Disclaimer: I don't own anything but illustrious plots (yet again), not even EMC². We have Albert Einstein to thank for that awesome equation.

Chapter 3: Jealousy is Unbecoming

Two months later…

Blaise and Hermione found that they did, indeed, make good friends, and had a strong friendship, which surprised everyone who had ever known Blaise in lower grades.

"I think that you've brought out some change in him, 'Mione." Molly pointed out the day before they were set to start Christmas break.

"I think you're right." Hermione said, pondering.

"How did you do it?" Molly asked, licking her lips.

"That's for me to know and for you to never find out."

Molly let out a sigh, which caused Hermione to laugh out loud. "Okay, fine. Be that way. You know I will just find out one way or another."

Hermione continued to laugh as they headed to their Physics class. The last one they had before Christmas break and for the year.

In this class, Hermione and Molly were sitting right behind Blaise, so it made it easy for Blaise and Hermione to talk occasionally when the teacher wasn't lecturing about momentum, time travel possibilities or EMC2 . Today, on the other hand, they were taking a few last notes on static's before having a "of the sorts" Christmas party.

When they were officially done and set lose for the rest of the period, Molly ran to the opposite side of the room to chat up some jocks while Hermione just moved up a seat to sit next to Blaise.

"Hey Hermione, my parents and I were wondering if you and your family were doing anything special over the break?" he asked while packing his bag.

"I dunno. I don't think that we are. Why do you ask?"

"Because my family owns a house at a resort in eastern Oregon called Sunriver, and we were thinking it would be fun if you and your family joined us over break."

"Ooh, that does sound like fun. When are you leaving?"

"We're leaving this Sunday, so that we can be there for Christmas on Wednesday. Hopefully it's not too late to see if you can go."

"I don't think it should be a problem. What should we pack?"

"Well, clothes of course. You should bring snow pants…"

"Ooh! It's in the snow? We're definitely going! I love the snow!" She exclaimed, her hands shooting up into the air, just nicking Blaise's chin with her fist. "Oops, sorry Blaise." She apologized, turning slightly pink. He just laughed, rubbing his chin.

"It's ok. Anyways, you should bring snow gear and since we're spending Christmas there, bring any gifts that you and your parents are going to exchange." He finished as the bell ending the day rang.

"I'll call you later tonight after I talk to my parents!" Hermione called over many a head, standing still, as practically the entire student body started milling out towards the front doors, hurrying to exit the building as soon as they possibly could to start their long awaited Christmas vacation.

"Alright, I'll be expecting!" he bellowed back to her as the crowds pushed him away from her, towards the front door.

"Am I imagining things, or did I just hear you making plans for Christmas break with Blaise just now?" A voice suddenly said behind Hermione making her jump in shock.

"Maybe." Hermione replied mysteriously after her heart rate had calmed from being frightened by her friend as she watched Blaise walk away to the doors with the crowd.

"Of course we can go; we were planning on going somewhere over Christmas anyways." Her mother said when Hermione got home that afternoon.

"Yay!" She squealed as she jumped in the air. "I have to call Blaise!"

As she rushed up to her room, Hermione grabbed her cell phone and dialed Blaise's number with a speed she hadn't had until she came to the United States, having plenty of practice in texting with Blaise.

"Hello, Mrs. Zabini? This is Hermione. Is Blaise available?" She asked so fast that she wasn't sure if she understood her when the receiver at the other end was answered.

"Why, hello Hermione. Yes he is, let me get him for you." His mother replied with her usual, jolly tone.

A few moments later, a slightly out of breath Blaise took the receiver from his mother.

"Yes, mom, I won't run in the house anymore. Hi Hermione. So? Is it a definite yes?" he asked, slight edge to his voice from lack of oxygen before he was finally able to calm his breathing.

"Well…"

"Well what? Did they already plan something that you guys are going to…?"

"BLAISE! SHUT UP FOR JUST ONE SECOND!!" Hermione yelled, laughing at his babbling.

"Sorry 'Mione. Go ahead."

"Of course we can go." She said, laughter still in her voice, hearing a huff from the other end. "I was just joking with you when I said 'well…'"

"Don't do that to me! I about had a coronary because of the way you answered my question. I thought you were going to say that they said no because you're doing something else. Stop laughing! I'm serious."

But the laughing was contagious, even over the phone, and soon both teenagers were gasping for breath from laughing so much.

Hermione was the first to calm with a loud whoosh of air from her lungs. "Wow. Anyways," she said, still calming her racing heart. "What are the plans?"

"How about we meet at my house at eleven in the morning and decide what goes in which car. Check-in isn't until 4pm, so 10:30-11ish leaving time? That's the perfect amount of time to get us up there and safely. Maybe we can go shopping at the local mall or something before hand."

"That sounds great! What do we need to bring food-wise?"

"Hold on, let me ask mom…" there was a few moments of muffled talking before Blaise's voice came back over the phone, saying, "Mom says you don't have to bring anything. But if you feel that you must, you can bring some kind of dessert for Christmas dinner."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Mom says we have everything covered."

"Alright, I'll see you Sunday then."

"Yup. Ten thirty, so we can pack the cars and leave the house by eleven, ok?"

"Okay."

"Talk to you then…"

"Talk to you then."

"Bye."

"Bye."

---Five minutes later---

"Molly! You'll never guess where I'm officially going over Christmas break!"

"Where, Hermione?"

"To Sunriver with Blaise and his family!"

There was a moments pause, which was the opposite of what Hermione was expecting, coming from the gossip queen.

"Molly? Are you…"

"Yeah, I'm here. Did I imagine it or did you just say that you were going to Sunriver with Blaise Zabini…THE Blaise Zabini to Sunriver for Christmas?!"

"Yeah! Well, not just me though. Both of our parents are coming with us of course."

"Hermione, do you have any idea how large of a percentage of the female population and a small percentage of the males at our school would love to be you if they knew what your plans were? About 75 in total I would say. The only ones that wouldn't want to be you right now are his ex girlfriend and those who aren't interested in men. Oh my God, Hermione, I so wish I was you right now! Blaise is so dreamy! And listen to this, it gets better, Sunriver is fancy resort with lots of big, fancy houses. It's also not far away from Mt. Bachelor, which happens to be one of the best skiing mountains in Oregon."

"Ooh, I can't wait then," she said.

"I'm so jealous of you!" Molly whined.

Hermione could only laugh at her friend as they said their good-byes. 'I don't need to worry about telling others about my trip. It will be common knowledge by the end of break if Molly has anything to say about it. Absolutely everyone will know.'

Just as a note: All the places I said are real. Look them up! They're beautiful in the winter. REVIEW!!! Please?