Chapter Two:
"Don't turn back now."
It was very quiet when Ginny sneaked from the Gryffindor common room to the Astronomy tower. She walked up the steps as slowly as she could so she would not make any noise. Turning slowly she unlocked the door to the tower and with a slight creak of the door she was out into the clear, dark night. Walking to one of the telescopes Ginny sat down next to it and pulled from her black sling bag her spiral. Opening it to one of the last pages she began to draw. Pulling out her colored pencils she began to work in the color. Finally finished she looked at her latest artwork. All she saw was the face that haunted all of her dreams. Placing the pad down she pushed back her hair from her eyes.
"Why do I dream about you?" Ginny asked nobody. Looking up she saw the stars stare down at her and hoped that someone heard her prayer.
"Dream about who?" A voice asked. Ginny jumped up, but out of the shadows came the figure that her portrait mirrored.
"I—I thought I was the only up here. I will leave if I am interrupting something. I am terribly sorry if I am." Ginny said gripping her hands together until her knuckles turned white.
"Don't be ridiculous. You're not interrupting anything. I came up here because—"Blaise Zabini trailed off as he looked at the woman who stood in front of him.
"Because?" Ginny asked unclenching her hands to lay them at her side. She looked deep into his eyes and saw something in them but did not recognise it.
"I usually come up here to clear my thoughts. I need to sometimes." Blaise said, lying, the real reason being that he wanted to make sure she was all right. He had watched her leave the common room of Gryffindor and head out. He didn't want her to be hurt since Peter Pettigrew was out and about.
"I see. I came up here to get away. I need to sometimes." Ginny said smiling. Leaning down she picked up her art book.
"What is that?" Blaise asked stepping towards her. Not knowing what to do she placed the book behind her back.
"Nothing. It is nothing." She said quickly. Blaise looked down at her and taking one of her arms brought forth the book that she had been hiding. On the page it was open too was a picture of him, standing straight, no expression on his face.
"You drew this? Of me?" Blaise asked as he skimmed the remaining pages and saw pictures of many people he knew and did not know. Covering some of the pictures was Pansy, Draco, Hermione, Harry, Ronald and Luna Lovegood. "You drew all of these?"
"Yes. I—I sometimes dream about you. I draw what I dream." Ginny said looking down at her feet.
"You dream about me?" Blaise asked. No one had ever thought about him let alone dream about him. "Why would you want to do that sort of thing?"
"I don't know. It has been going on for some time, I—I shouldn't have said anything." She said turning away from him as if burned.
"No. You should have, I have been the one lying to myself." Blaise said running his hands through his hair. Should he say something or just leave it alone and let it pass? But the question on his mind was would it pass?
"Lying to yourself? What do you mean?" Ginny asked. Moving a red curl from her face and replacing it in the clip in her hair she stuck her hand in her pocket and hit the small bundle of notes that she kept with her and sighed.
"I don't know if I should say anything. I don't want to start anything. With anyone." He said. Shoving his hands in his pocket he started to pace. He had to tell her or he was going to go mad, but if he said something...
"What are you hiding? Maybe I can help you." Ginny said. Setting down her pad near her bag she walked toward him.
"You can't help me and even if you could I don't know if I want you to." Blaise said removing his hands but continued to pace the short tower walkway.
"You can tell me anything and I will understand. You are not a Death Eater are you?" She asked almost terrified. Laughing Blaise laid a hand on her shoulder.
"No that I am not. It has nothing to do with Draco or Pansy either." Blaise said sensing her next question. She smiled up at him. "All right. I just wanted to make sure." She replied.
"I don't know what I should say or if I should say anything at all." He said. He would tell her but not here. He knew exactly how. "I need to leave. I should leave." He said turning swiftly. Ginny's hand shot out and grabbed his wrist.
"Why? Why do you always have to leave so suddenly? What are you hiding that you are so terrified to revel?" She asked.
"You will know. I promise you will be the first to know." Blaise said stroking her cheek with his thumb and with that he disappeared.
Dawn broke sending the early sun streaming through the windows. Shifting in her bed her eyes fluttered open. It had been the first time in months that she had slept throughout the night without waking to a dream. Rubbing her eyes Pansy straightened wincing at the pain that her shoulder caused. Pulling away the sheets she walked to the bathroom she shared with about half the Slytherin women. Stepping inside she lifted her shirt at the shoulder to look at the wound. Carefully lifting the bandages she saw the wound that she carried, shutting her eyes she laid the bandages back in place. She needed to get her head out of the clouds and off of Neville Longbottom. It was getting in her way and making her vulnerable and Pansy Parkinson was anything but vulnerable. Not to anything. Not to a man and Neville was all man. She just needed to stay away from him and if that meant avoidance then that was what she was going to do. Slipping, slowly, into her Slytherin uniform one-armed she picked up her book with her good right arm and started toward that portrait door. Breathing deeply she walked through. Making her way down the dark hallway towards her first hour of Potions her arm began to throb violently causing her eyes to water, keeping her head forward and up she continued to make the journey but the pain became so unbearable that her breathing started to hitch, but Pansy knew that she was too hard-headed to stop or even ask for help. Finally she dropped to her knees sending her books out in front of her, clutching her shoulder she took deep breaths. As suddenly as it happened someone's hand came to her good shoulder and looking up she looked into the deep blue eyes of the one person she thought that she could get over. Neville Longbottom in all his brilliance was squatted in front of her with a terrified look on his beautiful features. How he had changed from the pudgy, gawky boy from third year in the tall, built, compassionate man everyone knew and appreciated.
"Crazy fool-headed woman. What do you think you are doing?" Neville hissed, more of a command instead of a question. Gathering her books her stacked them between them.
"Going to class. If that makes me crazy I would like to know what you are." Pansy hissed. Trying to get up her shoulder pushed her down. Cursing herself she stayed where she was.
"You of all people should know better than to carry your own weight in books when you have just sustained an injury. And if you did not know you know now." Neville said carefully removing her hand to see the blood pushing its way to the front of her bandage. "I think you reopened you wound. Congratulations." Neville said.
"It was an accident." Pansy hissed trying to cover her bare left shoulder. But at no avail Neville kept his hand on her shoulder. "You are coming with me. No arguments. If you do I will go to Madam Pomfrey and to Malfoy and Zabini. Come with me or suffer through them who will be harder than I."
"Fine. But this is out of force not voluntarily." Pansy said standing her hand on her shoulder to cease any stray blood. Neville picked up her books and walked her to an empty classroom.
"Sit." Neville ordered and pulling out his wand he magicked up a few supplies including bandages and ointment. Rolling up his sleeves he went about his business until he came up to Pansy with needle in hand.
"What do you think you are going to do with that?" Pansy asked covering her arm with her hand and giving him a cautious look. He smiled as he prepped the needle.
"I was thinking about giving myself a shot. This is to deaden your shoulder so I can clean and reseal your shoulder." Neville said. Pansy gulped. SO there was one thing that terrified her. But she wasn't going to show it not in front of him.
"No. You can't. Why can't you just do it without the needle?" Pansy asked. Neville gave her an odd look.
"You would be in a lot of pain if I did that. Why? You aren't afraid of needles are you?" Neville asked with a cocky grin on his face.
"Of course not. I was just wondering. I can handle the pain." Pansy said still covering her shoulder when he came to stand barely a foot away.
"You are afraid and no I am giving you the shot whether you can face the pain or not. I do not want to see you in any pain." Neville said. Taking her chin in his hands he kissed her. "Just trust me. Can you do that?" Neville asked. Pansy looked in his eyes and knew that she could not refuse him.
