*Note that the chapter title is supposed to be "Hearts", not "Heart". Effing word limit XD
Disclaimer: Still not mine :D
A/N: HOLA, MI AMIGOS AND AMIGAS!
OH MY GEE, I'M BACK! Spain was inexplicably awesome, despite the extremely hot weather and all. Just so you know, I've attended the World Youth Day 2011 since I'm part of the delegation of my school. The activities were tiring but I had a blast nonetheless. I met so many Catholics from all over the world and I was dumbstruck. I would like to think that I'm hola-ing one of my readers XD
Anyway, here's Chapter Forty of Only a Pretense. My god, I missed this story and your reviews. Just a quick hint on what this chapter will contain – Blaise, Blaise, and pure Blaise. It's up to your imagination on what his importance is in this chapter.
So, without further ado, I present chapter forty! Enjoy!
Chapter Forty: Of Fulfilled Prophecies and Broken Hearts
May drew to an end and June started, the fresh summer air lingering all throughout the whole school, exciting the whole student body for the impending vacation. June also meant OWLs for the fifth year and NEWTs for the seventh year; thus, no fifth year and seventh year were seen without books tucked underneath their armpits.
The first week of June was seemingly normal. Meal times were, as usual, boisterous and bordering rowdy. Free periods were coveted; end of classes, most especially. Potions was still loathed by most of the students (except the Slytherins, of course). Transfiguration and Charms seemed harder than before. Astronomy had been grueling, especially now that a rare comet was about to come and Professor Sinistra, exuberant for the coming, once in a blue moon occurrence, had lightly warned the students that if they were able to accurately calculate the speed, bonus points would be awarded to their tests. Care for Magical Creatures had been surprisingly fun, seeing that they were using creatures that were actually tame, yet fascinating. History of Magic, as usual, had bored the students into tears. Defense Against the Dark Arts, which was a free period that year due to having no teacher who could take the position, had been of course, the most favorite of all.
But such regularity without disruption was always suspicious in Hogwarts. Especially for Harry Potter, who had now frequented the Hospital Wing. His scar had been searing these past few days; he'd fainted countless times already and worried, Dumbledore had suspected that Voldemort's attack, together with his followers, was fast approaching.
Apparently, the Headmaster was accurately correct. Once Saturday came of the first week, all hell broke loose.
Morning that day had been absolutely pleasant. In fact, the weather had never been fair for the occupants of the school. Once night drew close, the air around the castle grew freezing cold, an abnormality since summer was fast approaching. The castle, armed by its ancient magic, hummed in alarm, seemingly warning the occupants of the impending war.
Ronald Weasley had stumbled upon the surprise attack of the Death Eaters by chance. Feeling particularly mischievous that night, he was planning on having a trip to Hogsmeade to buy bundles of sweets from Honeydukes. He crept out of the room, Harry's Marauder's Map stashed away in his back pocket, and bounded off to the third floor of the castle where the statue of the hunched-back witch was located. Tapping it thrice with his wand would gain him a secret passageway towards Honeydukes.
As he arrived at the third floor, he reached out for the map and surveyed whether there were patrollers approaching. For some strange reason (maybe it was the fates' doing), his eyes strayed to the Forbidden Forest and noticed with mild curiosity the hundreds (probably millions) of dotted figures walking swiftly out of the clearing. His heart dropped, his blood ran cold, upon seeing one particular dot that had urged him to sprint back to the Gryffindor Tower as fast as he could.
"He's here!" he hollered once opening the boys' dormitory. "They're here."
His roommates blearily opened their eyes. Harry, detecting the alarm in Ron's voice, sprang out of his bed and immediately appointed duties to his roommates.
"Ron, go alert Dumbledore," he frantically said, wearing his spectacles and clutching his wand tightly. "Seamus, go up the girls' dormitory. Dean, run off to McGonagall. Neville… for Merlin's sake, stop quivering! Go get Snape and tell him that Hogwarts is under attack. Go, for the love of Godric. GO!"
And thus, the much-awaited, most dreaded Second War began.
Dumbledore had called for the Order of the Phoenix and the members soon arrived, aiding the fighting professors. Students who were too young or too frightened to fight were ushered safely out from the castle by the prefects and the Heads. Those who stayed valiantly fought, determination overpowering their fears.
Hermione, who was constantly beside Ron and Ginny, silently whispered a prayer to the heavens, wishing for the safety of her very best friend. Despite the dread and desolation fighting their way out of her system, she continued to fight.
She would constantly catch sight of her once Housemates, pride swelling in her heart as they fought for the Light Side. Apparently, some Slytherins had followed the footsteps of their Slytherin Prince and his best friend, defying the orders of their parents, and fought for what they truly believed in.
She would catch glimpse of either Blaise or Draco, fighting side-by-side as they finished off one Death Eater to another, their familiarity be damned. Hermione had momentarily stopped fighting, watching with bated breath as Draco faced off with Lucius Malfoy, wildness in his face.
