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Love and Forgiveness	By : HarryGinny4eva Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 16331 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
- 3
CHAPTER
4

�And, then at noon we meet at the spa and get our hair and nails done.
And, no one is allowed to be late. We only have 3 hours and no offense, but
muggles are slow!� Ginny said to the five women at their table. �And, Frank is
picking up the flowers, right Margie?�

Margie nodded and sipped her coffee, �Yep, he�s picking them up at two and
taking them straight to Ron�s dad to charm.�

�So, we should get to the church by six and be ready to go by seven!� Snoop
smiled. �Mrs. Georgina Weasley. I can�t wait!�

Hermione smiled with everyone else, but her thoughts were definitely more on
the conversation being had by the women at the table behind them. They were
keeping their voices low, so as to not be heard by Ginny again, but they didn�t
seem to realize Hermione could hear them loud and clear.

�Blaise, what a name.� (sigh)

�But, did you see those dimples? A girl could swim in them.� (another sigh)

Way to go Blaise, you�re still wracking �em up. Ha
ha ha

�And, that Draco guy, yum! Did you see that tight little tush?�

�Yeah, and those lips, like a perfect little bow!�

�A perfect gift, wrapped in a great package. Heh heh heh.�

Hmmm, yeah. I think that was at least a bit
of a six pack I was feeling while we were dancing. And, it felt really
goo�STOP! No. Bad girl! It�s Draco, for crying out�Malfoy, Malfoy Malfoy.

�Why do you think Hermione and that Ginny hate him so much?�

�Well, I don�t know the whole story, but apparently, he went to their school
and was not on the right side during The Fall.�

He was a blazing git! And, a mean, horrible, jerk
of a person who lived to torment Harry, Ron and me!

�You mean he followed Vold...Vold�ya�ll
know who I mean!�

�Yeah. And, he tried to kill their school principle on Voldemort�s
orders. He failed and ran though from what Hermione said. But, maybe he was
under some spell or something. I know she said he didn�t actually fight on
their side, just he didn�t so much fight on our side.
But, I heard his parents were Death Eaters, so maybe he was worse than I
heard.�

�No, he wouldn�t have been able to walk around freely after that. And, The
Ministry over there wouldn�t have let him out of Europe.�

�Man, we missed so much of it all being over here.�

Good for you!

�Well, thank goodness!�

Yeah.

�Yeah.�

�What about Blaise? What side was he on?�

�I never heard anything about him either way. And, I have no idea about his
parents. It�s like they all just disappeared when the fighting started and
reappeared the day it ended. I think Ginny would probably know. I�m sure she
and Harry keep tabs on all of them.�

�She sure seems to hate them more than Hermione does.�

�Well, I don�t think Hermione really hates them all that much. She sure didn�t
wig out like Ginny did.� (giggle) �And, did anyone
else notice the way she looked at Draco?�

I did not! Did I? Oh man. Did Ginny see? She is going to kill me. Heck,
Harry and Ron would kill me.

�I did! I don�t think I�ve seen her blush that badly since the day she
mistakenly blew up the science storage lab when she got overly excited about
getting an A.� (giggles)

�Maybe that�s why she never dates any of the guys we try to set her up with. I
mean, I sure as hell couldn�t date anyone if I had him on the brain!� (more giggle and some sighs)

He is not on my brain! Well, he is now, but he wasn�t. I would never think
of dating that�what is he now? He�s�he�s�I don�t know. But, he does seem
different. But, what if he hasn�t really changed? Well, he has to have changed
at least a little; he was in a club with loads of muggles, and seemed plenty
comfortable. But, what if he was just in shock tonight and�what if I stop
obsessing over him? Yeah!

�No. I�m pretty sure she was as shocked as Ginny to see them tonight. And,
plus, the few times we talked about the people she went to school with, he was
always one she still got angry about. No, she hates him for sure.�

�Well, you know what they say about hate. It�s the other side of love, right?�
(out right laughter)

Love! Eep!

�She could sure do a lot worse.� (sighs)

�Think Blaise will call me?�

Maybe he�ll call�me, that is. And, I mean Blaise, of course, not Drac�Malfoy. I need a good, fun date that means nothing and
will go nowhere. And, he would be perfect. He�s fun, funny, rich, thinks I look
good, would make Draco jealous as hell, and�Oh, I did NOT just think that!

��

Draco and Blaise had flooed to
their loft apartment. Both were still in a bit of shock at the evening�s turn
of events. And, neither felt up to going out to another bar or club.

Blaise had started as soon as they stepped out of the fireplace.

�Okay, first, no matter what I say you can�t hit me.�

Draco walked over to their bar and tiredly grabbed a glass, �Why would I hit
you, B?�

Blaise leaned into the fridge and came out with a muggle beer. He liked the
taste and wasn�t in the mood for Draco�s drink of choice, firewhiskey.

�Well, two reasons. One, I think Hermione is looking great and I plan to ask
her out.�

�So? Go ahead.�

�Well, two, I think she will say no because you two were so hot for each other
you were shooting off sparks tonight.�

Draco fell back onto the sofa and closed his eyes, �B, first, I would never hit
you over a girl, much less Know-It-All Granger, and second, well�the best I can
come up with right now is yeah right.�

�Wow!�

�What?�

�D.� Blaise�s mouth dropped open. Draco had never not
taken the opportunity to rip into her in the past. And, for him to not call her
the M word was unthinkable.

As the silence stretched out Draco sat up and looked at his friend, �What!�

�You like her.�

�I do not! She�s�she�s�and I�m�well, I�m�Dammit!� He
tossed his drink back and got up to get another.

�Okay, so you don�t like her and won�t care if I take her out. And, if I was to
call her a mudbl�� Blaise�s mouth dropped open for
the second time, as Draco had whipped around and looked ready to strangle him.

