Hey guys! So, I've got some big news! I've decided to start doing YouTube! I've only got an introductory video up and a challenge video, but my channel name is EmPatheticOlive and I would love it if you guys would take a moment to check it out, maybe give me some ideas you would like to see me do? Either way, no pressure, it's just me trying to spread the word and all that!
Please enjoy the chapter!
"You didn't have to smile at me/ Your grin's the sweetest that I've ever seen/ But you did. Yes you did/ You didn't have to offer your hand/ Cause since I've kissed it I am at your command/ But you did/ Oh, Turpentine erase me whole/ I don't want to live my life alone/ I was waiting for you all my life/ Oh/ Why/ Set me free, my...honeybee/ Honeybee…" – Steam Powered Giraffe, "Honeybee"
It was exactly one week until Blaise heard from Hermione again, and by that time he'd already built up a massive headache. He'd spent several days calming down Evangeline when she fretted and worried herself sick as to what her family would think of her being gay (they were fine with it and still loved her very much), what her friends would think of her being gay (they should be fine with it and if they aren't he'd kill them), and what strangers would think of her being gay (honestly, they don't matter, now please get out of the ocean, you're scaring the pelicans.) Lia had been asking many questions about her sister's revealed sexuality, mainly pertaining to babies and how they were made in even 'boy/girl' circumstances, and his mother and grandmother were never around when she began asking. He'd had to distract her every single time, and even then that was after hours of struggling with answers and attempts at ways out.
Blaise would crawl late at night into Hermione's former bed, breathing deeply and being exhausted from the end of the day, but smiling when he pictured crawling into bed, exhausted and drained, but with her smiling back at him and soothing his worries. He was actually excited to marry her, just to be able to spend loads of time with her.
He was just having a very nice lie in, dozing in and out of consciousness when he heard tapping at the window pane. After groggily standing and stretching and tripping over the duvet to the window, Blaise allowed the tawny owl to flap swiftly in, land on the nightstand, and extend its leg. As he was bending to untie the note strapped to its leg, he was surprised when the bird began to preen his hair and click her beak at him. He chuckled, stood up slowly, and watched as she nodded once and flicked through the window.
Blaise –
So sorry to wake you, and even sorrier if Amalthea decides to groom you. She's a motherly owl, but I love her dearly. Anyway, I'm writing to inform you that I have some time in my schedule –
Blaise brightened considerably, grinning to himself in the mirror and grimacing at his stubbly chin. Making a note to shave as soon as possible, he returned to the note.
I have some time in my schedule, so I was hoping that you would also have time to take a trip to the Burrow with me this Sunday. I do have to see to a wedding earlier in the day, but if you'll meet me at my office at around 3, I'll be able to Apparate you.
Good morning,
Hermione
Blaise let out a low, pathetic groan and flopped back onto the bed, curling up under the duvet that smelled like sunshine and magically locking the doors.
Blaise noticed that all of the roses were gone. Not a single, horrid pink petal had been left behind, and all of the vases sat bare. The waiting room looked earthy, if a bit lifeless now because of their absence, and Blaise idly set to tapping each vase with his wand and having different flowers sprout up, different colored ones as he tried to ease his boredom. He was just putting the finishing touches on some periwinkle forget-me-nots, when Jacob bustled into the room and stopped when he saw him, an armful of wilting sunflowers in his hand.
"Oh, sorry, I was – " Blaise cleared his throat, tapping his wand against the forget-me-nots and having them vanish. "Bored. I'll clean up."
"Oh, don't bother," Jacob said cheerily, although he was looking at him curiously. "I like them far better than the ones I just bought anyway." But he shrugged and placed the sunflowers in the empty vase before helping them straighten up. "Change the lilies and the roses to periwinkle, she'll love that." At Blaise's questioning look, Jacob gave him a smug smile and waved him on. "Go on, man, credit will be all yours." Blaise slowly did as he was told as the younger man relaxed and hopped up on the reception desk. "Saw that giant rock on her finger come Monday, and questioned her all about it. Said it was a quick engagement and swore me to secrecy over the true nature of it."
"I didn't plan for that to happen," Blaise insisted.
"I'll give you that," Jacob amended softly, giving a friendly smile, "But…you don't seem to be too upset to go meet her friends, and you're giving her waiting room flowers, some in her favorite color."
"You told me to change those to her favorite color," Blaise defended.
"Not those little ones you vanished once I came in here," Jacob teased.
"I…" he deflated, giving a small pout paired with his best Slytherin glare. "What's all this about, Jacob?"
"The Weasleys are gonna give you some shit," he stated simply, "But don't let that get to you. I can tell, you're good for her. Probably the best one yet, if I'm honest. Don't get upset because of her friends, feel like shit then take it out on her. It's happened before, twice, and she hates it."
"I can take whatever they give me," Blaise answered slowly.
Jacob stared him down before grinning, hopping down from his perch, and clapping his hands together once, "Great! Then off you go, meet her at the wedding, you're dressed properly enough!"
"Wait, what?" Blaise questioned. "Hermione told me to meet her here!"
