Hermione and Ginny remained angry with them for ten days after that night. Ron's classes, knight's training, Quidditch practice, and finally prefect duties ate up most of his free time, and once Hermione had finally forgiven him the rest of his time he spent with her. The dungeons were repaired, but you could still see signs of where the fighting had occurred that night. Susan's shields remained in place up to a week afterwards much to the surprise of Professor Moody. Hermione continued to disappear for long periods of time with her research for the Order, but she scheduled most of her work around Ron's schedule so that they managed to see each other more often. A change that Ron was more than grateful for
The fighting in the dungeons was supposed to have remained quiet, which meant the entire school knew the story by the following day. In it, Blaise, Daphne and Susan were lauded as heroes earning them all instant popularity and serving as a good first step to the general acceptance of the Slytherin House. The change in opinion didn't seem to effect Daphne who basked in the attention, but Blaise missed his privacy while the entire Hufflepuff House seemed determined to become his friend after carrying their favorite from the dungeons to the infirmary.
Ron didn't detect an immediate change in the majority of the Slytherin House as the aftermath finally settled. They still kept to themselves, but they were beginning to open up to some of the other houses. It was a slow process, but a good number of them seemed to be making an effort and it was all well accepted.
Susan though didn't regain consciousness for two days after her ordeal and didn't return to their additional defense training for a week and their physical training until a few days later. Her popularity continued and no matter where she went, she seemed swamped with people. The sudden fame didn't seem to affect the girl in the way that most would expect. She was still just Susan, but she seemed sadder. The entire school couldn't get enough of her advice and her help, but for all that attention, she smiled less.
The only time Ron ever saw the old Susan was when she was training, and even then her determination had tripled over night. Susan began besting Neville regularly and even Ron once. He had tripped over a step and landed on his side. Usually, Susan would stop and check on him, but that time she had blasted him knocking him into the far wall with a violence that surprised everyone in the room. Harry had called a halt for the day, but afterwards only Ron or Harry would train with the girl.
For their part, if it was possible, the additional training intensified even further for Ron and Harry as well. They pushed themselves constantly, leaving the three of them battered and bruised almost daily as they continued to try to improve. The night in the dungeons had taught all three a lesson in the possibility of failure.
As far as Blaise and Susan were concerned, no one knew what was happening there. He had stayed with her until she had awoken for the first time, but other than that, Blaise had avoided Susan since the incident. Hermione suspected that Blaise was sorting out his feelings and expectations towards the girl, but Susan wouldn't say one word regarding the dark-haired Slytherin and the mystery was almost more than the rumor mill could bear.
Malfoy had maintained his core group, plus Lenore and minus Pansy and Nott, after Saturday night's events. Malfoy hadn't changed a bit. His defeat seemed to incense him more, especially where Blaise, Daphne, and Susan were concerned. He continuously bragged about Susan's collapse in the hallway and taunted her when he could. It seemed his hate for the trio had tripled, but he was prevented from continuing with recruiting additional members for his side. Ron and Harry knew that the Cold War was not over for Draco Malfoy and that there would be consequences to those people that had been involved.
Still, time passed for Hogwarts and everyone resumed their normal routine for a few weeks until one morning . . .
Ron, Harry, and the rest of the sixth year boys watched their girlfriends whispering amongst each other with Luna and Susan among them. The bits of conversation Ron could understand centered on men and in particular their boyfriends and none of them sounded very happy.
"What is going on? Did I miss a dance coming up or something?" Neville asked as Luna waved him away when he attempted to infiltrate the group.
"Nah, nice attempt to break it up though mate," Dean replied making room. "What ever it is, it isn't good."
"Ron, can you hear anything they are saying?" Harry asked watching as Ginny looked over towards him and then back to the girls, obviously not happy.
"No, just something about dating and general men bashing," Ron replied trying to hear what Hermione was saying, something about a leash and lack of control.
"It seems you all had better start thinking quick," Daphne's voice interrupted them. She stood behind Ron and Harry with a knowing smile as they all looked at her confused.
"Why? Do you know what is going on with them?" Harry asked motioning for her to join them.
Daphne smiled weakly and sat down amidst the boys, obviously uncomfortable, "OK, you all owe me for this, but I am giving you an opportunity here."
Harry nodded, "What is it?"
