Corresponding Enemy of My Enemy Chapter: "Here Comes the Bird, Pt I" On the eve of Leolin and Draco's wedding, Blaise's plan to make Ginny jealous backfires, leading her to meet her new boyfriend, Wes Carmichael.
Like A Lonely House: A Love Story Told in Nineteen Parts
Part X
I glance down at the address written on the parchment in my hand before glancing up and sighing. I've been standing outside The Aerie, the Ravenclaw local, for ten minutes now, vainly hoping that by some miracle the person I'm looking for comes out, and I don't actually have to step foot in the place. I suppose I've already survived The Petty Diplomat, and this can't be any worse. Still, if its is anything like I imagine, it's going to be excruciatingly pretentious.
Still, the wedding is next week, and I've officially run out of options. Ginny has squarely avoided me since our glorious kiss over Christmas which, rather predictably, Leolin and Drake's stupid drama ruined, and I've been forced to resort to admittedly desperate measures to get her attention. I'm not proud of it, but when I think about how it felt being with her that night, my mind's made up.
I approach the bronze door and attempt to yank it open, at which a classical figure that has be carved into it unexpectedly animates and forces a rather unmanly yell of surprise from my throat.
"Oh what the fuck is this?" I demand, sneering at it.
"If you wish to enter, you must first answer riddles three."
I groan. Why am I not bloody surprised?
"You're joking," I snap, nonplussed.
"Riddle the first," the figures says instead, making me roll my eyes in disgust. "The man who makes it doesn't use it; the man who buys it doesn't need it; the man who uses it doesn't know it. What is it?"
I've heard this one before.
"A coffin."
"Correct."
"Rather macabre, don't you think?" I point out sarcastically.
It ignores me.
"Riddle the Second. I don't have eyes, but once I did see. Once I had thoughts, but now I'm white and empty."
I consider for a moment before frowning.
"A skull. Seriously, are these all going to be so morbid?"
"Riddle the Third," it continues, ignoring my glib remark again. "Bury deep, pile on stones, my mind will always dig up them bones."
I have no bloody clue, and I grit my teeth an annoyance. Why does it always have to be such a bloody struggle? Still, I've come this far, and when I think about Ginny again, about the way she looked at me that night, I know I have to do this. Besides, it's then I realise I know the answer.
"Memories," I answer. "Now for Merlin's sake, let me in."
The figure blissfully fades back into inanimacy, and I roll my eyes and push the door open into a large domed space that reminds me of a the huge Muggle worship houses in Italy. The floor is marble and the walls divided been towering bookcases and overly dramatic frescoes depicting only Merlin-knows-what. Honestly, bookcases in a pub? These people, I'm bloody telling you.
Not wanting to waste any more time here than I already have, I catch the nearest server and flash her a winning smile.
"Excuse me, could you tell me where I could find Eleanor Riley?" I ask breezily.
"She just got cut," the girl explains, and I fight not to swear out loud. " I think she's in the back restocking."
"Great," I say, curbing my annoyance to keep the girl's suspicion down. The Ravenclaws have always made me incredibly uneasy. Too smart, the lot of them. "I'll just wait for her out here then."
The girl shrugs and starts off, and I wait until she's suitably distracted before casually strolling back towards what I assume is the storage room. Blissfully I'm right, and even more blissfully, I manage to make it there without being stopped.
Eleanor is rearranging a wall of wine bottles when I get there, and I can't help but smirk at seeing her. She's pretty as ever, with glossy dark hair and rose-tinted lips, and even considering the reason I'm here, I can help but admire her arse as she bends over to pick up a box on the floor. Part of me feels guilty for using Eleanor to try and make Ginny jealous, especially considering Ginny is, without a doubt, the most beautiful woman I know, and that I would rather die a bachelor than be with anyone else, but I still feel a grim pang of satisfaction at having chosen the perfect decoy; Eleanor is exquisite.
She turns when she realises I'm standing there, and she gives me a small frown of confusion.
