A/N: This is in the universe of The Cherry Pit. You certainly don't need to read it first to follow this story, but if you wanted more insight to Draco and Hermione's relationship you should check that out. Enjoy!
"Do you think this is good?" Blaise asked for the thousandth time.
Draco rolled his eyes, not even looking to see what his friend had written down.
"It's good." He relayed and went back to going through his own paperwork, struggling to decide who his next employee should be for his club in Paris.
"You're not even paying attention." Blaise suddenly whined and threw a lone cherry at Draco.
He huffed, looking down sadly at the wasted cherry now on his floor. Draco eyed Blaise as he picked it up, scowling more than anything.
"You don't need my help. Just answer the sodding questions." He said irritated.
"But how do I answer 'Why are you currently single?' Without saying 'I'm a slag?'"
Draco snorted, giving his answer without even glancing up.
"Just say you haven't found the witch yet and you're not looking to settle."
Blaise blinked at him a moment before a wide smile grew over his face. He snapped multiple times then wrote his answer down on the parchment.
"Genius!" He said, eyes sparkling.
"Or," Draco began, leaning back in his chair and smirking knowingly at him, "you could take the more honest route and just say you haven't been properly introduced to a certain redheaded Harpies player yet."
Another cherry was thrown at him, luckily this time Draco caught it and popped it into his mouth with ease. He grinned at the man who now squinted at him.
"Fuck off." He mumbled and got back to writing his answers for his dating profile. Draco chuckled and leaned forward, focusing back on the two possible employee profiles.
"How did you even find out Weasley signed up for this service?" He questioned and Blaise smirked without looking up.
"Overheard her talking to her agent at a recent event." Blaise replied, forehead creased as he thought hard about his next answers. Draco gave him a look.
"Overheard? Or were you eavesdropping again?"
The two men shared a look, one was entirely knowing and the other was shooting the sharpest daggers possible at his friend.
"I find it entirely surreal that you're lecturing me on how to properly date a witch when you haven't even had a proper date in ages." Blaise sneered and before the blonde could even reply, he was waved off. "I don't care how demanding your work is or how you're stressed managing two of the most successful clubs in Europe. It's rubbish and so is your judgment."
Draco chuckled deeply, not even bothering to correct his friend. Blaise knew he was right, he hadn't been with a witch in any capacity for some time. He'd like to say he was wrapped up with work and wouldn't even indulge in his own business unless it was special events or trying to get more investors and partners. Blaise was completely put off that his best friend was a young, successful entrepreneur and he could only get him to come out once in a harvest moon.
"There," He finally said, smiling at his work and rereading each of his answers, "I'm finished."
Blaise rose from his chair while folding the papers the way they came and into the large envelope. He called over Draco's eagle owl and gave it the address.
"Godspeed my good son." Blaise saluted the bird as it flew off into the night. Draco shook his head and laughed again at the antics.
"Why don't you join the dating service?" He suggested, leaning up against the granite of the table top. Blaise looked over the resumes of the witches below and flipped one of their profile pictures towards him to get a better look.
"Because I'm not painfully crushing on one specific witch and too bloody shy to actually ask her out." He pushed and Blaise squinted at him.
"You know if you don't use your cock it's going to shrivel up and fall off." He said, Draco barely smirked.
"I still use it—"
"Twice a year hardly counts as 'using it.' Nor does your hand." He retorted and received an eye roll.
"Why are you so worried by my lack of sex?" Draco said with a raised brow. He grabbed his glass of firewhiskey and finished it off.
"You're in your mid twenties. Your teenage randy years have past and now you know how to actually fuck well and you're just wasting it away. By the time you find the right witch, you're going to have performance problems and she'll leave you before you can even get it up, mate." Blaise finished his explanation by slapping him on the back.
"And that's something for me and my witch to concern ourselves with, thank you." He said and took his hand off his back. Blaise just rolled his eyes and looked back to the pictures of the witches below.
"So what's the deal with these two?" He asked, finally changing the subject.
"Possible new hires for Le Noyau de Cerise." The blonde said and looked over both his notes once more. "Both have exceptional resumes but this one, the black haired woman; she was previously a ballerina for the French Pixie Company but no background working in a club. And here this girl; the curly haired one, has worked in multiple pubs but only has one year experience with dancing."
Blaise pondered over the pictures of the witches as Draco continued on.
"They both interviewed well, surprisingly the curly haired one had a wonderful audition as well. Picked up the moves Yvonne, my lead dancer, taught. The other woman was phenomenal as well. Both were fantastic and now I'm just torn between choosing. There's a tie amongst my staff and I need to break it." Draco scratched his ear then folded his arms, black ink spilling up and out from under his shirt.
"Well this is an easy choice." Blaise concluded as he looked at both women. His best friend peered up at him.
"How?"
