Chance Encounters

Chapter 7:

3 October (present day)

Blaise looked up into Hermione's red eyes and twitched. "What happened?" He strode to her side, his blood-stained hands preventing his instinct to pull her into a protective hug. Hermione took a step away from him when he came close to her.

"I'm fine," she said, taking a stand.

"No, she's not," Harry said from behind her.

"You've already helped enough, Harry." Hermione didn't turn around to talk to him but kept her gaze trained on Blaise. "What are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to see you." Blaise was confused. How Hermione keep pulling these 180's on him, he would never know. Blaise looked into the flat to see both Kieran and Harry come to Hermione's back. Both lacked the easy-going nature that was usually prescribed to each. Blaise took a deep breath. "What did I do?" he asked, because that was about the only thing he could figure out. Something was wrong and the three people staring at him gave him looks that clearly placed the blame on him.

"Bastard," Hermione said under her breath turning into her flat. She grabbed some paper towels and threw them at Blaise. "You didn't think I'd find out?"

Kieran and Harry stood between the two, unsure whether to stay or go. They took nervous alternate looks between Hermione and Blaise.

"Find out? Hermione, you have to believe me, I don't have a clue what you are talking about." Blaise picked up the flowers off the floor with one hand while the other was busy stemming the flow of blood from his nose. "Can I come in?" Hermione waved her arm at him and he entered the flat. "Now, tell me what you are on about."

"You," she said controlling her unstable voice. "You and Adena. Explain that."

"Adena? This is about Adena?" Blaise looked at Hermione. "Shite," he cursed under his breath.

"I think that it's really time to go," Kieran started to say motioning to his watch. "It's getting kind of late, and ..." He caught Harry's eye.

"Yeah. We really need to be heading out." Harry patted Blaise on the back, "Sorry about that bloody nose thing. See you later, Hermione. Good evening."

"Yeah, I'll see you at work on Monday?" Kieran asked as Hermione looked on disbelieving. Here friends were leaving her now, when she needed them the most? Thanks, guys. "Hope you enjoyed London, Blaise. Good trip back then."

Kieran and Harry left together through the front door closing it softly behind them.

"So, about Adena," Hermione said.

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15 October 1997

Seventh year at Hogwarts meant hard work, N.E.W.T.S., career choices, and, for Hermione, a spot as Head Girl. She was ecstatic when she received the letter. And Terry Boot made a perfect complement to her as Head Boy. He also preferred a quiet living space which was perfect for the common room they shared. They didn't spend much time interacting, to be truthful, but things were never awkward in the Heads Commons.

To say that everything was perfect for Hermione during her final year at Hogwarts would be an outright lie. The war had only intensified over the summer. It was a rare day that attacks were not the front page news and when she thought being a member of the Order would calm her nerves to actually know what was going on, it only made them more frayed.

Harry had the worst of it. He had all but become a recluse, thinking, planning, and strategizing constantly. Ron tried his best to comfort both of his best friends. He had finally made a move on Hermione over the summer, but the feelings she once felt for him had long since fallen away. It was a bittersweet moment when she had to reject someone willing to comfort her when that was just what she needed; she had already given her heart away to a boy she told to leave her alone.

Blaise was still very present in her life, which in many ways made it harder. Hermione constantly questioned whether breaking up with him was a good idea. She knew that if she decided he'd be back at her side immediately, but she stubbornly thought that it was for the best. She pushed him away fearing that he'd get hurt, but she saw everyday that he already had been.

That night Blaise came to the Heads Common Room where Hermione had already laid out her study materials. Taking a seat next to her of the sofa he said nothing. Their study sessions had become routine. When Terry came in from dinner he never blinked to see Blaise there as the Slytherin had been present since day one. While having his own suspicions about the situation between Hermione and Blaise he never brought it up and he never talked about it with anyone else.

