Title: Christmas Kisses

Author: Kassandra Ramsey

Rating: Pg-13

Pairings: Blaise/Hermione and Ginny/Draco

Disclaimer: Not Mine.

Summary: 7th year fic- Hermione Granger receives a kiss (she's standing beneath the mistletoe) from an unlikely person. Now, she can't get that person or his kiss off of her mind. HGBZ

Dedicated to my Grandfather, Frank Norris Williams, who passed away this morning, 12/6/04.

Christmas Kisses

For the life of him, Blaise Zabini could not say for sure, what had possessed him to do it. He had always tried his best to be invisible, and forgotten. The seventh year Slytherin was terribly shy, and the few times he'd tried to carry on complete conversations with anyone, he had embarrassed himself by stuttering.

So he tried to remain in the background whenever possible, and would always use a one word answer or grunt when asked a question. Unfortunately, this had given most people the impression that he was either stuck-up, or slow.

Blaise was neither of these things. His scores were second only to Hermione Granger's, but he didn't mind that at all. It had actually pleased him that a muggle-born was the top scorer in their school. He took great pleasure in sharing this with his bigoted, prejudiced relatives.

But he'd never really fancied her before. Blaise had assumed that she was dating Potter or Weasley, or some other noble Gryffindor.

She was actually the furthest thing from his mind as he made his way through the school and to the carriages waiting to take the students to Hogsmeade. He had three sisters and there were only three weeks left to buy them Christmas presents.

Hermione was standing just inside the front door of the castle. She was tapping her foot impatiently and glancing at the watch on her wrist.

It was obvious she was waiting for her two friends.

As Blaise got closer to her, he was suddenly struck by how beautiful she was. Her rich brunette curls had red and blond tones that were brought out by the sunlight streaming through the open door. Her large brown eyes seemed to sparkle even thought she was annoyed at having to wait.

As it was the weekend, she was dressed in jeans and a jewel-toned sweater. Blaise couldn't remember ever seeing her in anything but her bulky school robes.

Time seemed to slow down when he was three feet away. It was then that he noticed the mistletoe hanging high over her head.

What happened next was so unreal that even though he had done it, he still had trouble believing it.

Hermione sighed impatiently and looked at her watch for the fifth time. What could those boys possibly be doing? When she'd left the dorm twenty minutes ago they said they'd be right down. She glanced anxiously at the waiting carriages. There were only a few left. If Ron and Harry didn't get here soon, they'd all be walking to Hogsmeade.

Out of the corner of her eye she noticed a tall, lanky form approaching. At first she thought it was Ron, but when she glanced at him directly she saw dark hair and midnight blue eyes. He was a Slytherin, so she made sure not to let her gaze linger. It would not do to provoke a Slytherin. Especially while she was by herself.

Because she had deliberately turned her head away, she didn't even know that he had been heading for her until she felt his hands grip the backs of her elbows.

He quickly spun her around to face him, and pulled her up against him.

Hermione felt frozen. Like she couldn't move even if she wanted to. But whether that was from shock or something else, she wasn't quite sure.

Time seemed to almost come to a complete stop as he slowly lowered his head.

Hermione's conscience screamed out for her to push him away, but for the first time in her seventeen years, she did not listen to it.

She didn't know why she tilted her face up to his and closed her eyes. She hadn't a clue why she opened her mouth and allowed his tongue entrance. Her hands went up around his neck, and the passion she felt as she kissed him back rocked her to her core.

It seemed like an eternity before he pulled back, ending the kiss.

Hermione stared up at him questioningly.

He glanced up at the ceiling, and she followed his gaze.

"Mistletoe," he whispered, and then walked out the door.

Hermione stared after him in a daze for several minutes.

"Sorry we took so long, Hermione, Ron had to… Are you okay?" Harry asked, staring at her in concern.

"What?" she asked him, distractedly.

"You look sick," Ron said in his usual tactful manor.

Harry swatted him.

"I'm fine. Let's just go, maybe we can catch one of those last carriages," she said, and took off out the door.

Hermione sat at a table in the Three Broomsticks by herself, nursing a butterbeer. She'd told Harry and Ron, who were blowing their money in Honeydukes, that she was going to the bookstore and would meet them later.

After having no success in keeping her mind on books, she'd admitted defeat, and found a quiet table in the back of the tavern so that she could think.

Hermione had never been kissed like that before. A quick peck here or there, sure, but an open-mouthed, body against body, cheesy romance novel kiss? Never.

She could feel herself flush again as she thought about it.

She closed her eyes and could imagine every detail of him. He'd had silky soft raven hair that curled slightly at his nape. His blue eyes were so dark they were almost black. His pale complexion lacked the blemishes that most boys his age struggled with.

He'd seemed so familiar to her when she'd been in his arms, but the truth was that he couldn't have been more of a complete stranger. She knew that they'd had some classes together when they were younger, but for the life of her, she could not remember his name.