�Don�t call her that!� Then he seemed to stop himself and finished lamely, �I
mean, um, you shouldn�t call anyone that. It�s uh, rude.�

�Okay. So. Okay. I�ll let it drop for now. Um, what about Ginny? Think she�s talking to Potter about us
right now?�

Draco seemed to relax as soon as Hermione was no longer the focus of their conversation,
�Who the hell cares? It�s not like it�s against the law to be in the same bar
as someone else. We haven�t done anything since The Fall. Besides, after all
the information I gave Potty Brain about stuff, he should just call off his
she-dog!�

�Yeah, well. Hermione seemed to calm her down. And, the other girls could have
cared less about ancient history. Did you see that one chick, Tala? Those legs just didn�t stop! And, it�s too bad that
Margie is married, because I would��

Draco nodded and smiled as he listened to Blaise extol the virtues of each of
the women. But, by leaving Hermione off the list, he had made Draco think about
her all that much more.

So what if she looks like a naughty school teacher? And, anyone can learn to
control their hair. It�s not like she isn�t a witch. And, why was I so
enthralled with her eyes? They�re just brown eyes. With
little gold flecks. And, the way they, what�s the word, get extra shiny
or something when she smiles. That smile, it just makes me feel�Whoa! What I am
doing? I can�t be thinking about her that way. She�s�she�s�there I go again!
Why can�t I think of her like that? I�m a wizard and she�s a witch. Boy, girl,
easy. Yeah, right. I�m Malfoy, git of the century to
her. But, she didn�t act like that tonight, did she? Maybe I could show her
that I have grown up and then she�d�she�d what, idiot? Just fall into my arms
and we live happily ever after? As if! More like laugh her cute little ass off
and then slap me so hard my grandchildren would be born dizzy! But, she didn�t
do anything tonight. Well, she blushed and looked at me funny. Kinda like she was into me�so maybe�give it up man!

�So, then I plan to boil her in oil and serve her at our next bash.�

Draco finally tuned back in, �What? Who? What!�

�Just checking to see if you were listening,� Blaise laughed. �Look, I know you
probably don�t want to talk about her any more tonight, but I need to ask. Are
you going to be okay with it when I work my way around to Hermione? I mean, I
have a couple others I want to check out first, but then, I seriously may give
her a call. That�s if you really don�t care.�

No! Hands off, B! She�s mine. She�s�she hates me. �All
yours, man. Enjoy. Look, I�m headed to bed,
it�s been a long, interesting evening. Night.�

�Night,� Blaise called after him.

When the door closed behind Draco, Blaise tossed back his beer and went to look
out over the city both men had grown to love and call home. Talking to himself,
he mumbled, �Yeah right. I ask her out and you rip out my throat. You�ve wanted
her since we were what, 15 years old? What do you think I�m stupid? Like I didn�t know. I can read you like a book, man. I may
not believe in all that fate crap, but seriously what are the odds we run into
her all the way over here in the US? It�s not like it�s a small
place. And, there are only about 200 wizarding universities she could have
attended. But, no, you two end up going to schools in the same small city and
partying at the same place. So, what to do, what to do? Maybe I should feel her
out for you. I mean what more could a friend do? Ha ha
ha That way, if she still
hates you, you don�t get hurt, right? And, I finally get to take my shot at
her. Win win, I say.�

Going back over to the kitchen he reached in to the fridge and got out another
beer. He popped the tab and raised the can into the air, �Good luck, man!�

Draco lay on his bed and wondered what to do about all that had happened. He
leaned toward forgetting the whole night and pretending it didn�t happen. But, the �what ifs� were keeping him awake and wondering.

Without really knowing what was going on in Hermione�s head, he didn�t know how
to proceed. Or, if he should. Then, there was the fact
that he had just told the one man in the world no girl had ever said no to, to
go after her. What was I thinking! Well, too late now. He fell asleep
hoping it would all make more sense in the morning.

��

When Hermione woke the next morning, it was to a splitting headache. Not due to
a hangover, but instead due to stress and a lack of sleep. She and Ginny had
stayed up talking long after all the other girls had left, and Snoop had gone
to get her beauty sleep. Ginny hadn�t taken the idea of Hermione possibly,
maybe, kind of, in a way, thinking the Draco could have changed very well.
She vehemently denied that maybe he had grown up from the prat
they had known. Ginny had agreed, begrudgingly, that he looked incredible, and
that she had overreacted, a little, maybe to his and Blaise�s
reappearance in their lives. But she stuck to her guns on him still being a
jerk. And, she didn�t even pretend to understand how Hermione could possibly be
interested.

Hermione had let herself be convinced by Ginny�s arguments when they switched
to how Harry and Ron would take it. She knew she didn�t have the strength, that
night, or in general, to fight those she loved over something as stupid as
Draco Malfoy. And, she had gone to bed resolute in her belief that her strange
feelings were a fluke born of shock and that she would have forgotten it by the
morning. Besides, it wasn�t like she was really going to see either him, or
Blaise, any time soon.

How wrong she was.

CHAPTER 5

Hermione sat at the Head Table and sipped her wine as she recalled the
beauty of the ceremony they had attended. Georgina,
as no one could call such a beautiful, happy woman, Snoop, that day, had been a
vision. And, the love between her and Ron had been palpable. No one was left
untouched as they exchanged their vows.

Tala, as Maid of Honor, had just given the toast,
when Hermione let her eyes roam the crowd. She laughed at the way the tables of
people had been mixed. Since Georgina had grown up in New York as a witch, she had a mix of muggle
friends who knew she was a witch, muggle friends who just thought her
eccentric, and witch and wizard friends, as well. Plus, there was Ron�s side,
which was all witch and wizard, but many of whom had little to no muggle
knowledge. Where most brides had dress rehearsals and fittings, she had had
muggle lessons and American muggle dancing lessons for her new family-to-be.
Everything had been a challenge, but Hermione was very impressed that she had
pulled it off. It never failed to amaze her how Georgina
spliced her life together so seamlessly.

As she scanned the crowd of people jamming the dance floor, she saw something
that made her sit up straighter. Only one man moved like that! It couldn�t be!
He couldn�t be here. How? Who? Oh, Julie, what were you thinking!

