TUESDAY


Blaise felt the wind in his hair as he chased after Draco, his lips curved into a determined smile as the blond Slytherin expertly darted around the evening sky, laughing as Blaise attempted to catch him. The raven-haired wizard loved to fly, loved the freedom of flying, the wind in his hair, nothing on his mind except the openness of the sky ahead of him. However, he hated quidditch. Flying for fun was great, but once you added the competitiveness to it by turning it into a sport, it was something he could do without. He was very competitive, of course, that seeming to be a trait amongst many of his House, but his concentration was on his grades and mental abilities and not some silly sport that could send you to the infirmary.


That being said, he had accepted Draco’s offer for a scrimmage after dinner to give him the opportunity to release a little of his frustrations regarding the entire Hermione situation. It had been three days since he had agreed to Draco’s wager but he didn’t feel as if he was making much progress at all. As soon as it felt like he was moving forward, she’d give him the same platonic smile or ruffle his hair like he was her brother instead of a potential lover and he’d end up back where he started. True, there was now an awareness in her gaze when she looked at him that had never been there before and there had been several times since Saturday that he had caught her looking at him with desire and affection in those pretty brown eyes. He hoped that meant his subtle seduction was working. If he could entice her physically, perhaps she would be more open to the idea of loving him.


Of course, Draco had been smug and very happy most the day, not giving him specifics but Blaise knew it had to be about their study session together the previous evening. That was another reason that Blaise had accepted the offer for a game of Quidditch, having the impulse to send a bludger to the back of Draco’s blond head and knocking the cocky wizard off his broom. As it was, he resisted that urge and simply played the game with the group of Slytherins and a few Hufflepuff that Draco had graciously allowed to participate so there would be enough players for it to be fun. They’d been playing for half an hour and his shoulders and upper body were all ready becoming sore, reminding him why he preferred books to bludgers.


He only gave the game half his attention, the majority of his focus on what he could do to further his seduction of Hermione. A part of him really hated the idea of Draco succeeding, knowing that the blond did care about the brunette witch more than he’d ever admit, having seen sincerity in his friend’s gray eyes on Saturday when they’d discussed Hermione, but also knowing that he’d wanted her first. Merlin, he was sounding as immature and spoiled as Draco, he realized with a frown.


If Hermione chose Draco, he would respect her decision. He might not like it, might know that he could make her just as happy as Draco could, might know that he would happily spend the rest of his long life worshipping her and being completely devoted to her, but he would accept it because he knew, without a doubt, that Draco would cherish her and treat her like a Goddess and love her the way she deserved. Just as he knew that Draco would accept him being chosen, both just wanting Hermione to be happy.


In some ways, he did wish there was a way that they could all be together. He cared for Draco, love not really being a word to describe what he shared with the blond but it was close, and he enjoyed shagging his friend. There was respect, admiration, affection, and friendship between the two old friends and Blaise enjoyed having a close relationship with Draco. He was willing, however, to keep it strictly friendship should Hermione choose him, and he knew that Draco would be faithful to anyone he loved, the blond having a strict moral code that might surprise those that only thought of him as a flirtatious playboy.


Most people would be surprised if they found out that Draco had only been involved with a couple of people in his eighteen years. Besides Blaise, which was the only long-term relationship Draco had had, there had been a brief affair with an upperclassman the previous year that had been entirely sexual and very discrete and that was the blond wizard’s entire sexual history. Draco played the part well, though, knowing exactly how to tease and entice and seduce even if he didn’t have the practical experience to back up his skills.


Blaise, himself, had had a summer fling with a witch he met when he’d been at his family’s villa in Italy the previous year. She hadn’t been looking for anything serious, had been a few years older, and had taught him how to please a woman during their two month affair. He had always been an excellent student and had wanted to learn everything from Sofia while he had an opportunity. Unlike Draco, Blaise did not have that natural confidence that led to speculation about his sexual prowess so he was able to remain aloof and not worry about people focusing on his physical knowledge instead of his academic performance.


