Friday morning Hermione was again up before the sun had barely lit the horizon. Quietly showering and getting dressed she hurried down to the library to do more reading on werewolves. This is where she found Astoria crying quietly, on the floor in the restricted section.
"Story?" She cried alarmed hurrying to the witch. "What happened?" Hermione demanded as the young witch wiped her eyes and shook her head. "Talk to me Story. Please?"
Astoria sniffled and shook her head, "I miss Dane."
"Oh Story." Hermione pulled the witch into her arms, to comfort her, "Have you written to him?"
Astoria shook her head, "He was meeting with the other witch he promised to court."
"What happened?" Hermione whispered, her heart aching for her young friend.
Astoria shook her head again and tears stung her eyes, "Neville kissed me."
"Story?"
"It was nice. He's a good kisser and I like him, I do." She sniffled, "He's courting me and Dane's spending the week with that horrid witch his mother set him up with, who is supposed to be just perfect for him!"
Hermione hugged the girl again and rubbed her back, "Are you confused about who to marry? It's ok if you don't know yet?" Hermione tried to understand the young witch's dilemma.
"I kissed Neville." Astoria leaned back to look into her eyes, "I felt horrible, like I cheated only all I can think about since Wednesday is what if Dane is doing those things with that other witch? I bet she's done those things before and she's beautiful. I saw a photo of her in his dorm by accident. His mother sent it with a letter. Do you think he's doing those things with her? That he'll want a witch more experienced? Holly in Ravenclaw said a wizard doesn't want a wife who can't please him and what if she can, if she is and I can't because I don't know how? I never even thought about doing any of those things before."
"I don't think Dane minds you are innocent Story. I don't think a wizard wants to marry a slag."
Story shook her head, "No but someone who at least knows how to please him a little. I kissed Neville and maybe he's kissing her too and I hate that I kissed Neville and I don't want him doing those things with her."
"Have you written to him?" Hermione asked gently.
Astoria shook her head, "He's courting them too, what can I say? Only I want him to choose me. I don't want to have to meet other wizards, they make me nervous, I do like Neville, he's smart and likes plants like I do but he's not Dane and I only feel… easy, with him."
"Why don't you tell Dane that? Or just that he's the only one courting you."
"I don't want to hurt Neville's feelings. Do you think he'll be angry? What if Dane wants the pretty experienced witch? His mum thinks they're perfect!"
"His mum isn't Dane Story, only Dane can decide who he wants to be with." Astoria nodded and wiped at her tears. "Neville wont be angry either, he'll be happy for you."
"I really wanted to like him, then I wouldn't have to leave Daph." Astoria whispered.
"Is that the only reason you said yes to having him court you?"
Astoria shook her head, "He really is very nice and he does like plants like me, I bet he'd be ok if I stayed in the garden all day and even came in with dirt under my nails, mum hates that."
"He's just not Dane." Hermione said softly. Astoria nodded sadly and leaned her head against her friends shoulder. "Write to him Story, tell him how you feel, at least then you'll know."
"Ok." Astoria sighed. "Will you come with me to mail the letter?"
"Sure." Hermione smiled at her and led her to a desk.
A few minutes later Astoria sealed her parchment and the girls set off for the owlry. They were cutting through the hallway in front of the headmistress's office when they saw him coming out with McGonagall.
"Dane!" Astoria cried running into his arms.
He caught her up and kissed her. Hermione swore she could feel the love pouring out of the kiss, like she was watching the most intimate of moments.
"I was just mailing you." Astoria told him as he set her on her feet.
Dane shook his head; "I couldn't wait anymore for an owl. Erik was ready to hex me already."
Astoria blushed, "I didn't want to interrupt your time with…" Hermione thought she heard Astoria mumble something along the lines of 'the loose Swedish bint.'
Dane chuckled and kissed her. "I never went." He told her.
"Never went?" Astoria yelped.
Dane shook his head, "I love you."
Astoria grinned and then hit his shoulder with a frown, "You let me think you'd gone off getting your wick whistled by Swedish skanks and the whole time you were sitting at Durmstang leaving me to suffer!"