Before Hermione could finish her thoughts, Blaise�s eyes pierced hers. She
actually felt warmed by his appreciative smile. But, then she realized if he
was there, then maybe so was�

�Is that Blaise!� Tala
leaned closer to whisper.

�Looks like it,� Hermione answered as calmly as she could. She tried to not be
obvious in her search for that telltale blonde hair. �I am guessing Julie
decided to not come alone.�

�Darn! I was hoping he would call me. I know you don�t like him and all, but��

Hermione interrupted her with a laugh, �I don�t dislike Blaise, Tala. He�s nice enough, I guess. And, anyone with eyes can
see he�s hot. I say you should still go for it. He�s not really a one-woman
kind of guy anyway, so if you aren�t looking for anything serious, he�s your
man.�

�Hmmm, well he�s coming this way, so I just might take a chance.�

�Ladies, you look lovely.�

�Thanks, Blaise. And, hello again! What are you doing here?� Hermione smiled at
him.

�Asking you to dance,� was his smooth answer.

�Oh pooh! I thought you were coming to ask me,� Tala pouted prettily.

Blaise leaned against the table and winked at her, �I already put in a song
request for something for the two of us later, babe. But, the next dance goes
to the girl who introduced us. Think of it like a thank you to her for getting
us together.�

Hermione rolled her eyes as she watched Tala smile
and melt under that infamous sexy stare. But, she got up to join Blaise on the
dance floor.

Wow, he�s like walking talking sin. No one should be this good-looking. It�s
a shame he�s such a male slut. I wonder if Draco came�.NO! Malfoy and why do I
care?

�So, is it just you?� she couldn�t help but ask.

Blaise laughed lightly, �Yep. D didn�t want to tempt fate. He claimed he wanted
to live a few more years. I, myself, figure you only live once. Seriously
though, you look delicious. Are you here alone?�

She laughed with him easily and blushed prettily, �Why thank you. And, yes. Too much to do to do a lot of dating and such. School,
learning the country and this city were enough, thank you very much.�

Then she let her curiosity win out, �So, tell me, what on earth are you and uh, um, what are youdoing
over here? I mean in the US?
From what I recall, you could have gone anywhere. And, you sure could have
afforded more than USWU.�

Blaise took notice that she pointedly didn�t mention Draco and decided to move
his plan up a bit, �Well, let�s see. My story is pretty simple. Mom and Dad
were pretty successful in keeping themselves and me out things back before The
Fall, so when the dust settled, I was free to continue being me.�

He was pleased to see her smile up at him when he let his dimples flash at her.

�So, as you said, I could have gone anywhere. But, I had a best friend who
hadn�t had it as easy as I had.�

He felt her stiffen in his arms, but noticed she kept her face impassive, so he
continued, �Draco was in a really bad way. He was so lost and confused, it was
sad. He had spent almost all 17 years of his life trying to be the person you
knew him to be, even though it was never really him. All of his energy had been
used up trying to not get himself killed at home, by being the ass you and your
lot got to see all the time, that by the end of it all he really didn�t know
who he was. With Lucius and Narcissa under investigation for all they had done,
and Draco still reeling from what he almost did that last year, it all just
became too much for him.�

Hermione hadn�t been able to hold back her sniff of disbelief. She hadn�t meant
to let it out, but no matter how much she was attracted to the man she had
re-met the previous evening, she couldn�t forget all the pain he had caused.

�Seriously, Hermione, he was lost. So, I suggested we get away somewhere and
start over. Somewhere where no one knew us and where our names, or more
specifically his, wouldn�t immediately cause hate, fear, or disgust. Well, you
know he was good in school, and believe it or not, it was D that suggested
going back for more school.�

She stayed silent, but allowed a small smile to form. If nothing else, she did
remember him to have been a good student back in the day. Almost as good as she
had been. She was surprised to realize that it wasn�t that hard to believe he
would have wanted to continue his education.

Being forced to think of him in any kind of a good way made her stomach churn,
so she snapped, �But, why here? Why not someplace like
Austria or Australia? Or, even Germany.
I would think you would have loved Durmstrang U. Kind
of like Slytherin Pureblood heaven.�

When Blaise blanched at the heat in her voice, she softened, �I�m sorry.
Forgive me. I didn�t mean it to come out like that.�

He had to force himself to relax again and took a breath before continuing
sadly, �Despite what we all led the rest of the school to believe, there were
many of us who could have cared less about blood, or color, or any of that
crap. I thought you knew me a little better than that.�

�Oh, Blaise, I really am sorry. And, I didn�t so much mean you, but Dra�Mal�just�I meant him.�

The music changed to a slow love song and she let him pull her close. She felt
more than heard him sigh against her.

�Forgiven. But, you should know, I don�t think D
believed half of the shit he spouted. He was brought up a certain way and crucioed whenever he stepped out of line. You have no idea
what horrors he lived through and I won�t betray him by telling you. It�s his story
to share, if he ever does. But, I will say, the man I consider to be more of a
brother than a friend, is not the boy you knew. He never was.�

Hermione didn�t know what to say or what to think. She stared up at Blaise and
read the sincerity in his eyes. She had never seen them look so solemn or
truthful. And, she had felt his pain as he had spoken about Draco�s upbringing.

Blaise barely breathed as he watched her eyes search his. He saw the emotions
flitting across her face and he could practically hear her brain churning as
she tried to reconcile the past with the present. It wasn�t until her confused
stare slid away from him that he decided he had done enough. He had fulfilled
his sudo-promise to Draco and felt her out, even if
Draco wasn�t aware of it. Blaise now knew, she would possibly give him a
chance, but her heart would not be in it. She might not have known it, and most
certainly would never admit it, but she had already started to accept the new
Draco. And, Blaise believed, despite their history, or maybe because of it,
they were meant to be.

