Chapter Eleven

The rest of the evening was uneventful at best. The students left the Great Hall an hour later, and made their way back to their common rooms. Hermione met up with Draco outside the Hall, to many peoples surprise, and began talking as they made their way up to Head Dorms. As they came closer to the dorms, Draco stopped.

"What is it?" Hermione asked, turning around.

"I have to return this book to the library today. Madam Pince gave me another week because I was out of it…but it was due today. I'll be back!" he said, taking off in the other direction.

"O–kay…" Hermione called after him. She looked back at the portrait hole, said the password and entered. She yawned, and suddenly, tripped over the last stair, causing her bag to fall of her arm. She knelt down and hurried to pick up her stuff. She looked at her bag groggily as she jammed her quill back into place and then looked up. The bag slid off her arm again and hit the floor with a thud. But Hermione didn't notice.

"Blaise?"

---

"Blaise?" Hermione choked.

The dark haired boy turned around. He almost seemed to glow at the sight of Hermione. Hermione's eyes filled with tears as he moved towards her. She shook her head to make sure she wasn't seeing things.

"Hermione," he whispered.

"I don't understand––" she stuttered. "You've been–– How can you–– Dumbledore said––"

"He didn't say anything, Hermione. I made sure he told you I was fine, remember? I was…unstable; I couldn't come back until…I…settled down. Dumbledore didn't think it would be safe if I came back before I was…normal again. I just…I don't know what happened. All I seem to remember is waking up in this room with Dumbledore there," he said with difficulty. It was clearly hard for him.

"Do you remember anything Blaise?" Hermione said quietly, refusing to look at him. She felt if she got too comfortable with his presence, he might leave her again.

"Not really. I remember before, making the potion…kissing you," he said the last part softly. Hermione smiled. "And then I remember waking up. I knew something was wrong. Dumbledore tried to fill me in, telling me I had flipped. But I didn't believe him. He told me I nearly killed Malfoy…and you. I told him I could never do anything to hurt you, I called him a crazy old bat and a liar. He laughed. It was cruel. He didn't let me leave that bloody room until yesterday. I think it was the second day after I woke up where he brought me a bloody mirror and told me to look in it. He told me to ask for you. So I did… And I saw you lying there, in the Hospital Wing, with Potter and Weasley at your side. I wanted so bad to come and see you, I think I almost went out again on Dumbledore. He then told me to ask for Malfoy, and I saw him there too. I think it was the first time I cried in a long time. I finally realized what I had done and it hurt so bad I couldn't do anything else. He left me with that mirror. It was my only way out of that room. You don't know how relieved I was you woke up three days later. I stopped using the mirror after that, I couldn't bare to see you, and not be there," he said this all very quietly. He was upset and shaky, and was avoiding looking at her.

Hermione, however, finally looked up. There was a huge swelling feeling in her stomach. She moved away from the wall she was leaning against and threw her arms around his neck and held onto him as if for dear life. She felt his arms snake around her back and he squeezed her, lifting her into the air.

"I missed you so much…" he whispered in her ear, putting her down.

She pulled away and looked at him. "I missed you too," she said softly.

"Hermione," he cupped her face and tucked her hair behind her ear.

His lips touched hers, and he pulled away quickly, giving her a "was that okay?" look. She smiled and he took that as the consent. He pulled her into him, his hand never leaving the back of her neck, and he kissed her. It was slow and sweet. Electricity spread throughout Hermione's body as she put her arms around his neck, keeping her lips on his. It was the perfect moment. She smiled as Blaise tried to deepen the kiss, realizing that he was trying to make up for all the time lost. She felt his hand slide from her neck down her arm and around her waist. He lifted her up again and spun her around, still not breaking the contact. She giggled into the kiss and they finally broke apart.

"Wow," she whispered. He laughed, his perfect, whole-hearted, laugh. It sent shock waves through her body. He was perfect. He took her by the hand.

"I told you…I really missed you," he said, kissing her again. It was quick and cute. He went to the couch and sat down, pulling her down next to him. She cuddled up against him as he pulled her into a protective and loving embrace. She put her head on his shoulder and he just held her, as if he would never let her go.

Suddenly, he broke the silence. "Has Malfoy woken up?" he muttered. She looked up at him and pulled away slightly.

