Chaos

Chaos

Chapter 5

Hermione paced before the hearth in the Gryffindor common room. She couldn't believe that Blaise had talked her into this. She couldn't stop coughing and sneezing, and to make matters worse, she was freezing to death, and her head was burning up. That was always a clear sign that she had a fever. To top it all off Blaise wanted her to confront Ginny.

She was scared, not about telling Ginny that she knew what was going on, but of telling her how she knew. How was Hermione supposed to explain a three-year long friendship with Blaise? The real question was how she was going to explain why she hadn't told Ginny about the friendship she had with Blaise the night it started. After all the night Ginny and Hermione bonded for the first time was the same night Hermione found out that Blaise hid a decent person behind the slimy git who tortured people more fiercely that Draco Malfoy. As much as Ginny's secret keeping hurt Hermione she had been doing the same thing to Ginny for a while now. She sneezed again, and felt the urge to scream well up inside of her. How was she supposed to do anything with this bloody flu wreaking havoc on her body?

The door to the common room swung open, revealing Ginny, who looked like hell and Professor McGonagall, who looked absolutely furious. McGonagall helped Ginny into the common room and over to a couch before turning and glaring at Hermione.

"Young lady, you ignored Madam Pomfrey's orders, and as a result you and Miss Weasley are suffering for it. The both of you will rest all day tomorrow, or you will answer to me." With that she turned on her heel and stormed out, leaving the entire common room in shocked silence.

Ginny looked guiltily at Hermione, and said, "I didn't mean to get you in trouble. McGonagall came in while Madam Pomfrey was fussing over the fact that both of us got the flu. Snape came in, and mentioned that you were in class today, and that set McGonagall off in a way that I've never seen. She railed at me the entire way up here; you caught the tale end of her tirade."

Hermione flushed a deep red, and smiled sympathetically at her friend. "It's my fault. I should have missed classes and caught up tomorrow. Now it might take two or three days for me to get over this blasted disease. Speaking of which, I'll help you up to the dorm if you'll help me," she said with a giggle. Ginny grinned, and they headed up to their dorm rooms. They had their arms around each other for support, and they all but slumped against each other as they left the now noisy common room

** ** **

Hermione had told herself that she would tell Ginny everything the next morning, when they were both feeling better. The only problem was that Hermione wasn't feeling any better the next morning. In fact she was so sore and tired that she couldn't make it out of bed all day. Dobby brought her breakfast, dinner, and supper in bed, and informed her that Ginny was in as bad shape as she was. All things considered, Hermione was not particularly happy about that fact.

The day of rest did give Hermione a chance to plan out what she was going to say to Ginny when they got a chance to talk. She decided for the straight truth with an apology for holding back all these years. The speech took an hour to prepare, and then Hermione turned to her memories. She couldn't believe it had been three years since she had first befriended Blaise and Ginny; it seemed like a lifetime ago. Hermione could remember it as if it were yesterday.

** ** **

"I can't believe that they forgot my birthday again! How can they be so thoughtless, so selfish, and so inconsiderate? We have to treat Harry's birthday like a Goddamn holiday every blasted year, and Ron forgets his own stinking birthday, but God forbid they take the time to remember mine. Fucking bastards!" she said as she kicked at an imagined rock. She wanted to kick in their bloody heads! She did so much for them without expectations of thanks or even recognition, but she did want acceptance.

A hand came out to grab her shoulder, causing her to scream as loud as a banshee. The hand proceeded to clamp itself over her mouth as Hermione looked up to see whom it belonged to. Her eyes all but bugged out, in a very un-Hermione-like way, as she saw none other than Blaise Zabini standing there, grinning at her.

"Jesu, woman, you want to deafen me? If your ranting didn't do it the scream certainly came close," he said. He then removed his hand from her mouth, and put an arm around her to usher her into his hiding place.

Hermione stiffened, and tried to drag her feet. "I don't want to go anywhere with you Zabini. What do you want? What are you trying to do? Where are you taking me? Let go!"

"I am taking you to a little hide-away in the castle to allow you to vent your frustrations properly to someone who is willing to listen. You think I'd drag you away just to berate you in private? After all it's so much more fun with an audience," he murmured with a smirk before shaking his head. "I'm trying to be nice to you, blast it all, but you are making it rather hard, and for once I'm not talking about any part of my body," he said with a wink.