"Yes. I can trust you." Pansy repeated. Looking at the needle she winced when it came into contact with her skin, biting her lip and shutting her eyes she waited until she felt the needle pull from her skin.
"It will stop the pain. Just watch me, apparently I will have to sew you up until I can get you to Madam Pomfrey." Neville said as he pulled out another needle. Pansy grimaced and looked up at him.
"I thought you said you wouldn't go to Madam Pomfrey." Pansy winced as Neville stuck the needle in her arm. "I don't want to be a burden."
"You aren't a burden and I promised that I wouldn't get Zabini and Malfoy involved, Madam Pomfrey on the other hand is mandatory. This is not my expertise." Neville said as he finished, placing the needle onto the table and placing a bandage on the wound. "We should go now. To make sure we fight infection. If any should occur." Neville said handing her, her vest. Placing it on Pansy stood from her chair and started to grab for her bag but Neville grabbed her wrist.
"I have it. You just have to walk yourself." Neville said laughing as he put her bag on his shoulder along with his and grabbed her books. "I will run by Snape's and tell him were we are going. Stay here." Neville said as he turned to the door.
"No. If you go I go too. I do not want to be hidden. I can handle this. I want to go with you when you tell him." Pansy said. Neville nodded his head and they walked to the dungeons.
"Class, I want you to open your textbooks to page 952 and begin the potion." Snape said as he pulled out ingredients. As he turned to correct Weasley when he smelled the smoke the dungeons doors opened and Neville Longbottom stepped in setting down two bags and an armload of books as Pansy Parkinson stood near the back gripping her shoulder. "Glad of you to join us." Snape hissed, but knew something was not right.
"Professor I need a word with you." Neville said, stepping up to his teaching area. "What can I do for you?" Snape asked, Neville bowed his head then looked up again.
"I think we may have a problem. Pansy Parkinson's wound she sustained seems to be infected with a—I don't know how to state this but a spell of some sort. When I found her in the hall she looked not here. She looked not herself. I would like permission to take her to Madam Pomfrey." Neville asked. Snape shook his head knowing exactly what Longbottom referred.
"Yes. Do you need anyone with you?" Snape asked. Neville looked out among the class seeing everyone eyeing him. "Yes, I need Ginny Weasley." Neville said loudly and Ginny stood walking to Neville at the front, causing Blaise Zabini to stand from his seat and walk to the front as well.
"What is going on here?" Blaise asked. Snape turned to him. "You need to return to your seat. This has NOTHING to do with you." Snape hissed.
"We must leave Professor." Neville said turning Ginny as well, walking swiftly from the room Pansy at foot Blaise turned back to Snape.
"I want to know. I want to know now." Blaise ordered. Snape merely chuckled. "That may work on others but not on me. Now take your seat." Snape ordered.
"It is the Marabous Spell." Ginny said as she removed the bandage form Pansy's arm to reveal the purple mass. Shaking her head she replaced the bandage. "She needs bed rest and plenty of fluids. Madam Pomfrey is making the antidote but until then she needs someone here with her. Her fever may spike and when it does she will be—unordinary. You must not listen to anything she says and do not repeat anything she says. It could be dangerous." Ginny said handing Neville a list of instructions. "Follow this and I will come and see you after dinner." Ginny said. Leaving she watched Neville sink into the chair at her side and kiss her forehead, as she walked a smile crossed her lips.
Walking the dark hallway towards the Great Hall Ginny thought about Blaise and the way that he had jumped up in Potions when Neville had said her name. Smiling she continued to walk, rolling her key chain from her left hand to her right. Listening she could hear footsteps behind her and thought about running but decided against it as she was close to the Great Hall. Almost screaming when a hand came to her shoulder and spun her around. There stood Blaise Zabini.
"You scared me! What were you thinking?" Ginny said, her voice wavering. Tears filled her eyes but she quickly wiped them away before he could see them.
"Sorry. I didn't know I would scare you." Blaise said taking her hands. "I wanted to say something when I was behind you but I didn't know what to say to you then."
"What do you want to say?" Ginny asked taking her hands away sure that it was to tell her that he had made a mistake talking to her the other night.
"I wanted to tell you that I know who has been writing those letters." Blaise said letting out a breath of air. Damn him. He really didn't want to say anything to her but when she had turned and had those tears in her eyes he didn't know what to do.
"You do? Who is it?" Ginny asked withdrawing a pack of letters from her blouse pocket. "I know it sounds silly but I have kept all the letters." Shrugging her shoulders she placed them in his hands. She had kept every letter that he had sent to her. He thought that she would have just read them and tossed them but she hadn't.
"I promised him I wouldn't tell. I know I shouldn't have said anything if I wasn't going to tell you but I thought you might want to know that he isn't stalking you or anything creepy like that." Blaise said handing the letters back to her. "And he does like you. A lot." Smiling brightly Ginny jumped at him and swung her arms around him for a hug.
"Thank you so much. I really needed that. Has anyone told you how very sweet you are?" Ginny asked still holding on to him. Blaise stood there for a moment loving the feeling of her in his arms. Then with a short clearing of his throat he backed and watched her arms fall to her side.
"No. But thank you." Blaise said and with a short bow he left her alone in the corridor. As he turned he dropped a letter that had been in his breast pocket. Picking it up she unfolded the paper and read what was within.
Ginevra,
I have been wanting to tell you this for a very long and yet my heart has told me to keep it within, for I am ashamed of what my feelings would do for you since I know I am no good for you. You deserve someone who can love you and as much as I want to, I feel that you would forsake everything that you wanted just for me and I cannot allow you to do this. In conclusion of this letter I would like you to know that I, Blaise Zabini, have been the one sending you the letters. I have been afraid of my own feelings and the way they would affect me but all I know now is that I care very deeply for you.
Hardly believing her eyes Ginny read the note two to three times before she let out the breath of air that she did not even know she had been holding. It had been Blaise all along and she had been silly enough to believe that it had been someone in Gryffindor. But it turned out that it was the one her heart had wanted all along.
"Why didn't you tell us you were in the Hospital Wing?" Draco shouted when Pansy returned to the Common Room of Slytherin. "We thought something awful might..." Pansy held up an irritated hand.
"I knew if I told you this would be the reaction I would receive." Pansy said as she braided her hair into its usual waist length braid. Turning to Blaise she sighed. "Aren't you going to take your pick at me now?" She asked but she saw the look in his eyes. "What's wrong?" Draco asked. Blaise lifted his head at the two who stood in front of him.
"She knows." Was all he said before leaving swiftly from the Common Room, both Pansy and Draco had a pretty good idea about what he was talking about.
"I think I love her." Neville told Ron as he walked into the room he shared with Ronald, Harry and Seamus. Ron looked up from the parchment that had been spread in front of him with a look of confusion written on his features.
"Who? Are you all right mate?" Ron asked as he pulled himself up from his sitting position to lean on his bedpost. "I thought I heard you say something about loving someone?" Ron asked for clarification.
"I do. But I don't know if I should." He replied slumping onto his bed and placing his face in his hands. "I am so confused and I don't know why I am. This should be easy but it isn't."
"Maybe it could be if I know what the hell you were talking about." Ron said walking over to Neville, looking up Neville sighed.
"I don't know if I should say anything. I mean if it got back to her I think it would scare her or motivate her to kick my ass." Neville said. "And I don't prefer either."
"Who are you in love with? Maybe it could be easier if you got it off you chest I mean Hermione won't kick you ass she isn't—"Neville looked up quickly and laughed. "What are you laughing about?"
"It isn't Hermione. Or anyone in Gryffindor." Neville told him. Ron looked at him with one eyebrow up and then shot, "Luna!" Neville laughed harder and waved a hand.