"See here?" Blaise asked, breaking the silence an hour into studying. "I don't understand the point of using this tense. Except to prove the pretentiousness of the author, subjunctive Veela is almost never used."

Hermione leaned over at the parchment he held. She pointed out a small, almost unnoticeable mark above the omega symbol. "It would be, except here. That mark denotes something entirely different." She flipped through her ancient translator quickly. "Yeah, just as I thought." She looked up at Blaise, who was sitting very close to her. "It's an addition to the language circa the late 1930's and early 40's. It completely changes the whole meaning of the text. It makes it a code."

While looking at the parchment closer, some of Hermione's hair fell into her field of vision. Blaise's hand reached out to tuck it behind her ear, a simple gesture he'd performed an uncountable amount of times before. The tension in the room grew and a disloyal part of Hermione's mind wished that she would forget the world for a moment and give into her desire.

Blaise slowly moved closer to Hermione. His hand went to her face and his thumb lightly grazed over her bottom lip. He tried to give her enough time to pull away as he brought his lips to hers, pausing a moment when he was a breath away from hers. "Hermione?" His question was answered by her kiss, soft and passionate at once. Her mouth betrayed her, translating the desire she felt for him. He pulled her close to her, deepening the kiss, and then she broke away.

Hermione's eyes were wide with fear at what she had just done and what she had given into. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be." Blaise looked at her, scared that he could destroy everything with a wrong word.

"No, it was wrong of me to do that to you." Hermione began to pack up her things.

"Then you really don't want this, do you?" Blaise shook his head. "I've been an idiot."

"No, you haven't. This is my fault, I'm sorry."

"Stop saying that." Blaise was getting angry. "You keep asking for my apology. Since last year you've been doing that. You won't let me be angry with you." Blaise stood up. He grabbed his bag and violently began putting parchment, ink, and quills away. "We should have stopped playing this game ages ago."

"I know. I've been trying not to hurt you and I keep doing just that."

"I guess I was deluding myself thinking that you really did want to be with me, that you ever did love me."

"I loved you," she said. I still do. "It's just not safe."

"When has that mattered when you went diving into adventures with Harry and Ron?" Hermione could feel his heart harden towards her when she looked into his eyes. "I guess I'm not important enough of a risk."

"Where are you going?" she asked. "What are you doing?"

Blaise stood with his back to her, one hand on the door. "Something I should have done a long time ago." With that he opened the door and walked through, never looking back.

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3 October (present day)

"Adena is a family friend." Blaise shook his head. The blood had stopped flowing from his nose, but he looked tired. "I know. It's cliché, but it's the truth."

"That doesn't change anything. Why were you kissing her?"

Blaise racked his brain. Why was he kissing her? More importantly, when was he kissing her? "I've never kissed her. Maybe on the cheek, but nothing more than that." Hermione looked doubtful. "You have to believe me. Why would I jeopardize us for some 19 year old?"

"I don't know, it might have something to do with your track record." Hermione's eyes bored into his.

"I know my past, Hermione. I don't need you to remind me," he said. "I was 17. I've changed."

"Then why were you with Adena today down near the cloning department?" Hermione felt her voice shake again.

Something clicked in Blaise's head and his face expressed the realization. "Oh, Hermione ... she was upset this afternoon. Felt like she wasn't any use in the office. I was just trying to make her feel better."

"She should know better than that. We love her, she's much more reliable than our other interns," Hermione defended.

"I'm not accusing you of anything. She was just having a bad day. Kieran turned her down as well."

"Kieran?" Hermione laughed. "Kieran's gay."

"Well, Adena didn't know that. Though I think Harry's gotten the hint." Blaise's eyes sparkled with innuendo.

Hermione's voice grew serious again. "I'm sorry, Blaise. I know it was rash of me, but you can't deny the backing on which I came to that conclusion."

"So, I was a bit philanderous in seventh year."

"A bit?"

"All right, a lot."