Lucius Malfoy, together with a huge band of Death Eaters, broke free from Azkaban a week after their imprisonment. It had caused a huge uproar in the Wizarding World and they knew… they knew that the Second War was coming.
"You cursed my mother," she heard Draco say and her heart broke into two upon hearing the pain in his voice.
Lucius, void of any emotions, merely looked at his son blankly. "Some sacrifices should be made in order to gain ultimate power," he proclaimed with aloofness. "And besides, Narcissa was always weak." He tsked and pointed his wand at his son's face. "And you unfortunately inherited it. You are not my son."
"And you, not my father!" Draco snarled. Bright flashes escaped from the tip of their wands. Hermione, hurt by the blinding light, shielded her eyes. When her eyes finally adjusted, she was able to see Lucius' slumped form on the ground, unconscious and unmoving, with Draco standing above him, relief flooding in his features.
Hermione had shed tears of happiness for the boy she fancied that day.
Draco Malfoy was finally free.
The battle had resumed, continuing until dawn broke, the sun peeking out from the horizon. It brought so much promise and Hermione wished its promise was for her side. Dead bodies were already scattering the ruined castle, faces she recognized, some she did not. Some from the Light Side, others from the Dark Side. There were people particularly close to her heart: dear Luna Lovegood, sweet Hannah Abbot, good-natured Millicent Bulstrode, and lovely Lavender Brown. There were many more that brought tears in Hermione's eyes but she stood her ground, her resolve to win growing for those who had fought and lost their lives for the common good.
At last, the most awaited face-off had arrived. All battles had ended, cursing and hexes had ceased, when Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort stood across from each other, wands poised above, ready to finally unravel the mysterious pieces of the prophecy.
Two uttered spells, one overconfident and the other determined, rang loudly all throughout the Hogwarts grounds. One was able to deflect it, guarded by the ancient magic by his late mother. The other, now fully mortal for his Horcruxes were destroyed by Dumbledore and The-Boy-Who-Lived, fell down on the ground.
Dead.
The cries of victory from the Light Side were heard as Harry Potter fell down on his knees, tears of relief rushing down from his emerald eyes. A whispered 'thank you' and 'I love you' were murmured from the grateful victor and he swore that he had heard responses to his declarations.
Another kind of cries, one of unadulterated anguish, was emitted from the surviving followers of the now deceased Dark Lord. Others who were sane and less injured enough, apparated away from Hogwarts to hide themselves forever; others, those who were too devoted to their lord, had killed themselves in order to join Voldemort. And some had stayed behind, too exhausted to fight back and allowed the Aurors to bring them to Azkaban.
All of the remaining Death Eaters were brought to trial, although most had voiced out that they should go straight away to Azkaban. But with the insistence of Dumbledore, the Wizengamot finally relented.
To the surprise of all, Hermione Granger had been part of the trial not merely as a witness but also as the one undergoing the trial.
"It's part of my mission, Minister," she solemnly announced, her left arm exposed for everyone to see, her Dark Mark lighter in its shade because of the death of Voldemort. Dumbledore had backed her up, elaborating what she had disclosed, and in the end announced that she was innocent.
Others, most especially Snape, Draco, and Blaise, who had presented themselves as spies for the Order, had longer trials. Most of the Wizengamot had scorned their pleas but backed up by three of the most influential persons in the whole Wizarding World, Albus Dumbledore, Hermione Granger, and surprisingly, the Harry Potter, had finally made the Wizengamot decide that they were to be granted with full pardon.
Others who were true, blue Death Eaters were immediately sent to Azkaban. Those who were part of Voldemort's inner circles immediately received the Dementor's Kiss as soon as they were proven guilty.
The Second War had left great damages in the Wizarding World, most especially in Hogwarts. Most were actually afraid that the school would be closed down, but with Dumbledore as the Headmaster, armed with his unwavering faith to the school, the staff, and the students, had restored the castle back as much as possible.
The Wizarding World was finally at peace.
All was well.
"Oh, for Merlin's sake, Hermione, stop studying for a while," Ginny Weasley exclaimed in exasperation, balled fists placed firmly against her hips. She looked eerily like Mrs. Weasley, which brought a pleasant smile on Hermione's face.
Sighing, she closed her Charms book, and looked up at the redhead. "Honestly, Ginny, NEWTs are the day after tomorrow!" she cried, almost hysterical. "I cannot afford to take a break now."
The she-Weasley plopped down in front of the brunette, who was sitting on the ground in front of the Black Lake, and gave her a pointed look. "Most of the seventh years now are having fun outside," she said, gesturing around her. Hermione could distinctively hear merry laughter and jovial shouts. "'Mione, you're overworking yourself."
"Fine," she grumbled petulantly. A huge smile appeared on the sixth year's face. "What are we to do today, then?"
Hermione stowed away her books inside her book bag before shouldering it and standing up. Ginny followed suit, looping one of her arms around Hermione's, and happily looked up at the brunette.
