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"And Neville's been amazing." Ginny gushed to Luna who had now become her best friend after they had spent time together in Dumbledore's Army. The two of them were making their way towards the Great Hall from the yard after they met Neville who shyly asked Ginny out for a date.

"Hey, you deserve the best, and I'm glad the Nargles aren't bothering you and Nev." Luna remarked in her usually mystical tone then stopped walking all of a sudden with her eyes set on something, confusing Ginny. "Too bad for Hermione they've got their eyes set on her."

Ginny got even more confused at that, but she looked where Luna was looking, and she couldn't help but smile when she saw Hermione watching Blair walk away from her with mixed emotions expressed in her eyes. 

There were only a few people who Hermione told about her feelings for Blair. It was obvious to others, but yeah, Hermione did not know that. The prefect told only her, Molly, Tonks and Zoey about it. She did want to tell Harry and Ron, but she knew those two didn't know how to keep their mouths shut. Well, it wasn't like they didn't know yet. Even the blindest people in the world would see how much Blair and Hermione loved each other.

"Come on." Ginny nudged Luna lightly before the two of them sat down beside the brown-haired witch who jumped at their sudden presence. "Hey, Mione, what's got you thinking so hard? A certain Chaser?"

The bookworm blushed deeply at Ginny's comment while Luna smiled towards where Blair had disappeared. "It must be the Nargles,"

"Yeah, maybe." Hermione agreed with a small smile, surprising both of them. Where was the Hermione Granger they knew? Hermione always shut Luna down when it came to magical creatures whose existence has not been proved, but she was agreeing with Luna, right now?

"Hermione, are you okay?" Luna asked in genuine concern while Ginny placed a hand on Hermione's forehead, shaking her head when it wasn't hot at all.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Hermione chuckled reassuringly and took Ginny's hand away from her forehead. "It's just... How do you deal with feelings, wanting to let it all out but not being able to?"

And the two younger girls exchanged glances, understanding immediately what Hermione was thinking of. That was everyone's question. When was she finally going to tell Blair she felt the same?

"Well, what's the reason why you can't tell Blair yet what you feel for her?" Luna asked without hesitation, earning her a light slap from Ginny because of how direct to the point she was.

Hermione wasn't surprised with how they knew, they weren't stupid after all (unlike the certain trio of a Chaser, a Seeker and a Keeper ). And she knew she could trust Luna. She was one of the few people who believed Blair and Harry when everyone thought they were liars. 

"Well, at first, I wanted to wait for a perfect time." Hermione confessed. "To prepare something special for her and confess. Just to make it memorable, but... then, as time passed by, I just got afraid of the thought of confessing. I have no doubts about Blair's feelings for me, but I just can't help but wonder if she'd be better off with other people. As much as it hurts me to admit, Cho loves her, Fleur was so kind to her in the little time she was here and even her fans treat her better than me. It's just... I might be thinking of this too much, but this is Blair. My best friend and the person I'm in love with. But at the same time, I'm being so selfish and keeping her to myself. I know I should just reject her again and tell her to move on. Repeat that to her until she finally stops, but I can't. The thought of her chasing after Cho or any other girl hurts me. I'm so damn stupid. And an arse."

It was silent for a few moments after that, both Luna and Ginny looking at each other for a while before the latter spoke up, staring at Hermione with a frown. "Yes, you are. You are stupid and an arse."

"Don't forget, a git." Luna added in, still in her whimsical tone.

Beofre Hermione could even react to that, Ginny continued speaking. "First off, waiting for the right time is stupid. When will that right time ever come, Voldemort is coming for Blair and Harry, and you know it. Why do you think she gives everything she has in everything she does? It's because she too knows there's a war coming."

The Gryffindor prefect looked down in shame. Gin was right... and she wasn't done.

"Second, the way you're playing push and pull with her isn't healthy for you and for Blair." Ginny ranted in frustration at Hermione. "You rejected her for two whole years and then respond to her advances all of a sudden without even assuring her what you feel for her is true. You get angry when Cho or someone comes near her, and it's making you look like you only want the attention Blair's giving you."