Hermione should have slapped him, she should have run away, she should have done something to show her disgust, but she didn't do any of that. For reasons Hermione would never be able to explain, she laughed and apologized for her earlier behavior. She let him lead her off to an isolated little room behind seven or eight fake walls in the very heart of the castle. She accepted his pillow, his flask, and his clove cigarette, and then she listened to what he had to say.

"I know we don't have a lot in common, and I have never been nice to you, but you look like you could use a friend right now, and I never have been able to turn down a lady in need," Blaise said. "I will gladly listen to you, and give nice, helpful advice if I can. I'll do whatever I can to help you, alright?" Hermione nodded, and then, much to her horror, she started to cry. "Oh, please don't do that," Blaise moaned, but it was too late. She had started crying, and she could not seem to stop. He went over and pulled her into his arms; rubbing her back, and making the comforting noises that were all too familiar to him. He wondered, not for the first time or the last, how he kept ending up in these situations.

Thankfully, Hermione calmed down quickly. She pulled back, took the handkerchief he offered her, and thanked him for comforting her. Once she had finally cleaned up a bit, Hermione spoke. "I am terribly sorry for blubbering all over you after you offered to help. It's just that I see it as so very sad that the only person who seems to care that I am in a foul mood is someone who has never been nice to me before. In fact, I don't believe that I have ever seen you be nice to anyone before. You went out of your way to offer me a shoulder, and my friends probably don't even know that I've gone."

Blaise chuckled, and said, "I figured it was something to that extent, and it's all right by the way, about the crying I mean. I seem to attract crying women; there are definitely worse things in life." He said all of this with a cute self-deprecating grin on his face that made Hermione wonder how many times Blaise had found himself in this type of situation. He stroked her cheek, and smiled a smile that made her want to tell him everything. That smile could charm a trained spy into revealing every top-secret mission she had ever been on to him. It could certainly get a shaken teenaged girl to admit what was troubling her. "Come on, Hermione. Tell me what is bothering you. I swear I won't tell a soul what you say," he murmured softly, hiding a smile when she opened her mouth to speak. It worked every time.

"Harry and Ron forgot my birthday, as did my parents," she confided. "I don't want a big party, or expensive gifts, but would it kill any of them to tell me happy birthday? I don't know why I even bother with those two. They will never really accept me for who I am. They keep me around to "correct" their bloody homework! They don't give a fuck about me, no one does."

At this Blaise shook his head. "I give a fuck about you, and I know someone else who does too. That cute little Weasley girl was down this way a little while ago. She had a package in her hand, and she was calling out your name. I think she cares about you a great deal. I also think she knows how you feel. You should go find her, luv," he said, stroking her hair. Hermione sniffed, and nodded. He helped her up, and put a finger to her lips when she opened her mouth to speak. "Don't thank me, I didn't do anything deserving of thanks...yet. Happy birthday, Hermione. Take these, and remember if you need a friend all you have to do is look for me. I never let my friends down." Having said this he slid his flask and another clove cigarette into her hands, kissed her cheek, and turned her toward the exit to the cozy little room.

Hermione smiled, and headed out toward the lake. She didn't know how she had known to look for Ginny there, but she had.

** ** **

Ever since that day Hermione and Blaise had been friends. She never had gotten him to explain why he was nice to her that day, but she really never cared enough to push the issue. He had been there for her when no one else was, and she had returned the favor. In fact, the best way to describe their friendship was that it was a series of favors being repaid. They never acknowledged their friendship in public, but they never outright attacked each other in public either. She never really minded that he picked on Harry and Ron, and she noticed that he stopped picking on Ginny right before their conversation in her third year. Blaise was incredibly sweet in his own way, but she knew that he could be ruthless whenever he wanted or needed to be.

Now he was asking a favor of her that might very well get him and Draco killed. Hermione didn't know if she could go through with Blaise's plan. She didn't want to lose him, and she didn't want Ginny to lose Draco any sooner than she had to. No one had to tell Hermione that Ginny was developing feelings for Draco, it was rather obvious. In fact she did wonder how Ron and Harry hadn't noticed yet. What Hermione didn't know was that by nightfall on Monday everyone would be aware of Ginny's feelings for Draco.

** ** **

Hermione woke up the next morning to find a stack of presents at the foot of her bed, and Ginny standing there looking as pale as Sir Nicholas. "Happy belated birthday Mione," Ginny murmured, followed directly by, "can I please sit down before I fall?"

Hermione laughed and motioned for Ginny to have a seat on her bed. She was in complete shock. How could she have forgotten her own birthday? Who were all of the presents from? "I have no idea where to begin! I've never seen so many presents in one place. Are these really all for me?" she sputtered. Ginny nodded and handed her a large present wrapped in silver paper.

