"How far is this place?" Blair asked as the driver made another turn, "We've been in this car for twenty minutes now."
"In all fairness, B, you picked the place," Serena said.
"I don't know what I was thinking. Where are we anyway?" Blair asked/
"We're in Hyde Park. It's a nice neighborhood," Serena said.
"The Obamas lived here," Nate offered.
"And they moved," Blair said grumpily.
The car pulled up to the doors of the museum. The four of them got out and entered the museum.
"What time is it?" Serena asked.
"11:30," Chuck answered.
"So thirty minutes to explore. Great," Blair said unenthusiastically.
"I heard some girls talking about an ice cream place in here. They headed upstairs so it's probably there," Nate said.
"You haven't changed one bit, Archibald, always thinking of girls," Blair said, smirking.
"They were like thirteen!" Nate exclaimed defensively.
"Now would that really have stopped you?" Chuck asked, his smirk mirroring Blair's.
"Let's not get started on who's always thinking of girls, Chuck," Nate said, knowing Chuck wouldn't say anything else, especially with Blair right nearby.
*******
As the group moved through the museum Serena and Blair moved back a couple of feet from Chuck and Nate.
"So things between you and Chuck…?" Serena trailed off.
"Good. Great. Perfect." Blair said, grinding her teeth and avoiding Serena's gaze.
"Well you aren't fighting," Serena offered.
"That's what's so frustrating. I mean even when we were friends we argued a little," Blair started, "But whatever. We're here for the four of us. I don't want to worry about Chuck and me. You on the other hand should be thinking of Nate"
"Guys I think I found the ice cream place," Nate said, Blair and Serena sped up their pace to catch up with the guys.
*******
"Oh my gosh Nate it's an old fashioned ice cream parlor! Remember we always used to want to go to one. We have to have sundaes!" Serena said grabbing Nate's arm and pulling him in front of the menu.
Blair stood back, mentally calculating the calories in each sundae and scoop of ice cream. She thought the Chicago Brownie Buster sounded great, but very fattening. Nate and Serena ordered sundaes and looked at Blair expectantly.
"I'll just have a bottle of water. I had a big breakfast," Blair lied smoothly.
Chuck eyed her suspiciously. Sure she ate that morning, but it was hours ago.
"And I will have the Chicago Brownie Buster," Chuck said, his signature smirk on his face, knowing that it was exactly what Blair truly wanted.
They got their ice cream and four spoons and sat down at the table. Serena, Nate and Chuck all looked at each other and nodded.
"Mmm this is sooo goood." They said at different times peeking at Blair who was staring glumly at her water.
"You sure you don't want anything, B? Serena asked.
"You can have some of mine," Chuck offered.
"Well…a little couldn't hurt." Blair said taking a small bit of what Chuck ordered, "This is good!" she exclaimed after tasting it.
She smiled at Chuck and he beamed back at her. No matter what, Chuck knew Blair better than anyone. He was overcome with the urge to kiss her right then and there with chocolate on her face, laughing with Serena who had whip cream on her nose. Chuck was torn from his thoughts by Blair's voice.
"I'm sorry Chuck, I finished your ice cream," she said, looking guilty.
"I don't mind."
*******
Serena looked around the 12:00 group for the Harry Potter exhibition. There was one woman with her three kids; the girls Nate had seen earlier that day, and the non-judging breakfast club.
When they made it into the exhibit they were greeted by a woman with a phony British accent. She welcomed them to Hogwarts and presented the Sorting Hate. Serena waited for one of the younger kids to volunteer to be sorted, when they didn't she stepped forward. The woman put the hat on her head and after careful deliberation is shouted "Gryffindor!"
"Nate it's your turn!" Serena said, hopping off the stool.
Nate ended up in Hufflepuff and Blair and Chuck ended up in Slytherin causing the surrounding children to look at them in horror.
"At least you're not alone in Slytherin," Serena pointed out.