"And she's there!" he crowed with a grin, "The wedding is running a bit later than expected, and she had no way to owl you. Sent me a Patronus and told me to tell you to just wait a bit, or even reschedule. But, instead, I'm helping you." He pulled Blaise over to the fireplace, tossed a handful of Floo powder in, and shouted an address before clapping the Slytherin on the shoulders, grinning brightly at him, and announced a quick "good luck!" before shoving him through the flames.
He had no idea what kind of game Jacob was playing at, but he was honestly quite frightened over all of it. There were running, screaming children in poofy dresses or wrinkled tuxes, adults either milling or arguing or steadily getting drunk before the procession began. Blaise found himself edging outside, out into an honestly quite lovely orchard with a beautiful archway and outdoor seating, when he heard the yelling. Well, honestly, it was more screeching than anything. He followed the sound, just knowing that Hermione would be there to make the unpleasantness go away, when he turned around the first hedge of an outdoor maze and found the bridge-to-be, with mascara running down her cheeks, screeching at his fiancé.
Hermione, for her part, was all calm, cool, and collected. She was actually settled into a smashing plum dress that was tight enough that it was sexy but not inappropriate, her hair loosely pinned up to look messy and graceful. In her arms was a clipboard with a Muggle pen nestled up top, and Hermione was only looking dully at the woman before her.
"The caterer is late, Hermione!" the screeching bride announced, looking completely trashy next to his lady, although he knew better than to announce that to the both of them. "My uncles are getting ready to fight again and the children are all pests! And there is a chance of rain!"
Hermione, to her credit, merely arched an eyebrow as the complaints got more and more before she finally sighed, readjusted the clipboard with one arm, and neatly slapped the woman in the face. Both she and Blaise were stunned as Hermione took her wand and began to clean up her face, makeup and hair.
"The caterer arrived fifty minutes ago and is already done with two courses," she began correcting, "I've settled your uncles and have set out something to entertain the children for the time being. If it does rain, it will be noticed on the mountains over there first, leaving us plenty of time to clear out. And, if we are caught by surprise, I've already placed wards to cover us from the light rain shower that is sure to come." She then levelled the woman with a stern glare that McGonagall would've been proud of, "If you're getting cold feet, that's fine. Everyone does, so I hear, and it's acceptable. What is not acceptable, however, is taking your frustrations out on others. That is my wedding advice to you in the future. By the way you and Kevin spoke during our entire acquaintanceship, it seems as if you two are planning on children. Children do not deserve to be screeched at because you're annoyed, and your husband certainly doesn't deserve that either. It's understandable to be overwhelmed, but asking for help or a shoulder to cry on does wonders. Do I make myself clear, Delia?" At her nod, Hermione smiled and conjured a simple handkerchief, "Good. Now, go placate your mother and twirl for her while I make sure everything else is ready. I'll give you plenty of time, don't you worry. And remember to smile! It's your big day!"
Delia nodded, swishing past Blaise with only a curious look, but waved it off and to Hermione, who gaped openly at him before giving a relieved little laugh and tucking a lock of hair back behind an ear.
"You are so wicked," he greeted with a grin, approaching her and pecking her forehead. "So wicked. Oh my Merlin."
She flushed and weakly slapped his chest, "What are you doing here? I told Jacob – "
"Who shoved me through the Floo to get to you," he said as he took her hand and kissed the back of it, grinning at her cheekily as he looked at her beyond the engagement ring. "Tiring day, Miss Granger?"
"You have no idea," she sighed, her shoulders sagging as she looked at him with relief, like he was her saving grace. He loved being looked at like that. "And it's not over yet, is it?"
"No, darling, I'm afraid not," he sighed as well before perking up, "But! All you have to do is introduce your charming, sexy, bound-for-life fiancé, and I'll do the rest of the talking if you so please."
"I don't know about the charming," she teased as she bit the end of her pen.
"So you think I'm sexy?" he teased right back, heart pounding as her eyes flicked to his mouth before flicking back to his eyes.
"I think I have a job to finish," she stated slowly, grinning massively when he groaned. "Tell you what. Settle yourself somewhere and I'll come and find you when the ceremony's over, if you're as keen to stay as I think you are."
"How will you find me?" he questioned, before she tapped to her clipboard to show a magical map with small, labelled dots announcing where everyone and everything was. "Wicked," he breathed.
"Thank Harry's father and his friends," she smiled back before smacking herself in the forehead and shaking her head, "What am I doing? I'm working. You," she fixated him with a small, playful glare, "Shoo."
"Fine," he sighed with exaggeration, loping away through the maze slowly, hands in his pockets, "I'm off to go be by myself. Boo-hoo. My witch doesn't care for me. Boo-hoo-hoo."
He heard the loud sigh behind him and grinned eagerly as she said, "You stay beside me at all times."
He quickly returned to her side, offering her his arm and grinning cheekily to her as she gave a small smile in return, "I wouldn't dream of being anywhere else."