Which brought him back to Hermione. He knew how to seduce, had been given high marks from Sofia by the time he came back to school, knew he could have her crying out his name and eager for more if given the chance. He wanted more than sex, though, and that need caused him to be less assured in his seduction. He wanted to make love to Hermione, to taste her and touch her and learn every sound she made and see every expression cross her face as he brought her pleasure, wanted to see love in her eyes.


There, he’d admitted it. He’d thought the L word. He cared about her and could easily love her and he wanted her to feel the same way. He didn’t want some meaningless relationship based on physical need. He might only be eighteen, but he wasn’t the type for random flings. Even his affair with Sofia had meant something, the pretty witch being someone he had known for several years and considered a friend. Besides, Hermione was someone he could imagine having in his life until they were both old and surrounded by grandchildren.


Was it terribly wrong of him to imagine Draco with them? She and Draco were the most important people in his life besides his family, and he selfishly loved to contemplate a future with both the people he cared about. Children with her gorgeous eyes and pale blond hair or his eyes and her lovely caramel colored hair. He knew such thoughts were foolish since she had not even consented to date either of them, but, in the corners of his mind, those thoughts were there. But, mostly, he just wanted a future with Hermione in it.


She meant that much to him, his feelings for her having evolved from fascination into infatuation into friendship and finally nearly love. He couldn’t honestly say he loved her, knowing that it would require her acceptance of him and her reciprocated love before he could sincerely make that claim. It was the closest to love it could be without being involved with her. They had become friends, sharing their thoughts and ideas and dreams, the brunette confiding things to him and Draco that she did not even tell Potter and Weasley, mostly because the Gryffindors probably wouldn’t understand, trusting them both as they all became closer.


Blaise caught up with Draco, smirking at the blond as he did an elaborate maneuver to show off to his lover. He could care less about the bloody game, wasn’t even entirely sure what side had won, though he could assume they had since Draco was smiling and having fun instead of glaring and sulking. Blaise stopped thinking about Hermione and the seduction attempts and school for a while as he started playing an impromptu game of chase with Draco, knowing they had a little bit longer before curfew would require them to go back inside. By the time they landed, his shoulder and back felt as if he had been hexed, muscles aching that he hadn’t been aware he had.


"Bloody hell, remind me not to play with you anymore," he told Draco as he rubbed his shoulder, making a face as a muscle pulled.


"You like playing with me," Draco smirked as he moved behind his best friend, his gray eyes serious as he tried to determine if Blaise was just sore from playing the unfamiliar game or if he might have pulled something while playing. He enjoyed a game as much as the next bloke, but not when it hurt someone he cared about. He was often thankful that Blaise was not a quidditch player, knowing it would distract him just a bit from his duties as captain of the Slytherin team this year if he was worried about someone he cared about getting injured. Once he confirmed that Blaise was whining about the normal aches and pains from playing the strenuous game, he smiled wickedly and slapped his friend on the shoulder, "You’re getting old, Zabini. I swear you’re groaning about aches and pains worse than your Grandfather."


"Scopata fuori," Blaise said sweetly, his indigo eyes narrowing as he refused to show Draco that his body was in pain from the slap.


"Soltanto se lo unite," Draco retorted and moved out of the way so Blaise couldn’t hit him.


"I am in pain so I shan’t bother attempting a witty response that you would fail to surpass," Blaise said dryly, making a face as his hand tried to reach the part of his back that hurt the worst.


Draco simply laughed as they entered the Slytherin Quidditch quarters. They stripped off their sweaty clothes and stepped into the shower, the blond closing his eyes as the water relaxed him. He considered helping Blaise wash his back, but he had to meet Abbott for patrol pretty soon so there wasn’t time to get anything started with his lover. He could have used the release, in all honesty. His game with Hermione the previous evening had left him hard and aching, and had reminded Draco exactly why he had become infatuated with the brunette witch in the first place. She was not only brilliant and beautiful, but she was also daring and cunning and sexy as sin.


Just thinking about her caused his cock to begin to stir, the blond moving his hand down his stomach and slowly stroking his erection. He and Blaise were the only people in the Team quarters and he’d done far more than masturbate with Blaise over the last few years so he didn’t hesitate in starting to wank. When he felt warm fingers join his, he opened one eye lazily, his lips curving into a smile as he asked, "What do you think you’re doing, Zabini?"


