A/N - Just a fun little one shot where there was no war, no Voldemort, just antagonism between the houses. Enjoy
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At twenty-seven, Blaise Zabini was a creature of habit. Since entering the working world, he found his work days filled with business meetings, contract negotiations, and general schmoozing with whoever was around. It was tiring. He relished his weekends. Recently he found his Saturdays taken up with his girlfriend.
The witch, a force few crossed and Blaise always made sure he fell into the few category, kept the man on his toes. He found her fiery traits quite attractive and would typically be so turned on at the end of an argument he'd give in to her demands just to get into bed. Or the couch. Or the wall. Or what and wherever she was willing. She was typically quite willing.
While he enjoyed their time, he found his personal time much reduced, and as such, he dedicated his Sundays as his personal care days. He'd always been a handsome wizard, even as a young boy the girls watched him. As he aged and began to see the effects of time and hard, but fun living, he took steps to reduce the impact.
He wasn't unrealistic, he knew he'd not have the taut perfect skin he did as a twenty year old. But he refused to look his age. Ever. To ensure his looks lasted, he researched the most successful skin care regimens, and after finding the one, he never looked back.
His Sunday mornings started with a long shower where he exfoliated his body with a special scrub. Originally he used a salt scrub, but found it much too drying for his skin. After an extensive search, he discovered a dry scrub he added to his body wash. It allowed him to increase or decrease the scrub as needed. The scrub itself was a rather simple combination of finely ground coffee beans, amethysts, raspberries and thistle. He found the combination very soothing and exhilarating at the same time. He swore the bit of coffee helped perk him up.
After rinsing with a quick spray of cold water, which gave him a jolt to get moving, he dried himself with an extra thick Pima cotton towels hand spun in Portugal. The weaver, a blind witch worth every sickle, weaved by feel. A set of two towels takes at least eight weeks to complete. The loops, when looking at them closely, are perfect and tight to evidence the highest quality.
After patting himself dry, the final step for his body is a light moisturizer gently rubbed into his skin. On days he may be outdoors, an additional layer of lotion with sun protection is mixed with the moisturizer. The muggle product he received as a gift was truly excellent. He'd never admit it, but the roasted coconut scent reminds him of relaxing days on the beach.
With his body clean and the soft towel wrapped around his waist, the regimen designed to save his face begins. A gentle cleaning is the first step. Washing one's face in the shower the lazy way to do things. The vibrating exfoliator, he received as a gift during the holiday gift exchange between the small group of friends, provides a bit of relaxation along with its actual purpose. The witch who gave the gift smiled, or more accurately smirked, saying she heard him talk about his regimen and thought this would be a good addition to his arsenal.
He admitted she was right, but she typically was, although he only told one person just how right she was. Not only did it apply the cleanser evenly, it helped to remove dirt from his pores. After applying the cleanser to his face and neck and enjoying the gentle exfoliation, the dirt and debris is rinsed from his skin using distilled water at the perfect lukewarm temperature. The feeling of the cleanser and dirt leaving his body gives a sense of purity he hadn't felt in years.
To dry his face, a light patting motion with the hand towel matching the towel around his waist removed the remaining droplets of water. The weaver witch was truly an expert in her craft. He claimed to be able to tell the difference between her work and that of any other weaver. Not that Blaise knew it yet, but his best friend decided the next time the topic was raised, Draco would call Blaise on it. There were currently six new, and totally unused, towels waiting for the pompous claim.
The next step, toner, removed any remaining dead skin cells, hydrated his skin, and reduced inflammation while fighting free radicals. Plus its scent was quite soothing. Applying it made to make each day a bit brighter. After waited a few moments for the toner to dry, a custom serum is applied.
After finding a witch who specialized in the creation of serums made specifically for each person, he never returned to any mass produced products. Was the serum cheap? No, none of his skin care products were cheap, that would be ridiculous. The serum took six months to brew and helped to plump his skin to ensure there would be no unsightly sagging or lines. He shuddered at the mere thought of fine lines or wrinkles. Not on his watch.