Being a wedding planner, he decided, was a lot more vigorous than going through catalogues and talking to people to do certain things. She had to check and double check progress, help guests find their seats, check on things with the bride, then the groom, then anyone else who was important to the wedding party. She settled champagne in ice buckets, warded alcohol against children or those who'd already had too much to drink, and rearranged hors d'oeuvres, all while checking her clipboard and ticking off things on a checklist.
"You won't be like this at our wedding, will you?" he asked idly, snatching an ugly cupcake from the dessert tray and sharing it with her as they took a moment and leaned back behind the fountain to breathe.
"No, I suppose that will be a combination of my mother, your mother, and Mrs. Weasley," she snorted, smiling when he dabbed a bit of the icing onto her nose before crossing her eyes and tapping her tongue to her nose to get it. He laughed in amazement as she got most of it off, getting the rest off himself and licking his thumb with a grin as he saw her eyes watch the movement.
"You're really close to the Weasleys, then?" he questioned, "Despite, you know, the whole being exes thing?"
She shrugged, settling into his side to pinch off a bit of the cupcake. "We were able to salvage our friendship before anything could be ruined and turn awkward. But, still, I'm not as close as I once was, the mishap with Ronald aside." She frowned and rubbed at her forehead, "I still have no idea how he and Harry are going to handle…you know. An Unbreakable Vow engagement." He nodded, not feeling the need to speak at the moment, when she sighed and settled into him further. "Is it strange to say that…I feel so comfortable around you already?"
"Not strange at all," he said with a grin, kissing the top of her curly mound of hair, "As I'm very comfortable with you as well."
Hermione lifted her head and smiled at him as he smiled back, gently tugging on a curl by her ear and getting her to chuckle back at him. He saw her eyeing his lips again, and he unconsciously darted his tongue out to wet them. He felt time slow down, and after a quick glance into her eyes, began to lean towards her.
"HERMIONE!" someone shouted, one of the bridesmaids, as Hermione thumped her head against his chest, groaned, and informed him to wait there for her as she hurriedly clicked away on the stone path to go see the problem.
Blaise grumbled and cursed whoever decided that a missing garter was important enough to ruin his chances at kissing Hermione.
Soon everything was right with the world of pointless frilly scraps of lace, and Blaise stood back and watched as Delia and Kevin slowly proceeded down the aisle and were pronounced man and wife. It was a nice enough wedding, he assumed, but he took more happiness in knowing that it was all Hermione's hard work rather than the union of two people in front of all their friends and relatives. Maybe if he knew them, he'd feel differently, but right then all he cared about was whisking Hermione away, meeting the Weasleys, and maybe trying to get a kiss out of her one way or another.
Hermione was wilting and tired by the time her job was done, and leaned heavily against Blaise as he escorted her to the Floo. She called out to the Burrow, too tired to be nervous, and tugged Blaise into the fire with her.
It was a small living room for such a big family, but it felt warm and comforting. There were several squashy, comfortable-looking pieces of furniture that he could imagine several cats perched upon, and walls filled with photographs of redheaded children waving back at him. There was laughter coming from the kitchen and the backyard, and suddenly Hermione was just as nervous as he was.
"Hullo?" a motherly voice called, and Blaise tried to squash down his fear at a simple family, but found that it was to no avail when his mind traitorously whispered 'She's the one who killed Bellatrix, you know.'
"Hullo, Mrs. Weasley!" Hermione called, biting her thumb nail before Blaise swatted at her hand with a small frown. "Uhm, I'd like for you to meet…uhh…somebody!"
"Oh, well, bring them in here, dear! I can't quite leave this sauce alone just yet!" she insisted, and Blaise felt her tugging on his sleeve as he moved to follow. He didn't know why he was quite so scared. He didn't even have a mark or anything, or did anything wrong, but he was just so bloody terrified he was already looking forward to an escape.
"Sorry I'm so late, Mrs. Weasley, but I got caught up at work," she said before tugging Blaise to her side and slipped her hand – the one with the ring – into his and started rubbing comforting circles against his skin. "Blaise here came to pull me out of it and got sucked in as well."
The plump, short woman with greying red curls kept stirring her sauce as she looked up at him, appraising him for a moment before beaming wildly, brushing her hands off on an apron and enveloped him in a hug, "It's lovely to meet you, Blaise!" He wondered if all mothers except his own and Draco's greeted people with hugs before deciding that it was probably just because she had so many children that she just automatically did this. Better safe than sorry, surely. "Well, I won't bother with warning you to treat Hermione right, as you no doubt will, but if any of the others ask, you tell them I instilled the fear of Merlin into you."
He felt the ends of his mouth quirking upward and began to smile as Hermione relaxed, "Yes, ma'am. Is there anything I can do to help you, Mrs. Weasley?"
Mrs. Weasley shared a quick grin with Hermione, "Oh, you prepared him well." She turned back to Blaise and smiled, "No, dear, nothing at all. And please, call me 'Molly' – the both of you." Hermione snorted, and he assumed that they had these conversations before. "Hermione, the boys are all out back, and so are most of the girls. Better get it over with quick, yeah?" She started waving a wooden spoon around at Blaise, "Don't let my children intimidate you, Blaise. They're just protective of Hermione, although the gal could teach them a thing or two about intimidation." He was just a little bit frightened by the slow smile on Hermione's face, but nodded to Molly all the same. "Now, go off, I'll call when supper's done."
