a hand to the breast. "Then why the, pardon my french, hell are you still with him my dear?"

"I don't know."

Nan looked at her and smiled. "I think I do," She sighed "But that is for you to find out for yourself."

Hermione turned back around to look at the picture of the two woman. "Who are the woman in the picture Nan?"

"Let's see. One is Isabella, Blaise's mother. The other is her twin Tanya. She past away a long time ago." Hermione turned to look at the woman. She watched as Nan's eyes started to go glossy and her voice become sadder. "Actually that is a lie. Her and her husband were killed sixteen years ago. It was ordered that they be killed because Tanya's husband, David, refused to join the dark lord."

"Why would he refuse to join?"

Nan looked at the portrait of David and Tanya. Her dear sweet Tanya. She then the saddest smile that Hermione had ever seen in her life. "Because of you."

When Hermione didn't say anything, Nan continued. "It's almost like seeing a ghost. I thought that you were her for a moment. From the back you both look the same. When you turned to look, you both have very similar features. But you have the look that's all your own."

"The hair?" Hermione croaked, trying to find her voice past the tears that were going to fall.

Nan laughed. "That is very much like your mother. She had the wildest hair that anybody has ever seen. Hated it too. In fact one time she decided that she hated it so much that she cut it all off. Sent my husband into a right fit."

Hermione chuckled. Nan continued. "My husband disowned Tanya because she refused to marry the man that he choose for her. He loved both his children dearly mind you. But the stubborn old man refused to have the contract ripped. So he gave her a choice. Marriage or losing everything."

"So it wasn't because she killed a relative, or did something worse?"

Nan shook her head. "Never. But I need to go get something to eat my dear. You will find in old age that eating can be very comforting."

Hermione linked an arm through the woman's arm. "Is it true what my father wrote me?"

"Hmmm?" Nan replied as she walked Hermione through the house.

"That I absolutely couldn't stand Harry Potter?"

Nan crackled. "He wrote that did he?"

Hermione blushed. "Yes. Was he not suppose to?"

"No. But yes you couldn't stand the poor boy. You use to torture him until he cried, stole his toys, bottles pretty much anything that belonged to him."

"Why is that?"

"Plain and simply my dear," Nan paused when Hermione opened the door into the dining room. "He is younger than you and therefore got all the attention. From what I hear now that has changed."

Hermione sat down across from Nan. "Yes I guess you can say I love Harry now. He is my best friend, and brother."

Nan nodded. "Tell me more."

So Hermione did.

*******

Draco awoke and felt the space to his left. He tried to reach for the body that should have been there, but instead he felt a cold space. He blinked an eye open and saw the sun shining through the partially open curtain. He closed if briefly to let him adjust to the time of day. He opened it again, and let the eye roamed the room.

When he had finished taking a look, he brought the pillow beside him to cover his face. He then knew that any thought of it being a dream was dashed away. Her scent was all over the pillow and he breathed in deeply.

His thoughts then travelled to what happened last night. He had found the infamous Zabini, well Zabini-Craig. And she was his fiance. Fiance, that was a scary thought. He thought at first that he would forever be stuck with Pansy, and he dreaded that. Now that he knew who his Fiance was and the fact that he actually did, in a sense, like her. He was happy about it for the first time in 17 years.

Now he didn't have a change of heart or anything. No, he was just happy that he had an equal. He was still possessive, spoiled and arrogant. But happy.

So he pushed the covers away from his body, and sat up. He grabbed his shirt from the chair that sat by the bed. He pulled it over and walked out of the room. Once he reached the washroom he tried to open the door. Once he found that it was locked, he knocked.

"What in heaven's name is people's problems now a...." The door opened to a very grouchy looking Blaise. "OH! Finally decided that I am the one you love and decided to join me?"

"I need to take go Zabini." Draco growled. "So could you bloody well hurry up?"

"You used to just walk right on through and just go." Blaise leaned against the door jam. "Why the politeness now? Does it have to do with my dear cousin?"

Draco growled again. "Not that it is any of your business, but I don't knock with Granger. I usually just walk right in. But were not 10 anymore Zabini. So Hurry Up!"

Blaise sighed. "I'll be a little while longer. So just use it now." He stepped out into the hall, and jumped slightly when Draco slammed the door closed behind him.

"Damn grouchy in the morning." He muttered as he leaned against the far wall.

"Who's grouchy in the morning?" Hermione asked as she walked up to where Blaise was standing.

Blaise turned to look at Hermione. "Why Hermione! I'm so glad your here!"

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "What's going on Blaise?"

Blaise grabbed a hold of Hermione's day old shirt and brought her flushed against him. "First let me tell you I am not against cousin's marrying each other. Secondly that lout of a boyfriend kicked me out of the bathroom."

Hermione kissed Blaise's cheek. "Okay now my turn. Firstly, I know that you are against it. And despite rumors of you and my 'lout of a boyfriend' being a couple. I know that you are attracted to a very nice blonde hair girl. Secondly, that 'lout of a boyfriend' is known to just walk in on me. So you will get no sympathy from me." She patted his cheek.

Blaise pondered for a minute, then lifted Hermione and twirled her around. "Aren't I lucky?"

Hermione laughed and allow Blaise to keep her lifted his arms. "For what?"