"Blaise asked Susan out on a date last night, in the library, for Friday night," Daphne smiled gesturing over to Blaise who likewise seemed rather unhappy about the large number of girls gathered around Susan.
"What does that have to do with us?" Ron asked baffled.
"Look, all your girlfriends are sitting over there jealous and talking about the last time any of you blokes decided to show them some affection," Daphne whispered.
Ron and Harry looked at each other confused, "And I don't mean physically," Daphne smirked.
"So?" Ron asked missing her point.
"Look, I can guarantee you all a night you'll remember if each of you goes out and plans something special for your significant other for Friday night. Make sure you do something out of the ordinary and that you don't mention that anyone else is doing the same thing. Just be extra kind and considerate and your girls will make you extremely happy."
Daphne rose to her feet and looked at Harry, Ron, Dean, and Neville, "Something special gentleman and make sure you ask her to go with you."
Daphne smiled at the table and Ron watched Seamus look at her with a predatory gleam in his eye. Seamus had been more than interested in the blond Slytherin since Ron's birthday party and it seemed that she didn't mind.
"That lass is brilliant," Seamus muttered watching her walk away and join the girls at the far end of the table. "You blokes had better figure out something great or there will be hell to pay."
Friday night found four different blokes waiting on four different girls across the castle. Blaise waited just inside his recently discovered corridor into the Hufflepuff common room, watching the last of the Hufflepuffs leave for dinner. He waited five more minutes knowing she would arrive soon. He was not disappointed.
Blaise slowly opened the door into the common room to find one girl standing with her back to him. Susan wore muggle attire, a classic red dress and heels and her honey blond hair left hanging straight down her back. She didn't seem surprised to see him, but smiled hesitantly.
"You said to dress nicely. I umm. . . was this too much?" Susan blushed looking over at the dark Slytherin.
Blaise looked her over once again. The dress was flattering, there was no reason for her to worry, "Its fine."
Susan nodded, fidgeting with the end of her hair for a moment looking the Slytherin over in her turn. Most men would have told her she looked beautiful, and Susan found the lack of a compliment or even something nice bothered her more than she expected. Susan knew Blaise was not one to give compliments, but she still wanted to hear one. This date made her nervous. She felt like the normal rules didn't apply and that left her at a disadvantage. He'd ignored her for two weeks, not even a note and then last Monday he showed up in the library as if nothing had happened and asked her on a date. Susan had agreed, but the abrupt change had surprised her and it made her nervous.
Blaise himself had chosen dark trousers and a black sweater for the evening, maintaining his typical fastidious appearance. He looked around the Common Room taking in the large windows overlooking the lake and a number of small fountains, comfortable sofas, and tables arranged around hundreds of plants.
Susan waited for his judgment fighting her own unease, "The fountains are unexpected. I must say your view of the lake is something to envy," Blaise offered trying to be polite. Truly, the one thing he envied the other Houses were the windows to the outside, even if he would never admit that to another soul.
Susan remained where she was trying to take in the room for the first time, "Water is a calming influence and the plants, how else could I explain it but Madame Sprout? What is the Slytherin common room like?"
Blaise turned back to her a quick frown across his features that surprised Susan. She realized that the last time she had been in the Common Room was the night in the dungeons. Susan's frown matched Blaise's as he nodded his head towards the door, "We should go."
Susan lifted her bag, filled with her pajamas and robe for her return. Blaise looked at the bag with a quirk of his eye as he took it from her, "What is this?" Blaise asked surprised as he slung it over his shoulder allowing Susan to precede him to the opening back into the passage.
Susan shrugged and looked back at him over her shoulder, Blaise caught his breath for a minute as a small laugh escaped her, "You said no one outside our little group should know. I told everyone I wasn't feeling well. If someone sees me when I get back, I brought pajamas and a robe to change into," Susan explained stepping into the corridor ahead of him.
Blaise nodded lifting his lantern and keeping her bag with them. "This way," he nodded leading her back through the corridor. Blaise was amazed at his own nervousness as they walked. He was unsure of what etiquette demanded of him and he hesitated not wanting to look a fool. They walked in silence through the dim corridors, but for the sound of Susan's heels on the stone floors.
As Blaise grew closer to the dungeons he stopped, worried that someone would hear them, "Do you have any other shoes in this bag?" he whispered.
Susan paused her eyes startled, "I, yes, but you're not allowed to laugh," she added reaching for the bag.