Shaking himself and her slightly he smiled again, �So, anyway, that�s the
story. We wanted a new place to go, D wanted to keep up his schooling and I
didn�t have any other plans, so we came here. Money not being an issue, we got
a place here and applied. USWU was the first to answer, although, had it been a
day later, we would have shared classes with you,� he laughed.

He felt better when the tension left her shoulders and she laughed with him.

�The letter from AWU came the next day, but we had already sent back our
acceptance of USWU, so that�s where we went. I think it was great. The classes
were classes, but the girls were great!� he winked and was rewarded with her
bark of laughter.

�So, you were the school playboy and DraMal�he was
what? The school Know-It-All?� she joked.

�You are allowed to say D�s name, you know,� he teased when she blushed a
little. �But, actually, yeah, he was our valedictorian.� He finished with a
touch of pride.

�No freakin� way!� Hermione exclaimed loudly enough
to cause a few heads to turn their way. �Oops, sorry.�

Blaise laughed and took her hand to lead her off the dance floor. Well,
never say I�m not a GREAT friend D! I�m about to talk you up to a woman you
won�t even talk to. He continued to the bar and ordered himself a drink and
her a white wine.

When he turned back to hand her the drink he continued, �Yep, all he did was
study, sleep and play Quidditch. I could barely get him to go out with me once
a month. Much less make use of the greatest loft apartment ever. And, trust me,
I tried. Hell, Quidditch groupies and sororities girls all over campus tried
their damndest, too, but no go. He was consumed with studying. It was almost
like once he was finally free he took all that energy he had wasted before and
put it into finding himself and figuring out what he wanted to do with his
life. He was kind of a bore at times, let me tell you.�

He watched her take that in with a small thoughtful smile and then decided to
lighten things up.

Again he took her hand and led her to a table, �So, that�s enough of about us
boring men, what�s new with you? How�d you get here? And, why are you not the
one married to Weasley, or Potter for that matter?�

Hermione laughed at the thought, �Eww, that would be like marrying one of my brothers. I know
everyone thought there had to be something going on with us back then, but no.
Well, Ron and I gave it a try for a bit, but it was too weird. And, believe me,
he and Snoop are perfect together.�

�So, what brought you across the pond?�

Hermione took a breath to give a quick answer, but found she couldn�t stop once
she started. �Well, after The Fall I just needed to get away. Things had been
so bad for so long, and everyone was trying so hard to put their lives back
together. Ron and his family needed time to get over losing Fred. Harry had
Teddy all of a sudden, and he had to figure out how to deal with having
succeeded. Let�s just say winning wasn�t easy on anyone.�

Blaise put his hand on her shaking one to lend her strength, but remained
silent to encourage her to continue. One thing he and Draco had decided when
they chose to move was that they needed to cut ties with their past. That had
meant seeing their parents only for very special occasions, no longer staying
up to date on the European wizarding world, and ending long-held relationships.
They truly needed to start again, to be their own men and make their own
decisions. As Draco had put it, �At least this time our mistakes will be our own.�
So, on top of wanting to know more about her, he was interested I knowing more
about what had happened to everyone he had known.

He blinked a few times when he realized Hermione had continued with her story
as he had gotten lost in his own history.

�So, once I got my parents back home and told them the truth of everything,
things got, let�s say strained at my house. So, I started looking for a place
of my own, but couldn�t find anything I liked. I knew they needed time and I
needed some place to escape to for a while and I didn�t know what else to do,
so I went back to school.�

She laughed out loud at his look of �duh� and replied �I know everyone thought
I just loved school and being the brightest know it all, blah blah blah, but it really wasn�t
like that. Schoolwork was my escape. I had some control there. I know you
and�your friends had things tough, but there is no way to really describe the
pressure and often sheer terror of being Harry�s friend. And, it started when
we were only eleven years old. Don�t get me wrong, I love that man with
everything I have, but it was hard.�

She paused to take a sip of her wine, and he noticed her straighten her spine a
little more. He knew she had just realized how much she had let slip. He didn�t
want her to clam back up, but he didn�t know what to say or do to get her to
keep talking.

�Sorry, I can get kind of maudlin sometimes, or so Snoop tells me. Anyway, I
needed to get away and school called, so here I am. My parents and I are fine
now, by the way.�

When he didn�t answer, but continued to look at her a bit sadly, she reached
over to touch his hand.

�Blaise, I�m sorry. I really didn�t mean to bring things down.�

�Hermione, no. It�s just, I don�t know. I never really
thought about how you guys had it. I mean you were the winners; The Boy Who
Lived Twice, Ron the Best Friend and Know It All Granger. I mean, it seemed
like you three had it made. I never gave much thought to how hard it would have
been. And, I�m sorry.�

�Good gracious, for what?�

�For, well, I don�t really know, but I am. I�m just sorry, you know?�

Blaise felt the warmth spread from her to him as she leaned in and gave him a
hug.

�You know, you aren�t such a bad guy Blaise Zabini.�

�Thanks.� He then glanced over her shoulder and saw something that made his
fa�ade of ladies� man fall back across his face. So, is Draco�s indifference
a mask, too? Hermione Granger, stop that!

�Looks like our time is up, my lady. Hey, Sexy,� he
said to someone behind her.

Hermione turned as she heard Tala�s girlish laugh,
�Hey yourself. Sorry Mione, but you can�t keep him all to yourself. My turn.�

�He�s all yours, go have fun,� Hermione laughed. But, before he left the
table she reached out to touch his sleeve and get his attention, �And, Blaise,
thank you, too.�

His wink and smile were her answer.

��

Hermione spent the next few days in an endlessly, confused
circle. She tried to concentrate on her new job, but at the oddest times, her
conversation with Blaise would come back to her. That meant she would start to
wonder about Draco; she had given up trying to call him Malfoy. Then she would
spend the next few minutes berating herself for
thinking about him so much. Last, she would refocus on her job. She usually got
in about fifteen minutes before something else would set her off again. By
Tuesday, she thought she would go crazy. But by Thursday, she knew she had gone
completely around the bend.

