A Sorta Fairytale

Chapter 6: Genie in a Bottle

Blaise speaks

The library brought me no comfort that day. It usually did. Bugger! I sat waiting for Granger to appear. I had her as my prey, but still didn’t know how exactly to get her to trust me. I couldn’t begin the spell unless I knew enough about her. Christ, that bloody spell is far too complicated! I bit my nails as I waited for her. Nasty habit. Parvati and Padma walked by waving at me and looking gorgeous, but I couldn’t go after them, or else face the wrath of Granger.

It was the third time we had met in the library. I had made barely any progress. We would discuss idly about schoolwork. I would ask her about problems I was having with my assignments. Half of the time I made them up. I had to keep her around. When was she going to loosen up? Never. Never.

"Never," I huffed.

"Never what?" Granger asked as she sat across from me.

"Er . . . never mix plaids with poke-dots," I stammered. Where the hell did that come from?

"Right," she mused and pulled out her Transfigurations book. "Now, where were we?"

"The transformation of animate objects into inanimate," I slurred, leaning my face on my hand.

"You alright?" she asked.

Please girl, don’t concern yourself.

"Yeah," I sighed and searched for my book.

"If you want to do this another time that’s okay," she said softly.

Why are you so bloody nice? It’s nauseating

"No, I’ll be fine," I groaned and found the spell we had left off on.

We discussed and debated over it for a half-hour. I knew how to do it, but pretended to have no real clue.

"How can you be second in our year and not understand this?" she huffed.

"Ouch," I snapped.

"Are you sure you’re alright?" she repeated, but before I could respond I heard a wave of giggles pass over my ears.

I looked to the table opposite me, and a few seventh year Gryffindor girls were giggling and looking over at us. Hermione didn’t seem to notice and was watching me.

"Zabini?" she asked, but I was eyeing the girls. They looked over again at Hermione, whispered something, and began to laugh harder.

I felt Granger’s hand against my cheek pushing my face towards her. "Look at me!"

I blinked, "Sorry."

"You can drool over the upperclassmen later," she huffed. "I was talking to you."

I just wanted out. I was tired of this game with Granger, pretending I wasn’t as smart as I was. These hour-long insipid conversations were driving me mad and what the hell were those girls laughing at!

"What?" I spat, glaring at them.

"I wasn’t talking to you," a tall black girl snapped at me.

"Just ignore them," Granger hissed.

"Quit it," I snarled at the girls. "Or tell me whatever is so funny."

The black girl rolled her eyes. "It’s not my business where you try to get some."

The girls around her started laughing again.

"Excuse me?" Hermione gasped.

I was going to laugh along with the girls. What a ridiculous assumption. I rolled my eyes prepared to say something snide and insulting about the girl’s looks or say that she was jealous. I mean after all she insulted me, putting me with Granger. But, a better idea crawled into my brain. A devilish grin spread across my face, which I quickly pushed away as I stood up.

"For your information, Hermione," yes I said Hermione, "is helping me with school work. I would appreciate it, if you would not go around insulting her. This is how rumors start, okay. I know how I am looked at, as some playboy that shags anything female with legs, but truly she isn’t one of those girls. She’s far too intelligent for that nonsense."

The girls looked over at Hermione who was sitting with a shocked look in her eyes.

"Whatever," the black girl huffed and turned back to her friends. I sat back down, trying hard not to laugh at my poor attempt at sounding like Potter or another one of those noble Gryffindors.

"You didn’t have to do that," Hermione said.

"Well, they were out of line," I grumbled, looking very distressed. I should have been an actor.

"I can take care of myself," Hermione huffed.

Shit! It didn’t work! But, how? Come on!

Hermione met my eyes and sighed, "Thank you anyway."

Then, she smiled. Okay, maybe it did work. How should I sweeten the deal? Think Zabini, the icing on the cake.

"Good girls like you, shouldn't even be seen talking to me," I smirked.

"Why? Honestly, those girls are just idiots. Not all people are going to think we are fooling around, just because I’m talking to you," Hermione chuckled.

I sighed and nodded me head. "You'd be surprised."