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16 February 1998

Even in times of crisis and war a teenager is a teenager. Gossip doesn't stop for war. Hermione realized this after one rumor came her way. Usually she didn't find it of interest to her but upon hearing the little talked about Blaise Zabini being discussed by Lavender and Parvati she couldn't help herself.

The Gryffindor Common Room was full of sound and color. Hermione found herself increasingly more at the Tower than her own rooms, trying to be reminded of the vibrancy and noise of life.

"Blaise Zabini and Padma?" Lavender gushed. "How can you live, Parvati? Your twin's had the sex god himself."

Hermione was confused. Since when had Blaise become a sex god? She was his first and vice versa. Her heart fell to her stomach when she realized how long it had been since they had spent any time together. He's replaced me. "Well, after she heard Hannah go on about him and his," Parvati paused to giggle, "Talents, she became interested. It's a shame she's ruined him for me."

"You are enforcing the rule even on a delectable specimen like Zabini?"

"Of course. He is gorgeous, but it would be wrong to sleep with the same guys as my sister. Besides, he's been seen leaving the Astronomy Tower with some fifth year the other night, Eliza Knight or something like that," Parvati continued.

"I should see about getting in on some of this." Lavender laughed. "It's not like the rule applies for me."

"Padma says it's really easy. Talk to him like three times, indicate you're interested, and there you are." Parvati yawned, losing interest in the conversation. "It's a simple three step process. Just don't expect anything long term."

"Merlyn, no," Lavender laughed. "Why would I want that?"

They're using him, Hermione thought, before shaking it out of her head. But that doesn't matter to you. You gave him up, it doesn't matter who he fools around with.

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23 March 1998

Hermione sat in the study with the fire blazing late one Saturday night. She had spent time earlier in the Gryffindor Common Room, but had since retreated into the quiet of her humble abode. She had refused to work on her studies tonight, though. A girl has to draw the line somewhere - or so she thought - as she pulled off a copy of Peter Pan from the shelf of her personal collection.

While it was a short read, it was calming, nostalgic. It reminded her of when her parents would read the story to her growing up. Hermione loved the idea of a magical island, faeries, mermaids, and a boy that would never grow up. It was completely different from the life she lived as a child, but she still read it now to remind herself of the wonder magic once held for her.

While reading about the lost boys and their night with the Indians on Neverland, a knock came at the commons door. Hermione cocked her head to the side looking at it quizzically. No one knocked at the door to the commons, they always just walked in, up the stairs through the study, and knocked at Hermione or Terry's door as needed, except for one person. Her heart skipped a beat, but talked herself out of it as she went down the stairs and to the door. The boy that always knocked had not knocked in almost six months, it couldn't be him. But it was.

And with Blaise was a girl. She looked younger by a year or so and unfamiliar. "Hullo!" Blaise seemed happy to see Hermione for the first time in ages as he came into the commons with the trailing girl behind him.

"This is Genevieve." He said it in such a cheery way full of boyish charm that she knew he would be more than a bit fuzzy on details in the morning. "She's a Hufflepuff," Blaise said as he leaned into Hermione's side whether on purpose or by lost balance she was unsure.

"Lovely to meet you, Genevieve." Hermione hated that he brought her into the middle of this. "I was really just heading to bed." Hermione started up the stairs again as Genevieve, though part of her wondered if that was even her real name, gave her an intense look that clearly said that visiting Hermione was not her idea.

"Hermione," Blaise whined. 'Why do you always do this? You never want to stay and have fun."

"I've had enough fun for the night, Blaise. I'm going to bed."

"Let me walk you."

Hermione raise one eyebrow as she looked at her sloshed friend. "If anyone needs walking anywhere, you shouldn't be the one leading. Goodnight."

Blaise stood and swayed a moment before following Hermione to the stairway. "Don't leave. Why are you leaving me?"

"I'm just going across the way." Hermione wondered how new the girls and drinking were to his lifestyle.