"Yes, it's been about a week since he woke up." She put her legs over his and leaned into him. "He's been staying here actually," she said.

"Really?" he said, hugging her again.

"Yeah. Madam Pomfrey wanted me to keep an eye on him," she smiled.

"Oh," Blaise said, tracing small circles on her shoulder. "Wait, what kind of eye were you keeping on him?" Hermione pulled away and looked at him, smirking.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" she said, in a very Slytherin-like manner.

"You shouldn't do that…" he whispered seductively.

"Do what?" Hermione said, putting on an innocent face.

"That smirk thing with that tone. It's very attractive…maybe a little too attractive," Blaise said, pulling her on top of his lap. She locked eyes with him.

"What? You mean, this?" and she smirked again.

"I warned you," Blaise said. He grabbed her as laughed out loud and pinned her underneath him on the couch.

"Oh drat. You did, didn't you? And what can I presume is going to happen now?" Hermione said, smirking yet again.

Blaise couldn't take it anymore. She looked beautiful. No matter what she did, Hermione was just beautiful.

"I don't know Miss Granger. I'm still a bit unsure as to what I want to do to you," he said playfully. He ran his fingers up her side, tickling her gently. "Maybe that," he said, watching Hermione shiver. She giggled. He kissed her cheek. "Maybe that." He kissed her other cheek, "Maybe that." Hermione closed her eyes. He kissed her nose. "Maybe that."

He let his lips graze hers. "Maybe this," he whispered on her lips.

"I like this," she whispered back.

"Yeah?" he muttered. She opened her eyes.

"Yeah."

He let his thumb trace her jaw and lips. Then, slowly, he placed his lips back on hers. It was slow, slow and sensual. And that was it. They just kissed. And for the first time in his life, Blaise felt complete bliss and serenity.

Hermione did that to him. In a strange way, her bossy, know-it-all, humorous attitude; the fact that she could see the best in every one, and had chosen to see the best in him; her bravery, her courage; her smile, her eyes…everything about her entranced Blaise. He could feel himself slipping, slowly and yet, every so quickly. He didn't know what it was about her; maybe the way she tied her hair into a low ponytail before every test, or the way her eyes sparkled when she was happy, or the way her hand felt in his. He didn't know, nor did he care. Blaise just wanted her.

No…he needed her.

She kept him sane.

In the twisted way their paths had crossed, she was the one constant in his dark and miserable life.

The one person who hadn't shunned him for what he was.

The one person who had let him in her heart.

The one person who cared about him.

The one person he cared about.

The one person he loved.

-

After what seemed like hours, they broke apart, breathing deeply.

"Damn," Blaise said, sitting up and pulling Hermione up as well. She blushed. "Has anyone every told you you're an incredible kisser?" he said, pulling her into an embrace.

"You're not to bad yourself," she said quickly, leaning her head on his chest. She could feel his heart pounding and smiled to herself knowing it was her that made him feel like this. She closed her eyes, listening to the beat of his heart.

He took her hand in his and just held her there.

-

Blaise closed his eyes and sighed, his serenity quickly escaping him. He now had a weakness.

-

Hermione opened her eyes to find the room dark. Everything was quiet, and there was an unusual stillness in the air. She turned, expecting to find Blaise on the couch next to her. But he wasn't there. It was then she noticed: she wasn't on a couch. She wasn't even in the Common Room anymore.

And something was horribly, horribly wrong.

"I've been expecting you Mudblood."

Hermione whipped around, but faced nothing but darkness.

"Who are you? Where am I?" she breathed, slowly pulling her wand from her pocket.

"I am no one to be trifled with."

"So you are no one," Hermione said forcefully.

Suddenly, Hermione fell to the floor, overcome by the feeling that she had been punched. All the air left her body and she was left gasping on the ground.

"You are extremely lucky I haven't killed you yet. Do not test me Mudblood," the voice said.

"Lucky?" Hermione repeated.

All time seemed to stop. There was a blinding flash of light and Hermione could suddenly see herself. It was like she had floated out of her body and was watching herself down below.

Her surroundings were completely white. It was almost blinding. Suddenly, scenes began to flash before her eyes. Images…memories.

"Harry!" she saw herself kneeling next to Ron's unconscious body. "You really are a great wizard you know."