"Yes, ma'am," they chorused before slipping into the backyard, where all of the noise was. The screen door banged shut behind them, and only a few poked their heads up at the sound to see who had ventured out to be swallowed up by the redheaded masses.
The first to greet them, as they descended the small porch steps and Blaise squeezed Hermione's hand to thank her for not dumping him off and going somewhere else, was actually Luna Lovegood. She'd tipped her head to Blaise, looked to Hermione for confirmation, and then gave her dreamy smile before slipping a dandelion into the pocket of his shirt. The next was George Weasley, accompanied by Neville Longbottom, both grinning to Hermione before looking to Blaise curiously.
"You've already got a bloke?" George questioned with a growing grin. "Faster than Ronnie, too. But, then again, baby brother does not have the legs that you do." She glared at him for that.
"You were from Slytherin, yeah?" Neville asked warily, flicking to Hermione for confirmation before he relaxed at her nod and extended his hand. "Neville Longbottom. I'm sorry, but, I don't remember your name."
Blaise relaxed and shook his hand, "Blaise Zabini. And, to answer your question – no."
George chuckled at that as Neville snorted in surprise, Hermione giving him a small glare before the redheaded former-twin loped an arm around her shoulders and pinched her cheek.
"'Course, anyone would be stupid to think that Hermione's not a good judge of character," George insisted as she swatted him away. "So, I'm sorry in advance for my little brother Ron." The two walked away with genuine grins, and Blaise was so put off by it, used to fake smiles and devious minds at Slytherin gatherings, that he didn't even notice two sticky little girls attach themselves to his legs.
"Oh!" Hermione gasped, plucking one off and then the other, "Victoire, Dominique! Please don't do that! Blaise surely doesn't want to be your jungle gym – if you do feel like climbing, there are perfectly good trees."
"Those have charms at the bottom!" the eldest, Victoire, said, lisping through the gap from losing her two front teeth before sticking her lower lip out in a tremendous pout.
"That eez so you will not get 'urt, my leetle ones," the tall blonde said as she lovingly tapped her daughters on their heads, "Please, go bozzer your fazzer, he misses you." The two giggled and ran off, the woman watching them go fondly before smiling charmingly at Blaise as Hermione bristled. "Bonjour. What eez your name?"
Blaise, feeling some sort of magic rolling off of her but unable to identify it, offered his hand, "Blaise Zabini, ma'am."
The woman delicately shook his and when she smiled the next time, it was to Hermione, who visibly relaxed, "Fleur Weasley. And I approve, 'ermione." She winked to the other woman, kissed her cheek, and flounced off to her own budding family.
"Hermione!" a man with horn-rimmed glasses approached them, gripping her shoulders and grinning from ear to ear, "The bill that you suggested for House Elf rights has been approved!"
Hermione beamed, accepting the man's quick hug before she gestured to Blaise, "Percy, this is Blaise Zabini. Blaise, Percy Weasley."
"Oh, hullo, howdoyoudo?" he asked in a rush, quickly shaking his hand before noticing someone behind him, "Oh, there'sAudrey – bye Hermione!"
Blaise snorted at how fast he'd spoken in his excitement, and grinned when Hermione laughed back at him. "Congratulations are in order, I presume?" She preened under the praise and he laughed, nuzzling her hair, "Where do you find time to save the world and pick out centerpieces?"
"Well, everyone has to have a hobby," she teased, "Mine just happens to be saving the world, I suppose."
He chuckled back at her before freezing completely as someone shouted at them. "Oy! 'Mione! Who'd you nab into coming into this mess?"
She wrinkled her nose and frowned at her friend, "Ronald, I've told you – "
The redheaded man Blaise knew to be Ron Weasley only grinned and mimicked her, "Don't call me 'Mione!" He tweaked her ear, which only made her madder, and said, "That's why I do it!" He turned to Blaise, suddenly eyeing him warily, and turned his smile into a frown, "Do I know you?"
"I suppose not, as we've never spoken," he said, offering his hand to shake, which he did so warily. "Blaise Zabini."
Ron's eyes glazed over as he thought, mouthing his name back at him as he tried to place him. Blaise saw his eyes flick over the patch on his left arm, which he'd left bared to help his case, and he squeezed Hermione's fingers in his right hand for strength.
"Hey, Ron!" Ginny shouted as she and Harry Potter approached, both a bouncing baby and a toddler attached to a leg marking the Boy Who Lived. "Don't piss her off before we get there! It's not fair!"
Harry Potter stood next to Hermione as the siblings bickered, the toddler attaching himself onto Hermione's leg and his hair changing to chestnut colored curls as he smiled up at her. "Hey, Hermione, how's work?" Harry asked casually.
"Pretty good, just had a long wedding," she said as she gestured to her dress, "How about you?"
