Several of Blaise’s relatives left soon after lunch. After Hermione said farewell she turned back to the sitting room.

“Draco!”

“What is it this time?”

“Oh, well I just wanted to say I’m sorry and that I know one way to get rid of-” She started and then mouthed the word Horcrux as Blaise walked in, and held her fingers subtly. She didn’t move away; she didn’t really want to. Instead she smiled and held his hand too.

xxx

Trust Blaise to never listen. Oh Merlin, I’m jealous. No, I’m not, why would I be jealous of my best friend and Granger. I don’t have serious feelings for her, do I?

Draco, trying to ignore the fact that Hermione and Blaise hadn’t noticed him for several moments, he headed to the Zabini’s broom shed, where there was Malfoy’s Firebolt Deluxe.

He had to admit, he was a brilliant wizard. To be able to pull of Disillusionment and Summoning charms along with several other complicated spells; he was impressed. Having done this twice, he thought Hermione would have asked how he’d brought all their things so quickly.

He grabbed it and headed out to the field he and Blaise used to practise Quidditch. He didn’t really mind not having Blaise to see how great he was as a Seeker, because it was a clear cloudless sky under the protective charm of the Zabinis’ house. He only realised what a perfect afternoon it was until he was in the field.

If only Granger wasn’t here I’d have had a great Christmas, just me and mum. He sat and thought for a while, his arms resting on his knees. Is this my fault? Is it my fault no one can trust me?

xxx

“So, Felicity, are you a good flyer?”

“Oh no. No, I’m terrible.”

“Come on. Look, I’ll help you.”

Hermione was getting seriously tired now. Blaise had been talking and flirting for the past few hours, it seemed, and now he wanted her to fly on a broomstick. God, no. I hate heights. Somehow she let herself be drawn towards a broomstick. Blaise sat closely behind her on it. She gasped before it shot into the air. And then she screamed until her throat was sore.

“Blaise, let me down now!”

“Aw, come on! Look, I won’t let you fall.”

“Seriously!”

Instead they swooped high and low, reaching the highest Hermione had ever been before. She felt dizzy, but she liked how Blaise was resting his head on her shoulder.

Hermione, stop being so paranoid, he’s not as bad as Malfoy.

But since when has Draco ever made me almost scream for my life?

Look, Blaise only wants a nice broomstick ride with you.

Knowing Slytherins, it’s probably not the first thing on his mind right now.

She relaxed a bit and felt Blaise’s arm around her as he guided the broomstick around a giant field. Her breathing slowing down a bit, she took in how beautiful a day it was. Blaise held her hand over the broomstick which made her turn to look at him.

Before she knew it, he had leant in, kissing her fiercely. What the hell? Who does he think I am?!

From shock, she pushed him back and tried to turn around. And then she fell.

Blaise tried to grab her hand, but Hermione had screamed and completely lost sense of where she was. She felt the air zoom past her as she plunged through the sky. She closed her eyes tightly and tried to think. There is no way Zabini could catch me. Oh no, Merlin save me!

xxx

Draco twisted round. A scream? Who was that? I’m sure I’ve-

Seeing a figure fall from the sky, he swung onto his broom and tore through the air towards feet off the ground, he caught her and swung onto the grass below. Ouch.

xxx

Why am I alive? Hermione opened her eyes to realise that she was lying on top of a smug Draco Malfoy. She laughed and that set him off as she put her head back down onto his chest.

“I’m always the damsel in distress here, aren’t I?”

“Yes, yes you are.”

They lay there a bit longer before they saw Blaise flying rapidly towards the ground. Hermione knelt up and let Draco help her up.

“Look, I am so sorry, I didn’t think-” A shaken Blaise apologized.

“Rightly so. I told you I didn’t like flying.”

xxx

Draco stood there, waiting for some giant make up between them, but was secretly pleased they weren’t head over heels for each other so quickly. Hermione strode off towards the house again, limping a bit from the fall, but making it obvious she didn’t want Zabini’s help.

Draco looked after her, a small smirk spreading on his mouth. She’s so stubborn. He then turned to Blaise.

“Didn’t I tell you!” He said cautiously.

“Sorry! But just look at her, I mean who could say no to that-”

“Look, just listen and stop messing around with her.”

“Fine then.”

They walked back to the house and started talking randomly about Quidditch, as if what had just happened, never did.

xxx

Over the next few days, Blaise only talked politely with Hermione, in an awkward way, so Hermione didn’t really understand what his problem was. God, seriously he’s almost as bad as Ron.

She had a bandage around her ankle, which was going to be taken off in a few days, so she tried to show that it didn’t hurt at all. But whenever she sat down in a room alone, she’d swear, with some very choice words, and deliberately not limp on it.

However, Draco couldn’t help revealing a smug look on his face whenever Hermione sat down for meals and grimaced. He, meanwhile, had tried to think of ways to make Hermione talk, because he really wanted to know about the Horcrux. Every time she passed him in the house or garden, she tried to avoid his eyes, also hiding the small smile on her lips and the redness of her cheeks.

Draco loved the Zabini’s house; it was much brighter and a more happier place than Malfoy Manor. He also loved how Hermione would offer to make meals and they were always delicious. She’s a great cook. Then again she’s brilliant at everything. Oh my god! Am I admiring her?

So one surprisingly warm day, the day before New Year’s Eve, he asked her to a restaurant.

“Hermione, would you like to have dinner with me tonight?” He asked out of the blue, knowing the reply all too soon was positive.

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xxxGood Luckxxx