Chapter 11: Just A LOT of Distraction
- I just had the most HORRIBLE revelation! While I was rummaging through my possessions basking in the joy of owning what few things I do, I realised Harry Potter isn't one of them! Oh how horrendous... -
1"My hopes are so high that your kiss might kill me. So won't you kill me? So I die happy."
-Dashboard Confessional
xXxXx
So maybe it was a bad idea.
Maybe.
Sure he wasn't really listening to any of the words flowing from her pretty little mouth so he couldn't actually be learning anything during the tutoring session, but…On the other hand, he was spending the day with her in very close proximity without her glaring at him – or at the very least not as much as she usually did.
Plus, he was probably just genetically engineered not to understand Charms, so if he was going to not understand Charms with someone it stood to reason that she was the best person to not understand it with.
After all, she was very pretty. What with her dirty blond hair pulled up into a ponytail, and that small strand of hair that seemed to have slipped and kept swinging freely in her face. And the way she bit her bottom lip nervously when she tried to explain something difficult… Blaise had stopped wondering where his sanity had run off to. Wherever it had gone it obviously wasn't going to come back anytime soon. Like they said, when in Rome… If he was going to be insane he might as well enjoy every minute of it.
Really now, if he wasn't going to learn anything he should at least be able to…examine someone like her. Someone so…beautiful.
Blaise smiled. This logic made perfect sense to him. Then again, he had never really been logical…Especially when it came to women.
"Are you even listening?" She asked exasperatedly brushing that stubborn hair aside.
He smirked. "Of course I was." No need to let her know he was genetically engineered to not understand charms. Then he wouldn't have an excuse to be this close to her and have her talk to him amiably.
"What did I say then?"
Of course, if she asked questions like that, she would begin to get the notion in her head that he wasn't learning anything. And if that notion got into her pretty little head then her pretty little head, with her pretty little lips would refuse to help him with Charms and then well, he wouldn't have an excuse to be near her anymore. No, that would not do well. "You want me to repeat it all, dove?"
"Not all – Don't call me dove!"
The strand of hair dropped back to her face, he reached out his hand and tucked it behind her ear. Luna's eyes opened wide but she said nothing. He let his hand linger for a little while before dropping it. She opened her mouth as if to say something but closed it promptly. He gave her a small smile. "You were saying?"
Luna looked at him blankly. "Uh…I was…"
Blaise Zabini, master of distraction. "I believe you were explaining," he moved the book a little so he could see, "the effects of calming charms?"
Luna shook her head as if to clear it and glared at him again.
Blaise smiled. Even her abominable glare was pretty.
"Anyway, it's a simple charm that…" Her voice seemed to fade as soon as the word 'charm' slipped from her lips.
Her lips.
Heavens. He could spend hours watching her lovely little lips. They were a pale pink colour, plump and ready for the kissing. Just right now, she was biting on the edge of her bottom lip trying to explain something or the other. Oh, and when she gave him that glare of hers, the corner --- left corner --- turned down firmly and the other fell flat and rigid. Oh, heavens and when she smiled. Then her soft fleshy lips parted revealing large white teeth that were slightly crooked.
Only slightly.
As much as he liked watching her lips, he'd much rather have them pressed against his.
She slammed the book down on the wooden table. "Now I know you aren't listening!"
"Why would you say that, dove?"
"I would say that – and don't call me dove!" she exclaimed angrily. "I say that because I just finished telling you Snape was doing the Polka with McGonagall in the Forbidden Forest."
Blaise shrugged. "I was humouring you, dove."
Luna frowned. "You are SO irritating! You could at least try to learn!"
"I am trying!"
"Liar." She accused standing up from her chair slamming her hands on the table.
Honestly what good was lying if she wouldn't even try to believe him?
"Don't give up on him, Moon." A squeaky voice uttered dropping right in the middle of the table separating him and Luna.
"Just when I'd thought you'd left." Blaise groaned. "I knew it was too good to be true."
Som looked blankly at Blaise. As quick as he could Som scampered up Luna's arm so he was sitting on her shoulder. In a tone that was just loud enough for him to hear, Som whispered into Luna's ear. "He really does want to learn. It's just that, he's a little preoccupied with his obsession." Blaise was sure that it was of no coincidence that Som had managed to say that loud enough so he would be able to hear.
"What obsession?" Luna asked innocently taking Som off of her shoulder and placing him back on the table.
"None." Blaise muttered glaring at the Squich-Tevern with as much venom as he could muster.
Som started dancing on the table chanting "Liar, liar."
Luna sat down again. "He is, isn't he?" She said this with a tired sort of realization.