She got home from work and went to put away her groceries, with, as was
becoming normal, Draco on the brain. Nothing else was really filtering through.
Her own thoughts had overrun any other sounds that she might have heard on her
way home. But, as soon as she entered her kitchen it hit her, that delicious,
perfect smell. Crisp, slightly musky, subtle, but very manly. Draco! It hit her
so quickly that she spun around in a circle expecting to see him there. But,
when she faced nothing but her empty kitchen, she knew she needed some help.

She, Hermione Granger, had become obsessed with figuring out who Draco Malfoy
really was. She needed a change of pace.

��

Earlier that same morning, Blaise had been ready to pull his hair out. When he
had gotten back from the wedding late Sunday morning looking extremely
satisfied, Draco had studiously avoided all talk of the wedding. He had teased
Blaise a little about getting back �so late� from the Saturday wedding, but he
hadn�t asked who he had been with that night. If he hadn�t had to live with the
brooding man, he might have considered it funny how snappy Draco had gotten
over the next couple of days. But, over dinner Tuesday night, Draco had finally
cracked and started asking about the wedding. It had started with little
questions about who had been there and what the ceremony had been like. It then
progressed to what the girls had worn and who looked how hot. But, by the end
of dinner, Blaise had felt like he had been thoroughly and completely grilled.

While talking about how hot the girls had been, Blaise had slipped and
mentioned Hermione and their talk. Draco had become like a dog with a bone
until the whole conversation had been spilled out. Even
trying to tease Draco about sounding like a nosy old witch at one point hadn�t
deterred him. At first Blaise had held back with the particulars, as he
didn�t want to say anything Hermione might not have wanted him to, but then he
had remembered his main loyalty was to Draco. After that, he started over and
just told him everything.

For his part, once the story started, Draco hadn�t said another word. He had
listened and taken in all that the two had shared. He�d even understood
Blaise�s need to apologize at the end. He, too, wish he had the chance to do
so, to so many people. He only had one question at the end, and it was the one
he couldn�t bring himself to ask. And, it killed him that Blaise hadn�t brought
it up. Where had Blaise slept Saturday night? Or, more
precisely, with whom? The longer he sat and listened to Blaise talk
about their heart to heart, the more he believed his fear had come true. When
Blaise then turned the conversation to his own feelings on the war and The
Fall, Draco had participated and expressed his own opinions. But, the entire
time he kept trying to think of a way to ask Blaise about his mystery date.

It was Thursday evening when he finally got a reprieve from the depression he
had sunk into. Draco had walked into the apartment after a day of job
interviews and Blaise had been on the phone and it didn�t take Draco long to
figure out the person on the other end was the girl he had been obsessing over.

�Yeah, I know, it was fun. We should definitely do it again soon. �.Oh she did,
did she? Well, who are you going to believe her or me? �Come on, give me a
chance, we had a good time this weekend didn�t we?... Me, too. So, you up for dinner tonight?
� Well, what about tomorrow night? We can go back the club. ��

Draco was just about to go to his bedroom and place a silencing charm on it, so
he wouldn�t have to hear any more when Blaise said, �Mione says, Mione says.
Listen Tala, I like you, okay? And, Hermione doesn�t
know me as well as she thinks she does. So, you gonna
give a poor wizard a chance or what?�

Draco didn�t hear the rest of the conversation because as he fell across his
bed, all he could hear was �It wasn�t Hermione, it wasn�t Hermione, it wasn�t
Hermione,� accompanied by what sounded like cheers in his head. No one who knew
him would have believed the smile that lit his face. His relief was so huge,
that he didn�t even register his own happy laughter until Blaise had peeked his head in the room to see what the racket was all
about.

Draco sat up and smiled at his friend, �Nothing, man, just happy. I�ll be right
back.�

With that, and before he realized what he was doing, he had pictured Hermione�s
toaster and apparated right into her kitchen. He glanced around the tidy
kitchen with all its muggle appliances and took a deep breath. It hadn�t been
her! He was so happy he did a little dance in place that would have embarrassed
him all the way back to Europe if anyone had
seen it. But, his happiness was short lived. At first, when he heard the key
turn in the lock of her front door, he had turned to the kitchen door with a
smile. Then, it hit him that he had kinda, sort of,
broken in and that she maybe wouldn�t see his appearance in her kitchen as an
all together good thing. Just as the kitchen door started to open, he sent up a
quick prayer that she wouldn�t notice the pop and apparated back to his loft.

�Where hell�d you go!� Blaise asked from his spot
still in the bedroom doorway.

�Um, uh, well, I, uh��

The ringing of Blaise�s cell phone interrupted them and saved Draco from having
to try to explain himself. He didn�t know how he would have anyway.

His heart was still pounding from the rush of emotions he had experienced in
the past five minutes when Blaise answered his phone.

It faltered a bit when Blaise said, �Hey Hermione. What�s up?�

It stopped when he heard, �Dinner tonight at your place? Sure. What time and
can I bring anything?�

CHAPTER 6

�That was delicious. Seriously, you�re a good cook.�

Hermione laughed, �Thanks, but it was just chicken and potatoes. No big deal.�

�Well, it is to me. The only muggle things I have mastered are the stereo,
blender and coffee pot,� he laughed with her.

Dinner had been pleasant and easy. Blaise was surprised to note that it was the
first �date� he had had in a long while where he enjoyed himself despite the
fact that he wasn�t going to be hitting the sheets at the end of it. Not only
was Hermione easy to look at, but she was funny, charming and could tell a great
story.

For Hermione�s part, she found Blaise to be easy to talk to and it amazed her
how well they got along. As soon as she had hung up after inviting him over,
she had panicked. She had been instantly unsure as to what to make, what they
would talk about, and what to wear. And, she hadn�t known whether it was to be
a real date or just two pals getting together. Hermione had never been good
with men and considered herself to be a horrible first
date. Her nerves usually took over and she either retreated into being a
walking encyclopedia, thereby embarrassing herself and her date, or, she
couldn�t think of anything to say at all, and bored them silly. Since the
purpose of this date had been to get Draco off of her mind she didn�t want to
blow it.

