A/N: I recently skimmed Sorcerer's Stone and found that Blaise's last name is spelled 'Zabini' instead of 'Zambini'. However, for the sake of not confusing anyone--including myself--he will remain spelled as Zambini. I apologize for this, and firmly blame it on myself for not reading the books before attempting to write. *bows* Thank you all, and don't forget to tip your waiters. *winks*
A/N #2: Several people have asked me about my idea of what Blaise looks like, and if you can manage to get through the assortment of replies to reviews, then it's in there. But if you don't want to read all my responses, then you can just skip to the response to Chernir. :D
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Hermione watched as Draco walked back to the dungeons, her heart too full for words. That lovely man was all hers, and always would be. She resisted the urge to go singing through the hallways. She felt like she could fly up to the moon without aid of a broom. Most of all she desperately wanted to tell Ginny. But Draco had asked her not to, and she understood his logic and found it sound. His father was a very real threat that she shouldn't forget.
Just the thought of his father made her mouth curve downward. His father constantly put Draco's life in turmoil, and therefore hers. She could only imagine what would happen when Lucius found out that his only son and heir had married a Muggle-born. Hell would be like a mild summer retreat. At the thought, Hermione shivered as she walked back up the steps to her room. She stepped into the shower and let the hot water beat down on her.
Despite her worries about Lucius Malfoy, she couldn't contain her happiness for long. She closed her eyes and could see years of life with Draco. Towheaded children playing in the yard, a daughter sitting beneath a tree reading a book. Harry and a very pregnant Ginny arriving at the house that Hermione and Draco would share with their children. Hermione pregnant, Draco's hand smoothing over the swell of her belly as he gently kissed her. Growing old with him. Watching their children grow up.
It wasn't until Hermione heard her own sob echo off the walls that she realized she was crying.
* * * * *
Draco felt jubilant as he stepped into the Slytherin common room. He had to force himself not to bound across the room. Pansy was sulking in the corner, a fact that he barely noticed. Blaise was playing chess with himself and appeared to be deep in thought. Crabbe and Goyle were bickering over the last piece of toast. Draco bounded up the steps to his room and shed his clothes and got into the shower, grinning widely.
She had said yes! He could hardly believe it. He was going to marry her! That gorgeous, brilliant woman was going to be his. He wanted to marry her right this minute. That thought prompted something that made him scowl. Were they going to have their own quarters as a married couple? Or was he going to have to keep sneaking into the Gryffindor common room to be with her? The thought was enough to sour his stomach. Then he remembered feeling his fist connect with Ron Weasley's stomach, and he grinned again. He almost sang as he finished his shower.
* * * * *
Pansy glared out the window. She hadn't had a good time in Hogsmeade this weekend, which was unusual. Usually she would have loved to go trying on dresses and generally spending her parents' money. But she had been troubled and thoughtful about the proposition that Blaise had set before her. She had never thought of Blaise as a cunning man before this. She had always just seen him as another one Draco's cronies. But Blaise had definitely shown himself to be a top caliber planner with this scheme. She would have agreed on the spot except for one little thing.
She would have to seduce a Gryffindor.
The thought was disgusting. Pansy wasn't discriminating, usually, but she usually held to her own kind. Which was why most of Slytherin house had been in her bed at one point or another. Including some girls. Which only added fuel to the fire. Pansy was a born manipulator. She loved to collect secrets and then keep them--for a price. Girls that came to her to relieve needs that they were confused about often had to pay for their weakness. Pansy held them in the palm of her hand. If they didn't do what she wanted them to do, then she would reveal their secret. They were much like pawns in chess, Pansy mused as she traced a pattern on the window. The thought didn't disturb her. The more pawns she had, the greater her chance of winning whatever game she was playing at the moment. And for the moment, she was considering playing Blaise's game.
It wasn't as if she were adverse to the idea of taking down Hermione Granger. That little mudblood bitch had been a pain in Pansy's side since first year. Had been in a pain in everyone's side since first year. If there was a curve in a class, Hermione broke it. Little Miss Know-it-All Granger. It was enough to make Pansy puke. And now there were rumors flying through Slytherin that Draco had found himself a girl. Meanwhile she had heard rumors through her little pawns that there were also strange going-ons with Hermione Granger as well.
The coincidence was too much for Pansy's taste. She might have been a whore, but she wasn't stupid. And if there was ever a man that she claimed as hers, it was Draco Malfoy. So she considered it a personal affront if some uppity mudblood thought that she could move in on Pansy Parkinson's territory. It wouldn't be tolerated. But Pansy considered herself to be above brawling over a man, no matter how much she wanted him. So she would have to use more subtle means. And Blaise was perfect. She was perfectly aware that Blaise thought that he would use her for his own ends. But she could use him for hers.
Smiling to herself, Pansy glanced over at Blaise and saw him staring intently at a chessboard. "Blaise?" she called sweetly. "Could you come here for a minute?"
"Get your fat ass up and come over here," Blaise said shortly, not moving his gaze.