"Zabini," she says, surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"Hey Eleanor," I reply, flashing her the same easy grin I'd given the hostess before. "Long time, no see."
"How did you get back here?" she replies, sounding slightly suspicious.
This is already not going as well as I'd hoped.
"I was looking for you, actually. How have you been?"
"How have I been?" she repeats almost incredulously, like it's the stupidest question she's ever heard. "You came all the way here, after not seeing me for two years, to casually ask how I've been?"
"Well no," I admit, rubbing the back of my neck sheepishly. "Actually I came to ask what you were doing next weekend."
"You came to ask me out?" she repeats, sounding almost offended now. "What are you playing at?"
"Leolin Lefevre and Draco Malfoy are getting married and I don't have a date yet, so I was wondering if you wanted to accompany me. Just as, you know, friends."
"Aren't you in the wedding?" she asks.
"Well yeah," I admit. "So?"
"So why would you take me, of all people? I hardly know either of them."
"I just thought you might fancy it. Draco's parents throw a fantastic party."
She frowns and shakes her head.
"Well, enjoy yourself, then," she says, turning back and sliding a bottle into an empty slot on the wall. "And tell Leolin and Draco I say congratulations."
Damnit, somehow I never considered the possibility Eleanor would say no. On the other hand, she made a good point; why would she say yes?
"C'mon," I goad. "It will be fun."
"I'm flattered you thought of me," she says, not sounding flattered in the least. "But I'm afraid I'm going to have to decline. See you around, Z."
She picks up the empty crate on the floor and I start to panic. I really should have made a plan B. However, since I don't have one, I blurt the first stupid thing that comes to my mind.
"I'll give you a thousand galleons!"
She turns, looking equal parts confused and insulted.
"What?" she screeches. "You can't be serious."
"Please," I say.
"Are you mad? Now you're trying to bribe me?"
"No!" I say quickly, and she gives me a withering look.
"What's this about?" she demands. "Do you and Pucey make another one of your sick little bets, or something? Forget it."
"No!" I repeat. She turns to storm out and I feel another spike of panic. "Wait, just here me out, all right?"
"You have two seconds," she snaps, eyes flashing. "Go."
"I need your help to—" I pause, feeling unbelievably sheepish.
"To what?" she repeats.
"To make someone jealous."
"Oh you aren't serious," she demands. "What are you, fifteen?"
"Please!" I say, knowing she's right. This is admittedly a juvenile play.
"No," she says. "I'm not going to help you get into some poor girl's knickers. Who even is it?" she jams her hands on her hips, surveying me with distain. "No let me guess: Ginny Weasley."
"I—" I stutter. "I'm not trying to get in her knickers!" I finish stupidly.
"Oh please," Eleanor shoots back. "Of course you are. You've been trying since we were in school."
"Look, I don't care if you believe me, but I do really like her. We have something thats..." I pause, feeling stupid and poncy for what I'm about to say. "It's the most real thing I've ever felt."
Eleanor's expression softens an almost perceptible amount.
"If that's true, then why do you need me to help you make her jealous?"
I consider this.
"It's complicated, " I say finally.
"Then explain it like I'm stupid," she said, nonplussed.
"Basically she and Draco's relationship is—complicated, to say the least, and so is his relationship with Leolin. Every time Weasley and I get to something real, Drake and Lef get into some petty harangue, and we have to go and break it up."
"Still," Eleanor defends, though I can tell I'm winning her over with my embarrassing candor. "You shouldn't be trying to trick her!"
"I'm not trying to trick her," I say, ignoring the fact that its exactly what I'm trying to do. "Just—trying to get her attention. She's stubborn, and it's one of the things I adore about her, but she can be...difficult to persuade, even when it's something she wants."
Eleanor considers this.
"I'm not sleeping with you," she says finally.
"I'm not asking you to," I defend, trying not to get too giddy yet.
"And I want 1,500 galleons. Up front."
"Done."