"This one is from me, open it." Hermione tore the paper off, and found a transfiguration book that she had been trying to find for almost two years. She squealed and hugged Ginny tightly, thanked her, then proceeded to open the rest of her gifts with Ginny's help. Hermione's parents had sent her a new dictionary, Harry had given her a stack of Chocolate Frogs, Ron gave her a box of Sugar Quills, and there were two unmarked packages left. One contained a silver flask that turned green when filled with liquid, and the other contained an Invisibility cloak and a note. The note simply said "I trust you will find good uses for this gift."

The girls puzzled over the last two gifts, although Hermione knew that the first one was from Blaise. They couldn't figure out who had sent the second gift, but Ginny swore that the sender had to be Dumbledore and Hermione was pretty sure she was right. Hermione kept looking for a way to tell Ginny about her secret, but the timing never seemed to be quite right. They were having such a good time, and Hermione hated to spoil that. She would tell Ginny everything...later.

** ** **

Hermione and Ginny spent the weekend recovering and catching up on their homework, or in Hermione's case, getting ahead in her homework. On Saturday the Gryffindors had a belated birthday party for Hermione in the common room, complete with Butterbeer and chocolate cake. Hermione had never had this much attention paid to her on her birthday before, and she was a bit wary of the whole thing. But Ron had gone through great pains to set this up, and she owed it to him to give the party a chance. They actually ended up having a great time, and she fell into bed in an exhausted, but happy state that night.

Ginny had snuck away in the middle of the party, and Hermione suspected that she met up with Draco to let him know that she was okay. Hermione was worried that Ginny would get too close to him, but maybe that was good. Maybe Ginny needed someone to melt the ice that had formed around her heart. Hermione knew her well enough to know when Ginny was trapped in her own little world where Tom still haunted her. That happened less and less of late, and Hermione was very relieved by that fact. She did wish she had managed to tell Ginny tonight, but she never found the time. Hermione fell asleep wondering if she would ever have the time, or the nerve to tell Ginny the truth.

Sunday passed quickly for the girls. Ginny wanted to spend time with Draco, and Hermione wanted to spend time with Blaise. They only knew that they were covering for each other. Neither of them asked any questions. They just went to the library together, studied for about an hour, packed up their books, hugged, and left.

Ginny went to the Astronomy Tower to meet Draco, who was already there when she arrived. He looked very handsome, she had to admit, and she had missed him. But surely that didn't mean anything, right?

Draco took Ginny's bag from her and set it to the side before taking her in his arms for a long hug. "I missed you, Gin," he murmured in her ear. "More and more lately I hate spending time apart from you. How are you feeling, by the way?"

She pulled away, and sat down on the blanket he had spread out for them. "I'm feeling much better actually, and you saw me last night. How could you miss me already?" She was really beginning to worry about his attachment to her, it couldn't be healthy. He must have noticed her frowning because he sighed, sat down next to her, and took her hands in his.

"Ginny, I know you are worried that I'll develop feelings for you that you can't return. I know that you don't want to hurt me. But any feelings I have for you are just that, mine. They are my responsibility, it is my choice. I'm not in love with you. I could be, oh trust me, I could be, but I won't let myself fall yet. I know that I don't have that much time left, and if I want to die in love where is the harm in that, hmm?" He wiped the tear that had slipped down her cheek away. "Don't cry darling, please?" he murmured. "I hate to see such a pretty lady crying." She couldn't help but smile at that.

"I can't help it, Draco. Lately I hate thinking about you not being here. I hate the thought of ever losing you. I guess that's why I'm getting worried. It's not that I don't want you to need me, or want to be around me, or even love me. It's that I don't want to fall in love, and watch the man I love die again, because I know that the love doesn't die with the man. I don't want to be left alone again, Draco." She threw herself into his arms much to his surprise, and started crying openly.

Draco pulled her closer, and tried to keep the lust that was threatening to overpower him at bay. This was definitely not the time. He stroked her hair, and waited for her to get it all out before saying his piece. When she finally stopped crying, choosing instead to shake with unshed tears in a heap in his lap, he spoke. "Who says that love has to turn into heartbreak? Who says that you'll be left alone again? Hermione loves you, Dean loves you, and your brothers love you. You've told me as much yourself. And I may be leaving in body, but I'll never leave you in spirit. I'll be here, right by your side forever. Maybe someone will take my place by your side, and that's okay. Because you can have as many people as you want to in your heart. You can find someone to love, and you won't be betraying anyone. I'll still be there, but they will too."