Blaise had flooed in on time holding a bottle of wine
that he had immediately opened and poured. Thirty minutes into the date all her
apprehension had disappeared. His personality, easygoing manner, interest in
her apartment and all her appliances, and jokes about getting to see her
bedroom later had worked to relax her; just as he had planned. It had helped
that neither had mentioned Draco.

Over dinner they had discussed everything from The War and The Fall, to the
people she was still in touch with, to their schooling. It had been easy and
the time had quickly gone by. And, his thirst for information from home was
partially quenched.

�So, you don�t cook at all?� she asked.

�Nope, D does a bit, but I�m hopeless. I thought I could master the scrambled
egg thing, but it�s simply a shame what I do to those poor baby chicks.�

He noticed that she opened her mouth to comment, but then seemed to think
better of it. He assumed it was because he had finally mentioned the proverbial
elephant in the room. But, he figured he would let her talk about Draco when
she was ready. He knew she was using him as a distraction, but since he was
having so much fun with her, he didn�t mind. They got up from the table and he
watched her flick her wrist and make everything disappear. When he followed her
into the kitchen he saw her turn on the machine she used to wash her dishes and
couldn�t help but laugh.

Blaise leaned back against her counter, �So, let me get this straight, you make
dinner like a muggle, but clean up like a witch. You walk to work and take that
underground train thing, but apparate to your friends� houses, and you want to
teach Transfiguration, but plan to make your students do library research. I
don�t get it. It�s like you can�t figure out if you want to be a muggle or a
witch.�

�Or, maybe,� she laughed at his confusion, �I just want to make sure I master
both parts of myself. I spent too many years kind of ashamed of being muggleborn. It was like I was trying to hide who I was.
Now, I get to relish in both. Is that too weird?�

�What? No! It�s kinda cool actually. I mean, we�ve
lived in this city for over four years and I haven�t seen most of it. At first,
we just hung out at magical places, which we could apparate or floo to, then as
we got more comfortable, and honestly, the girls got harder to find, I realized
I needed to branch out a bit. I go to all kinds of places now, but I still
haven�t seen most of the city from outside.�

At her confused look he continued, �I mean, I still
only really go places I can floo, portkey or apparate
to. It feels weird to admit, but I guess I just don�t have the bravery streak
you Gryffindors are so famous for.�

She laughed with him, not a him, but kept her back to
him as she asked, �What about, Malf�, uh Draco? Does
he get out much?�

He almost shouted, �Finally,� but held himself in check. �Well, it took him a
long time, but he proved to be a lot braver than I am. His first trip out was
to a library our second year,� he laughed in memory.

�There was some assignment we had and he couldn�t find the book he needed in
the university library. Our professor told him he could find the book at the
muggle library that was near our loft. You should�ve seen the panic on his
face,� he grinned. �You would have thought she had told him he had to go back
to Azkaban. It took him almost 3 hours to psyche himself up enough to walk out
of our door. Especially, when I flat out refused to go with
him. I admit I was panicked that we would never find our way back. D was
only gone about a half hour, and he came back at a dead run, but he did it. We
drank ourselves into a stupor that night. After that I think he started to
enjoy going out there. Now, he runs or takes these long walks and stuff. He
keeps saying I should join him. Maybe I will sometime.�

Before she could stop herself Hermione found herself saying, �I run, too. Maybe
we can all meet up sometime.�

Blaise saw the color drain from her face when she realized what she had said,
and refused to let her back out of it. �Sounds good. I
might feel a bit braver with the two of you on either side of me for
protection. We can even go to lunch or something afterward.�

�Oh, um, okay, yeah, sometime, yeah, we should do that,� she replied.

He wanted to laugh at her sudden nervousness, but acted very serious when he
said, �But, I must ask you a question, Hermione.�

Her eyes flew to his, �Uh, yeah?�

He grinned and said, �So, where do you live?�

Hermione had been expecting him to mention Draco again, and felt the breath
rush out of her lungs in a whoosh at his unexpected question, �What? Huh?
Here.�

Laughing he said, �Okay, but where�s here?�

�Oh,� she giggled, �You are currently on the West Side of Manhattan, 56th and
10th to be exact.�

�No way!� he exclaimed and ran out of the room.

Hermione followed in time to him see pull back the living room curtains and
say, �Well, if that doesn�t beat all!�

�What?� she asked as she joined him at the window.

�See that really tall brown building about four blocks
up?�

�Yeah, what about�,� then it hit her. In her shock she didn�t even notice her
next slip, �That�s where Draco lives.�

Blaise decided not to correct her, �Yep, top floor. That light is probably�hey,
hold on a second.�

Hermione was so entranced by the fact that she had lived all this time only a
few blocks away from him�them, that she didn�t hear
him pull out his cell phone. But, her head jerked up when she heard him
talking.

�Hey D. � Because I didn�t feel like getting in the fireplace
and getting all dusty� Get over it already, man, it�s just a phone, you�ll
get used to it when you use it more. �Oh yeah, do me a favor. Open the curtains
in the main room and flash the lights. �Because, I wanna
see something. �Just do it will you? �(heavy sigh) Fine, yes. You happy?
�Okay, hold on.�

Hermione�s eyes bugged out when he looked down at her and said, �D says to tell
you hello.�

�I�uh�I�.hi,� she stuttered her gaze flying to the window as if she could see
him from there.

The lights blinked on the top floor twice and she heard Blaise laugh behind
her, �Cool! I can�t believe we live so close to each other! Thanks, D. �Okay,
see ya later.�

�How funny is that, so close?� he asked and looked down at her. He actually
laughed at the look on her face, a mixture of shock, interest and a bit of
fear. �Hey Hermione, I do hereby solemnly swear to not become a peeping tom.�

Hermione reminded herself to breath and tried to laugh with him. But, she was a
little busy having yet another inner battle.