"I don't have those type feelings for her, she is a good friend and all but no." He said pulling up to full height and removing his Gryffindor vest replacing it with a green sweater and a pair of jeans.
"Then who is it?" Ron asked as he gathered his bag slinging it over his shoulder, Neville looked at him as he shoved his wallet into his back pocket. "Come on man it can't be that bad, it isn't Pansy or anything is it?" Neville flinched and Ron's eyes grew larger. "No."
"Shut up." Neville breathed but Ron was already laughing. "Yes you are right, she would kick your ass if she knew your feelings. I mean she can kick Malfoy's ass. She is some sort of karate master or something. Have you seen her practice by the Forbidden Forest?" Ron said as they traveled down to the Common Room where the Gryffindors, male and female, were waiting for Professor McGonagall to tell them it was time to go to Hogsmeade.
"I've seen her." Neville said as he took a seat in one of the plush armchairs across form Harry and Ginny who were having some sort of conversation.
"She does all these crazy back flips and kicks this bag around, one time she broke it. I was scared for my life. But good choice, she is beautiful. All that long blonde hair and all. Even though she wears it in a braid and never wears make-up." Ron said and Neville punched him in the arm. "What! I'm serious, she is so conservative. She never wears skirts to Hogsmeade when we go, but she can beat anyone in Dueling Club." Ron said and Neville nodded.
"What are you talking about?" Hermione asked when she walked up, dressed in a pair of slim fitting jeans, a tight blue t-shirt and tennis shoes, her long, straight brown hair was left loose around her shoulders. "I heard you talking about make-up. Are you having trouble applying yours Ronald?" She asked, Neville laughed.
"Hell no." He said straightening his sweater. "I was just talking to Neville about Pansy, he thinks he's in love with her even though I thought it was you at first." Ron said and Neville groaned. Hermione giggled but put her hand on Neville's shoulder.
"You like Pansy?" She asked, Neville groaned louder and Ron laughed out loud. "No he loves her Hermione." He said.
"I do. All right?" Neville said dragging his hands through his long brown hair. Looking up to Hermione's smiling face. "What?" He asked, Hermione smiled wider.
"Does she know?" She asked, Neville eyes widen in shock and Hermione knew her answer. Pulling on her black jacket she sat next to him and took his hand. "You should tell her." Was all she said before she kissed his cheek and allowed him to squeeze her hand.
"Students assemble in the Great Hall please." McGonagall said and the students began to flood from the Common Room and entered the Great Hall where Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs and some Slytherins waited for the word from Dumbledore before they left for Hogsmeade. Hermione, Neville and Ron waited near the entrance of the Great Hall for Ginny and Harry who had lagged behind. Just then Draco, Pansy and Blaise sauntered in. Pansy was in- between her male counterparts, wearing a green t-shirt, snug in the right places, a pair of blue jeans that were snug but were too long for her as they covered the sneakers she wore on her feet. Her usual braid was not seen and in place was beautiful blond curls, soft, but still made her look the same. She walked with grace as she would in her uniform. She didn't smile either, not the she ever did.
"Wow." Ron murmured as he pushed up the sleeves of his sweater up his arms to his elbows. "She looks amazing...I mean..." He began as Neville glared at him.
"Hello Mr. Longbottom, Mr. Weasley. How are you?" Pansy asked as she walked up to the two men who had been staring at her since she entered.
"Fine Ms. Parkinson." Ron said smoothly. "How are you this morning?" he asked, she smiled at him. "Just fine, thank you." She replied touching his arm in return. "And you Mr. Longbottom? Are you all right?" She asked. Neville shut his mouth quickly and turned his eyes on her, she smiled.
"I'm fine. How are you?" Neville said looking at her shoulder. "You're not in any pain?" He asked. Pansy laughed and shook her head. Ron, being blunt as he was these days, took her hand kissing it.
"I couldn't see this beautiful woman in any pain. Is it true you kicked our Malfoy's ass?" He asked, she laughed out loud and touching her hair nodded.
"Yes, but do not repeat. I love Draco very much, like a brother, and don't want him embarrassed. Now if you will excuse me I need to go speak with Hannah and Hermione." She said excusing herself.
"Thanks. Did you have to do that? Now she thinks I am some stiff!" Neville said, staring at Ron who was laughing. "Not my fault mate, I just asked her a simple question." Ron said raking his hands through his hand and Neville saw the many women staring at his friend.
"Students out to where the carriages are waiting please!" McGonagall shouted. Pouring out into the front of the school the carriages began to fill. Ron helped Hermione, Parvati, and Ginny into a carriage; Neville hopped into one and laid his head back but a feminine clearing of the throat had him moving to the door of the carriage. He looked out and spotted Pansy there smiling.
"Are you not going to help me up? She asked, Neville offered his hand to her and pulled her up to the seat next to him, shutting it behind her.
"Where are your chaperones?" Neville asked mockingly. Pansy glared at him and Neville leaned back in his seat.
"They are in another carriage with Potter and Weasley." She replied. "I didn't feel like being with the moment, since they decided to be on speaking terms, not completely, but some, I do not wish to be around them when they talk." She replied.
"Fair enough. What's with the hair? I always see you in your formal braid." Neville asked. Pansy crossed her legs and looked up at him.
"Felt like a change. When are you going to cut off yours?" She asked. Neville laughed, a husky sound from the bottom of the throat.
"Doubt I will." Neville answered. "Why don't you like my hair?" He asked, Pansy laughed. "What! It's dashing!" He said Pansy smiled and the next moment Neville had taken her chin and lowered his lips to hers, the kiss was unexpected, but the reaction to it was worse. He explored her mouth and Pansy did the same, when he came up he dropped his hand fast.
"I'm sorry that was unexcused of me." He said but before he could say something else she had the back of head and was kissing him again.
As the students exited the carriages and met up with friends Draco and Blaise watched Pansy exit the carriage Neville at her side helping her down, she straightened her hair and with a nod and a smile took his hand and dragged him into the nearest shop with no protest from the man in question. Blaise and Draco exchanged a look but attentions where diverted when Ronald Weasley slammed into the poor unsuspecting Hannah Abbott. With no such apology he helped her pick up her numerous packages while staring off at something else and without checking if she was all right went off with a group of others. Hermione seeing this followed as Draco did the same, Blaise went to see if the poor Abbott woman was all right.
"Are you all right, miss?" He asked. Hannah looked up into the beautiful blue eyes of Blaise Zabini. Every girl had wanted him to talk to her at the most acknowledge her and here he was doing it to her. Even though he felt sorry for her.
"I'm fine. Thank you." She whispered as she tried to keep ahold of her packages. Dropping a few she dropped to her knees to pick them up cursing herself as she went, Blaise bent to help and gathering them he did not move to give them to her. "Allow me." Draco Malfoy said coming up on her other side reliving her of the rest of her packages.
"No...I can do that..." Hannah said making a grab for her packages but Draco kept them well out of her reach.
"It is the least we can do since our friend was so rude. He was in a hurry you see and is not usually that disrespectful to such a beautiful woman." Draco said as he led her to a bench.
"It was nothing...I'm perfectly fine." She murmured even though her arm hurt where Ron had slammed into it.
"No...it isn't and we wish to offer you the invitation to join us for lunch. We, Blaise and I, are meeting Ginevra Weasley, Hermione Granger, Pansy Parkinson and others. We wish for you to be among them, unless you have other plans that is." Draco asked.
"No! I mean...that would be nice. Thank you for the invitation." She replied. Draco smiled and kissed both her cheek wholeheartedly.
"Splendid. We will see you at the Three Broomsticks at noon. Don't be late." Draco said setting her packages next to her and leaving.