"Ehh, paperwork," he wrinkled his nose before nudging the baby boy in his arms with something akin to reverence. "Gonna take time off to take care of this one, actually."
"That's great, Harry," Hermione beamed, smoothing down the few wisps of hair on the baby's head as it sleepily smacked its mouth and opened its eyes up at her. "Harry, this is Blaise Zabini. Blaise, you know Harry, this is James."
"Pleasure to meet you, sir," he said, offering his index finger to the baby and smiling when it was gripped on to. "Oh look, Hermione, he's already got better manners than I do!" She chuckled and leaned against him, Harry grinning at his best friend and then at his son.
"Blaise Zabini?" Ginny echoed, tilting her head at him as he looked up at her and tried to pry his finger from the child. "Say…weren't you in the Slug Club?"
Blaise blanched as he thought back to his only real interaction with Hermione during Hogwarts, and how much he'd hated it and how much he'd hated that stupid Yule party he'd thrown and how much he'd hated that man. It was only now that he remembered Ginny having been in it as well.
"Er, yes," he admitted with a grimace, his digit still in the baby's grasp, "It was the worst year at Hogwarts, honestly." The redheaded woman dully arched an eyebrow and he grimaced further, "Family, er…Italy."
"So you're a coward?" Ron spoke up, the three of his friends glaring at him as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"I had to make sure my family was safe," Blaise insisted with a frown, finally pulling his finger from James, "So, if that's what it means to be a coward, then yes. Proudly so."
Ron flushed and shot a guilty look to Hermione and Harry, who simply shrugged it off.
Dinner was called shortly after that, and Blaise let out a sigh of relief as he was seated between Hermione and Neville, who was eager to talk about plants, he found. Everyone was passing bowls and plates to one another, asking for one to pass this or that, and it was all so lovely and chaotic at the same time that it was making Blaise's head hurt.
And then things got worse.
Percy had called for the peas, and Hermione had been happy to take the bowl and halfway stand up to pass it to him, when something glittered in the light.
"Holy shit, Hermione, nice rock!" George called out, freezing all movement at the table from those who were above the age of seven and were not looking around for a literal rock. Hermione flushed, retook her seat, and looked at all of the faces turned their way.
"Er…that is I – "
"There was a bit of a mishap with my previous engagement," Blaise began, every eye snapping to him instead, including Hermione. "A bit nasty, really, with how things broke off, and to get back at me…well, Hermione and I have to get married."
Molly seemed conflicted at this news. Luna seemed passive and began to munch on her breadstick. Harry and Ginny were exchanging uncertain looks. George looked enthralled, while Percy was considering the circumstances that could have taken place. Neville only shrugged.
"Have to?" Arthur Weasley echoed, cleaning his glasses before returning them, "What exactly does that mean?"
"It means…" Blaise chanced a glance at Hermione, who nodded, urging him to tell a snippet of the truth, "That we're under an Unbreakable Vow to get married."
Ron immediately stood, his face purple, and Harry was quickly trying to pass off the sleeping baby to someone else.
"What the actual fuck?" he thundered, his fists shaking as Molly was getting ready to work herself into a tizzy as well. The children, apparently used to this arrangement, got up, took their plates, and went upstairs to eat, Percy following to watch them. "An Unbreakable Vow? Who the fuck does that? Who the fuck goes along with that?"
"Well, the people bound by it do, Ronald," Hermione insisted with a frown, "Blaise and I would rather not die."
"So he's Blaise?" Ron glared, crossing his arms over his chest and looking down at them, "Merlin, Hermione, I was fine with it when I thought you two were dating, but to just jump from strangers to fiancés is a bit barmy, even for you."
"What do you mean 'even for me'?" she narrowed her eyes and kept her voice level and cool.
"I mean, I get that you may be desperate but – "
"I'd suggest you choose your next words very carefully," Blaise warned, almost dully, although his wand was in his lap. "Hermione and I may not have known each other long, but if you keep saying stupid things, I will make you regret them."
"See? Your Death Eater boyfriend is threatening me!"
"Oh shut up, Ron!" Hermione shouted, standing up and glaring at her friend, startling everyone left at the table. "You're being such an idiot! Blaise is not, has not and never will be a fucking Death Eater! He's a good, kind, sweet person, and you're just being a – a jealous arse! I understand you being hurt, wanting to take it out on someone, but it's not going to be him! Do you hear me?" She growled in the silence that followed, storming out into the backyard, and letting the screen door slam behind her. James, upon this, awoke even though there had been yelling not three seconds ago, and unleashed a mighty wail that had his parents glaring at the ashamed Ron Weasley.
"I'm going after her," Blaise stated as he stood, Luna, Neville and George standing as well and going with him out the door as they aimlessly walked along.
"They needed a talk with Ronniekins," George insisted, "Mum and Dad because…well, Mum and Dad, Harry and Gin because they'll be the ones he listens to the most, and Bill and Fleur to instill the fear of a woman scorned in him."
Neville chuckled at that as Blaise looked questioningly at them.