Pansy huffed and ground her teeth. If she hadn't had a use for him, Blaise would be crawling on the floor looking for his dick right about now. Pansy Parkinson didn't take shit from anyone. Most were too scared of her personally. The ones that weren't smart enough to fear her, feared her parents. They were powerful purebloods, and Deatheaters besides. Pansy hesitated, not wanting to just give into him so easily. But eventually she rose from her seat, her teeth grinding together in aggravation. She sat beside him, and Blaise said irritably, "You're in my light, Pansy. Could you move?"
Pansy's hands fisted and she resisted the urge to rip him bald. Everywhere. "Blaise," she said sweetly, "I've thought about your offer, and I've decided to take you up on it."
That finally got his attention. He glanced up at her briefly, then returned his gaze to the chessboard. "Excellent. I've seen your devious little mind at work, Parkinson. What are you planning?"
Pansy narrowed her eyes. The little bastard was more astute than she had taken him for. Perhaps they had both misjudged each other. Finally she said grudgingly, "I was thinking about rats in the bed, snakes. . .the like."
Blaise tsked softly as he moved his knight. "You think too small, Pansy," he chided gently. "Think on a larger scale, and tell me what you think of."
Pansy blinked. Despite her years as a bully, she didn't have a real talent for looking at the larger picture. She blanked. "I don't know, Zambini. What are you thinking of?"
Blaise studied the chessboard and then moved one of his pawns to the left. "What the thing that Hermione is most renowned for?"
"Being smart," Pansy said promptly.
Blaise's mouth curved in a cruel smile. "Exactly. So obviously it means a great deal to her. Well what happens if that's taken away from her?"
Pansy frowned. "How can we stop her from being smart, Zambini?"
Blaise smiled. "We don't have to. It's not what's in her head that we have to change, Parkinson. It's what she produces in the way of being smart. What if little Miss Know-it-All was a cheater?"
Pansy stared at him, then her lips curled. "Well, well, Zambini," she purred. "I must say that I'm impressed. I never would have thought of it. How are you planning to pull it off?"
"By planting things in her room. All you need to do is to get into the Gryffindor tower."
Pansy smiled. "And I'm to do this by seducing some hapless Gryffindor?"
"Quite," Zambini said absently, pondering his next move.
Pansy tapped her lower lip, pondering the crop of eligible Gryffindors. She immediately crossed out both Potter and Weasley. Not only could she not stomach to touch either one of them, but both of them hated her. They wouldn't be susceptible to her charms. Finally a face swam into her mind's eye, and she smiled cattily. Sean Benedict, she thought, her lips curving coldly. He was average enough to where he would be flattered by her interest in him, and hotheaded enough to where he would succumb and do exactly as she wanted.
She tapped her lip thoughtfully, and was interrupted by Blaise's voice. "And don't think that just one blowjob in a closet is going to work, Pansy. This will require a little more effort on your part."
Pansy arched one eyebrow coldly at Blaise. "The way that I work is none of your business, Zambini."
"It is when you're working with me," Blaise told her calmly, making another move. "You'll do it my way, Pansy, or I'll cut you out."
"You need me, Zambini," Pansy snapped at him, anger bubbling. "You can't cut me out."
He gave her a scornful look. "Girls like you are a dime a dozen, Pansy. Maybe they're not as quick to hand their favors out, but I can use one of them just as easily."
Pansy fumed. Damn the man. On the one hand she despised him for using her and talking to her the way he did. On the other hand, she respected him for his cold-blooded ruthlessness. Zambini knew exactly what he wanted and how to get it, and no one would get in his way. Which led to another thought. "Why are you doing this, Zambini?" she demanded. "What's in it for you?"
He glanced over at her coolly. "I don't owe you any answers, Pansy."
"Indulge me," she purred, her voice dangerous and her eyes glittering. Blaise gave her a wary look and finally said, "Malfoy could be great. He could be the heir of Slytherin, the way that everyone was sure he was in second year. But that stupid mudblood bitch is dragging him down into the mud with her."
"So you're doing this out of the goodness of your heart?" Pansy asked sarcastically, and Blaise shot her a scornful look.
"Of course not. I'm a Slytherin, not a bleeding heart Gryffindor. He'll thank me once it's done, and then I'll have a coveted seat at his side when he comes into his full power."
Pansy licked her lips, feeling warmth spread through her. Power was an aphrodisiac to her. It was what powered her life. She wanted power, and used it for her own ends. She closed her eyes and imagined Draco as the next Dark Lord. If Blaise would be at his side as a trusted follower, Pansy would be in his bed as his wife. Her lips curved slowly, and she opened her eyes. Blaise watched her with chilling eyes. Then he moved a piece.
"Checkmate," he said softly.
* * * * *
The next day, using her snitches, Pansy found out where Sean Benedict's first class was. Scanning his schedule rapidly, she smiled grimly. He had History of Magic with her. The poor fool was done for. She walked into History of Magic and saw that most of the class was already asleep, although class hadn't even begun. Professor Binns was painfully oblivious, muttering and babbling to himself at the front of the class. Instead of taking her usual seat beside Milicent Bulstrode, Pansy slid into a seat beside Sean. He glanced at her, startled, and blinked when he saw that her eyes were heavy-lidded when she looked at him. He stared at her for a moment, mesmerized by her. Then he tore his gaze away, a blush heating his cheeks. Pansy suppressed her smirk. Oh, he was going to be so much easier than she had thought.