"Thought it looked like you could use a little help with that," Blaise grinned as he stepped closer, his lips finding Draco’s as the water showered down on their nude bodies. He groaned when Draco’s hand found his own hard cock, the two wizards stroking one another quickly, wasting no time with tenderness. He had been lost in thoughts of Hermione joining him and Draco in the shower, his shaft hardening almost painfully before he became aware of the fact that Draco had a similar predicament.


"You always were the smart one," Draco moaned softly, his fingers tightening around Blaise’s cock as his lips brushed against the dark Slytherin’s neck, his lips curving into a smug smile as he added, "and I’m the pretty one."


"Uh uh," Blaise denied as he began to arch forward towards Draco’s hand, "I’m prettier than you."


"Then," nibble, "what," kiss, "am," lick, "I?" Draco sucked on Blaise’s ear lobe, his body pushing the taller wizard against the wall of the shower.


"The sexy and clever one," Blaise replied huskily before he began to stroke Draco’s cock faster, feeling his balls tighten right before he grunted, his seed covering his lover’s hand and dripping to the floor of the shower. Draco whimpered against his neck as he came soon after, his release getting on the raven-haired wizard’s hand and lower abdomen.


"That was gratifying," a satisfied smile crossed Draco’s face as he stretched, leaning forward to kiss Blaise, tongues battling for dominance before the wizards ended the kiss.


"Wow. Four syllables. I *am* impressed, Malfoy" Blaise drawled.


"What can I say? I am awe-inspiring," Draco said modestly, his hand running through his shoulder-length blond hair as he sighed, "It is difficult being this bloody gorgeous and perfect."


"Don’t forget modest," Blaise snorted as he stepped back under the shower’s spray, the water cooler than it had been. He quickly washed Draco’s seed off his stomach and hands while letting the water remove his own seed from his cock. He grimaced as he moved his arm, knowing that he was going to regret that ridiculous quidditch match.


"I am many things, Zabini, but modest is not one of them," Draco said loftily, "besides, why be modest when you’re as amazing as I am? Modesty is for those who do not possess extraordinary qualities and merely use the excuse of being humble to hide the fact that they are common and average."


"You’re such a rude bastard," Blaise laughed as he shook his head, his hands wringing the water from his curly black hair as he stepped out of the shower and reached for a towel.


"Honesty is not rude," Draco rolled his eyes, "why must everyone proclaim me foul and vulgar just because I am truthful? Toss me a towel, will you? I’ve got even less time to meet that Hufflepuff twit before patrol and I do hate having to rush."


"A mere please would suffice," Blaise remarked as he tossed the blond wizard a towel. They dressed in fresh clothes quickly, placing their dirty clothes in the bin for washing and heading towards the exit. Blaise was nearly there when Draco handed him something. He glanced at the jar and asked, "What’s this…or do I want to know?"


"It’s a potion for your shoulder, Old Man," Draco explained, "it will ease the ache. It’s best if you have someone rub it in for you since I sincerely doubt you can reach where the most pain is."


"Thanks, Draco," Blaise smiled at his lover, "you want to stop by after patrol and help me?"


"While the idea definitely sounds pleasurable, I must decline. I plan to finish the reading for Potions tonight so the rest of my week will be free," Draco apologized, his eyes gleaming with mischief as he suggested, "Perhaps Granger can assist you. You can roam around bare-chested and tempt her with your lanky build."


"Lanky?" Blaise’s eyes narrowed, "I am slender, thank you very much."


"Who’s being arrogant now?" Draco smirked as the dark wizard childishly stuck his tongue out at him. "Don’t show it unless you plan to use it."


"Can’t. You have patrol," Blaise teased as they entered the school. Giving his best friend a nod, he said, "See you tomorrow, Malfoy."