With his skin freshly prepped, Blaise grabbed the masks and began to apply them. While the prior steps happened everyday, he only used the masks once a week. It gave him time to meditate and find his inner peace.
Not that he would admit it, but if he used the masks more often he had the tendency to breakout. Black heads were unacceptable and only made his pores look larger. In his opinion, they were large enough as it was. With the worry of a breakout, a quick check of his nose and forehead verified there were no signs of impending doom.
With confidence he wouldn't have to make an emergency trip to the serum witch for the blackhead cure, the first mask, a clay one, is applied. Over the years he found the use of two types worked the best. The clay mask, made from magically enhanced red clay found only under the Rock of Gibraltar, a concentrated combination of lychee and orange oils, and willow bark essence applied to his t-zone reduced unsightly oiliness. As with the blackhead issue, he would never acknowledge it in public, but his skin was a bit too oily in that region. The remainder of his face received a moisturizing mask stored in a chilled drawer to enhance its anti-inflammatory effect.
Blaise looked at the clock and set a timer for fifteen minutes before removing his towel and settling on his bed. The cool silk sheets caressed his skin as he sunk into the decadence that was his bed. His mind began to wander to the place where he found relaxation and exhaled through his nose. The wizard began to slid into a deep trance-like state when he heard his floo roar to life.
A bit disgruntled at the interruption, Blaise thought who it could be. There were only three individuals with floo access to his home. His girlfriend, who was at a Hogwarts get together. It wasn't really the whole of Hogwarts, as that would be far too much of an undertaking, it was just a small gathering from the years around hers and just her house. Blaise didn't offer to accompany her and she didn't request his presence. Her friends were still getting used to her dating a Slytherin and he didn't want to deal with that group today.
Draco Malfoy, his best friend and business partner, always had free rein to come and go from Zabini properties. Just as Blaise has access to the Malfoy properties. It gave both wizards the ability to escape when needed growing up. Since they now owned their own places or took over as head of the family, the need to escape diminished significantly. Maybe establishing boundaries now need to be discussed.
The final person, his mother was planning the death of, strike that, she was planning her honeymoon with her newest soon-to-be husband. Blaise didn't take the effort to learn their names any longer. According to Draco, this one was a particular ass and suspected he might take the record for the fastest death. The wizard foolishly already signed over his vaults and property, so Mummy might not even wait for the wedding.
Given his options, it had to be Draco and that was confirmed a moment later. "Zabini, where are you?" The blond prat couldn't have waited another hour before showing up unannounced. "I know you are alone. I'm stag as well, both of our witches are at that Gryffindor reunion."
With a groan, Blaise stood. Speaking would be difficult as the mask started to dry and instead of yelling his response, Blaise summoned his patronus and sent his friend a message to leave. Knowing his message wouldn't work, the wizard pulled on a pair of pants and left his sanctuary.
Draco Malfoy saw the silver panther and shook his head at the message. "Come down Zabini, Red said I should come over since you were just going to be, and I'm quoting here, sitting around looking at yourself in the mirror." What Draco didn't expect to see was his best friend with something covering his face. "Blaise?" The wizard, who couldn't do much else, huffed and summoned his patronus again. Luckily, between his girlfriend and his best friend's now-fiancée, Blaise learned how to cast silently.
The silvery beast almost growled its message. "My girlfriend said I'd be looking at myself in the mirror. She set me up knowing full well Sundays are my self care day. I spend it making sure I protect my body from the ravages of aging. I'm surprised you don't do the same thing." At this the blond started to laugh.
"Oh I do, only I don't use masks. They are too strong for my skin and leave me red. Hermione shakes her head at me. Apparently I take longer than she does. And before you ask, yes she has her own regimen only it's much less. She looks good so I'm not going to say anything until she complains and then start to introduce her to serums. As we've both admitted, her muggle stuff is quite good." At this Blaise's timer went off and the silent wizard beckoned his friend to follow him. After removing the mask and ensuring no residue remained, Blaise turned to his friend.
"Ginny tells me my moisturizing routine is not normal." The wizard pulled out the products and lined them up on the counter. Grabbing the first bottle, he explained each in succession to his friend. "This is the general moisturizer I use first."