Dane laughed, but at her venomous look he bit it back and shook his head, "I let you come home and see about the brilliant herbologist courting you while checking hourly if Erik was hiding your letters from me."
Astoria's look softened but was still angry, "You might have written me yourself." She hissed spinning on her heal and flouncing away.
Dane shook his head at her back, his expression full of confusion and some amusement as he turned to look at Hermione, "Wick whistled?"
Hermione blushed, "We learned about what could and couldn't happen between couples officially courting." At his still confused expression she blushed and shot her eyes to his crotch and back up to his eyes, "Think about it a minute."
He frowned at her and then blushed, "No one's been whistling my wick or anything else since well before I met Story."
Hermione shrugged, "You really could have sent her a note to let her know you thought about her, just a little." Her mind fluttered to Kiril, she hadn't gotten a letter from him either. "Honestly," She said getting angry, "You all treat us like we're the only witch there is and make us get all twisted up over you and then not one little word!"
"I…"
"Don't you make excuses to me Dane Kalen, all of you wizards are just… just… argh!" She huffed spinning away after Astoria.
Dane turned to the Headmistress his expression confused and wary, "What?"
McGonagall laughed and shook her head putting her hand on his shoulder, "I believe that this was meant for you." She told him waving her wand to make the letter Astoria had dropped when she saw him float to his hands, "Maybe let her calm down a minute and read it then you can inform her of your decision to transfer here for your final semester."
"Thank you Headmistress."
"You'll have to be sorted of course so try not to be late for breakfast."
"Yes Headmistress." Dane clicked his heals and bowed.
"It'll be alright." She patted his shoulder comfortingly and walked away, quietly chuckling at young love.
Dane walked outside and sat by the lake to open the letter.
Dane. I hope it's ok I'm writing. Hermione said it would be but I'll be brief in case I shouldn't have. I just… I miss you. I've decided to tell Neville I have to decline his suit. I'm not sure I should write that, I don't want to pressure you. I just, well I don't want to marry him. Maybe you could write to me? Even just to let me know how the Worlamak plant is growing. I know you must be terribly busy with class and with your… friend. I'll let you get back to her. I just. Well I miss you. So ok. I'm here if you wanted to write or maybe to visit. There's a Fair in Hogsmeade this weekend. Its ok if you're busy though, I'll go with Daphne and Ernie. I just wanted to write to tell you how lovely a time I had at Durmstang, I know I told you before I left but, well mother did say its polite to send thank you notes. I guess that's what this is. Sort of. So, I'll wait for a letter and um, goodbye for now. I miss you. I guess I wrote that already. Love, Story.
Dane smiled at the words, his girl was even shy why she wrote and he could picture her blushing in them. The only time she seemed to be at ease was when they were alone, going about in nature or in the greenhouse. He'd have to build her one of those, a large one off the kitchen garden. She'd like that.
He fingered the ring in his pocket and hoped she'd let him talk to her soon. He'd planned to wait, to evaluate and then hopefully obliterate his competition but from her letter he felt hope spring in his chest. Dane made his way inside the castle and to the Great Hall.
"Just in time." The Headmistress called out to him, she was standing and addressing the room and Dane frowned lightly at having interrupted her. He clicked his heals and bowed to her as his manners kicked in. "Please come up here." Dane made his way up, his eyes on Story at the far table. "For those of you yet to meet him, this is Dane Kalen from Durmstang. He and his Headmaster arrived very early this morning to discuss a special request, which in light of everything going on, I have agreed to." People were whispering and frowning trying to figure out what was going on. "Mr. Kalen will be joining our school for the remainder of his NEWT year. He shall be sorted into a house this morning and I expect you all to make him feel welcome." She waved her wand and the sorting hat appeared.
The hat deliberated for a moment before surprising the hall as it called out "Gryffindor!" The table jumped up and applauded as Dane moved to the few people he knew and sat down, happy to see Hermione smiling at him again.
"So that's why you were here this morning." She whispered.
"I couldn't let some lousy Herbology loving war hero bastard steal her from me without trying could I?" He whispered back.
Hermione shook her head but her smile only widened, "I don't think you have anything to worry about." She told him.