"Let's go for a walk." Blaise shrugged his shoulders when she looked at him questioningly. "It's only an idea." They started to make their way back through the commons. The door shut behind him, leaving Genevieve alone.

"What about your girl?"

"She not mine, Hermione." Blaise seemed confused at the idea of owning people. He lowered his voice to a stage whisper. "I don't really like her that much either. Talks too much, you know." He placed an arm around Hermione and looked into her eyes. "She not ... no, she's not" He shook his head without completing the statement. "Let's walk further."

"All right, all right. Let's walk a little," Hermione conceded as he steered them down the corridor. Blaise gave Hermione a twirl and a dip before staggering and pushing her back towards a wall where he leaned against her, his arms around her waist. Hermione blushed at the compromising position they were in as two ghosts passed with disapproving looks, tutting at them.

"Blaise?" Hermione said. "Are you all right?"

He raised his forlorn head to look at her. Taking a deep breath, he decided not to answer the question. "You ... you are wonderful." His hands began to move around her body sending chills up and down her spine. "You are, Hermione. You are."

"What about that other girl? You can't leave her in there."

"I don't want to go back in there." Blaise stood on his own feet again and put some space between him and Hermione, his arms still wrapped around her. "I want ... no, that doesn't matter," he muttered to himself. "I don't know why she's in there. I don't really like her. She's got good lips, and you know how I am about lips," with this he traced Hermione's bottom one with his thumb, "But she does nothing with them."

Hermione shook her head, but took her arms and placed them around Blaise. She didn't always understand him, but she didn't like how unhappy he seemed. She had half a mind to go into the room and explain everything to the girl and tell her to leave before she got sucked into Blaise's world where he loved, but manipulated the women around him, but maybe that was just her.

Blaise leaned his head into her collarbone and his lips mashed against the base of her neck. "She's not you," Hermione barely made out.

"What?"

Blaise stood up and detached himself from Hermione. "Tell me what to do," he attempted to cover up, horribly. Hermione knew that wasn't what he said, but tried to calm her nerves and forget it.

"You don't like her?" Blaise nodded. "You don't even enjoy kissing her?" He nodded again. "Then send her home. Don't tease her."

"I can't do that. I can't be mean."

"It's not mean, Blaise." Hermione's voice had grown steely. Her patience was running thin with him. She didn't know what he expected her to do. "I need to go to bed."

"Don't leave. I don't want to go back in there." Blaise looked at Hermione carefully. "It's you."

"Stop that. You don't know what you're saying."

Blaise came close again with a look of hurt on his face. He raised his hand to brush her cheek. "No, you don't know what you're saying." His hand went down her neck to her collarbone where he lazily drew invisible patterns on her skin. "Take me back."

"Blaise," she whispered with her eyes closed. "Don't."

Blaise's hand traveled down along her spine, resting on the small of her back. He leaned down to kiss the goosebumps away from her shoulders.

"Blaise," she said again, wishing he wouldn't do this to her, not knowing what she'd do if he kissed her, wanting very much to keep her senses about her and leave before anything worse - or better - could happen.

She loved him very much and was willing to find out how deep that love was for him, but not at the expense of her heart alone. It is a risk with any relationship, but with Blaise and his track record she wanted to avoid what she thought was the inevitability of a short relationship.

"Hermione?" His eyes hovered in front of hers and they were no longer clouded as before. Hermione could feel his breath across her lips. Blaise let his hands slide along her sides, up her curves and down again resting on her hips. Ever so slowly he moved in for a kiss giving her time to back away if she needed to.

"Blaise," she moaned his name against his lips and he stopped pulling away. "You're drunk."

"I don't have to be to be in love with you." He held her eyes with his. "I need you."

"Don't -"

"Don't what?" He let go of her and her body missed his hands. "You always say that, 'don't.' How can you live like that?" He paced the hallway and came back to her, his eyebrows a straight line across his forehead. "I'm in love with you and you'd rather brush that off than deal with it."