"I'm not lying!" This quickly became an event he would socialize with torture. Even Luna's presence couldn't make it enjoyable. After all, he was being taught Charms, being annoyed by the overall presence of Som and his 'obsession' was the topic of conversation. Not to mention the fact that his 'obsession' was standing two feet away with her wide blue eyes open in confusion. "Couldn't you have stayed wherever you've been for the past two hours?"
"I was exploring the castle, but I figured I should come see you or you'd start missing me."
"How can I miss you if you won't go away?"
"You're rude." Luna interrupted glaring at him.
This was just so fucking perfect! He was bothered by the Squich-Tevern day in, day out and the first time he got a bout of peace Som decided to appear and make Luna think he was rude.
He was not rude!
He was just fucking irritated.
xXxXx
Luna was starting to understand Blaise's rude comments and overall foul attitude toward Som.
Som was cute funny and really very sweet, but he never SHUT UP.
He'd pop up at all times and scare the living daylights out of her. And then as if it was a completely natural thing he'd just start talking about bananas. Or at least that was his current topic. "Som, please, I have work to do. Go," Bother seemed rather rude at this point "see what Blaise is doing."
Som jumped happily on her bed. The dormitory was completely empty. Everyone seemed to be outside enjoying the beauty of the day. The golden sun, clear skies… Ordinarily she would be out there too but she had an essay to finish for transfiguration. If it were for any other class it wouldn't have bothered her and she would have been outside putting off the essay for later.
But since this was for Transfiguration…
She was FAILING.
Horribly.
Luna was counting on this essay to bring her up to a passing grade.
Unfortunately that was like counting on Som's 'Great Plan' to actually work.
Som smiled landing on top of her book. "Why do you want to know what he's doing?"
Luna groaned and buried her face in a pillow. "I don't."
"Liar." He muttered before continuing to jump around the room.
Som was like a three year-old hopped up on candy.
One thing was for sure she would NEVER give him candy.
xXxXx
"I don't understand, Luna." Ginny said confusion etched in her features. "You love Squich-Teverns."
"And I love him, but – but he's worse than you!" She exclaimed
Ginny stopped walking and gave her the stare. The firm stare that clearly said Explain-That-To-Me-And-Make-It-Sound-Right-Or-I-May-Be-Obligated-To-Hurt-You.
"I mean," Luna sighed sitting down on the fountain ledge beside them. Luna ignored the stare completely. "He never STOPS talking. You talk forever. He has you bested by – hell, he probably talks three times more than you do."
"Luna, you are twisted. You spend half your life talking."
"I know! But," she added "I don't pop up and scare myself."
Ginny smiled. "That would be kinda hard now wouldn't it?"
"Oh! You know what I mean!"
Ginny shook her head smiling. "Look, I'll see you later. I have to go to practice. Apparently we're so good that we have to have extra practice." Ginny laughed rolling her eyes. "Later, Lovegood."
Luna stuck out her tongue. "Whatever, Weasley."
Luna watched Ginny walk away and came to a realization.
She needed food.
All this ranting about Som was taking away all her strength.
Nourishment was needed.
Luna headed to the kitchens thinking about Ginny. Or more accurately put, the circumstances and creatures surrounding Ginny. She wondered what the red-head would say if she knew Som was planning to get her and Draco back together.
Something along the lines of 'like hell he will' crossed her mind.
But…
She hadn't talked with Ginny about Draco in forever but the last time they'd talked about it, Ginny eyes seemed to melt a little and gain a rather odd look to them. It almost looked like she was recalling the pain of tasting something rich and knowing it would only ever be a taste. And every time Ginny saw Draco her eyes got soft and hard at the same time. Defensive but curious. Scared but tempted. But maybe Luna was just imagining things. Surely eyes could not display that much emotion, especially as strongly as she believed them to show.
But the blonde always placed a magnificent importance on the displays of eyes. Eyes were the windows to the soul. Or at least she thought so.
Brilliant.
The blonde groaned as she realised what she was going to do.
She was going to help Blaise get the two stubborn idiots back together the right way.
She DID want them together. And if she had to endure Blaise's presence well…everything had a price. No one could ever say she wasn't a good friend.
Luna stopped when she reached the portrait.
It was really a rather dull painting when it came down to it. The background was a murky brown and had a red bowl holding fruit. An apple, a pear, a banana, an orange and some purple grapes. The only thing remotely interesting about it was the fact that it was a huge.
Luna frowned and examined the painting. According to Ginny she just had to tickle the pear. She tried to reach the green fruit. Luna frowned again. She couldn't reach. She stood on her toes and tried once more but only managed to reach the banana that was directly under the pear.
Dammit.
Why did she have to be so short?
