Blaise Hermione Alternate Ending

Dramione fans don't read!

Near beginning of Chapter 20

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.

He kissed her, and it was more than she had expected. Her heart certainly hadn't expected it as it nearly stopped with excitement. She kissed him back, melting into him as he pulled her closer. She'd never felt anything close to this before. She reached up her hands and ran her fingers through his soft, dark hair.

When they finally pulled away in desperate need of air, Blaise rested his forehead against hers.

"Hey" he whispered. Hermione smiled back up at him.

"Hey". With a deep breath Blaise pulled away.

"What is it?" Hermione asked anxiously assuming she had done something wrong.

"It's just." He laughed nervously "I love you Hermione."

Blaise POV

"Are you sure?" she asked her voice faltering. Blaise laughed and pulled her back into his arms. She placed her hands on his shoulders and rested her head on his chest.

"I've never been more sure of anything."

They stood there in comfortable silence just enjoying being together. This whole thing had started as a game to Blaise. 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 futures with 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.

They were both startled by the bangs of fireworks going off over the lake. Hermione laughed. She turned to look back up at Blaise.

"You know what Blaise?"

"What?"

"I think I love you too." The way she looked at him in that moment; her angelic smile, bright eyes and tousled hair… he had never been more captivated in his life.

"Well that's good." She laughed and Blaise kissed her again.

When they pulled away she was smiling, but then suddenly her smile slipped from her face.

"What is it?" he asked tenderly, searching her eyes.

"Draco." She said. A knot of guilt clenched in his stomach. Yeah, Draco.

"I led him on." She whispered ashamed. Blaise sighed.

"He led himself on."

"Huh?"

"Trust me, I know Draco. Once he sets his eyes on something, it wouldn't have mattered if you'd punched him he still would've gone after you."

"But I encouraged him."

"You didn't mean to."

"I still did it."

She'd started to cry and Blaise held her, rubbing soothing circles on her back.

"Please don't cry." He murmured. He hated to see her upset.

"I have to talk to him." She whispered.

"Not tonight."

Hermione POV

She opened her mouth to argue but he placed a finger over her lips.

"Give him a night to cool off. He'll still be here tomorrow and you can talk to him then when you're both calmer."

I knew he was right but I still wanted to go out and find him. Blaise pulled out a soft white handkerchief, which he offered to me. I took it gratefully and dabbed at my eyes.

"Now this is your night." Blaise grinned twirling her around. She couldn't help but laugh.

"It's not my ball." She smiled.

"Ah but you are head girl and undoubtedly Belle of the Ball." He offered her his arm.

"Come on, Pansy will be on the hunt for a partner so I can't go back in without protection."

"Heaven forbid." She laughed. She took his arm and they re-entered the ballroom.

The next day

Draco hadn't come down for breakfast. Hermione had waited in the common room for ages as everyone else left. Blaise told her he was in his room and offered to wait with her but she declined. She needed to see him and she needed to see him alone.

Finally, 20 minutes after everyone else had left, Draco came down the stairs. He looked his usual handsome self but there was something off. Surprise flickered in his eyes when he saw her but his face remained indifferent.

"Hermione." He greeted her. It sounded cold, unwelcome.

"Hello Draco." He didn't wait for more but started to head for the door.

"Can I have a word?" she called after him. This was going to be harder then she thought. She assumed he'd wanted to talk to her. He paused before turning around.

"As you wish".

"Well," Hermione looked down at her feet.

"Yes?" Draco prompted. Hermione looked back up.

"I wanted to talk to you about Blaise."

"You're going out now." Draco nodded. "I've heard. Congratulations." He wasn't looking at her and his voice sounded strained.

"Draco I'm sorry." He looked back at her surprised.

"What for?"

"Well," had she led him on? He didn't seem to have the slightest interest in her. Draco raised an eyebrow waiting. Hermione couldn't think of what to say.

"You seem different." She muttered at last. He shrugged.

"Was that all?" Hermione nodded dumbly. He turned and left without a backwards glance.

Draco POV

Draco sniffed holding back tears as he left the common room. It was better this way. She would never know how much he loved her and so she would be spared the guilt. He knew she would feel the need to look after him if she knew how badly he was hurt and that would start off her relationship with Blaise badly. So he would step back out of her life, let her and Blaise get on with theirs without any interference from him. He would slip away like a shadow. Her life would continue as though he had never entered it. It was the best thing he could do for the girl he loved.

"A little harsh don't you think?" Blaise asked coming out of the shadows. Draco smiled ruefully.

"Should've known that you'd be listening in."

"I wanted to make sure she'd be alright."

"Well now you have." Draco started to walk away. He was exhausted. It was past 3am when he went back to the Common room and he hadn't slept a wink all night.

"Thank you." Draco stopped walking.

"What for?" he asked for the second time that day.

"I know why you said that."

"You seem to think you know everything these days."

"You can fool her and anyone else Drake but you can't fool me." Draco rolled his eyes.

"Good to know."

"Will you ever speak to me again?"

"I am speaking to you."

"You know what I mean"

"Yes I do" Draco ran a hand through his hair. "Do you love her?"

"Yeah."

"Well that's good."

"What are you going to do about Hermione?"

"Nothing."

"What do you mean 'nothing' you've been trailing after her for months. You can't just drop off."

"Yeah I can." Blaise just gave him a look.

"Oh alright. What do you want me to do?"

"Well can't you be friends?"

"Would you want to be friends with Hermione if she'd chosen me over you?"

"I'd deal."

"Easy for you to say."

"I think it'd be better for her that way."

"I think it's better for her this way." Blaise groaned.

"Look, I'm not going to go back to the person I was and I'm not going to flirt with her anymore. We'll just be indifferent acquaintances."

"What about us?"

"Well I definitely won't be flirting with you anymore."

"Don't be a dipshit"

"Well you asked."

"We're good?"

"I guess."

Just at that moment Hermione came back out into the corridor. She looked from one boy to the other in confusion.

"Blaise I thought you went down to breakfast."

"Oh." Said Blaise.

"Yes" said Draco.

"Well" said Blaise.

"Yes?" Said Hermione.

"I was just coming back." Blaise replied.

"You were listening in weren't you Blaise?" Blaise had the decency to look abashed.

"Honestly! Why can't you boys leave me alone for one instant?" Hermione stormed past them both leaving Draco and Blaise staring after her.

"I love you." Blaise called after her. Hermione looked back at him, sniffed and tossed her hair ash she kept walking.

Blaise and Draco looked at each other.

"Isn't she wonderful?"