Blaise handed it back to the girl, lifting his lantern so that she could rifle through her things. He caught site of pink pajamas and a fluffy robe and immediately fought the inappropriate images of Susan changing at the end of their date. Blaise watched in all curiousness as Susan pulled out two, pink fluffy slippers with yellow stars on the toes.
Susan slipped off her heels and put her feet into her slippers, and Blaise took in the site with his usual sarcastic smile and a low chuckle escaped him. The slippers were ridiculous with her dress. Susan, on the other hand, flushed and looked down, her blond hair falling in her face instantly regretting ever agreeing to this. Blaise's behavior over the past few weeks had confused Susan even more making her regret her decision to go on this date.
Susan hefted her own bag, resolved to go back to the Common Room and forget everything to do with Blaise Zabini, "Look, I know they're silly," she murmured fidgeting with the strap to her bag. "This was just a bad idea."
Blaise frowned, her embarrassment annoyed him. He lifted his lantern higher and saw the flush on her cheeks that she tried to hide. "Blaise, please?" she asked her embarrassment escalating even further. Why had he asked her to come?
Blaise set the lantern back on the floor and turned her face so that she looked him in the eyes, as he brushed her long blond hair back from her face. Blaise smelled the same blend of flowers and cinnamon as he stood close to her. She was so soft, and Blaise kicked himself for not being nicer to her. "You look beautiful," he spoke, his voice rough.
Susan blinked and tried to smile, but Blaise could see her relief, "Thank you," she whispered standing close to him and touching his hand where it rested upon her cheek.
"Do you want to go back?" Blaise asked, centuries of good breeding forcing the words out of him. He watched her closely, worried she may actually say yes.
"No, I'm fine," Susan replied stepping away from him. "How much further is it?"
Blaise took the bag away from her a second time, lifting the lantern once again, "Not much further."
Blaise turned to walk down the corridor and he felt he had missed something. He looked back at Susan standing in the center of the corridor, but this time he opened his hand to her, "I like the slippers."
Susan smiled, the first genuine smile she had given him all night. Blaise's heart did strange things in his chest as she slipped her hand in his. He was surprised at how well it fit into his grasp. He looked her over once again, and this time truly smiled, "I hope you are hungry."
Ginny wrapped her cloak tightly about herself as she walked up the last flight of stairs into the Astronomy Tower.
"Harry James Potter, you had better have a very good reason to drag me up here at this time of night," Ginny declared looking around an empty room. She frowned, "The least you could have done was tell me that you wouldn't be able to meet me. I covered rounds tonight so Ron and Hermione could sneak off someplace and the only thing I want to do is go to bed."
Ginny walked over to the windows and looked out to the starlit night her anger melting away to loneliness. Susan and Blaise were off somewhere, Neville had taken Luna out to the greenhouses for one reason or another and even her brother had planned something special for Hermione. That left Ginny and the Boy Who Lived, and Ginny's sorrow grew. "I miss you," she whispered her loneliness surprising her.
Ginny stared out at the night until she heard the sound of someone moving behind her. Ginny slowly pulled her wand out from her robes, careful to appear unconscious of the presence behind her. She counted to three and sent a Bat Bogey Hex at the figure behind her. Harry ducked the curse easily and smiled, "That isn't a good way to greet your boyfriend."
"Harry? I thought… Never mind what I thought," Ginny blushed a bit.
Harry walked forward and smiled, ruffling his all ready messy hair, "I know. Ginny, I am so sorry about things lately. I just, I just wanted to make sure you knew how much I cared about you."
Ginny blinked with surprise, "Umm . . . Harry, are you feeling well?"
Harry smiled back at her and his green eyes sparkled in the candlelight. Ginny's breath caught, taken aback once again, by Harry's green eyes and serious face. The boy was a magnet and she fought naught to be pulled in.
"I'm more than well Ginny. I just wanted to surprise you. We've spent so little time together, I just missed the two of us, you know?" Harry replied shrugging his shoulders.
Ginny conceded defeat, she had missed him too. "Oh Harry," she sighed wrapping her arms around him. "It was never about you or me," she smiled cuddling into his strong arms.
Harry rested his chin on the crown of her hair, whatever Daphne wanted in exchange for her idea he would gladly pay it. He hadn't realized how much he needed time alone with Ginny.
Harry pulled away and gestured towards a blanket he had laid upon the floor, "Dobby sent us up a picnic for two."