"Go with the less experienced one. She'll be more willing to learn from the girls. Plus, since this will obviously be a job upgrade for her, I can only assume she'll be scared of fucking up so she'll never cause any trouble." He said and pushed the picture of the curly haired witch towards Draco. He sat and stared at the woman in the picture.
"You think?"
"I'm so sure that if she causes any problems, I'll personally apologize and rent out a section at The Cherry Pit." He smirked and stuck out his hand looking to seal his bet. Draco eyed his hand for a moment before finally taking it.
"Fine." They shook once. Blaise smirked as he pulled away, eyes finding the one witch's photo again.
"Besides," He began, "I know you're curious about the curly haired ones anyways."
Draco's head whipped comically fast towards Blaise. So quick and bewildered that he coughed down a laugh.
"What's that supposed to mean?" He asked and Blaise merely shrugged, concealing his smirk as he turned his back on him.
"Exactly what I said." He replied vaguely.
"Which means what?" Draco asked again, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Nothing just that—" Blaise peaked over his shoulder and grinned when he saw his friend looking at him impatiently. "You seem to be fascinated by witches with extremely curly hair. Privy to brunettes too."
Draco squinted at him, staying silent for a long minute. He finally took a breath and began collecting his paperwork.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." He muttered and Blaise snorted.
"Yeah okay," He said doubtfully, "Last time Granger was in the prophet you re-read the article ten bloody times—"
"I did not!"
"Yes you did, mate!" Blaise laughed and saw the pinched look on his friend's face. Red rushed up his neck.
"No I—look, it was an interesting article and I haven't seen her around in years. Just….curious—"
"Aha! Curious!" Blaise exclaimed and Draco rolled his eyes.
"Interested," he corrected, "to see what she was up to." He mumbled off handedly.
"Mhm," he uttered, "more like interested in that arse-"
"Okay. Really?" Draco said affronted and Blaise laughed.
"What? It's the truth—"
"It's absurd—"
"It's okay to admit you think Granger's fit—"
"There's nothing to admit—"
"I'm sure she'd have the same feelings if she saw you—"
"Merlin just shut up—"
"You're fit. And the tattoos—"
"Blaise! Just fuck off!" Draco said frustratedly and checked his own cherry at him. Blaise scrambled to try and catch it, failing to do so. "Stop trying to project whatever weird fantasies you think I have of Granger. Fuck."
Even disgruntled, Draco still half chuckled. Luckily Blaise hadn't pushed him too hard. He knew he could get somewhat sensitive when it came to women. His friend had been criticized, broken and burned from previous relationships, hence why he stayed away from most women.
"Alright, alright." He said, holding his hands up in surrender, "But tell me this: you see Granger out in public, you're not chatting her up?"
Draco rubbed his forehead then ran a hand through his hair. He shook his head and looked at Blaise incredulously.
"What is this?" He questioned.
"A hypothetical." Blaise replied easily.
"But why—"
"Cause it's good fun. Now answer." He said pointedly and was issued a shrug.
"If—if the timing was right? I suppose so? If she'd allow a…friendly conversation." He said noncommittally, eyebrows scrunching. Blaise raised a brow.
"Alright, fair enough. I'm satisfied." He said, then decided to change the subject. "If I don't land any dates with Ginny I'm faking illness with all my other matches."
Draco rolled his eyes.
"You're awful."
He simply shrugged.
"I don't care, I know what I want."
Draco turned around and opened his freezer. He pulled out a glass bottle, the liquid inside was clear but when it swirled around, it alienated colors between red and orange.
"Well," he said as he pulled out two shot glasses and poured them with the liquid, "here's to hoping you and Ginerva get matched and your awful bachelor days will end."
He handed Blaise one shot glass and raised the other. He brought it up to his nose, sniffed it once and blinked away some tears.
"Merlin's beard, what is this?" He asked, suspiciously eying the drink.
"Something new I'm working on." Draco replied and tapped their glasses together. "Cheers mate."
Blaise downed the shot, his body shock waving with a spicy warmth that briefly made his tongue feel tingly. The alcohol had a sweet after taste, something citrusy that remained for only a few seconds.
"S'good." He commented and Draco smirked.
"Strong too."
Blaise liked it, he really liked it.
It only took three mismatched dates before Blaise was finally paired with Ginny Weasley for their blind date. He knew it the second he saw Granger. Triumph flooded him almost as much as relief did. His ego inflated some when the golden girl made it far too obvious that she was checking him out.
"Granger." He greeted her with a charming smirk, wanting to laugh at the way her eyes widened like she got caught doing something she shouldn't have.
"Zabini." She replied coolly.
"Surprised to see you here. Didn't think The Cherry Pit was your type of place." He noted, hoping to confirm what he already knew.
"It's not. I'm actually here with…" When Granger trailed off, Blaise instantly smirked. "Why are you here, Zabini?"
He stood straight, readjusting the sleeves of his blue shirt.
"I'm here to meet someone actually." He said, and eyed her knowingly. "But something tells me you already knew that."