After leaving Draco and heading towards his room, Blaise began to seriously consider asking Hermione for her assistance with the ointment. As Draco said, it would give him a chance to walk around without his shirt, the dark haired Slytherin remembering her reaction to seeing him naked, knowing she had found him arousing. He had given a good effort at seducing her on Saturday evening, though the massage had aroused him far more than her. And Sunday actually couldn’t have gone better and he hadn’t even planned it. Maybe that was the problem. Perhaps he was thinking about it too much.


When he relaxed and just allowed things to happen, she seemed to respond to him more than when he was manipulative and calculating. If he asked her to rub the ointment on his shoulder, it wouldn’t really be a seduction attempt. His shoulder was hurting and the ointment would help so it would be merely a friend plea for assistance. If she happened to find the sight of him half naked arousing, well, that was even better. He smiled as he began to formulate a plan, something clever and subtle. He knew that he had been highly excited from massaging her the other night so maybe she would react in the same way from rubbing that lotion on him.


Blaise entered their common room, not surprised to find her on the sofa reading. It was her favorite place to read, the brunette witch laying against a pillow and concentrating on her novel. He smiled when she looked at him, "Evening, Hermione."


"You look tired," Hermione told him, noticing the way he was rubbing his shoulder and laughing softly, "Don’t tell me. You played quidditch with Malfoy, didn’t you?"


"That obvious?" he smiled sheepishly as he moved towards the couch. His hair was still wet, a couple of drops of water dripping onto Hermione as he leaned over and asked, "What are you reading?"


"Blaise! You’re getting me wet!" Hermione squealed as she sat up, her face turning slightly pink when she realized what she had said.


Blaise leered playfully, unable to resist, "Am I? I always knew you wanted me, Hermione. Wanna get wetter?"


"You’re incorrigible," she muttered, her body tightening as she responded to his teasing words, seeing the sincerity in his indigo eyes as they swept over her. She glanced down just to make sure she was still dressed because his heated gaze had definitely made her feel as if she was naked.


"Love you too," he replied far more seriously than intended, his eyes looking into hers and his voice husky as he found himself unable to look away.


"So," she licked her lips as she finally found her voice, "who won?"


"We did, of course," he gave her an offended look that she dare suggest they had lost.


"Must not have been playing Gryffindors," she smiled smugly, watching his eyes narrow. Thankfully, the moment of nearly losing her focus and control and simply kissing him had passed. Well, not passed but she had resisted the urge and instead tried to figure out what she could do to entice him a little.


"Must not have been playing Gryffindors," he mimicked in an annoying, high voice, his eyes violet and flashing with amusement.


"I do not sound like that," she rolled her eyes, her lips curving into a smile as she laughed, "Merlin, if I ever do, please hex me!"


"I don’t think you could ever sound *that* bad," Blaise admitted, leaning forward to reach for her book and grimacing when he felt the muscles in his back pull. "Bloody hell, remind me never to play that blasted sport again."


"Poor baby," Hermione tried to stop smiling and act serious, "did you hurt yourself?"


"Yes," he pouted as he rubbed his shoulder, "my shoulder is sore."


"Do you have anything for it?" Hermione asked, only partially teasing. She knew from having two best friends that were quidditch crazy that sore muscles were part of the game. It really wasn’t fair that he was sexy even when he was pouting, she decided as her eyes moved over his face.


Blaise resisted the urge to grin at her question, finding it wonderful that she had asked and he hadn’t even needed to bother hinting. He nodded as he showed her the ointment Draco had given him. He said, "Malfoy gave me this but I won’t be able to reach the area that’s most sore."


"I can apply it, if you want," she offered, not sure if that was a good idea but knowing that his grimace had been real. Besides, it was just some ointment. She’d helped Ron and Harry numerous times throughout the years with similar injuries so this should be no different. Okay, so a part of her, the wicked wanton part, was wondering if she could use this to aid in her seduction attempts but the nice part of her was scolding said wanton part for being a bit of a hussy. And then she wondered why there were so many voices in her head, shaking it to clear them all as she focused on Blaise.


"Really? You wouldn’t mind?" he smiled gratefully as he stood up, "We can do it in my room."


"What?" she squeaked, her eyes widening as she stared at him, her mind going directly into the gutter without passing Go.