"Tell me some of your wicked adventures as a Slytherin," she pleaded, complete with her sweet smile that had broken the hearts of many blokes (seeing that it was mostly directed to Harry Potter) and batting, long eyelashes.
The brunette rolled her eyes and tucked a stray curl behind her ear. "I've recounted them to you countless times already, Gin," she said. "Why do you insist in making me repeat them?"
"Because it makes you happy," she stated matter-of-factly.
Hermione smiled, not having any witty comeback since what she said was actually true.
"I'm not really in the mood to gush out my 'wicked' adventures as a Slytherin," she said, releasing a rather wide yawn. "Do you mind if I jog back to the castle and take a quick nap?"
Ginny's grip on her arm tightened. "Yes, I do mind," she pouted. "I didn't ask you to stop studying just to take some rest. We have some reacquainting to do."
"Selfish much?" the brunette asked with a large grin, fondly patting Ginny's arm. "We've done a lot of reacquainting for the past few weeks already, Ginny. What's more to reacquaint?"
The redhead's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "If I didn't know you better," she said accusingly, wagging a finger at her face, "I'd say that you're making stupid excuse just so you can avoid me and gallivant with Malfoy and Zabini."
Hermione scowled and bumped her hip against Ginny's. "Be serious," she said. "And quit using that tone towards my best friends, Gin. They do try their best not to insult you lot in front of me, you know."
Ginny scrutinized Hermione and finally nodded her head. "Fine," she sighed. "I'm sorry."
The brunette laughed at the younger girl's expression. "Oh, come on, Ginny, they're not that bad!" she cried, defending her Slytherin friends. "They're actually pleasant to talk to." Her face grew forlorn, eyes gazing off into the distance. "Come to think of it, I haven't spent some time with them."
It was true. Due to the end of the Second War, Slytherins became the busiest of all, seeing that most were part of families fighting for the Dark Side.
Blaise was one of them, being part of the long line of the Zabini family with his late great-great-great-great grandfather, Gustav Zabini, being the very first of the family to devote his whole life to Voldemort's false promises of power and fame. He had to work to rebuild the ruined reputation of his family, now assuming the position as the Head of the House, seeing that he was finally off age. Thankfully, his mother was spared, although she had been a closet follower of Voldemort. For one, she had no Dark Mark on her arm to prove that she was a Death Eater. Another was that she was overlooked, seeing that his son was proclaimed as somehow a hero of the Wizarding World, since he was a spy for the Order of the Phoenix.
And Draco… Merlin, he seemed like the busiest of them all. For the last one and a half week, she had merely glimpsed at him during most of their meal times. Due to some reports from the Daily Prophet, Draco Malfoy had assumed the position as the Head of House, same as what Blaise did. But that wasn't the end of it.
Being head of the powerful Malfoy family meant being head of a few different things. One of them was the Malfoy Enterprises, which was the top investor of most of the shops and inventions in the Wizarding World, both locally and internationally. Draco had been quite busy studying everything, forcing to plan some changes and the likes, despite the fact that he still hadn't graduated from Hogwarts.
Hermione had grown worried over him. Immensely. She was afraid that he'd go insane over such a humongous thing. And thus, to distract herself from such gnawing worry, she busied herself by studying for the NEWTs.
On a lighter note, she received news that Narcissa Malfoy had now been released from St. Mungo's and was currently staying at the Malfoy Manor. Hermione even received a pleasant surprise visit from Narcissa when the Malfoy matriarch had popped in to check on her son.
"It's lovely to finally meet you as Hermione Granger, dear," she had greeted her, warmly shaking her hand. But then, the lovely, elderly woman had pulled her into an embrace, catching her completely off-guard. "Thank you for taking care of my son," she had uttered, which prompted Hermione's cheeks to turn into a vivid shade of red.
Another good news was that her parents would be discharged from St. Mungo's a week from now. They were recuperating wonderfully, their bodies responding to the potions and spells given by the Healers. She had visited them once and to say that it was a happy visit was the biggest understatement of the year. Tears, long embraces, and murmurs of affections were exchanged in Room eighty-seven in St. Mungo's that day.
"We'll be in your graduation day, my love," her mother had murmured when Hermione bid both of her parents a kiss on their forehead as her goodbye.
"Earth to Hermione," Ginny suddenly said, vigorously snapping her fingers in front of her eyes.
Hermione blinked, shaking off her musings, and gently swatted her hand away. "I'm back from the clouds," she said, slightly annoyed. "Cut it out."
Ginny gave her an accusatory look. "You're thinking about them again, aren't you?" she said.
Confusion formed on her face. "About who?"
A gasp of exasperation escaped from Ginny's lips. "You-Know-Who," she snarled sarcastically. "No, you silly woman, Zabini and Malfoy!"
A sheepish smile appeared on her face and she shrugged. "Well, can't blame me now, can you?" she responded back cattily. "I haven't seen them for quite a while, Gin."