Granger crossed her arms and laughed, looking thoroughly amused.
"You're here on a blind date, from that service, aren't you?"
"Don't laugh, Granger. I'm trying something new and I wanted an opportunity to be free of judgment." He spoke honestly. She raised her eyebrows at him.
"Judgment of what?" She curiously asked and he pursed his lips.
"Some women refer to me as a manwhore."
Granger giggled, most likely at his expression and reached for her drink.
"Yeah, I've heard that too."
Blaise picked up his drink and turned back to her.
"So, since you knew about the blind date, would you care to escort me to Ginny?" He asked and watched her face turn confused.
"How did you know it was Ginny?" She asked and he snorted.
"Please Granger. You two are notoriously single. You personally would never come here, you're too uptight for a place like this, but this is Ginny's crowd and since you're not wearing blue, I can only assume that she is?" Blaise felt awful as soon as he said the words. He truly didn't mean to be rude but of course, interacting with the golden girl for the first time made him put a foot in his nervous, rambling mouth.
"I am not uptight." She said defensively..
"I don't mean it as a bad thing Granger. You're more wine after work, not dirty dance floors and blind dates." He smiled softly, hoping he better explained himself. It seemed to have worked, because Granger gave him a once over and sighed.
"Ginny is in the booth over there." She pointed to the area in the corner and Blaise looked over the crowd of people, seeing some red hair under the flashing colored ights.
"Here," she handed him the other drink beside hers and grinned, "tell her I'm going to finish my drink and head home. I'm no longer worried her blind date isn't a suitable match."
His chest swelled at the approval.
"You should stay and join. I don't mind and I'm certain she won't." He offered, hoping that maybe if Granger stayed, it might make Ginny less weary of him.
"No no. This isn't my scene, remember?" She joked and he laughed.
"You never know. This place may surprise you." He replied, the corner of his mouth moving upwards as he thought about a certain friend who was luckily here tonight. Granger furrowed her brow and made a funny face.
"Maybe. But you should surprise Ginny first." She offered politely.
Blaise smirked and decided to be up front with her right then and there.
"Don't tell her this, but I always had a thing for Weasley." He pulled back and shot her a wink, both their drinks in his hand as he turned away from Granger.
Blaise weaved his way through the crowd, trying his hardest not to spill any liquid. He saw Ginny sitting in the booth, eyeing her surroundings with intrigue and some anticipation. Just before he made it out of the crowd, Draco passed him.
"She's over there!" He shouted, nodding his head in the direction of Ginny.
"Got her!" Blaise shouted back, raising the drinks. Draco nodded. "Yours is over there."
"My drink?" Draco asked and he shook his head.
"No," he grinned, "your witch!"
Draco gave him an odd look before turning to the bar. His eyes shifted over the people there before they found the girl he was referring to. Blaise watched his body go still, eyes squinted in her direction before he just barely smirked. He looked back to him and tried to appear unphased.
"You're welcome!" Blaise said smugly and Draco rolled his eyes, leaving towards the bar.
He made his way back to the lonely redhead, palms growing more clammy with every step closer to her. He was thankful her stare was elsewhere, it gave him time to rehearse what he wanted to say.
Time seemed to slow when her head moved towards his direction and her eyes slowly followed. He had just cleared the crowd of club goers and felt his lips nervously tug up when they made eye contact. She looked surprised at first, but when it was clear he was walking towards her, she gave him an up and down look and raised her eyebrow.
She remained silent even when he slid into the booth and offered his best swooning smile.
"Ginerva, what a wonderful surprise." He said and slid her drink over to her. She eyed the drink and bit back a smile. He watched as she placed both arms on the table, hands over her forearms.
"Blaise Zabini. You're my blind date." She finally said, eyeing him as he took a sip of his firewhiskey.
"Looks that way." He replied and tapped his finger against his glass. He wasn't sure what to do with his hands.
"And you brought me a drink?" She said, running one finger around the rim of her glass, leaning up to see what was in it.
"Actually uh," Blaise started, awkwardly grinning, "ran into Granger at the bar. Gave me that and her blessing."
Ginny laughed. Eyes crinkled and both rows of teeth showing. He relaxed a bit. His mother always said if you could make a witch laugh on the first date you were guaranteed a second. Let's see if she's right.
"Oh did she now?" She asked. Blaise momentarily forgot what he was going to say. The lights of the club changed from red to blue and green and yellow. The way it lit up her face and emphasized the freckles all over was heart stopping.
"Er yeah she did." He cleared his throat, hoping to do away with some of his nerves. "Also mentioned she was going to drink herself silly and dance the night away with some bloke."
She laughed again, this time harder.
"Now I know you're lying." She raised the glass to her lips, smelling it once before giving him a skeptical yet teasing expression. "Did you put something in this?"
Blaise was offended at first but when he realized she was fooling with him, he sent her a smirk.
"Love potion. Caught me." He winked.