"I really care for Blair." Hermione argued at that, feeling wronged at how others looked at her.

"We know, Hermione, but when someone goes near Blair, you start looking like a Heliopath who wants to burn every girl who lays eyes on her." Luna replied, trying to calm Hermione down but apparently not succeding.

"What we're trying to say is that you should take action." Ginny continued with a soft smile on her face, holding the frowning Hermione's hand in hers. "Blair. She's the type of person who never gives up unless you end it for good. Bloody hell, she deserves the entire world even before everything she's gone through. She's the best person I know, and she doesn't deserve to be treated like this. Make a choice, Hermione. If you don't want to pursue a relationship with her, let her move on. End it for good. But if you do that, be prepared to see Blair with others. You don't have the right to be jealous and tell her off."

"You're the only person she wants and loves." Luna said then in an uncharacteristically serious tone that surprised Ginny and Hermione. "Blair is my friend, and every time we talk, she never fails to mention you. If ever you do decide to take a chance with Blair, then do better and give her the love she deserves. For the past three years, it's always been her who's been giving you love. She deserves to be happy. She lost her parents and is on the target list of a psycho who looks like a Moon Frog. No matter what you decide, continue being there for her. Rowena knows you're the reason she smiles like a fool for days."

Hermione cracked a smile at that, grateful she and Blair had friends like Ginny and Luna with them. If it weren't for these two, she wouldn't be able to make sense of her complicated feelings and finally come to a decision.

"I've been an arse and a fool and a git." Hermione confessed with a sheepish smile on her face that made Ginny and Luna grin as well, the two knowing that she had made a decision. The older witch then reached over to give them a tight hug. "Thank you for knocking some sense in me."

"Oh, and Luna, I'm sorry for being close-minded and being a complete arse." Hermione apologized sincerely to Luna, knowing better now that she got to talk with Luna seriously. Luna was a great person... if you get past trying to understand all those magical creatures.

"It's fine, you were annoying as well." Luna replied, going back to her whimsical tone.

Hermione and Ginny exchanged glances at that before looking at the grinning Luna who looked as if she was trying to hold her laughter. Grins slowly came onto Ginny and Hermione's faces as well before the three girls burst into laughter.

That day, Hermione didn't just make a choice that would change things for the better between her and Blair, she also gained a friend in Luna who she didn't think she would ever interact with like this. Well, life had its way of surprising her, and she hoped the next surprise that would come will bring good things to them.

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Hermione's chiding proved to be effective because Blair kept her temper down whenever she saw Umbridge. Her hand was now mixed with the sentences, "I must not tell lies," "I must keep my mouth shut," and "I must respect Professor Umbridge." (For the last one, Blair changed Umbridge to Minnie. If she would have scars of a Professor's name, she would rather have the name of a Professor she liked. That earned her another detention, but when Blair still wrote Professor McGonagall's name, it seemed that Umbridge had given up and left it at that.)

And as they went into December, it brought with it more snow and a positive avalanche of homework for the fifth years. Ron and Hermione's prefect duties also became more and more onerous as Christmas approached. They were called upon to supervise the decoration of the castle , to watch over first and second years spending their break times inside because of the bitter cold, and to patrol the corridors in shifts with Argus Filch, who suspected that the holiday spirit might show itself in an outbreak of wizard duels.

They were so busy that Hermione had stopped knitting elf hats and was fretting that she was down to her last three. "All those poor elves I haven't set free yet, having to stay over during Christmas because there aren't enough hats!"

Blair, who had who had not had the heart to tell her that Dobby was taking everything she made, bent lower over her History of Magic essay. In any case, she did not want to think about Christmas. She did not want to think that this was her first Christmas without her parents. She did not want to go home, but she did not want to stay in Hogwarts either.

Between her Quidditch ban, the detentions with Umbridge and worry about whether or not Hagrid was going to be put on probation, she felt highly resentful toward the place at the moment.

