Softness and warmth enveloped Hermione. The feeling felt so foreign after months on the run with nothing more than a single blanket and a canvas cot with two inch thick padding. Hermione sighed dreamily in bliss.

A part of her knew she should open her eyes and deal with the aftermath of her latest adventure. She really should see what the damage was and figure out how she was still alive. She really needed to open her eyes, at least a crack, and see if Harry was alright. In a minute, she promised herself. That promise wasn't kept.

She drifted in and out of sleep for what felt like days, yet could not find the strength to awaken fully. Maybe it was the trip's toll on her body; exhaustion that she had staved off for weeks dragged her down. Or it could be the simple fact that Nagini had taken a bite out of her, and while she knew she had survived (though Merlin only knows how) , a snake bite does leave one rather peaky.

She heard a cauldron bubbling, the soft snores of a person next to her (it had to be Harry since she had memorized the sounds of his slumber years ago) and the occasional sigh or scurry of feet. It wasn't until she felt the soft bed she lay on, dip slightly and a warm body creep in next to her that she thought very seriously about opening her eyes. The serious contemplation gave way to a follow through of that very action when she felt a warm hand cup her cheek.

Hermione's eyes snapped open and she found herself gazing into the sweetest face she had seen in months. A pair of warm light brown eyes surrounded by a thick fringe of long, black lashes stared back at her. A grin was plastered on the lips owner of the aforementioned eyes and a cute button nose and an unruly mop of black curls completed the picture sweet innocence.

"He wasn't lying. You really do look like an angel." The sweet boy stated in awe. Hermione was confused to say the least. Who said she looked like an angel? Who was this boy? She couldn't find it in herself to be scared of the stranger, however. After all, even if she was recovering from a near death experience she could take a seven year old (she guessed he was seven, she couldn't be totally sure). She wanted to ask what in the hell was going on but as soon as she opened her mouth, the boy put a finger to his lips and told her to "Shhh."

Feeling slightly taken aback by the command to be quiet, she opened her mouth again to speak but the boy shook his head and jerked his thumb to the body lying behind him and at something by her feet. She raised her head up to see what the kid was pointing at and saw Harry, mouth open, drool sliding down his face. Looking down she saw a tall figure sleeping lengthwise next to her feet. He had on plaid pajama pants and a white t-shirt that set off his tan. She could make out his profile, and recognized him immediately. Blaise Zabini. Silent, strange and sexy Slytherin extraordinaire.

She should have been worried. She was in a Slytherin family home. A family that was notorious for ambiguity when it came to where their loyalties lie. But she didn't feel threatened; the foreboding feeling that came when her gut told her something was wrong would not come. The angel faced Zabini boys helped put her at ease enough to hear what the youngest Zabini had to say.

She laid her head back down and shifted so she was lying on her side facing the kid that was in a similar position facing her. The boy snuggled closer and began to play with her long hair.

"What's your name?" Hermione whispered to her new friend. The boy smiled brightly and continued to twirl her hair around his small finger.

"Gabriel Angelo Zabini. You can call me Gabe if you want. Most everyone does." He whispered back.

"Hmm… Maybe I will. So, Gabe… Where am I?" Hermione hoped the kid was a smart as he seemed. She needed answers and since Gabe didn't seem to want to wake anyone up, she was counting on him.

"Zabini Manor in Nettuno, Italy. "

Hermione breathed out a gasp. She had apparated with Harry (not to mention Nagini) from Godric's Hollow all the way to the coast of Italy. International apparition was dangerous and usually required a lot of magical power and several small jumps to reach a destination. She had done it in one go. Would it be bad if she were impressed with herself?

"Wow." That was all she could mutter in response.

"Yeah. I heard Blaise and my mum and dad talking, you see you and your friend have been asleep for a couple days now, and Blaise thinks you are the most powerful, most beautiful, smartest witch he has ever known. He is very worried about you. And your friend I guess. But really worried about you. He's been making potions for you almost non-stop since you got here." Gabe was really matter-of-fact about everything, even though Hermione was blushing at the thought of Blaise complimenting her like that. To his parents, no less.

"Potions?" Hermione asked, ignoring the urge to ask Gabe what else Blaise says about her.

"Oh, yeah. Mum magicked some blood replenishing potion into you and some sleeping draughts so you could rest. Blaise has been making nutrition potions for you. He says you have gotten too skinny, and need some vitamins to get strong. He is almost as good as daddy at making potions. One day I will be good like they are too!" Gabe promised. Hermione couldn't help but grin and pinch the boy's cheek tenderly.