"And I want you to introduce me to Amelie Bellenger. She's Leolin's stepmum, right?"
"Yeah," I say, not sure where she's going with this.
"I want to break into the industry, and I'd love to pick her brain. Maybe even show her some of my designs."
I bite my lip. I'm sure Amelie's going to be busy this week with Leolin's dress, and I don't really fancy dealing with Lai if she finds out what I'm up to. She'd blow the whole thing to Hell; she's rather good at that.
"I'll introduce you at the wedding," I offer finally. Leolin will be suitably distracted by then, and it won't matter either way. Ginny will have already seen us together. It's an overly shrewd calculation, maybe, but I wasn't sorted into Slytherin for nothing.
She considers. Merlin, I'm so close.
"Fine," she concedes finally. "You have a deal."
"Excellent," I say, unable to suppress a grin. "I can give you money for a dress, to—"
"No need," she cuts me off. "I'll wear something of my own."
"I'm sure Amelie will be impressed," I say in a poor attempt at flattery.
She ignores me and extends her hand instead.
"Shall we shake on it, then?"
I smile and clasp her palm.
"See you next Friday, then. I'll meet you at my flat. And pack a bag. The wedding lasts until Sunday."
She raises her eyebrows to indicate she will.
"Looking forward to it."
I nod, already picturing ditching Eleanor after Ginny grabs me for a furious shag. I know she's going to want to when she realises she's lost me. I can't wait.
"And Z?" Eleanor says coolly, raising an eyebrow. "You better keep Adrian Pucey away from me. That's ancient history I'd rather not repeat."
I raise my eyebrows. I'd forget he'd dated her after he and Daphne had finally split up. Considering what a twat he is, he certainly got around.
"Scout's honour," I tell her, already thinking it will be easier said and done. Still, I don't care if I have to stun him and lock him in a broom cupboard; he's not going to ruin my shot with Ginny. "See you next week."
x
I hear a knock at the door, and I glance in the mirror and give myself a self-satisfied look before opening it. Eleanor's waiting rather impatiently on the other side, and she gives me a none too friendly look. I ignore her. I'm not here to make friends.
"Eleanor," I say pleasantly, unable to resist giving her a rather shameful up-down. She really does look exquisite. "You look—"
"Eyes up here, loverboy," she snaps in a cold voice. "I don't have time for your ogling."
"I wasn't ogling," I tell her, giving what I feel is a disarming smile. Unfortunately, she's less than impressed.
"Listen, there was a time when I found all of this—" she gives a vague gesture with her hand. "Charming, but I can assure you that time has past. Do you have my galleons?"
I draw a glittering note from my pocket and extend it to her, and she takes it and slides it into a hidden pocket in her pale blue grecian gown.
"Are we ready, then?" I offer mildly, giving her arse another glance as she puts her back to me. I can't help it.
"Let's get this over with."
I take her bag for her and usher her outside, dropping my wards before looping a casual arm around her waist.
"Get off me," she snarls, and I roll my eyes.
"Can you tone down the caustic, please?" I drawl, sounding an awful lot like Drake. "We side-alonging, is all."
Sullenly she relaxes, eyes squeezing shut and we disappear with a pop.
We reappear a second later in Muggle Salisbury, and she glances around in confusion as we skirt the enormous Muggle worship house and cross a busy road.
"What are we doing here? Oh bollocks, you're not going to murder me, are you?"
I turn to give her a weird look.
"What is wrong with you?" I ask as I usher her over to a sleek muggle car which is waiting. "There is no apparating in and out of Malfoy Manor, and given it's size, they rarely open the floo grates, either. We'll go by car from here."
"How long's the drive?" she demands as the wizard cabbie throws it into drive and we dart off, weaving through Muggle traffic like a jack rabbit before speeding off into the rolling countryside.
I glance at my watch.
"With Terry driving? About ten minutes."
"Much obliged, sir," the man tells, tipping his cap.
