Hey guys :)

I was going to do more on this chapter but i've been bombarded with a ton of school work and may not be able to upload for another week. This is to tide you over

Oh and a shoutout to OBLuvr13 who's been a constant supporter through this story. Just thankyou so much! You have no idea how much your reviews help to spur this story.

Okay, enjoy and I'll update ASAP!

Chapter 18

Hermione POV

The news of the ball was received better by some than others. Harry and Ginny though both furious at first had arranged with a Ravenclaw pair during lunch to switch partners after they had arrived at the ball leaving both couples satisfied. Ron was having less luck and still hadn't asked anyone. Neville, much to everyone's shock, had the very next morning asked Hannah Abbott if she would do him the honor with success. It was now a week after the announcement and Hermione was hiding among the bookshelves in the library. Ginny had warned her that morning that Ron was going to try and get her to agree to a similar arrangement as themselves. Not wishing to spend the ball with a friend who asked her only to save face Hermione had taken immediately to the bookshelves for comfort and protection. Her solitude however was interrupted by a loud cough behind her. Hermione whirled around quickly to see Blaise leaning against a bookshelf behind her.

"Don't sneak up on me." She exclaimed hand flying to heart. Blaise smirked and shrugged off the bookshelf.

"Well I'm deeply sorry, obviously, but it's not my fault you're oblivious to the outside world when you have a book in your hands." Hermione sniffed indignantly Oblivious indeed!

"What are you doing here Blaise?"

"Enjoying the scenery. Yourself?"

"Shouldn't you be outside or at least near a window for that?"

"You didn't answer my question."

"You didn't answer mine."

"I answered your first question. It's your turn."

"Yes but you lied therefore forfeiting your rights to my answer. Now, why are you really here?"

"Who knew there were so many laws of conversation?"

"You're being evasive."

"Well observed."

"Will you just answer the question?" Blaise simply smiled and Hermione with a sigh turned back to scanning the bookshelves, intent on ignoring him till he explained himself. Hermione was not very nosy but still didn't like information being withheld from her when desired.

There was a few moments silence before Blaise gave much to Hermione's satisfaction.

"Well actually I'm here to ask you a question." He relented with a careless air.

"Oh?" Hermione prompted raising an eyebrow. Probably Heads business. Blaise smiled mischievously and shook his head.

"Na ah. It's your turn."

"Well obviously I'm looking for a book." Hermione replied quickly not wishing to admit that her being in the library was for cowardly reasons.

However she spoke too fast and Blaise's smile immediately turned into a smirk.

"Now who's lying?" Hermione hung her head slightly.

"Well I'm hiding alright." She admitted in an annoyed tone trying to hide her embarrassment.

"Well no offence dear but this was a rather stupid place to hide. I mean this is the obvious place to look for you." Blaise informed her sounding very amused.

"Well," Hermione began to retaliate but couldn't think of anything to say. So instead she opted for a quick change of topic. "What did you want to ask me?"

"Oh nothing important." He said evasively moving closer to her. "Just wondering if you wanted to go the ball with me." Hermione started caught completely off guard. Maybe I am a little oblivious around books.

"The ball?"

"Yep."

"Huh. Well do you still want to know?"

"Yes that would be nice."

"Well, are you asking me to go with you or do you just want to know whether I want to go with you?" Hermione asked feeling uncertain.

"Well I guess I'll know the answer to the second part if you answered the first." Blaise replied smoothly. Hermione was thoroughly confused and it apparently showed on her face as Blaise's smirk widened.

"I'm sorry, what?" Blaise seemed to be resisting the urge to laugh.

"If I didn't know you better I would think you were avoiding answering." He stated.

"I'm confused."

"Hermione," Blaise gently gripped her shoulders with his hands as though helping her to focus and looked straight into her now wide eyes. "Will. You. Go. To. The. Ball. With. Me?"

