June 2001

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Pouring the soup into a bowl, he looked up, flashing Pansy a smile.

"You look better today," he told her, watching as she ran her fingers through her hair, nervously.

"I should have brought Binny with me," he murmured, throwing her a sideways smirk, making her elicit a little giggle.

"I still can not get over the two of you here, practically living like Muggles," his voice tinged with mock distain.

"Shut up, Zabini," she chided, giving his arm a playful slap before taking the bowl and spoon that he held out for her. Settling down on what had become her seat at the island, she blew on the spoonful she held halfway between the bowl and her lips in an effort to cool it as Blaise watched her intently.

Glancing up she narrowed her eyes. "What?"

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Nothing, bella. How long before his shift finishes?" he asked.

Pansy frowned at the clock. "Half an hour, thank Merlin," she confirmed, mumbling the second part.

Blaise gave her a look of mock offence. "I am hurt, bella, that you would think my company is not stimulating enough."

Pansy nearly choked on her soup at his obvious double entendre.

"That was a long time ago," she hissed, glaring at him.

Blaise quirked an eyebrow at her. "It wasn't such a long time ago, and back then you would never have prefered to spend time with Weasley over me," he stated, his tone carrying no trace of malice.

Pansy pushed her bowl away, her appetite suddenly leaving her. "It was practically a lifetime ago, Blaise. Everything is fucked up now." She furiously rubbed her eyes with the heels of her hands, groaning at her inability to make them stop.

Blaise pushed himself away from the counter he had been leaning against, enveloping her in his arms. "Hey, shush, baby steps remember. And I was only teasing you about Weasley. I think he has been good to you. For you." He planted a kiss on her forehead as she pulled away, smiling. He couldn't help but notice the light blush that stained her cheeks.

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Bursting through the door, laden down with bags of food, Ron appeared to be struggling. Leaping off the couch where she'd been sitting crossed legged and browsing a magazine while Blaise read a novel, she rushed to help him.

"What's all this?" she asked, frowning as she poked her nose into one of the bags.

"Left overs. Marcel said we should just take it all as a fresh delivery is coming tomorrow. Don't tell mum but there is a quiche in there that is tons better than hers," he grinned shyly, depositing his load on the counter before brushing his fringe out of his eyes. Pansy reached up and touched his ginger locks, running her fingertips lightly through them.

"You're fringe needs to be trimmed," she murmured, his gaze falling on hers for a heart-stopping moment. "I could do it for you if you like, I used to cut the boy's hair all the time." she stated, moving away and opening the fridge. She took out three bottles of water and handed one to Ron before moving back to the lounge to hand one to Blaise. He looked at her sideways as she sat down, but she carefully avoided his scrutiny.

Ron unscrewed the cap on his bottle, nodding to Blaise. "I hardly think you cut his hair."

Pansy picked up a throw cushion and proceeded to do just that, laughing as it connected with his arm, causing him to soak his shirt. "I meant Draco and Theo," she cried.

Ron glared before striding into his room to grab another shirt.

"What's going on?" Blaise asked her quietly, taking her magazine when she feigned an intense amount of interest in an article about cellulite-whatever the hell that was.

"Nothing," she murmured, snatching the magazine back.

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Filling his briefcase, Blaise glanced over and saw her fidgeting in her seat. He reached across and removed her hand from her mouth. "Don't do that to your nails," he chastised, gently causing her to huff.

"How long will you be gone?" she asked, fiddling with her hair, then the hem of her shirt, looking down.

"I have some business to attend to, but I plan on coming back next week. You will be fine, Ron is looking after you." He smiled, kissing her cheek.

She glanced over his shoulder to see Ron coming out of his bedroom wearing jogging bottoms and a loose t-shirt, before grabbing the juice out of the fridge and putting it to his lips.

"Not out of the carton!" she admonished and for a second he was transported to another place, another woman telling him the same thing. He grabbed a glass from the cupboard, pouring some juice before returning the carton to the fridge, slamming the door.

Pansy glowered, before smiling brightly at Blaise as he said goodbye to them both.

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The light from the tv flickered across the darkened room as his eyes fluttered open, his neck creaking a little as he adjusted his position. He tried to sit up; however, slumped across his chest was Pansy. Clearly they'd fallen asleep watching the film. Gently, he lifted her up and carried her into the bedroom, placing her in the bed and covering her with the duvet. She stirred a little as he planted a kiss to her forehead. He started to back away, only for her arm to shoot out, her fingers wrapping around his wrist.

"Stay," she murmured, her eyes not opening.

He hesitated for a moment, before climbing onto the other side of the bed, pulling her into him. She rolled over, her head on his chest, arm coming across his stomach.

He wasn't entirely sure this was a good idea.

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