Eleanor finally seems to accept all this, and she looks out the window as we speed along in silence. Finally we round a corner and the Manor comes into view. I hear her take a sharp breath in.
"Merlin's beard," she whispers. "This can't be Malfoy's house."
"It is," I assure her as we pull into the circle drive, which is jammed with granian-drawn carriages, muggle cars, and even one saddled hippogriff. "And if you think this is impressive, wait until you see the inside."
I press a hand to her back and usher her forward, offering her my arm as we cross the threshold. I watch her marvel at the foyer, which is outfitted in soft Carrara marble and dripping with gold .
Javier, Narcissa's creepy butler, appears immediately at my elbow, and I only narrowly avoid a yell of surprise. Fucking servants!
"Monsieur Zabini," he says in an oily voice. "May I take you and your guest's bags?"
I hand him mine wordlessly, and Eleanor fumbles out a thank you. I'm going to assume she's never had a servant before.
"Your usual room is already prepared for you, Monsieur," he says, offering me a key with a tassel on the end before slinking off.
"Looks like you're sleeping on the floor," Eleanor says immediately, plucking the key from my hand and hiding it in some fold of her silky Grecian dress.
I think to bite out, "not if I'm sleeping in Ginny's bed", but I know that is not likely to win me any favour with her, so I just shrug.
"Let's go find Drake and Lef," I say, grabbing her gently by the crook of the elbow and drawing her into the glittering ballroom.
"Not so fast," she demands, shaking off my touch again. "Introduce me to Amelie Bellenger first."
I give her an almost incredulous look. Merlin, she is shrewd.
"You really should have been in Slytherin, you know that?" I snap at her, glancing around the ballroom to see if I can see Amelie.
There are literally hundreds of people about; it could take me until dinner to bloody find her, and since its customary for the bridal party to sit at alternate tables, I won't get a chance to see Ginny until the dancing, by which time she could very well have fallen back in love with Potter or some other, equally horrible rot. However, luck is (for once) on my side, and I see Amelie standing a ways off.
"C'mon, you little con artist," I snap, and she rolls her eyes.
"Said the black pot to the kettle," she shoots back.
Amelie turns just as we approach, smiling at me.
"Blaise, cherí," she exclaims, pressing a kiss on each of my kiss. "So happy you are finally here!"
"Amelie," I say in return, smiling as we pull back. "May I introduce Eleanor Riley?"
She gives a charming smile.
"I didn't know you had a copain, Blaise!"
"I'm not his girlfriend," Eleanor says hurriedly, shooting me a look warning me against contradicting her.
"We're old schoolmates," I offer instead, raising my eyebrows back to remind her that she had better change her tune when we see Ginny.
"Enchanté," Amelie says, kissing Eleanor's cheeks as well. "Is this one of Doña Sotomayor's dresses? It is exquis." she asks, admiring the way it hangs artfully of Eleanor slim form.
Eleanor blushes.
"Actually I—it's an original design."
"Really?" Amelie demands, further scrutinising it. "This bead work is divine. Who do you work for? I can promise you I would pay three times that at my studio."
"I'm—just starting out. I was hoping to—"
Amelie cuts her off by producing a glittering business card from her clutch. "I'm afraid I'll be rather preoccupied this weekend with my bride, but come to Bellenger on Monday and bring your portfolio. I know there is a place for you in my organisation."
"Thank you!" Eleanor beams, studying the card.
"No thank you," Amelie returns, brushing an affectionate hand down my chest in salutation. "For offering me the first opportunity to make you une étoile. Blaise, tell your mother that I have some new things in I think she would be stunning in. She can come see me any time."
"I will," I assure her, glancing down at the still-giddy Eleanor as she smiles a final time and sweeps off.
"Satisfied?" I drawl, offering my arm again.
This time she takes it without any sourness.
"More than," she admits, actually deigning to smile at me. "Thank you."
"My pleasure," I return. "So long as you keep up your end of the bargain."