The redhead had halted in her steps, stopping Hermione in the process. The sixth year Gryffindor then stood in front of Hermione, hands firmly clasped on her shoulders, and intently looked into her eyes. "Promise me that you'll be honest, 'Mione."
The older Gryffindor blinked, astonished. "What are you on about?" she asked.
"Just swear you'll be honest," Ginny exclaimed, eyes narrowing menacingly.
Hermione sighed, knowing that her threatening look should not be merely brushed off as empty. After all, Ginny produces a wicked Bat-Boogey Hex. Thank Merlin she hadn't been the receiving end of such powerful hex from her… yet. "Fine," she said.
"Say you'll promise."
"I promise. Sweet Salazar, are you happy now?"
A large grin then broke into Ginny's lips, a fan-girlish look appearing on her face. Hermione internally groaned. She did not like the look on her face. "Are you or are you not dating Blaise Zabini?" she asked.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Of course not, Ginny," she smoothly replied. "He's merely a friend. Blaise is sweet and all but really, he's just a friend."
"Then…" Her baby blue eyes slightly narrowed. "Are you or are you not dating Draco Malfoy?"
To Hermione's immense mortification, her cheeks darkly blushed. Her eyes slightly widened from Ginny's accusations. The brunette immediately looked away, trying to hide her flushed appeared from the redhead, but it was too late.
"Aha!" she cried, pointing a finger at Hermione. "You're dating Malfoy?"
"NO!" Hermione bellowed, not meaning to deny it out so loud.
Ginny quirked an eyebrow, skeptical.
The older witch glared despite her heated cheeks. "Oh, please, Ginny," she spat. "Malfoy's a bloody prat. Merlin, he's insufferable most of the time, even rivaling Ron's pratness. I can't stand his… his annoying, haughty demeanor for a whole day, you know. It's a wonder how I was able to stand his presence for almost ten months now." A faraway look appeared on Hermione's face, fondly remembering the blond, before catching her train of thought and shook her head, horrified.
"Flushed cheeks? Check. Annoying blubbering? Check. Blatant denial? Check." Ginny fondly poked Hermione's burning up cheeks, chuckling when the brunette growled. "Making up nonexistent words? Check. And imaging him naked? Check. Check! And double check!"
Hermione's jaw dropped, eyes bulging as she stared disbelievingly at Ginny. "I do not imagine Draco Malfoy naked!" she cried indignantly, her cheeks furiously darkening.
"Easy there, love," Ginny said, slyly grinning. "Blush more and Professor Sprout might have mistaken you as one of her wandering tomatoes. Nasty stuff, those things. I've squashed one before and - ."
"Ginny, be serious," the brunette spat, still horrified.
A soft squeal escaped from the younger redhead's lips and to Hermione's surprise, threw her arms around Hermione. "Oh, congratulations, Hermione!" she cried. "You've finally found a fish for your nonexistent love life. And the yummiest fish of all, mind you."
"Ginny!"
"What?" Ginny pulled away, looking at her in confusion. "You just practically confessed you're dating Malfoy."
"I am not dating Draco!" she furiously hollered. "I am not dating anybody!"
Confusion etched on the she-Weasley's face. "No?" she asked.
Hermione vigorously shook her head, her wild hair flying around, some strands flipping against Ginny's face.
"Okay, okay, I get you," Ginny said, stopping the brunette's erratic movements. "Merlin, Hermione, all you have to do is say it."
"I've been trying to, remember?" she asked, glowering.
Ginny pointedly ignored her hostile looks and merely smiled. "Well, then, if you are not dating Draco Malfoy…" She blinked, looking thoughtful for a while, before flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Then, you fancy him!" She pointed an accusatory finger at Hermione's form.
Hermione was about to retort a denial, cheeks darkening once again, before releasing a soft moan and muttering a soft, "Yeah."
"Oh, don't deny it, 'Mione! It's bloody… WAIT!" Ginny's eyes almost bulged out of her sockets. "WHAT?"
Hermione scowled. "You've perfectly heard me, Gin," she spat, releasing an exhausted sigh.
"You're not denying it?" the redhead asked, looking at Hermione as if she'd grown another head.
The seventh year glared. "Would you believe me then?"
Ginny sheepishly grinned.
"I thought so."
Another squeal escaped from Ginny's lips as she held Hermione's hands. "So you do fancy him," she gushed out, grinning like a silly schoolgirl.
Her scowl darkened.
"Oh, cheer up, 'Mione," she said. "There's no need to be all scowls about it."
"Ginny, he's Malfoy," she pointed out, gritting her teeth. "It's something to be all scowls about."
"And?" she prompted.
"And what?"
"And you should care about that because…?"
"GINNY!"
The youngest Weasley rolled her eyes and intently looked into Hermione's brown eyes. "He's different from the one we used to know, right?" she asked. "I mean, goodness, you're supposed to know that, seeing that you've spent your whole seventh year living with him."
