Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. That right belongs to J.K. Rowling.

The following day Hermione woke with a crick in her neck from sleeping on the beanbag chair overnight. She was surprised to find a blanket on her, however. Smiling softly, she quietly rose from the beanbag, and floated it and her laptop up the stairs. Changing her clothes, Hermione grabbed her book bag and was out the door of the Head's common room. She needed to speak to Professor McGonagall.

Back in the Head Boy's dorm, Blaise stretched and then frowned, concentrating on something. Then he grinned. He could sense Hermione's feelings. That meant she'd accepted the bond. 'Wait a minute', the Italian scowled. His mate was no longer in the tower. He couldn't feel her presence anywhere nearby. Leaving the room and Draco behind, Blaise walked down to the common room. Hermione wasn't there, either. Pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace, Blaise was quickly becoming more and more worried.

Hermione was in the Headmistress's office talking to Professor McGonagall when she suddenly felt a surge of anger sweep through her. The young girl gasped and bent double, wrapping her arms around her mid-section. Professor McGonagall rose in worry, and went around the desk to her favorite student.

"Ms. Granger?"

"He's angry", Hermione gasped out. "He's so, so angry. Worried, too. Professor, how long have we been talking?"

Professor McGonagall looked at her timepiece and frowned. "Only a half hour, Ms. Granger. Well, seeing as you've accepted the bond, it seems you and Mr. Zabini have some things to work out."

"So it would seem", Hermione agreed grimly. "That being said, Professor, I really would like to continue our conversation. Now, I know Carmi would accept Malfoy in a second if she knew the conditions, but I don't want her to have the kind of relationship where she knows nothing of her counterpart. I want Carmi to grow to love him on her own, then accept him. That's where my proposal comes in."

The professor sighed. "I do understand where you are coming from, Ms. Granger, but to send my three best students to a Muggle school in America?"

"Well, it isn't like Carmi could come here, Professor. She doesn't have a drop of magical blood in here. Although…" Hermione trailed off.

Professor McGonagall looked at her. "Although?" She questioned.

Hermione sighed. "Carmi can See, Professor. All her predictions in the past have come true. It doesn't make any sense, though. She has no magical blood, and her only magical relative is me."

Professor McGonagall thought, and then sighed. "If what you tell me is true, Ms. Granger, then I will accept your proposal. You and Messrs. Malfoy and Zabini may travel to America to go to school with your cousin. It would not do to have an unwatched Seer alone with no idea of what she can do."

Hermione's face lit up when her Professor's words sunk in. "However, if you are to go, it should be as soon as possible. Tonight, if possible."

Hermione nodded. "Of course, Professor."

"And you really should be on your way back to the Head's dormitories now, Ms. Granger. You don't look at all well. How angry is he?"

"Very", Hermione acknowledged.

Hermione entered the Head's common room cautiously. She really didn't need an angry Veela on her back. Hermione winced as the door seemed to slam behind her, and Blaise was off the couch like a rocket. He strode over to where she was, blue eyes glinting dangerously. Hermione gulped and backed up until her back hit the wall. Blaise stalked toward her, a lion chasing its prey.

"Where were you?" Blaise asked softly, an edge to his voice.

Ever one to fight, Hermione replied, "I wasn't gone for even an hour, Blaise. You really need to stop worrying."

Blaise looked down on her, eyes darkening. He walked forward until there were only two inches between the two's bodies. He bent his head down, and placed his mouth near his mate's ear.

"I'll ask again, where were you?" His breath tickled Hermione's ear, and she shuddered, and squirmed against him. He smirked to know that she wasn't as unaffected as she appeared.

Hermione growled on the inside. The bastard knew what he was doing to her, and he was enjoying it, damn him! Fine, then. He wanted a game? She'd give him a game.

"I was out."

Blaise growled. "I know you were bloody well out. I want to know where!"

Hermione smirked inwardly. "I was in the library", she said 'innocently.'

Blaise scowled, and closed the remaining inches of space between his body and Hermione's, pressing against her. "Don't lie to me", he whispered. "I would know if you had been in the library. I would have sensed it. I couldn't sense you anywhere. Where. Were. You?" He growled.

Hermione closed her eyes, and leaned her head back against the wall. Damn this Veela in front of her for having such an affect. It wasn't right. 'I won't let him win this game', she thought ferociously. Opening her eyes and leaning her head forward, Hermione looked Blaise straight in the eye, and said, "I was in the castle." And wiggled straight out of his arms and ran for the stairs.

Blaise was shocked that he had been outwitted at his own game. But then again, his mate was Hermione Granger. Blaise took three long strides, and caught his mate around the wrist, pulling her back into him. His mouth covered hers, hot and hard.