Ginny didn't look like she believe him, and he supposed he couldn't blame her. He wouldn't have believed him in her shoes. But he needed her to see that he was right. He wanted to bring some happiness to her world, he wanted her to bring some happiness to his world, but he wanted her to go off and love someone else after he was gone. This really was a fucked up situation he realized as they talked, and schemed the day away. Draco was getting an idea, one that he would never share with Ginny, but he would need Blaise's help and full cooperation. Draco wondered what Blaise was doing right now.

** ** **

Blaise was in his own hide-away with Hermione, trying to talk her into telling Ginny everything. He was constantly amazed at their friendship, and today was no exception. They could talk for hours on end, or just a few minutes and leave the conversation feeling better and more relaxed. That wasn't what amazed him though. What amazed him was that he had no romantic feelings whatsoever for Hermione.

They had been friends for years, and they had always been this close, but he had never once thought of her as anything more than a friend. They had talked about this, and neither one could explain why they felt this way. They had both actually tried to set each other up with other people, in his case it worked from time to time, but in Hermione's case nothing ever happened. She said she was perfectly happy being single, and way too young to date anyways.

Blaise had pointed out Ron's obvious feelings for her multiple times, but she just turned her cute little nose up and said that they would never suit. Eventually he had given up trying, and happily enjoyed his own healthy dating life. They wiled away the afternoon talking about books and playing Wizard Chess, another thing he was bound and determined to teach her. The girls met up at dinner, and smiled at each other in a knowing way. They went to the common room and studied until midnight, had a smoke, and went to bed happy and perfectly content. Neither of them expected that the next day would change everything. Neither of them knew that that day would change their lives forever.

** ** **

Monday started out quietly enough. Hermione, Ron, and Harry went to Transfiguration, Potions, and then met Ginny for lunch. Dean and Hermione sat off to the side a bit, talking quietly as they ate. Hermione hadn't realized how nice Dean was. He had been a close friend of Ginny's for a while now, but Hermione had never really paid him much mind. Lately they had been around each other more often; sitting together in classes, running into each other in the hallways, and Ginny had invited him to study with them quite a bit as well. He had really grown on Hermione, and everyone but Ron seemed very happy about that fact.

Ginny sat between them and Harry and Ron. She did her best to keep the boys distracted, and keep their attention completely off Hermione and Dean. This wasn't working very well, but Ginny figured she had to try. Seamus was a lifesaver, in that he found the subject that would keep them distracted for hours, or at least through the meal. They talked about what they needed to get done in practice that night, and Ginny felt like kicking herself for not thinking to talk about Quidditch. That was the one thing that could take any man's attention away from all but the most life-threatening events. Ginny reminded herself to thank Seamus as soon as she could as she got up to leave for Charms. Hermione and Dean were already halfway outside before Harry and Ron had noticed that they had left. Ginny grinned as the boys waved a hasty goodbye to her and ran after them on the way to Care of Magical Creatures. She actually grinned all the way to Charms. This day was turning out to be rather amusing.

** ** **

Hermione and Dean both stopped several yards away from Hagrid's hut for completely different reasons. Hermione was amazed to see Charlie Weasley standing there talking to Hagrid, as if it was normal that he was in Scotland and not in Romania where he belonged. Dean was shocked and excited to see a real, live baby dragon in a cage next to the guy with the red hair. When he pointed the dragon out Hermione put the pieces of the puzzle together, and became very excited herself. Hagrid had come up with a lesson that no one could sneer at, no matter how hard they tried. Ron and Harry caught up with them, and took in the sight with huge boyish grins on their faces. Hermione saw that all of the students had much the same reaction as they had. Draco looked like he wanted to hop up and down with delight, which of course he was much too dignified to do. Blaise wore a grin wider than Ron's, and Lavender and Parvati squealed with delight at the idea of seeing a real dragon up close.

Hagrid called them all over, and began the lesson by introducing Charlie, and the dragon whose name was Enid. Then he let Charlie tell them a bit about what he did for a living.

"Hullo, my name is Charlie Weasley, and I take care of dragons in Romania. Most of you know that I graduated from Hogwarts, and you all have met, or are, one of the many members of my family." This got a chuckle from most of the students, and a furious blush from Ron. "This here is Enid, and she is a year old today. Enid is a Hungarian Horntail. She can fly, and is quite dangerous, although she is still a baby. She eats goats, sheep, and humans in the wild, and her flames can reach up to thirty feet right now. When she is fully grown her flames will be able to reach fifty feet."

