I'm actually a wee bit astonished at how utterly plotless my last chapter was. Jeez.

Hopefully this chapter will be better. Hopefully.

Also I realized I stated in my very first A/N in chapter one that I wanted my Blaise as Italian, until I realized that the name 'Blaise' is, in fact, French. So, as adjusted, he is a hot French guy, very romantic, yadda yadda.

Also, I'm thinking of making my chapters a bit shorter in order to make the story move a bit faster.

DISCLAIMER: I realized I failed to include one of these tedious statements in my previous chapters. Anywho, I'm not making any money doing this, I don't own anyone 'cept Roxy and Hidalgo. Word.

Chapter 3—Crash Into Me

Sweet like candy to my soul

Sweet you rock and sweet you roll

Lost for you I'm so lost for you

You come crash into me

Dearest Ginevra,

Ginny grimaced. Her full name always made her think of some old witch living in a musky house with a thousand kneazles. However, she continued reading the letter.

It has been but three days since we parted, and I fear that I am lost without you. Do me the honor of meeting me for supper this coming Sunday at approximately four o'clock.

Don't worry, it's cleared with McGonagall.

I will meet you at the front gates. Four o'clock—be there.

Affectionately yours,

Blaise Laurent Zabini

Ginny rolled her eyes at Blaise's dramatics. Although it was all on paper, she could practically see him prancing around in front of her, bowed at the waist with an insufferable grin on his face. She put the letter in her bag, trying carefully not to bend any edges or wrinkle it. It was only Tuesday; she now had to wait an agonizing five days to see Blaise again.

Picking at her breakfast, thoughts swirled through Ginny's head. Where was this going? The two had an easy, flirtatious companionship; would anything become of it? What would people think? More importantly, what would her family think?

She pushed these musings out of her head and sought out Roxy. The two made their way out of the Great Hall and Ginny told Roxy about the letter. The Ravenclaw squealed.

"Merlin, Gin, he's totally in to you!" Roxy's actions, namely, jumping up and down and clapping, were beginning to draw attention.

Ginny gestured for her to calm down. And calm down she did, except for her practically glowing eyes. "Roxy, this is so…foreign to me. I mean, I've had relationships, but this feels different. Way more than a schoolgirl crush."

"Aw, widdle Weaswey has a boyfwiend!" said an incredibly annoying voice from behind her.

"Hidalgo, you're just jealous because I have a chance with an amazingly gorgeous guy and you don't," Ginny retorted.

"As a matter of fact, Weasley, I do." Not realizing the actual meaning of his words, Ginny began to laugh.

"Well, don't try and hide it or anything!" Roxy shouted at him, between peals of laughter.

It was evident on Hidalgo's face that he was replaying the previous statements in his mind, because all of a sudden, his face turned crimson. He cast a menacing glare on the two girls before storming away dramatically.

Ginny sighed and looked at her watch. "I have a free period now so I'm going to go respond to Blaise's letter. See you later, Rox." The two girls parted as Ginny made her way to the Owlery.

Monsieur Zabini,

It would be an honor and a privilege to join you this Sunday.

It is becoming increasingly difficult for me to contain my enthusiasm. My hand is practically shaking.

For emphasis, Ginny made that sentence particularly scragglier looking than her usual neat handwriting.

Hope you are well.

Yours truly,

G. Weasley

After beckoning a school owl down to deliver the message, Ginny made her way to her private dormitory in hopes of doing some actual homework. Instead, she found Roxy's latest fashion catalogue and looked for a possibility for dinner with Blaise.

She opted for casual: a pair of jeans, a black cashmere sweater, and black flats. It was simple, yet classy at the same time.

Again she ignored her homework, choosing instead to ponder over the connection she had with Blaise. They had met purely by happenstance, but was that really all it was? Ginny couldn't deny that when she first saw him, it was like someone threw on the burners, effectively warming her from inside out. They conversed with ease, and she was undeniably attracted to him.

She sighed. If she knew anything about Blaise, it was his notoriety with a majority of the girls in school. He gave Malfoy a run for his Galleons, with all the girls he's slept with. Despite her worries, Ginny knew deep down that she would never give in so easily. Or so she hoped.


Sunday morning brought the brisk, cool weather everybody had been anticipating. Ginny fidgeted throughout breakfast, wanting to wind the clocks ahead seven hours. Instead, she was resigned to studying (or lack thereof) in the library with Roxy.

At about one o'clock, they stole off to the kitchens for a snack. Ginny was willing to do anything to make the time go by faster. Small distractions didn't exactly help, though. She would be doing something, imagining that an hour or so had gone by and in reality, it was only ten minutes.

The anticipation was absolutely agonizing.

Finally, at three o'clock, Ginny got dressed and spruced up for her date. At approximately quarter to four, she met McGonagall at the Entrance Hall. Ginny felt a bit awkward having her Head of House escort her to a date with an ex-Slytherin.

It was finally just before four o'clock. The two made their way across the grounds towards the gate where a figure stood. Ginny didn't need to think twice about who it was, and a small grin etched onto her face.

The gates opened and it took a great deal of willpower for Ginny not to throw herself at Blaise. He looked utterly delectable in his black sweater and jeans. She laughed to herself: they matched.

"Thank you, Professor, I'll have her back by curfew," he said.

