───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

Blair was in no mood to do any of her schoolwork. She was the only one left in their group of friends without a partner. Harry got Parvati and Padma Patil as dates for him and Ron. Everyone was worried about her. Fred and George had a great success of the Canary Creams and tried cheering her up with it, but they only got a weak smile of her.

Blair felt like a coward. She tried her best to avoid Hermione. She sat with Neville, Dean and Seamus during meals, and she only talked to Harry and Ron when she wasn't with them. Her friends offered a few people for her to go with to the ball, but Blair was stubborn. She wouldn't go with anyone if it wasn't Hermione Granger.

As the Prancers left the Great Hall with Harry, Ron and Hermione following behind them, Blair heard their conversation. 

"Hermione — who are you going to the ball with?" said Ron. 

Blair clenched her jaw, but slowed down her steps in hopes of hearing her answer. Hermione took a glance at Blair, merely frowned and said, "I'm not telling you, you'll just make fun of me."

"You're joking, Weasley!" said Malfoy, behind them. "You're not telling me someone's asked that to the ball? Not the long-molared Mud-" 

"Blair!" Neville tried pulling her back, but she turned around and walked to Malfoy. 

Everyone looked surprised as Blair whipped out her wand and pointed it at Malfoy's throat with a murderous glare. "Don't you dare call her that, Mallory."

Hermione suddenly waved to somebody over Malfoy's shoulder, "Hello, Professor Moody!" 

Malfoy went pale and jumped backward, looking wildly around for Moody, but he was still up at the staff table, finishing his stew. 

"Twitchy little ferret, aren't you, Malfoy?" said Hermione scathingly. Blair grinned for the first time in days at admiration in Hermione. Hermione smiled back at her toothily

Ron gasped. "Hermione. Your teeth." Everyone looked to see that Hermione's smile was indeed different from what they had remembered. Blair rolled her eyes. How could they just notice now?

Blair's heart skipped a beat when Hermione smiled with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Well, when I went up to Madam Pomfrey to get them shrunk, she held up a mirror and told me to stop her when they were back to how they normally were," she said. "And I just... let her carry on a bit." 

She smiled even more widely. "Mum and Dad won't be too pleased. I've been trying to persuade them to let me shrink them for ages, but they wanted me to carry on with my braces. You know, they're dentists, they just don't think teeth and magic should — look! Pigwidgeon's back!"

Blair whispered to Harry. "Is that Padfoot?" 

Harry nodded, and Blair waved goodbye to Neville, Dean and Seamus as she followed after Harry, Ron and Hermione. Ron held out the letter. "Here — take it, Harry," 

The four of them hurried back to Gryffindor Tower to read it. They sat at a dark window as Harry read out:

Dear Harry and Little B,

Congratulations on getting past the Horntail and the Vipertooth. Whoever put your names in that goblet shouldn't be feeling too happy right now! I was going to suggest a Conjunctivitis Curse, as a dragon's eyes are its weakest point —

"That's what Krum did!" Hermione whispered —

but your ways were better, I'm impressed. Don't get complacent, though, Harry, Blair. You've only done one task; whoever put you in for the tournament's got plenty more opportunity if they're trying to hurt you two. Keep your eyes open — particularly when the person we discussed is around — and concentrate on keeping yourself out of trouble. Keep in touch, I still want to hear about anything unusual,

Sirius

"He sounds exactly like Moody," said Harry quietly, tucking the letter away again inside his robes. "'Constant vigilance!' You'd think I walk around with my eyes shut, banging off the walls." 

Blair snorted at that. "Well, with that eye of Mister Alastor's, I wouldn't be surprised."

"But he's right, you two," said Hermione, "you have still got two tasks to do. You really ought to have a look at that egg, you know, and start working out what it means." 

"Hermione, they've got ages!" snapped Ron. "Want a game of chess, Harry?" 

"Yeah, okay," said Harry. 

Blair smiled and nudged Hermione playfully. "Come on, Mione. There's all this noise going on. We wouldn't be able to concentrate."

Hermione's face softened. "Oh, I suppose not." Then, she bit her lip and looked at Blair. "Can I talk to you?" 

Blair's face lit up. She nodded and followed Hermione into the girls' dorm. 

Harry shook his head and sighed. "That's the happiest we've seen her in days." 

Ron concentrated on his chess pieces. "Well, what did you expect? She looks at Hermione as if she's the universe herself. Aha! Check."