Blaise new she had reached her limit for the night. She wasn�t even mentally in
the room with him any longer. But, being Blaise, he had to try and see if he
had a shot, even a slim one, before he left.

He walked back to the sofa and retrieved their glasses from the coffee table.
With a flick of his wrist he turned on the stereo to a soft jazz station and
returned to her at the window. He got her attention, handed her the glass of
wine, and moved in close enough to invade her space. Then, with his back to the
window, he held her eyes captive as he smoothly closed the curtain.

Keeping his voice at his most seductive, he said, �So, we had dinner, great
conversation, we�re having drinks, there�s music, and just us. Any ideas on how
we can spend the rest of this perfect evening?�

�Uh, Blaise, um��

He moved in and stilled her words when he said against her lips, �I have one.�

Oh my! Well. This is�this is�nice. I mean, good!
No, I mean nice. Damn! Here I am kissing the sexiest man I know and I can�t
even get turned on a little! I mean, it�s not like he can�t kiss, he can. But,
where the heck are the�the�okay I�ll go with butterflies and figure out a
better word later. I felt more than this when Draco had his hands on my waist
the other night. Damn damn and double damn! I don�t
want to hurt Blaise�s feelings, but how do I get out of this gracefully? I
invited him over. It had to seem like I wanted him. I mean who wouldn�t want
him? What is he doing with his hand! No, no, no.

�Blaise, wait!� she practically screeched. Then she held herself in check
rather than leap out of his arms. �Look, I, um, like you, I do. But, um, I
think we should, uh, maybe, just like, be friends. You know what I mean?�

Being a man of experience, he knew when a woman wasn�t into things. And, she
hadn�t been. But, he had found himself enjoying kissing her nonetheless. The
figure she had begun to get in school had blossomed into a well-rounded
woman�s. But, he acknowledged that she would be considered very average by most
standards in both height and size. Her chest was a little more than average,
but not anything crazy. No, it was her lips and taste that got him. Full and
warm, with a taste that was a mix of the wine and woman. It had intoxicated him
for a moment and his hands had started roaming before he thought better of it.

He realized he had to save face, their budding friendship, and her potential
whatever with Draco. So, resting his forehead against hers he smiled into her
eyes, �Yeah, that�s probably for the best. I think I�m starting to like you too
much to ruin things by rocking your world. Then we couldn�t be friends.�

It seemed to have worked because she smiled at him and lifted her head away,
�Rock my world? Oh please!� She continued with a light laugh as she pulled away
from him, �Someone thinks he�s THE wizard, doesn�t he?�

�Well, that�s what they all tell me,� he joked back.

Hermione was pleased that things seemed to have passed quickly and without too
much awkwardness, so she flopped back on the big chair next to the sofa and
said, �So, now that we know you aren�t going to be seeing my bedroom any time
soon, young man, sit and talk to me some more.�

�Sure, but only if I can have some coffee,� he smiled at her.

For the next hour they talked and laughed. It was like they had both agreed to
let the kiss pass as if it hadn�t happened. Hermione filled him in on more of
the people they had known from school and he told her more about the few people
he had heard about over the years. Finally, Hermione excused herself to finish
straightening up the kitchen. While she was gone he flipped through the latest edition
of The Daily Prophet.

When she came back out, he told her he had to go, since they both had to work
the next morning. Hermione walked with him over to the fireplace and told him
how much fun she had had.

�You know, I don�t know what made me call you, but I am glad I did.�

�Well, I am, too. I really had a nice night. We�ll have to do this again soon,�
he answered.

�Yep, but next time, you have to help me either cook or clean,� she laughed.

�Yeah, yeah, yeah, you just want to see my burnt egg specialty,� he came back.
Then he reached out for a hug and she stepped into his arms easily.

�Thank you for a really good night, Blaise. It was relaxing and fun. And, I
needed it,� she told him truthfully.

He kissed her on the temple and then pulled back and took some floo powder
before he answered with a grin, �Same here. And, I am glad we didn�t do
anything we would have regretted.� He watched her nod in agreement as he
stepped into the fire. But, before he shouted out his address, he winked and
added, �Besides, I think D would�ve killed me.�

It was a good two minutes before Hermione closed her mouth and stepped back
from the fireplace.

��

Friday during lunch Hermione�s cell rang. The teacher she was assisting had
given her an hour off, while he had taken the children out for playtime, so she
answered.

�Hey Gin!�

�Hi! Can you hear me!�

�Yeah, Gin, stop yelling,� Hermione laughed.

They had had the same beginning to each phone conversation to date. Harry and
Ginny had gotten the cell phone a few weeks before so they could reach Hermione
whenever, wherever, now that she was on her own. Harry took to it easily, of
course. But Ginny had trouble understanding how it worked and always felt she
had to yell, since they were so far away. She was getting better, but she still
tended to speak slowly for the first few minutes to make sure she was clear.

�Seriously, just talk normally, girl.�

�Okay, sorry. Can you talk now?�

�Yeah, I�m on a break.�

�Good. So, what�s new? I feel like I haven�t talked to you in forever.�

�It�s only been a week,� Hermione laughed. �You guys just left Sunday.�

�I know, but you�ve had a lot change this week and I want to know everything.�

How does she know? What does she know? Nothing! There�s nothing to know! I
don�t even know!

Hermione tried to keep her voice neutral, �Change?�

�Uh, yeah! Duh. You�re living on your own for the
first time. You got to setup and decorate your own place. You started your new
job.�

Hermione laughed in relief, �Oh, yeah. Well, I love, love, love my flat. It�s
not really big or anything, but it�s perfect for me. And, I did end up making
the second bedroom an office. I can�t wait for you guys to see it without all
the boxes and stuff.�

Ginny cooed, �I can�t wait. I would floo over there tonight, but Teddy will
have loads of homework for me to check, Harry�s on assignment this week, and
Mom can�t watch Jamie and Albie tonight, so I need to
stay here.�

�Oh, where�d he go?� Hermione asked while doodling on her desk calendar pad.