She unexpectedly swishes in front of me, grabbing me cheeks and kissing me soundly. I don't really know what to make of this gesture—whether she's saying she's ready to play her part with conviction or that she's suddenly decided she's interested in me—but I feel myself tense up, unsure if I want to kiss her back.
"Wha—" I stammer as she pulls away, and she gives me a pointed look.
"I'm your girlfriend," she says in a dry voice. "Am I not allowed to kiss you?"
"Right," I say, still a little dazed. "Of course."
She rolls her eyes.
"You are so shite at this," she levels at me coolly. "Weasley's gonna see through you in two seconds, and mark my words when I tell you she's going to be hacked off, not filled with longing."
"I don't remember asking your opinion," I point out. "Just keep your mouth shut and follow me lead."
"As his majesty commands," she says, and I growl in frustration as I glance around.
Suddenly I spot Draco and Leolin on the landing of the grand staircase looking like legitimate royalty, and my heart skips a beat when I realise Ginny's with them. She's wearing a soft grey gown that would have looked like shite on anyone else, but on her, it's perfection. It only serves to emphasise how creamy her skin is, and it makes her copper hair stand out, too. She hasn't seen us yet and she's beaming at Leolin, and I can't help but admire her.
"Wow," I breathe, staring up at her almost dumbly.
"She does look beautiful," Eleanor admits. "You have good taste, Zabini."
I glance down at her to find she's smiling at me. It's possible we might actually be able to pull this thing off.
"Right," I say, adjusting my bowtie and pressing a suggestive hand to Eleanor's low back. "Let's do this."
I am so nervous by the time I get to Malfoy Manor that I'm practically giddy, and I try to get myself together as a servant eases my coat from my shoulders and graciously takes the small bag I've packed. My dress for tomorrow is already here, but as the maid of honor, I've come prepared with everything else we might need. At this point, I'm ready for anything.
Well, almost anything. I've been trying all day to convince myself tonight is no big deal—if there is one thing in this ever-changing world I can count on, it's that Blaise Zabini worships me—but I still can't help feeling insanely nervous at seeing him.
What if he doesn't anymore, though? What if he's finally come to his senses after years of lunacy and decided I'm not worth the effort? What if he's met someone else, some vapid supermodel or brilliant mediwitch?
I bubble my lips as I swipe a glass of champagne off a passing tray. He hasn't. I know he hasn't. If he had (which he hasn't), Lai would have given me a heads up. I think at this point she knows how I feel about him, even though I never did get around to mentioning that if Draco hadn't have flooed right when he had that night, we would ended up shagging in her bed.
But what if he has, and she just didn't have the heart to tell me? Bollocks. And now I feel bloody stupid for coming alone. I should have brought a date, just in case. Maybe that painfully sexy trainer the Harpies just hired. Just in case. Just to remind Blaise he's not the only person who finds me desirable. I imagine Blaise giving me that searing, jealous look that makes my stomach flop, and I stamp my foot. Damnit.
On the other, more rational hand, I'm glad I haven't brought a date in some pathetic attempt to get Blaise's attention. We're more mature than that, and I'm tired of dancing around the issue: we like each other, and its long past time we did something about it. I think of the enormous bed in my room upstairs, and I imagine, before I can stop myself, shagging him senseless on it.
Oh get a grip, I tell myself savagely, adjusting my dress and running a hand down my hair to make sure it's still smooth. There's no point in fretting about it any longer. I just need to tell Blaise how I feel. I can worry about getting him naked later.
Suddenly clapping breaks out and I look up, smiling as I watch Leolin and Draco descending the stairs and stop on a landing halfway down to survey their guests. Leolin looks like legitimate royalty, and I admit I don't think I've ever seen her look so happy. Her dress is a simple black with long sleeves that sit off her shapely shoulders, and she's wearing an actual tiara, making her look even more beautiful. Despite everything, I feel a small pang of jealousy, and it unexpectedly grows when Malfoy turns to give her a dazzling smile I've never seen on his face before. I still have my reservations about him, of course, but there is really no point in denying he is an extremely handsome bloke.