Blair smiled softly as she watched Hermione pace in front of her. She missed her after days of avoiding the girl. She missed her smile, her laugh and even her scowls and the rolls of her eyes. 

Then, Hermione suddenly stopped and looked at Blair sadly. "Blair, I'm sorry." 

Blair looked confused before she realized what Hermione was talking about. She smiled weakly. "It's alright, Mione. You can go with whomever you want to, you know?" Hermione felt her heart hurt when Blair looked down. She never saw Blair looking so defeated, and it hurt her even more that she was the reason why.

"It was my fault as well. I should've asked you sooner. And don't worry about me. J-Just save me a dance, will you?" The hopeful look on Blair's face was more than enough for Hermione to nod, and the grin that spread across Blair's face was so contagious Hermione smiled as well. Blair jumped up and hugged Hermione tight. Hermione was surprised but didn't pull away. 

Blair buried her head into Hermione's hair as she took a sniff of the familiar scent of roses. "Thank you, Mione." 

And Hermione felt her heart race against her chest. She leaned into the embrace and wrapped her own arms around Blair. Then, she heard it. The fast racing of Blair's heart that matched with Hermione's own. Hermione smiled and nuzzled her face into Blair's chest. "No. Thank you, Blair."

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

"Miss Blair!"

 Blair's eyes fluttered open and saw Dobby clad in a purple sweater and violet socks, smiling at her. Blair remember the events of last night and grinned. 

"Dobby!" She looked around to see that all the beds were empty but hers. 

"Merry Christmas, Blair Wood, miss!" Dobby greeted her excitedly. 

Blair pulled him into a hug. "Merry Christmas, indeed, Dobby! Wait here."

Blair opened Neville's closet and rummaged through her bag. "Aha!" Blair brought out the small terribly wrapped present and handed it to Dobby. 

Dobby's smile went wider. "Dobby has one for you too, Blair, miss!" Dobby handed her a package that was terribly wrapped too but still better than Blair's.

The two of them opened their presents. Blair smiled as she got a pair of mismatched socks. A red one with lions printed on it, and a gold one with Quaffles. "Thank you, Dob-" 

She was cut off when Dobby hugged her tight with tears in his eyes. "Miss Blair! Dobby can't take this." 

Blair got him a little coat if ever he needed to go out and a little braided bracelet with a ruby in the middle. Blair chuckled before helping him wear the coat and putting the small bracelet on his small wrist. 

"I cast a little spell on it. If ever you want to find someone, just tap the ruby and here. Blair Wood." Blair tapped the ruby and a small beam of light came out and pointed towards her. "Useful, eh?"

Dobby wiped the tears that fell out and smiled. "Thank you, Miss Blair. Dobby must go now. We is already making Christmas dinner in the kitchens!" 

"See you, Dobby. Merry Christmas!" Blair waved goodbye as Dobby hurried out of the dormitory. She smiled and put down the socks on her camp bed and looked around. It seemed that the others opened her presents already.

She got Hagrid a picture she took of him and Madame Maxime, Fred and George some of her new inventions, Neville a limited edition Herbology book that she found in their house, Seamus a book on fire spells, Dean a new painting set, Harry a signed snitch, Ron a Chudley Cannon shirt and Hermione Phoenix Feather Quills that went out of stock before Hermione could buy it. 

She charmed the quills so that the first sentence it would write every morning that Hermione would use it would be, "Go out with me, Granger?" or "You're looking lovely today, Granger."

Blair smiled and opened her own presents. Seamus gave her a jersey signed by Troy; Dean, an enchanted drawing of her and Hermione laughing in the Common Room; Neville, a book of Advanced Spells; Harry, a new Quaffle that she could bring anywhere as it could shrink; Ron, some of her favorite sweets; Sirius, a leather jacket that could warm you up; Hagrid, a mini-toy of a dragon and Hermione, a book on Quidditch with a picture of her and Blair on the cover. Of course, there was Mrs. Weasley's usual sweater and her homemade cupcakes that Blair loved.

The door opened, and Neville, Seamus and Dean walked in with grins. "Merry Christmas, Caelum!" 

"Ignis, Tranqs, Gramen! Merry Christmas to you as well!" Blair pulled them in a hug before they all went down to breakfast.

In the Common Room, Blair spotted Harry, Ron and Hermione and went over to them. "Merry Christmas, Harry, Ron!" Then, Blair winked at Hermione. "Merry Christmas, Granger. Oh wait. I'm wrong. Aren't you Christmas? Because I think I want to merry you." 