"Oh," Hermione exhaled slightly. "Oh, okay." Blaise looked at her quizzically as if waiting for more. A clueless Hermione stared back. In a second Blaise released her shoulders and stepped back laughing. Hermione didn't understand his behavior at all and began to wonder if he'd asked her as a joke. When Blaise's laughter ceased after a few moments he started to back away a smug grin on his face.

"Well thank you. As it seems this is all the reply I am to receive I shall leave you to your books." Blaise told her, eyes still sparkling with amusement.

"Oh, and don't forget." He called over his shoulder as he neared the end of the row of books.

"Don't forget what?" Hermione called muddled. Blaise turned to her with a grin.

"Just don't forget." And with that he rounded the end of the row leaving a bewildered Hermione still staring at the place he'd been.

She had no idea how it happened but within a few hours it seemed everyone in the school knew that Blaise was taking her to the ball. Hermione was unfortunately unable to answer their prying questions very well because she was still trying to process the events of the morning. All she was able to confirm was that Blaise Zabini had asked her to the ball and that she had agreed.

Even at lunch that afternoon with the Ravenclaws Hermione was still trying to figure out what he had meant when he told her not to forget. Such a strange person. She thought. Or at least she'd though it. Seeing as the Ravenclaw opposite her raised both eyebrows in confusion she discovered she thought aloud. I hope I don't make a habit of that.

"Make a habit of what?" Ginny asked. Hermione jumped. Having not even realized that Ginny was seated next to her.

"Speaking my thoughts aloud without realizing." Hermione answered with a worried tone. Ginny's eyes sparkled.

"Oh, I think that would be quiet entertaining." She replied. When Hermione frowned at her Ginny added with a reassuring tone. "Well I wouldn't worry Hermione. You have such an expressive face most of the time we can tell what your thinking without you needing to say anything at all."

"Gosh thanks." Hermione groaned looking back down at her chicken.

"Hermione!" Hermione looked up to see a furious Ron standing ahead of her.

"Oh hello Ron." Hermione greeted carefully. This answer didn't seem to help.

"Don't play the innocent with me! Is it, or is it not true, that you are going with Blaise Zabini to the ball."

"O oh." The Ravenclaw girl in front of her whispered looking down at her food. Hermione was certain half the hall was listening now, curious as to whether the rumor was true.

"Well yes if you must know I am." Hermione answered raising her chin bravely. Ron looked as though he might start emitting smoke from his ears at any moment as he looked at her furiously. Harry joined them just at that moment and from the expression on his face he'd heard.

"Hermione." Harry greeted avoiding eye contact. He leaned across the table and gave Ginny a quick peck on the lips before seeming to shut off communication from anyone else at all. Ron looked at him in horror.

"Harry! How can you just sit there happily at a time like this?"

"I don't consider this on par with WWII (Wizarding War 2) Ron." Harry sighed reaching for the vegetables.

"Harry! This is a betrayal."

"Don't be so dramatic Ronald." Ginny chimed in calmly.

"Just sit down." Harry half ordered half begged.

"I don't see how any of us can enjoy lunch until we've thrashed this out."

"Coming from the king of food." Ginny murmured under her breath. Harry smiled at her but Hermione was too annoyed to join them.

"There is nothing to thrash out." She said as evenly as she could.

"No there isn't," Harry agreed. "Hermione is perfectly entitled to go with whom ever she want's even if he is a slimy git."

Ginny looked at Harry surprised and Hermione groaned quietly. Ron stormed away from them unable to believe in his friend's lack of support. He was nearly out of the doors when he turned round quickly and stormed back in.

"Oh here he comes." Ginny whispered as he neared them again. Apparently he had a second wind.

But Ron didn't speak. He just fixed them with a withering glare as he piled food onto a plate. After it was sufficiently over flowing he picked it up and once again left the room.

Ginny whistled as she watched her brother leave and Hermione rested her head in her hands. Harry sighed dropping his head back to look at the ceiling. It's fair to say the rest of lunch was spent in silence.

Next chapter: Draco's reaction and part 1 of the ball :)