"I'm sure you will be, kiddo." Gabe's face lit up in response and he hugged Hermione as well as he could with both of them lying on their sides. Hermione was surprised at how open and affectionate the youngest Zabini boy was, but she enjoyed it nonetheless. She always wanted a younger sibling; one that she could bond with, teach, protect and torment.

"So, Blaise and your mother healed me and Harry?" Hermione asked Gabe after he let her go. Gabe nodded somberly, chewing his lower lip.

"Yep. Your friend wasn't too hurt, at least that's what my mummy said, but I heard Blaise telling her and dad that he had to use his emergency vial of Phoenix tears on your snake bite, otherwise you would have died. He found you guys, you know. He hasn't really left this room since you got here, actually. I think he's scared that something will happen to you if he leaves. Mum says he just needs to be near you. Dad says he doesn't blame him, that if something happened to mummy he would be by her side every second." Gabe whispered the last part conspiratorially.

Hermione once again found herself blushing at something a seven year old said. Seriously, what was up with the kid insinuating that Blaise Zabini fancied her? She racked her brains for any information she had on Blaise, which was more than she had for any other Slytherin.

Hermione remembered Blaise vividly from Hogwarts for several reasons. One, he never called her names or treated anyone badly. Two, he was very handsome, a fact she noticed in third year when she realized he was in all her electives. Three, he was brilliant, quiet, graceful and somewhat shy. She knew the shy factor from various projects that she had been partnered with him throughout the years. Usually during said projects he would smile a lot and contribute academically but seemed content to let her ramble on about different topics or herself. She never tried to pry information out of him, afraid his smile would fade or his vibrant green eyes would dull in response. So she just enjoyed working with such a brilliant person and was as friendly as she could be.

She had observed him out of morbid curiosity for years and never really tired of it. Some of her observations were quite mundane. He read a lot, smiled a lot, and constantly had a box of chocoballs in his pocket which he ate quite frequently. There was more of course (how could there not be with six solid years to back her up) but sometimes the subtleties in his expressions, movements and actions were hard to put into words. She could never quite explain him, could never put him in any category and would think about him in the most random of times and situations. She never really tried to analyze why she thought about him or watched him, because frankly, doing so helped calm her down when the ridiculousness of her dangerous life became too much.

She remembered that apart from Theodore Nott, he never associated with well, really anyone. Girls could dance topless in front of him and he wouldn't notice. She was aware of the sheer number of girls who would try and flirt with the guy, only to be given a kind smile and a polite dismissal. She would know; she'd seen it happen frequently in the library where they both seemed to live. Apart from the nerdy, quiet, and odd habits of Blaise she didn't know much about the Zabini family apart from rumors that circulated that seemed too outlandish to be real.

At least she hoped that they weren't real. She rather liked the rumor that the Zabini's were a neutral family; after all, it was better than the one that had the Zabini's painted as the evilest family in the death eater circle. She will take neutrality over death eater any day, thank you very much. She suddenly remembered a rumor she had heard about Mrs. Zabini, one that seemed plausible and that thought scared her.

Was Blaise's mum a 'black widow'? How does one ask the son of an alleged husband killer if the rumor is true?

"Gabe? You said your mum helped patch us up?" Hermione asked tentatively. Gabe nodded.

"And she didn't mind…er…helping us?" Hermione continued. Gabe looked confused by her question, but he was saved from answering by a melodious voice.

"Of course I didn't mind helping you two sweetlings. Good to see you up, pet." A beautiful woman with vivid green eyes, tan skin and pitch black hair stood at the foot of the bed, stroking Blaise's equally dark hair. She smiled at the bed full of young people fondly.

Hermione shot up into a sitting position too quickly (surprise will make you do stupid things) and nearly passed out when a wave of dizziness threatened to overtake her. She felt Gabe lean up against her from behind as a means of holding her up. She really liked this kid.

"Oh, dear. Are you alright? The sleeping draught might still be lingering. I gave you less than I gave your friend and my son, trying to take into account body weight but I might not have factored in your last solid meal." Mrs. Zabini looked over Hermione in a worried fashion that reminded her of her mother. The beautiful woman rounded the corner of the bed and gently perched herself on the bed near Hermione, and proceeded to take Hermione's temperature with her hand.

"I'm alright Mrs. Zabini. Thank you very much for helping Harry and I- erm-I can wake him and we can be on our way-" Hermione was abruptly interrupted by Mrs. Zabini.