"Lord, Zabini!" Hermione gasped. "Do you have no self control?"

"I guess you could say that," I laughed. It was genuine. She actually made me laugh.

"Well, I don't think anyone would think that about me," Hermione huffed.

"Are you kidding?" I exclaimed. "This school loves gossip! And, if memory serves, weren't you rumored to be two timing Harry with that Viktor bloke back in fourth year?"

Hermione bit her lip, "Well, that was do to a poorly written and very contrived article that people read in some magazine."

"But, did you see any of the girls in this school standing up for you?" I sighed.

"No," she pouted.

"I rest my case," I laughed.

Hermione looked around the library at the girls who were still giggling. "Let them think what they want," she tutted. "Sod ‘em!"

I blinked and smiled putting my hand comically to me heart. "You love me that much?"

"Zabini?" she asked slowly.

"Yeah."

"Are you flirting with me?" she asked with pursed lips.

Shit! She caught me.

"N-No, was just playing around," I chuckled nervously.

Hermione nodded and began to pack up, "Okay. Anyway, times almost up. Let’s just call it a day, alright?"

I nodded, "See you tomorrow."

"Bye," she said quickly and hurried off, leaving me alone.

Well, wasn’t that lovely? I bet she is a frigid bitch in bed. I don’t mean to sound bitter, but she won’t even let me have fun. Flirting is how I talk to girls. It doesn’t always mean I want them. Lord girl! I felt sorry for Weasley for the first time. I bet he never gets any.

* * *

Hermione speaks

Blaise was most definitely flirting with me! I don’t know why I was so amazed by this. He flirts with anything with breasts I am sure. But, I told him not to! Maybe was just a slip up. It didn’t mean anything. He doesn’t want anything more than help with school, right?

I shook my head. I was just being paranoid. I walked up to my room and threw my school bag on my bed. Just paranoia. I sat down in a huff and placed my face in my hands. I took a deep breath and looked back up and caught my reflection in the large mirror hanging on the wall.

Look at me getting all flustered over him. It’s just because am not used to this. First, am not used to talking to any boy, for more than a few seconds, that isn’t Harry or Ron. Second, am not used to talking to a Slytherin civilly. Third, am not used to boys flirting with me. Well, not what I would consider real flirting anyway. Ron’s idea was to insult me like we were nine-years-old and pout a lot. Viktor’s was to watch me from afar like a scary stalker and mutter incoherent sentences about wanting to hang out with me. Okay, it wasn’t even really flirting with Zabini. Was it? I mean he was just defending me. But, he didn’t have to. But then why did he? Just to look good in my eyes probably, that’s it. Oh my God! I need to stop. Stop worrying. Stop pondering. Just stop thinking about Blaise Zabini. Now!

I inhaled deeply and stood up and walked towards the mirror. I looked at my reflection. I observed my wide hips and small chest. I look like a pear. I pushed my disorderly hair out of my face. My eyes looked tired and I had a few pimples on my forehead. I hate when Ron says I am beautiful. I know I am not. I’m not ugly, but I’m not beautiful. My eyes stung with unwanted tears. I stomped my foot and looked away from the mirror. Zabini most definitely was not flirting with me.

* * *

Blaise speaks

I turned around the corner to my common room and blocking the entrance was Potter and Carrot-top. They didn't look too happy to see me. Oh shit.

"Er, hi mates?" I said.

"Don't call us mates," Potter muttered.

"Pardon?"

They advanced on me like bloody thirsty animals. I knew I would be safe though. I could out run ‘em.

"We've heard some pretty interesting things around school," muttered Weasley.

"Okay," I nodded. Here we go . . .

"We don't believe it of course. Hermione isn't that type of girl," Weasley added quickly.

Of course she isn’t. I would die right now of a heart attack if proved other wise. In fact I would swear the world was ending. Isn’t that a sign of the Apocalypse? Hermione becomes a whore? I swear it was written somewhere in Revelations.

"What did you hear?" I asked.

"What else?" Harry huffed throwing his arms up. "You are bonking her."

"Everyone assumes this. No girl is safe around you," Weasley snapped.

"Well, if you don't believe it, then why are you standing here looking ready to kick my arse?" I snapped.