"I know." He grinned at her, "I got her letter."
Hermione laughed, "She stared at the paper for ages and blushed a dozen times but it didn't look like she was writing much."
Dane shrugged, "It said everything I needed to know."
"Good."
"Do I have to sit here or can I go talk to her? Do you think she's still angry?"
"I'm not sure she really was." Dane shot her a grin as she motioned her head towards the Slytherin table, "Go on."
"Thanks." He got up from the table but leaned back down to whisper in her ear, "By the way, Kiril has been a mess this week over you." He winked and sauntered off.
Hermione blushed and watched him, gasping with the rest of the hall as he knelt beside Astoria.
He whispered something to her and she grinned, tears running down her cheeks as she flung herself at him.
"YES!" She shouted hugging him and then kissing him so passionately more than a few were fanning their faces at the heat generated. When the couple parted the entire hall cheered for them as Dane slipped the beautiful ring on her finger, a giant princess cut emerald set in platinum with diamonds down the band.
"It's been extended!" Poppy came running in from the side door, near the head table, and came skidding to a stop in front of the dais as she panted. "The deadline is officially moved! It's just been released, marriages must occur no later than September first!"
The students cheered again and more than a few let out long sighs of relief, Lara Wells among them.
When the commotion settled down the students went off to classes they and their professors were all very late for. Hermione never made it to her class at all as Blaise pulled her into a secret alcove behind a large tapestry.
"Blaise?"
He sat her down on a bench and began to pace, his hand running through his hair until finally he seemed to brace himself and turn back to her, "All my life I was told I'd make a terrible husband, that I just wasn't a wizard witches married and maybe I'm not but if I were going to marry a witch without this stupid law I'd wish she were like you, not like you." He ran an agitated hand through his hair again, "You." He sighed, "I know I'd never have had the chance without the law, I'd probably never have been able to convince anyone I was good enough to marry let alone that I wanted to but with this law I have to and maybe I'm not good enough for you but who the bloody hell is? I mean you're you." Blaise sighed again running his hand through his hair again, "Listen, what I'm trying to say is, if you could just try to think about it, I'd never, ever cheat, I've never before and wouldn't ever, I'd never lie to you either or do anything purposely to make you unhappy. I just, hell, are you going to laugh?" He chuckled himself though the sound held nothing mirthful in it. "Why wouldn't you?" He sighed, "I'm me and the idea of anyone actually wanting to marry me has always been laughable, just ask my last two girlfriends, though neither of them would admit to actually being in a relationship with me." He snorted, "If you'd just think about letting me court you though, I swear I'd show you I wouldn't be as bad a husband as everyone thinks."
"Blaise." Hermione jumped up as he sagged into a bench. She was practically in his lap as she hugged him.
His arm wrapped around her and he sighed breathing her in, "Don't ever let anything those daft cows said to you convince you of that crap. You are worth marrying and you'll make a witch wonderful husband."
"Just not you right?" He hadn't meant to say it out loud.
"Maybe." She told him pulling back, "I don't know. I'd like to find out though." She told him bringing her hand up to his face, "If you really did want to court me."
Blaise's face broke into a wide grin, "More than I let myself admit to myself and trust me it took a lot just to ask."
Hermione chuckled and smiled at him. Blaise couldn't help it, he pulled her tighter to him and kissed her.
Hermione felt the electricity zip through her again and kissed him back passionately. She shifted on his lap so she was straddling him and his hand went to her hair, pulling it slightly as he tilted her head and kissed her more deeply. Hermione moaned around his tongue her fingers gripping his shoulders as her hips began to rock unconsciously making him growl and his other arm tighten around her body, his hand spreading out over her spine and holding her tightly to him.
Hermione didn't make her next class either or lunch. She rocked on Blaise's lap, kissing him until she couldn't breath and her whole body hummed with the electric pulse his tongue created. He nibbled her ear and kissed her neck and when he couldn't take it any longer he claimed her mouth again. The aching need was growing in her belly and she rocked her hips again, adjusting her position to get more comfortable, needing some kind of relief to the tingling pulse she felt. The movement lined her clit up with the zipper of his slacks, the bulge of his erection pressing almost painfully against it, so the next movement of her hips provided the friction her body craved and made her gasp and moan. His hand moved from her back to her bum as he encouraged the rocking motion while they kissed. Hermione felt the aching need turning into a coil of tension, her body demanding more, more… she wasn't sure what more.