"No." Hermione felt so insignificant so quickly. "You don't understand. How many times have we talked about this? Anything can happen at any moment. You don't know when Death Eaters could storm this school and kill everyone in it." She took a breath. "Most importantly, you."

"Hermione." His arms went around her again immediately. "That's not going to happen," he said into her hair. "You aren't going to lose me."

"Well, if not to Voldemort than to one of the many girls in your harem then. That won't make me feel any better. You say you love me, but how can I be sure? I'd rather not get hurt than get caught in your games."

Hermione broke away from him and went to her room, sending Genevieve away. It was the last time she heard anymore rumors about Blaise with anyone else.

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3 October (present day)

"Why did you do it?" Hermione sat at her table and Blaise joined her. "What were you trying to prove with all those girls?"

Blaise shook his head. "Nothing. I was trying to fill a hole." He raised his head and looked right into her eyes. "A hole you created."

"Blaise, I'm sorry. I wish -"

"I know." He reached across the table to take her hands in his. "I know. With the war, I understand now why you made the decisions you did. I didn't at the time, but I do now. That's why I came back."

"I missed you." Hermione took a deep breath. "And I tried to get back together with you after the war, but you didn't want that. You just left."

"Wasn't it understandable why?"

"Not to me."

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15 June 1998

The smell of sulfur filled Hermione's nostrils. She was lying on the grass near the lake, face-down, having fallen there during the final blast moments before. Soot covered and rattled as she pushed herself off the spongy earth and turned back to the castle to see the state of things.

Part of the castle was destroyed, smoke billowing around the broken walls. A putrid smell hung in the air around her. When she fell she remembered a flash of green surrounding the castle. The Death Eater she was dueling with had run away at the final sign of Voldemort's defeat.

Around her classmates stood looking at the wreckage of the school as well. Professors who were closer to the castle ran to the smoking ruins waiting at the edge, unable to venture inside to find out what had happened. Hermione walked slowly to join them. Her right side had been wounded during the battle and now she had a slight limp.

Up the hill she tripped over something, no, someone. Theodore Nott lay cold on the grass staring up to the sky, eyes glazed over. Hermione's gag reflex worked against her attempts to remain calm. She remembered seeing the boy fighting against his father earlier. Her thoughts went to Millicent Bulstrode who was probably out of her mind with worry already. Choking back a sob she continued to the castle.

In the corner of her vision she saw a flare of red hair running towards the tall black Gryffindor Hermione had known well over the past years. Hermione took a breath, realizing that not only did she have to deal with the aftermath of war, but as she was leaving the next day, she also had to reconcile the end of life at Hogwarts. But for now she smiled as Ginny flung herself into Dean's arms with no plans on letting go as far as Hermione could see.

Up ahead there was movement in the smoke. Hermione moved faster to the source. Pushing past the small crowd that accumulated near the castle she met up with Ron who also had grime and sweat all over his face. "You have a little soot on your nose," Hermione said teasingly to Ron.

He smiled wearily at her and rubbed hopelessly at the spot. "Got it?"

"Yeah."

Ron pulled Hermione into a massive hug. "God, I was so worried." Hermione wasn't sure, but it sounded as if he was crying. "You're all right?" He pushed her away to get a good look at her.

"I will be." Hermione looked up into his watery eyes for confirmation. "Are you?" Ron only nodded.

They turned to the front, their eyes searching the clouds of smoke helplessly. Suddenly Harry came out of it, coughing uncontrollably in a rather unceremonious entrance. Hermione and Ron surged forth from the crowd. He collapsed into their arms as the crowd cheered. The mass threatened to move closer, but Professor McGonagall put a stop to that quickly. Madam Pomfrey came to Harry's side soon after, that taking over.

"I'll be okay," Harry smiled weakly at Hermione and Ron. He caught Hermione's eye, "Go find him. Go on. I'll be fine."

