Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter!
A/N: I wrote this for a couple of challenges. It's meant to be read as a series of letters between Padma and Blaise.
Raise a Witch/Wizard Challenge: Blaise/Padma
If You Dare Challenge Challenge: 323: Choose your side
Are You Crazy Enough? Challenge: 104: (character) Blaise Zabini.
Disney Character Challenge: Tiger Lily: a brave girl who is taken hostage by Hook. Write about and act of bravery performed by a secondary character. Alternatively, write about Parvati or Padma Patil.
Harry Potter Challenge: The Lion and the Serpent - Write about a Gryffindor and a Slytherin getting on. Alternatively, write about a member of each house having an argument.
November 10, 1993:
Dear Padma,
McGonagall is making me apologize to you for what happened in class today. So, I'm sorry for ruining your presentation of your transfigured teacup. I'm sure it was lovely.
Sincerely,
Blaise Zabini
-x-
November 12, 1993:
Dear Blaise,
Thank you for apologizing. It's never easy to confess when you've made a mistake.
I, too, have some apologizing to do. I'm sorry for stereotyping your House and teasing you in Charms. I shouldn't have been so cruel. I'm sure not all 3rd year Slytherin's are bad (except for Malfoy; you can hardly defend his behavior).
My regrets,
Padma Patil
-x-
November 16, 1993:
Dear Padma,
I appreciate your honesty. So... there's a trip to Hogsmeade this weekend. Would you like to meet up at the Hog's Head for a while?
Sincerely,
Blaise Zabini
-x-
November 17, 1993:
Dear Blaise,
That sounds nice. I'll meet you there around 11.
Yours truly,
Padma Patil
-x-
June 2, 1994:
Dear Padma,
I've enjoyed hanging out with you this past school year. I hope we can continue to stay in touch throughout the summer.
I know you wanted to maybe hang out, but my family is going to the Bahamas for a month and I'm not sure it's a great idea you meet my family... They may not like the fact that you're from Gryffindor (not that I mind of course).
Anyway, I look forward to seeing you when school starts back up.
Sincerely,
Blaise Zabini
-x-
June 15, 1994:
Dear Blaise,
Sorry for not answering sooner! I accidentally told my sister about our letters (it's impossible to keep anything from her) and she told our parents who forbid me from writing to you. I had to sneak a quill and parchment so I could write this.
It's been horrible. I'm trying not to let it bother me, but they all ignore me whenever I say anything or give me a disgusted look when I ask a question. It's so miserable. They just won't give you a chance!
I'm not sure I'll be able to answer any more letters or even receive them. My parents might start looking through my mail. If you write me, put the name Anthony Goldstein so they don't get suspicious.
I hope your summer is going better.
Best regards,
Padma Patil
-x-
June 20, 1994:
Dear Padma,
If you can read this, then I guess you figured out the code for the spell that made this the real letter. I thought that my charm was rather clever. I'll teach you how to change words on paper when we get back to Hogwarts.
That sounds awful! I truly hope things start getting better for you. I understand what it's like to be an outcast in the family. The black sheep.
My parents still believe in what He-Who-Must-Not-Ne-Named preached all those years ago. They never joined his ranks, but they thought that he was on the right track. I think that he was wrong. If purebloods only marry and have children with other purebloods, then there will eventually be so much inbreeding that only Squibs are born. Besides, I think "He" was a half-blood...
Anyway, my summer isn't going much better. My parents won't let me go to the Bahamas now that they heard about our "relationship" at Hogwarts from another Slytherin (you guessed it, the Malfoys). They're under the impression that we're dating. I tried telling them it isn't true, but they refused to listen. They're going to send me to stay with my uncle in Ireland while they're enjoying the beach. My Uncle Markus never truly bought the whole "pureblood" thing, but he keeps that a secret from the rest of the family. He has only told me what he really believes. Maybe, he'll listen to me.
I never thought I'd say this, but I can't wait to get back to Hogwarts. I just want to be able to talk to you freely again (although I guess it can hardly be considered "free" when we do it secretly) and have someone who understands me.
I hope your summer turns out better.
Yours truly,
Blaise Zabini
-x-
June 24, 1994:
Dear Blaise,
If you can read this, then I did the charm and code right. I thought I knew which spell you were talking about, but I wasn't one hundred percent sure until I tried it. I can't believe I didn't think of this to start with!
It's so weird, in a good way, to finally meet someone who can actually understand what I'm going through. I know you mean what you say. Everyone else I've tried to talk to about this can say they understand, but truly can't even fathom how lonely I am.
My family is still shunning me. My sister, who I've always been pretty close to, is also giving me the cold shoulder. I think that's what hurts the most. I thought she'd always be there for me and now she's just... not.
I agree. Going back to Hogwarts where we can talk in person will be a relief. I wish the days would pass faster.
I hope you have a good time with your Uncle Markus. It sounds like he's very supportive. I wish there was someone I could go to. I'm just stuck with my stupid family for the rest of the summer though.
I hope you're doing well.
Best regards,
Padma Patil
-x-
June 29, 1994:
Dear Padma,
I agree! Having someone you trust and can talk to about anything is the best thing in the world. I don't have any really good friends in Slytherin. Even Draco is a prat sometimes. He's not all bad, you know. I understand he doesn't treat people in your House well, but he's just... misunderstood. He's not evil. Trust me.
I'll be going to my Uncle's on July first. I don't know how much I'll be able to write while I'm with him; he normally has a bunch of things for us to do while I'm there. From cleaning to playing Quidditch to going to exotic places, I'm normally pretty booked and too tired at the end of the day to write. I'll try though.