With a frown, she nodded.
"Well, you're still here, aren't you?" Ginny continued. "And you're not cursing Draco Malfoy like you've contracted a verbal diarrhea. Judging from your stories and the articles in the Daily Prophet, he's a good bloke, albeit a bit… caddish."
"Damn straight."
"Hermione…"
The brunette sighed and ran a hand through her brown tresses. "What? What do you expect me to say?" she cried, deeply frowning. "He's Malfoy, for goodness' sake! Doesn't that alarm you?"
Ginny shook her head honestly. "I don't see the reason for your fretting," she pointed out. "Seeing that you're considering him as your best friend already and you've been awfully thinking about him lately."
The older Gryffindor glowered, petulantly crossing her arms. "But he's still a prat."
"I think we've established that already."
"And he makes my blood boil."
"I know."
"Sometimes, I just want to rip off his immaculate blond hair just to make him scream like a little girl."
She emitted a chuckle. "I had some urges to do that, too."
"And shout at his ear until he becomes permanently deaf."
"Uh huh."
"And… and…" Hermione's face crumpled. "I like him so much it's getting harder and harder not to grab his face and snog him senselessly until Pluto's declared as a planet once again."
Ginny was largely grinning now, pleased with the brunette's confession. "That'll be too much snogging, 'Mione," she taunted. "I mean, he's still human, you know. Give him some break for fresh air."
The brunette covered her face behind her hands. "Ginny," she growled, cheeks furiously flaring up already. "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"
The youngest Weasley blinked innocently. "Did what?" she asked.
A shout of frustration escaped out from the brunette's lips, attracting the attention of some passersby. She pointedly ignored them and poked Ginny's collarbone.
"Blimey, Hermione!" she cried, massaging her aching bone.
"Oh, damn it all, I'm losing my bloody mind," she grumbled, glaring into nothing. "Stupid Malfoy… sole purpose is to ruin my whole life." She paused and took a deep breath. "I'm going back to the dormitory to take a nap. Tell Ron and Harry I can't make it later on their Quidditch practice. I have a meeting with Blaise."
She started to stride away from the redhead, Ginny was ready to follow her, but then, Hermione whipped around and glared daggers into her direction. "Don't follow me," she hissed.
Ginny paused, raising her arms in defense. She thought that Hermione looked eerily Slytherin-like right now, which was extremely comical for the redhead. "Okay, okay," she assured the madwoman standing a few meters away from her. "Merlin, woman, no need to get your knickers in a twist."
With one last glare, Hermione turned around and stomped back to the castle, constantly muttering dark nothings under his breath concerning one Draco Malfoy and a very pointy butter knife she had seen in the Gryffindor common room.
The redhead shook her head in disbelief and laughed. She took note to confiscate anything sharp Hermione possessed, afraid that she would do something she would regret. But an image of a bloodied Draco Malfoy, screaming bloody murder, did not seem like a bad thing…
Shaking her head, Ginny then walked aimlessly around the castle and grounds, contemplating Hermione's absurd reaction towards her accusation (though, she honestly thought it was very endearing to see Hermione all worked up because of her feelings).
Ginny had caught sight of Malfoy one time. "Hey, Malfoy," she good-naturedly greeted, startling the said blond in the process.
Draco had looked at her, noticing her outwardly odd behavior, before cautiously nodding his head. "Weaslette," he greeted. The she-Weasley had flashed him an 'I-know-something-you-do-not-know' smile, which made him more confused. Before he could inquire her, she walked away from him, literally skipping happily in the corridors while humming under her breath.
The blond grimaced at her retreating back. "Bloody she-Weasel," he murmured under his breath before turning around, meaning to find Blaise.
It was nearing dinner when Hermione walked out of the castle grounds, planning to go straight to the Forbidden Forest. She had arranged to meet Blaise in her fake grave and Teddy's grave, just to talk and all. The Italian, delighted with her request, agreed almost immediately.
The brunette had also planned to invite Draco but Blaise had said that he had to return home just before dinner to sign important documents regarding the transferring of all the Malfoy fortune to his name. Hermione was not entirely thrilled by this news (good lord, she wanted to see him more than Blaise, which was sad, really, since Blaise had always been the most pleasant of the two) but brushed it off, knowing that it was best for Draco.
With a sigh, she entered the clearing of the forest, running a hand through her brown tresses. She quirked a smile as she looked at her clothing. It was truly a breath of fresh air for her to return to dressing up with skirts and blouses and anything feminine. Today, she was wearing Muggle jeans and a burgundy-turtleneck as her top.
Her right hand once again placed itself on the crown of her hair, meaning to absentmindedly touch the butterfly hairclip Draco had given her, but then paused once she did not feel it. She softly groaned under her breath, letting her arm fall limply back to her side.