"I want you to ask me any specific questions you have, and observe her from about the distance that you are at now. I believe that Hagrid wants you to draw a picture of her, and label the scales, horns, and spikes. Is that right, Hagrid?"

"Yeah, you're right, Charlie. Also write me two feet of parchment about the different types of dragons, and where to find them," Hagrid said. He was positively beaming because everyone seemed so keen on the lesson.

The students immediately lined up to talk to Charlie. Only a few of them started off the lesson by observing and drawing Enid. Draco and Hermione were two of the few who stayed to draw the beautiful creature, and much to Hermione's surprise Draco seemed transfixed by Enid. He finished quickly, and went to ask Charlie a barrage of questions. Hagrid and Charlie were both surprised by Draco's knowledge of dragons, and his polite behavior towards Charlie. Towards the end of class, after most of the students had left, Draco finished talking to Charlie and went back to staring at Enid.

It was then that it happened. Draco had moved a bit too close to the cage, and Enid let loose with a stream of fire from her mouth, which caught Draco right in the chest. He screamed, and dropped to the ground to roll around. Everyone was in shock, save Charlie, who quickly put the flames out with a water charm. Draco was badly burned, and greatly shaken. Hagrid sighed and waited for the boy to start screaming that he and Charlie were incompetent and Hagrid ought to be fired. He was in for quite a shock.

Draco opened his mouth, and the entire crowd physically braced themselves for the tirade, but it never came. Instead Draco said, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...I didn't realize I was too close. I am so very sorry." He winced as he tried to get up, and failed; falling to the ground once again with a painful sounding thump.

Charlie went over to pick him up, soothing the boy as he carried him to the hospital wing. "It's all right, Draco. We should have been watching more closely. You didn't do anything wrong. We'll get Pomfrey to fix you right up."

"No, no, it was completely my fault. I know enough about dragons to have known better. God this hurts. When I feel up to it, could you tell me how you protect yourself from them?" Charlie laughed and promised the boy that he would tell him whatever he wanted to know. They left the students and Hagrid looking very worried and confused. That could not have been Draco Malfoy.

** ** **

Word spread quickly through the castle that Draco had been badly hurt and was in the hospital wing. The Gryffindors also told anyone who would listen that he hadn't blamed anyone but himself for what happened with Enid. This didn't shock many people, which told of his success in winning over most of the students of Hogwarts. A month ago this would set everyone on their ears. Ron and Harry were amazed, and Hagrid was still in total shock, but everyone else accepted the incident as almost normal.

Blaise had gone to the hospital wing as soon as he heard, and had not left since. Crabbe brought him supper, and Goyle and Pansy stopped by from time to time to see if there was any change in Draco's condition. Draco had been given a sleeping draught and another potion that would take away the burns and heal any internal damage done. He would be in the hospital wing for nearly a week, and Madam Pomfrey insisted that he be at least lightly sedated throughout the process due to the very painful nature of the potion.

Right after Goyle and Pansy left Draco woke up. He put his finger to his lips signaling that Blaise should keep quiet, and tentatively stretched his sore body. Several winces later Draco had assessed the amount of damage done. All in all he was very lucky, as he saw it. There was minimal internal damage, maybe some light bleeding and bruising, but that was the worst of it. He didn't really want to know what his skin looked like, which was for the best he was sure. Now if he could convince Madam Pomfrey to let him stay awake he would be much happier. He needed to talk to Blaise, and now was as good a time as any.

"Madam Pomfrey?" he asked tentatively. She rushed over with another sleeping draught, just as he had feared, and Draco held up his hand to stop her from pouring it down his throat. "Madam, with all due respect, I can handle the pain right now and would really prefer to stay awake if it is all right?" She blinked, shrugged, and said, "I'll go get you something that will keep the pain at bay and allow you to stay awake, if that's what you truly want. But let me know if it becomes too much for you to handle. Your next dose of the healing potion is at midnight, and it really is quite painful to bear." She went off tutting to herself about stubborn boys who didn't know what was best for them, and Blaise shared a chuckle with Draco at the motherly figure.

Neither of their mothers had ever been like she was. Both of the women had told their beautiful baby boys to suck it up and deal on multiple occasions. The said such lovely things as, "do you think the Dark Lord will let you cry on his shoulder after some bloody do-gooder curses you?" and, "I don't want to hear a damn word, grow up and act like a man, or I'll tell your father and this will look like a walk in the park." Naturally Draco felt only minor pain now, it was nothing compared to the curses his parents had inflicted upon him time innumerable.