Blaise cursed and pulled away, his hands trying to still her hips, "Mione." He panted, "Ne, please." He groaned as she rocked against him again. They were both panting and Hermione's eyes met his, the blue almost obscured entirely by the dilation of his pupil.
"Blaise." She wasn't sure if it was question or plea as her hips rolled once again without her permission.
"Cazzo!" He hissed, his hand tightening on her hips as his own jumped up making her moan. He kissed her again, his mouth demanding as his hands began to encourage her movement again.
Hermione moaned, her body quivering as it needed… needed… the coil inside her snapped and Hermione gasped as her toes clenched, her breath caught and a shiver shook her entire body.
"Merda." Blaise moaned into her neck, kissing her skin gently. After a few minutes he helped her to stand on shaky legs and then to sit beside him.
"Blaise?" Hermione whispered, not entirely sure what had happened to her.
"I'm not sure if you're an angel or a devil." He panted and then pulled her to him for a kiss, "That has never happened before, not like this." He whispered shaking his head. "What you do to me." Hermione blushed not sure what to say. Blaise took out his wand and waved it doing two spells, on himself and then a third on her so both their appearances were tidy again. He kissed her then, "When you have chosen your suitors and courtship begins, I…" Blaise shook his head, "I don't know how many others there will be for you, or how long you want to take to decide but once you're ready, I'll be waiting."
"Two." Hermione whispered. "There's two of you." She felt guilty when she thought of Kiril after having done… this… whatever this was… with Blaise."
Blaise nodded, "Just two?" Hermione nodded. "I'm one of them? Of two you might want to marry?" Hermione nodded again and Blaise grinned and kissed her. "When?"
"When do I want to marry?"
"When will courtship begin?"
Hermione shrugged, "How is it supposed to officially begin?"
"We draw up a contract, he and I both sign and from that day, well I suppose in a sense we are both your boyfriend, we'll both certainly be trying everything to win your heart, from that day fidelity is required, you cannot be intimate with anyone but us and we cannot… sex is not allowed. We can't be intimate with anyone else either, not unless we are officially courting her. You will know who she is as we will know who each other is, there are boundaries and rules and formalities and" Blaise sighed and then sent her a weak smile, "There are books on it, maybe you'd like to read about it?"
"There are?" Hermione frowned, "No one said. I mean, I never really thought there would be anything, except maybe old traditions but not… are they in the library?"
"There are old traditions but also everything new. I'm sure the library has some stuff but it would mostly be in ministry documents, legal stuff, I'll get you what should be most useful for you."
"Thanks Blaise." She grinned at him hugging him before standing on tiptoe to kiss the corner of his mouth.
Blaise laughed and kissed her. "Do you want to leave first? I can wait here for a bit?"
"Why?" Hermione frowned.
Blaise shrugged, "People might get an idea of what we were doing."
"You'll be courting me though right? Us being seen sneaking off to snog wouldn't be so scandalous would it?' She blushed and whispered, "Unless you don't want anyone to know."
Blaise laughed and shook his head, pulling her to him to kiss, "Me? I'd tell the school but…" His voice trailed off.
"Blaise?" Hermione questioned quietly.
"Yeah?"
"I'm not like them and you deserve so much more than the way they treated you."
He smiled at her his hand running over her face, "Thank you cara." He leaned in and kissed her again.
Hermione linked their hands and pulled him into the hall, "Walk me to class?"
At the desk where Ginny sat with Astoria and Daphne he kissed her gently, "I'll get you that information after class."
"Thank you."
He nodded and moved to sit with his friends.
Hermione sighed sitting between Daphne and Ginny.
"Blaise is going to court me." Hermione sighed.
Daphne squealed with happiness making Professor Wells look over at them, and shush them but her eyes were twinkling.