Draco nodded. "I do the same, gives a nice base. You do use an upwards motion when applying right? Otherwise you pull the skin down and negate everything you've done up to that point." Blaise rolled his eyes and put a drop into Draco's hand. "Very nice, similar to mine by the feel. We should compare."
After allowing the skin to soak in the nutrients from the first moisturizer, Blaise opened the morning cream and applied it in a similar manner. "I love this one, silky texture makes the quality so evident. The night cream is obviously only used overnight and it compliments the day cream so well." As with the general moisturizer, Blaise gave a small dab to Draco who rubbed it between his fingers.
"Very nice, I just started with the morning and night creams, not sure if I love the one I'm using. But I have to give it at least six weeks before I make any decision." Blaise nodded in agreement.
"It took me almost a year to get to where I am. The witch who makes my serum analyzes my skin each time in order to modify the potion. She is the one who recommended the morning and night cream for me. I'll bring you next time I go."
"Is that last one for the eyes? Granger was telling me I didn't need it, but I swear there are lines at the corners and I'm too young for crow's feet. You know?"
"Ginny said the same thing, I didn't listen. I am going to stop those lines from even starting." Dabbing a small amount at the corner of his eye, Blaise used a gently tapping motion to spread the lotion in without pulling the extremely delicate skin. "There is a difference on days I don't use it, regardless of what she said. The shot of vitamin C make my eyes pop more than they naturally do."
With the routine complete, the wizards made their way back to the lounge and poured themselves each a drink. It was nearly four and both of their girlfriends would be drinking. After settling with their drinks the men started an in-depth discussion on their products, what they tried, liked and didn't like.
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While Draco and Blaise's discussion on their skin care continued, their significant others were standing shoulder to shoulder at the Leaky Cauldron. "I still don't know why we agreed to attend." Hermione Granger finished her drink and motioned for the bartender to pour her another. Ginny Weasley nodded in agreement and finished her own drink. She ordered two the last time and still had the second in her hand. She obviously needed it.
"Because Harry begged us. He said it would be great." The girls looked at each other and then back on the display in front of them. "He lied to us Hermione." The brunette girl could only agree. It seemed Hermione and Ginny were the only witches invited to the gathering. It had started off good enough, they stood around talking to people they hadn't seen in a few years.
Hermione slowly started to notice each wizard Harry or Ron re-introduced to them were single. After the third guy, Hermione and Ginny were not pleased. Hoping they were wrong, they waited another hour and when nothing changed they addressed the group at large.
Well, those who remained. Most saw the reactions of the two witches and left, quickly. Those were the wizards in a relationship or noticed the substantial ring on Hermione's finger. When Hermione flicked her wrist the wizards remaining froze and began to float until they reached about six inches from the ground.
Having lost their ability to move and speak, Hermione cast a specially made defense charm toward the floating wizards. She'd found, even the weakest of wizards, given the right circumstances, could cast silently. To counter this, she created a shield variant that blocked any silent spell.
"Now, you only can nod or shake your heads in response to our questions. These questions will be easy and I expect each of you to answer. I will direct the questions at the wizards I want to respond. To all of you, do you understand?" The wizards, save Harry and Ron, nodded. Harry was obviously trying to cast anything but found nothing happening.
"Harry you may as well stop trying and pay attention. That little side project I was working on with Draco, it's a success as you can tell. No silent casting for any of you until I release it and let's just say that will be a ways down the road. Answer my question, do you understand the parameters of this discussion?" Both Harry and Ron nodded once and glared at their best friend. The witch shrugged, "This is what you get for trying to interfere with our personal lives. Again."
Hermione and Ginny began to question each of the wizards to discover Harry or Ron contacted them and requested their attendance. Apparently each wizard was promised a chance with one of the witches. This did not go over well. Harry and Ron found themselves hexed to fullest extent possible without it being illegal. It helped Hermione wrote the guidelines.
Hermione continued to sip her wine and grew steadily anger until she snapped. "You both should be ashamed of yourselves. I am happy. I am finally in a place where I feel loved and safe. You will not impact that. If you do, I swear you will not like the results."