"Because we want to know what you want from my girlfriend," Weasley spat. "And, if you do or have tried anything, we will kick your arse!"

Oh no! Not that Weasley! Please . . . I could definitely out run you.

"I just need her help with the internship!" I exclaimed. "Why is it so hard for people to understand that I don’t have some evil seedy ulterior motive?"

Maybe, because I do.

"You better be telling the truth," Weasley growled.

"I promise you I am," I huffed. "Besides, we are always in the library in front of everyone! If I had tried something, everyone would have seen. I honestly think you aren’t giving Hermione enough credit. She’s not stupid."

"I know she isn’t!" Ron shouted. "Just watch yourself."

I should just be nice and quiet and say ‘Whatever you want big scary Weasley sir’.

"Don’t threaten me," I growled. "You don’t scare me. Not that you could."

Why don’t I listen to myself?

Weasley made a move at me but Potter held him back.

"Zabini just go," Potter huffed.

"You’re blocking my way!" I spat.

Potter pulled a very agitated Weasley away. I felt like saying something about Potter protecting his boyfriend, but thought the better of it and went inside.

* * *

Hermione Speaks

I came into the library and headed to where I usually met Zabini. He was sitting there laughing at something he was writing in his notebook. Seeing him like that lightened my mood a bit. A bit.

"What are you doing?" I asked placing my stuff down.

"Making up variations of people’s names. Was rather bored," Zabini smirked. "I came up with the best name for you: Her-On-My-Knee. Brilliant, no?"

"Don't make me hurt you," I grumbled.

"You alright?" Blaise asked closing his notebook.

I was too irate. I just blabbed out everything. After all, I didn’t have anyone else to talk to considering I was mad at my two best friends.

"Harry and Ron gave me this long winded lecture on how you are this horrid letch and I shouldn't be seen with you. They say they trust me, but if they did, they wouldn't be freaking out like this."

"Ah yes," Blaise nodded. "They gave me a similar lecture. However, involving death threats if I did touch you."

"They didn't?" I gasped in horror. "Do they think I am a stupid little girl?"

"They are just worried," Blaise replied with a shrug.

"They are going too far," I said through gritted teeth. "I would never have thought this from Harry. Ron yes. But both of them?"

"Well, at least someone cares about your reputation at this school."

I observed him for a second, struck by such a profound statement. Then shook my head.

"Don't you dare take their side," I hissed, pointing my finger at him.

"I am just trying to be objective," Blaise replied, putting his hands up as if a gun was being pointed at him.

"I hate the way girls are seen," I hissed. "We are just boy’s property. Even if we are just their friends, and since we are female we must be stupid and will follow anything attractive!"

Whoa, feminist moment.

"Why are you getting mad at me?" Blaise exclaimed.

I put my hand down and took a deep breath. "Sorry."

"Lord, I see why you were put in Gryffindor," Blaise smirked.

I sarcastically smiled at him. What a Slytherin thing to say.

"I just wish they would trust me," I pouted.

"They are Gryffindors," Blaise shrugged as if this was supposed to answer all my questions.

"Honestly," I huffed. "If I had wanted to do anything with you, I would have done it."

Blaise nodded slowly.

"It's okay," Blaise sighed. "I am okay, so you should be too."

"You think I should just let them get away with this?" I shrieked.

"Well, just don't worry about it now," he shrugged.

"If I don't do something about it now, I never will!" I snapped.

"Why do you care so much?" Blaise asked. "You said you didn't care about how people saw you."

My eyes grew glassy. "I meant people who aren't my friends. I just can't let it go."

I couldn’t believe I was starting to cry in front of him. I buried my face in my hands. I felt his hand pat the top of my head and I looked up. It was a very awkward feeling. Him sitting there stroking my hair from across the table with me in tears. He looked almost gentle.

"It'll be okay Granger. They are more upset with me anyway," he whispered

I smirked and quickly wiped away my tears. Blaise scrunched his nose with a smile. I observed his eyes. I never saw the small ring of green that was around his pupils. Blaise suddenly brought his hand back realizing what he was doing.