"I would expect that from someone else but not you Ronald Weasley! You broke that poor girl's heart! How could you be so insensitive?" Hermione cried hitting him hard on the arm.
"What are you ranting about? I barely touched her and she looked fine!" Ron shouted back.
"You are so mean! I cannot believe you! You were in such a hurry to catch up with all those women you just slammed into that girl and then ran off before apologizing or asking if she was all right! I am not going to speak to you until you apologise!" Hermione cried running off before Ron could reply.
"Perfect." He replied kicking dirt.
Hannah walked into the Three Broomsticks at precisely noon. She didn't want to be rude and be late when Blaise and Draco had been so kind. She spotted Hermione Granger laughing with Ginevra Weasley, walking over she stopped short and decided that she was too afraid to go over there. As she turned she ran into a solid male chest.
"Don't turn back now." He said and Hannah looked up at the tall Ronald Weasley. Hannah sucked in her breath and put a hand to her throat.
"I am so sorry! I didn't mean to run into you like—"Hannah began to spout off but Ron held up a hand and took her arm and sat her at the table at there right.
"I am the one who should be apologizing to you. I was very rude this afternoon by slamming into you and not saying one word to you. I wish I could say that I was in a hurry as probably Draco has said to you but that was not the case. I was just downright rude. And I wanted to—be pleased—be forever grateful if you would forgive me and spend the day with me. Starting now with lunch. I can make an excuse with Draco for us." Ron said and Hannah smiled, inward.
"Of course I forgive you. But—"Hannah began but Ron took ahold of her hands in his and looked in her eyes. "Please say yes?" Ron said, his red hair falling over his forehead, his brown eyes dancing.
"Yes." Hannah said and Ron squeezed her hands and handed her a menu that had been laid in front of them while they had been talking. "Order whatever you would like. On me." Ron said. Hannah smiled and looked at the menu.
"Are your ready to order?" The waitress asked. Ron looked at Hannah and she nodded. "I'll have the daily soup and a salad with the spaghetti and?" Ron said and looked at Hannah. Turning to the waitress she said, "The chicken and mixed vegetables please." She said. Smiling, Ron looked at her.
"Vegetables? My mother could never get me to eat them. Maybe you can." Ron said. Hannah looked shocked at what he had said.
"I would never force you to eat—"Hannah began. Ron laughed and took her hand. "It was a joke, love." He said and she sighed. This was harder than she thought. As they finished lunch Ron left a number of Galleons on the table and leaving her for a second he made his excuses to Draco, Blaise and the rest and they left.
"Where do you want to go first?" She asked, taking her hand he walked her into the newest bookstore in Hogsmeade, one Hermione had yet to buy out.
"Have you read Lockhart's new book, 'My Life In The Nut House', I heard it was a best seller." Ron said causing Hannah to spout giggles. "Funny am I?" He asked, Hannah smiled. They roamed in and out of shops, buying things that caught their fancy. They stepped into an older shop filled with tons of trinkets and old jewelry. While Hannah looked at a case of jewelry, Ron wandered around to the back to take a look at the old books that filled the walls. When he walked back to where Hannah was looking, he saw her staring at a rose broach that had small diamonds and rubies around it.
"Like that?" Ron asked. Hannah turned to him and smiled. "Very much. It is beautiful. But I can't afford that." Hannah said. Ron took her hand and squeezed. "Are you ready to go?" Ron asked and Hannah nodded. "How would you like to go sit by the lake?" He asked her.
"That would be wonderful." Hannah agreed. Walking hand in hand they traveled down to the lake and sat on one of the benches, all were empty but they chose the one closest to the water. Sitting down, Hannah tried to act not so nervous but she knew she was failing miserably. Ron took her hand in his and played with the fingers. Hannah smiled and sighed at the same time.
"Are you having a good time?" Ron asked and Hannah turned to him and smiled brightly at him.
"Very much." Hannah said. Ron smiled, a smile that always made the world seem brighter.
"I'm glad to hear that." Ron said. Taking her chin with his hand he stroked her jaw. Pulling her head to his he kissed her softly; a very small contact but Hannah felt the fireworks.
The carriages began to fill as the teachers ushered the students into them. Pansy and Neville shared a carriage, as did many others. Hannah walked toward one near the back and began to step up when someone took her hand before she slipped out of the carriage she was half in.
"Careful their Ms. Abbott." Ron said as she stepped into the carriage. She took her seat and smiled shyly at Ron, who was still on the ground.
"Would you ride home with me?" Hannah asked and Ron smiled and jumped into the carriage, sitting right next to her.
"Thought you would never ask." Ron said taking her hand and kissing it.
The next morning Hermione woke early to take a walk on the grounds before breakfast. Starting out she pulled on her sweater in the cool air of morning but the sound in the bushes told her that someone had come to the same thoughts as she had.
"Mr. Malfoy may I remind you that stalking is illegal." Hermione said. Draco's mouth hung open as he took her hand.
"How do you ALWAYS know?" He asked and Hermione shrugged her shoulders as he spun her around in his arms. "Really, what is it?" He asked and she shrugged her shoulders again.
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked removing her hand from his in one swift movement, as she turned to continue her walk her skirt billowed around her ankles and caught on her foot causing her to plunge forward. Draco caught her arm quickly and dragged her to his chest, as she hit there was a soft escape of her breath.
"Why are you running?" Draco asked and Hermione's eyes grew larger and her mouth opened slightly but closed.
"Just leave me alone." Hermione said walking away toward Hagrid's hut.
Potions began early that morning; most students still half asleep or working on waking up before Snape made his entrance and scared everyone out of their skin. Hannah laid her books out in front of her in her usual spot in the back of the dungeon where Potions was held. Pulling out her quill she began to work on the Transfiguration essay that she had yet to finish, she had 4 pages, the limit, but still had more to write. She watched all the other girls walk in, Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasley and Pansy Parkinson, and envied the way they were so beautiful and she was just so...plain. Her hair was short, framing her face, flipped to the side and very blonde. Many would say it was elegant, she thought it was plain...just like she.
"Hey Ron! Come sit with me!" Hannah heard Parvati Patil call when he walked into the room. Hannah watched him walk into the room and she smiled. He didn't look at her, probably because he didn't see her hiding in the back, and he went to sit with the people he had since first year. Snape burst through the door and that broke her thoughts.
"So where were you at Hogsmeade?" Harry Potter asked Ron when they got in their group with Neville Longbottom to do their potion. Ron shrugged his shoulders and went to adding his ingredients. "Come on we know you were with someone, a female is my guess." He continued.
"All I have to say is that it is none of your business where I was. I am grown now and do not need to consult you or Hermione about what I am going to do." Ron said and Harry groaned. Ron knew that Harry wanted information on the girl he had been with and usually Ron would have spilled his guts but for some reason he didn't want to share his day with Hannah with anyone but her.
"Lunch will now begin. Leave you potions on boil, they should be ready to add to the wolfsbane when you return." Snape said and the students began to file out.
"I'll meet you guys in the Great Hall, I need to send something to my mum." Ron said as he turned down the hall heading to the Owlery.
"Have you seen Ron?" Ginny asked Harry when she walked up to the table and found her brother missing. Harry looked at her and pointed to the Owlery tower. "What's he doing there?"
"He was sending something to your mother." Hermione answered. "He seemed really intent on it too. Must have been important."
"I wonder why. We just got a letter from her yesterday." Ginny replied, shrugging. Sitting she looked over to the Slytherin table and saw Blaise Zabini talking with Draco and she sat wondering when he would tell her. Hopefully very soon.
The first rose arrived on a Tuesday, and the others followed. Sometimes there would be one, sometimes dozens, in classes or in her room. They showed up everywhere. Hannah had so many roses she didn't know what to do with them all.