Ginny took her time berating the pair in her own special way. "I cannot believe I'm related to such a numpty git. And as for Harry, it seems you've forgotten what it means to cross me." With a few well placed hexes, again just this side of legal, Ginny spat at him. "You are a wanker. Who does this to their friends? And you both deserve to know, I'm going to go home and fuck Blaise against every surface and that includes the back deck. Sex outdoors is so freeing when the sun warms areas usually covered. He enjoys it as well, and that gives me even more pleasure by the time we are finished. Get that image out of your pea-sized brains."
The girls remained for another drink and discussed their plans for the rest of the weekend. "Are you really going to screw Blaise for the rest of the day?" Hermione found it hilarious as the boys were still sputtering at Ginny's final comment.
"Naw, I sent Draco a note and told him to go over to the house. Blaise does his massive skin care thing today and I thought it would be funny for Draco to interrupt it. Maybe getting taunted by Draco will finally get Blaise to give it up. I swear he takes longer than I do in the mornings." Hermione's mouth dropped open and Ginny nodded thinking it was in shock.
"Shit! You sent Draco, blond hair, pointy face?—" she paused and waited for Ginny to nod, "— over to a man who was in the middle of skin care? We have to go. Come on." Hermione pulled Ginny up and the pair started to make their way to the floo when the bartender got their attention and pointed to the floating wizards. "It'll wear off in about fifteen or twenty minutes, I was pretty ticked when I cast it, so it might hold longer. I recommend taking pictures for the wall of shame." Hermione pushed Ginny into the floo and made the red head call out for her boyfriend's place.
Ginny was confused on why Hermione freaked until she stepped from the grate into the lounge and saw the two wizards with a large table filled with every skin care product in the house and then some. "What is this?" With innocent expressions Blaise and Draco looked at the witches and shrugged.
"No Draco, don't even think about getting anything else! We have no cabinet space left." Hermione could only imagine the damage the two wizards could do on their own. Neither had an ounce of self control when it came to their appearance. "Love, let's go home and I'll let you do that thing, you know that thing you wanted to try?" Draco cocked his head to the side, like a puppy who knew he was about to get a treat for being bad, before his eyes clouded with lust.
"My leaving is by no means me agreeing to do or not do anything. I've already set up an appointment to visit the witch who makes Blaise's serum next month with him, but I will leave now and promise to not change my current products until then. Come on then, I have plans." Hermione's head dropped and she placed her hand in Draco's large one. With a quick flick of his wand, Draco's products were shrunk and packed in a small box. "You'll enjoy it I swear. I know I will. After you can tell me about your get together. I'll make sure you have energy." The smirk only made her sigh as she nodded.
Blaise sat and watched the red head with a shocked expression. "Yeah, Draco has a routine as well, you act like I'm the only wizard who cares about how he looks. Just because Gryffindors don't put any stock in looks doesn't mean the rest of the world is so blinded." With a wave of his wand, Blaise sent the products back to the bathroom and beckoned his girlfriend to his lap.
After hearing what happened, Blaise followed through with his girlfriend's threat. There was nothing better than a morning dedicated to his self care followed by an evening of vigorous sex with the girl who would soon be his wife. She may not know it yet, but he'd planned quite a surprise for her next Saturday.
At Draco and Hermione's home, the pair also spent the evening fulfilling the plans Draco concocted. When they finally collapsed on the bed, Hermione filled her wizard in on her day and the wizard was beside himself. "Did they not notice the four carat ring on your finger? What do I have to do to make it more evident you are going to be a Malfoy?" Hermione shrugged.
"I don't know, but if you even think about getting me a larger ring, I will stick up your ass. The announcement is going to be published tomorrow, let's see what that does." Not long after the pair slipped into a deep sleep.
Harry and Ron, when they finally were released from all of Hermione's spells, tried to tell their friends the girls were still available. No one believed them. Eventually, after admitting they were still with their respective Slytherin, the single wizards shook their heads and admitted they never stood a chance. Both of those witches were as good as bonded.