I hold my voluminous skirt out of the way as I ascend the stairs, and Leolin squeals when she sees me.
"My blushing bride!" I exclaim.
Leolin laughs, letting go of Draco's arm to embrace me. She smells lovely as well. Of course she does, the bitch, I think affectionately.
"Can you believe it? We're actually made it!" Leolin says, beaming at Malfoy again. He returns the gesture, giving her another glittering look.
"I rather can't, no," I admit, glancing at Draco finally. "Congratulations," I tell him, leaning forward to brush a kiss on his smooth cheek. "I'm happy for you."
His eyes sparkle as he regards me. Merlin their children are going to be good-looking.
"Thank you," he tells me, and I can tell he actually means it. "Your approval means the world to Leolin. To me as well."
I smile at him. Maybe we could still be friends after all. I know how happy it would make Leolin, and if anything were everything to come from my and Z's tete-a-tete...
However, as I'm desperately fantasising about how sexy Blaise's going to look in a tux, I see him swaggering up the stairs towards us, and the small smile slips off my face. In fact, at seeing the gorgeous brunette on his arm, I have to fight not to out and out scowl.
Eleanor Riley? Is he bloody serious?
Surely this is a rouse to get my attention, I assure myself. Or it's not, and somehow they've reconnected and already planning on having loads of mixed race children. Savagely I tried to convince myself that it doesn't matter either way, and I angle my torso away from him in an attempt to prove how little I care he's finally here.
"If it isn't the happy couple," Blaise interrupts, gracing us with a rare smile I am sorely tempted to slap off his face. "Hey mate," he says casually, hugging Draco. "Darling," he continues, kissing Leolin on the cheek.
Finally, he turns to me, giving me a penetrative look. Is he trying to read my expression or rub the fact he's finally moved on it my face? I can't decide, so I scowl at him and turn my head away.
"Good evening, Ginevra," he practically purrs, and I can feel his jade gaze slipping down my spine. You look magnificent, as usual."
I try to ignore the pleasant warming in my stomach at his utterance, but when I glance at Eleanor, who's as flawless now as she had been at Hogwarts, the feelings evaporates, and I sneer at him instead.
"Zabini," I scoff, barely deigning to look his as I feel a flush flooding my cheeks.
"You all remember Eleanor Riley from Hogwarts, don't you?" Blaise said, gesturing to the brunette.
He meets my sour look with a panty-melting smile, and his flippancy is infuriating. I can't believe I fell for his tawdry charms, especially now that I can see it's all been some sick game. I'd been right about him all those years ago at school; he's chauvenistic and vile.
"Eleanor," Leolin says cordially, clearly trying to be polite while still assuring me she's on my side. "How lovely to see you again after all this time."
"You too," Eleanor says, seeming uncomfortable as she accepts a kiss on the cheek from Draco. I try to keep my expression neutral as she hazards a wary glance in my direction, but my petty jealousy over her beauty momentarily overwhelms me, and I know the look I give her is positively wintery.
I can feel Blaise surveying me, and I get the increasing impression that they are not, in fact, in some sort of legitimate relationship, and he's only brought Eleanor to get my attention. I suppose in some ways it's reassuring to know I still have him on the hook, but the fact he's willing this stoop this low makes me want to kick his arse. When he makes a show of sliding a hand around Eleanor's waist, the impulse increases ten fold.
"So, when did you two get together? You never said a word to me, you sly devil," Draco says, smirking sinfully. I know he's interfering because he is positively unable to resist stirring the pot, and honestly, it's bullshite like this that makes me hate him.
Blaise smirks down at Eleanor, and she gives him a smile in return that's tepid as best.
"We just recently...reconnected," he says smugly.
"How lovely for you," I snap curtly. "Just be careful, Eleanor; we all know what a snake this one can be. Excuse me."
I give Leolin another bright smile before scowling at Blaise a final time and swishing off down the stairs without another word.
