The Fine Line Between Love and Hate | Dramione AU by Short-circuit-Soulmate

Chapter 26

...in which questions are answered and deals are made.

Two weeks passed slowly at Hogwarts, and it may as well have been pointless. It seemed that no progress was being made anywhere. Hermione, despite her frequent meetings with the headmaster, was no closer to regaining her memories. Draco was falling deeper and deeper into his own silent void of depression, and Blaise felt like he was caught in the middle. Not to mention he and Luna were going nowhere fast.

He was currently sitting alone in the library, attempting to finish an assignment that wasn't due til next week. It was the only thing he could do to occupy his mind. Draco was still mad about the incident with Hermione, and to top it off, Hermione was avoiding all of them.

Blaise had always been calm and collected, but he was about ready to snap and lock both of them in a room together. The fact that he thought that wasn't a half bad idea frightened him a little.

He stretched, and eyed the clock on the wall. It was 8:30. Quidditch practise would be over, and Potter and Draco would be back in the dorms. At least he could go talk to Potter; Draco wasn't much in the mood for talking to people lately.

Even Hermione. Draco had seemingly given up all attempts to speak to her. Every time they passed in the corridors, he would turn his head to the ground. Blaise had always noticed a tell-tale blush on his cheeks. He was embarrassed about the whole incident. He didn't blame Draco really. He'd poured his heart out, only to have Hermione reject him. Not that he really should have expected any different.

It worried Blaise, though; the summer holidays were quickly approaching, and the more distance that grew between everybody, the more he worried it would be permanent. Even if Hermione didn't remember, he should at least try to build an amicable relationship with her now, not just wait on her memories to return, if they did return.

Blaise sighed, before deciding that his mind was running far too wild to concentrate on any school work. He stood from his secluded table, grabbing his things into his bag. He moved through the row of shelves that made up the towering library. He had just made his way toward the doors, when he halted in his steps. At the library desk, he could see the back of a head of bushy hair. It was unmistakeably Hermione.

"Please, Madame Pince. I just need this one book to finish off my Transfiguration essay. Just this one." She begged in hushed tones. Her foot was tapping on the floor impatiently. She was clearly in a rush.

The librarian sighed, looking apologetic. "I'm sorry Miss Granger, but you're at your borrowing limit. You must return a book before you can get it. Can't you just sit here and read it?"

Hermione looked around as if she were expecting to be pounced on by anyone at any second.

"Given the current situation, I haven't exactly been as keen to socialise..." she said, looking slightly embarrassed.

The librarian sighed again. "I really can't let you have the book, dear..."

Blaise strode forward. "I'll borrow it." He said to the librarian. He noticed Hermione freeze as he spoke. He was clearly one of the people she was hoping to avoid.

The librarian looked uncertain. "You can't borrow on another student's behalf."

"It's for me," he said quickly, "I need it for an assignment".

The librarian eyed him for a moment, before picking up the book and waving her wand at her list of borrowed books. It appeared under his name.

Hermione looked annoyed.

"Sorry, dear," sitting the book in front of Blaise, "but if another student needs it, I can't hold onto it for you."

Hermione merely nodded, and briskly headed for the door. Blaise grabbed the book and followed after her quickly.