Their friends laughed at Blair's horrible pun. The corner of Hermione's lips curled up. "Merry Christmas, Wood. My name is Granger. It'll never be Christmas nor Wood." 

Blair pouted at her. "It's Christmas, Granger. Aren't you going to give me a kiss or something? Maybe, a date?" 

Hermione glared at her playfully. "Well, Wood. Try again next year."

Blair smiled and rambled about Hermione all the way down to the Great Hall. Neville, Dean and Seamus didn't have the heart to stop her. She looked the happiest she did in days. "Did you hear her? Try again! It means she likes me too!" 

"Oh, look at our Little B, Georgie. She's growing up." Blair turned around to see the Weasley twins and grinned before sitting in front of them.

"Oh Freddie, Georgie. You can't believe what just happened." 

George let out a chuckle. "We'll have plenty of time later, Little B. But we want you to read this." Fred handed her a piece of parchment. Blair's eyes widened.

CONTRACT OF PARTNERSHIP

We, Fred and George Weasley, would like to would like to enter into a partnership with Blair Wood for our future business, Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. If Miss Blair Wood enters this partnership, she will forever be part of the Weasleys, non-negotiable.

Blair smiled when she saw Fred and George's messy signature at the bottom. 

Fred smiled softly. "We didn't want you to feel left out, Little B. No matter how much you convinced us you weren't." 

"So we thought that we'd make you one of us instead." George finished. 

Blair reached over and hugged them tight. "Thank you, Freddie, Georgie." She hurriedly scrawled her name at the bottom and gave them the parchment. "I'm a Weasley now, eh? In everything but name." 

The three of them laughed merrily before Blair turned back to Neville, Seamus and Dean and fixed their plans for the day.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

"Bloody hell, Blair. Wake up!" 

Blair groaned and opened one eye to see Ron over her. Blair buried her face into her pillow. "What is it?" 

"The Yule Ball!" 

Blair sat up quickly. She looked around and saw her friends all dressed up. Then, she laughed as she saw Ron's robes. "What are those? Why'd you remove the lace?" 

Ron playfully pushed her. "Shut up, and dress up will you? Your dress robes are there." The boys left and Blair hurriedly took out her clothes. She wore the black suit her mother had sent her and wore a dark blue coat over it.

Without a care of how she looked, Blair ran down the hall and caught up to her friends, who were with their respective partners. Lavender, Parvati and Padma all blushed as they stared at Blair. Luna sent her a bright smile. 

Dean let out a whistle. "Don't you look dashing, Caelum?" 

Blair ruffled her hair and grinned. "Thanks, Tranqs. You all clean up well." 

"Oh no." Ron suddenly went behind Blair and crouched.

Blair looked around to see that Fleur Delacour passed by in robes of silver-gray, but to her surprise, no one was with her. Fleur sent her a smile and wave as she blushed a deep shade of red. Blair waved back and smiled as Fleur went on her way. 

Blair looked around. "Where's Hermione?"

The Durmstrang students entered with Professor Karkaroff. Krum was at the front of the party, accompanied by a pretty girl in pink robes. Blair couldn't see her face because she had her head down. Then Professor McGonagall's voice called, "Champions over here, please!"

Blair waved goodbye to her friends as she, Harry and Parvati walked forward. Krum and his partner went closer, and Blair's jaw dropped when the girl raised her head. It was Hermione. 

"Mione?" Blair spoke softly. Hermione blushed at the way Blair was staring at her. Blair looked at her as if she was an angel that had graced the Earth. Blair looked at her like she was... everything, but Blair wasn't the only one who was starstruck. 

Hermione blushed even more as she looked over Blair. Sure, she looked messy, but she couldn't deny that she looked handsome and beautiful in her robes. Hermione started regretting coming with Krum, not that she wasn't regretting it already.

Hermione shook herself out of her stupor and smiled at them. "Hi, Blair! Harry, Parvati!" 

Everyone in the hall was looking at Hermione, but a small frown appeared on Blair's face. Yes, Hermione looked absolutely lovely, but it still wasn't Blair who was taking her.

Then, a gasp broke her out of her thoughts. Professor McGonagall looked at Blair, appalled. "Miss Wood! What are you doing, looking like that?" 

She immediately fussed over Blair, fixed her collar, straightened her tie and patted down Blair's messy hair. Harry snickered from beside her, and Hermione was stifling her giggles. 

Then, Professor McGonagall looked around. "Where's your partner? Miss Wood!" 