First year. Trying to save the Sorcerer's Stone. There was another flash.

She was walking down the corridor. There was a mirror in her hand. She looked to her left. Penelope…Percy's girlfriend! She used the mirror to look around the corner. A pair of bright yellow eyes greeted her.

Second year. This is odd, she thought.

"He's a werewolf! It's why he's been missing classes!" she heard herself yell.

"My, my Hermione. You really are the brightest witch of your age."

Lupin? Third year. But wait…Remus was…

Cedric's body lay before the crowd of people. Hermione saw herself crying, as Ron put a comforting arm around her shoulders, urging her to look away. Harry, she thought. Is Harry alright?

Fourth year.

"Harry? You have to practice your Occlumency. Please!"

Fifth year. What was going on?

"I told you not to trust that book!"

"I was right wasn't I? About Snape I mean. His mother's last name. Prince."

Dumbledore's tomb; that memory…

Reliving that memory made Hermione lose control. But Dumbledore was alive. He had survived, somehow. He was at school…

Blaise leaned forward. "You wouldn't be safe."

Draco broke the kiss. "Did I hurt you?"

"No! No, not at all…I wanted it…"

"I missed you Hermione…" Blaise.

"Run Hermione…Run, while you still can!"

"I'm not leaving him like this!"

"I can bring them back!"

"Don't do it! Don't leave me!"

"You saved me"

"Why did you have to go!"

"Bitch. Never touch me again. I never loved you."

"Please…don't."

"I'm sorry…I'm so sorry."

"I lost everything. Everything…and it's all you're fault. I hate you! I HATE YOU! I wish you would just–"

"Die? You wished death upon him Mudblood. You got your wish!"

"What are you talking about? Who are you? I've never wished death upon anyone!" Hermione screamed. She fell back into darkness. Her body felt like there was a giant hole blasted through it. She screamed in pain, falling to the floor.

She could hear the voices.

"What is happening!" she yelled, tears forming in her eyes.

Hermione then felt an enormous feeling of loss. It was as if the weight of a hundred worlds had fallen onto her chest. She couldn't breath. She heard the voices…the so-called memories in her head.

"Have you had enough Mudblood? Have you had enough of knowing you are the reason they are all dead?"

"Who is dead?" she screamed with giant effort. She was sobbing.

"I will ask you for the last time."

She felt herself being pinned up against the wall. Blue eyes loomed in front of her.

"Who are you? Why do you keep showing up every time something bad happens?"

"You chose it Mudblood. You made everything the way it is now. Again, I will ask you for the first and last time. Who has been protecting you?"

Hermione heard her voice leave her body, but it was as if she wasn't the one speaking.

"I don't know!" she screamed. "I thought it was you!"

The darkness began to lift. The figure began to take shape.

"I loved you Hermione. Not anymore."

And then everything went white.

-

Hermione's eyes flew open and she fell onto the ground, falling on her side. She sat up, her entire body enveloped in sweat, her face wet with tears.

"Hermione?" Blaise was at her side in an instant.

She couldn't think. She couldn't breath. Everything was wrong. And it was her fault. She had no idea what was going to happen, or any idea as to how to stop it. She felt pain; enormous pain.

"Hermione. Baby, talk to me," Blaise whispered. He tilted up her chin to look at her face but fell back in alarm.

Her face dripped with sweat, her face was pale…and her eyes were blue.

-

lilmxbry13: awww thanks

luna k: hope this chapter can prove sufficient until I get the next one in the works lol

a fan: sorry I took so long

0.Black.Roses.0: haha no problem..im the one who spends all day coming up with ideas

Queen of Serpents: that's the all time question isn't it? What exactly triggers Blaise's unusual powers? It has to do with his past and the type of wizard he is, but that's all I'm saying

u-r-only-my-shadow: there are reasons not to get fond of him, but they have not been revealed yet. They have been hinted at, but that's about it. Its not because he's bad parse (Sp?) but because of what he can do and what people want with him

Some Weirdo: thanks!

Sisterclara: )

SlytherinPrincess09: I'm glad lol

Twitchy the Squirrel: not quite yet lol. This chapter was meant to give the story a sense of YAY…kind of lol

Setsuna Bu: thank you. I try lol