Ginny nodded, taking a seat and motioning for Harry to join her, "Well, we can't let this go to waste."
Neville adjusted his tie once more, amazed that he felt nervous about what he had planned. It was almost a year since he had drummed up enough nerve to ask her to be his girlfriend, and still after all this time, he was anxious to meet her approval.
"Neville," she smiled up at him, "I think all of the clocks skipped five minutes today. I haven't been able to find the missing time, but I have been late all day."
Neville shook his head, while Luna had some of the craziest notions, around him it was almost as if she knew she could just be herself and he wouldn't judge her. Most people would just apologize for being late, only Luna would think that something happened to time itself.
"You're not late, but your surprise is waiting," he replied offering his arm to the girl.
"I am glad that your leg is finally healed. You never told me about the centaur or how you and Susan were injured," Luna replied as she followed him through the castle.
"Well, Bane found Susan and I wandering through the forest. He wasn't pleased to see us, but he asked if we had seen any signs of a wounded centaur. Susan told him no and asked if there were any problems in the woods. It was Bane that told us of his concerns with the Darken Wolves. Susan and I agreed that if there were problems, then that would more than likely be exactly where we would find Ron. Susan offered to help Bane search for his friend, and thus we found them both. Susan cast one of her shields over Ron and gave him some blood replenishment tablets and the three of us fought off the wolves. I was too slow and one bit me in the leg. Susan was clawed at several times, but the wolves focused mainly on Bane which allowed us to keep them back with our magic."
"I am just grateful you were safe," Luna replied. "A centaur, Father told me that they have horrible tempers, was this one rude to you?"
"No," Neville replied as they left the castle and walked down the hill towards the greenhouses. "He wasn't nice, but he and Susan understood each other. It must have been because of that centaur that taught Divination for awhile."
Luna nodded as they walked outside, "Is your training continuing to progress well? I have to admit, I do enjoy some of the changes that have happened since the beginning of the year."
Neville blushed at her flattery, but couldn't deny it. He had not lost any weight, but he had noticed his arms and torso were thickening with muscle from his weight training and running with Susan had given him more stamina and energy than he had ever remembered having.
"Training is good," Neville replied. "Harry and Ron are amazing and you should see Daphne and Susan. After Harry and Ron, I think they are probably tied for the best in our little group. Susan and Ron have been dueling against each other almost constantly and it is getting really rough. Ron's doesn't take it easy on her at all, and Susan, while she's probably the best blocker in our group, her attacks aren't as quick. Then again, Ron isn't necessarily the quickest on defense and they both end up pretty tired and sore by the end of it. Besides all that, Susan even beat him once. "
Luna shook her head, it never dawned on Neville to speak of himself. He was always so concerned with other people, it was one of the things she loved about him the most. Luna knew Neville and Susan were close, but she also knew that Neville only had eyes for her and Susan, well Susan saw potential in some of the oddest places.
"Now, enough about other people. What kind of surprise is it?" she asked smiling up at her wonderful Neville.
Neville smiled and opened the door to the greenhouse for her, "This way, my lady."
Ron paced nervously around the Common Room waiting for Hermione come down for the Girl's Dormitories. He had the house prepared in Hogsmeade, everyone was at dinner and Harry had lent him the Maurader's Map to get safely into and out of the castle without detection. Everything was ready and in place for the two of them to spend their first night alone in the cottage since they had mutually inherited it from Sirius Black that fall. Well, Ron amended, everything but Hermione.
Ron heard hurried footsteps long before he saw Hermione step into the Common Room, her cloak and muggle clothes tight around her, "Are you ready?" Ron asked looking her over, praying she hadn't changed her mind.
Hermione lifted her pack, "All set."
Ron took her hand in his and kissed her cheek, "Let's go before someone sees us. Harry and Ginny are going to cover for us for the rest of the evening."
Hermione nodded. Ever since the time in the Castle Galiard, she knew that she and Ron needed to talk and she hoped that getting him alone and away from everything for awhile may help him to be honest with her about what was going on with him. While, she wasn't pleased about breaking so many school rules and leaving to go into town, a small part of her knew that she needed the break as well.
Ron and Hermione arrived at the cottage a short time later, careful not to be seen inside Hogsmeade as they hurried through the streets. They stopped inside the small entrance, breathing heavily, as Ron took Hermione's cloak and hung both his and hers by the door.