Blair smiled cheekily. "I thought I'd take you, Minnie." 

The group stifled their laughter as Professor McGonagall was about to burst with the redness of her face, but Fleur suddenly spoke up with her French accent. "I'll take 'er, Professor."

All eyes turned to Fleur, surprised, but she was smiling at Blair, who smiled back gratefully. As much as she loved Minnie, she wasn't sure it would work out for them. "Well, now that's all settled. Get in line and follow me." 

Blair walked to Fleur and held her arm out with a cheeky smile. "Bonjour, mademoiselle." 

Fleur giggled and took her arm. "Bonjour." From where she was standing, Hermione rolled her eyes and held back a scoff. Why couldn't Blair go with Professor McGonagall instead?

Everyone in the Great Hall applauded as the champions and their partners entered and started walking up toward a large round table at the top of the Hall, where the judges were sitting. The walls of the Hall had all been covered in sparkling silver frost, with hundreds of garlands of mistletoe and ivy crossing the starry black ceiling. The House tables had vanished; instead, there were about a hundred smaller, lantern-lit ones, each seating about a dozen people.

Everyone stared at Hermione, surprised at how beautiful she was. Blair clenched her jaw and smiled forcibly. She hated how it was only now that they saw how beautiful Hermione was. She was beautiful then and now. 

Then, all eyes turned to Blair and Fleur as they entered last. Some even had their mouths open maybe because they didn't expect that pairing. After all, everyone thought that Blair would be going without a partner.

Dumbledore smiled happily when the champions approached the top table, but Karkaroff's eyes narrowed as he watched Krum and Hermione draw nearer. Ludo Bagman, tonight in robes of bright purple with large yellow stars, was clapping as enthusiastically as any of the students; and Madame Maxime, who had changed her usual uniform of black satin for a flowing gown of lavender silk, was applauding them politely.

Blair frowned when she saw Percy Weasley at the last seat. Where was Mr. Crouch? Nonetheless, Blair sat down beside Harry, who sat beside Percy. Percy smiled at them smugly. "I've been promoted. I'm now Mr. Crouch's personal assistant, and I'm here representing him."

"Why didn't he come?" Harry asked. 

 "I'm afraid to say Mr. Crouch isn't well, not well at all. Hasn't been right since the World Cup. Hardly surprising — overwork. He's not as young as he was — though still quite brilliant, of course, the mind remains as great as it ever was. But the World Cup was a fiasco for the whole Ministry, and then, Mr. Crouch suffered a huge personal shock with the misbehavior of that house-elf of his, Blinky, or whatever she was called." Blair held back a scoff at that, the prejudice of some people.

"Naturally, he dismissed her immediately afterward, but — well, as I say, he's getting on, he needs looking after, and I think he's found a definite drop in his home comforts since she left. And then we had the tournament to arrange, and the aftermath of the Cup to deal with — that revolting Skeeter woman buzzing around — no, poor man, he's having a well earned, quiet Christmas. I'm just glad he knew he had someone he could rely upon to take his place." Percy rambled on.

Blair wanted to say something, but suddenly, she caught sight of Dumbledore looking at his menu then talking to his plate. "Pork chops!" The rest of the table did the same. 

Blair glanced at Hermione and frowned as she was deep in talk with Viktor Krum. Wasn't she thinking about S.P.E.W.? Blair rolled her eyes and glared at her plate. 

Fleur, who was on her other side, nudged her. "You might wan' zo eat now, Blair." Blair smiled appreciatively and ordered some steak and started conversing with Harry and Fleur.

A frown grew on Hermione's face when she heard Blair's laughter and looked to see Blair talking  with Fleur. Hermione gripped her fork when she saw Blair smile at Fleur that soft smile that made Hermione's knees go weak. That smile that was reserved only for her. She wasn't even listening to Krum's talk about himself. 

Krum suddenly noticed that Hermione was looking elsewhere and followed her gaze. Krum was surprised to see that she was glaring at Blair and Fleur. "Hermy-own, are you alright?" 

Hermione looked up at him in surprise and nodded. "Yeah."

Fleur stood up and excused herself as she went to the bathroom. Blair heard Hermione teach Krum to say her name properly and rolled her eyes. Why would Hermione go with someone who couldn't even say her name? 

"Her-my-oh-nee." Hermione said slowly and clearly. 

"Herm-own-ninny." 

