Hermione's POV

(Hogsmead)

Setting out the cutlery, Hermione heard a commotion in the front store. Hurrying around to see what had caused it, Hermione came across Ginny hurriedly accioing all the books she had tripped over coming through the door.

"Blasted books! Bloody Hermione running a bookshop!" Ginny cursed and frowned. Hermione laughed and picked up all the books on the floor, setting them back in a neat pile by the door again. Hearing the laughter, Ginny looked up and frowned even harder.

"It's not my fault you're clumsy and don't watch where you're going Gin." Hermione laughed, helping her up and through to the house out the back.

"Well you should safe proof everything when you know I'm coming around!" Ginny stated indignantly. Hermione started laughing once more and soon Ginny was joining in. The two girls sat at the dining table to wait for Harry to show up.

"So, what's news Gin? New fella on the side yet?" Hermione asked. Ginny went bright red and with a shy smile nodded. Hermione arched an eyebrow in question. Giggling nervously Ginny just shook her head.
"Oh c'mon Ginerva! Tell me! Or are you dating some ex Slytherin and don't want to tell me?" she prodded Ginny in the side.

"Who's Ginny dating now?" Harry poked his nose in the room and smiled.

"NO ONE YOU TWO NEED TO KNOW JUST YET!" Ginny yelled with a smile. Hermione laughed; looking slyly at the woman she called her best friend. She would know sooner rather than later.

"I invited him round tonight. I hope you don't mind Hermione, you always cook enough for five anyway." Ginny said in a small voice, looking hopefully at Hermione who was shocked, Ginny had never invited her current boyfriend to dinner with them. Harry looked at Hermione's face and frowned.
"Where's Ron? Isn't he coming tonight?" he asked looking around. At the Hermione looked down and a sadness etched itself on her face. Harry looked at Ginny, who shrugged.

"Mione? Is that brother of mine coming or not?" she asked gently. Hermione shook her head.

"He had quidditch papers to go through apparently. I doubt he will be home tonight." she sniffed and got up to get the food. While she was in the kitchen, Hermione sighed. She wished Ron were here. The Ron who was happy to see her this afternoon when he dropped the students off, not the fidgety one she left at the black lake. Shaking her head, she heard the front door slam again as someone entered the shop. Guessing this was Ginny's mystery boyfriend she grabbed two plates and charmed the other two to follow her out. Setting them on the table, there was a crash as once more the pile of books were knocked to the floor and a round of soft curses were heard. Ginny giggled.

"See Mione! I'm not the only one!" she said laughing as Hermione went to survey the newcomer.

Blaise Zabini was sprawled on the floor, cursing wildly as he grabbed the books around him and stacked them up. Hermione laughed.

Looking up at the laughter, Blaise grinned.

"Nice to see you too Granger, would you mind giving me a hand?" he asked. Hermione got out her wand and cleared the books up as Blaise righted himself.

Leading the way to the dining room, Hermione pulled out the chair next to Ginny for him.

"Thanks Granger. Nice to finally set my feet up. Harry and I had a hard day doing nothing!" he said with a wink. Smiling, Hermione sat down next to Harry and nudged him with her shoulder.

"Was I the only one who didn't know tonight?" she asked. Harry grinned sheepishly.

"Was a bit hard to hide it from me considering Blaise and I share an office Mione." he said quietly.

Shaking her head Hermione smiled and started eating. Soon the lot of them were eating and laughing and getting along well. The night flew by and after dessert, Hermione was feeling full and satisfied with the great night she had had. Moving to the lounge, they sprawled out on the sofas and Hermione flicked the TV on.

"So Granger, can I call you Hermione yet? After the night we have had, I don't feel like calling you Granger anymore." Blaise asked with a grin. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Why are you asking permission?" she asked back, poking her tongue out at him. Blaise pretended to look mortally offended and Ginny watched the interaction with amusement.

"Call her Mione, Blaise! Then see what happens!" Ginny said with a smirk. Blaise looked at her and frowned.

"Trying to get rid of me already Ginny? I know that cat has claws and I don't wanna see them." He said with a smirk of his own. Hermione threw a cushion at him and laughed.

"See! She's getting them out already!" he exclaimed with laughter. Harry threw a cushion at him too.

"Zabini, you can't win against these girls. Just remember that." He said knowingly.