She slid the drink forward and grasped his glass. With her eyes still on him, she took a rather deep gulp of his whiskey and licked her lips clean.
"Hope you don't mind. I've seen some nasty encounters with love potions." She said and Blaise took her former drink and raised it up, waiting for her to cheer him.
"Not at all. Besides," he paused and held her inquisitive stare, "I wouldn't mind falling in love tonight."
The glasses clinked and despite the roll of her eyes, Ginny still smirked. Blaise took a sip of her drink, puckering his face a bit at the sourness. Sour wasn't his taste at all. He hated sugary drinks and preferred something sharp and warm with a bit of sweetness subtly mixed in.
"I take it you're not a fan?" She asked with a chuckle.
"Granger's taste in alcohol is grotesque." He commented and reached for his glass of whiskey, placing his lips right where hers were and rinsing his mouth clean.
"She's not exactly the partier type." She sighed. "It's like pulling teeth to get her to come to the pubs after one of my games."
"Why is that?" He asked genuinely curious.
"I used to think it was because her and my brother broke up and she didn't want things to be awkward. But now, I just think it's because she avoided it for so long now she feels out of place if she does go out ever."
Blaise made a face, she caught it.
"What's that look for?" She questioned and he shrugged.
"Maybe Granger just hasn't found the right lad to have fun with."
"I think that could be it." Ginny agreed and looked at him curiously. "Is that why you signed up for the dating service?"
Blaise opened his mouth to say something funny but stopped himself. He was aware Ginny had read his answers, that's how pairs got info on each other before the date. She saw what he wrote for the rational of wanting to use the service, and if he wanted to see a second date, he should attempt at honesty.
"I—I signed up for it because I was tired of…one offs." He said slowly. Ginny's face gave nothing away. She simply pushed a strand of her red hair off her shoulder and leaned her chin into her palm.
"Tired or bored?" He could have sworn he detected some amusement in her voice.
"Tired." He said at first then panicked when her eyebrows shot off her face. "B-bored!"
When he corrected himself she giggled.
"Both I guess." He laughed sheepishly at himself. "I'm bored of the life I'm living and…I'm tired of being with the wrong people."
Ginny was silent for a moment. Perhaps he revealed too much already. It wasn't much of a turn on to show a witch you feel sorry for your man whore-ish ways. Bloody hell what was he thinking. This was Ginny fucking Weasley. She's probably already thinking he's odd for sharing—
"How do you know you'll find the right person through this dating service?" She asked seriously. He swallowed and shifted in his seat, leaning over the table slightly to speak more clearly.
"Well lets see: I matched with a phenomenal quidditch chaser, an extrovert who claims her favorite views are those by the sea and her favorite hobbies include flying, dancing and sleeping. If all that's true then I think I may have found a good match." He explained and saw the briefest flash of flattery in her eyes from the way he recited her profile. The confident little grin she had reappeared in a second and back was the teasing, skeptical witch.
"So tell me about yourself then." She requested and Blaise inhaled.
"What do you want to know?" He asked.
"Well I know what you do for a living. How come you never tried to play?" She said, also leaning over the table to speak louder.
"Body wouldn't allow it. Besides, I figured being a writer for the prophet guaranteed me free tickets for life. Who wouldn't want a job like that?" He said and she smiled. Ginny Weasley had the prettiest smile he'd ever seen. It grew a flame inside him.
"And who's your favorite team then—"
"No, no." Blaise objected.
"What?" She asked innocently, actually looking concerned.
"We're having a good night, let's not ruin it." He chuckled.
"No, come on. Tell me please." She asked again, beaming at him.
"Are you going to get up and leave if it's not the Harpies?" Blaise was half serious.
"No, of course not. Don't be silly—" she began then looked at him worriedly, "Unless it's Puddlemere."
Silence is an admission of guilt and he was ghostly quiet right now.
Ginny's eyes widened tremendously and she frowned.
"Are you bloody serious?" She asked, crossing her arms with a scoff. She looked actually angry.
"I didn't say anything!"
"You didn't have to. Puddlemere? Really? After what that cheat of a beater Waxer did to me last season?" Her frown deepened as she referred to an incident where she was on the receiving end of a dirty hit, putting her out with a concussion for four weeks. Waxer was only given a warning, seeing as it was at Puddlemere's pitch.
"Okay that was dirty. But I've been a fan since I was in nappies! The navy and gold was so beautiful to me and they had won the league when I was seven and it was the first memorable quidditch moment for me." He defended himself. "Come on, cut me some slack."
"You're right," she said with a shake of her head, "this was going well, but now it's just—"
She got up, looking aggravated. Blaise panicked and scooted out of the booth quickly. Was she really leaving over something as trivial as his favorite quidditch team?
She moved past him just as he stood and gently grabbed her by the elbow.
"Ginny, come on. You can't be—"
His words faded when she turned back around to face him, a sly look on her face. Oh, she played well.
