"Ronald Billius Weasley how could you!?"

"Hermione I can explain." Ron pleaded.

"I don't want to hear it." Hermione choked out.

"Hermione!"

"And you Harry James Potter. Some friend you are!"

Hermione bit her cheek and ran off. She knew she wasn't supposed to see that. She also knew that Ron had been up to something. She didn't expect to catch Ron in bed with Lavender Brown of all people. Harry knew exactly what was happening and he had tried to stop her from going into the dorm room. She felt like a right fool.

Hermione's vision was clouded by her tears. She didn't know where she was running to and she just wanted to be alone where no one could find her. Of course with her luck she ended up running head first into someone.

"Watch it G....." The person hadn't finished their sentence.

Hermione found herself being lifted off of the ground. Before she could protest she was pushed into a room and the door was shut. It took her brain a minute too long to realise that the door had completely vanished. She looked up at the boy standing in front of her.

"Why the water works Granger?"

"It doesn't matter." Hermione tried desperately to stop crying. "Why do you care anyway Zabini?"

"Don't be difficult and just tell me." Blaise rolled his eyes.

"Ron... Ronald cheated on me." Hermione broke down.

She almost fell to the floor in a fit of sobs. Almost. She found that she was being supported somehow and once again it took her brain a bit too long to figure it out. Blaise had somehow closed the gap between them in a second. Hermione was being fully supported by him. His arms were holding her up and her head was rested against his chest.

"Why?" Hermione managed to choke out.

"Why what?" Blaise asked.

"Why are you... Being nice?"

Blaise didn't answer. He just stood there quietly as Hermione cried. Eventually she was all done crying. She had managed to cry herself to sleep leaning against Blaise. Blaise sighed and closed his eyes thinking about a bed. When he opened his eyes again he saw the king-size bed against the wall to his left. He lifted Hermione and made his way over to it.

"Why are you doing this you idiot." Blaise mumbled to himself.

He was surprised to say the least when he realised Hermione had a kind of death grip on his shirt. He debated for a moment on what to do.

A. Lose his shirt and possibly have a too weird to explain situation later.
B. Keep his shirt and possibly get hexed when she wakes up.

He went for option A. Not really in the mood to get accused of something he had little control over. Blaise cast a cold fire spell on his shirt turning to to ash. At least he'd have the proof for later. He sat down and went through the work he had missed from class.

When he was done he checked the time - surprised that nearly two hours had passed and Hermione had still not woken up. He wasn't comfortable leaving her alone and was feeling kind of tired himself. He climbed into the other side of the bed making sure there was space between them. Blaise fell asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow.

*~*~*

"The hell is wrong with you!?"

Blaise wake just in time to slightly brace his fall. The air was knocked out of him as he hit the floor with a thud. He groaned as he turned onto his back, thankful he hadn't hit his head on the icey floor. He laid there and stared up at the ceiling when a head poked into view.

"Well hello to you too, Granger." Blaise grunted.

"Smug asshole I..."

"You fell asleep. Wouldn't let go of my shirt so I burned it. I couldn't leave you alone. Even after doing all my work. And I was tired so I went to sleep." Blaise sighed.

"I don't believe you." Hermione huffed.

"Check your hand." Blaise grunted as he got up.

Hermione did check her hand. There was some ash from his shirt smudged on her palm. She looked over at the shirtless Slytherin. She did have the intention of yelling at him again but got a little distracted by his body. She hadn't really looked him over when she kicked him out of the bed.

"Like what you see?" Blaise smirked.

"Not one bit." Hermione huffed and crossed her arms.

"Good. It would be a shame to turn down a girl who just had her boyfriend cheat on her." Blaise shrugged.

"Ex." Hermione corrected. "Ex-boyfriend."

"Oh? Is that so Granger? Then it'll be okay if I do this..."

"Do wha..."

Hermione didn't get to finish her question. She was surprised both by how fast Blaise seemed to move and by what he did. Blaise was surprised that Hermione didn't just slap him or hex him. Instead Hermione actually kissed him back. Her arms wrapped around his neck and she melted into him.

"Wow." Hermione breathed heavily. "What was that?"

"I believe they call it a kiss." Blaise smirked.

