I'm so sorry it took me so long to start writing this chapter. I have just been so overwhelmed lately that I was finally just able to sit down and write this out. I'll try my best not to let this much time go in between updates. Thank you so much for your reviews and support. It means the world to me =).
Chapter Fourteen – We're Pulling Apart and Coming Together Again and Again
"Hey Hermione!" a voice called out to her as she was walking back to the common room.
Hermione was thankful that the classes were over and she could just relax. The past few months had caused her a huge amount of stress and it seemed like everything was finally falling into place. Her course load was increasing by the minute though and that was the reason for her rush to get started on it. If there was anything that Hermione Granger hated, it was procrastination.
She turned towards the person, "Hey Blaise, what's up?"
"Do you really need that many books? Here, I'll help you," Blaise offered.
"Thanks," Hermione replied.
"Can we talk? We haven't really had the chance to for the past week..." he trailed off.
"Yeah, Draco and Pansy won't be in the common room for a little while so we can talk there," she suggested.
The walk to the common room wasn't awkward, but the silence wasn't comfortable either. It was a weird combination of the two. It was like they both knew what Blaise wanted to talk about, but couldn't due to where they were. It felt like the walk lasted a lifetime when they finally arrived at the common room, but it had only been realistically a few minutes. They set their things down and proceeded to the couches.
"So what's on your mind?" Hermione asked Blaise after a few seconds.
Blaise shrugged, "I just feel like we haven't been able to talk for awhile. How are you?"
"I'm actually really good right now. Draco and I have our first date on Friday, so I'm pretty excited for that," she smiled, "How are you?"
"That's good! I'm really happy for you two. It's about time. I've been better," he said indifferently.
"Come on, talk to me. I am your sister now, so that does give me some power over you," Hermione laughed.
Blaise sighed, "It's just Pansy. I want to be with her again. I love her, I really do. I messed things up and at the same time I'm scared to trust her."
"She still loves you too and you've been killing her lately. At least now you're acknowledging it," she joked around, "I know she betrayed your trust. It's hard when someone you love and trust completely hurts you and betrays that trust. You have to forgive her and give her another chance though. Trust me, I know it hurts. Draco betrayed my trust a number of times, but honestly I haven't been happier than I am when I'm with him. You know she's loyal to you."
"I know," he replied quietly, "It just hurt that she didn't confide in me. I know that she didn't have a choice, but she knew you were my sister before I did. I've known her my whole life and she kept that from me."
"Just give her another chance. You two are so lost and miserable without each other," Hermione informed him.
"I know. I'll think about it. Thanks. I also wanted to talk to you about something else..." Blaise trailed off.
She looked at him curiously, "What else did you want to talk about?"
"I want you to meet my, I mean, our parents. Have you talked to them since reading the letter?" he asked.
"No, I really don't know what to say and with all the drama going around, I haven't had much time to think about it. I also wanted to talk to you about it first," Hermione said softly, "Do you mind if I get to know you and your family?"
Blaise gave her a look, "Are you crazy? Of course you can, it's our family by the way not just mine. I want you in my life as my sister. You have a rightful place in my family and I think it's time that you joined our family again. Mother would love to hear from you."
"Thanks Blaise, that means the world to me. I just feel like I'm betraying my parents by meeting yo-our family. I also have no idea what to write to her," she replied while looking at her feet.
"You're not betraying your parents. They're still the ones that raised you and shaped you into who you are. Nothing would change that and from what I can tell, your parents wanted you to find us. I have an idea. Why don't you accompany me to manor for the long weekend coming up?"
"I'm not sure," Hermione replied uncertainly scared of what her family would think of her.
"They would love you," he told her with a smile, "Come on, they would love to see you again. Draco and Pansy will also be there so you won't be alone."
"Fine, I'll join you guys," she replied reluctantly, "Thanks for everything Blaise. I'm sorry I've changed your life so much."
"Don't worry about it. You were like a sister to me already, so it's only natural that you are now," he smiled.
Hermione got up and hugged him tightly. She knew that he would always be around from now on to help and protect her. Hermione knew she was lucky to have someone so kind and welcoming in her life. She just hoped that he would open his eyes and get Pansy back before it was too late.