My parents are just as bad. They don't approve of my behavior from the school year and don't like the fact that I haven't talked to any of my Slytherin "friends" all summer. They don't know I've just been too busy talking to you.
I gotta end this letter here. I think my parents are about to yell at me for staying up late and not going right to bed.
Hope you're okay.
Yours truly,
Blaise Zabini
-x-
July 3, 1994:
Dear Blaise,
By now you're probably with your uncle. I really hope you have a good time with him. Don't worry about writing me too much. My parents are starting to get suspicious of the letters to and from Anthony Goldstein anyway.
As if things couldn't get much worse, my parents had a really big fight two nights ago. It ended with my mom walking out of the house and leaving. She hasn't been back since, and I'm worried because she was crying when she left. I think my parents are going to get a divorce. Their fights have gotten progressively worse for the past few months.
On top of that, my sister blames me for their arguments. She thinks that I'm putting too much stress on their relationship. She thinks their anger at each other is my fault. Truth be told, I kind of believe her. If I wasn't so pushy and different then they probably wouldn't fight so much... I feel horrible about the entire thing.
My plan for the rest of the summer is to study like hell for the upcoming school year. Anything to distract me from these awful thoughts and feelings.
Hope you're having fun with your uncle.
Best regards,
Padma Patil
-x-
July 5, 1994:
Dear Padma,
I'm sorry this is so short. I'm really tired and about to go to bed. I just wanted to respond to your letter before I go to sleep.
Whatever is going with your parents: IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT. Promise me you that you won't believe your sister. She's just upset and people say all sorts of stuff when they're upset. I'm truly sorry that you're going through a rough patch. I wish I could be there to drill into your head that its not your fault. It has everything to do with your parents and NOTHING to do with you.
I hope things get better.
Sincerely,
Blaise Zabini
-x-
August 14, 1994:
Dear Blaise,
Sorry, it's taken me so long to get back to you. I've been studying a lot and my parents finalized their divorce in two weeks. The drama that ensued and the stress on me was just so much. I just didn't have time to write.
I appreciate that you think it's not my fault. However, seeing as my mom flat out told me to "go to hell" I'm not sure there's any way it's not my fault.
The worst part: my sister is living with my mom while I'm stuck with my dad. They split us up. My mom refused to leave my sister. She didn't care about me. My dad has been very quiet since they left. I just try to stay out of his way. We're good about not talking to each other and sticking to our own sides of the house. I think I've seen him twice this week.
I hope you had a great time with your uncle. Only a little bit longer until Hogwarts.
See you soon,
Padma Patil
-x-
August 20, 1994:
Dear Padma,
The first weekend we go to Hogsmeade we should meet at the Hog's Head again. We need to talk.
Also, I'm going to Diagon Alley this week on Tuesday. See if your dad will let you go and we can hang out there all day.
I had a great time with my uncle. He was very supportive as usual. He even offered to let us both stay with him for the holidays and part of next summer. If you're okay with that I would love for you to meet him. He's very funny and non-judgmental.
I hope you're doing better.
See you soon,
Blaise Zabini
-x-
October 27, 1994:
Dear Blaise,
I just heard back from my dad. He's okay with me going "somewhere else" for the holidays. I didn't tell him it was with you. I told him it was with a "close friend." He completely bought it and is good with it. I think he's still recovering from the divorce. He mentioned going to stay with his parents in India for the holidays.
Just wanted to let you know before November 11th when we meet at Hogsmeade.
I don't know about you, but the whole Triwizard Tournament thing seems really suspicious to me. Why bring it back now? And how did Harry get in? There's something up and I wish I knew what it was. I'm sure Harry will take care of it though as he always does.
See you later!
Padma Patil
-x-
December 18, 1994:
Padma:
Meet me at the train station at 12 on Sunday. We'll go back to London from there and then my Uncle will Apparate us to his place.
Can't wait!
Blaise Zabini
-x-
January 3, 1995:
Dear Blaise,
Tell your uncle again that I really appreciated him letting us stay with him. I had an amazing time!
I really enjoyed getting to spend that time with you. I just wish we didn't have to keep our relationship a secret. I was going to ask you if you thought it would be okay if I told my sister that we're dating. I know she might not react well, but I guess I'm just hoping that maybe she'll be supportive again.
Let me know what you think.
Yours truly,
Padma Patil
-x-
January 5, 1995:
Dear Padma,
You may as well give it a shot. The worst that could happen is she doesn't approve and tells everyone. I wouldn't mind people knowing, I'm not ashamed of our relationship, but I don't want you to be in a bad situation because of it.
I'll leave it up to you.
Let me know what you decide at Hogsmeade this weekend.
Yours truly,
Blaise Zabini
-x-
June 1, 1995:
Dear Blaise,
I don't think I'll be able to talk much this summer. My dad has already said we're going to stay with his parents in India until he decides if he's going to let me go to Hogwarts next year. I'm sure I can convince him.
If not, I wish you the best of luck. I know your family is probably rejoicing at the return of You-Know-Who. I hope they don't give you too much grief about our relationship.
Sorry I couldn't come to stay with you and your uncle this summer.
Yours truly,
Padma Patil
-x-
May 22, 1998:
Dear Padma,
Now that the war is over, I need to see you and do something I've wanted to do since the day I met you. I love you and have missed you. Meet me at the Hog's Head tomorrow night for a surprise.
With love,
Blaise Zabini
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this story! I think you might be able to figure out what happened at the end of the story. ;) Let me know what you think! Reviews are always appreciated. I love hearing back from you guys. As always, thank you so so muck for reading this!