Smiling slightly to herself, Pansy serenely turned her gaze to Professor Binns as the door shut and class began. She noted that he kept glancing at her out of the corner of his eye, and her satisfaction deepened. Oh yes, she had chosen very well. She kept her gaze turned to the front of the room, but beneath the table her hand slid over and laid itself on his knee. She felt him jump beneath the touch and his head snap around to stare at her. Her mouth quirked on one side as he quickly turned his gaze back to the front of the room. She could feel him vibrating with tension beneath her hand, wondering what she would do.
She moved her index finger in lazy circles on his knee, then moved her hand a little higher and did the same thing. She wound him tighter and tighter throughout the class until Professor Binns finally dismissed them. He nearly lunged to his feet, trembling violently. Without a word, he rushed out of the class, heading for the Gryffindor tower at a near run. Pansy rose more sedately, her mouth curled in a Cheshire cat smile. She watched him go in satisfaction. "Dream of me, little Gryffindor," she murmured, her eyes gleaming. "And then come crawling back for more."
Then she strolled off to her next class, humming to herself.
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Reviewers:
(I have a lot of response because I've been slacking off on replying to y'all. *blushes*)
ChRiSTiZ~ WOW. Your review was very nice and very...comprehensive. ^_^ Which isn't a bad thing, actually. It just startled me a bit--in a good way. :) Now let's see, on to replying to what you said. :D I'm really glad you liked it, and you're right--there are a great deal of really sucky fics out there, so I always get really excited when I come across a good one. ^_^ So I'm glad that I could provide such a service. *touches cap*
I try to update fairly quickly, because it annoys me when I get into a story and the person doesn't update for weeks or months. Just drives me bonkers. And besides, it doesn't take me very long to write a chapter--it's just my damned contrary muse that's occasionally the problem, which is the only reason that I don't update every day. :)
About Draco calling Hermione 'love'--that's exactly what I think of every time I write it!! *laughs, then sighs* Spike is so lovely. He is my squishy, and he must be mine. *winks* And now he's on Angel. *cries*
I am SO glad that everyone has liked the lovemaking scene so far-- it was hard for me to write without going into needless and lurid detail, and I also like lovemaking scenes that leave a little to the imagination. ^_^ So I'm glad that it went over well with everyone.
I honestly don't know how many chapters this will end up being. I have a set game-plan in my head of how the plot is going to go--just basically a sketch of what's going to happen. Then however many chapters it takes to fill it out into something resembling a story. *grins* So however long that takes me. *laughs*
And no, your review didn't bore me. I liked it. ^_^ A bit difficult to read because silly FF.net doesn't let us break it up into paragraphs or whatnot in reviews, but that's FF.net's fault, and not yours, my dear. ^_^ So review away....and look! My response turned out to be almost as long as your review. *laughs*
Silver Kisses~ Thanks! I personally agree with you--that it gets better and better--but that's because I already know what happens. *winks* I want to post all the chapters to the rest of it up here because I want everyone to know what happens, but since I haven't written them yet, that's a bit difficult to do. ^_^ So you'll just have to wait, my dears. *winks*
Natyslacks~ Wasn't that so romantic? *sniffles* I swear--I got teary when I wrote it, which is a little sad. *laughs* Wait, now I sound silly. Does it sound weird that I'm talking about my story as if someone else wrote it? *grins* Ah well. Hermione and Draco make me sniffle. *pulls out her hanky and dabs eyes*
Chernir~ I didn't know that Blaise was heavy. *blinks* Do you know where they give a description of him, or when he shows up in the books? I'm making a very, very slow effort to try to read all them again, but that damned slave driver School is interfering, so I've only skimmed over Sorcerer's Stone and not read it in depth the way I want to. And I remember that he's briefly mentioned in S.S. but only his name when he's Sorted into Slytherin. So any pointers on where he shows up would rock. Personally--since I had no description to work with--I imagined him as slim, a little like the way Tom Riddle was in Chamber (the movie), but with a harder and more angular face. Hollowed cheekbones, very dark, brooding eyes with dark hair. So there's my imagination's view of Blaise, for all of y'all who were curious of my interpretation of him. ^_^ I hope that helps when you're reading it. :)
One-Soul-Joy18~ Yeah, I'm hoping that Harry will be more understanding than Ron. I agree, I'm not too fond of Ron. He usually ends up turning out as a rotten character in fanfics, but since I'm not a fan of him even in the real books, I'm not apt to change that. *smiles angelically*
Merryday~ Wow! Thank you very much!
SheDraconis~ *blinks* There are groups? Honest?? I'd love to find some, but I have no idea where to look. ^_^ If you could point me, I'd be much obliged. ^_^ And bravo for reading 17 chapters in a row, that's quite a feat! :)
And thank you everyone else for reviewing!! I love you all...
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Disclaimer: All things here belong to J.K. Rowling except things that belong to me. ^_^