"I really need to get studying, but I'll see you at lunch?" she asked him.
"You never rest do you? Alright, I'll see you then. Don't drown in your books," he smiled as he left.
Hermione smiled as she got to work. There was many books she needed to read up on if she wanted to get ahead in her classes.
HGHGHGHGHGHGHGHG
Pansy walked slowly to no particular destination at all. She still missed Blaise like crazy. Not just as her boyfriend, but her best friend. He was always there when she needed him and they had been that way ever since they were little kids. It was weird not having him around and she felt like part of her was missing. The part of her that only he seemed to be able to bring out. Trying to forget him, she let her feet carry her in the familiar castle.
She knew that he had been seeing the youngest Weasley and that killed her. Pansy could still remember the look in his eyes when he saw her with Harry. He looked so cold and indifferent that it physically made her ache. The pain that the break up caused was unbearable at times and at least she knew he was feeling it too. Blaise only hid what he was feeling when he was hurt or angry. That was one similarity that Draco and Blaise shared and it was one that she knew very well.
Sometimes she thought that it was fate. Maybe they weren't meant to last and they were each destined for someone else. They had been in each others' lives for so long that maybe it was meant to end. Their chapter was closing and a new one was opening. She really had to stop reading all these romance novels that she stole from Hermione. They really weren't healthy for her.
As if summoned, she ran into a hard body. Strong arms caught her from falling and held her tightly. She was confused, because she knew it was Blaise. His smell was imprinted in her memory and she grabbed him knowing that the moment wouldn't last very long. She looked up into his dark brown eyes and was surprised at the emotion there.
His face drew nearer to her and she immediately met his lips. They were so familiar that she didn't hesitate in kissing him back with as much intensity as he was kissing her. Her hand was pulling his face closer to hers and she could feel the slight stubble that had started. He grabbed her legs and lifted her up so that they were a similar height. His lips started trailing kisses down her neck and she moaned. It felt like this was a dream and that the past couple of months hadn't happened.
That's when all the pain she had experienced hit her like a ton of bricks. She practically gasped as the pain filled her and she hopped off of him and pushed him away.
"What the fuck is your problem?" she yelled at him.
He started walking away from her when she ran up to him and grabbed his arm.
"No, you do not get to walk away from me! Not after everything you put me through and now you add this to the list! You can't break up with me and then kiss me expecting everything to go back to normal. I can't believe you would be this selfish. Fuck you, I'm finished with you," Pansy ranted angrily and started walking away from him.
Suddenly she was pushed up against a wall looking into the angry eyes of Blaise Zabini.
"What I put you through? That has to be a joke," he sneered, "You were the one that kept things from me. I trusted you and you couldn't tell me I had a sister! Then you go off with Potter of all people and you expect to be all innocent. You're ridiculous."
"I'm ridiculous? You're the one that started kissing me because you wanted some action this morning! Stop complaining, we're just friends. Not like you and Weasley. You really disgust me you know that. I thought we were better than this. I thought you were my best friend. I guess I was wrong," she trailed off.
"Yeah best friends don't keep things from each other. I was with Weasley because she didn't keep anything from me and she listened to me. How do you think I handled figuring out that I had a sister I never knew about? I was a mess and betrayed by my own girlfriend. You didn't even think to check up on me," he snarled at her.
Pansy looked outraged, "Do you not think I wondered about you? You wouldn't let me get near you let alone see how you were doing. You completely shut me out. Yes, I made a mistake keeping that from you but she's my best friend and she was alone. Don't use that as an excuse. Things were getting too serious for you and you used that as an excuse to shut me out."
"You honestly make me laugh," Blaise chuckled sarcastically.
"But you didn't deny it. I'm right and you know it. I don't know what the fuck is going on with you, but don't talk to me until you figure it out. I can't keep going with this hot and cold thing that you have going on. Either you want to get back together or I'm moving on. I love you, but I can't keep waiting forever or getting hurt," she said in a soft voice.
