Simply fate.

Chapter eight

A week had past since the incident and it was now the beginning of December. The whole school was getting ready for Christmas, as Hagrid was bringing in the traditional twelve trees which will be decorating the Great Hall. As well as every year, most of the students were packing their trunks in order to go back home for the holidays. This year, Harry and Hermione stayed at Hogwarts while Ron and Ginny went back to the Burrow.
It was 3 days before the departure and Hermione was getting out of the library, making her way towards the common room. It was around 8pm and the sky was completely dark. The only lights came from the joyful Christmas decorations, spread all around the school's walls. The was a happy mood in the air as all the students were getting back to the Great Hall, ready to fill the bellies with luxurious and delicious food.
Hermione took place at the Griffondor table, between Dean and Harry. She was facing Ron, who, as usual, was helping himself with the mashed potatoes, a huge smile of delight on his face. She gave a disapproving look but couldn't help but smile at the face of her friend. Hermione then gazed around the Great Hall. The trees were beautifully decorated and the ceiling was full of shining stars. Each student was eating and chatting joyfully with his or her neighbor. But when she looked at the Slytherin table, she couldn't help but noticed that two boys were staring in her direction. One wasn't exactly looking at her actually, he was staring at Ron's back, with a huge grin on his face. The other was Malfoy, but she decided to ignore him. Hermione watched her friend, who was completely absorbed by his plate and not noticing the staring.
The girl, who was totally supporting Ron, had an idea. It was quite simple actually, but it could work. She took her wand out of her pocket and pointed it at Ron's fork. « Wingardium Leviosa » ans the fork started to fly in front of Ron's eyes. It was quite fun to look at him, struggling to catch it. The fork was now behind Ron's back, who turned over on the bench, still trying to get it. However, when he turned around, Ron didn't catch his fork. Instead, he caught Zabini's eyes. No words could describe the scene : the two boys looking deeply into each other eyes across the room, while Ron's fork was still spinning in the air above his head. Well, it was funny for Hermione, Harry, Ginny, Draco, and Pansy because most of the others had left the Great Hall. Suddenly, Blaise got to his feet and started heading towards Ron. He stoped just in front of the red-haired boy. Zabini then chuckled and reached out for the fork above Ron's head. Ron immediately turned red from his ears to the back of his neck. He whispered a little « thank you » while looking at his feet. Ron then turned toward Hermione, looking for help but Blaise spoke up :
« Er... Ron could you just go with me outside, I would like us to talk » he looked around « well more privately you know..? »
Ron got to his feet as if he had been electrocuted and nodded. « They really are the perfect size for each other » thought Hermione. They headed toward the big oak door but Ron froze. He looked up and turned even more red. Blaise looked up too and a grin appeared on his lips. Mistletoe ! The two boys looked at each other, and Ron placed his hand on Blaise cheek. He shivered at the touch but then relaxed and closed his eyes in sign of agreement. Ron kissed him gently, intertwining their fingers at the same time. Zabini placed in hands around Ron's neck and started gripping loosely his hair.
« Come on guys ! Get a room ! » said Pansy.
A laugh filled the Great Hall. A true, sincere and contagious laugh.
Both boys pulled apart, their forehead still touching, grinning madly.
Hermione was shocked. For the first time, she heard Draco Malfoy laughing.  He was smiling so genuinely that she couldn't believe it. Hermione had never see this side of Malfoy. He looked so happy. Maybe, with the fact that Ron and Blaise were now together, they could all become friends. Or, at least, stop hating each other. She started to laugh as well as Harry, Pansy and the others.
Eventually, it was time to go back home for the holidays. It has been a complicated moment when the two lovers had to pull apart. Ginny had to pull her brother by the sleeves of his jumper so they could go. The two Weasley made their towards the door but before they crossed it, Ron took a last glance at Blaise and then went out. The moment Ron had passed the door, Zabini made a weak smile as Malfoy patted on his shoulder to comfort him.
« He will be back in only two weeks... » said Pansy, trying to make him feel better.
« And I am sure Ron's already missing you. » said Hermione. She surprised herself by this remark. She felt a bit sorry for Blaise, even if she didn't really know him, Hermione knew how Ron was feeling so she believed that Zabini felt the same way. So the words came out of her mouth naturally. She smiled at him and he smiled back. Hermione noticed that Malfoy was watching her and when she realised it, her smiled faded away. She didn't trust him and didn't like the way he was always staring at her.
In fact, Harry has noticed too, the way Malfoy was always staring at her. And, as expected, he really, really didn't like it.
« Well, let's go Hermione ! » he said, taking her wrist and leading her towards the Griffondor Tower. She followed him, not taking a last look at the three Slytherins. They made their way through the deserted corridors until arriving in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady.
« Password ? »she said with an irritated voice.
« Directosit'slatin »answered Hermione.
And the portrait swung open. There was a great deal of people in the common room. They were all looking at the announcement board. Harry and Hermione made their way through the mass of students, where Harry pushed two first years as if they were disturbing flies and Hermione apologised and helped the poor children getting up on their feeble legs.
They thanked Hermione, watching her as if they'd seen a angel, and ran away. Hermione smiled and focused back on the board.
« What is it Dean ? » she asked.
From what Hermione could see, there was a large piece of paper untitled :

SEVENTH YEARS'S COMMON ROOM.
From the recent event and in an idea of friendship, the staff has decided to put a new room at the disposition of the seventh years. This room will be accessible by seventh years and seventh years only. It will be located on the seventh floor and a password will be given by the Head of House. The room will welcome EVERY house of Hogwarts. They will all share it in peace and harmony. Any jinx, spell, cast, curse or other type of violence WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. However, if violence do take place in that room, it will be closed forever.
Have a good evening.
Minerva McGonagall.

« Well, that sounds nice ! » said Dean.
« Yes, indeed... » thought Hermione.