"Fleur's part-Veela," Luna offered, and Blaise blinked in surprise. "She always turns the charm on full-blast at first to see how well a prospective significant other will be for one of the family. My turn was very interesting, I'll admit. At least I didn't get another turn for Neville, who's as good as adopted in, or I may not still be here. "
Blaise glanced between Luna and George, then Luna and Neville, and opened his mouth before deciding better of it and shutting it.
"To answer your question – yes," Neville offered, and Blaise gave a small laugh as he noticed the joke.
"Nev and I are good friends, nothing more and nothing less," George stated, "We just…share Luna, I guess you could call it."
"Okay," Blaise shrugged back, finding nothing wrong with it, "So, where's Hermione?"
"Oh, you need to give her time to cool down first," Neville insisted as George nodded frantically.
"Hermione has a knack for hexing things when she gets irate," Luna hummed, tapping her wand to her lips, "Last time she was upset with Ron, she sent a flock of birds after him."
Blaise gaped, "Merlin's balls!"
"Good to know now, huh, mate?" George said with a grin, knocking his arm gently. "So, how was the snake house?"
"Oh, you know," he shrugged dully, "A little Quidditch, a bit of studying, unnecessary prejudice expecting me to be an arsehole, the very few friends I did have were mindlessly joining themselves to the likes of a psychopath, was under scrutiny from both sides of the war. Same ol', same ol'."
George, for the most part, had the decency to look abashed, "Doubt the prejudiced bit wasn't helped any by me and Fred. Sorry, mate."
He shrugged again, giving a grin this time, "Not your fault, entirely at least, but thank you all the same. I just started keeping quiet to pass by unaware most of the time. By the way, that bit with the fireworks and Umbridge? Loved it."
The redhead puffed his chest out with pride and grinned happily back at him, "Really? Fred came up with most of it. I did the basics of the fireworks, we worked together on the charms."
"Impressive," Blaise enthused, coming upon the darkened lake with a weeping willow tree shrouding a figure underneath, a figure that was muttering under her breath and flicking her wand to create small bursts of light. Neville nudged him forward, and he quietly delved in between the hanging leaves into the quiet space that Hermione had taken to.
"Hey there," he softly said, sitting down beside her and giving a warm smile, "Thank you for standing up for me, back there, but I – "
"He had no right to insinuate that you were one of – of them," she spat, turning to him so he could see the fire burning in her eyes. "He had no right to call you that."
"Hermione, in case you haven't noticed, I can handle anything anyone calls me," he insisted, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, "Hell, the Daily Prophet has called me worse."
"What?" she shouted, turning to look accusingly at Luna's legs, in between both Neville's and George's.
The pale blonde face popped between the swaying branches, and blinked owlishly at Blaise. "Has it? Huh. What is your name again?"
"Blaise Zabini," he blinked back.
Her eyebrows shot up to her hairline, "You're Blaise Zabini? I thought that was the scary man with the scar down his face!"
"Luna, that's Mulciber!" Hermione sighed.
"I'll fix that in the morning, don't you worry," she insisted with a nod, before her face disappeared once again.
"Well, glad to have that cleared," he grinned to his fiancé, who still looked at him glumly. "Hermione, as I was saying, I don't care what anyone says about me. All I cared about back there was what he was saying about you." He furrowed his brow as she frowned back at him, getting ready to open her mouth to argue with him. "I've been…worrying, actually, that you'll think I was agreeing to marry you to help my own reputation, or that I'll make others think less of you because of assumptions people make of me. We both know why we're getting married, but truth be told…I'm really not put out by it."
Hermione flushed, but quirked a small smile. "Really?"
"Of course," he shrugged easily, collapsing back on his hands, "I fancied you in Hogwarts, I admire your intelligence and bravery, not to mention how beautiful you are, I hold you with the utmost respect. Why on Earth would I throw a fuss about marrying you?" He scoffed, "'Oh no, send her back, she's too perfect, I wouldn't have anything to complain about.'" Hermione giggled back at him and he grinned at her, "Honestly, I can't find a damn thing wrong about you. I've looked just to prove myself right."
Hermione immediately sobered and brushed against her left arm nervously, an action that had Blaise eyeing her seriously. She bit her lip, tapping her fingers over the skin, and Blaise hesitantly reached his hand out to touch her forearm. He blinked in surprise as what he saw and what he felt didn't match up, and focused silently to undo the glamour set there. He stared down at the foul word glaring up at him, scarred there forever, before looking up to Hermione with tears in her eyes.
"Hey," he whispered gruffly, cupping her face and staring into her eyes as he brushed her cheeks with his thumbs. "You're still perfect, you hear me? I…I know this isn't the only one, but it and any others don't change anything. You're…Merlin, Hermione, you're so fucking beautiful." He pressed his forehead against hers, "One stupid scar, a hundred scars, wouldn't change that. Inside or out."
Three tears slipped out before she could stop them, but his thumbs brushed them away as she sniffed and nodded back at him. He smiled, kissing the tip of her nose and brushing his nose up and down the bridge of hers.