"Nonsense, Hermione- do you mind if I call you Hermione?- you will continue to rest and you will stay here for however long you want. You and are both welcome." The rumored gold digger smiled beautifically at her.

"-"

"Please, call me Alana."

"Alana, then. You see, Harry and I would be putting your family in grave danger if we stayed for long. I appreciate your kindness, I truly do but we must leave immediately." Hermione really didn't want to see anything happen to Blaise or Gabe. She still had her reservations about the blunt, seemingly kind, beautiful woman that was holding one of her hands in both of her own.

"Hermione, my family and I discussed this already. You are welcome here. We are well aware of the risk involved, but aside from placing our home under a Fidelius Charm, our location is safe and our wards are unbeatable." Alana was deathly serious and Hermione had a feeling the woman would not be taking 'no' for an answer.

"Why is it that important to you that we rest here?" Hermione couldn't help but be suspicious. Alana seemed to pick up on this immediately and smirked.

"Ah, so you have heard the rumors, have you?" Hermione tried not to blush, but it didn't seem to faze Alana, who just tossed her head back and laughed.

"Yes, I do think that my offer of assistance would seem strange, if you believe me to be 'killer hussy' as I once heard one woman describe me. Let me assure you that my reasons, though I won't say much about them at the moment, are entirely honorable. I want to help you and Harry." She smiled kindly and Hermione couldn't help but believe her.

"Well, I suppose we can stay for a bit…" Hermione trailed off and felt Gabe hug her from behind, placing his head on her shoulder and grinning from ear to ear.

"Yes!" He whispered excitedly. Alana laughed at her youngest son's antics.

"It seems that you have both of my sons wrapped around your finger, my dear. I'm quite impressed."

Hermione blushed.

"If you don't mind my asking, if there is no truth to the rumors about you, why don't you correct them?" Hermione was always too curious for her own good, and the question slipped out before she could stop it.

"I don't care to put it simply. You see, my husband loves to invent potions. He is quite brilliant at it, but he has been known to blow up a cauldron or two. Occasionally he loses his hair when accidents like that occur and he is rather fond of magicking his appearance to suit the wigs he wears when he can't grow his hair back fast enough. The rumors of me with a different male amassing a great fortune are true. It just happens to be the same man with a different appearance and the fortune comes from the sale of original potion recipes." Alana's eyes were twinkling mischievously. Hermione didn't know how to respond so she just laughed at the absurdity of the rumors.

"Did you say you gave Blaise some sleeping draught too?" Hermione's verbal filter was definitely broken today. Alana looked over at Blaise and smiled softly.

"Yes, I had to. He hadn't slept since you got here and he refused to do so until you woke up and he could explain things to you. He was worried you would panic and run." Alana gazed pointedly at her, conveying to Hermione a secret that Gabe had already let out of the bag. Apparently Blaise cared about her.

"Oh, well…erm…I'm sorry if we've been a bother. I'll have to thank Blaise when he wakes up." Hermione wondered if his mother was trying to play matchmaker. Alana smiled knowingly and picked Gabe up announcing that they were going to allow Hermione a little more rest. Hermione waved as they left the room and took in her surroundings for the first time.

The carpet was a plush, midnight blue, while the walls were a peaceful sky blue. The room was large, with a deep mahogany desk in front of the large window that carried heavy drapes in a rich brown. A bureau and a couple of sets of drawers were placed against the walls artfully. A set of armchairs were set around a small coffee table that had books haphazardly thrown on them. She noticed two doors that she assumed led to a closet and most likely a bathroom.

Speaking of bathroom…. She gingerly got up from the bed noticing that was dressed in a deep purple colored silk pajama pants and a white tank top. She found the bathroom (it reminded her of the prefects bathroom at Hogwarts, minus the shower stalls) and washed her face and brushed her teeth.

She stared at her reflection, contemplating the changes in her since the journey began. Hair-long and curly , slightly dull, but in a rich chestnut color. Eyes-tired, but still hazel with dark lashes surrounding them. Skin color- too pale. Lips- slightly chapped but otherwise normal (full and slightly rosy). Body- malnourished- her breasts had started to shrink for Merlin's sake!- but still strong and holding onto a solid five foot eight inches. With a sigh she walked back towards the bed in time to see Blaise begin to stir. She crawled back into her side of the bed and decided to thank Blaise immediately.