"I'm going to miss this place over the break," Blaise sighed, as if he had read Draco's mind. "I wish I could stay here with you guys. It's bound to actually be fun here."

Draco shook his head and said, "What makes you think I intend to stay here over break?" He had no idea that Blaise's eyes could get as round as they did upon hearing this statement.

"Do you want to die mate?" Blaise asked, astounded. "You know that is what's bound to happen if you go to the Manor over the break, right? Hell, if you leave Hogwarts your as good as dead. You have to know that." Draco nodded and broke into a grin.

"Come on mate, surely you know when I'm pulling your leg," he said with a chuckle. Blaise breathed a sigh of relief and laughed with his friend. They were quiet until Pomfrey gave Draco some vile purple potion to ease his pain. Then Draco turned serious. "Blaise, I need you to do a favor for me. I can't take no for an answer, but I understand if you are hesitant." This made Blaise raise an eyebrow in interest. He and Draco had been friends for ages, but neither of them had ever asked a favor from the other that wasn't optional. He motioned for Draco to continue.

"I need you to take care of Ginny after I'm gone mate. Look out for her, get to know her, and, um, make sure that she finds someone to love who loves her," Draco said the last part of this very quickly, and so quietly that Blaise had to lean in to hear him. Even then Blaise was sure that he had heard incorrectly.

"Let me get this straight, you want me, a future Death Eater, to take care of her, a girl who is bound to end up in the Order? You can't be serious, you can't be sane! I am more likely to spend my time trying to kill her than help her, you have to realize that." Draco shook his head at Blaise and sighed deeply.

"How can you honestly think that you're cut out to be a Death Eater, Blaise? You have a heart, you have a soul. Do you really want to turn out like our parents?" He knew it was a low blow, but in this case it was needed. Blaise looked stricken as he sat down in the chair by Draco's bed. Before he could answer they both heard a commotion outside in the hallway. The boys stopped and turned to see what was making all the racket, they were in for a bit of a surprise as it turned out.

** ** **

Ginny found out that Draco had been badly injured almost as soon as it happened. Hermione had been waiting outside of her Charms class when Ginny got out. Hermione actually seemed genuinely concerned and upset by Draco's condition. Ginny was worried sick. A thousand questions flew through her head, mixing into a huge jumble until they all ran together and none of them even made sense. The one thing that surfaced some hours later was that she had to see Draco, but how?

By the time dinner was over Ginny was a wreck, and everyone noticed. She couldn't seem to form a complete sentence, her hair was everywhere from the many times she had run her hands through it, and her nails were bitten down to the quick.

Harry opened his mouth to ask what was wrong and Ginny cut him off before he could even start. "NO, Harry, I am not fine! I'm worried sick about Draco, and sick of pretending that I don't care just because you and my brother can't get a clue and see that he's a decent person damn it!" Having said that she got up and went to the hospital wing, with Ron and Harry trailing behind her as soon as they had collected themselves enough to move.

Ginny stormed into the corridor where the hospital wing's entrance was, and stopped directly in front of the door. She turned around and waited for Ron and Harry to catch up with her. They arrived quickly, still yelling their heads off when Madam Pomfrey opened the door to quiet whoever was making so much noise. She never got a chance to speak.

"Ron, Harry, you are not my keepers, I do not share your opinions about a lot of things, and I want you to leave now! I happen to care very deeply about Draco, and there isn't a damn thing you can do about that. Go away and leave me to visit him in peace." She turned on her heel and left the two stunned boys staring after her as Madam Pomfrey nodded hard at them and promptly shut the door in their faces.

Ginny went over to Draco's bedside, kissing Blaise on the cheek on her way, and kissing Draco on the lips when she got there. They looked as stunned as Harry and Ron had, before they broke into identical grins that is.

Blaise fell down at Ginny's feet in a mock hero-worship and said, in a shrill voice, "you're my hero Ginny Weasley." He kissed her hand fervently before Ginny playfully shoved him away. Draco pulled her closer to him and looked over at Blaise meaningfully. "Will you please excuse us mate? I really want to discuss some things with Ginny." He pulled her even closer as he said it, which made Blaise chuckle knowingly. He doubted any words would be spoken between the two.

"I'd best go...distract Potter and Weasel anyways," he said with that grin still firmly in place.

Ginny smirked and called out, "Blaise."

"Yes?" he asked, turning to face her.

"Hurt them," she murmured, smiling sweetly as she said it. Blaise walked out chuckling.

8