"I'm not put out by it either," Hermione whispered, making him blink back at the blush spreading across her cheeks and warming his hands. "I…you're too amazing, Blaise. You're sweet, and kind, and funny, and smart, and…well…you're very fit."
He chuckled at how shy she was, and placed a kiss on her cheek. He bumped her face again, grinning at her, and took her hands in his as she replaced the charm back on her arm. "How's about we finish this conversation some other night, hmm? For right now, let's go back in to see how Ron's fairing."
She nodded, allowing him to help her stand, and the two walked back to the Burrow alone, as the trio had already walked themselves back.
Ron, Harry and Mrs. Weasley were the only ones remaining at the table, everyone else having decided to take their dinners into the living room. Their conversation stopped once Hermione and Blaise returned, and a quick staring contest dictated who should speak first.
"I'm sorry, Hermione, Blaise," Ron insisted, his ears bright red as his mother glared him down. "I was a right prick – " Molly exhaled stubbornly " – and I was just upset that nearly everyone else has been paired off and I'm the only single one left. Still, I'm happy for you two, and if he's the kind of bloke who'll defend your honor with improbable odds, I give you my blessing."
"I didn't need it," Hermione clipped, Harry chuckling and grinning at her as Ron paled. She sighed, softening a bit, and slipped her hand into Blaise's for him to squeeze some comfort into it. "But, thank you, Ron. Apology accepted from me, and thank you for understanding."
"So, Unbreakable Vow, huh?" Harry questioned.
"Ah-ah," Hermione insisted with a glare, "I don't need Auror Potter right now, thank you."
"Or ever," Blaise warned, "As much as I would love justice on this one, I'm afraid it'll have to take a back seat to, y'know, us living."
Harry arched an eyebrow, glancing to Hermione before looking back to Blaise, "So, what would you tell just plain ol' Harry?"
Blaise grinned in return, "Doubt you've been just that since you were, oh, about eleven, hmm, Potter?"
Harry chuckled, flashing a grin before urging him on with the tip of his head.
Blaise sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, before nodding, "Daphne Greengrass and I were set up in an arranged marriage. I broke things off, insulting the original contract and its myriad of loopholes in the process. Next day, I go to Hermione's, touch her hand in an act of comfort and the Vow gets taken place. Apparently a contract with the Unbreakable Vow woven in was created, but they neglected to add Daphne's name, which is how I'm engaged to Hermione." He eyed her before smiling again, "Happily, I may add." She flushed but tried to resist a smile.
"So, now that I've thoroughly embarrassed myself," Ron declared with a grin, "When do we get to the part to threaten him?"
"I think the threat of death does that for you," Molly scoffed, Hermione and Blaise both grinning at the Weasley matriarch. "Come on, dears, eat up, you're both looking far too skinny."
Blaise retook his seat at the table with Hermione, who chuckled and did as she was asked, Harry and Ron sitting down to eat with them as Molly puttered about before finally collapsing at the head of the table with a cup of tea.
"So when are you getting married?" Ron asked, scooping a pile of potatoes onto his fork.
"December fifth," Blaise answered before shrugging to Hermione, "Or sooner. The fifth is just when it, err, needs to happen."
"Can we be your bridesmaids, Hermione?" Harry asked, batting his eyelashes as she laughed. "You were my best man!"
"Yeah, which was completely unfair," Ron insisted with a haughty sniff. "Ginny wouldn't even make up the difference and have me as her maid of honor!"
"Probably because you have no honor," Harry teased, nudging an elbow into his friend's ribs.
"Sorry, boys, I've got my bridesmaids all picked out," she grinned, spearing a green bean with her fork.
"Spoilsport," Harry hissed. "I was looking forward to taffeta and lace for ages, I'll have you know!"
"Did you take his dream job or something?" Blaise asked Hermione, who chuckled and gleamed with a joy he'd never seen before. All was finally right with the world – her parents approved of him, his family approved of her, and the Weasleys approved of them. Everyone was aware and everyone was alright with everything.
Hermione, however, only smiled back at Blaise like he was the one who'd done all those things for her, like he'd laid out how things should go and set to do them, even though that hadn't been the case at all and luck had just been on their side. "Harry helped me start my job, actually. He's got a knack for starting up friends' dreams."
"Gin and I were actually her first customer, so it's not like I just gave it to her like I did Fred and George," Boy Wonder said with an honest blush as he waved his fork around vaguely.
"Blaise, how did you enjoy Hermione's parents?" Molly spoke up, looking at him softly yet tiredly, as a woman with a full brood of loved ones tends to do.
"Oh, they're wonderful," he insisted eagerly, grinning massively, "I was afraid Hermione's father would gut me or something, but we got on very well. Grandmother's made me promise to get a few recipes from him next time I see him, actually."
"God forbid those two end up in a kitchen together," Hermione chuckled, ignoring the way Molly eyed the two of them before smiling to herself like something had been confirmed.