"Er, sorry," he muttered. "I didn’t mean it like a flirtatious thing. I was just trying to make you stop crying."

"I know," I sighed. "It’s okay."

"Yeah," he mused and met my eyes. "You gonna be okay?"

"Yes," I said, finally getting a hold of myself.

"We could do this later," Blaise suggested softly.

"No, I’m fine," I said quickly and grabbed my book.

I felt naked. I wanted to quickly reestablish my appearance as the emotionless ice queen. Why on earth did I let Zabini of all people see me cry? Why?

* * *

Blaise Speaks

If I would have known it was that simple to get her to be my friend, I would have asked Ron to threaten me earlier. But, after that, it was smooth sailing, for the most part. She definitely loosened up. She even would laugh at my jokes. And, if I wasn’t just hallucinating, I think she was flirting with me at one point. I think.

She talked to me mostly about ‘The boys’ as we titled them. Potter and Weasley. Truth be told, I really didn’t mind her rants about how annoying it got being the only girl. Was amusing to hear it from the other side. To actually listen to a girl. I mean there was never a real point with the other girls. But, she was amusing and brilliant as well. It wasn’t like listening to the drab giggling of Parvati and Lavender. This girl had something to say.

I was brought into her world, or at least her mind. Which is exactly what I wanted. After she invited me into the Gryffindor common room to study, I knew I was in. Of course Potter and Weasley glared from afar, but I didn’t give a shit. My plan was falling into place brilliantly and none of them would be the wiser.

I had been ‘friends’ with Granger for about two weeks, when I began to sneak in at night to begin the spell. I knew by now she needed a boy with attitude, stamina to keep up with her scholastic drive, and no idiot, either. Problem was Malfoy was none of those things. Well except when it came to attitude. He wrote the book on it.

I sat by her bed having memorized the chant to whisper in her ear. My invisibility cloak was wrapped around me as I was kneeled by her bed. I took a deep breath and began to whisper as softly as I could. If she woke up it wouldn’t work. Steady Blaise. I really didn’t know much of what I was saying. It was all in Latin, but the few words I could understand, from the Spanish and Italian I knew, were rather racy. Hermione caught her breath in the middle of her sleep, like girls do when I suddenly graze my hand over their breasts or between their thighs. I stopped and stared at her. I felt a growing feeling inside to burst out laughing. If these little chants were going to get her off, I didn’t think I would be able to continue. But, I had to.

I bit my lip holding in my laughter and repeated the chant again. Hermione let out this sigh and a smile spread across her face. She really does look different without those bucked teeth she used to have. She stirred a bit and inched her head towards me with her ear facing me, as if asking for more. I leaned forward and whispered the chant, again. I was sort of enjoying this. What a brilliant story to tell at parties! ‘So have success with the ladies Zabini?’ ‘Why yes! Am known to give girls orgasms by just whispering in their ear. Am that good.’ I jabbed my knuckle in my mouth stifling the laughter. Hermione made a sort of disappointed moan and turned on her side. I couldn’t reach her ear without crawling onto the bed.

Playing hard to get eh? Tease.

* * *

Draco Speaks

My reflection was grinning back at me. I couldn’t believe how long it had been since I was alive. Truly alive. Voldemort is an idiot. What is he trying to do? Bring upon his own downfall? I know who I am now. Gwydion won’t be able to stop me, this time. Hell, the Mudbloods won’t either!

I walked away from the mirror laughing. I had the power to end it right now. I just needed to find the soul of it all. It couldn’t be Potter, like everyone thought. True he didn’t die that night, but for other reasons. He wasn’t what they were looking for, am positive. My people would be avenged for the damage those Mudbloods inflicted on us. I laughed at just the thought of no more muggle born wizards. Pity I couldn’t wipe them all out. But, Voldemort was a definite fool to awaken me. I know I am not the only one of us walking around here. Where else would the gods be reborn than in magical bodies?

I looked at my reflection again. I remember that smirk, that blonde almost white hair.

"Hullo Arawn," I smirked to myself.

Draco Malfoy was gone. Pathetic child would be my façade, but inside I was Arawn. I headed out the door with a smirk. I sensed Loki and Thor were near. But where?