"I will look past your revolting choice of quidditch teams if you buy me another drink and prove to me you can dance." She told him, batting her dark eyelashes up at him.
He felt weak in the knees.
"Done." He said quickly, eyes scanning over her face. He wanted to count every freckle on her face.
She rolled her eyes and tugged him by the hand, leading him back to the bar. Blaise let his eyes appreciate the dress she chose for the night. Bare shoulders were on display, letting him view more of those light orange and brown freckles all over her skin. He always wondered where else they were. Back? Arms? Thighs?
He hoped he was given the chance to find out.
"Two firewhiskeys please." She said, leaning over the bar to shout at the tender. Luckily Draco allowed him free drinks when he'd come here, as long as he didn't get obliterated. The barmaid looked at him and nodded to which Blaise nodded back. She quickly filled their glasses and Ginny peered up at him.
"Do you know her or something?" Ginny asked.
"Not really, no." Blaise started and held back the information of how he got the free drinks. He leaned down to her, gently touching her hip. "I think she's into girls and gave the prettiest one here a free round."
Ginny shook her head at him, but still stretched her neck and lifted her hand up to his shoulder to hold him close. He felt a shiver rush through him.
"Flattery will get you everywhere, Zabini." She told him and this time he laughed hard.
"Good to know." He replied and sipped on his drink. Her hand left his chest but he didn't dare let his fall from her hip. It seemed she didn't mind. "Tell me what you like to do outside of quidditch."
Ginny seemed to have sparks in her eyes. She began explaining that in the off season when she's not training, she offers to teach quidditch to young kids and that she likes being around so many young people because it reminds her of home.
Blaise told her he was always jealous of people with siblings. While it was great with his mum, he wished he always had a big brother.
"And…your dad?" She asked, somewhat nervously. Blaise smiled reassuringly and splayed his palm over her lower back, rubbing his thumb up and done.
"He and my mum parted when I was barely two. We haven't seen him since. Good riddance too." He said and could make out the worry lines in her face. "Ginny believe me. My biological dad was a fucking tosser. Beat on my mum and pissed away a lot of our money. We both grew up better without him."
She finally smiled, somewhat relieved but the tension was still in her face. She tipped back the rest of her drink and carefully pushed the glass on the bar.
"So your mother never remarried?"
"Nah, not yet at least." He chuckled thinking of his mother. "She's had plenty boyfriends while I was at Hogwarts, I guess a couple of engagements too. But no marriages. I'm not sure she wants to."
Ginny raised her hand again and placed it on the back of his neck, pulling his head down a bit. The sudden touch made his heart skip and his skin heat quickly.
"Do you want her to?" Ginny questioned, her breath hitting his ear lobe.
Blaise was tipsy for certain. The drink he had in Draco's office to calm his nerves had helped and now that he's just about finished his third —technically second since Ginny stole his other, he's feeling looser and impatient. Her bare skin was right there, begging to be touched. He leaned in maybe too forwardly, but Ginny didn't dare move and even allowed him to rest his cheek on hers as he spoke.
"I want her to be happy. Single, married, whatever. I'd hate for her to be alone once she's older but she knows what she wants." He explained.
"Much like her son?" She asked immediately and the quick remark made him feel dangerously flirty.
"Exactly like her son." He confirmed and pulled her body closer to his. When he moved his face in front of hers, she looked very pleased with the answer. They had a bit of a staring contest before Ginny spoke over the music.
"You still owe me that dance." She told him coyly. Blaise licked his lips and took in her sultry expression. He placed his not finished glass on the bar and bravely took her hand.
"Let's go then." He said and led them into the large crowd of dancers.
The music selection had a heavy bass and thrumming instrumentals with very few lyrics. It would usually vary between upbeat hits and some sultry beats that brought out every couple from the deepest corners of The Cherry Pit.
Blaise found a safe spot under the lights and let Ginny decide how she wanted to dance. She boldly placed her back to his front and grabbed his hands to place them on her hips. She peeked over her shoulder and smirked at him, gently leaning her head back and began swaying her hips.
He brought his lips down to her ear.
"What's your favorite color?" He suddenly asked and heard her giggle right away. She didn't stop moving though.
"My favorite color?" She repeated.
"Mhm, what is it?"
"Green." She said and he tightened his hands around her.
"Oh?" He said, all too giddy.
"Like a dark, dark green. Almost black." She clarified but it didn't stop Blaise from grinning madly. "What's yours?"
"Orange. The color of the sun just before it disappears in Italy." He explained and Ginny ran his hands up over stomach.
"That's beautiful." She mumbled. "Who's your hero in life?"
Blaise leaned his head down until his chin rested just below her collarbone. The newly touched area set his pulse aflame. He longed to run his lips over her.
"My mother. Who's yours?" He repeated her question.
"My brother, Fred."
He didn't mean to tense up at the mention of her deceased brother but he did and she felt it. Ginny quickly turned in his hold and wrapped her arms around his neck, still moving to the beats.