"When did you become such a bad influence?" Hermione teased looking around the cottage. "I still can't believe I let you talk me into this."
"There was no talk," Ron replied watching as Hermione wandered through the small parlor on her way back to the kitchens. "I won," Ron replied. Ron had talked Hermione into a chess game on Tuesday. If she had won, Ron would have been left taking his own notes in class for the rest of the semester. He had soundly beaten her in about ten moves, the shortest game they had played together in some time.
"I know, I let you," Hermione replied over her shoulder as she walked through the kitchen into the dining room where Lolly had laid out a dinner waiting for them.
"You told her we were coming," Hermione smiled up at the large red head behind her as he held her chair out for her.
"Of course," Ron replied sitting next to her, "I also gave her the night off. I didn't want any distractions this evening."
Blaise stopped before a large wooden door and with a quick "Alohamora," it swung open before him. He stepped inside and motioned for Susan to enter.
Susan looked about the room with curiosity. Dark, leather sofa sat in front of the fireplace on the far side of the room. A low table sat in front of one with dinner arranged and a single candlestick upon the table. A large desk was the only other piece of furniture and it was filled with books and scrolls, all neatly stacked and grouped over it. The room had the feel of someone's study.
Susan looked back to Blaise with a smile, surprised, "Where are we?" she asked standing next to him in the door.
"I believe this is the sitting room to the Slytherin Head Boy's apartments," he replied walking about to the other doors. "This one leads to a bed chamber," he gestured to the right and "This one leads to the dormitories."
"How is this possible? Do people know we are here?" Susan asked a little embarrassed at her situation.
"I have been sleeping up here rather regularly over the past three months. I believe Snape knows about it, but he hasn't said anything, and I haven't offered to move my things. Professor Snape is a man who knows how to respect another's privacy," Blaise replied motioning for Susan to take a seat before the fire.
Susan was still surprised at Blaise's casual disregard for where they were. "Don't your housemates complain?" Susan asked.
"No, they know better than that," Blaise answered her with a fierce look.
Susan nodded as Blaise prepared a plate for himself and another for her. Susan remembered her Aunt's response to her latest letter. "Very few Hufflepuffs and Slytherins are compatible, Susan. Don't set your hopes too high. All too often a Hufflepuff and a Slytherin see things in exact opposite. In regards to Lord and Lady Zambini, little is known about that reclusive couple. They are wealthy and well respected. I have met them both and have little to say in regards to the occasion. As Slytherins go, they are the best of what I have known, but I worry for you. I know you despise the attitudes and judgments of the people around you, but remember that those judgments were made for a reason. Make your own decision, but please be cautious. I would prefer not to see my favorite niece be hurt."
"Your dinner," Blaise told her handing her a plate with different dishes, filet mignon, asparagus, new potatoes, not the traditional school fare.
"Where did this come from?" Susan asked further surprised at the expensive food Blaise had arranged for them.
"I had it delivered from Hogsmeade," Blaise replied as he began eating.
Susan watched the Slytherin for awhile, unsure of what to say next. Her Aunt's warnings filled her with unease, and she found her appetite disappearing as she studied her pink, fuzzy slippers with interest.
"Is the food not to your liking?" Blaise asked watching her in his turn. He sensed her discomfort, but didn't understand the source.
"You didn't have to go to all of this trouble," Susan replied leaving the plate ignored on the floor. She felt like a hypocrite in her dress. It wasn't her. The pink, fuzzy slippers were her and she had to wonder at Blaise's motives. He had brought her to his bedroom, arranged an expensive meal. What was he expecting? Could Terry and Hannah have been right?
"It was no trouble," Blaise replied, his eyes narrowing as he watched the play of emotions across her face. Something was upsetting her.
Susan seemed to reach a decision a moment later, "Blaise?" she asked quietly.
"Yes?" he replied, his back stiffening as he dreaded what she would say next.
"Why are we here?" Susan replied shaking her head, "Look, I mean, why did you even ask me to come? I don't remember much of that Sunday, but I woke up once and you were just gone and then you don't even send me a note or anything until you show up in the library and now this," Susan paused. "Look, why are we here? I'm really confused."
Blaise cocked one eyebrow at her discomfort and the sarcastic smirk reappeared on his face. Susan flushed and moved to rise to her feet, when his hand on her wrist stopped her.