�Another Ministry retreat. You know the one where they meet up with the other
European ministries to talk politics and stuff.� She then laughed, �Harry
always complains about all the boring meetings he has to sit through, but I
know he likes it. They always have a huge Quidditch match and you know how much
he loves that.�

Hermione laughed, �Yeah, I do. So, have you heard anything from Ron?�

�Nope, not a word. He and Georgina
should be back sometime Sunday though. I would guess they�ll call when they get
home. At least I hope they do. It�s going to be so weird for Ron to be so far
away.�

�I know, but I�m kind of excited to have some family here. And, he�s only��
Hermione said.

�And, he�s only a floo away. I know, I know. Harry keeps saying the same
thing,� Ginny laughed. �So, how�s the new job? Killed any of the little buggers
yet?�

�Oh stop. I love it. I didn�t know what to expect to be honest. I mean I went
to a normal muggle school for primary, so I didn�t know how much magic there
was for kids. It�s actually fascinating and a lot of fun. I mean to see them
learn to control their magic is so cool, Gin.�

Ginny laughed and teased, �Yeah, sure it is. You just wait until you have some
of your own running around the house mistakenly blowing things up and changing
the colors of your furniture.�

When Hermione laughed Ginny continued, �So, what else is new? Have Zabini and
Malfoy left you alone since the wedding?�

�Well, um�not exactly.�

�Spill it. Do I need to come over and start hexing people?�

�No, nothing like that,� Hermione laughed. �It�s just, well, I kind of, um, hadasortofdatewithBlaiselastnight.

�I�m sorry, what did you just say!�

�I had a sort of date with Blaise last night.� Hermione heard the silence on
the other end of the phone and asked timidly, �Gin, you still there?�

She heard the chill in the younger woman�s voice, �I�m here. But, since you
don�t sound like you�ve lost your mind or been imperiused,
I am forced to ask, what you were thinking saying yes to that�that�well, you
know I mean which I can�t say because Jamie is here in the room with me!�

Thank goodness for small favors. At least she can�t completely lose it on me
now. Might as well go for the gusto.

�Well, actually, I asked him over to my place for dinner, so it wa��

�You WHAT!�

�Gin, calm down, please. It wasn�t like a real date anyway. Just two people getting together to share a meal.�

�Yeah right. Zabini just wanted to sample your cooking skills. What
where you thinking! All he ever wants is one thing!�

Hermione felt attacked despite the fact that she knew she would have reacted
the same way had their roles been reversed. Heck, she would have reacted the
same way without the role reversal two weeks ago. But, things had changed.

Which is why she didn�t soften her flippant reply, �I was thinking that we are
both twenty-two year old single adults who are allowed to spend time together
if we want!�

�So, what? You chose the Duke of Sleezerin as your
meal companion? I didn�t think you were that lonely, Mione. Sheesh!
At least you didn�t sink as low as to ask out their Prince!�

She winced at the venom in Ginny�s voice and answered, �Oh grow up! We�ve been
out of school for a long time and we�ve all changed, Gin. Even
Draco!�

�Oh, so it�s Draaaacoooo, now is it? What? Are
you planning to sleep with him next?�

�Ginevra Weasley Potter! That was uncalled for! And,
for your information I haven�t slept with anybody. Blaise and I had dinner. You
know, with food, drinks, conversation. That�s it!�

�Okay. Fine. Sorry. Look, I have to go feed Jamie and
get Albie up from his nap. I�ll, um, talk to you
later, I guess. Love you. Bye.�

The phone went dead before Hermione could reply.

Shit!

�Dammit!� Hermione screamed into her apartment as
soon as she shut the door. Then she finally allowed the tears she had been
fighting for the past few hours to fall.

She was so confused. And, she didn�t even know why. Nothing had happened
between Draco and her�yet. And, she wasn�t even positive she wanted anything to
happen. And, the dinner with Blaise had been innocent and fun. Why did one
conversation with Ginny make her feel like she had done something wrong?

And, what if she liked being friends with Blaise? What if something did start
up with Draco? Would Ginny stop speaking to her all together? And, Harry? Ron? Oh Boy. Ginny was the most rational of the
bunch and she hadn�t even pretended to try and think about being okay with
their, for all intents and purposes, innocent night. Should she put an end to
it all now and just let Blaise know they couldn�t be friends? And, Draco, what about her new thoughts and feelings about him?
And, what had Blaise meant the night before? Did that mean Draco had said
something about maybe being interested in her? Why should she have to end
something before it even began?

�Why is life so damn hard all the time!� she cried into her sofa. When she
finished taking her frustrations out on her couch, she sat up and wiped at the
remaining tears. It was then that she saw the message light on her answering
machine.

�What, Gin? You couldn�t even call me back and talk to me. You had to leave me
a message?� she said into the air. �What? Now, you�re sorry? Why? Did you just
finally realize that people can grow up and change? Maybe even him?�

Satisfied with having yelled at her friend even though no one had heard her
one-sided conversation, she hit the play button.

�Um, hello, Hermione. It�s me, uh Draco. Malfoy. Look, I was wondering�well, Blaise said that you
run, and so I thought we could, um, maybe, uh, run together, maybe. Tomorrow,
if you want to. Run that is. Together, I mean. But, if you don�t want to it�s
okay. I understand. I do. But, if you do, you can owl me, us that is. Blaise would go, too, of course. Or, you can call. I
have a cell phone. Or, you can just call Blaise back if you want. So, um, yeah,
okay. You don�t have to call if you don�t want to go. But, since you run
anyway, I thought�we could�uh�Dammit, Blaise this is
stupid! She�s never going to come anywhere near me! How can I erase this thing
so she doesn�t hear me rambling? �What!� beeeeeeeeeeeeep

Hermione fell back onto the sofa she had just vacated once again in tears. But,
this time the tears were of laughter.
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Love and Forgiveness