The only thing Blair really looked forward to were the D.A. meetings, and they would have to stop over the holidays, as nearly everybody in the D.A. would be spending the time with their families. Hermione was going skiing with her parents and Ron was going home to the Burrow, but she was happy to know that she and Harry were coming home with them. That made Blair's spirits soar.

Blair and Harry talked about it, and they both felt guilty that they wouldn't be able to spend the holidays with Sirius. They thought they should convince Mrs. Weasley to invite their godfather, but they weren't sure if she'd agree and if Dumbledore would allow Sirius to leave Grimmauld Place.

Blair and Harry were the first to arrive in the Room of Requirement for the last D.A. meeting before the holidays and they burst into laughter because when the lamps burst into light they saw that Dobby had taken it upon himself to decorate the place for Christmas.

They could tell the elf had done it, because nobody else would have strung a hundred golden baubles from the ceiling, each showing a picture of Blair and Harry and bearing the legend HAVE A BLAIRRY HARRY CHRISTMAS!

Blair and Harry had only just managed to get the last of them down before the door creaked open and Luna entered, looking dreamy as always. "Hello," she said vaguely, looking around at what remained of the decorations. "These are nice, did you put them up?"

"No," said Harry, "it was Dobby the house-elf."

"Mistletoe," said Luna dreamily, pointing at a large clump of white berries placed almost over Blair's head. Blair jumped out from under it.

"Good thinking," said Luna very seriously. "It's often infested with nargles." Blair and Harry were saved the necessity of asking what nargles were by the arrival of Angelina, Katie, and Alicia. All three of them were breathless and looked very cold.

"Well," said Angelina dully, pulling off her cloak and throwing it into a corner, "we've replaced you."

"Replaced us?" said Harry blankly.

"You, Blair, Fred and George," she said impatiently. "We've got another Seeker and Chaser!"

"Who?" said Blair quickly.

"Ginny Weasley's the Seeker," said Katie. Blair and Harry gaped at her. Wasn't Ginny's main position Chaser?

"Yeah, I know," said Angelina, pulling out her wand and flexing her arm. "But she's pretty good, actually. Nothing on you, of course," she said, throwing Harry a very dirty look, "but as we can't have you..."

Blair and Harry exchanged furious looks, but Blair bit back her tongue to keep in her retorts. Did Angelina think that they were happy about their Quidditch bans? "And what about the new Chaser and the Beaters?" Blair asked, trying to keep her voice even.

"I'm back as Chaser. The Beaters are Andrew Kirke," said Alicia without enthusiasm, "and Jack Sloper. Neither of them are brilliant, but compared with the rest of the idiots who turned up..."

The arrival of Ron, Hermione, and Neville brought this depressing discussion to an end and within five minutes, the room was full enough to prevent them seeing Angelina's burning, reproachful looks.

"Okay," Blair said, calling them all to order. "We thought this evening we should just go over the things we've done so far, because it's the last meeting before the holidays and there's no point starting anything new right before a three-week break —"

"We're not doing anything new?" said Zacharias Smith, in a disgruntled whisper loud enough to carry through the room. "If I'd known that, I wouldn't have come..."

"We're all really sorry Blair and Harry didn't tell you, then," said Fred loudly. Several people sniggered.

"We can practice in pairs," said Harry. "We'll start with the Impediment Jinx, just for ten minutes, then we can get out the cushions and try Stunning again."

They all divided up obediently; Harry partnered Cedric now, making Blair grin at the two blushing boys, while Blair walked around. Blair was happy that Neville had improved beyond all recognition as she dueled with him for a few moments before walking around. She saw Cho beam at her a few times, and Blair sent her a thumbs up. Blair smiled softly while she walked past Hermione countless times just to watch the girl. Hermione would hide her blush and Ron would freeze her while she was distracted and tease her after for getting distracted.

After ten minutes on the Impediment Jinx, they laid out cushions all over the floor and started practicing Stunning again. Space was really too confined to allow them all to work this spell at once; half the group observed the others for a while, then swapped over. Blair and Harry swelled at each other with pride as they watched from the sidelines. True, Neville did Stun Padma Patil rather than Dean, at whom he had been aiming, but it was a much closer miss than usual, and everybody else had made enormous progress. 