"Don't turn back now."
It was very quiet when Ginny sneaked from the Gryffindor common room to the Astronomy tower. She walked up the steps as slowly as she could so she would not make any noise. Turning slowly she unlocked the door to the tower and with a slight creak of the door she was out into the clear, dark night. Walking to one of the telescopes Ginny sat down next to it and pulled from her black sling bag her spiral. Opening it to one of the last pages she began to draw. Pulling out her colored pencils she began to work in the color. Finally finished she looked at her latest artwork. All she saw was the face that haunted all of her dreams. Placing the pad down she pushed back her hair from her eyes.
"Why do I dream about you?" Ginny asked nobody. Looking up she saw the stars stare down at her and hoped that someone heard her prayer.
"Dream about who?" A voice asked. Ginny jumped up, but out of the shadows came the figure that her portrait mirrored.
"I—I thought I was the only up here. I will leave if I am interrupting something. I am terribly sorry if I am." Ginny said gripping her hands together until her knuckles turned white.
"Don't be ridiculous. You're not interrupting anything. I came up here because—"Blaise Zabini trailed off as he looked at the woman who stood in front of him.
"Because?" Ginny asked unclenching her hands to lay them at her side. She looked deep into his eyes and saw something in them but did not recognise it.
"I usually come up here to clear my thoughts. I need to sometimes." Blaise said, lying, the real reason being that he wanted to make sure she was all right. He had watched her leave the common room of Gryffindor and head out. He didn't want her to be hurt since Peter Pettigrew was out and about.
"I see. I came up here to get away. I need to sometimes." Ginny said smiling. Leaning down she picked up her art book.
"What is that?" Blaise asked stepping towards her. Not knowing what to do she placed the book behind her back.
"Nothing. It is nothing." She said quickly. Blaise looked down at her and taking one of her arms brought forth the book that she had been hiding. On the page it was open too was a picture of him, standing straight, no expression on his face.
"You drew this? Of me?" Blaise asked as he skimmed the remaining pages and saw pictures of many people he knew and did not know. Covering some of the pictures was Pansy, Draco, Hermione, Harry, Ronald and Luna Lovegood. "You drew all of these?"
"Yes. I—I sometimes dream about you. I draw what I dream." Ginny said looking down at her feet.
"You dream about me?" Blaise asked. No one had ever thought about him let alone dream about him. "Why would you want to do that sort of thing?"
"I don't know. It has been going on for some time, I—I shouldn't have said anything." She said turning away from him as if burned.
"No. You should have, I have been the one lying to myself." Blaise said running his hands through his hair. Should he say something or just leave it alone and let it pass? But the question on his mind was would it pass?
"Lying to yourself? What do you mean?" Ginny asked. Moving a red curl from her face and replacing it in the clip in her hair she stuck her hand in her pocket and hit the small bundle of notes that she kept with her and sighed.
"I don't know if I should say anything. I don't want to start anything. With anyone." He said. Shoving his hands in his pocket he started to pace. He had to tell her or he was going to go mad, but if he said something...
"What are you hiding? Maybe I can help you." Ginny said. Setting down her pad near her bag she walked toward him.
"You can't help me and even if you could I don't know if I want you to." Blaise said removing his hands but continued to pace the short tower walkway.
"You can tell me anything and I will understand. You are not a Death Eater are you?" She asked almost terrified. Laughing Blaise laid a hand on her shoulder.
"No that I am not. It has nothing to do with Draco or Pansy either." Blaise said sensing her next question. She smiled up at him. "All right. I just wanted to make sure." She replied.
"I don't know what I should say or if I should say anything at all." He said. He would tell her but not here. He knew exactly how. "I need to leave. I should leave." He said turning swiftly. Ginny's hand shot out and grabbed his wrist.
"Why? Why do you always have to leave so suddenly? What are you hiding that you are so terrified to revel?" She asked.
"You will know. I promise you will be the first to know." Blaise said stroking her cheek with his thumb and with that he disappeared.
Dawn broke sending the early sun streaming through the windows. Shifting in her bed her eyes fluttered open. It had been the first time in months that she had slept throughout the night without waking to a dream. Rubbing her eyes Pansy straightened wincing at the pain that her shoulder caused. Pulling away the sheets she walked to the bathroom she shared with about half the Slytherin women. Stepping inside she lifted her shirt at the shoulder to look at the wound. Carefully lifting the bandages she saw the wound that she carried, shutting her eyes she laid the bandages back in place. She needed to get her head out of the clouds and off of Neville Longbottom. It was getting in her way and making her vulnerable and Pansy Parkinson was anything but vulnerable. Not to anything. Not to a man and Neville was all man. She just needed to stay away from him and if that meant avoidance then that was what she was going to do. Slipping, slowly, into her Slytherin uniform one-armed she picked up her book with her good right arm and started toward that portrait door. Breathing deeply she walked through. Making her way down the dark hallway towards her first hour of Potions her arm began to throb violently causing her eyes to water, keeping her head forward and up she continued to make the journey but the pain became so unbearable that her breathing started to hitch, but Pansy knew that she was too hard-headed to stop or even ask for help. Finally she dropped to her knees sending her books out in front of her, clutching her shoulder she took deep breaths. As suddenly as it happened someone's hand came to her good shoulder and looking up she looked into the deep blue eyes of the one person she thought that she could get over. Neville Longbottom in all his brilliance was squatted in front of her with a terrified look on his beautiful features. How he had changed from the pudgy, gawky boy from third year in the tall, built, compassionate man everyone knew and appreciated.
"Crazy fool-headed woman. What do you think you are doing?" Neville hissed, more of a command instead of a question. Gathering her books her stacked them between them.
"Going to class. If that makes me crazy I would like to know what you are." Pansy hissed. Trying to get up her shoulder pushed her down. Cursing herself she stayed where she was.
"You of all people should know better than to carry your own weight in books when you have just sustained an injury. And if you did not know you know now." Neville said carefully removing her hand to see the blood pushing its way to the front of her bandage. "I think you reopened you wound. Congratulations." Neville said.
"It was an accident." Pansy hissed trying to cover her bare left shoulder. But at no avail Neville kept his hand on her shoulder. "You are coming with me. No arguments. If you do I will go to Madam Pomfrey and to Malfoy and Zabini. Come with me or suffer through them who will be harder than I."
"Fine. But this is out of force not voluntarily." Pansy said standing her hand on her shoulder to cease any stray blood. Neville picked up her books and walked her to an empty classroom.
"Sit." Neville ordered and pulling out his wand he magicked up a few supplies including bandages and ointment. Rolling up his sleeves he went about his business until he came up to Pansy with needle in hand.
"What do you think you are going to do with that?" Pansy asked covering her arm with her hand and giving him a cautious look. He smiled as he prepped the needle.
"I was thinking about giving myself a shot. This is to deaden your shoulder so I can clean and reseal your shoulder." Neville said. Pansy gulped. SO there was one thing that terrified her. But she wasn't going to show it not in front of him.
"No. You can't. Why can't you just do it without the needle?" Pansy asked. Neville gave her an odd look.
"You would be in a lot of pain if I did that. Why? You aren't afraid of needles are you?" Neville asked with a cocky grin on his face.
"Of course not. I was just wondering. I can handle the pain." Pansy said still covering her shoulder when he came to stand barely a foot away.
"You are afraid and no I am giving you the shot whether you can face the pain or not. I do not want to see you in any pain." Neville said. Taking her chin in his hands he kissed her. "Just trust me. Can you do that?" Neville asked. Pansy looked in his eyes and knew that she could not refuse him.
"Yes. I can trust you." Pansy repeated. Looking at the needle she winced when it came into contact with her skin, biting her lip and shutting her eyes she waited until she felt the needle pull from her skin.