"Hi Hermione," Ginny said slipping into a chair beside her.

"Huh?" Hermione asked startled out of her thoughts.

Ginny giggled.

"Who is it?" she asked.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Hermione answered, truly confused.

"I know that look Hermione! You're head over heels. So tell me who it is already," she demanded, playfully.

Head over heels? Could she actually be in love after one kiss? Well, it had been an amazing kiss.

Ginny shook her head and giggled again at the dreamy smile that crossed Hermione's lips.

"You've got it bad. Tell me who, please?"

"I can't, Ginny."

"Oh, come on! I'll tell you mine!"

"Yours? Aren't you dating Seamus?"

Ginny gave her a sheepish look.

"Well, I am technically dating Seamus, but that's really because I know the guy I really like would never want to be with me," she admitted with a longing sigh.

"Who?" Hermoine asked, intrigued at the idea that there was a guy who wouldn't want to be with the gorgeous redhead.

"Do you swear not to tell anyone? Especially my brother?" Ginny asked, anxiously.

"Of course."

"Draco Malfoy."

Hermione spit butterbeer all over the table.

"WHAT?"

"Keep your voice down!" Ginny reprimanded grabbing a few napkins to soak up the mess.

"Sorry Ginny, it was just such a shock," she apologized.

Ginny frowned at her, then sighed again.

"I know, isn't it? That's the awful thing about love, you don't really get a choice."

Hermione took another sip of her drink while contemplating Ginny's ominous words.

"So, are you going to tell me who yours is?"

"I don't know his name," she said, miserably.

Ginny raised an eyebrow at that.

"Is he a Hogwarts student?"

"Yes, he's in Slytherin. And I'm pretty sure that I had some classes with him a while back, so he must be a seventh year," she said thoughtfully.

"I probably know his name, point him out to me next time you see him. So, what happened that made you realize you liked him?"

"He kissed me," she answered.

Ginny's jaw dropped.

"You don't know his name, but you let him kiss you?" she demanded.

Hermione blushed.

"I was by myself in the entrance hall waiting on your brother and Harry, when all of a sudden he just came up to me from out of nowhere."

"And, he just kissed you?"

"Well I was standing under mistletoe."

"That's sweet."

"No, it wasn't sweet. It was amazing, Ginny! He grabbed me and pulled me up against him, then kissed me more passionately than I'd ever been kissed before, tongue and all!"

"And, you've never said two words to the guy before?"

"No. It's just so odd! I don't do things like that, but I can't stop thinking about it…" she broke off with a gasp.

"What?" Ginny asked, turning around to see who had just walked in the door.

Her jaw dropped again as she turned back to Hermione.

"That's the guy that kissed you?" she asked incredulously.

"Yes, do you know his name?" Hermione whispered, ducking her head and hoping he wouldn't spot her.

"Sure, that's Blaise Zabini. But Hermione, he's so quiet and reserved. Kissing a girl he doesn't even know really doesn't sound like something that he'd do."

"Blaise Zabini? Oh, I remember that name! He's got the second highest grade in the school. Right below me, of course."

Ginny quickly glanced back at Blaise.

"Are you sure you didn't dream it?" she asked, finally.

Hermione glared at her.

"Trust me, Ginny. You can't dream a kiss like that."

When Blaise entered the Three Broomsticks he spotted her immediately. She was sitting at a table in the very back with the Weasley girl.

He quickly sat at a table far enough away that he could see her, but not be conspicuous. He was surprised when Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle sat down with him.

Malfoy nodded at him, and then turned to his 'friends'.

"You two go get us some drinks," he commanded, handing them some coins.

Malfoy turned to Blaise and cleared his throat.

"I saw what you did, Zabini," he said, without pretense.

Blaise glared back at him, silent.

"You never were much for conversation," Draco commented with a smirk.

"Did you want something?" Blaise asked, proud that the question came out clear and menacing.

Unfortunately it had no effect on Draco.

"Yes, I'm struggling in Transfiguration. That cow, McGonagall, really doesn't like me," he said.

"Y-you want me to tutor you?" Blaise asked, wincing at his studder.

Draco gave him an amused look.

"No, I want you to do my homework for me."

"Or what?"

"Or I'll tell the whole school about your little 'mudblood' indiscretion," he sneered.

Blaise snorted and went back to staring at Hermione.

"Tell who you want, I don't care," he said.

"No I didn't think you would. But I bet Granger would."

Blaise turned his attention back to Draco.

"She'd be black listed from Gryffindor if word got out she was snogging a Slytherin. She might be enchanted with you now, but she'll hate you for it eventually."

Blaise glared at him again, and Draco knew he'd won.

"Have my essay ready before Monday's class," he said, and moved to another table.

Hermione and Ginny got up and left a few minutes later.

Blaise watched her avoid looking at him, her face turning bright red and sighed.

What had he gotten them into?