Blair stopped by Hermione, who wasn't partnered up. She smirked at the witch. "Why don't you try it on me, Mione? I-"

"Stupefy!"

Blair's eyes widened as the spell hit her and she flew a few meters away and fell on her back. She let out a groan as she heard laughter all around. Hermione giggled before she held out a hand to Blair and pulled her up. 

Blair pouted at her. "I wasn't ready."

"Constant vigilance, right?" Hermione said with a teasing smile. 

Blair couldn't help but laugh at her. She winked at Hermione. "You better be ready for the day you fall for me, Granger?"

"W-What?" said Hermione, blushing deeply and rolling her eyes. "Maybe, you should be the one who must ready, Wood." And with that, she left Blair, gaping at her with red cheeks.

"Bloody hell," whispered Blair before she grinned and went back to the others. 

At the end of an hour, Harry called a halt. "You're getting really good," he said, beaming around at them.

Blair nodded proudly. "When we get back from the holidays we can start doing some of the big stuff — maybe even Patronuses." There was a murmur of excitement. The room began to clear in the usual twos and threes; most people wished Blair and Harry a Happy Christmas as they went. Feeling cheerful, they collected up the cushions with Cedric who was clearly staying not because he wanted to spend more time with Harry, Ron and Hermione and stacked them neatly away.

Cedric, Harry, Ron and Hermione left first while Blair was supposed to go with Cho and her friend. Blair smiled at Cho and Marietta. "Hey there, let's go."

Cho smiled before saying to Marietta. "You go on." Marietta sent her a coy smile before wishing Blair a Merry Christmas and going on.

When the two of them were alone, Blair was surprised to see Cho was grinning at her. "Hey, Blair." Cho took a step towards her.

"Hey, Cho. What's up?" Blair said.

Cho kept on moving towards Blair until they were only a few inches away. "There's something I have to tell you, Blair."

Blair just nodded and smiled. "Go on."

"Y-You're a really good teacher, you know." Cho said while still moving.

Blair was now aware of the sudden closeness between them and rubbed the back of her neck while taking a small step backward. "Yeah?"

Cho kept on walking until Blair was pushed back against the wall. "I really like you, Blair."

Blair's eyes widened. "What?"

Cho looked at her weirdly before chuckling. "Don't you see, Blair? Almost everyone likes you. We all stare at you and whenever you smile at us, we'd feel all giddy and blush so hard."

Blair let out a sigh and smiled sadly. "I-I'm sorry, Cho. I never knew. It's just that-"

"You're in love with Hermione Granger," said Cho bitterly, "I know. Everyone does."

Blair didn't know what to say. She didn't want to hurt Cho, but she didn't want to lie. "I'm sorry, Cho, I-"

"Mistletoe," said Cho quietly, pointing at the ceiling over Blair's head.

"Yeah," said Blair. "It's probably full of nargles, though."

"What are nargles?"

"No idea," said Blair. Her eyes widened when Cho had moved closer. "Look, Cho-"

Cho was leaning in and Blair moved her head away when suddenly the door slammed open... And there was Hermione Jean Granger, glaring at them. Blair smiled widely at the sight of her. "Mione."

Blair's eyes widened when she saw the pure fury in Hermione's eyes. Marching towards them, Hermione gripped Blair's arm tight and glared at Cho. "She said she's in love with me and that she's sorry. Can't you take a hint?"

Cho scoffed before smiling at Blair. "Merry Christmas, Blair." She sent Hermione a furious glare before storming out of the room.

Blair avoided Hermione's glaring eyes and held out her hand. "Come on, Mione. I want to show you something." Blair closed her eyes. She thought that Hermione would slap her hand away but yelped when she felt a hard and painful grip on her hand. She opened her eyes and saw a scary look on Hermione's face.