Blaise pushed her plate and his away from them before answering her question. "We are here, because we could be comfortable, alone, and I thought you would appreciate not being taken up to the Astronomy Tower for a snogging session," he told her moving closer to her, careful to keep his grip around her wrist.
"The food was because I prefer it to our normal fare," he continued pulling her towards him so that their faces were inches apart.
"I haven't spoken to you in a few weeks, because I needed some time to sort through some things. I stayed that day until I knew you were all right," Blaise replied remembering the hours he had sat next to her bedside praying that her shaking would stop and that she would open her eyes. Blaise pushed those memories away from him and continued.
"And I asked you to come because we enjoy each other's company and because I want something from you," he continued leaning even closer.
Susan's eyes widened in the firelight and he could smell flowers and cinnamon as her face became more serious.
"What do you want?" Susan asked worried and expectant at the same time. His nearness was intoxicating. He smelled of cologne and male and Susan's fingers itched to touch his thick, dark curls.
Blaise released her wrist and touched her cheek softly, gently even before tilting her chin towards him. Susan knew what was coming next, had ample time to avoid it, but found she didn't want to. As Blaise bent down towards her, her eyes drifted closed, waiting.
Blaise looked down at her and knew he was lost. He kissed her, gently, intending it to calm her nerves. The shock from that intimate touch surprised him. The brief kiss not nearly enough, he kissed her again, and this time she met him. Her mouth opened to him and he tasted spicy, hot cinnamon as she opened herself to him and responded in kind.
Susan ran one of her hands through his dark hair as she wrapped her arm about his shoulders enjoying being thoroughly kissed by Blaise. He growled low in his throat in response as he lifted her onto his lap to continue the kiss. He would never taste cinnamon again and not think of her.
Blaise pulled away a short time later and looked down at her swollen lips and dazed, dark eyes. This had been a bad idea. Never had he felt anything like that with Lenore. His emotions surprised him as he held her to him.
Susan looked at Blaise amazed. Sure, she had been kissed before, but that, that wasn't just a kiss. Where had that come from? What did he think of her? Susan breathed in his clean scent and fought to keep her blush down. The feel of his arms wrapped around her was wonderful. She trusted him, she realized, after everything, she trusted him.
"That was more than I had expected," Blaise broke the silence first pulling away enough to regard her.
"No, I, Blaise, I'm sorry. I should not have been so exuberant," Susan replied turning her face away towards the firelight, afraid to even look at him.
Blaise chuckled low in his throat as he turned her face back towards him and brushed her hair away from her face. "No apologies necessary. It was my pleasure," he replied the sarcastic smirk back on his face.
Susan smiled herself as her stomach grumbled, "I suppose we should eat."
Blaise released her, but this time, she stayed closer to him as they picked up their plates.
Harry and Ginny ate quickly discussing the upcoming Quidditch finals, Ginny's upcoming O.W.L.'s, and any other random gossip that came to mind.
"I still can't believe Lavendar broke up with Seamus for Ernie MacMillon. I never saw that once coming," Harry laughed.
"Oh, I can. Seamus and Lavender were both too big of flirts to stay together. Ernie will be good for Lavender. He'll shower her with attention, like she wanted, and well, we know Lavender will make him happy," Ginny smiled with a wicked gleam.
"Lucky bastard," Harry joked with a wink at Ginny who balled up her fist at him.
"I hardly think you are the one with any right to complain Potter. I'm not the one that's been chronically canceling lately," Ginny retorted as if she was joking, but they both knew she was also telling the truth.
Harry caught her fist and pulled her towards as they both stretched out on the blanket looking up at the stars. Ginny rested her head on his shoulder and their hands were entwined on Harry's chest and once again he was amazed at how good she felt to him.
"You're right Ginny," Harry whispered. "You know, something else happened when we went after the Cauldron that I didn't tell you about."
Ginny sat up over him, looking down at his face with a worried frown. Harry brushed her hair out of her face and smiled up at her. "Ginny, in the chamber where the Cauldron was kept, my test. . . my test was to face the largest Dementor I had ever seen."
"A Dementor? But you can produce a Patronus, that shouldn't have been much of a challenge," Ginny replied curious and confused.
"Ginny, my Patronus didn't even slow it down. I thought it was a boggart, but that didn't end up being the case. It… I saw all of these horrible visions. I saw Voldemort kill Cedric again, I saw him torture Ron and Hermione screaming for him to stop. It…" Harry's voice grew husky and broke. His eyes watered at the memory and Ginny's hand wiped the moisture once again from his face.