He stepped away from her while keeping contact with her sad hazel eyes. It was like the impact of how much he hurt her hit him and she felt sorry for it. They stood there for an eternity until she couldn't take it anymore and she walked away in search for her best friend.
HGHGHGHGHGH
Draco sat outside contemplating his thoughts. The snow had begun to melt and spring was practically here. More students occupied the yard, but there were enough to make a lot of noise. Even if there were, he would make sure they stayed quiet.
He was extremely happy that it practically consumed him. He had a date on Friday and he couldn't wait. Draco knew that this was a huge thing for them, because they had never dated. They had always either been friends, enemies, or lovers. He didn't quite mind the last one, but he still wanted her as his girlfriend. That way every guy that checked her out knew that she was his and that they couldn't get her. Hermione was way out of their league anyway. It was time they got a reality check. Draco loved Hermione and it was as simple as that. He had to make sure that Friday was perfect and that it was a night she would never forget.
His mind drifted to his other best friends. He knew that Blaise and Pansy took a risk when they dated and he wondered if dating had been worth their friendship. Draco admitted that they were the best couple he had ever seen in his life. His parents weren't exactly the best role models in that department. They had depended on each other and loved each other to the extent that he expected them to be married by next year at least. Blaise just needed to sort himself out and he hoped that Pansy stuck by him the whole time. He had seen how depressed they both were without each other and knew that they would cave eventually. Draco was certain that a quick hook up was all they needed to get back on track.
HGHGHGHGHGH
Hermione was surprised to see a distraught Pansy enter the common room. She quickly rushed over to comfort the crying girl. Pansy couldn't talk for awhile so she waited until she calmed down before asking what happened.
"He kissed me," she said between sobs.
"Who?" Hermione asked, "Blaise? Isn't that a good thing?"
"No, we ran into each other and then we started making out. What was I thinking? He was just using me because Weasley was busy," Pansy stated through her tears.
She hugged her, "He does love you Pansy. I was talking to him about it this morning and you know how he is. You just need to give him a bit of time. He's stubborn, but he'll come back. This is just proof that you've been on his mind lately."
"Why couldn't he just depend on me? I get that he's going through some things, but I would've stayed with him the whole time," she told Hermione sadly.
"I know you would have. What happened after?" Hermione inquired.
"As soon as I remember all the pain I felt from him, I pushed him away and started yelling at him. We fought for awhile and I told him I couldn't handle the hot and coldness of his feelings. Things between us just got too serious and he shut me out. I understand that, I just wish he could see that I love him. I can't keep going on like this," she explained while wiping her tears angrily.
She smiled comfortingly, "I think he's coming around. Be patient a little longer. Life is full of surprises."
"You're only saying that because you and Draco are practically back together," Pansy replied jealously.
"No I'm not and it's about time you and Blaise will be back together," Hermione told her gently.
Pansy ignored her and after calming down, joined Hermione in her studying to take her mind off of Blaise. She was still furious with his treatment of her and she was happy she wouldn't be seeing him for awhile.
HGHGHGHGHGH
"It's not healthy to study this much. Tests aren't close to being here yet," Draco exclaimed to Hermione.
"I know, but I need to do well on these," Hermione explained for the millionth time.
"You also need to eat now come," he replied as he picked her up.
Squealing, she tried to worm her way out of his arms to no avail, "This isn't fair!"
"I know, suck it up princess," Draco smirked as he carried her to the Great Hall.
She pouted when he called her princess. He knew how much she despised that nickname, yet he still loved to use it much to her dismay. The students in the Great Hall didn't even blink as they were used to the crazy antics the quartet often did during the day. Draco set an angry Hermione in her seat and joined Blaise. Pansy was sitting with Daphne and the rest of the crew further down the table. She started sitting with them ever since her confrontation with Blaise. They ignored each other and had pretended it never happened.
"So have you heard from Emma since that day?" Blaise asked Hermione.
"No, thankfully. I still can't believe I never figured out how I knew her. I think she's been lying low since the whole school knows what a monster she is," she said between forkfuls of food.
"Wait, you knew you'd seen her before?" Draco asked curiously.