* * *

Blaise Speaks

I spent as much time as I could around Hermione the first few days, after the first night I performed the chants. Just to see if she acted any differently. I didn’t really notice much of a difference at first.

One afternoon, we sat out by the forest. The sun was going down, but we both hadn't either made an attempt to go inside. I never really hung out away from the castle, got used to being in doors after third year. I was suddenly reminded of the time the Dementors were at our school. I laughed to myself.

"What?" Hermione asked.

"Was just remembering back in third year, when the Dementor got on the train, how all the girls immediately grabbed onto me. Like I could do something about it!"

"Please," Hermione scoffed.

"I'm serious! And then, the lights went out and like Pansy leapt onto my lap."

"Leapt?" Hermione laughed.

"Yes," I pouted. "Leapt."

Hermione shook her head laughing. "You poor boy."

"I was!" I exclaimed. "I had each Slytherin girl either sitting on me or gripping my shoulders and collar. I couldn't breathe!"

Hermione faced me with a grave expression. "You really expect me to believe that?"

I nodded.

"Girls wouldn’t do that," she sighed.

"Well, you wouldn't have, but they did. "

Hermione smirked and fell towards me in a fake fainting spell. "Oh Blaise protect me."

I scowled at her as she gripped onto his shoulder. She was giggling looking up at me, and then quickly sat erect, eyes wide.

"You alright?" I asked.

"Fine," she said quietly looking confused.

I observed her face. She looked almost scared.

"Blaise?"

"Yes."

"Do you think I am acting a little weird," she mumbled.

"No," I said casually. Bloody hell! The spell is working!

"I just feel weird. Nevermind," she added with a nervous laugh. "It’s just . . . I don’t act like this with Ron. I should he’s my boyfriend for Christ’s sake!"

I sat back frightened by her shout. I forgot Granger is a scary bitch.

"M-Maybe you two aren’t meant to be together like that. Only friends," I said slowly as to not be hit or yelled at. Although, I could out run her too.

"I think you’re right," she sighed sorrowfully. "I just feel so distant from him. I don’t even feel attracted to him anymore."

"Ouch!"

"Honest," she said looking truly miserable.

I couldn’t help but think I was making her feel this way. She was losing her interest in her boyfriend because of me. It was a lousy feeling. Not that I cared about Weasley or Hermi-Granger.

"You won’t believe the dreams I’ve been having," she said with shocked expression.

"What type of dreams?" I asked scooting closer to her.

"You know," she muttered.

"No I don’t. I’m not you remember."

"You know, dreams where people do stuff."

"You have completely lost me," I replied.

"Sex dreams!" she shouted as her face flushed with red.

"Oh, with Weasley?" I asked mischievously.

"No, that’s the problem. The guy is faceless," she mumbled.

"Kinky," I smirked.

Hermione scowled and shoved me playfully with a smirk. "Shut up!"

"Ow! I’m fragile," I pouted.

Hermione pushed me again laughing. "Oh you poor baby. Big scary Hermione is going to hurt you."

I was leaning back cowering from her, laughing. I don’t really know why I did it, but I grabbed onto her as if we were hugging.

"Let go!" she squealed playfully.

"Never!"

She calmed down quickly, realizing, though I was petrified of her shouts, I was still stronger, physically, than her. She sat on the grass in my arms, both of us breathing loudly. Then, I leaned forward and kissed the crown of her head and stood up.

"We better go," I sighed giving her my hand. I hoped my actions were too quick for her to react violently and just end up confused, like I was. "What would people think if we walk into supper both late?'

"That they wish they were us," Hermione smirked and took my hand.

I stood in shock as I helped her up. I walked quickly back to the castle, my heart racing. The spell was definitely working. Hermione was turning into a little flirt. Oh shit. Oh shit. What am I doing to her? I couldn’t help but join in. This is really bad. She is such a good kid. I shouldn’t be doing this!

No! I have too. I have to keep repeating this to myself! Besides, it couldn’t hurt for Granger to have a little fun with boys. Lord knows she deserves better than Weasley. I felt my stomach turn. And Malfoy.

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