Draco was going to kill her if he discovered she had carelessly lost her hairclip. Judging from the gemstones studded on it, it was expensive. A frown grew on her face, thinking of possible people who had probably stolen it from her. But then, she brushed off that idea. She was so sure she was still wearing it on the day they rescued her parents. Her heart dropped to the stomach upon realizing that she had probably left it in the Malfoy Manor, broken and trampled upon.
'Good job, you bloody nuisance. Good job,' a voice from her head, eerily sounding so much like Draco, taunted.
"Shut up," she said, hugging her body as the two tombstones came into view. Blaise was standing pensively beside Teddy's grave, a faraway look glued on his face. Hermione found herself slowing down her steps, carefully observing the Italian.
She always deemed Blaise as a handsome, young man. His looks could rival Draco's just because he had features that were somehow foreign to the eyes. With his tanned skin, strong jaw line, and a slightly pointy nose, he was the epitome of all Prince Charmings in fairytales.
A sigh escaped from her lips and she shook her head. Why didn't she like him instead of the twitchy ferret? Blaise… he was a very good companion. Merlin, he even offered to look after her after she was attacked by those grotesque hags. He had a smile that could melt even the iciest heart in the whole world. His patience was never-ending, seeing that he was the best friend of an immature bloke and a stubborn prat.
And he was polite. Very polite.
And Draco, well, pigs should fly first before he became Prince Charming-like. But how come she liked him and not Blaise Zabini? Life would have been better if her heart had chosen the Italian instead of the albino ferret.
But then again, her life had been complicated ever since she chose to befriend Harry Potter. Stranger things had happened to her than falling in love with a complete git.
Her frown deepened, resuming her walk. Have she fallen in love with Draco Malfoy already? The idea seemed too absurd now. Sure, she had been his roommate for almost ten months and she came to greatly care for him. She loved him as a best friend and that was okay. She loved Harry, Ron, Ginny, Blaise, and Teddy, too. But love him as in love love him?
She did not know. With a frustrated sigh, she made her presence known to Blaise. Malfoy be damned for now, even if she did have urges to grab his face and snog him senselessly. She would find some time to truly contemplate her real feelings for him.
"Hey Blaise," she greeted, forcing herself to smile. Remnants of her musings were still swirling in her mind and she desperately tried to push them away, not wanting to ruin this meeting with the Italian.
Blaise flashed his most charming smile and Hermione sighed again. Why didn't she fall in love with him again? "Hi," he said, ushering her to his side. The brunette obliged and was now standing beside him, looking thoughtfully on Teddy's grave.
"It's been a while now since I last talked to you, you know," the Slytherin commented, pocketing his hands. His right hand brushed against the butterfly hairclip in his pocket and he winced, withdrawing his hand almost immediately.
"Yeah," Hermione commented, smiling up at him. "Blame NEWTs."
"And my obligations as a Zabini," he added, sighing. With a slightly tilted head, he contemplatively scrutinized the brunette beside him. "How are you?"
She blinked, slightly surprised with his question. "I'm honestly fine, Blaise," she said. "Though, stressed-out due to some all-nighters."
He shook his head disapprovingly. "You're over-working yourself," he tutted, frowning at her.
Hermione laughed and tucked a stray curl behind her ear. "I'm Hermione Granger, what do you expect?" she stated matter-of-factly. Blaise chuckled for his answer. "And you know what? Ginny had told me exactly the same thing a few days ago."
"Ah, the she-Weasley," Blaise said. Something flashed in the young man's eyes, which she did not understand. "She has been suspicious today."
"Suspicious? How so?"
"Well… for one, she's somehow lurking around Draco and me," he said, running a hand through his hair. "Oh, and she had been incessantly bugging the magic out of Draco."
Hermione blushed and internally cursed the redhead. "Oh," she said, followed by a nervous cough, "I'll tell her to mind her own business."
He cracked a smile at this. "You Gryffindors tend to poke your noses into the businesses of others," he retorted.
She glared up at him, which made him chuckle once again. Her frown morphed into a small smile and her eyes landed on her fake grave. "I guess my grave isn't needed anymore," she mused aloud. "Now that Hermione Granger is alive and all."
Blaise hummed for his reply and did not catch it when Hermione's eyes widened, her jaw almost dropping.
There, on top of her tombstone, was a tulip.
Her heart hammered wildly inside her ribcage and she looked away, flushed. So Draco Malfoy still visited her grave despite knowing her secret was out, huh?
Biting her lip, she thought that sometimes, the blond just did things that made him so… so… endearing to the brunette.
"Hermione?"
Blinking, she looked back at Blaise and smiled. "What?"
He smiled. "You zoned out," he pointed out.
"I did?" she asked, chuckling. "I… I'm sorry. I've been awfully thinking a lot of NEWTs already. Do you know that I'm currently recalling some of the basic runes now?" She chuckled, tiredly running a hand through her face. "I'm sorry, Blaise. I'm just… preoccupied. Do you think we can reschedule this meeting? I promise to be a good companion the next time we meet."
