Blaise Zabini trying to catch a glimpse of the Giant Squid by the Black Lake in January 1997. Taken by Theo Nott
I’m glad you’re choosing to see the other side.
I’m full of surprises.
Life is too short to surround yourself with negative things, don’t you think?
Normally, I would disagree with you. But I actually think you’re right. Life is damn too short.
Come on, it’s not that bad.
I admire your optimism.
Pansy sat on her branch, watching as Blaise turned about, looking for the source of the noise. A small smirk graced the girl’s lips. He had no clue, none at all, and she relished in that fact for a moment. She stayed perfectly still, poising herself to shout again, when he looked up. Her foot nearly lost purchase, causing her to grab another branch to ensure she didn’t fall. But that movement had caused her to be seen.
“Damn you, Zabini!” she called down, amusement in her tone. But it was only then did she realize just how far off the ground she was. Breathe, Parkinson. She willed herself to step onto a lower branch, heart racing as she tried not to look at the ground. Pansy had never been a fan of heights, especially after falling off a rather out-of-control broom when she was eight. It had never stopped her from climbing a few trees when she felt particularly upset, but getting down was always a spectacle.
So it was with a slow, careful pace that she made her way down to the bottom most branch, holding onto the others for dear life.
Pansy didn’t look at Blaise until she had reached that bottom branch and went to hop down, glad to have her feet on solid ground. But the landing was bad, and she tipped forward, grabbing Blaise and pulling him down to the ground with her.
“Sorry about that,” she mumbled, turning over onto her back. Adrenaline was still coursing through her after her frightful descent, and as she peered back up at the tree a laugh escaped her. A full, genuine laugh that didn’t stop even as she sat up. Pansy full realized she must have seemed mad - and maybe she was - but at that moment didn’t really care.
“So, Zabini,” she asked, turning to him. “How have you been?
Blaise laughed, still looking up where Pansy had become more visible now. She was quite a way up the tree. He was actually impressed that she had managed to climb that far up. Even he would not have been comfortable being that far off the ground and he was fairly tall himself. Being on a broom didn’t count of course. Brooms were safe and steadier than any branch. You could guarantee that your broom wouldn’t snap if you sat on it too much. The same could not be said about a branch. So Blaise felt a little uneasy as Pansy descended.
He breathed a sigh of relief when she reached the bottom branch but just as he was about to say something, she tumbled forward and brought him down with her. He let out a groan as they hit the ground as the full impact had been taken by his back. Blaise wriggled about on the floor until he got the feeling back in his spine.
Then he heard the sound of female laughter and he looked up to see Pansy, just sitting there and laughing. He began to chuckle as well. “It’s alright. I should be wearier of girls falling out of tree at the sight of me.” Blaise smirked at her cockily. He stretched his body out and rested his head on his hands. “I’ve been just fine,” he sighed. “What about you? Been sweeping any other guys off their feet?” He joked, nudging her with his knee lightly.
Any excuse is good for a party.
That’s true. Anything to lighten this place up.
Ginny could feel her cheeks flushing, her head was all over the place, she knew that it was better to just stay inside when reading. The sun had called her out though, and after being trapped in the burrow most of the summer she couldn’t resist. When she realized that it was Blaise’s lap she had sat in, she was put on edge. He was a Slytherin and had sided differently during the war. There were so many grudges and vendettas going around from the war she didn’t know if he held one against her or anyone attached to her. As he spoke she relaxed slightly and let her heart slow it’s pace against her chest.
Ginny nodded slightly, “Yeah alright.” Ginny couldn’t help but let out a snort of laughter as she sat next to him on the bench. “As comfy as your lap seems from my brief encounter, I’ve heard rumor of my brother running around this school, and I don’t think I really want to start off my year calming Ronald down and explaining that sitting on your lap won’t get my pregnant.” Ginny smiled up at Blaise, she wasn’t short, but she was still a few inches shorter than the older boy and it showed. Her brother? That’s why she was worried? Not her boyfriend? Was she really not seeing herself as his anymore? Shaking her head slightly to clear the thoughts from her head she leaned back against the brick wall behind them and let the sun hit her pale skin. “And they expect us to go to class when it’s this nice out?” She asked, a small smile still gracing her lips.
It wasn’t the norm to be joking around and chatting nicely with Ginny Weasley. Over their years at Hogwarts, the two had never got on. There had been more threats being made and names being called than any nice words thrown between them. But Blaise could no longer be bothered with that. In addition, she was no longer the annoying little weaslette. Still, he surprised himself with his invitation for her to join him and even more so when she placed herself down next to him.
Blaise raised an eyebrow at her. He thought it was a little strange that she had failed to mention her own boyfriend – at least, that’s what he assumed her relationship with Harry Potter was. Even to him, it was obvious enough. “Your brother’s really that protective? I thought he’d be keeping himself busy with Granger.” He shrugged casually. He did not know much about how the Gryffindors relationships worked. Unlike pureblood betrothals, they were not broadcasted throughout society. Although a little invasive, it was easier to keep up that way. Then again, Blaise had barely kept up with the way his own relationship had gone over the last few months.
Looking up at the sky, he squinted at the bright sun beaming down on the pair of them. Then he turned to her. “At the very least they could move the classrooms out here Potions outside sounds a little more appealing.” He laughed as the corners of his mouth curled into a smile.
Depends on the book, what are you reading?
Hamlet.
The guy is mental.
Oh, trust me, it definitely was.
But this really weird guy in my class smelled it…and then he tasted it.
Weirdo. That just proves they’ve started letting just about anybody into this place.