"I miss him every day. Made me laugh almost as much as he annoyed me."
Blaise nodded, faintly smiling and somewhat unsure of what to say. Gulping, he slowly placed his forehead on hers.
"He sounds like the best hero someone could have." He said and watched as a thankful expression grew over her face.
Ginny pushed herself closer to him.
"What's your favorite food?"
"Pasta." He said simply. "I'm Italian."
She laughed hard.
"Mines my mum's Sunday roast. Can never get enough of it."
"Can you cook?" He asked, sliding his hands up and down her waist like he's done it millions of times before.
"I'm getting better at it." She shrugged, "Can you?"
"Again, I'm Italian."
"That doesn't mean you can cook. Didn't you grow up well off? How am I to know whether or not you were trained in the kitchen." She argued.
"Fair enough." He replied and turned her in his hold, her back to his front once more. "But I can and I guarantee anything I serve you will be mouth watering and fulfilling."
Ginny raised her head back against his shoulder once more and brought a hand around his head.
"I'll hold you to it." She said, lips running over his ear.
They danced for Merlin knows how long. They were warm from the lights and bodies moving around them but never once dared to leave an inch of space between them. Blaise left his head right by hers, inhaling every so often the fragrant scent of her hair, his lips just softly brushing the side of her head.
He could dance all night with her, in any way. When the music would change she would bob and bounce, make him twirl her and hold her when she moved. Her face broke into wide grins and free expressions. He's never seen a witch so sure of herself and unbothered by her surroundings. It felt like it was only them in The Cherry Pit.
Only when Ginny asked for water did he allow her to stray. Sitting back at an open table, next to each other, they continued talking, laughing and— best of all—flirting. Blaise barely got a thrill from flirting anymore. Most women knew what he wanted and were fine with giving it up. But Ginny teased and tormented and poked fun. She had him in her clutches long before the night even began and he was content to be there like the lovesick crushing fool he was.
"Wanna head out and get some food?" She asked him and he nodded.
"There's some vendors a couple blocks away." Blaise said and they left their seats and made their way to the exit.
"This place is insane. I'm glad I came." She told him, looking up over the balcony.
"Yeah. Nothing quite like—"
"Whoa." Ginny suddenly said and stopped rather abruptly. Blaise froze beside her.
"What? What's wrong?" He asked worriedly.
"Is that—?" Ginny said, looking above to the railings where the second floor was.
"What?" He asked and turned his neck upwards. She pointed in the direction she was staring and he followed the line. Blaise squinted his eyes at the couple sexually grinding on one another, the man feeling her up as well though it was barely noticeable only if you stared. And they were both staring at the bright blonde hair and dark wild curls of the couple.
"No fucking way!" Blaise said with a wide grin.
"I think I had too much to drink because no way, no way in hell is that Hermione dancing like—like that with Malfoy?" Ginny was half entertained and half utterly confused. He couldn't really blame her.
"She's having fun, by the looks of it." Blaise commented and Ginny snorted.
"I'll say." She muttered and for a second they both squinted up at their best friends and watched them dancing and groping each other like it was a scene in the zoo. Their eyes widened at the same moment and a gasp flew out of Ginny's lips.
"He's giving her a love bite!" She exclaimed and Blaise couldn't help but laugh loudly. He tightened his hold against her and nuzzled his nose into her hairline.
"What's wrong, Gin? Jealous?" He asked with a teasing grin and received a dull thump to his chest. She twirled in his hold and faced him straight on.
"I don't usually like getting those, but I do like giving." She said flirtatiously, eyeing his lips. Blaise leaned down for a fleeting second but the witch turned back to his side, ignoring his advances. "Should we let them have their fun or invite them for some food?"
The two of them looked back up to where Granger and Draco were lazily staring at each other. Blaise wasn't sure how inebriated either of them were and decided he better interrupt.
"Draco!" Blaise shouted and Ginny giggled beside him. "Draco!"
The couple above them paused and Blaise tried one more time.
"DRACO!" He belted over the music and luckily caught their attention. They both waved their friends down and chuckled while doing it. Before they made their way to them, Ginny leaned into him.
"Do you think they're annoyed?" She inquired, watching as they came down the stairs.
"Too late to think about it." He said just before they reached them.
"Didn't mean to interrupt, but we were leaving to grab some late night food. It's getting a little too crowded here." Ginny informed and Blaise attempted to hide his shit eating grin.
"We saw you two were…uh, still here and decided to ask if you wanted to join."
Draco sent him a dangerous look.
"Thanks." He snapped at Blaise, and he only chuckled back at him
"So are you two up for it?" He asked again, now looking at both the guilty looking persons. Draco tilted his head down to Granger who kept her stare down. She must have realized everyone was waiting for her answer.