Blair didn't hold back her scoff as she whispered to Harry. "Bloody hell, he might be great at Quidditch, but his tongue sure lacks some skills." Harry snorted in his pumpkin juice.

When all the food had been consumed, Dumbledore stood up and asked the students to do the same. Then, with a wave of his wand, all the tables zoomed back along the walls leaving the floor clear, and then he conjured a raised platform into existence along the right wall. A set of drums, several guitars, a lute, a cello, and some bagpipes were set upon it.

The Weird Sisters now trooped up onto the stage to wildly enthusiastic applause; they were all extremely hairy and dressed in black robes that had been artfully ripped and torn. They picked up their instruments, and Blair, who was still staring at Hermione, suddenly realized that everyone but her was standing up. 

Fleur tugged her arm. "Come on, Blair." Blair stumbled and walked onto the dance floor with Fleur.

Blair looked at Ron, Neville, Seamus and Dean with a look, begging for help, but they just snickered. Fleur took Blair's hands and placed one on her waist while holding the other in hers. Blair smiled lightly. She relaxed and danced around with Fleur, not noticing the stares at them. In everybody's eyes, they looked like royalty. Like a prince and princess. Blair twirled Fleur around and looked around. She saw Neville and Ginny, dancing nearby. Blair let out a chuckle when Neville smiled proudly as he didn't step on Ginny's feet.

Blair leaned in and whispered to Fleur. "Look at Madame Maxime and Professor Dumbledore." Fleur turned around and let out an unladylike snort at the sight. The top of Professor Dumbledore's hat barely tickled Madame Maxime's chin. 

Then, Blair laughed out loud when she saw Moody doing an extremely ungainly two-step with Professor Sinistra, who was nervously avoiding his wooden leg. Moody winked at Blair as he passed. "Nice socks, Little B." 

"Dobby knitted them for me, Mister Alastor." Blair grinned at him.

From across the room, a certain witch was glaring as she heard Blair and Fleur's laughs. Hermione tightened her grip on Krum's hand. She let out a low scoff and muttered under her breath. "Looking so happy, are you? Said you weren't going with anyone, but there you are."

 "Are you okay, Herm-own-ninny?" Krum asked with worry and a wince on his face. Hermione smiled forcibly and nodded.

Then, the music stopped then a new song came up. Blair let go of Fleur and smiled. "Is it alright if I go to my friends for a bit?" 

"No, it eez alright. I shall look for my friends as well." Fleur smiled back. Blair walked her to her friends before leaving her. She walked towards Harry, Ron, Seamus and their partners. 

Seamus snickered as he saw her. "I thought you wouldn't go with a date if it weren't Hermione, Caelum."

Blair rolled her eyes. "I tried asking Minnie out, but she looked like a vein would burst. Thankfully, Fleur volunteered to be my partner." Her friends, surprisingly even Ron, started teasing and laughing at her. Blair just chuckled along, but her breath hitched when she saw Hermione and Krum dancing nearby.

Seamus and Lavender went back to the dance floor, and Parvati and Padma went off long ago because neither Ron nor Harry would dance with them. Harry was watching Cho and Cedric, Ron was surprisingly looking at Luna and Dean while Blair was watching Hermione and Krum with a scowl. 

Ron frowned as he followed Blair's gaze. "Are you alright, Blair?" Blair simply nodded, not trusting her throat.

When the song ended, Hermione came over and sat down in Parvati's empty chair. Harry and Ron greeted her, but Blair simply nodded at her. Hermione frowned then fanned herself with her hand. "It's hot, isn't it? Viktor's just gone to get some drinks."

Blair suddenly scoffed, which made them all look at her. "Merlin, Granger. Why'd you go with someone who can't even say your name right?" 

Hermione's eyes widened in surprise. "What's up with you?" 

Blair rolled her eyes and stood up. "It's nothing." 

As she left, Hermione looked at Harry and Ron. "What's wrong with her?"

Ron glared at her. "Bloody hell, Hermione. Can't you see?" 

"See what?" Hermione furrowed her eyebrows. 

 "If you don't know," said Ron scathingly, "I'm not going to tell you." 

Hermione stared at him, then at Harry, who was surprisingly sporting a blank look, not wanting to get in between the fight and not trusting his mouth to keep the secrets that were supposed to stay in the boys' dorm.

"He's from Durmstrang!" spat Ron, not wanting to expose Blair's feelings. "He's competing against Harry and Blair! Against Hogwarts! You — you're fraternizing with the enemy, that's what you're doing!" 