Luna glared at the pear hoping that if she stared long enough it would somehow shrink and sink down.
It wasn't working.
Brilliant. She was cold, hungry, bitter and she couldn't reach the stupid pear. Stupid, no-good fruit. She would just have to wait for someone tall.
Luna dropped her bag on the floor and gave the pear one last good glare before lying down. She lay on the cold stone floor using her bag as a pillow wondering what moron decided to make a HUGE painting about fruit.
Two hours later, Luna was still lying on the floor and still glaring at the stupid pear.
Stupid castle. Why did the stupid portraits have to be so high up? Had they no consideration for the short people that roamed Hogwarts?
Stupid. Everything was just plain stupid.
Luna stood up and started screaming at the painting. "I hate you, you stupid fruit! You are so STUPID! You're green and what kind of a person paints a pear on top of a banana! I hate you! STUPID PEAR!" She was jumping up and down like a total maniac now.
"Luna, dove, I don't think the pear can hear you."
Luna turned quickly causing her legs to get tangled in the strap of her bag which led to her falling on the floor with a loud PLOP!
She stood up quickly and kicked her bag. "Stupid." She grumbled staring at it hoping she wasn't blushing as hard as she thought she was.
"Are you going to tell me why you were yelling at the pear?" He asked raising a perfect eyebrow.
"No." She said stubbornly
He shrugged picking up her bag. "Fine." He handed it to her.
Luna took it angrily and whirled around facing the portrait resuming her angry glares at the pear.
Sure he was tall, but there was no way she would ask him for help.
Not a chance.
Blaise chuckled from behind her. Luna could almost see his stupid smirk and pretty brown eyes laughing at her. Luna paled. Did she just think his eyes were pretty? She must be starving if she was thinking things like that. What a hungry body did to the mind.
"Are you so Goddamn stubborn that you won't ask me for help?"
"Help?" She scoffed. "I don't need help."
"No, you're right; you're just the right height to reach the pear." He drawled sarcastically
"I am!" She exclaimed facing him
He raised an eyebrow. "Prove it."
"I – Uh – You – FINE!" Luna turned to face the portrait hence more.
Dammit.
She stood on her toes trying to reach the pear in vain. But just like before all she got to was the banana. Stupid no-good painting.
Then she felt two hands circle her waist lifting her up. Luna knew here eyes were wide enough at this point to look as if they could pop out of her skull. She was worried for a second that they would pop out. She knew her face was a shade of red bright enough to make her an honorary Weasley. Unfortunately she was also keenly aware of the fact that the way his hands were gently gripping her waist sent shivers up and down her spine rending her body utterly frozen for what seemed like hours.
But was most likely just a few minutes.
Then there were the summersaults her heart was doing. The damn thing was jumping so high it could almost get stuck in her throat. As soon as she gained control of her body she tickled the pear and the kitchens opened.
Blaise dropped her to the floor gently. Still behind her he leaned in a little and whispered in her ear. "I guess you were right. You can reach the pear."
When Luna turned around he was gone.
Which was probably a good thing because she could not be held responsible for anything she did at that moment.
Unfortunately for her, the things she felt like doing involved their lips connecting…
Damn it all.
xXxXx
Luna entered her dormitory placing the plate holding her turkey sandwich on the desk. Luckily her roommates still seemed to be out. Probably discussing what charms to make their flat hair even straighter. Dunces. She really did not feel like putting up with them right now.
Luna groaned falling backwards on her bed thinking about the chills she'd felt with his hands on her waist for the umpteenth time.
This had to be a crime. How could he be allowed to do that? More importantly how could he send her body into a coma-like state by just touching her waist? His hands were just so firm gentle and kind. Dammit. Stupid Blaise.
CRASH!
Luna jolted up looking for what caused the noise. She looked in the direction of the noise. Luna rolled her eyes. It was just her roommate's hair potion thing.
No big deal.
It probably just fell.
Luna's stomach grumbled. She really was hungry. Luna went to get her sandwich when she saw him.
Som was happily sitting on her desk eating her sandwich. The sandwich she'd spent an eternity trying to get because the stupid portrait was too high. So she had to wait for an eternity for someone tall to do it for her. And that tall person just happened to be Blaise Zabini. "SOM!"
"What?" It muttered through a mouthful of bread.
"That – that – Oh forget it!"
Luna flopped back on the bed staring at the roof. She should've brought two sandwiches.
After Som had polished of her sandwich he landed on her stomach and started chattering away. "I have an idea, see." He licked his little paws. "I already told the other one but he was awfully rude."
Luna guessed the other one was Blaise.
"See, Dragon and Red belong together. So I am going to make sure that they do get together."