"It will stop the pain. Just watch me, apparently I will have to sew you up until I can get you to Madam Pomfrey." Neville said as he pulled out another needle. Pansy grimaced and looked up at him.
"I thought you said you wouldn't go to Madam Pomfrey." Pansy winced as Neville stuck the needle in her arm. "I don't want to be a burden."
"You aren't a burden and I promised that I wouldn't get Zabini and Malfoy involved, Madam Pomfrey on the other hand is mandatory. This is not my expertise." Neville said as he finished, placing the needle onto the table and placing a bandage on the wound. "We should go now. To make sure we fight infection. If any should occur." Neville said handing her, her vest. Placing it on Pansy stood from her chair and started to grab for her bag but Neville grabbed her wrist.
"I have it. You just have to walk yourself." Neville said laughing as he put her bag on his shoulder along with his and grabbed her books. "I will run by Snape's and tell him were we are going. Stay here." Neville said as he turned to the door.
"No. If you go I go too. I do not want to be hidden. I can handle this. I want to go with you when you tell him." Pansy said. Neville nodded his head and they walked to the dungeons.
"Class, I want you to open your textbooks to page 952 and begin the potion." Snape said as he pulled out ingredients. As he turned to correct Weasley when he smelled the smoke the dungeons doors opened and Neville Longbottom stepped in setting down two bags and an armload of books as Pansy Parkinson stood near the back gripping her shoulder. "Glad of you to join us." Snape hissed, but knew something was not right.
"Professor I need a word with you." Neville said, stepping up to his teaching area. "What can I do for you?" Snape asked, Neville bowed his head then looked up again.
"I think we may have a problem. Pansy Parkinson's wound she sustained seems to be infected with a—I don't know how to state this but a spell of some sort. When I found her in the hall she looked not here. She looked not herself. I would like permission to take her to Madam Pomfrey." Neville asked. Snape shook his head knowing exactly what Longbottom referred.
"Yes. Do you need anyone with you?" Snape asked. Neville looked out among the class seeing everyone eyeing him. "Yes, I need Ginny Weasley." Neville said loudly and Ginny stood walking to Neville at the front, causing Blaise Zabini to stand from his seat and walk to the front as well.
"What is going on here?" Blaise asked. Snape turned to him. "You need to return to your seat. This has NOTHING to do with you." Snape hissed.
"We must leave Professor." Neville said turning Ginny as well, walking swiftly from the room Pansy at foot Blaise turned back to Snape.
"I want to know. I want to know now." Blaise ordered. Snape merely chuckled. "That may work on others but not on me. Now take your seat." Snape ordered.
"It is the Marabous Spell." Ginny said as she removed the bandage form Pansy's arm to reveal the purple mass. Shaking her head she replaced the bandage. "She needs bed rest and plenty of fluids. Madam Pomfrey is making the antidote but until then she needs someone here with her. Her fever may spike and when it does she will be—unordinary. You must not listen to anything she says and do not repeat anything she says. It could be dangerous." Ginny said handing Neville a list of instructions. "Follow this and I will come and see you after dinner." Ginny said. Leaving she watched Neville sink into the chair at her side and kiss her forehead, as she walked a smile crossed her lips.
Walking the dark hallway towards the Great Hall Ginny thought about Blaise and the way that he had jumped up in Potions when Neville had said her name. Smiling she continued to walk, rolling her key chain from her left hand to her right. Listening she could hear footsteps behind her and thought about running but decided against it as she was close to the Great Hall. Almost screaming when a hand came to her shoulder and spun her around. There stood Blaise Zabini.
"You scared me! What were you thinking?" Ginny said, her voice wavering. Tears filled her eyes but she quickly wiped them away before he could see them.
"Sorry. I didn't know I would scare you." Blaise said taking her hands. "I wanted to say something when I was behind you but I didn't know what to say to you then."
"What do you want to say?" Ginny asked taking her hands away sure that it was to tell her that he had made a mistake talking to her the other night.
"I wanted to tell you that I know who has been writing those letters." Blaise said letting out a breath of air. Damn him. He really didn't want to say anything to her but when she had turned and had those tears in her eyes he didn't know what to do.
"You do? Who is it?" Ginny asked withdrawing a pack of letters from her blouse pocket. "I know it sounds silly but I have kept all the letters." Shrugging her shoulders she placed them in his hands. She had kept every letter that he had sent to her. He thought that she would have just read them and tossed them but she hadn't.
"I promised him I wouldn't tell. I know I shouldn't have said anything if I wasn't going to tell you but I thought you might want to know that he isn't stalking you or anything creepy like that." Blaise said handing the letters back to her. "And he does like you. A lot." Smiling brightly Ginny jumped at him and swung her arms around him for a hug.
"Thank you so much. I really needed that. Has anyone told you how very sweet you are?" Ginny asked still holding on to him. Blaise stood there for a moment loving the feeling of her in his arms. Then with a short clearing of his throat he backed and watched her arms fall to her side.
"No. But thank you." Blaise said and with a short bow he left her alone in the corridor. As he turned he dropped a letter that had been in his breast pocket. Picking it up she unfolded the paper and read what was within.
Ginevra,
I have been wanting to tell you this for a very long and yet my heart has told me to keep it within, for I am ashamed of what my feelings would do for you since I know I am no good for you. You deserve someone who can love you and as much as I want to, I feel that you would forsake everything that you wanted just for me and I cannot allow you to do this. In conclusion of this letter I would like you to know that I, Blaise Zabini, have been the one sending you the letters. I have been afraid of my own feelings and the way they would affect me but all I know now is that I care very deeply for you.
Hardly believing her eyes Ginny read the note two to three times before she let out the breath of air that she did not even know she had been holding. It had been Blaise all along and she had been silly enough to believe that it had been someone in Gryffindor. But it turned out that it was the one her heart had wanted all along.
"Why didn't you tell us you were in the Hospital Wing?" Draco shouted when Pansy returned to the Common Room of Slytherin. "We thought something awful might..." Pansy held up an irritated hand.
"I knew if I told you this would be the reaction I would receive." Pansy said as she braided her hair into its usual waist length braid. Turning to Blaise she sighed. "Aren't you going to take your pick at me now?" She asked but she saw the look in his eyes. "What's wrong?" Draco asked. Blaise lifted his head at the two who stood in front of him.
"She knows." Was all he said before leaving swiftly from the Common Room, both Pansy and Draco had a pretty good idea about what he was talking about.
"I think I love her." Neville told Ron as he walked into the room he shared with Ronald, Harry and Seamus. Ron looked up from the parchment that had been spread in front of him with a look of confusion written on his features.
"Who? Are you all right mate?" Ron asked as he pulled himself up from his sitting position to lean on his bedpost. "I thought I heard you say something about loving someone?" Ron asked for clarification.
"I do. But I don't know if I should." He replied slumping onto his bed and placing his face in his hands. "I am so confused and I don't know why I am. This should be easy but it isn't."
"Maybe it could be if I know what the hell you were talking about." Ron said walking over to Neville, looking up Neville sighed.
"I don't know if I should say anything. I mean if it got back to her I think it would scare her or motivate her to kick my ass." Neville said. "And I don't prefer either."
"Who are you in love with? Maybe it could be easier if you got it off you chest I mean Hermione won't kick you ass she isn't—"Neville looked up quickly and laughed. "What are you laughing about?"
"It isn't Hermione. Or anyone in Gryffindor." Neville told him. Ron looked at him with one eyebrow up and then shot, "Luna!" Neville laughed harder and waved a hand.