Hermione's mouth fell open. "Don't be so stupid!" she said after a moment. "The enemy! Honestly — who was the one who was all excited when they saw him arrive? Who was the one who wanted his autograph? Who's got a model of him up in their dormitory?"

Ron chose to ignore this. "I s'pose he asked you to come with him while you were both in the library?" 

"Yes, he did," said Hermione, the pink patches on her cheeks glowing more brightly. "So what?" 

"What happened — trying to get him to join spew, were you?" Ron looked at Harry for help. He himself was getting unsure of the words coming out of his mouth. He just wanted to make Hermione see Blair's feelings, but it was taking on a wrong turn. It looked like Harry himself didn't know what to say either.

"No, I wasn't! If you really want to know, he — he said he'd been coming up to the library every day to try and talk to me, but he hadn't been able to pluck up the courage!" Hermione said this very quickly, and blushed so deeply. 

Ron's voice rose. "How about Blair? Did you know she hasn't been-" Ron changed the topic quickly at Harry's glare. "And who knows what Krum's asking you about Blair and Harry. Or maybe about the egg."

Hermione looked as though Ron had slapped her. When she spoke, her voice quivered. "For your information, he hasn't asked me one single thing about Harry or Blair, not one, and I'd never help him work out that egg! I want Harry and Blair to win the tournament, you know that, don't you, Harry?"

Ron looked like he was about to say more when Blair suddenly appeared with drinks in hand, looking surprised at the tension. 

"Why don't you go and find Vicky, he'll be wondering where you are," said Ron. 

"Don't call him Vicky!" Hermione jumped to her feet and stormed off past Blair and across the dance floor, disappearing into the crowd. 

Blair looked back at Harry and Ron. "What just happened?" 

Harry was about to answer when Fleur came and whisked Blair away. Blair sent them an apologetic glance as she went with Fleur. As the two of them danced, Blair couldn't help her eyes from going to Hermione and Krum. No matter how many times Blair saw Hermione, she just couldn't look away and feel amazed at her beauty and feel herself fall all over again. 

Fleur noticed that Blair was distracted and smiled, she knew who she was looking at. Fleur's chuckle broke Blair out of her thoughts. Blair looked at her confused. "Are you alright, Fleur?" 

Fleur just smiled and nodded. "Yes, yes. But I think your mind 'as been somewhere all night long."

Blair looked at her with an open mouth. Fleur giggled once more. "You're not that subtle, Blair. Especially after that stunt during ze First Task." 

Blair blushed and ran a hand through her hair. "I'm sorry, Fleur-" 

"Don't be. Eet was nice talking and dancing with you, Blair, but I think you should go and get your girl." Fleur twirled one last time and smiled at Blair. 

Blair smiled back and gave her a quick hug. "Thanks, Fleur. I hope you have a great night." 

"Oh, I already did." Fleur winked at her before walking away to her friends.

Blair looked around and saw Hermione alone, leaning against the wall. She took a deep breath before smiling and walking towards the only witch she ever loved. "Hey, Mione?" 

Hermione turned around with wide eyes. "Blair? What are you doing here?" 

Blair smiled softly before holding out a hand. "You did promise me a dance, Granger." Hermione's cheeks flushed before she took Blair's hand and smiled at how perfect it felt.

Blair led her to the center of the room, as a slow tune played.

Wise men say

Only fools rush in

But I can't help falling in love with you

Blair took a glance at the front where Fred and George were and winked at them. Hermione's eyes widened. "Isn't this-" 

"Your favorite song." Blair smiled. She danced with Hermione and pulled her closer. 

Hermione's smile went wider, she leaned into Blair and looked around to see the stares upon them. "They're all looking at you." 

Blair spun her around and smiled softly. "Believe me, they're all looking at you."

Shall I stay

Would it be a sin?

If I can't help falling in love with you

Hermione's breath hitched as she and Blair moved along the dance floor as if they were the only people there. None of them spoke, their eyes conveying all their emotions. 

As Hermione spun again, Blair pulled her into her arms and whispered into her ear. "Sway softly with me, love." A shiver ran down Hermione's spine. The two of them swayed softly to the soft music with Hermione resting her head on Blair's shoulder.

Like the river flows, surely to the sea

Darling, so it goes

Some things are meant to be

"Hey, Granger." Blair suddenly spoke. 

Hermione hummed and lifted her head. "Yes, Wood?" 

"Did it hurt?" Blair's words made Hermione look at her in confusion. 

"What do you mean?" 

"Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?" Blair cheekily smiled. Hermione rolled her eyes, but her cheeks were very red.

Take my hand

Take my whole life too

For I can't help falling in love with you

Then, Hermione smiled at her. "It did, Wood, but I think it was worth it because I met you." 

It was Blair's turn to be flustered as she stumbled but quickly steadied herself. Hermione giggled at her as they danced again. Blair kept on stuttering. "W-What, w-well-" 

Hermione let out another giggle. "What is that, Wood? You have the guts to ask me out while being chased by a dragon, but you get flustered when I finally respond to you?"

Like the river flows, surely to the sea

Darling, so it goes

Some things are meant to be

Blair blushed even more as she rubbed the back of her neck. "Well, you can't blame me, Granger. That's just the effect you have on me. You make me flustered when I should be the one doing that. You make my heart feel things that I'm not really familiar with, and I cherish every moment I spend with you."

Take my hand

Take my whole life too

For I can't help falling in love with you

For I can't help falling in love with you

Hermione was about to answer when Krum suddenly came to them. Krum nodded at Blair, who wanted to stay, but she just nodded and twirled Hermione one last time before letting her go and smiling at her softly. 

The two witches felt so suddenly cold as they parted. Blair smiled at Krum. "Take care of her." 

Krum nodded and Blair sent Hermione one last smile as she went out the halls with a frown on her face. She did not dare look back. She did not want to see Hermione smile up at Krum when she longed to have that smile directed at her.

But if she did turn back, she would have seen Hermione, staring longingly after her, with the same look Blair had whenever she looked at Hermione.

When she got out, Blair saw Harry and Ron walking towards her hurriedly. They told her all about Karkaroff and Snape's conversation as the three of them walked towards the large stone reindeer. 

"Harry. We have to watch out- What's that?" Blair pushed them down as she saw two enormous shadows on the bench. Then, they heard Hagrid's voice.

"Momen' I saw yeh, I knew," he was saying, in an oddly husky voice. 

Blair, Harry and Ron froze. This didn't sound like the sort of scene they ought to walk in on, somehow. Blair jerked her head towards the rosebush, but Ron suddenly saw Luna there and pulled Harry and Blair behind the reindeer.

"What did you know, 'Agrid?" said Madame Maxime, a purr in her low voice. Blair directed her attention to the beetle with interesting markings. She didn't want to hear it, but she had no choice. 

"I jus' knew... knew you were like me. Was it yer mother or yer father?"

"I — I don't know what you mean, 'Agrid." 

"It was my mother," said Hagrid quietly. "She was one o' the las' ones in Britain. 'Course, I can' remember her too well... she left, see. When I was abou' three. She wasn' really the maternal sort. Well... it's not in their natures, is it? Dunno what happened to her... might be dead fer all I know..." 

Madame Maxime didn't say anything. Blair's eyes turned soft. She had never heard Hagrid talk about his childhood before. 

"Me dad was broken-hearted when she wen'. Tiny little bloke, my dad was. By the time I was six I could lift him up an' put him on top o' the dresser if he annoyed me. Used ter make him laugh..." Hagrid's deep voice broke.

Madame Maxime was listening, motionless, apparently staring at the silvery fountain. 

"Dad raised me... but he died, o' course, jus' after I started school. Sorta had ter make me own way after that. Dumbledore was a real help, mind. Very kind ter me, he was..." Hagrid pulled out a large spotted silk handkerchief and blew his nose heavily. "So... anyway... enough abou' me. What about you? Which side you got it on?"

But Madame Maxime had suddenly got to her feet. "It is chilly," she said — but whatever the weather was doing, it was nowhere near as cold as her voice. "I think I will go in now." 

"Eh?" said Hagrid blankly. "No, don' go! I've — I've never met another one before!" 

"Anuzzer what, precisely?" said Madame Maxime, her tone icy.

"Another half-giant, o' course!" said Hagrid. 

"'Ow dare you!" shrieked Madame Maxime. Blair winced at the sound. "I 'ave nevair been more insulted in my life! 'Alf-giant? Moi? I 'ave — I 'ave big bones!" She stormed away; great multicolored swarms of fairies rose into the air as she passed, angrily pushing aside bushes. 

Hagrid was still sitting on the bench, staring after her. It was much too dark to make out his expression. Then, after about a minute, he stood up and strode away, not back to the castle, but off out into the dark grounds in the direction of his cabin.

Blair nudged the two boys. "C'mon, let's go." But Ron didn't move. 