It was silent as Blair led Hermione through the shortcuts and smiled when after 10 minutes, they finally got to the Quidditch Pitch. "Wait here." Hermione raised an eyebrow but let go of Blair's hand anyway. Her eyes widened when Blair came back with a broom in hand.

"You're not-"

"I know, but it's quicker on broom. Come on!" Blair said, reaching her hand out with a smile.

Hermione looked doubtful. "I don't know, Blair."

"Come on, Mione. Do you trust me?" Blair said softly. They stared into each other's eyes, and that seemed to be enough for Hermione. She took Blair's hand and got onto the broom. Blair felt Hermione wrap her arms tightly around Blair's waist.

"Hold on tight." Blair zoomed into the air, and Hermione let out a small yelp as she closed her eyes and tightened her arms around Blair's waist.

"Mione, open your eyes. Look."

Blair's words made Hermione open one eye and she quickly opened the other in amazement. "Blair."

"It's cool, isn't it?" Blair said, smiling at the sky. Hundreds of stars decorated the night sky, twinkling brightly as Blair and Hermione were just a few feet below.

"It's more than cool. It's brilliant." Hermione said breathlessly, smiling at the starry sky.

"You know, Mione? I could count the stars here. One for every reason I love you, but I would run out of stars before I even get to half of my list."

Hermione blushed and leaned her head onto Blair's back. "Oh, you."

Blair chuckled softly and prepared to dive. "Hold on tight, Mione."

Hermione tightened her grip as Blair dived down quickly and flew a little more before finally stopping. "We have arrived, my lady." She held out a hand, and Hermione chuckled before taking it. Blair stopped at a dark place behind the castles near the Forest. Hermione looked around, curious at where Blair dragged her to while Blair started running her hand over the walls.

"Ah, wait a minute. Where did I put it? Aha! There it is."

A light flickered on, followed by many lights. There was a lit tunnel, leading to a path. Hermione gasped at the sight. "Blair-"

"Come on, Mione." Blair held her hand softly and they walked through the tunnel and followed the path. Hermione's eyes softened when she saw photographs of her on the walls of the tunnel.

"Blair, where are-"

"We've arrived, Mione." At the end of the path, there was a turntable in the center, and Hermione saw a lit up sign at the wall. "Go to the Yule Ball with me?"

Hermione suddenly remembered that Blair was preparing something last year to ask her to the Yule Ball. "Blair, is this what you were talking about?"

Blair nodded proudly and looked around. "Yeah. The Prancers helped me out, and I always wanted to show you, but I just got the time now."

Blair set the turntable and as a melody played, she looked at Hermione with a soft gaze and offered her hand. "Will you dance with me, Hermione?" Hermione smiled softly and took her hand.

There are times when I just want to look in your face with the stars in the night

There are times when I just want to feel your embrace in the cold of the night

I just can't believe that you are mine now

You were just a dream that I once knew, I never thought I would be right for you

I just can't compare you with anything in this world, you're all I need to be here with forevermore

Blair's breath hitched as Hermione pulled her in closer and the two of them swayed to the soft melody. Their actions conveying all the feelings that Blair had been shouting out and all the feelings Hermione had been fighting and keeping in.

All those years I've longed to hold you in my arms, I've been dreaming of you

Every night I've been watching all the stars that fall down, wishing you would be mine

I just can't believe that you were mine now 

You were just a dream that I once knew, I never thought I would be right for you 

I just can't compare you with anything in this world, you're all I need to be here with forevermore

As the song ended, Blair and Hermione were a few inches away, their foreheads against each other and their eyes staring into each other.

"Mione. I love you. I love everything about you. How brilliant you are, how passionate you are, how you'd roll your eyes when I bring out a pick up line, how you're always there to bring me back to reality. And I know I've said it before, but I never get tired of saying and hearing it every time. I'm in love with you, Hermione Jean Granger." Blair said softly, closing her eyes, preparing herself for the rejection.

But what Blair did not expect was something soft on her lips. Her eyes fluttered open and she saw Hermione's face an inch away from hers, the scents of the fruity breath of Hermione's mixing with Blair's minty breath.

