Hello, everyone!
This outtake is for my Harry Potter fic, "Time's Up", which can be found on my profile. This gives a little insight into Hermione and Blaise's early relationship, and takes place half-way into their sixth year. I would not suggest this is read before the first several chapters of "Time's Up" but it's your life. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own many things, including a Chuck Norris poster, which I keep up for inspiration. However, I do not own anyone or anything when it comes to the world of Harry Potter. JK Rowling does. The end.
'Time's Up"- Outtake Number Two
Hermione woke, stretching languidly in her bed. Her joints popped, and Crookshanks gave a loud meow in protest to her movement. Relaxing back into the mattress, she took a moment to gather her thoughts. She stared at the crimson draperies that surrounded her bed, and realized a rather exciting fact: today was Christmas.
Quickly sitting up, she threw back the bed hangings and bounded from the bed. There, sitting on her trunk at the foot of the bed, were her presents. There were around a dozen of them in all, ranging in size and color. She was glad Lavender and Parvati had both gone home for the holiday, as her pouncing on the gifts like a six year old probably would have caused some embarrassment.
The first gift was a large, lumpy affair, wrapped in green and gold paper. Instantly recognizing the package was a Molly Weasley arrangement, she quickly threw on the dark red sweater inside, and popped a caramel treat in her mouth. Chewing slowly, she continued to open her presents. From her parents, she had received a silver necklace with a small, blue sapphire, her birthstone. In a smaller, attached box, she found a new collar for Crookshanks, also silver in color, with "Crookshanks" and "Property of H. Granger" inscribed into the surface. Smiling, Hermione coaxed her half- kenezle familiar into the collar.
"You look positively dashing, Crooks." Hermione told the disgruntled cat.
Hermione also received a collection of joke products from 'Gred and Forge Weasley', and a new wand holster from Remus and Tonks. She opened a pretty turquoise scarf from Ginny, and a renewed subscription notice from The Daily Prophet from Neville. She was surprised to find a kit of exotic potions ingredients from Viktor Krum. A small set of makeup came from Lavender, with 'To go with Parvati's present' scribbled on the outside.
Opening a pretty charm bracelet from Luna, she read the attach note: 'Guaranteed to keep the Divarian Hopwinks well away. Love, Luna'. Smiling at her strange friend's protective nature, she turned to the small stack of rectangular objects next to her bed.
They were all obviously books, and she knew at least two of them were from Harry and Ron- they never were very handy with wrapping paper. Ron had gotten her a copy of Quidditch for Beginners and Harry got her an updated version of Hogwarts, a History. Parvati's gift turned out to be a book on makeup and hair care, explaining Lavender's note. The final gift was from Dumbledore, a set of 'Mood Socks', which supposedly changed color with one's emotions.
Gathering up the discarded wrapping paper, Hermione stopped at as a long, tube- shaped gift came into view. It had been knocked to the floor by other presents. Sitting down carefully, she opened the attached envelope, and began to read.
Dear Hermione,
Merry Christmas. While I am not there to celebrate it with you, I still wished to convey my deepest hope for your happiness this holiday season.
Against my original expectations, I have come to value your friendship and company above almost all others. Our time spent together this term has earned a fond place in my memories, and I hope to add to those memories in the future.
The enclosed gift is rather deceiving in appearance. I would suggest you look at the book Magic and Moving by Beatrice Fitzgerald, chapter six, to understand the gift's true potential. Hopefully, you'll find this scavenger hunt for information entertaining rather than frustrating. If not, the end result it worth it, I promise. I look forward to enjoying the present with you. Again, happy holidays.
Fino ad incontrare nuovamente, con affetto,
Blaise Alexander Zabini
This mysterious message had Hermione scrambling to put on proper clothes. Throwing on jeans, her new sweater, and trainers, she grabbed Blaise's gift on her way out the door. Rushing down the stairs and through the common room, she threw a "Be back in a bit!" over her shoulder to Harry and Ron, who were seated on a couch by the fire, surrounded by discarded wrapping paper.
Hermione flew down the corridors and staircases, anxious to get to the library. Blaise was right, she did find the "scavenger hunt for knowledge" to be both amusing and entertaining.
