The Chase

2. Broken

Blaise sat in the Great Hall the next morning, exhausted. Nightmares had kept him awake most of the night; he may not have been a deatheater but he was heavily involved in the war and seeing your friends die was not fun.

Blaise shuddered as he looked around the hall; the same one where all the dead, no matter what side they were on, were laid out so their families and friends could grieve for them. He could still see their pale, still faces when he closed his eyes.

Finally opening his eyes, Blaise realised he was looking directly at the Gryffindor table. Directly at the red-haired girl who, if he had to be honest was fucking hot, but at this time looked…broken. Her eyes were red and puffy, her hair was lank and she looked completely lost.

Blaise sighed. This is why I don't do relationships. Imagine getting that upset over one person. At least that's what he told everyone else. The real reason was, of course, that he didn't want anyone to know he had nightmares almost every time he fell asleep. Sleeping with a different girl every night meant they never got to know him and the one night they did spend together, they were pretty busy.

Blaise sighed and stood up. 'You look like shit.' He told the red-head as he walked past her.

She looked at him and he smirked, but she didn't say anything. His smirk dropped, confused.

'I know.' She eventually whispered.

Blaise was shocked. 'Woah Weaslette. Where's the comeback? Where's the scowl and the shouting?'

'Please leave me alone.' She whispered, on the brink of tears.

'I seriously can't leave you here like this. Come with me.'

'No thank you.'

'We-Ginny…just come with me. A lot of people are worried about you.'

'They shouldn't be. I'll be fine.'

'You look like you're ready to jump off the Astronomy tower.'

'Maybe I am.'

'Get up!'

'Go away Zabini!'

'No – come with me.'

Ginny eventually followed Blaise, if only to avoid the stares she was getting from the few people in the hall.

'What do you want? Why are you even talking to me?'

'He's not worth it you know?'

'Excuse me?'

'Potter. He's not worth you being like this.'

'I'm fine.'

Blaise laughed. 'You're a shitty liar.'

Ginny continued to follow Blaise as he walked through the halls.

'Where are we going?'

'Somewhere you can get cleaned up.'

'I can go back to Gryffindor tower to do that.'

'But do you want to?' he asked, looking back at her. Ginny dropped her head.

'No.' she muttered.

Blaise smirked and continued walking, only stopping when he reached the room of requirement. They walked in and Ginny spotted a bathroom off to one side.

'Why don't you have a bath?' Blaise asked her.

Ginny nodded but frowned at him.

'Why are you being nice to me?'

Blaise shrugged. 'I don't always wish for everyone's misery.'

Ginny shrugged back at him and walked in to the bathroom. Blaise lay back on the bed and soon nodded off.

'Blaise! Blaise! WAKE UP!'

'GET OFF ME! STOP!'

Ginny jumped and moved away from Blaise as he got his bearings.

'I'm sorry – you were thrashing about. I think you were having a nightmare. I just wanted to wake you up.'

Blaise stared at her as his breathing went back to normal. 'It's fine.' He muttered.

'I get them to you know? I think it's being back in this place.' She whispered, as she walked out of the room. She had cleaned herself up but still looked awful.

…

'Blaise? Blaise? ZABINI!'

'What?'

'Honestly, déjà vu or what?' Pansy muttered, staring at her friend as he pushed food around his plate. 'You ok? You've been funny today.'

'Fine.' He muttered, looking past her. Pansy followed his gaze and noticed he was looking at Ginny.

'Don't tell me?'

'What?'

'You haven't?'

'Haven't what?' Blaise smirked.

'Blaise Zabini, have you shagged her?' Pansy asked, her face turning in to a scowl. 'She's fragile Blaise. Don't be a dick.'

'Fuck off Pansy. She's a big girl. She can do what she wants.'

'Pans, calm down. He's still looking at her – that means they definitely haven't done anything. If they had, he would be ignoring her by now. Plus, Ginny's smart. She wouldn't do anything with him.'

Blaise continued to stare at the red-head and she eventually realised, giving him a small smile.

'Blaise, please don't do this? I like Ginny – she's a friend and she's going through a lot right now.'

'Pans, just forget it. I just spoke with her earlier. I'm not planning on pursuing her.' He said, smiling at his friend.

Not that I'll tell you anyway; you'll just ruin my fun.