"Well, I think it would be better if I lay down for you to apply the ointment, since it’s my back and shoulders that are sore," Blaise said innocently, feeling rather proud at flustering the normally composed witch.


"Oh, right, sure," Hermione smiled as she stood up and followed Blaise into his room. She watched as he removed his shirt, tossing it on the chair and smiling at her over his shoulder.


"You coming?" he arched a brow as he saw her standing in his doorway, her eyes moving over his body with a most decidedly hungry look in them.


"Yes," she said as her eyes narrowed, realizing that he was flirting with her. Must not be in too much pain, she thought crossly, a bit annoyed to realize he must have planned this and she’d eagerly fallen right into his sneaky Slytherin trap. She watched him lay down, pausing to enjoy the image of a half dressed Blaise laying on the bed, his hair wet and even more curly than normal. She took the ointment and walked closer, a devious smile crossing her face as she decided that she could play if he wanted to play.


Instead of moving to sit beside him, she deliberately crawled onto his bed and straddled him, relieved that she had not bothered to change after class. This worked far better if she was wearing a skirt. Her legs were bare as her skirt rode up to her thighs, her butt resting against his as she asked, "Which shoulder?"


"The left," he said huskily, his breath catching when she shifted and he felt the heat of her thighs against his ribs.


"You’re tense," she remarked casually as she put her fingers into the ointment and moved them across his shoulder, barely touching his skin.


"Hmm," he was beyond forming complete syllables, simply enjoying the feel of her hot body against his, his cock hardening as her fingers moved across his shoulder. He inhaled sharply when he felt her knickers against his lower back, the cloth wet and slick against his skin as she rubbed her body against him, her hands moving to massage his shoulder as she applied the ointment. His cock was throbbing from the awareness that she was aroused by him, that she was as excited by this situation as he was. He shifted positions to alleviate some of the pressure on his cock, the movement surprising her and causing her to fall forward, her breasts against his shoulders and her breath hot against his neck and ear.


Hermione smiled behind his head, pleased that her plan to tempt him was working. She tried to ignore the fact that her panties were soaking from arousal and that she was enjoying touching him far more than she should, simply focusing on his reaction. Her fingers traced the words of his tattoo, è sempre quei calmi, finding the phrase perfect for Blaise and herself. She sat back up and continued applying the ointment, teasing and touching him as she did so. He was moving against the bed with little rocking movements, barely noticeable, but she had no doubt that he was aroused.


She could see his profile from where his head was laying on a pillow, his hair behind his ear, his cheeks slightly flushed, his eyes closed partially, his breathing ragged. Merlin, he was gorgeous when he was aroused, she decided, watching his tongue lick his lips as she caressed his shoulder blade. The ointment was applied and was probably working, but Hermione continued touching him, her body rocking against his back as she tried to ease some of the tension. It was becoming more difficult to breathe as she moved against his back, his body arching against hers and rubbing against her pussy as he moved against the bed. She was leaning forward, wanting to feel his body against hers, aching for contact.


Suddenly, Hermione realized what she was doing, how close she was to coming. Oh God, she felt heat in her cheeks as she stopped moving forward, her body freezing as she nibbled on her bottom lip. This was so not what she had planned. She quickly moved off Blaise, her voice breathless as she said, "Well, I think that does it. Your shoulder should feel better soon."


"Huh?" Blaise’s eyes opened and he realized that she was no longer on his back. He turned his head, the indigo depths black as he watched her walk towards the door, his voice desire laden as he said, "Hermione."


"Yeah?" she glanced at him, her breath catching at the need and lust in his eyes as he looked at her.


Giving her the best smile that he could considering his intense arousal and throbbing erection, he said, "Thanks," waiting until the door was closed before he quickly freed his cock and stroked himself to orgasm, the scent of her surrounding him as he came with a soft grunt.


"No problem," Hermione smiled slightly before she quickly left his room, going into hers and falling on her bed as her hand moved into her panties. She touched herself, her fingers sliding into her drenched cunt as she twisted her clit. It didn’t take long before she was whimpering his name as she came. After she was able to breathe again, the brunette witch sighed, wondering if it was ever going to get to be Saturday.