The two spent a few more hours with the Weasley brood, chatting and laughing and soaking up the presence of good company. Blaise was surprised as to how Hermione fit into each little niche of the family. Molly and Arthur treated her as a mature daughter, and happily doted on her and gave out affection to her. Bill, Charlie, Percy and their significant others treated her as another little sister to tease. George and Neville were her good but not best friends, quick to make her laugh and making her light up a smile. The children loved her to death, smothering her with hugs or kisses or color changing hair – he'd finally been introduced to Teddy, who eagerly showed him the twenty-seven different noses he could make, and Blaise had raptly watched them all before inquiring about the ears and making the boy look like he'd just handed him the recipe to the Elixir of Life. Luna and Ginny were her closest female friends, chatting about wedding dresses and decorations that Hermione announced sounded too much like work.
Ron and Harry, however, were brothers to her separated only by blood. There were things that would bond people together for life, and although war was wont to do so, their friendship transgressed such a blemish. They knew each other to a tee, knew their faults and proudest moments, knew which issues to skirt around at which time, knew which inside joke to bring up and when. Blaise, as much as he didn't want to admit it, was jealous of this. Not that he thought they harbored any secret feeling for Hermione, of course not. He was jealous because he'd grown up while his eldest sister was away at school and his youngest sister wouldn't be born for years. He was jealous because he'd had to try to fit into the Slytherin mold, try to be cold and devious and with a sharp tongue to get anywhere. It was such a chore trying to figure out who actually liked you for the real you and if they even knew the real you, that Blaise ultimately just stopped after Draco and Theo. And even then, he'd let Theo fade away and let Draco turn into a monstrous prat to let it come crashing down around himself. Perhaps it was actually Blaise's fault for letting that happen. Perhaps he wasn't Sorted properly, or perhaps he was Sorted too early.
"What's wrong?" Hermione asked as they appeared in his living room, full of good food and exhausted from the amount of socializing they'd done that day.
He blinked at her before schooling his features, "Nothing, my dear, just a bit tired, I'm afraid."
"A lie," she said without batting an eye, smirking at his glare and poking him in the chest, "Now don't go all Slytherin on me, Blaise. What's up?"
He sighed and collapsed onto his couch, a corner of his mouth twitched as she collapsed into his side. He explained his dilemma with his House and appearances and the state of his friendships. He recounted all of the shenanigans he and Theo got up to in their younger years while Draco was off strutting about with Crabbe and Goyle following. She watched and listened as he told her all he learned about her and the Weasleys, all he saw while she sat and laughed with her friends. She stayed silent the entire time until he slunk against the cushion and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I think you should find Theo," she said softly, threading her fingers through his hair and making him groan and relax further.
"Dunno where he is," he murmured back sleepily.
She scoffed, although he could tell a grin was present, "It's not like he's Untraceable. He's Pureblood, so I doubt he'd function properly in the Muggle world without the Wizarding one at least hearing a bit about it. If you'd like, I can ask Harry to – "
"Have the Aurors go after a man whose father was a Death Eater? Bad move, Hermione," he insisted before chuckling at her hum, turning to his side and looking at her sleepily. "I'll think on it. Thank you for listening to me rant, and thank you even more for a lovely day."
She smiled back at him, their faces inches apart, and whispered. "Thank you for standing up for me today, and for making it so much better."
"Any time," he promised quietly.
There was a few moments of silence where they simply eyed each other, before Blaise sighed and stretched and said, "If I may be so bold as to invite you to my bed tonight? Innocently, of course. I've just missed…" He paused, wondering how to go on, and she interrupted.
"I have too," she admitted before standing, "Let me change, brush my teeth and feed Crookshanks, and I'll be right back." She smiled before disappearing through the Floo, and Blaise rushed to do the same as she – short of feeding a cat – and was lounging around on the sofa in his pajamas when she returned in her own. His mouth went dry at the tiny shorts, probably for athletic purposes but no less alluring, and the sweater that threatened to slip off her shoulders and leave them bare – he didn't want to think about why they would be bare, or he'd be in need of a very cold shower.
He showed her to his bed, where she giggled at the green sheets and grey comforter before he picked her up and gently tossed her onto the mattress. She snuggled into a pillow, curling in on herself and sighing as he stretched out next to her and tossed an arm over her stomach.
"Goodnight, Blaise," she murmured softly against his collar bone.
"Goodnight, Hermione," he whispered into her hair.
In the morning, Blaise awoke to a ginger cat pinning his legs down and a scrap of parchment on the pillow next to him.
Good morning – had to work, so sorry I didn't wake you. Crookshanks was peeved I wasn't an adequate snuggle partner last night, so I assured him that you would do. If you tire of him, just Floo to my flat and drop him off there. I'll see you tonight otherwise, around 8 if you're available.
Love,
Hermione
PS – thank you for the flowers.
I can't say I really know how to summarize my thoughts after all of this, other than to say that I started my second semester of college and I have too many early classes.
Also, wanting to ask – how would everyone feel if I were to consider bumping the rating up to M? For, uhm, reasons that the rating would explain itself.
Please leave a review letting me know what you thought of the chapter and what you think of the possible rating change!