Claims, Part Two
For: .Blaise Ron Shippers., HarlequinTemptation,honeymufins, Jolly Jumper, Cat in the web, and TinFoilMirror.

SERIES: Harry Potter
PAIRING: Blaise/Ron, with a side helping of Harry/Draco
REQUEST: continue "Claims"
WORD COUNT: 1478

NOTE: I did my best to make this another longer chapter than the other Blaise/Ron fics I've done in honor of the original request – so, another chapter over 1000 words. Enjoy.
NOTE2: sorry tinfoilmirror! for some reason, I had you down for an update for "the News", but when I looked, you were supposed to be for "claims". Sorry!

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As I waited outside the Great Hall for my date to arrive, I was grateful that I had already asked permission for an overnight visitor from another house. It seemed that Ron was underestimating himself a bit when he had agreed to eight o'clock – to be honest, I hadn't expected him that early either, but I have waited patiently since that early hour.

I hope he likes the clothes I laid out for him – I wouldn't want to be caught with him in something as ghastly as a Weasley sweater. If he's not properly dressed, then he'll just have to change. Of course, a good portion of those clothes were going to be covered, due to the fact that it was lightly snowing outside, and freezing cold on top of that. But it didn't matter – what counted was that he needed to be properly dressed.

Finally, at sometime around eleven, the red-head came stumbling down the stairs in what I had laid out, rubbing his eyes and staring blearily ahead. I really didn't mind the wait – he'd be in the dorms after curfew now, and that was a decent enough excuse to have him spend the night. Potter had come down with him, but his tired state had more of an 'I got shagged last night' bleariness to it – and there was no doubt that Potter was the one getting shagged, and not the one doing the shagging. Slytherins did not get shagged, and Malfoy was no exception to that.

"Good Morning, Ronald," I greeted warmly – after all, him being late worked to my advantage. "I'm glad to see that you have, at least, worn the proper clothing for today."

"…huh?" was his intelligent reply.

I smiled pleasantly, and shamelessly took advantage of his considerably less than aware state. "We have a date, remember? You were going to spend a full twelve hours with me, and that time doesn't start until we reach Hogsmeade."

He managed to work out a glare, which made him look rather cross-eyed, and this time it was Potter who asked: "What?"

"Oh don't look so shocked, Potter," I scoffed, throwing an arm around Ron's shoulders and leading him into the Great Hall for breakfast. "Did you think that we'd leave our little Ronnie-kins alone just because you started dating Draco? I'd ask you if you minded me borrowing him for the day, but I think you're going to be rather busy."

"And why is that?"

The dark-haired boy had an annoying habit of following people around, I noticed, but since it was leading him towards the Slytherin table – and the boy I hoped to distract him with – I wasn't going to argue against it just yet.

"Well, Draco was saying something about finding a girl to go Hogsmeade with today. I assumed that you knew he only had one-night stands – well, unless you were really good in the sack, and then he might take you more than once," I jibed. "Really, though, I can't imagine you being that good."

And if he got any redder, I wouldn't be able to hold in the laughter.

"Of course, with you being the noble Gryffindor and all, I thought you might be following him around like a happy puppy and trying to make him understand that he was your one-true-love, or whatever nonsense it is you like to preach about." Typical Gryffindor nonsense, but he seemed disinterested. He was, however, glaring at Draco. Mission accomplished. "I wouldn't be surprised if he was gloating later about how he took the poor, hapless Gryffindor Golden Boy to bed. Really, how much fun could it be?"

And cue one angry Harry Potter, storming over to one sly Slytherin Prince and demanding A Talk. Yes, hear the capitals. Poor Draco – but I can't say that his pain isn't useful.

"You, however, have no need to start spouting such nonsense," I said, redirecting my conversation to Ron, whom I had just guided to sit down at the end of the Slytherin table. I tapped it lightly to get the houselves attention, and continued. "I understand that you will be loyal to me and only me, and that I needn't go looking for a shag should I find myself in need. Keep your mouth closed when you eat, Ronald; it's unsightly.

"Now, I was thinking that first we should stop by the bookstore. I need to pick up a few gifts, and while the selection of books unrelated to schoolwork is limited in Hogsmeade, I heard that there were a few new reads out that Theodore was hoping for. I thought I might find something for Draco, as well, but it's so hard to find something that he hasn't read already."

Ron seemed to be more alert now, and was working his way through the meal fairly quickly. "Must we go in the bookstore?" he asked, reaching for a glass of milk. His nose wrinkled when he noticed what it was, but he still gulped half the glass down in one breath.

I really do have to work on his manners, but that, perhaps, is best left for another time.

"Unless you want to accompany me some other time to find these books?" I offered. "I really do need them for Christmas, and I haven't a way to get back to Hogsmeade before then after this – but I have heard that you know a few good secret passages."

The face he made was disgusted, but it really was too cute for words.

I think that was a good way to sum up the boy before me, freckles and all: cute.

"No thanks," he said, shoving another forkful of eggs into his mouth. "I want to get this over with as quickly as possible."

"Is that why you're eating so fast?" I asked, frowning. "You're going to make yourself sick."

He shrugged. "I always eat like this."

I shook my head – now was not the time. "Was there anyplace you'd like to visit?"

"Honeydukes and Zonkos," he said, without hesitation. "I need to get Harry a present."

"And you're going to Honeydukes and Zonkos?" I asked, incredulous. He gave another shrug. "Really, Ron, that's simply sad. I can't allow it – despite how little I know Potter, I'm sure he'd appreciate something a little better than a joke gift or candy."

Ron gave a snort, and muttered something, but would not repeat it when I asked. "Look," he said, "I've known Harry for a good four and a half years now, and I know what to get him, all right? Just leave it alone."

"Fine," I agreed, "but I'm going to get him another present – it can either be from you, or a Saint Nick gift, I don't care, but I won't have my boyfriend going around giving such thoughtless gifts as candy."

Thankfully, he didn't pick up on the wrong words, and instead picked up on the right ones – by the end of this day, things were going to work out very well for me.

"I can pick out gifts just fine on my own!" he was – well, not yelling, and not shouting, but harshly saying. "I don't need some creepy Slytherin doing it for me! You don't even know me – "

"Which is what this day is all about," I interjected smoothly. "And, if we don't get to Hogsmeade before this afternoon, tomorrow as well." I smiled as he sputtered, fumed, and generally made himself look like an angry fool.

But still, a cute fool.

"Shall we make our way there, or should we wait for the other two lovebirds? Although, if we're buying gifts for them, that might not be such a good idea. Of course, Draco would never be seen with you in your usual wear – I'm glad you decided to wear what I had put out."

Ron was too busy fuming to pay attention. He stood, harshly, and said in a voice pinched with pain: "Let's just go."

I smiled, stood, and tucked his arm in mine like a proper little girl's arm should be – although Salazar help me if he ever heard me call him a girl. "Yes – let's begin our day, shall we? And please don't be angry the whole time; while it does make you look simply adorable, I doubt your best glares could set the bookstore on fire, and you might scare off the carolers."

Of course, looking pale as a sheet wasn't as good a look as being angry, but it did make those freckles across his nose and cheeks stand out nicely.

"And if you're good, I might just give you a kiss."

Ah – that blush looked so nice splattered across his cheeks. Much better than that pale look by far.

This, I decided, was going to be one of the best Hogsmeade trips I'd taken an indulgence in for a long time.

THE END?