"I don't have those type feelings for her, she is a good friend and all but no." He said pulling up to full height and removing his Gryffindor vest replacing it with a green sweater and a pair of jeans.
"Then who is it?" Ron asked as he gathered his bag slinging it over his shoulder, Neville looked at him as he shoved his wallet into his back pocket. "Come on man it can't be that bad, it isn't Pansy or anything is it?" Neville flinched and Ron's eyes grew larger. "No."
"Shut up." Neville breathed but Ron was already laughing. "Yes you are right, she would kick your ass if she knew your feelings. I mean she can kick Malfoy's ass. She is some sort of karate master or something. Have you seen her practice by the Forbidden Forest?" Ron said as they traveled down to the Common Room where the Gryffindors, male and female, were waiting for Professor McGonagall to tell them it was time to go to Hogsmeade.
"I've seen her." Neville said as he took a seat in one of the plush armchairs across form Harry and Ginny who were having some sort of conversation.
"She does all these crazy back flips and kicks this bag around, one time she broke it. I was scared for my life. But good choice, she is beautiful. All that long blonde hair and all. Even though she wears it in a braid and never wears make-up." Ron said and Neville punched him in the arm. "What! I'm serious, she is so conservative. She never wears skirts to Hogsmeade when we go, but she can beat anyone in Dueling Club." Ron said and Neville nodded.
"What are you talking about?" Hermione asked when she walked up, dressed in a pair of slim fitting jeans, a tight blue t-shirt and tennis shoes, her long, straight brown hair was left loose around her shoulders. "I heard you talking about make-up. Are you having trouble applying yours Ronald?" She asked, Neville laughed.
"Hell no." He said straightening his sweater. "I was just talking to Neville about Pansy, he thinks he's in love with her even though I thought it was you at first." Ron said and Neville groaned. Hermione giggled but put her hand on Neville's shoulder.
"You like Pansy?" She asked, Neville groaned louder and Ron laughed out loud. "No he loves her Hermione." He said.
"I do. All right?" Neville said dragging his hands through his long brown hair. Looking up to Hermione's smiling face. "What?" He asked, Hermione smiled wider.
"Does she know?" She asked, Neville eyes widen in shock and Hermione knew her answer. Pulling on her black jacket she sat next to him and took his hand. "You should tell her." Was all she said before she kissed his cheek and allowed him to squeeze her hand.
"Students assemble in the Great Hall please." McGonagall said and the students began to flood from the Common Room and entered the Great Hall where Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs and some Slytherins waited for the word from Dumbledore before they left for Hogsmeade. Hermione, Neville and Ron waited near the entrance of the Great Hall for Ginny and Harry who had lagged behind. Just then Draco, Pansy and Blaise sauntered in. Pansy was in- between her male counterparts, wearing a green t-shirt, snug in the right places, a pair of blue jeans that were snug but were too long for her as they covered the sneakers she wore on her feet. Her usual braid was not seen and in place was beautiful blond curls, soft, but still made her look the same. She walked with grace as she would in her uniform. She didn't smile either, not the she ever did.
"Wow." Ron murmured as he pushed up the sleeves of his sweater up his arms to his elbows. "She looks amazing...I mean..." He began as Neville glared at him.
"Hello Mr. Longbottom, Mr. Weasley. How are you?" Pansy asked as she walked up to the two men who had been staring at her since she entered.
"Fine Ms. Parkinson." Ron said smoothly. "How are you this morning?" he asked, she smiled at him. "Just fine, thank you." She replied touching his arm in return. "And you Mr. Longbottom? Are you all right?" She asked. Neville shut his mouth quickly and turned his eyes on her, she smiled.
"I'm fine. How are you?" Neville said looking at her shoulder. "You're not in any pain?" He asked. Pansy laughed and shook her head. Ron, being blunt as he was these days, took her hand kissing it.
"I couldn't see this beautiful woman in any pain. Is it true you kicked our Malfoy's ass?" He asked, she laughed out loud and touching her hair nodded.
"Yes, but do not repeat. I love Draco very much, like a brother, and don't want him embarrassed. Now if you will excuse me I need to go speak with Hannah and Hermione." She said excusing herself.
"Thanks. Did you have to do that? Now she thinks I am some stiff!" Neville said, staring at Ron who was laughing. "Not my fault mate, I just asked her a simple question." Ron said raking his hands through his hand and Neville saw the many women staring at his friend.
"Students out to where the carriages are waiting please!" McGonagall shouted. Pouring out into the front of the school the carriages began to fill. Ron helped Hermione, Parvati, and Ginny into a carriage; Neville hopped into one and laid his head back but a feminine clearing of the throat had him moving to the door of the carriage. He looked out and spotted Pansy there smiling.
"Are you not going to help me up? She asked, Neville offered his hand to her and pulled her up to the seat next to him, shutting it behind her.
"Where are your chaperones?" Neville asked mockingly. Pansy glared at him and Neville leaned back in his seat.
"They are in another carriage with Potter and Weasley." She replied. "I didn't feel like being with the moment, since they decided to be on speaking terms, not completely, but some, I do not wish to be around them when they talk." She replied.
"Fair enough. What's with the hair? I always see you in your formal braid." Neville asked. Pansy crossed her legs and looked up at him.
"Felt like a change. When are you going to cut off yours?" She asked. Neville laughed, a husky sound from the bottom of the throat.
"Doubt I will." Neville answered. "Why don't you like my hair?" He asked, Pansy laughed. "What! It's dashing!" He said Pansy smiled and the next moment Neville had taken her chin and lowered his lips to hers, the kiss was unexpected, but the reaction to it was worse. He explored her mouth and Pansy did the same, when he came up he dropped his hand fast.
"I'm sorry that was unexcused of me." He said but before he could say something else she had the back of head and was kissing him again.
As the students exited the carriages and met up with friends Draco and Blaise watched Pansy exit the carriage Neville at her side helping her down, she straightened her hair and with a nod and a smile took his hand and dragged him into the nearest shop with no protest from the man in question. Blaise and Draco exchanged a look but attentions where diverted when Ronald Weasley slammed into the poor unsuspecting Hannah Abbott. With no such apology he helped her pick up her numerous packages while staring off at something else and without checking if she was all right went off with a group of others. Hermione seeing this followed as Draco did the same, Blaise went to see if the poor Abbott woman was all right.
"Are you all right, miss?" He asked. Hannah looked up into the beautiful blue eyes of Blaise Zabini. Every girl had wanted him to talk to her at the most acknowledge her and here he was doing it to her. Even though he felt sorry for her.
"I'm fine. Thank you." She whispered as she tried to keep ahold of her packages. Dropping a few she dropped to her knees to pick them up cursing herself as she went, Blaise bent to help and gathering them he did not move to give them to her. "Allow me." Draco Malfoy said coming up on her other side reliving her of the rest of her packages.
"No...I can do that..." Hannah said making a grab for her packages but Draco kept them well out of her reach.
"It is the least we can do since our friend was so rude. He was in a hurry you see and is not usually that disrespectful to such a beautiful woman." Draco said as he led her to a bench.
"It was nothing...I'm perfectly fine." She murmured even though her arm hurt where Ron had slammed into it.
"No...it isn't and we wish to offer you the invitation to join us for lunch. We, Blaise and I, are meeting Ginevra Weasley, Hermione Granger, Pansy Parkinson and others. We wish for you to be among them, unless you have other plans that is." Draco asked.
"No! I mean...that would be nice. Thank you for the invitation." She replied. Draco smiled and kissed both her cheek wholeheartedly.
"Splendid. We will see you at the Three Broomsticks at noon. Don't be late." Draco said setting her packages next to her and leaving.
"I would expect that from someone else but not you Ronald Weasley! You broke that poor girl's heart! How could you be so insensitive?" Hermione cried hitting him hard on the arm.
