The Family Jewels

Chapter 9
Blaise to the rescue

Blaise Zabini was known for being the Quiet Slytherin, perhaps too introspective for his own good. At this moment, however, he was feeling neither quiet nor introspective. He was unbelievably angry with Draco and hurt for Hermione. He doubted whether even Draco realized the depth of it, but Blaise could be a very dangerous individual. He existed just on the fringes of Slytherin society at school, but Blaise was the eyes and ears of Hogwarts. He missed little, and had an uncanny ability to understand the exact motivation of other people. It was this perception that was actually Draco’s saving grace. Blaise knew that Draco had been insensitive and had hurt Hermione’s feelings, but that he had not intended to do so. An intentional hurt to the woman he loved would not have been borne.

Blaise strode through the halls to the library, knowing that it was Hermione’s sanctuary. He found her standing in the stacks toward the back, idly looking at some of the titles in the Charms section. She had heard him coming, but refused to look at him. He held out a hand to her, and was gratified when she ignored it, throwing herself into his arms instead. He held her tightly to his body, stroking her back and nuzzling her neck.

“Would you care to take a walk with me, cara?” Blaise asked her carefully.

“Just you?” she questioned.

“Yes, just me.” Blaise gave her a small smile, and Hermione responded with one of her own. Blaise led her by the hand out of the castle and out to the lake.

‘No sense delaying the inevitable,’ thought Blaise. “You are upset. Please tell me.” Sometimes straightforward is best, even for a Slytherin.

“Draco,” that was all Hermione said.

“Yes, cara, I had figured that much out, perhaps you would feel comfortable sharing a bit more.” Blaise sat on the ground with his back against a tree, and pulled her down to lay in between his spread legs, wrapping his arms around her. They were quiet for a few minutes, enjoying just being together, when he eventually heard her sigh.

“Yes, cara,” he prompted.

“Last night started out so well, and then this morning, I was so ashamed,” she managed to get the words out.

“Ashamed. Of what?” he was very glad that he at least sounded calm, even though his heart was ready to beat out of his chest.

“Draco said…Draco said that I was a tease and that he didn’t usually let the women he shagged spend the night in his bed,” Hermione’s voice broke over the last part.

"Cazzo!" Blaise swore viciously, under his breath.

“I saw you two at breakfast. Didn’t he tell you?” Hermione asked innocently.

“It seems that our friend Draco left out a detail or two. But I will deal with him later. You are what is important right now.” Blaise let his lips drift down to the side of her face, giving her gentle little kisses. “I love you Hermione. Ti amo. You must promise that you will always come to me if you are in need of me at all. From this point on, cara mia, you are under my protection.”

“Blaise, what does that mean?” Hermione was quite bright; she doubted if being under the protection of a powerful Italian wizarding family was as simple as Blaise made it sound.

“Hermione, do you love me?” he asked her.

“Blaise, I love you. I know it’s complicated, but I do love you…and I would like to show you how much. If you want me,” she said very softly.

“Hermione, I want you. Ho bisogno di te, sei così bella,” Blaise whispered in her ear. “We belong to each other. We will find a way with Draco, too, if that is what you want. But know that I belong to you.

You know as well as I do that Draco has been having a terrible time lately. He has never had a normal relationship with his parents, and those of us that care about him have tried to make up for this, but it is almost impossible. Please do not have a thin skin around Draco.” Blaise held a finger up to her lips when she was going to interrupt him. “It takes infinite patience to be a friend to Draco, and you wish to be a lover. Please give him another chance.”

Hermione knew most of what Blaise had said to her, but actually hearing the words was oddly comforting. She nodded just once, and Blaise looked down at her with his incredible indigo eyes. “Thank you, bella.”

Hermione turned her mouth up to Blaise for his kiss even as his lips were descending. His mouth was gentle at first, but she could feel his erection against her back as they lay together against the tree. “You’re going to hurt your neck in that position, maybe we should lie down,” Blaise said, maneuvering their bodies so they lay together in the grass.

Blaise loved to kiss, and was really quite happy to draw foreplay out for hours at a time. Neither of them had a first class that morning, and Blaise knew what he wanted to do with his time. The sun was shining, only a light breeze was blowing, and Hermione was in his arms.

That was how Harry and Ron found them half an hour later. “Get off her Zabini,” came Harry’s low growl as Blaise looked up to two wands pointed at his face. “Are you all right Hermione?”

“Of course I’m all right. Put those wands down. Did it look like I was struggling?” Hermione asked, angrily.

Harry and Ron looked at each other for a long moment, and then shrugged. They actually didn’t have a problem with Zabini. He was a Slytherin, but that was all. “Well, ‘Mione maybe you could keep your best friends better informed of your personal life so we are not surprised to find a Slytherin attached to your face,” Ron said with some asperity.

“I can assure you gentlemen that Hermione is quite safe with me. I would protect her with my life,” Blaise told them without even a hint of a smile.

Blaise Zabini was not a man to be trifled with. His word was his bond. Both Harry and Ron nodded seriously, and then shook Blaise’s hand.

“We will need to talk about this some more in private,” Harry said. “Just Gryffindors.”

Blaise nodded, and then said, “Hermione and I are throwing a small party this evening in the Head Dorms. A surprise party for Draco Malfoy’s birthday. Perhaps you would consent to come as my guests to see for yourself.”

“I don’t know, Blaise, a party for Malfoy…” Harry’s voice trailed away.

“Please Harry, Ron, come for me,” Hermione was not above using a little emotional blackmail.

Eventually, they nodded that they would be there; if for no other reason than to make sure Hermione really was all right with all those Slytherins. They turned to go back to the castle. “Only ten minutes before class, children, so make your goodbyes count,” Harry said with a wicked smirk.

Blaise held his hand out to Hermione, then they began to walk slowly back to the castle. “You do realize what just happened, don’t you?” Hermione asked.

“Well, cara, I believe that I have been given permission to be with you by the two most possessive Gryffindors who ever lived,” Blaise smiled down at her.

“Yes,” she said in agreement, “I think that about covers it.”

Cazzo – fuck
Ho bisogno di te – I need you
sei così bella,– you’re so beautiful
bella – beautiful
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Dreamweaver – Yes, that would be me. Do not despair, I also dream of the Slytherin sandwich.

eve/roarke – Blaise is no miracle worker. Draco might get himself into some more trouble.

Dracoluvr – Hermione sharing herself with two guys, not a problem. Each of them being honest and accepting of it, well, this is fiction.