And then, to her immense surprise, Blaise latched a hand around her wrist, his grip firm, yet gentle. "Wait," he said, "don't go yet. I-I have something to tell you."
Hermione completely froze on the spot, her blood running cold. There was something in Blaise's tone, one that was full of urgency and blatant nervousness, which made her nervous, too.
She slowly looked up at Blaise and almost backpedaled at the intensity of his gaze. There was hard determination and… and something more she could not fathom.
"Blaise, what are you - ?"
"I've been that transparent to you, huh?" he asked, mistaking her look as something of realization.
Her confusion increased ten-fold as she discreetly pulled her wrist away from his grasp. "I-I don't understand," she asked, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. Was it just her or did the woods became suddenly stuffy?
The Italian blinked, surprised at her question, before softly chuckling in disbelief. "And here I thought you were supposed to be the most intelligent witch of her age," he said, although not meaning to make it sound like an insult.
To further surprise her more, Blaise had trapped both of her hands into his big ones, not allowing her any chance to run away from him.
Hermione grew uncomfortable under his intense, bloody hopeful, gaze and instead stared down on her feet. She had this feeling where this conversation would go. And she did not like it one bit.
He squeezed her hand, forcing her to look up at him, which she did, but then regretted it in the end. His eyes were shining so bright with so much hope; it broke her heart into two.
"Hermione," he started, his tone now gentler than his usual one. "I… adore you." He then vigorously shook his head, his groomed hair tousling a bit because of his movement. "No, no, for goodness' sake, I love you."
The brunette gasped, eyes widening with a mixture of astonishment and horror.
"And if I am mistaken, then maybe I'm almost in love with you," he continued, offering her a small smile. "I've somehow felt it ever since I discovered that you're Hermione Granger, which was ages ago. Do you remember the time when you met Dumbledore in the library since Peeves ransacked his office?"
Realization dawned on her face and he nodded.
"Yes, I was there. I couldn't help but to overhear," he affirmed. "But, that's not the point. The point is, these feelings I have for you are irrepressible. And so, here I am, absolutely hopeful, to hear an answer from you."
Unknowingly, tears gathered at the corner of her eyes and she hastily withdrew her hands as if she was burned. "Blaise…" she said, looking away as a tear slid down from her face. "Please… don't do this."
He blinked, face slightly paling. "I have to," he said with so much conviction. "I… I have to tell you, or else, my heart would burst." A humorless chuckle escaped from his lips as he ran a hand through his hair, suddenly feeling a little awkward.
"Blaise," she beseeched, looking at him squarely in the eye. She noticed how his face softened upon seeing her cry, further clenching her already painful heart. "You're a nice guy, I swear. I mean, you're funny, and sweet, and… and so polite it won't be a wonder why a lot of girls are falling down on their knees and proclaiming their love for you."
Despite the growing dread in his heart, he quirked a smile. "You have no idea," he said.
She haphazardly wiped her tears away, once again averting her eyes away from him. "I… I'm sorry." There, she had finally said it and it took all of her willpower to utter such heartbreaking words to a hopeful boy. "I just… I don't feel the same way for you, Blaise. I-I'm sorry. You're my best friend and all and I love you. But, not like the way you feel about me."
Silence. Thick, suffocating silence surrounded the two of them and Hermione desperately glanced at the exit of the Forbidden Forest, wanting to run away from Blaise as fast as she could. She hated it when people made her feel awfully guilty and dreadful. She had suffered from survivor's guilt before, remember?
And then, to further surprise her more, Blaise released a huge sigh and softly chuckled under his breath. Hermione, with huge, owlish eyes, looked back at him, her jaw slightly dropping.
Blaise looked knowing.
"Yeah, well," he started, nervously clearing his throat, "I knew you'd somehow say that. I'm just... I have this sick habit of signing my own death sentence just to release what I'm currently feeling inside."
"Blaise…"
He raised up a hand, halting her from talking, and pointedly looked at Hermione. He then rummaged inside his pocket and pulled out her missing butterfly hairclip. The brunette gasped when Blaise gently pulled out her right hand and placed the hair accessory on her palm.
"How did you find this?" she asked, looking up at him through wet eyelashes.
He cracked a small smile. "Well, it fell out from your hair when we were rescuing your parents," he explained. "I tried to give it back to you but I didn't find the right time."
'Liar,' his conscience hissed but he brushed it off. Hey, he was being rejected by the first girl he truly had feelings for. He was allowed to do and say whatever he liked to do or say.
"Blaise," she softly sobbed, reaching for his hand. He, being a bloody, selfish guy, allowed her to grab it. "I'm sorry."
The Italian sighed once again and ran his unoccupied hand through his hair. "It's because of the giver of that hairclip, right?" She gasped so loud a few resting crows squawked out of their trees and flew away. He fondly smiled at her adorable look. "It's okay. Well… not entirely. But… I knew long before that I do not have at least a fraction of chance to be someone that is more than friends with you." He squeezed her hand. "Actually, you unknowingly broke my heart countless times before and I'd be lying if I say I never knew this was coming."