"I'll pass. I'm feeling really tired, I'm just going to head home. I'll see you at the flat." She told Ginny.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. Have fun though, I won't wait up for you." She said tiredly. Blaise was just about to help his friend if he wasnt' going to offer to get her home, but the conniving redhead spoke up first.
"Can you get home safely?" Ginny questioned.
"I'll walk you to the nearest floo." Draco immediately offered.
"No I can apparate, I'm fine." She protested, looking irritated by the suggestion.
"You shouldn't do that, especially since this is your first time smoking. Let me walk you to the floo." He pushed back. Now it was Blaise that cut off her objections.
"I think that's best, Granger. Apparation will be harder and the nearest floo is only a few blocks away." Blaise tapped Ginny's back with his fingers and she took the hint. The red head nodded and gave Hermione her most persuasive voice.
"They're right, Mione. That's nice of you Malfoy, thank you for offering." Ginny finalized the offer and Blaise couldn't help but grin down at her. It felt like she was reading his mind when she looked up at him with a knowing wink.
"Come on Granger." Draco spoke, rolling his eyes at most likely Blaise and guiding a huffing Granger away from the two of them.
"She looks angry." Blaise commented as he led them out of The Cherry Pit. The cold air was welcomed on his warm cheeks. Blaise immediately wrapped an arm over her shoulders and huddled her in closer to his chest. She put a hand just by his ribcage and let herself be cuddled.
"Hermione is…probably just embarrassed." Ginny said. Blaise frowned.
"Embarrassed? By Draco?"
"No no, not him." She reassured, rubbing her hand up and down his stomach. "With herself. Hermione doesn't often act like that as I said before. She's probably embarrassed that we saw her. But it's for the best. She needs to get outside her comfort zone a bit."
Blaise walked them in the direction of some street vendors, only open for the late night drunken crowd. The smell of salty and fattening food filled his nostrils and he felt his stomach grumble.
"Well Draco is the perfect person to help her do that. I think he needed that, honestly."
They stopped in line, Ginny looked up at him.
"What? An almost snog?" She joked and Blaise chuckled.
"Yes that but also just that interaction. I reckon he's got a fascination with Granger." He said, eyeing up the menu.
"Malfoy?" She asked incredulously. "I don't mean to be rude but are you insane?"
Blaise grinned down at her and pinched her side lightly.
"Us snakes have done a lot of growing up since Hogwarts. Obviously you agree since you're out here having the best night of your life with one." He said and she wound out of his grip, standing toe to toe with him.
"Not even close, Zabini." She said sneakily.
"The night's still young, just wait." He replied smoothly. "But I'm being serious about Draco. I think he sort of, I don't know, admires her? I wouldn't be surprised if he asks her out tomorrow."
They got to the front of the line and ordered one large basket of chips. Blaise paid and was quietly thanked by her. He slid his arm around her waist once more and pulled them off to the side to wait for their food.
"You think so?" She said, tilting her head to look up at him.
"Draco has the first free Saturday in ages. He said we'd go back to The Cherry Pit and get pissed but I'm sure he's asking Granger to meet up with him right now." He explained and was handed their cardboard box of chips. Ginny took it from his hands immediately and popped a few in her mouth.
"You and Malfoy having a boys night then?"
Blaise somewhat flinched at himself, realizing how it looked to tell a witch that he's going out with his best mate. He hoped she wasn't drawing insinuations about what they'd get up to or think he'd be looking to bed some random.
"Yeah but," he said and watched as her doe eyes blinked up at him, "but I'd rather see you again. If you're free."
She said nothing as she stared. Jaw chomping on the food. He waited nervously under her gaze.
"At The Cherry pit again?" She confirmed.
"Y-yeah. Draco…swung free drinks—"
"Free drinks? I'm in." She said quickly, turning around and walking down the pavement. Blaise followed obligingly.
"Really?" He asked.
"Yeah," she agreed and held up the chips to him, "besides, you're not terrible company Blaise Zabini."
Blaise flickered his gaze over to her, fixated on the lazy smile she wore.
"Can you say that again in front of my mother? It honestly would make her faint." He said and felt his stomach twirl at the sound of her laugh.
They continued to walk back to her flat while talking about anything and everything. Ginny had eaten more of the food than he had, but he truly didn't mind. He plucked a few into his mouth when he could but preferred to keep her under his arm.
Once they were sober enough to apparate, Blaise felt some dread inside him. He didn't want the night to be over and he didn't want to stop talking with her.
"If I may be so frank," he said as they approached her door, "how have your other dates fared out?"
Ginny blinked at him once then rolled her lips into her mouth.
"I have nothing to compare it to, seeing as this is the first date I've gone on since starting the service." She stated and Blaise opened his mouth in surprise.
"Oh?" He said. "Then…how has this date been…overall?" His nerves were making him look pussy. A bludger over the head would be preferred at that moment.
"I already accepted your offer for tomorrow's date. You do the math." She replied cheekily and he took a breath, huffing at himself.