"Oh Harry," she whispered kissing him lightly. "It's over now. You defeated the Dementor."
Harry smiled up at her, "I know. It was because of you."
Ginny's eyes widened in surprise, "Harry?"
"Ginny, it's true. I couldn't stop the Dementor with the Patronus. I grabbed it and forced every good memory I could think of down it's ruddy throat using Legilmancy. I remembered Ron and Hermione and then I remembered you. I remembered seeing you at the train station first year, the Burrow, the Chamber of Secrets, Quidditch practice, our first kiss, the Valentine's Ball, the first night we slept together. I remembered the sound of your laughter and the feel of your arms around me and I remembered how much I love you and how I haven't been doing a good job of showing you. I just, I just needed you to know that, no matter what happens." Harry whispered harshly.
Ginny shook her head, "You know I don't want you to talk like that."
Harry just ignored her, "Ginny, this is important. All of my happiest memories have you in them, Ginny. You are what keep me going, even when I can't spend as much time with you as I would like. I love you, Ginny."
Ginny smiled down at him and kissed him, soundly, before pulling back, "Harry, I love you too. Just when I was ready to give you a long lecture, you skip to the making up part."
Harry smiled up at her, "The making up part is the best part anyway," he added pulling her to him for another long kiss that quickly began to escalate as clothes were removed and skin met bare skin.
Ginny pulled away from him once more and Harry groaned, tightening his arms in protest. "Harry?"
"Yes?" he asked looking at her swollen lips and tousled hair. She looked sexy as hell and it was driving him crazy.
"Harry, I want to share something with you too," Ginny whispered, hesitant.
Harry looked up at her confused, "What Ginny?"
"Harry, make love to me," Ginny whispered her face turning red.
Harry rolled them over so that he looked down at her, "Ginny, are you sure? I didn't tell you all that so we would shag."
Ginny shook her head and smiled up at him, "Harry, I want to, for both of us. I love you and I want to do this."
Harry still looked like he didn't believe her and Ginny laughed, "Oh come on you prude! We've done practically everything else. Hell, Luna and Neville have been going at it like rabbits for months! What's so wrong with us?"
Harry pulled a face, "That was an image I didn't need Ginny."
Ginny just smiled and pulled him down for another long kiss, "I love you, Harry. Please make love to me."
Harry looked down at her once more and saw her serious face. He finally believed that he had words that every 16 year-old dreams of from his girlfriend, "I don't deserve you, Ginny."
Ginny's laugh filled the Astronomy Tower, "And don't you forget it, Potter!"
"Close your eyes," Neville warned covering Luna's blue eyes with his hand as he led her into the greenhouse.
A lone violin began playing in the background as he moved his hand, "Now, open them."
Luna smiled up at Neville as he moved so that she could see all of her favorite plants arranged around the room. Candles lit the area where roses and radishes were arranged.
"Tell me again, why radishes?" Neville asked and Luna walked around the room.
"Oh, roses are beautiful, but radishes are so underestimated as a vegetable. Someone needs to remember them," Luna smiled back at Neville.
"Well, I'm glad you still appreciate roses," Neville smiled as he handed Luna a single, red rose. She took it from him and tucked it behind her ear.
"What do you think?" she asked smiling up at him, her raddish earrings bobbing.
"You are beautiful," Neville told her, holding out a hand to her.
Luna smiled up at him as she took his hand. He pulled her into an embrace and then commenced to dance around their little garden.
Luna's forehead rested against Neville's chin as she hummed along with the violin. Neville danced them around the room enjoying the feel of her in his arms. The smell of roses and Luna's perfume calming him.
"You know," Neville smiled down at Luna as she pulled away far enough to look up at him. "I'm can't decide if I like the radish earrings or the rose better."
Luna smiled and shook her head, "The rose is the obvious choice."
"No," Neville replied, "You are the obvious choice. The rest are just plants."
Luna chuckled, low in her throat, "And you love each and every one of them."
Neville took a few quick turns and spun Luna around in the greenhouse until they were both out of breath from laughter.
Neville stopped twirling her and pulled her to him once more, "Luna, there's something else I wanted to tell you."
"What?" she asked watching as Neville's face became tinged with red.