"Yeah, and somehow I'm not surprised that Chuck is in Slytherin anyway." Nate said.
Since nobody else wanted to be sorted they were ushered into the rest of the exhibit. They were surrounded by props and costumes. Serena grabbed Nate's hand as they began to wander around. Blair and Chuck trailed behind slowly.
"Some things never change," Chuck said behind Blair.
"What do you mean?" she asked quietly.
Chuck gestured to Serena and Nate who were pulling up mandrakes in the corner.
"There were like this at the movies. How long ago was that?" Chuck said.
"You're right. Do you ever think they will be together?" Blair wondered aloud.
"Yes. They are meant to be." Chuck stared into Blair's eyes and somehow they both felt like they were no longer talking about Serena and Nate
*******
Serena and Nate had rounded the corner and ended up in Hagrid's house. Serena noticed the giant chair and realized that they hadn't taken any pictures.
"Nate sit here and don't get up," she said.
Serena walked back to where she last remembered seeing Blair.
"Blair!" she called which made Blair jump back from Chuck, "There you are! And Chuck too! Come on you guys we have to go see Hagrid's house!" Serena said dragging them both to where Nate was saving the seat.
"Blair. Chuck. Hello?" Nate said, waking up Blair and Chuck from the trance they were in.
"So do you want to?" Serena asked.
Blair glanced at Chuck; she could tell by his eyes that he hadn't heard the question either.
"Yeah."
"Sure."
"Could you take our picture?" Serena asked the girl who walked in to the house.
"Sure." the girl said smiling and getting the camera from Serena.
"Okay so Chuck and Nate sit in the middle and Blair and I will take the armrests." Serena said, taking the armrest closet to Nate.
Once they arranged themselves the girl who was taking the picture asked them to move closer. Serena just shrugged and settled herself on Nate's lap. Blair silently cursed Serena and sat on Chuck, trying to avoid his crotch as much as possible. Right before the camera flashed Nate turned and kissed Serena on the lips. Serena got up followed by Nate. They thanked the girl and looked at each other.
"Serena can I talk to you? In private," Nate asked.
"Sure. Wait for us here?" Serena asked Blair, pleading with her eyes.
Blair nodded and Serena and Nate wandered off to a quiet part of the exhibit.
"Oh sorry I'll get off you." Blair said, moving to the space Nate just vacated.
"No." Chuck grabbed her, "I don't mind," he said for the second time that day.
*******
"What was that, Nate?" Serena asked staring off at the chess piece from the first Harry Potter movie.
"Just being around you made me realize that I still have feelings for you," Nate said turning Serena around to face him.
"You do?" Serena asked, surprised at his confession.
"Yes. But if you don't feel the same them I want to remain friends. Our friendship is important to me."
"I have feelings for you too. But I don't want to rush into anything. You're one of my best friends Nate, and I don't ever want to lose you."
"Then let's just take things slow and see where it leads us," Nate said reaching out for her hand.
Serena smiled up at Nate as they looked at the dementor and the Death Eaters in front of them. She had always liked Nate but their time together never came. She figured now was a good a time as any. She felt guilty about how this might affect their trip as the non-judging breakfast club, but she knew Blair wouldn't mind too much, she didn't even look surprised when Nate kissed her.
Serena assured herself that she could spend time alone with Nate on this trip and have time for the non-judging breakfast club. Chuck and Blair were so clearly in love, Serena thought, they would be grateful for the time alone right? The thoughts of Chuck and Blair reminded Serena that they were alone in Hagrid's house.
"Nate," Serena squeezed his hand, "We should make sure Chuck and Blair haven't killed each other yet."
When they arrived it was quite the opposite. Blair sat on Chuck's lap in Hagrid's chair, their faces next to each other, both pointing at things around the room and laughing.
Author's Note:
Yeah I forgot to mention this on my other chapters but I don't own the characters etc. etc.
Also reviews please! And sorry for not updating sooner. I handwrite it out and then type it so it takes a while.