"So, good yeah?" He said more as a joke but also because he wanted to hear it. Ginny took no pity on him.
"Merlin Blaise. Need me to spell it out for you or do you just like having your ego fanned?" She crossed her arms and jutted out her hip as she leaned back against her door. Blaise wouldn't take offense to her words but he would use them to fire his confidence back up.
"Nothing wrong with wanting to hear how you feel." He said quietly, taking a step forward and placing his palms flat against the door.
He saw her eyes flash down and momentarily looked stunned by the change in his words and tone. She straightened up and hesitantly brought her hands to his shoulders, not quite looking up at him.
"I—I had a wonderful time." For the first time all night, Blaise witnessed her grow shy. She finally glanced up and bit on the corner of her lip. "I'm happy you were my match, it—it feels like I've known you my whole life."
Blaise monetarily felt his feet leave the earth at her words. His heart beat so fast that it felt like one steady thump inside his ears.
"I'm trying to prolong my leave as much as possible." He admitted, taking a single hand and running it down her jaw. Her eyelashes fluttered at the touch. "Walking away from you tonight might make me the strongest man alive."
Ginny grinned and lifted her head, their foreheads almost touching. Blaise let his fingers tangle between the hair just behind her ear.
"The least I can do is leave you with a goodnight kiss? A consolation for all your strength." She offered, dampening her lips and Blaise shook his head adamantly.
"I can't. I can't do that." He said, making matters worse for himself and bringing his other arm away from the door and winding it around her back. Her body was flushed to his and they shared cool breaths between their mouths that fogged around them.
"Why not?" She pouted in a whisper. Blaise had his eyes cemented to hers. He didn't trust himself to look down at the softness of her mouth.
"Because despite my reputation, my mother raised me right. Kissing is for only after a successful second date." He told her and felt her release an amused scoff.
"Pureblood rubbish." She whispered, pressing her body against his more firmly.
"I agree, but like I said," He swallowed thickly and turned his head to kiss her cheek. It was warm and smooth and he felt her chest rise into a delighted sigh, "kisses are for the second date."
He kissed her other cheek, "And the third."
He moved back, carefully kissing the skin just before her ear began. "And fourth."
He grinned when he felt her fingers dig into his shoulders just as his lips moved down to her upper neck. "And every day after that."
His hands slipped loose from her body and caught hers, taking them off his. Ginny looked put out and aroused. There was no greater feeling than having a witch look like she was ready to beg for you.
"But tonight is only the first date, so I must be patient." He said and raised her hands to his lip. A kiss was placed on the back of both hands, his eyes remained on hers.
She ran her tongue across the top of her teeth before smiling seductively at him.
"Well I don't want you to be." She said then quickly brought a hand to wrap behind his neck and pull him fiercely down to her mouth.
Her kiss was just as powerful as her. Confident and fiery but her touches were careful and sweet. She lightly scratched his neck as her tongue pushed into his mouth, carefully touching his just for a teasing second before retreating back to its home.
Blaise groaned and urged her body forward into his. A flimsy little whimper echoed into his mouth. He pushed them up against the door and slid a thigh between her legs. Ginny let her legs fall open and he let it just barely rub over her knickers.
Everything about this kiss was deep and purposeful. It was slow but made time feel speeding fast. The angle of her lips and movement of her tongue perfectly mirrored his own passion. Blaise had never felt so consumed. There was a starvation deep in the pits of his navel he wasn't aware existed until he kissed Ginny Weasley.
He painfully pulled away, panting for air.
"Mia bella fiamma." He mumbled into her lips and kissed both cheeks again.
"What was that?" She asked, still holding him close despite him moving his thigh away and hands down at her hips.
"My beautiful flame." He repeated, eyes glossy with desire.
She simply smiled in reply.
"You shouldn't have done that." He told her and she leaned to run her nose up and down his neck, planting soft kisses every few seconds.
"Why?" She questioned.
"You'll never get rid of me now." He told her honestly. By her laugh, she took it as a joke.
Ginny pulled back and smiled widely. They kept that moment quiet and allowed their eyes to roam and appreciate the other and the night the successful night they shared. Blaise wanted to come inside. Not even to kiss or touch or shag. He had the deepest desire to keep talking with her and make her laugh. He wanted to know everything about her and wondered how much more they had in common.
"You'll owl me tomorrow?" She asked and he nodded eagerly.
"I'll owl you when I get home." He said and she grinned.
"Your poor owl."
He merely shrugged.
"I'll feed him extra treats for his night shift."
They both shook their heads at the ridiculousness of it all but Blaise again was entirely serious.
When another quiet moment passed, Ginny was the one who spoke first and maturely ended their evening.
"Goodnight, Blaise." She said and kissed his cheek.
He raised his thumb up to his lips, gently kissing the pad before hesitantly moving it over her lips. When she pressed a slow and lingering kiss to it, he felt satisfied enough to leave.
"Buonanotte, mia fiamma."