Hello! i've decided to do 2 more chapters as i simply could not fit it all in. i May even do a third but I hope I can wrap it up in one.

Thankyou for the 2 lovelly comments! They were much appreciated.

I've included a bit of Blaises POV at the end because I think he deserved his say.

This chapter has gone as i planned it to but i'm not happy with my writing.

Oh well! One can't have everything!

I really hope everyone will enjoy these last installments and I thank those who have shown their unswerving devotion to my story. I love you all!

Now onwards!

Chapter 20

This can't be happening. If there was one thing that could have made this evening any worse than it already was for Draco, it was finding that he and the Weasel did indeed have something in common; they were the only too young men without dates in their entire year. Draco had made this horrifying discovery as he glared at the most envied couple in the room. Hermione and Blaise were expertly waltzing around the room, smiling softly at each other with eyes for no one else. He had suddenly taken notice of someone just past Blaise with an identical murderous expression on his face. When he focused his sight he groaned to find it was none other than a similarly alone Weasley. Weasel caught his eye and his expression darkened even more. With a ridiculous huff the Weasel crossed his arms and returned his gaze to the sparkling pair.

The dance ended presently and Draco watched furiously as Blaise placed a possessive hand on Hermione's exposed back as he lead her off the dance floor. Draco couldn't take anymore. Moving to the exit, he looked back once more and finally caught Hermione's eye. There was so much he wanted to say but he knew he would never find the words. With a brief nod of acknowledgment, Draco left the bright lights of the hall and fled into the sanctuary of the night.

Hermione POV

Hermione finally escaped the confines of the hall nearly an hour later. In desperate need of some space and air she had made her way out to the entrance of the castle as Blaise went to get them both drinks. She looked about in wonder. The garden was lit up with fairy lights - literally (there were tiny fairies dancing about in the trees) and candles and rose petals floated discreetly in the air lining the paths.

"Here we are," Blaise passed her an elegant flute of champagne before raising his own to her. "Shall we toast to say, house unity?"

"House unity." Hermione echoed in agreement clinking her glass against his. She took a tentative sip not used to wizard champagne. Companionable silence followed as they both gazed out over the grounds.

"It's enchanting." She commented at last. There really was no other word for it. Blaise turned his gaze towards her.

"So are you." He murmured. Hermione turned searching his eyes as she tried to decipher an emotion. They seemed to border on serious, free of their usual mirth. It was an odd look for him.

Her breathing hitched as Blaise discreetly slipped an arm around her waist, inclining his head towards her. Suddenly it was like everything went into slow motion- though this was more likely because her mind was going a million miles an hour and not because time had actually slowed down.

OMM! He's going to kiss me! Is this really what I want? As Blaise's lips neared hers, her eyes had begun to flutter shut when she caught sight of Draco's pale face over Blaise's shoulder. He was watching them with a pained expression about 50 feet away and the answer to her unspoken question hit her with the force of a 'stupefy'. With a firm hand, Hermione pushed away from Blaise and turned her head to the side so that his lips grazed her cheek. Blaise, startled for only a moment, immediately relinquished his hold of her looking concerned.

"I'm sorry Hermione," he rushed anxiously. "I thought –I didn't mean- I just," it was the first and last time anyone would ever have the honour of seeing Blaise Zabini stumble for words. The round the clock, confident, self-assured Slytherin came close to actually stuttering. Hermione snapped her gaze back to the place where Draco had been not a moment ago and felt a trickle of ice run down her spine when she realized he wasn't there.

"No Blaise, I'm sorry." She dropped her hand and her gaze as realization after realization came tumbling down on her. "I've been such a fool." Blaise opened his mouth to speak, no doubt ready to reassure her that she had not been but Hermione ploughed on, determined to do the right thing.

"No I am. I've been blind, and oblivious and, I don't know, careless." With a deep breath that shook her all over, Hermione finally met Blaise's eyes.

"Oh Blaise, I just want you to know, I really do like you. You're charming and thoughtful and handsome, and I know that any girl in this school would sell her last cauldron to be in this position with you. But I-" she couldn't get it out. Instead she hung her head, ashamed. Understanding gradually dawned on Blaise and his countenance became resigned.

"You like Draco don't you." He stated at last. Hermione couldn't look at him.

"I'm sorry." She whispered a tear trailing down her cheek. Blaise quickly extended his hand to her face, gently wiping her tear with his thumb. She sniffed miserably as he tilted her chin upwards to meet his gaze.

"Don't cry," he begged her tenderly. His affectionate tone only made Hermione want to cry harder but she restrained herself for Blaise's sake.

"Hermione Granger, you really are the most beautiful, intelligent, wonderful girl-woman- that I have ever known. And Draco is a very, very lucky man." Hermione's eyes widened at those last words. Blaise smiled at her, his eyes silently expressing the words he wouldn't say. Over come with gratitude, Hermione flung her arms around his neck.

"Oh thank you Blaise!" she whispered. Releasing him from her hold she placed a soft kiss on his cheek. Blaise's expression became one of shock as she gave him a parting smile before she turned and swiftly made her way into the gardens.

As he watched her go, Blaise ghosted his hand over the place where her lips had touched his skin moments ago. It was, he realized, the only kiss he would ever receive from her. This whole thing had started as a game. He wanted Hermione and he wanted to knock Draco off his high horse. He hadn't realized till the day he spent with Hermione in Hogsmeade that he was actually starting to envisage a future with her. Blaise didn't envisage futureswith girls –it went completely against his nature. But he had seen the possibility with Hermione. She was unlike any woman he'd ever met; unfailing kind and forgiving, passionate about her causes, loyal to her friends, and endearingly innocent. But he had realized more and more her preference for his friend. It was subtle to be sure, but he saw it, and his anger with Draco had so quickly increased to absolute fury that Blaise had been near struck dumb with it. He'd never fought with Draco before–at least not verbally- but now it seemed that's all they could do.

Now, standing alone outside the ball, Blaise realized how irrational he had been. Hermione was incredible, in every way; she may even have been the one for him. But he would never know. What he did know, was that he had nearly destroyed his relationship with his best mate since birth on an impulse. Feeling slightly teary himself, Blaise sculled down the rest of his champagne and returned to the hall. The night need not be totally lost after all...

Her choice is made, but how is Draco feeling about her now? Is she too late? All will be revealed...