"One more flight then." Hermione sighed heavily, setting down her bag. "All by myself, to prove I can do this. Stay and make sure I don't get harmed?" The huge black dog next to her huffed and tossed its head as if to say she were daft for even asking. She grinned and scratched his ears, "after this, I'm done with him, Snuffles. He'd never care anyway and I feel stupid for trying."

She climbed on her broom, borrowed from Harry and began to circle the Quidditch Pitch, gaining speed and slowing down. She swayed from side to side, went up and down, all of the basics.

"You're improving." Blaise's voice said and she squeaked. Before she could swerve and most likely go out of control, he grabbed her elbow to steady her, "was it the book?"

"If you've come to taunt me, please, I've done enough to myself." She replied coldly.

"I've not." He replied, dipping lower as she did, "I came to speak with you." Nodding, she landed and sat on the grass. Blaise stared as Snuffles slipped from the shadows, head low and teeth barred but not growling.

"Snuffles," she scolded fondly, "Blaise isn't going to hurt me. Go on back to Hagrid's." Snuffles sat, tilting his head and she shrugged, "I don't know, I'll probably tell you later. Go on, I haven't seen you eat anything in two hours." Huffing air at her, he turned and trotted off.

"Does that dog follow you everywhere?" Blaise asked.

"Yes, he's my friend, I told you."

"I suppose." He looked doubtful, "I will just come right out with it, Granger. Do you have romantic feelings for me?"

"I wouldn't call them- yes." She answered as he shot her a look that made her want to tell the truth if, for no other reason than to avoid further trouble.

"That is the way I understood it," he nodded, "I was actually present when Theo went to speak to girl Weasley. He was rather… I am sure she no longer holds such feelings. However, things were yelled and very possibly snarled, in your defense. You attempt to learn to be a Chaser for me, take etiquette lessons… all of this to get my attention?"

"Well, when you say it like that, it sounds a bit pathetic." She groused, looking out over the Pitch and admiring it's beauty in the dark.

"And the crying, I thought of this on my own- it was nothing the girl Weasley said, over being muggle born; that was because I wasn't noticing you, wasn't it?"

"Yes." She admitted, flushing, "are we quite done?"

"No, we are not. I would like to know why." Blaise replied, "what is it that… why not Draco? I understand Crabbe and Goyle, but the others do very well…" he grinned as she snorted, covering her face.

"I'm as humiliated as I can be, so why not? I don't know why, Blaise, not really. You're sort of… graceful, I suppose, in a dominant… sort of way? It shows on a broom. You're quiet but intelligent and you speak when needed. You're terribly fit and have pretty eyes. You're just.. I don't know, Blaise, a lot of Hogwarts girls have a crush on you."

"Si, yet none of them attempt to get my attention."

"Bollocks, I've seen Lavender practically throw herself on you!"

"Brown?! Ugh, she is a bit… disgusting, to be honest, slavering all over people. Others say 'oh, Blaise! I love your accent, what is it? French?' and I don't think it's that many." She laughed out loud.

"It's a lot."

"I fail to see-"

"A lot."

"I will take your word for it." He said with a tilt of his head to her, "you don't find me creepy?"

"No." Hermione shook her head, "I'm really sorry, Blaise. It was just… none of this would have ever happened if I'd kept my mouth shut. She mentioned Theo and I brought you up and… well, she somehow talked me into this. I thought it might work, but, well, I've realized the vast barrier between us. It was daft. Grazi, though, for not making fun of me. Good night."

"Wait!" he grabbed her arm, "pause for a moment, I am not yet finished unless you are tired?" she shook her head and he nodded, "Hermione, this is nothing to do with your heritage. You must understand I do not like muggles and I do not like muggle borns as a majority." She winced and his face softened as he reached out and pulled her hand free, placing it in both of his, "I will say, again, 'as a majority'. What attracts me to a woman is not her heritage though it is a plus, it is a strong woman who sees what she wants and goes for it. I adore women who do not need me to coddle them or hunt me like prey for my inheritance. Still, I am with Draco a lot. To date a muggle born could put him in danger, I know you understand that."

"Yes," she nodded, "I understand. You didn't have to lie, Blaise, I've heard you say some bad things I just thought I could change your mind-"

"Hermione! I will not beg, if that is what you wish. If this is your plan, you may go. If not, I would like to ask you a question."

"What?" she huffed, hugging her knees.

"May I kiss you?"

"What?" she frowned. He opened his mouth to repeat it and she frowned, "is this some kind of joke? You're out here with people…" she began to look for her tormentors. Blaise, apparently, had had enough,

"No, Hermione, I wish to court you; given that it is private to keep Draco safe!" Her head whipped around to stare and he glared, "you are a stubborn one. I like this quality. Now, may I kiss you?" His confidence was enough to drown in. She nodded, eyes wide, knowing she was still risking a cruel trick of some sort. Then, his lips were on hers, and it was everything she thought it might be and nothing she could have expected. Then, he stood, pulling her hand to his mouth to brush his lips across it.

"Are you leaving now?" she asked. He shook his head, picking up his broom and held out a hand to help her to her feet.

"You asked for my assistance, I will give it; provided, of course, you still want to learn?" She smiled and took his hand and nodded.