McGonagall nodded stiffly before retreating to the castle.

Blaise then embraced her sweetly as a greeting. Pulling away, he said rather mischievously, "You know, it's very unbecoming to match your date. You should get rid of those clothes."

Ginny laughed, her face red. "What is it that you're implying?" she responded puckishly.

He rolled his eyes. "Honestly, woman, can't you control yourself? I was merely suggesting that you change the color of your shirt or something."

She giggled and they made their way to the village, to his flat.

Once situated inside, Ginny asked, "So what are you cooking for us, chef extraordinaire?"

Blaise looked at her, bemused. "Whoever said I was an extraordinaire?"

"Are you saying you aren't?" she mock pouted.

"That's not what I said," he winked and Ginny sighed, realizing she unwittingly boosted his ego. "Anyway, I decided to go native. Coq au vin." He paused. "Because, it's French, and I'm French, so…that's why I said I was going native…"

Ginny was slightly indignant. "What am I, a Hufflepuff? I knew what you meant."

He apologized, before asking if she would like a glass of wine. She nodded, although she had never really had wine before.

Blaise served the meal and Ginny inhaled deeply. "It smells absolutely divine, Blaise," she told him. "I really appreciate all this."

"My pleasure," he responded.

They ate in silence before adjourning to the sitting area.

"So," Ginny began. "What do you do for a living?"

"Well, I'd tell you but then I'd have to kill you," he replied seriously.

Ginny looked slightly alarmed. "Oh, um, okay…new topic, then—"

He laughed. "I'm only joking. I just completed Auror training about a month ago."

"You're an Auror?" she breathed.

"Never would've guessed it, right?" She nodded and he continued. "Well, unbeknownst to most of the wizarding public, a lot of rogue Death Eaters have begun to band together in a few small counties on the northern coast of England, Scotland, Australia, Iceland, Greenland, and even South Africa. The Auror thing was mostly Draco's idea."

"Malfoy's?"

"You don't know then?" She shook her head and he continued once again. "After the Final Battle at Hogwarts, the other Death Eaters felt that Lucius got off too easily in comparison to his crimes. He was the subject of the first of their new crimes. They turned on the Malfoys, and placed a siege on the manor. Lucius knew that the others were coming for him, so he told Draco to get Narcissa out of the house. He did, but not before he witnessed the murder of his father."

Ginny gasped. "That's horrible." She could not help but feel for Malfoy, after watching her own brother Fred die.

Blaise nodded gravely. "You see, Draco wasn't exactly a fan of his father, but he understood that his father gave his life to save his and his mother's. Draco thinks the leftover Death Eaters should get the punishment they deserve, so he pitched a project to the Auror department and it took flight. I'm his second-in-command," he grinned.

"Well, that's a great responsibility, I suppose. Very noble, too, and loyal. Remind me again why you're a Slytherin?" she teased.

"Because of my cunning and my sexiness," he responded.

"Cunning?" she raised an eyebrow.

"Yep," he replied before grinning. "You don't deny that I'm sexy?"

"Nope," she responded, bluntly.

Blaise laughed. "Are you mocking me?"

"No, of course not," Ginny said.

"You know, you should keep that mouth of yours closed."

"Why? Blaise, I'm being honest—"

"Shh," he shushed her. He had managed to distract Ginny with such an inane argument that she didn't notice how much closer he had gotten.

When she did notice, she muttered a single word. "Cunning."

And then his lips were on hers in a searing kiss. It was nothing like Ginny had ever experienced before. She finally understood the whole fireworks expression. Her body tingled and she pulled Blaise closer, tangling one hand in his hair, the other resting on his shoulder.

Blaise seemed to respond equally. He deepened the kiss, pushing his tongue into her mouth, though she didn't mind the intrusion. She moaned, and began to massage his tongue with her own. He moaned in response and began to slow the kiss. Their previously urgent actions turned languid and soft as they devoured each other.

Ginny reluctantly pulled away. "Blaise," she murmured. "Let's stop, okay?"

They parted and Ginny took a deep breath. She had to be honest with him about her trepidations. "Blaise, this is all very wonderful, really."

"I sense a 'but' coming on," he replied almost sullenly.

"But, I just don't want to feel like I'm throwing myself into a relationship with a notorious Slytherin because of his good looks and sweet words," she admitted.

"Ginny, look at me." She looked up, a tad reluctantly. "I don't know how many times I have to tell you, but I've graduated. I'm not the same person I was in school. I don't know why you don't understand that." He turned away, walking towards the kitchen.

Ginny sighed. "Blaise, listen, please. This is hard for me. I'm just…scared," she shrugged helplessly.

"What?" he sneered. "Scared of consorting with a big, bad Slytherin?"

"No, I'm scared of the undeniable connection I feel when I'm with you. I'm scared of how strong this connection is, because it outdoes everything I've ever felt. I'm scared of being hurt."

Blaise didn't reply. He never said another word to her until it was almost curfew.

"Let's get you back, yeah?" he said.

She nodded wordlessly and they made their way, silently, back to the castle.


A/N: Angst much? Yeah I know their relationship is moving a bit quickly, but that's my intention, so boo.

Ch.4 is almost finished, I'll put it up in a few days.

Title and lyrics from "Crash Into Me" by Dave Matthews Band. But of course you already knew that :D

Reviews are appreciated