I am so annoyed I want to scream. I can't though; I don't want to give Zabini the satisfaction. For a second I can't decide what I want to do; I only know that I want to make him feel the same humiliation I'm feeling right now. Considering the fact I now know that he's only brought Eleanor to incense me, I finally decide it's a game we can both play. In fact, I think I'll be a better player than he could ever hope to be.
The only question remains, I realise as I swipe another glass of outrageously expensive champagne, is who my target should be. Surely a Gryffindor, someone like Harry that Blaise already hates. The only problem is that me flirting with Harry would be about as transparent as Zabini bringing Eleanor, and I'm fairly sure Harry still hasn't managed to break up with that horrid leech Olivia. She's nothing I want to mess around with right now.
As I wondering who else I can prey on—Leolin's cousin Blair is married, Teddy Nott's Leolin's distant ex-boyfriend—I see my target a ways off, talking to a younger boy I think might be his little brother. I know as I approach that Leolin will likely be hacked off—he is her mortal enemy, after all—but I know that his uneasy friendship with the rest of his Slytherin classmates is going to be an easy pain point to exploit. I'm nearly on him by the time he notices me, but he shoots me a dazzling (if somewhat predatory) smile.
"Weasley," he purrs, waving his brother off with a elegant swish of his hand. "What a surprise."
"Adrian," I say, considering him for the first time. I have to admit there is something desperately alluring about him—his glinting gold eyes, his almost girlishly perfect lips, his thick tawny hair—and suddenly find myself wondering how far I'd go in service of my revenge. However, when he gives me a self-satisfied smirk, I know not so far as to find out if he's really as good in bed as Leolin's Slytherin friends have always said. Besides, when I remember all the cruel, sick bets he'd made on girls when we were still in school, any kindling desire goes out with a hiss.
"It's been an age," he says, and I fight not to tense as he brushes a kiss along my cheekbone; I can feel his soft breath on my neck, and his cologne is cool and sharp. "You look—well."
"Thank you," I say, trying not to let on how uncomfortable I am. I will be damned if I'm going to let Zabini win this round. "How have you been?"
"Me?" He asks mildly, still sizing me up. "I'm fine. Fantastic, in fact, now that you've deigned to join me."
I give him a flirtatious smile I'm not sure touches my eyes.
"Aren't you charming," I reply in the same tone.
"I can be," he says, taking a step towards me as his golden gaze skates over my shoulder. "When properly motivated." He raises his eyebrows at whatever he's seen, and I know it means Blaise is watching us.
"Is that so?" I retort in an effort to be coy. Tentatively I reach forward to casually brush my hand down his forest green necktie. He seems pleased by the attention, and I know I should back away. Still, I'm nothing if not impetuous when backed into a corner, and I can only imagine how much Blaise is fretting over this.
Good. Let him fret, the bastard.
"You tell me," he replies, reaching forward to touch my earring, making it jingle.
"I think I already have done," I laugh, casually rolling my neck to break his grip. I admit I've grown breathless, and it's not for want of him.
"Well enough about me," he says, studying my expression the way only Slytherins ever do; it's an overly penetrative look designed to analyze what, if anything, can be gained from the subject. Even Leolin and Blaise have used it on me before, and it's utterly infuriating. "How are you?"
"Fine," I reply quickly, getting a glass of champagne as an excuse to look away from him to keep him him from reading me. " Same old, same old."
"Really?" he presses, and I watch his eyes flick to my lips. "Somehow how I find that hard to believe."
"I'm not sure why," I admit stupidly, unsure of what else to say.
"You don't have to be coy with my, angelfish. I know why you're here."
"And what's that?" I ask, flushing a little as he tucks a stray curl behind my ear before brushing my cheek ever so slightly with the pad his thumb. He's disturbingly good at this whole "snake-charmer" routine. Suddenly I'm less surprised that he had such success in his bets at Hogwarts.
"You're hacked off Zabini's brought Eleanor, and now you're looking to get back at him."