Luna who'd closed her eyes at some point opened them and watched the Squich-Tevern very carefully.
"I'm going to give Red a simple love potion at dinner tomorrow. One that'll maker her like Dragon, and…" Som paused and looked around with a worried expression. He frowned and before Luna could say anything, POP! He disappeared.
Luna sat up.
Where did he go?
Just then the door opened and her roommates came in.
Oh.
xXxXx
The next day Som sneaked into the kitchens with a small black bag.
Som chuckled.
It was almost dinnertime.
He had done research on this and now he was perfectly sure on which glass was hers. There was no mistaking it. He stopped right in front of it with a dark smirk and glittering eyes. He opened the bag with his tiny little paws and pulled out a small vile containing a bright blue liquid. He poured the mixture into the glass and watched as it turned from the original orange colour of pumpkin juice to a glowing yellow colour.
Just one more thing.
He searched deeper into the bag a pulled out a single strand of black hair and carefully slipped it into the drink.
Som stirred it a little and then the juice resumed its ordinary orange colour.
Perfect. He smiled and skittered away making sure he had front row seats to the show he'd just created.
xXxXx
"Zabini!" Luna called running after him in the hallway.
Blaise turned. "What?"
Luna pulled at her hair irritably which she had left down today. It was completely tangled and kept swinging in her face as she hurried up to catch up to him. She brushed the hair aside. "He's going to put it in her drink"
Blaise raised an eyebrow "Put what in who's drink? And who's he?"
Luna rolled her eyes. "Som! Who else?"
"Oh! You mean the…"
"Yes!"
He shrugged. "So get rid of her drink."
Luna glared at him the marched off.
Blaise just stared at her. He had no idea what she wanted him to say. What was he supposed to say anyway? He watched her hips swing as she marched off to find Ginny Weasley. She was small but he liked small girls. He especially liked the feel of her hips in his hands.
Speaking of which, that had been an interesting reaction.
She'd blushed. Hard.
For a girl who seemed to hate him she really didn't seem to mind that all to much.
Blaise smiled thinking that if it was up to him that wouldn't be the only thing he'd be touching that belonged to her. He walked into the great hall, never losing the smile.
"Dear Lord, Zabini, if you smile any harder I think you'll lose the ability to frown." Draco said appallingly
"We wouldn't want that now would we?"
Draco rolled his eyes.
Blaise sat down and glanced at the Gryffindor table. Luna had an appalled look on her face and was reaching across Ginny Weasley to get something. Just at that moment the Weaselette's glass crashed to the floor.
Blaise smirked. He watched them talk for awhile.
"Blaise? You've lost you bloody mind, you know that right?"
"I suspect so." Just then Luna took a sip from her juice and her blue eyes went impossibly wide. They had a dreamy look to them.
Blaise had read about almost every love potion in existence so he would know when and if Som put his plan into action. And from the look of Luna's face he had a feeling that Som had mixed up Ginny's drink with Luna's.
Luna had accidentally taken the potion.
xXxXx
Ginny groaned. "Harry's murdering us at Quidditch practice. We were out there practicing for forever yesterday. Honestly, you'd think Quidditch was the greatest thing since magic."
Luna was only half-listening praying that when she 'accidentally' spilled Ginny's drink the juice would not splash onto either of them, because then Ginny might 'accidentally' murder her for staining her skirt.
You never knew with Ginny.
"So, what's new with you?" Ginny asked reaching for a biscuit.
Luna's eyes widened. "Oh! Do you know what Som did yesterday!" She started eying Ginny's juice hoping Ginevra Weasley wasn't feeling thirsty just yet. "He ATE my sandwich."
Ginny stared at her in confusion. "This is bad how?"
Luna pouted. "It's bad because getting that sandwich was – it was," she reached for a biscuit making sure that her sleeved connected with Ginny's drink.
CRASH!
It fell on the floor.
Ginny squealed.
"Oh, darn. Sorry. Stupid sleeves."
Ginny straightened. "It's all right. I didn't get wet, the noise just startled me."
Luna let out a sigh of relief. Thanks heavens that was over.
"You were saying?" Ginny prompted
"Oh, yeah." She then proceeded to tell the story of how Blaise's hands on her hips had caused her to fall into complete disarray. "I mean, what right does that bastard have to do that?" Luna took a sip of her juice. "Honestly. AND…" Luna trailed off, her eyes gaining a dreamy look.
"And?"
Luna eyes trailed to the Slytherin table pausing at the area where a pale blonde haired boy was sitting. "And he's amazing don't you think?"
xXxXx
A/N: Well, that's officially the longest chapter ever. I'd love it if you reviewed. hint, hint