Quickly finding the book, Hermione settled into her seat at 'their' table near the Herbology section. Placing the still- wrapped item next to her book, she began to read. The first chapter discussed the various modes of transportation in the wizarding world, for witches, wizards, magical beings, and objects. Flipping to the sixth chapter, she found an in- depth look at transporting inanimate items:
During the 18th century, wizard- kind began to discover the ability to transport items from one area to another by magical means. While owls and floo calls remain the most popular mode of communication, several objects were created to find alternate means.
In 1788, Goblins were commissioned to make several valuable artifacts, such as two- way mirrors, recording earrings, vanishing cabinets, and scroll zappers. While only a few of these artifacts were originally made, wizards managed to duplicate them, to an extent.
Each replication of the items made the copy less reliable, until they possessed little to no magic. Research tells us that the first dozen copies of each artifact were perfect, with their additional copies decreasing in productivity, and thus, value.
The following pages gave descriptions on each type of transportation item, and Hermione sat the book aside. Reaching for the gift with shaking fingers, she carefully pulled back the wrapping paper until the gift lay exposed. The item was a long, thin tube. It was no longer than her forearm, and thin enough for her to wrap her fingers completely around it. It was polished grey in color, and Hermione noticed a small clasp at the top of the tube. Opening it, a rolled-up piece of parchment fell into her hand.
Hermione-
By now, I'm sure you've already read the proscribed chapter. This is one of the first dozen copies of a scroll zapper ever made. It was sitting in a Zabini vault in South America, and I decided to brush it off and get some use out of it.
When you have a finished parchment for me to read, open the tube, slip it in, and close the top with the clasp. I will receive the letter within seconds, using the other zapper of the set. It's very important that nothing besides the desired parchment is in the tube, as an explosion is likely to occur. Alas, not all instruments can be perfect.
-B
PS: Thank you for my gift. Yours was, by far, the most thoughtful. I've already begun to read it, and find myself fascinated. You're a real 'friend'.
Hermione was shocked. He had gotten her a lovely, thoughtful, extravagant gift. For a moment, she warred with the idea of returning it to him upon his arrival.
'But he wouldn't give it to me if he planned to use it with someone else.' Hermione debated with herself. 'Although, this doesn't make my gift seem all that special.'
Hermione had gotten a copy of Magical Law and Government: A Guide by Samuel McNewmara, with the author's signature inside. With a stroke of luck, Hermione had run into the prestigious author at the bookstore, and all but begged him to sign it.
"And who am I making this out to?" he had asked, glancing up at Hermione.
"His name is Blaise. He's quite fascinated by law. I think he'd make an excellent lawyer." Hermione replied. She knew if Blaise ever heard her gushing like this, he'd tease her mercilessly.
"Oh? And is this Blaise a friend? Or something more?" he smiled at Hermione, noting the slight blush that stained her cheeks.
"Oh, no, we're just friends." Hermione said hurriedly, blushing harder.
McNewmara made a disbelieving noise, and finished the message inside, signing his name with a flourish.
Several hours later, Hermione curiously opened the inside cover, reading the inscribed message.
Blaise,
I'm happy to hear of your interest in magical law. Merlin knows we need good lawyers in the world! Work hard, and don't let anyone discourage you from your dreams.
Sincerely,
S. McNewmara
PS: Keep a good hold of your 'friend'. She's a keeper.
Mortified by the post- script, Hermione contemplated getting giving Blaise an unsigned copy of the book instead. However, she ended up giving him the signed copy in the end, thinking that Blaise would find humor in the inscription. According to his message, he had. Wanker.
~(o)~
Hours later, Hermione rested in her room. Stuffed with food from the Christmas feast, she was just drifting off to sleep when she remembered her gift from Blaise.
Walking over to her desk, Hermione pulled out a blank parchment and a quill, and began to write.
Dear Blaise…
….
Author's Note:
Hi guys!
So, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, which is really pure fluff. I had fun writing it, and hope it came out okay. Not a lot of dialogue, so I hope no one was too terribly bored.
I'm so excited for next chapter. I have it written, and it's got a bit of lemony goodness at the end. So keep an eye out for that one.
Leave me a review, because I love them. Update on Thursday!
xoxo,
Gotbooks93.