"Anyway Mione, I'm off, gotta get up early tomorrow and sort out that case file on the Morgest family. Blaise, you should come in early too. Get it over and done with. That way we don't have to deal with the rude mother anymore" he sighed. Hermione hugged him and there was a chorus of Cya Harry around the room. Not long after Harry disappeared with a pop, Ginny rounded on Hermione.

"What has Ron done now and don't lie." she said sternly. Hermione frowned at her and Blaise looked between the two girls worriedly.
Sighing, Hermione replied, "He had lipstick on his shirt when I went to see him. And he was flustered when he opened the door. But it doesn't mean anything. I'm not going to him, if he wants me he can come to me. It's his turn to come to Me." she said heatedly. Blaise raised his eyebrows.

"Want me to knock some sense into him?" he asked with a smirk. Hermione laughed sadly.

"It wouldn't help Blaise, Ron's just pigheaded." She sighed. Ginny pursed her lips.

"I'll talk to him tomorrow. OH! Blimey, why didn't I think of it earlier! Mione, who are you going with to the War ball?" Ginny asked excitedly. Hermione shook her head.

"No one Gin, it's gotta be a different house date. You know Ron would get jealous if I went with anybody but him and since I can't go with him this year I am going alone." She said quietly.

"Blaise has a friend that needs a date, Slytherin of course. And who cares about Ron, the way he is treating you shows he obviously doesn't deserve you. Just divorce him Mione. You'll always be my sister." Ginny said earnestly, putting her arms around the slight woman beside her. Tucking Hermione under her arm, Ginny mouthed to Blaise, MALFOY. Blaise nodded and a smile began to appear on his face. He loved his girlfriends' thinking. It was time to get Hermione happy and she wasn't happy with Weasley. That much was plain. What better way to fire a relationship up than with some snakes?

"Hermione, I better get going. I'll let your date know and he can pick you up before the ball. What colour is your dress?" he asked.

"Green." Came the muffled reply from Ginny's shoulder. Blaise frowned.

"The invitation says Gryffindors wear green, Slytherins wear red, Hufflepuffs wear blue and Ravenclaws wear yellow. For the women. Men are the lucky ones, it just says tux. Or wizarding robes." Ginny explained. Blaise nodded, with a final look at the girls he kissed Ginny's head and squeezed Hermione's shoulder and left. Hermione sniffed.

"Am I allowed to know who I'm going with?" she asked. Ginny shook her head.

"Blind date and you are to go with him no matter what okay? Swear it." Ginny demanded. Hermione sighed and swore.

"Good. Now I should go too. Get to sleep Mione." She said, leaving the witch to get to bed. Hermione washed up and jumped into bed. If only Ron was here…

Draco's POV

(Saint Hectors, London)

"Draco?"

Draco looked up from his book and found Blaise standing with Harold holding his hand. The young boy was sucking his thumb and crying softly. Closing his book, he motioned Harold forward and the little boy ran and hopped up into his lap. Stroking his hair away from his face and pulling his thumb away from his mouth, Draco began to rock Harold back and forth without a word. The little boy slowly began to close his eyes and within minutes he was fast asleep again. Standing, he carried Harold back to his room, brushing past Blaise who was watching in astonishment. Tucking the little boy into his bed once more, Draco accio'ed a teddy from the rumpus room and tucked it in beside him. Running his hand through his hair, Draco returned to the library and Blaise.

"How do you do it?" Blaise asked quietly. Draco sighed.

"I don't know. Just natural I guess." He answered, pouring himself a glass of firewhisky and downing it in one.

"Can you believe the War Ball is only two days away and I don't have a date. What kind of Slytherin prince am I?" he grumbled. Blaise smirked.

"I have a date. I'm going with Ginny Weasley now that we're officially dating and separate houses after all. I also organised a date for you. A blind one." He smirked.

"YOU ARE ORGANISING A BLIND WOMAN TO BE MY DATE!" Draco growled looking horrified. Blaise chuckled.

"No, it's called a blind date because you won't know who it is until you go and pick her up. And you're welcome. Her dress is green." Blaise winked. Feeling lost, Draco looked for a suitable excuse to not go and found none. Instead he settled for shooting Blaise a murderous glare and the man smirked at him once again.