"Yeah, I kept trying to put my finger on it. I never would have guessed who she really was thought. It's insane the amount of trouble she went through to get to me. I don't really blame her though," she mumbled.
Blaise looked at her angrily, "It's not your fault what happened to her. It's all on her. If you hadn't told your mom, he would have left them eventually. Emma made all her choices herself and now she has to live with the consequences."
"Thanks Blaise," Hermione smiled at him.
Draco swallowed before talking, "When are you going to talk to Pansy? It's not right for her to sit all the way over there."
"I don't want to talk about it," he said determinedly not looking at them.
"I know you don't want to hear it, but you made a mistake kissing her. You can't just jump back into things, you have to talk to her first. Preferably soon, because she always keeps her promises," Hermione informed him.
"What did she promise?" Draco asked confused.
"That she would only stick around if we were dating or she would move on," he mumbled to them.
"You need to get her back," Draco said in a final tone.
Hermione grabbed Draco's hand, "I agree. You guys are only happy when you're together and obviously you guys still want each other judging from a few days ago."
Blaise looked at Pansy before looking at them, "Okay. What should I do?"
"Oh!" Hermione exclaimed, "I have the perfect idea! This is what we do..."
Draco and Blaise huddled closer to her as she explained her idea. They agreed to do it and started discussing their plan.
HGHGHGHGHGHGHGHG
"We finally have the common room to ourselves," Hermione said happily as Blaise finally left.
"Now what shall we do?" he asked her as he walked closer to her.
"Read?" she asked him.
"I don't think so," Draco told her as he finally reached her and kissed her.
Between kisses, Hermione replied, "I thought we were supposed to be taking this slow?"
"Fuck that," he said as he picked her up and carried her to the couch where they would be more comfortable.
Hermione's lips left his and started trailing kisses down his jaw line where she started sucking on a spot she knew drove him wild. He groaned as he crushed his lips back onto hers. She lost track of how long they just lied there kissing each other. It seemed like an eternity. Though she wanted to go much further, Hermione pulled away from him.
"I can't do anything more with you until we date," she told a slightly frustrated Draco.
Draco kissed her lips gently one last time, "Okay, I understand. Are you excited for our date tomorrow?"
"Yeah, I can't wait to spend time with you. Not that we don't usually, but it'll finally be just you and me without any drama. What are we doing?" Hermione asked him.
"I can't tell you it's a surprise," he said as he buried his head in her soft hair.
"You know I hate surprises," she told him reluctantly.
"Which is exactly why it's going to be a surprise. You can't know everything Hermione," Draco teased her.
"You're not nice," Hermione complained, "I think I should head to bed though. Walk me?"
"Of course, you know that nothing is quite safe anymore. I'll never let you get yourself into danger especially by yourself," Draco said as they started leaving the common room.
They walked in silence holding hands down the cold castle towards the Gryffindor common room. The hallways were empty for once while everyone was off doing their own thing. Couples were making sure the last hour before curfew was used properly, while the studious used this hour to cram another book into their already knowledgeable heads. Hermione smiled at this thought.
"What are you smiling about?" Draco asked her.
"I just never pictured we would be like this again. I love having you around. You really are one of my best friends and I was lost for so long before we started being friends again. I can't picture you ever not being in my life," Hermione said shyly.
Draco looked at her happily, "I can't imagine not being in each others' lives. I think I always knew we'd be this way again. I love you, never forget that."
"I love you too," Hermione replied as she pecked his cheek.
They walked the rest of the way talking about less important things just enjoying each others' company. The war still rested heavily on their minds and they took comfort in each other. After one last kiss, they each went their separate ways for the rest of the night.
HGHGHGHGHGHGHGHG
Pansy sat in her dorm alone and a little sad. She knew that she should sit with Draco, Hermione, and Blaise at meal times, but that night was still imprinted in her mind. She was confused by what that had meant. She knew that she could never completely get rid of Blaise, he would always be there. Their families were close so they often did things together. Frustrated, Pansy was determined to not think of him. A tap came at the window, so she opened it up. A school owl flew into her window holding a letter. She grabbed it and gave the owl a treat. Opening it up slowly, she was confused.