"What's up?" said Harry, looking at him. 

Ron looked around at Harry and Blair, his expression very serious indeed. "Did you know?" he whispered. "About Hagrid being half-giant?" 

"No," Harry said, shrugging. "So what?" Blair let out a sigh and led Harry and Ron back into the Hall, where Hermione was dancing again with Krum.

"Well, they're... they're..." Ron struggled for words. "...not very nice," he finished lamely. 

"Who cares?" Harry said. "There's nothing wrong with Hagrid!" 

"We know, Harry, but most giants are vicious. They like killing, and it'll be bad if everyone finds out. Now, they hide out in the mountains mostly." Blair slowly explained.

"I don't know who Maxime thinks she's kidding," Harry said, watching Madame Maxime sitting alone at the judges' table, looking very somber. "If Hagrid's half-giant, she definitely is. Big bones... the only thing that's got bigger bones than her is a dinosaur." Blair snorted. She tried not to, but her eyes naturally drifted to Hermione and Krum.

When the Weird Sisters finished playing at midnight, everyone gave them a last, loud round of applause and started to wend their way into the entrance hall. Many people were expressing the wish that the ball could have gone on longer, but Blair couldn't wait to go to bed. She just wanted to close her eyes and forget everything. First, Hermione then Karkaroff then Hagrid. It was too much information for her to process.

Out in the entrance hall, Blair, Harry and Ron saw Hermione saying good night to Krum before he went back to the Durmstrang ship. Hermione gave Ron a very cold look and swept past him up the marble staircase without speaking. 

Blair, Harry and Ron followed her, but halfway up the staircase, Blair heard someone calling her. "'ey — Blair!" It was Fleur Delacour. 

Blair waved at her. "Hey Fleur." 

Fleur ran up the stairs as Ron, wide-eyed, dragged Harry and continued to climb up the stairs. Fleur lowered her voice. "Ze golden egg. Eet wails when you open it, right?" Blair nodded at her.

"Zake a bath weeth eet." 

Blair tilted her head in confusion. "What?" 

"Trust me. Use ze prefecz' bazroom. Diggory 'as told me the password eez 'pine fresh.' Gotta go." Fleur gave her a kiss on the cheek, and Blair stared after her with surprise. Then, she blushed when she remembered Hermione's kiss on her cheek.

Blair walked back to Gryffindor Tower alone and thought about Fleur's advice. Why would a bath help her to work out what the wailing egg meant? Blair had to wake up the Fat Lady to get into the common room. 

"Sorry." Blair muttered as she climbed into the common room and found Ron and Hermione having a blazing row with Harry, trying to stop them but to no avail. Standing ten feet apart, they were bellowing at each other, each scarlet in the face.

"Well, if you all don't like it, you should know what the solution is, don't you?" yelled Hermione; her hair was coming down out of its elegant bun now, and her face was screwed up in anger. 

"Oh yeah?" Ron yelled back. "What's that?" 

"Next time there's a ball, she should pluck up the courage to ask me before someone else does, and she shouldn't think that I'd go with her just because she keeps on showing off!"

Ron mouthed soundlessly like a goldfish out of water. Hermione's eyes morphed into one of surprise and guilt when she saw Blair before she turned on her heel and stormed up the girls' staircase to bed. 

Harry's eyes widened as they met with Blair's hurt ones. Ron turned around to see Blair there, and his face immediately fell. "Blair, I-" 

Blair smiled weakly and cut him off. "It's fine, Ron. I knew from the start that she didn't like me that way."

Ron was about to speak when Harry sent him a warning glance and wrapped an arm around Blair to help her up the stairs, but Blair didn't notice at all. Hermione's words rang in her head. 'She should pluck up the courage to ask me before someone else does, and she shouldn't think that I'd go with her just because she keeps on showing off!'

Blair thought that maybe she should just give up. It seemed that she would never have a chance with Hermione Granger, and maybe it was her fault because she was indeed a show-off. 

As they got to the dorm, Blair smiled weakly at Harry and Ron before she went to her camp bed, not caring about Neville, Dean and Seamus's questioning glances or Harry and Ron's pitying ones, not even bothering to change out of her robes.

Blair mumbled a good night as she tucked herself in and stared at the stars out the window. A shooting star suddenly passed by, and Blair didn't even bother making a wish. She closed her eyes and tried to clear her mind of the events that night. Blair thought she would have fun, but the night turned out more disastrous than she thought.

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