"You're an ass." Hermione pushed Blaise away.

"Hate you too. See you around Granger. And be sure to tell that Weasley you are no longer together." Blaise winked as he walked towards a door that wasn't there before.

Hermione flopped back on the bed. She knew that Blaise didn't hate her. That kiss was not one you give to someone you hate. Ron never kissed her like that. She smiled feeling like the world was going to be brighter. She felt rejuvenated and all it took was a breath-taking kiss.

After a moment longer she left the room. Hermione walked into her common room and right up to Lavender. She grinned at her and patted her shoulder.

"Have fun with my trash." Hermione winked.

Hermione walked up to Ron and slapped him across the face with as much strength as she could muster. The whole common room was staring in disbelief. Ron clutched the side of his face clearly feeling the burn.

"We are sooo over." Hermione smiled. "Have fun with Lavender, if you can avoid cheating on her."

Hermione walked up to her room with an air of grace. She collected the work she had been putting off and walked back out. The common room was still trapped in a shocked silence. Hermione rolled her eyes at everyone watching her.

"Harry, I'll be in the library if you need me for anything." Hermione left with her stack of books.

*~*~*

The next couple of weeks went by rather smoothly. Hermione found that she really didn't need to be upset over Ron. She did have a little help from a Slytherin who kept slipping her notes. Most times the note read something a little sweet. Other times it was a time and place to meet up that day.

Today she received two.

You look... Elegant today. Did something new with your hair? I mean it's not bad. Do it again tomorrow.

"Hermione?"

Hermione blinked and looked up. "Yes Harry?"

"Still getting notes from your secret admirer?" Harry asked.

"Yep." Hermione shrugged.

She tucked the note into her textbook and chanced a glance to the side. Blaise winked at her and smirked as he turned his attention back to the front of the class. Hermione felt her cheeks getting warmer. She looked down at her own work and decided to concerntrate on that.

Hermione's day was going great. Much better than she would have thought. She had a free class just before dinner and found herself sitting in a semi-empty classroom with a few Gryffindors and Slytherins. They were all there studying for the upcoming tests which means it was fairly quiet.

"Hey Hermione." Harry said.

"Hmmm?"

"So you know how were best friends and all." Hermione nodded. "I just thought that... Well maybe we could kiss."

"Yeah no." Hermione shook her head.

"What?" Harry stared at her in disbelief.

A note landed in front of Hermione. Harry snatched it up and frowned. He read it again and looked at Hermione who grabbed the note from him.

Stand up. Take three steps back. Interlock your fingers in front of you. Lift the fingers on one hand.

Hermione frowned then shrugged. She put the note down and did what it said. She caught a glimpse of a smirk on Blaise's face. Harry was still confused as he passed the note to Ron.

"Do you still have feelings for Ron?" Harry asked.

"Nope." Hermione shrugged.

"Then why won't you..."

"She said no!"

Harry and a few other Gryffindor's, Ron included, jumped. Not Hermione though, she knew that voice well. Besides she had been watching the person approach her.

"Zabini?" Hermione sighed.

Blaise smirked at her. He interlaced his fingers with hers and lifted both of her hands above her head. His other hand went to her waist and pulled her towards him. He kissed her and allowed her hands to drop around his neck.

Hermione instantly melted into him. Her hands untangled from each other and tangled into his hair. She was no longer surprised by the amount of emotion one kiss could have. If anything she had come to wait everyday for just one kiss from Blaise.

Ron was the first one to loose it. Quickly followed by Harry who had actually been trying to prove Hermione still loved Ron. A few Gryffindors and Slytherins voiced their own opinions. All the while Hermione and Blaise where just lost in each other. Hermione was panting slightly when Blaise pulled away from her.

"So when the bladdy hell did this happen?" Ron asked.

"Oh. You know. The very same day you thought cheating on her was a good idea." Blaise smirked.

"You could have said that better you jerk." Hermione slapped Blaise on the arm.

"Yeah yeah, you grumpy Gryffindor. It's the truth though. I'll see you after dinner." Blaise said, it was more of a demand than a question.

"You're an idiot. But thank you for the note it was really sweet." Hermione smiled.