"Meet me where we first started dating."
That was all the note said, but she knew exactly who it was from. Pansy looked in the mirror and after she was happy with what she saw, she left the common room. Her feet automatically knew exactly where to take her. Her stomach was growling because she missed dinner, but she hadn't wanted to face him. Now she didn't exactly have a choice. Pansy needed to hear what he had to say. Finally she arrived at the abandoned classroom. She could still remember the party in great detail and smiled at how far Hermione and Draco had come. This is where everything had started for them.
As she walked further in the room, she noticed that there were candles everywhere. Pansy kept walking and she finally gasped when she saw it. Blaise Zabini stood right beside a blanket and picnic basket.
"I noticed you didn't come to dinner and I know how hungry you get when you miss it, so I figured I would bring it to you," Blaise said as he sat down and started pulling different kind of foods out.
He smiled at her, "Come on sit, I won't bite I promise."
Her legs finally regained movement from her shock and she joined him. Pansy picked up a turkey sandwich and sat there in confusion.
"What are you doing Blaise?" Pansy asked sadly.
"I'm trying to get you back," Blaise replied, "I'm so sorry for everything I've done to you. You have to understand that I was angry and hurt at the world. I have been lied to my whole life, I have a sister I never knew about, and I have another million excuses that could explain my behaviour. That doesn't matter though, because I hurt you. Something that I promised I would never do when we started dating right in this very spot."
"I know I betrayed your trust and for that I am sorry. I just don't know if I can trust you that way again," she told him.
He looked at her with his dark brown eyes, "I know and I'm sorry for taking everything out on you. You've always stuck by me when I needed you and I pushed you away. You were right when you said that I shut you out because things were getting too serious. I was scared where we were going with us and I freaked out."
"Why are you bringing this up now? It's been months and you've treated me like shit the whole time. This is a complete 180. How can I know that you actually mean this?" Pansy asked him.
"You're my best friend, you know deep down at least that I'm serious. I'm so angry at myself for treating you the way I have and I understand if you never want to talk to me again. It took awhile before Draco and Hermione could beat in how much of an ass I have been to you. I just needed to be pulled back to my normal self and that's what you did a few days ago. You don't know how much it kills me to know how I treated you," Blaise said gently.
"I just need a bit of time," she told him trying to back out of this situation.
"I get it. I love you, Pansy. I just needed you to know how sorry and how much I love you before you made a decision," Blaise said softly to her as he got up and started walking away.
Pansy sat there in complete shock at all the information that he had just piled on her. Part of her wanted to run after him just like in the movies and part of her wanted to forget him. She was leaning towards the forgetting part, but Hermione's voice rang in her head calling her stupid if she didn't run after him. Pansy didn't need telling twice from her conscience before running after Blaise. When she finally caught up to him, she grabbed his arm gently. Looking up into his eyes, she could tell how much he was also hurting.
"I can't promise anything right now, because I think we both need a bit of time. I'm willing to try though, because even though you're a complete idiot I still love you for some odd reason. Can we take this a bit slow?" Pansy asked him.
"If that's what it takes for us to get back together again, then yes we can," Blaise told her gently.
"Just don't hurt me like that again," she said as their faces got closer.
"I wouldn't dream of it. Don't keep anything from me either, because that hurt," Blaise confessed.
Pansy was barely an inch away from his face, "No more secrets I promise."
And with that confession, Blaise closed the space between them and kissed her passionately. It was rough and full of need like the other day, but it was gentle and loving like he was scared to hurt her once more. Pansy smiled and pulled him closer. Her wish had finally come true and even though it would take a bit of time, she knew that her and Blaise would bounce back from this.
I'm sorry it's so short and fluffy, but I wanted to get this chapter out there as soon as I could and it seemed to end just perfectly there. This chapter was just a stepping stone to getting everything back on track. Hermione will meet her parents soon. How will they react to each other? Why was Harry looking intently at the quartet last chapter? Will the reunion between the couples last? Keep reading to find out. The end is nearing, so don't forget to review.
Did you love it? Hate it? Want to change something? Let me know in a review =).