I don't know what to say. I mean, there's no real point in denying it, but I'm also not sure I want to flat out admit it, either. The look he's giving me is fairly unnerving.
"How am I doing so far?" he says, smirking.
I still don't say anything, and he gives me that dazzling snow white smile.
"I can help you, if you like," he offers casually. "After all, what are friends for?"
"I wouldn't hardly call us friends," I point out, getting slightly defensive. I admit I don't particularly care for where this is going.
"Then maybe you'd like to be," he presses, biting his shapely lower lip. "I'm told I'm a rather good one."
"Not from what I've heard," I shoot back before I can stop myself.
He gives a deep laugh, cocking an eyebrow.
"Don't believe everything Lef tells you."
"Why shouldn't I?" I query. " She's my best friend."
"And yet you don't do everything she tells you," he points out. "Or you wouldn't have come over here."
"What are you implying?"
"Implying? Nothing. I would say more...propositioning."
Now I can't help curling my lip as I'm reminded why Lai hates this prick so much.
"Are you honestly asking me to shag you?" I demand.
"I never said that," he says. "What kind of bloke do you think I am?"
He flashes another easy grin.
"Unfortunately for you, I already know exactly what kind of bloke you are."
"And yet," he says, raising his eyebrows. "Here we still are discussing it."
"What do you want?" I demand, knowing I need to get out while I can while still stubbornly refusing to give ground. I swear, I'm Gryff to a bloody fault.
"How about a walk?" he offers, glancing over my shoulder again before extending a genteel hand. "The gardens really are pretty fantastic."
I consider his proposition, resisting the urge to look over my shoulder as well. I know this is only bound to end in trouble, but I also know it would drive Blaise absolutely fucking mental.
"Well?" he presses, eyes glinting now. "It's just a walk, Weasley, not a marriage proposal."
"I—"
"Ginny Weasley?"
I turn, admittedly grateful for the interruption, to find fresh-faced Gryffindor I think I might recognise smiling back at me. One of Blair's friends, I'm fairly sure.
"Yes?" I ask, ignoring Pucey's latently annoyed expression.
"Sorry to interrupt, but your brother Charlie was looking for you. I think Fred and George might be trying to set off fireworks during dinner. He thought maybe he could talk them down?"
I turn back to Adrian, seeing a last chance to piss Blaise off without any real consequence.
"Lovely catching up," I tell him cattily, brushing a kiss on his cheek before turning back to the newcomer.
"It's a standing offer, Weasley," he purrs somewhat predatorily. I'm beginning to think Pansy's right; he does sort of remind me of a bloody jungle cat.
"Duly noted," I cast out flippantly before turning back to my knight is scarlet and gold armour. "Shall we?"
The stranger gives an easy grin, offering me his arm. At this point I do glance up at Blaise, noting his sour expression with grim satisfaction before turning my back on both of him and Pucey.
"So," I say when we're out of earshot. "Does my brother really need me?"
The man laughs, running a hand through his hair.
"I don't think Charlie's even here yet," he admits. "I just thought you looked in need of rescuing."
I raise my eyebrows mildly.
"I'm a big girl, darling, I can take care of myself."
"I know," he laughs again. "Poor choice of words. I just meant that—"
"No, I'm grateful," I interrupt, flashing him a quick smile. "It was a...tedious conversation at best. So, you are?"
He smiles.
"Wes Carmichael. I was friends with Blair and your brother in school."
"Ginny," I offer, even though he already knows my name.
"Ginny," he repeats, cute smile broadening. "Good to finally put a name to the face."
He might not be as incendiary a choice as Adrian, but when I glance up at Blaise, who's scowling now, gripping the railing of the balcony so tight his knuckles are white, I know I've won.
Checkmate, you miserable bastard.
"So Wes," I say, looping my arms through his again. "What do you do?"
A/N: For those of you waiting for Before We Turn, Chapter 2, please know it's at my editor's now and will be posted in the next few days.