"I have no idea what you're thinking about." Blaise shrugged and walked away.

"Wait. He's the one who's been leaving you all those notes?" Harry's jaw dropped.

"Hey you jerk!" Hermione huffed and turned to Harry. "Yes he is the one."

Hermione couldn't help but wonder if maybe Blaise was scared to admit his feelings for her. That's why he hid behind snarky words and mean comments. But when he kissed her he couldn't hide. She always knew the truth when they kissed even if that was all they ever did.

"Hermione!? A Slytherin?"

"Oh shut up Harry. You have no right to tell me who I can and can't be with. He at least treats me better than Ron ever has. And he doesn't ask his friends to stand watch while he fucks some other bimbo in his bed!" Hermione was glaring directly at Ron.

"Oh yeah! How do you know he isn't cheating on you?" Ron spat back.

"Because Weasel, us Slytherins have some class."

"Stay out of this Malfoy!" Harry yelled.

"You lot are trying to slander my best friend's name and I must stay out of it?" Draco scoffed. "As if Potter. Granger, I trust you won't hurt him."

"What has he said to you?" Hermione asked.

"Nothing." Draco shrugged. "But he didn't have to say anything. His actions speak volumes."

Draco shot a death glare at Harry and Ron before storming out of the class. Hermione was left stunned. She didn't know what to think about Draco's proclamation. She figured she'd have to ask him when she got the chance. But if he was telling the truth then she could trust in Blaise.

"Ronald we are over and we are never EVER going to happen again. And Harry I'm ashamed for you. I thought we could still be friends but you are so quick to defend Ron for breaking my heart. You should have at least tried to understand that I'm happy with the one guy who has been there for me all this time." Hermione stormed off.

At dinner she sat as close to the door as possible and as far as she could from Harry and Ron. As soon as she was done eating she left. She hadn't seen Blaise at dinner which kind of worried her so she made her way to the Room of Requirement as fast as possible.

When she entered the room it was totally dark. She could barely see in front of her. A startled yelp left her throat when she was pushed against the wall. Her yelp was followed by a chuckle and the room was suddenly lit up.

"Scared were you?"

"You're such a jerk! And why weren't you at dinner?" Hermione asked.

"I had a few sandwiches before coming here. I wanted to get some work done." Blaise shrugged.

"And why couldn't you get work done after?"

"Because your annoying face is a distraction." Blaise said.

"Why?" Hermione frowned.

"Why what?"

"Why do you have to be so... I don't know... You." Hermione huffed.

"I don't understand." Blaise frowned.

"Can't you just tell me I'm beautiful if that's what you think. That you find me attractive. That you maybe love me? Why does it always have to be like you can't..."

Hermione was cut off by a kiss. It was a lot more urgent than the one from earlier. It was like Blaise was scared, Hermione realised. She melted into him like always and kissed him back.

"I..." Blaise said heavily. "I... Your hair falls so perfectly. And when you read my notes you seem to light up."

"Blaise I..."

Blaise shook his head and stepped away from Hermione. He sighed and walked towards his bag. Hermione sighed and looked down. She wasn't sure what to do. She didn't know if maybe she had done something wrong.

"Blaise..." Hermione tried.

"Look Granger. I'm not one of the good guys. I don't have relationships I have people I fuck. I..."

"Don't know how to have a relationship?" Hermione finished. "I'd say you're doing a good job so far."

Blaise shook his head and marched back to Hermione. He clapped a bracelet onto her arm before holding her head up. Holding eye contact with her for a moment before shaking his head.

Hermione had seen a hardness in his eyes but she wasn't scared. Something told her that she didn't need to be scared. She was anticipating a kiss. A drug she found herself wanting more of.

"Listen to me carefully. You are mine now. I don't ever want to see you without this bracelet." Blaise said lowly.

"I'm not a piece of property." Hermione frowned.

"You belong..."

It was Hermione's turn to shut Blaise up with a kiss. Blaise's angry and tough demeanour melted away. His hands dropped to Hermione's side. Hermione pulled him closer and he lifted her off the ground.

"Blaise..." Hermione hummed. "I think I might love you."

"I love you too."

(2530 Words)