Another sob escaped from her lips and she looked away, scowling. "That doesn't make me feel any better," she pointed out. To Blaise's horror, her sobs turned guttural.
"Hey, hey, it's okay," he said, drawing her close. He wound his arms around her waist and just hugged her tight. "Merlin, Hermione, why are you crying? I'm the one who's supposed to be grieving, you know."
She released a wet chuckle, which prompted him to smile. "I-I'm sorry," she blubbered out. "I-I don't really feel good after rejecting people I truly care about." Hermione slightly pulled away and looked up, directing her slightly puffy eyes into his. "I'm sorry if I've hurt you, Blaise."
The Italian sighed and fished out his handkerchief, affectionately wiping her tears away. "Nothing will change," he said, although deep inside, he knew something will.
"Something will change," she interjected, and he smiled.
"Well, maybe something will," he said. "But you'll always be one of my best friends, okay? Maybe it'll take some time to heal. But I told you, you've unknowingly broken my heart into two before. The pain's somehow… familiar."
"That doesn't make me feel any good," she pointed out.
He cracked a charming smile. "It's not supposed to," he stated matter-of-factly.
Hermione looked at him long enough before burying her face against the crook of his neck and held him tight. Blaise allowed his mask of calmness to slip for a while, showing what he truly felt, as he held her tighter to himself, his nose skimming the top of her head.
Too soon, the brunette slowly pulled away, Blaise's handkerchief now clutched tightly into her hand. "I'm sorry," she said.
He waved a dismissive hand, his mask back on its place. "You're still my best friend, remember that," he said, making a step to turn around and walk out of the forest.
Hermione watched him with sad eyes, knowing that despite the mask he was wearing today, she knew he was hurting. Sweet Salazar, she'd been hanging around him for months. Somehow, she knew how to look through his perfect mask.
He needed time, that she much knew. Every rejected people in the whole world needed some time to heal and she knew it. Hermione just hoped that Blaise's healing process would be sooner than later. She would honestly miss the best friend in him. And so, she didn't stop him when he slowly stalked out of the forest, his back facing her.
Just then, he whipped back around, a knowing smile on his face. "Oh, and Hermione?" he said.
"Yeah?" she asked, sniffing afterwards.
"Can you give me a favor and knock some sense into Draco?" he said good-naturedly, complete with a small chuckle of his own. "He'd been a bloody coward for making you wait."
Her eyes widened, her mouth forming a slight 'oh', catching the meaning of his words.
His smile then turned wistful as he completely faced her. "He'd loved you ever since freshmen year, Hermione," he said and watched fondly as she reeled with the revelation. With one last quick glance, he turned around and completely walked out of the Forbidden Forest.
"WHAT?" she screeched out loud, her cheeks flaring up with unsuppressed embarrassment.
'This day had gotten better and better,' she snapped sarcastically, turning to her fake grave to glare at the tulip sitting innocently on top of her tombstone.
First, Ginny had discovered that she fancied none other than Draco Malfoy. And then, Blaise had confessed his feelings for her and she, being heartless, had rejected him instead of accepting his feelings just to see if they would work out and to forget the stupid feelings she was harboring for the ferret.
"But, you're no user, Hermione Granger," she firmly told herself, knowing that despite how much she had hurt Blaise, she somehow still did the right thing, not making him wait any longer.
And now… now this? Discovering that the boy she fancied loved her. And since their first year!
"Oh Merlin, really," she said, running a tired hand through her face. She strode towards her grave and bent down, grasped the tulip, and charmed it everlasting.
Hermione then turned to Teddy's grave. She kissed the tips of her fingers and brushed it against his engraved name, smiling apologetically. "Sorry for all the drama you've witnessed, Teddy," she murmured. "It won't happen again."
Pocketing the tulip, she turned around and walked out of the Forbidden Forest, all thoughts of studying consuming her head just so she could momentarily forget all that had happened today.
As she finally walked out of the forest, she realized the true meaning of what Blaise had told her.
Her hand unknowingly shot up to her heart, which was giddily beating with unadulterated happiness.
"He loves me," she whispered into the air. And with a silly grin glued on her face, she walked inside the safety confines of the Hogwarts castle.
A/N: And done! How did you like it, eh? I told you, Blaise's character was important in this chapter *wink* *wink*.
So, there were a few who asked me if Ron likes Hermione, so here's my answer - a resounding 'no'. Ron sees Hermione as his best friend, perhaps a sister. Definitely nothing more and nothing less. :D
Well, I'll make this thing quick. I'm still feeling a little woozy, probably due to jetlag, since I just arrived earlier this morning. It's 9 pm here in the Philippines and in Spain, the sun is still up and about. I think my body clock is confused XD
ANYWAY, read and review, por favor. I've been craving for reviews for TWO AND A HALF WEEKS.
Haha, that's it!
With love,
WickedlyAwesomeMe :D