"M-Mione."

Hermione put a hand to Blair's lips. "Let me speak. I like you too, Blair." Blair's eyes widened but she let Hermione continue.

Hermione cupped Blair's face and let Blair see all the emotions of love, longing and admiration in her eyes. "I started liking you at the end of our third year, but I obviously tried fighting it then. At first, I thought it was a joke. I mean, why would you, Blair Wood, star Chaser and my best friend like me? I mean I'm just Hermione Granger, but everything changed in our fourth year. When you were so persistent and I finally opened my eyes and looked into yours, and I started falling when all I saw was love. I realized you do like me, and-and I realized I like you as well. And my feelings, though I tried fighting them, they kept on growing until it came to this, Blair, and I'm telling you now. I like you too, Blair Aika Wood."

Blair's heart swelled with joy and beat so much faster against her chest, her mouth open with shock, and it finally dawned upon her. "W-Wait, you like- like really like- not just friendly like- like romantic like-"

Blair was cut off when Hermione leaned in again and kissed her sweetly. Blair closed her eyes in excitement and pulled her closer. Hermione smiled into the kiss and wrapped her arms around Blair's neck as Blair's arms wrapped around her waist. They pulled away after a few seconds, and Blair grinned before lifting Hermione and spinning her around.

Hermione giggled and slapped Blair on the shoulder lightly. "Put me down, Blair."

Blair grinned so wide and put her down. "Will you be mine, now and forever, Mione?"

Hermione sighed contentedly and leaned in to kiss Blair once more. "I will, Blair. Now, forever and always."

Blair laughed out of glee and pumped her fist. "Finally! She likes me too!"

Hermione giggled once more at her antics before she hugged Blair around the waist. "I can't believe it took seeing Cho Chang advancing on you to make me finally confess?"

Blair suddenly smirked at her. "Were you jealous, Mione?"

Hermione blushed slightly before glaring at her. "She was about to kiss you and the best thing you could do was to turn your head."

Blair was flustered this time, and she ran a hand through her hair. "Well, I didn't want to push her away or anything because it seemed rude." She quickly added when Hermione's glare intensified. "But I promise, Mione, you're the only girl I want to kiss. And you're the only girl I love."

"I lo-like you too, Blair," said Hermione, caressing her cheek. She looked down.

Blair's eyebrows furrowed in worry and she cupped Hermione's face and stared into her eyes. "What's wrong, Mione?"

"It's just that... I... it's nothing," said Hermione, pulling away and turning her back on Blair. Blair frowned, confused, and thought about it hard. Was it... that?

Hermione closed her eyes, thinking that Blair was mad at her when she felt arms snake around her waist and a breath near her ear, which made a shiver run down her spine like an electric shock. She leaned into Blair's embrace.

"You don't have to say it yet, Mione. Just having you like me is more than enough. It's everything I've always wanted. Just look at me, hug me and kiss me, and I already know that you feel the same."

Hermione turned around and leaned in to kiss Blair's jaw. "I'm yours."

Blair grinned at her. "I love you."

Hermione then took a deep breath before smiling at her. "Is it fine then with you?"

"What is?" Blair asked confused.

Hermione looked down and said shyly. "If we tell everyone about us tomorrow."

Blair grinned and cupped Hermione's face so she would be looking into Blair's eyes. "That's exactly what I want, Mione."

Hermione grinned back and the two shared another kiss that seemed as sweet as the last, and everything was fine. They had finally reached their destination, and the chase was over. They were in each other's arms, and that was all that mattered.

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Happy anniversary to Balter! Thank you to everyone who has supported this story through the votes, the comments and the reads. Wow, I can't believe we got this far, and I still can't believe how big this story had gotten. This is all thanks to you guys who supported my story despite all its imperfections. I hope you all stay until the end because in the coming chapters, things are about to get more mysterious and interesting. So, with the coming chapters, I hope you continue giving Balter the support and love it has received. Once again, thank you and I hope you are all doing well <3 Until next time!

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