Hermione left the boys and searched the grounds for Blaise. It was another hour at dusk before she found him near the greenhouses. Glass lay shattered all over the grounds and Blaise was covered with small cuts. "Blaise," Hermione's voice cracked and so she tried again, "Blaise?" she called out to the boy's back.

"I've got to get off this god-forsaken island," Blaise was saying as he stared off into the distance. Hermione could barely make out his form through her tears of relief.

"I'm so glad I found you, I was so worried." Hermione came up behind him and clung to him from behind. "I thought you were lost. It took me so long to find you."

Blaise turned, looking down at her. He wiped away the sweat soaked strands of hair off her forehead as her tears made streaks down her soot covered cheeks. "Shhh, don't." He pulled her closer, trying to comfort her as she cried. His eyes were red from the crying he'd done earlier, but there were no tears left now.

"I was so worried." She looked into his eyes. Reaching up she pushed his fringe out of his eyes. "I missed you. I wish I never pushed you away, but we can be together now. We can -"

Blaise bristled. "No. I don't think we can."

Hermione's expression changed from hope to confusion. "I don't understand. Blaise, I thought, I mean now we could, that is, I thought you wanted to be together. Don't you want to?"

"I have to leave, Hermione." Blaise, having let Hermione go, began to pace. "I need to get away. This place doesn't know how to live. Only survive."

"Don't say that. You can't leave, not now."

He turned to her. "I can't stay here and deal with this shite either."

"Fine. I think I understand." She didn't entirely, but knew that he needed to leave it that's what he thought he needed to do. She would take care of herself the best way she knew how to as well. "I still love you, Blaise. I always have." They shared a look and then he turned, glancing at the forest. "Goodbye, Blaise."

She started to leave before an arm reached out to grab her pulling her into a close and passionate embrace. When they broke apart, the distant hollowness in his eyes scared her.

"I think I could love you again. I want to love you again, but I need to take care of things. Then I'll be back. I promise."

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3 October (present day)

Hermione and Blaise sat in silence at her kitchen table. After a moment, Hermione stood putting away things for tea in nervous energy. Blaise stood to meet her at the sink. His hand covered hers, stopping it from turning on the water. "I told you I would come back." His voice was low and his breath tickled her ear.

Hermione turned to face him, finding herself pinned against the counter. "I know. I always hoped you would."

"And I did." Blaise's hand caressed her cheek lazily. "I'm sorry. For everything and nothing at all."

"I'm sorry. It's all my fault." A tear fell down Hermione's cheek crashing into Blaise's fingers.

"No, it's not." He tilted her face to his. "It just wasn't meant to be then. But I think our time has finally come." He smiled and a shiver went down Hermione's spine. She bit her lip and cupped Blaise's face in her hands.

"I think you must be right," she said softly bringing her lips to his. "What are you doing tomorrow?"

"Going home, as far as I know." Blaise looked at her quizzically. "You do remember that the delegation is leaving tomorrow, right?"

"Yes, I suppose you are right." Hermione's voice adopted a casualness that was none too convincing. "You know, I haven't been to Italy in years..."

"Mia cara! How horrible! We must fix this problem," he said as he snuggled into her neck, kissing his way up to her ear where he whispered, "It's the most exquisite country and October is the perfect time to go." Taking her lobe into his mouth, he sucked a moment before finishing his thought. "Warm, few tourists this time of year, and oh so sexy."

"Sexy?" Hermione gasped as one eyebrow went up.

"Oh yes, of course. When is Italia not sexy?" He picked her up, carrying her to the bedroom.

"Put me down!" Hermione shouted, laughing at his antics.

"Say you will go with me tomorrow."

"Blaise, you know I'd love to, but -"

"Say it." Blaise's roguish smile was persuasion enough, but Hermione liked to have her fun.

"Convince me."

Blaise waggled his eyebrows. "If you insist."