Smirks, Books and, Dirty Looks

Thinking Solutions

Hermione was laying in bed when she woke up, it felt like she had slept a long time. Looking around she was confused. It all came back to her, the moment she realized what had just happened she felt dread. Draco had essentially let her grind her way to pleasure while feeling her up. Mortified she sighed and decided she needed to get up. The covers felt heavy as she shifted out of them, the floor cool under her feet, she walked to the door and made her way to the corridor where the children were sleeping. Sabrina was on one side of Blaise's lap fast asleep and Rowena was nestled on the other side.

The dark skinned Slytherin was rocking back and forth in the chair looking up at the ceiling. Hermione smiled at the sight and walked in, Blaise looked at the entrance and smiled. "They fell asleep hours ago, I just don't have the heart to put them in bed." Hermione nodded still looking at the children fondly. "Thank you, I hope she wasn't too much trouble." She picked the small girl from his arms and placed her in the bed, then repeated the motion with Rowena. Blaise stretched and shook his head. "No, they were both happy to have the other to play with." He stared at them for a second longer and then to Hermione. He could now freely see the extent of abuse on her face. Masking his emotions his eyes swept over all the now purple hued marks on her jaw and faint blueish hand prints on her wrist.

"What about you Doc? How are you feeling?" Hermione still staring at the sleeping children shook her head oblivious to his prying eyes, "I'm okay. It's strange really, to feel this calm again even though it has not been a full day since this morning." She looked at the Italian and jerked her shoulders in a stretch feeling a sore spot that she knew was going to hurt for a while, "Of course, I can't get too used to this. I have to figure out our next move soon." She sighed at the thought. "This is only temporary, I have to get back to my practice and home, make sure my elf is okay and figure out how to go about this situation."

Blaise just watched her, his face gave nothing away, it made her feel uncomfortable. Shifting from one foot to the other she looked down, and let out a low self pitying chuckle, "I know what you must be thinking. How can she act like nothing is going on and want to go back?" Blaise continued to say nothing, he just tilted his head to the side, eyes in a slight squint and waited for her to continue. "You have to understand that just because I came here seeking refuge doesn't mean I can stay here and act like my problems have been solved. I still have to continue my life. I have to obviously change a few things but, I can't just expect to give up my practice, my home, my everything, just because Ron Weasley is a right git!"

She felt her cheeks flush as the surge of emotion ran through her disappearing completely, "Right?" the word left her mouth in a passing sigh of disbelief before she could stop it. She felt tears prickle in her eyes. Hearing Blaise suck in a mouth full of air and releasing it brought her back to the present. "No, you can still have your life Hermione. No one is taking that from you. I understand everything you are saying but, you really have to consider everything before you just go and continue that life. The bloke is bloody violent-- clearly." He raised his hand in a stopping gesture stopping Hermione from interrupting him. "Sabrina's well being has to be a big factor in your plans and you also have to think about your well being as a major part of this plan you are trying to formulate. Obviously I am not saying you don't have good intentions or interests but I have to state the obvious." He rubbed the back of his neck trying to find the words.

"Look Doc all I'm trying to say is, spend a week here and think it through before you go and fight another war without a strategy. Let your mind relax and not be in a constant state of fight or flight mode for a while and once the fog clears, then plan and strategize." Hermione looked in awe, "You're... right." She said in blatant disbelief. He smirked and got up, "Of course I am. I only sat in some crazy Doctors office for the better part of 2 years, hearing the same shit said to me over and over again. Funny how it works, i'nt it? The greatest minds can never calmly think of solutions for themselves but, are too quick to find rational solutions to everyone else's problems." He patted her shoulder and walked away from her.

Hermione stood there for a while more before she too turned and walked out the door. Going down stairs and deciding to walk around the house. It really was a beautiful mansion a hint of darkness with a wispy aura to it, definitely a mix of those two. She heard Luna laughing down the hall and walked in that direction. The blonde witch was sitting on the couch playing with the house elves. "Hermione! There you are, come and sit with me." Luna patted the seat next to her. The elves looked at each other in worry, she could only assume it was because of her. "How are you feeling after that bath?" Hermione had forgotten about the bath entirely and felt her face blush at the visual of what happened after the bath.

"It was nice.. the tub was very.. uh spacious." She nodded and asked the elves to bring out some tea and scones. "How was Dracos room?" Hermione just looked at the witch, "I'm sorry, I don't know what you mean?" Luna just smiled, "You know, Draco and you really have a problem with being descrite, I may not know exactly what you both did but I do know you look positivly radient and it wasn't the bath." Hermione laughed at how blunt the witch had become, "Luna if you weren't my friend I would be greatly offended." The witch just chuckled. "Was it everything you wanted it to be?" Hermione just sighed, "we didn't do much, and to be frank I feel dirty. I'm married, and he is being patient with me. But I have never done anything like this. Cheating, it just isn't me."

She sat there in silence and looked at her friend, "I don't know what to do now." Luna looked at her hands and sighed, "Would it really matter? The cheating part? I mean for Merlin sakes, it should not be considered cheating at this point, it's not like you and Ron really are together anymore. It hasn't been at all harmonious or loving in years, has it?" Hermione thought about it, "Even if we have been in an unloving marriage, yes, to me it still feels like cheating. In the actual sense of the word I have and am cheating on my husband no matter if he is to be my ex. Merlin, I can't fathom what would happen if he found out." Hermione felt a sense of dread fill her stomach. "I wouldn't worry too much about that. What are you planning to do now?" Luna looked annoyed and Hermione thought it was strange but didnt push it further, "I dont know. Maybe talk with Molly about this, she has to know especially since she helps with Sabrina."

Luna tilted her head, "Molly? Hm, why not start off small." Looking at her friend she sighed, "Smaller than Molly? Like who?" Luna smiled slightly, "How about Harry and Ginny?" Hermione felt her face freeze in horror. "Luna I can't. They.. they don't have a clue..they are going to be furious." She felt her shoulders crumble. "Yes, they will be. They should be positively infuriated, but they also need to know. They are both your best friends, and what better way to rip off the bandaid if not by starting with a small fire that you can control?" Hermione felt nervous but comforted by the suggestion, somehow she felt like Luna made total sense. "You're right, they are my best friends, you are too. I was able to show you, I should be able to face them as well." She nodded, "That's the spirit. Maybe while you are at it, you can slip in the part where you are maddly in love with Draco Malfoy," She laughed at the face Hermione was making, "like I said rip off the bandaid." Mortified, Hermione just nodded and whispered, "That's a pretty big bandaid." They both laughed and sank further into the sofa as the elves appeared with the scones and tea.

"So it is decided, you are going to tell Harry and Ginny soon." Hermione just nodded. "I just have to wait until I find a place to set this meeting up." Luna looked at Hermione confused, "What do you mean? Just invite them over and have it done here." Hermione stared at Luna, "Here? At the Zabini mannor? Are you sure that it's a good idea.. What if Harry has a problem—" Luna waved the thought off, "Yes Hermione, we told you this is your home for as long as you need it, didn't we? Invite them over, Harry is going to come and Ginny will as well. They know about me and Blaise, it has been too long but they know. I need to rip off my bandaid as well. We will do it together." She held on to Hermione's hand and gave it a little squeeze. Owl them and let me know when you set it up for so I can make some steak and potatos, Ginny loves steak."

Hermione just nodded and they both sipped their teas. Time had seemed to pass by rather slowly after the conversation, the manor seemed quiet and as Hermione looked around, the thought crossed her mind. "Luna?" She hummed a response. "Where's Draco?"