"To have you." He gave her a brilliant smile.

Hermione blushed, then gave him a quick peck on the lips. "I know. I am happy to have you as well." She gave him a hug and whispered in his ear. "But by the by, I would pick you over Parkinson any day."

"Huh?"

"It turns out the my biological father was, is, related to the Parkinson branch." Hermione pouted. "So it turns out that I am stuck with Parkinson for the rest of my live."

Blaise threw back his head and laughed. Hermione slapped him playfully on the arm, and glared at him when he dropped her unexpectedly.

"I don't know what your laughing about." Her arms crossed over her chest. "It's not funny!"

"Oh but it is!" Blaise doubled over again. "Quite funny that it was either my cousin or Parkinson that married him. Pansy is going to have ten fits when I tell her."

"You won't be telling her Blaise, in fact Nan said that it would be better for all of us that you don't."

Blaise wiped the tears from his eyes. "Oh you met Nan already?"

"Yes I did and she told me something that I am sure would wipe that smile off of your face." Hermione smirked. "In fact I am sure a couple things that she told me would be quite funny."

"Try me."

"She said that if you even utter one word that I am Tanya and David Craig's child," She paused for a dramatic effect. "Then she would arrange a union between you and Parkinson."

Blaise did indeed stop laughing at that comment. "She wouldn't dare!"

"Oh wouldn't she? I may not know her that well Blaise, but I would have to say that she would not relish on that fact."

"And on that note," They both turned to Draco whom had opened the door on the last sentence. "The washroom is your again, Zabini."

Blaise glared at Hermione, but held no mirth in his eyes. "I'll get you later."

Hermione waved her hands and giggled. "Oooo. I'm scared now."

Blaise lunged for her, laughed when she squealed and went to move behind Draco.

"Okay children play time is over." Draco raised an eyebrow at Blaise. "And your still in only a towel Zabini. So get!"

Blaise watched as Hermione stuck her tongue out at him from behind of Draco's back. He then looked at Draco's face and saw the amusement that he held in his eyes. He thought then that he really did love the two people that were in front of him, and so very glad that they would have each other. Also that he would be the one to watch their relationship unfold.

"One day Hermione." Blaise shook his fist at her. "Drake darling. I love you."

"Ya Ya." Draco mumbled and moved towards his room.

Blaise watched as Draco moved away and sighed.

"You really do love him. Don't you?"

Blaise looked into the searching eyes of Hermione and smiled. "Not as much as I love you."

Hermione blushed. "You don't love me."

Blaise moved to wrap his arms around Hermione. He bent his head and whispered into her ears. "But I do Hermione. I really do."

Hermione wrapped her arms around Blaise, and allowed herself to lean into his embrace. "He's going to get mad you know."

As Hermione said this she felt herself being lifted away, and picked up bridal style. She wrapped her arms around Draco's neck. She then looked at the laughing Blaise and gave him the 'told you so' look.

"I told you before Zabini. Mine!" Draco growled, walked away and slammed the door behind him.

Blaise started to move towards the bathroom, and was about to close the door until he heard a crash from Draco' room. He perked up his ears and listened to Hermione's yelling.

"I don't know who you think you are, but you are not my keeper!" He chuckled as he imagined her walking towards the door. He then heard a thump and what he imagined Draco placing his hand on the door.

"You became mine the moment we became lovers." Blaise strained to hear Draco's soft voice.

"I did not! I am not a thing Malfoy! And I will not be treated as a thing. How dare you do that to me in front of Blaise!" He leaned against the door jam. "And furthermore if you think that for one moment..." Blaise heard nothing. He was about to walk towards the door to further hear the argument. Thinking that they had started to speak quietly. He was almost to the door when he heard another thump, then a moan.

Blaise shook his head and walked back to the washroom to finish his morning routine. He sighed and thought that he need to get laid. He looked down and saw his member start to harden at the thought. And soon.

Maybe he would pay a quick visit to his blonde hair lady. He felt his blood start to move faster, and his body get warmer. Yes maybe he would go visit her, it's been awhile and it didn't help when the two in the other room would be going at each other like rabbits.

But first he needed a cold shower.

A/N- Here you go, another two chapters. I am once again so happy that this story is flowing along but it seems that I can't do two stories at once :( Oh well. I figure that I will get this one done first and then will finish "Irish Hearts". I will finish that one! I am determined.

Now for the next one. "Forever" I am sorry to the people that didn't understand it. I read it after and see what some people are saying. I only meant that, even though Hermione and Draco lived for a long time, immortality doesn't always mean 'living' forever. Immortality can also mean that even though someone isn't alive, they can still be known for a long time. Example that I can think of is Shakespeare. He has been long dead and gone for thousands of years. But in a sense he is immortal because of his various works. And the couple on the bench is a statue (of Hermione and Draco). I hoped that cleared it up, if not sorry.

Last note. Thank you to the lovely reviewer (and anybody else that thought of it) that liked the fact that Harry and Ron except Hermione and Draco. I thought that for once Hermione won't have to fight the subject with them. They are friends that have an amazing bond, and because of that bond they understand. Not to say that Harry and Ron are going to be all "lovey-dovey' with Draco. But they just understand.

Now I will stop before I spill the whole story to you :)

So until next time

Enjoy!