Hermione melted into the kiss. Blaise buried one hand in her long hair, and the other around the small of her back, pulling her into him hard. Hermione gasped as her body connected with his. The Veela took advantage of her surprise to probe his tongue into her mouth. He nearly died of pleasure at her taste. She tasted like raspberries and honey, tied together with jasmine tea. One of Hermione's arms wound up around his neck, flattening her tighter against him. The other clutched at his chest, desperately seeking something to cling to. Gaining some confidence, Hermione gently probed her own tongue into Blaise's mouth. Blaise was surprised, but accepted it. The two battled for dominance. Hermione loved the taste of Blaise. He tasted of coffee ice cream, and her cousin's favorite dessert – Crème Brule. Hermione let Blaise win the battle of dominance, and he explored her mouth, charting the unknown territory. As if sensing Hermione's need to breathe, Blaise withdrew from her mouth slowly and nipped at her jaw and neck, searching for that one special spot. He heard Hermione hiss in a breath as his lips sucked on a pulse point just beneath her ear. Blaise grinned. 'Found it.'

Hermione was melting. The sensations of Blaise's mouth against hers, his lips at her pulse point, the feeling of his body against hers, all of it was too much. She drew his mouth back to hers impatiently, craving the feeling of him again. Blaise chuckled at his mate's impatience, but then groaned when she bit at his bottom lip as punishment for him laughing at her. Picking her up, he felt her wrap her legs around his waist. He nearly dropped her at the feeling. Hermione wrapped her legs tighter around his waist, and crossed her ankles to give her a bit of a boost. Blaise turned and walked the two back over to the wall. He leaned Hermione back against the wall, expecting her to drop her feet from his waist and back down to the ground. She didn't. Instead she just wound herself tighter around him, clutching at him for balance. Blaise groaned aloud at the feeling. He clutched her tighter to him, not willing to let her go.

The two stayed intertwined for minutes, or maybe even hours, they weren't sure. Draco was the one who interrupted them.

"Hey, Granger, I was just talking to McGonagall about something she said she'd – whoa!" He said, looking up.

Hermione reluctantly pulled herself away from Blaise. The Italian boy groaned, and showed his displeasure by trying to catch her mouth again. Hermione laughed and pushed him away. "Blaise, stop. Sorry, what was that you were saying Malfoy?"

Draco looked at her. "You know, this would all be so much less uncomfortable if you were on your own feet."

Hermione blushed, and unwound herself from Blaise. Blaise growled at Draco who rolled his eyes. "Suck it up, princess." Then he addressed Hermione. "Something about America and going to school there for two years."

Hermione's eyes widened. "What time is it?"

Draco checked his watch. "Six."

"Shit!" Hermione exclaimed ignoring the shocked looks from Draco and Blaise at her language. "McGonagall gave the three of us permission to go to school with Carmi, in America, at a Muggle school", she added pointedly, "for two years. We're due to leave at seven. So shoo! Pack!" she said, pushing the two up the stairs.

After forty-five minutes of Hermione saying, "No, Blaise, you can't bring wizard robes" and, "No, Malfoy, you don't need to bring heavy clothes, she lives in Southern California." The three were ready to go.

Leading the way to Professor McGonagall's office, Hermione felt a hand slip into hers. Hermione grinned, and heard Blaise whisper in her ear, "This is where you were earlier, isn't it?" Hermione nodded.

"Sorry I overreacted."

"I'm not. Otherwise that little session would have never happened", Hermione whispered impishly. Giggling at the look on his face, she slipped her hands from his and skipped up the last few steps to the Headmistress's office.

Professor McGonagall held out the Portkey. "This is timed to leave in two minutes. Do you all have everything you need?"

The three nodded. Then, placing their hands on the worn out violin bow, they felt the familiar tug behind their navels.

Landing in a sunny meadow, they all blinked bright sunlight out of their eyes. Looking around, Hermione grinned.

"I know this place. Carmi and I come here for picnics every day in the summer."

"It's September 1st", Draco pointed out.

"Mmm, yeah. Carmi's school starts in August." Hermione grimaced.

Standing in front of Carmi's house, Hermione knocked, heard a, "Coming!", followed by a load of cursing, and grinned. Entering the house, Hermione saw her aunt hopping around on one foot, clutching the other, and swearing enough to make a sailor blush.

"Stupid fucking shitty asshole crapping son of a load of bitching – "

"Hi Aunt Rena." Hermione interrupted, giggling.

Rena looked up from her hopping. "Hermione dear! Lovely to see you again; Carmi should be home in a half hour. How are you?"

"Fine. Did you stub your toe on Whiskers' cage again?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Rena nodded mournfully. "Stupid squirrel's cage. And people wonder where Carmi gets her klutziness."

"Well it isn't like she's klutzy on the mats or floor."

"That's true", Rena sighed. "Who are your friends, dear?"

"Oh." Hermione said. "The blonde one is Draco Malfoy, and this", she said, tugging Blaise forward from where he was connected to her hand, "is Blaise Zabini."

So… how was it? Tell me what you thought of the kissing scene. It was my first time writing one.

Love!