She perched next to him and gazed down at him, noting the fluttering behind his eyelids and the parting of his full lips in a tiny yawn. His cheekbones would make any model jealous and the white t-shirt had rolled up slightly and the deep v-cut of hip bones was clearly seen. Damn sexy Slytherins.

When Blaise finally opened his bright green eyes, the first thing he saw was an angel (otherwise known as Hermione) smiling gently at him.

"Hermione?"

"Blaise."

Any other Slytherin would have sat up from a prone position on their backs and schooled their expressions into neutrality. They would have subtly changed their body language to exude intimidation or at the very least power and control over the situation. Not Blaise. He continued to lie on his back, expression unguarded (and still sleepy) with a strangely hopeful smile on his face. Hermione felt heat rise to her cheeks, a slight blush brought about by Blaise's unwavering gaze.

His eyes were breathtaking. So bright and clear, the greenest of greens that she ever saw. His dark, thick, curling lashes just made them seem so much brighter. And she was staring at him like an idiot. Her blush deepened.

"Are you warm? You look flushed. Do you have a fever?" Blaise sounded worried-and oblivious, thank Merlin. Hermione smiled sheepishly over having worried him.

"I don't have a fever. I feel as good as new, thanks to you. Blaise…" Hermione paused, unsure of how to continue. "You used your phoenix tears on me. Im very grateful, really, I am- but phoenix tears are rare and very expensive! You should have saved it for yourself. I'll pay you back-" She was cut off by his warm hand on her knee.

"Yes, phoenix tears are rare and expensive. I assume you spoke with my mum or brother to know that I used some of my vial on your wounds. No, you will not be paying me back. And I most definitely was not going to watch you die when I had the most powerful healing agent in the known world around my neck. Not you." Blaise spoke gently, reassuringly but with a quiet vehemence. He smiled crookedly at her displaying his even, white teeth in all their glory. He loved hearing Hermione ramble and her rambling on about something as unimportant as phoenix tears when it came to her life just meant that she really was feeling better.

A sad thought flitted through his mind. Hermione noticed his eyes dim a little and she wondered what he was thinking about. Did she offend him?

"You said you were feeling as good as new…" Blaise trailed off and looked from her hazel eyes to his fingers which had begun to twist in agitation. "Does that mean you're leaving right away?" He asked quietly.

Hermione was surprised at his demeanor. She was a brilliant student, strategist, caretaker, friend and pretty much everything else, but she was oblivious to people and their subtleties sometimes. In this case she had a gut feeling that Blaise really didn't want her to leave. Oh please, she'd have to be a half-wit to not figure that out.

She had been told in so many words that Blaise cared for her, quite possibly fancied her and only now did she really believe that the hints had merit. She didn't answer right away, not sure how to say that yes, she was staying. She wanted to convey that she was open for suggestions on the reason why she was staying.

How does one convey that they find another completely and utterly fascinating, sexy and quite possibly a love interest without outright saying it? Gryffindor bravery could kiss her ass, she was a confident girl but even she was not that blunt.

Instead of trying to be eloquent, she decided to shut her mouth for once and instead let her actions speak for her.

Hermione yawned and stretched exaggeratedly before lying down next to Blaise and pressing her forehead to his shirt covered shoulder and closing her eyes in feigned sleepiness.

"Naw. I think I'll catch up on some sleep and nutrients I've missed out on the last few months. "She whispered slyly. "Plus, I think your mum would have my head if I left so soon. And poor Gabe, I think he likes me. Can't disappoint him after I already told him I'd stay for a bit."

She felt Blaise's eyes on her and opened her own to meet his gaze. His eyes were bright again, and inside Hermione rejoiced.

"What's not to like?" He asked, referring to his baby brother's affections for Hermione. And that right there was why most thought Blaise was strange. He was blunt, too honest to be a normal Slytherin (cunning and sly, anyone?) and too curious about the impact his words had on others. He liked analyzing people's reactions to simple truths.

Hermione's reaction didn't disappoint. Her cheeks burned faintly and he had the joy of seeing her smile shyly. She liked being complimented but did not know how to respond was what he gathered from his analysis. He'd have to get her used to compliments.

They lay next to each other quietly, their skin touching at random points. Hermione shifted a blanket that Harry had kicked off himself to cover them both at the bottom of the bed. Her eyelids grew heavy in her deep relaxation with Blaise feeling as content as a cat lying in the sun. Soon the both drifted off to sleep again, this time however, they were cuddled close with peaceful expressions on their young faces.