"What are you ranting about? I barely touched her and she looked fine!" Ron shouted back.
"You are so mean! I cannot believe you! You were in such a hurry to catch up with all those women you just slammed into that girl and then ran off before apologizing or asking if she was all right! I am not going to speak to you until you apologise!" Hermione cried running off before Ron could reply.
"Perfect." He replied kicking dirt.
Hannah walked into the Three Broomsticks at precisely noon. She didn't want to be rude and be late when Blaise and Draco had been so kind. She spotted Hermione Granger laughing with Ginevra Weasley, walking over she stopped short and decided that she was too afraid to go over there. As she turned she ran into a solid male chest.
"Don't turn back now." He said and Hannah looked up at the tall Ronald Weasley. Hannah sucked in her breath and put a hand to her throat.
"I am so sorry! I didn't mean to run into you like—"Hannah began to spout off but Ron held up a hand and took her arm and sat her at the table at there right.
"I am the one who should be apologizing to you. I was very rude this afternoon by slamming into you and not saying one word to you. I wish I could say that I was in a hurry as probably Draco has said to you but that was not the case. I was just downright rude. And I wanted to—be pleased—be forever grateful if you would forgive me and spend the day with me. Starting now with lunch. I can make an excuse with Draco for us." Ron said and Hannah smiled, inward.
"Of course I forgive you. But—"Hannah began but Ron took ahold of her hands in his and looked in her eyes. "Please say yes?" Ron said, his red hair falling over his forehead, his brown eyes dancing.
"Yes." Hannah said and Ron squeezed her hands and handed her a menu that had been laid in front of them while they had been talking. "Order whatever you would like. On me." Ron said. Hannah smiled and looked at the menu.
"Are your ready to order?" The waitress asked. Ron looked at Hannah and she nodded. "I'll have the daily soup and a salad with the spaghetti and?" Ron said and looked at Hannah. Turning to the waitress she said, "The chicken and mixed vegetables please." She said. Smiling, Ron looked at her.
"Vegetables? My mother could never get me to eat them. Maybe you can." Ron said. Hannah looked shocked at what he had said.
"I would never force you to eat—"Hannah began. Ron laughed and took her hand. "It was a joke, love." He said and she sighed. This was harder than she thought. As they finished lunch Ron left a number of Galleons on the table and leaving her for a second he made his excuses to Draco, Blaise and the rest and they left.
"Where do you want to go first?" She asked, taking her hand he walked her into the newest bookstore in Hogsmeade, one Hermione had yet to buy out.
"Have you read Lockhart's new book, 'My Life In The Nut House', I heard it was a best seller." Ron said causing Hannah to spout giggles. "Funny am I?" He asked, Hannah smiled. They roamed in and out of shops, buying things that caught their fancy. They stepped into an older shop filled with tons of trinkets and old jewelry. While Hannah looked at a case of jewelry, Ron wandered around to the back to take a look at the old books that filled the walls. When he walked back to where Hannah was looking, he saw her staring at a rose broach that had small diamonds and rubies around it.
"Like that?" Ron asked. Hannah turned to him and smiled. "Very much. It is beautiful. But I can't afford that." Hannah said. Ron took her hand and squeezed. "Are you ready to go?" Ron asked and Hannah nodded. "How would you like to go sit by the lake?" He asked her.
"That would be wonderful." Hannah agreed. Walking hand in hand they traveled down to the lake and sat on one of the benches, all were empty but they chose the one closest to the water. Sitting down, Hannah tried to act not so nervous but she knew she was failing miserably. Ron took her hand in his and played with the fingers. Hannah smiled and sighed at the same time.
"Are you having a good time?" Ron asked and Hannah turned to him and smiled brightly at him.
"Very much." Hannah said. Ron smiled, a smile that always made the world seem brighter.
"I'm glad to hear that." Ron said. Taking her chin with his hand he stroked her jaw. Pulling her head to his he kissed her softly; a very small contact but Hannah felt the fireworks.
The carriages began to fill as the teachers ushered the students into them. Pansy and Neville shared a carriage, as did many others. Hannah walked toward one near the back and began to step up when someone took her hand before she slipped out of the carriage she was half in.
"Careful their Ms. Abbott." Ron said as she stepped into the carriage. She took her seat and smiled shyly at Ron, who was still on the ground.
"Would you ride home with me?" Hannah asked and Ron smiled and jumped into the carriage, sitting right next to her.
"Thought you would never ask." Ron said taking her hand and kissing it.
The next morning Hermione woke early to take a walk on the grounds before breakfast. Starting out she pulled on her sweater in the cool air of morning but the sound in the bushes told her that someone had come to the same thoughts as she had.
"Mr. Malfoy may I remind you that stalking is illegal." Hermione said. Draco's mouth hung open as he took her hand.
"How do you ALWAYS know?" He asked and Hermione shrugged her shoulders as he spun her around in his arms. "Really, what is it?" He asked and she shrugged her shoulders again.
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked removing her hand from his in one swift movement, as she turned to continue her walk her skirt billowed around her ankles and caught on her foot causing her to plunge forward. Draco caught her arm quickly and dragged her to his chest, as she hit there was a soft escape of her breath.
"Why are you running?" Draco asked and Hermione's eyes grew larger and her mouth opened slightly but closed.
"Just leave me alone." Hermione said walking away toward Hagrid's hut.
Potions began early that morning; most students still half asleep or working on waking up before Snape made his entrance and scared everyone out of their skin. Hannah laid her books out in front of her in her usual spot in the back of the dungeon where Potions was held. Pulling out her quill she began to work on the Transfiguration essay that she had yet to finish, she had 4 pages, the limit, but still had more to write. She watched all the other girls walk in, Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasley and Pansy Parkinson, and envied the way they were so beautiful and she was just so...plain. Her hair was short, framing her face, flipped to the side and very blonde. Many would say it was elegant, she thought it was plain...just like she.
"Hey Ron! Come sit with me!" Hannah heard Parvati Patil call when he walked into the room. Hannah watched him walk into the room and she smiled. He didn't look at her, probably because he didn't see her hiding in the back, and he went to sit with the people he had since first year. Snape burst through the door and that broke her thoughts.
"So where were you at Hogsmeade?" Harry Potter asked Ron when they got in their group with Neville Longbottom to do their potion. Ron shrugged his shoulders and went to adding his ingredients. "Come on we know you were with someone, a female is my guess." He continued.
"All I have to say is that it is none of your business where I was. I am grown now and do not need to consult you or Hermione about what I am going to do." Ron said and Harry groaned. Ron knew that Harry wanted information on the girl he had been with and usually Ron would have spilled his guts but for some reason he didn't want to share his day with Hannah with anyone but her.
"Lunch will now begin. Leave you potions on boil, they should be ready to add to the wolfsbane when you return." Snape said and the students began to file out.
"I'll meet you guys in the Great Hall, I need to send something to my mum." Ron said as he turned down the hall heading to the Owlery.
"Have you seen Ron?" Ginny asked Harry when she walked up to the table and found her brother missing. Harry looked at her and pointed to the Owlery tower. "What's he doing there?"
"He was sending something to your mother." Hermione answered. "He seemed really intent on it too. Must have been important."
"I wonder why. We just got a letter from her yesterday." Ginny replied, shrugging. Sitting she looked over to the Slytherin table and saw Blaise Zabini talking with Draco and she sat wondering when he would tell her. Hopefully very soon.
The first rose arrived on a Tuesday, and the others followed. Sometimes there would be one, sometimes dozens, in classes or in her room. They showed up everywhere. Hannah had so many roses she didn't know what to do with them all.