"You see, we have the dormitory to ourselves tonight, if we want to," Neville spoke up continuing to dance Luna around the room.
Luna smiled, she knew where most of Neville's roommates were this evening, "Why? Where is everyone?" she asked hating to spoil Neville's surprise.
"Well, Dean, Harry, and Ron are all out all night with their girlfriends and Seamus owed me one. I thought it would be a nice change of pace from our usual spot."
Luna smiled up at Neville and rested her forehead against his chin once more, "That sounds wonderful. I'll need to get a few things from my room. When are you wanting to go?"
Neville kissed the crown of her hair, "After the next song."
Ron slowly ran his fingers down Hermione's arm, reveling in the feel of her skin. It was a stark contrast to Hermione. Hermione wasn't soft, she was fierce and it showed in everything she did. Even in her kisses, which often left his lips swollen and his neck bruised, her passionate nature was there. The warmth of the fire seemed to have cast a sensuous pall over the room and Hermione pressed herself hard against Ron.
Ron could smell Hermione no matter where they were in the castle, but here on the couch of their cottage her sheer proximity caused her scent to envelop him. Normally Ron let Hermione take the lead in physical matters so as to never pressure her into something unwanted. Tonight though, that part of him that was always an animal clawed its way to the surface.
Running his hand underneath Hermione's thigh he lifted her slightly and shifted her so he was leaning over her and proceeded to nip gently at the tender skin at the base of her neck.
Her gasp so was soft only Ron's preternatural hearing could have heard it but it was enough to goad him into further action. This time, he placed his lips over the spot he had just nipped and swiped his tongue over the sensitive spot. The gasp was louder and when his lips sucked on the spot her fingernails dug into his biceps.
Moving his head upward, he captured her bottom lip in between both of his and teased it only for a moment before opening his mouth and thrusting his tongue inside. Hermione moaned when her tongue met his and then again when he lowered himself to press her into the soft cushions of the couch.
Supporting his weight with his left arm Ron slowly ran his fingers down the length of her neck stopping briefly to caress the spot he had just marked. Then he continued downward sliding softly over the scratchy wool of her jumper until he reached the bottom hem. He slipped his hand under the jumper and top she wore underneath.
The skin of her stomach was warm and far softer than the skin of her arm. Pausing for a moment to absorb the sight of Hermione's flushed face; he was mesmerized by the way she bit her lower lip.
That simple act caused his desire for her flare inside of him and he moved his hand over her ribcage and then reaching further under the jumper he closed his hand around her breast.
Hermione gasped and arched her back slightly as soon as his fingers touched the skin that swelled over the tops of her bra.
At Hermione's gasp Ron sucked air in desperately to drive out the suddenly light headed feeling that suddenly seemed to have taken control of him. Ron could feel a hardness beginning under Hermione's bra and he wanted, oh so badly, to touch it unimpeded by any barriers.
Just as Ron was starting to slide his hand under the barrier, he felt her hands remove themselves from his hair and she placed them on his chest and pushed him back.
Ron knelt on the couch towering over Hermione's prone form and shook his head to clear his confusion. He started to lean back over her when she suddenly sat up and then stood with her back to him.
"Ron, I came here tonight because we need to talk."
"You've been kissed before," Blaise asked curious if what he had felt had been reciprocated. Blaise had tried his best to ignore the kiss, but being a 16 year old male, his hormones wouldn't ignore the fact that there was an attractive girl sitting within arm's reach that he wanted to snog out of her bloody mind.
"Yes, a few times," Susan replied smiling over at him.
"Who?" Blaise asked pressing. Curious as to what she would say. Anything to distract his rather interesting thoughts in regards to the girl sitting at this right.
"You mean, besides you?" Susan teased him again. "You first."
Blaise frowned, "I asked you," he replied attempting to find and anything to do with his hands, that didn't involve touching her. His grip on the plate tightened and he found he had little appetite for the remainder of his dinner.
"Funny that, I'm not going to tell you until you tell me first. While you seem to be incredibly curious, you'd rather not tell me anything. In this case, you are going to have to tell me first and then trust that I will respond in kind," Susan answered.
Blaise frowned, but decided to try it her way, "Well, Daphne of course, and I dated Lenore most of last school term."
"Daphne, of course?" Susan asked annoyed at her own sharp tone and jealous thoughts.
Blaise winked at her, "You were the one that wanted to know why we weren't snogging constantly."
"I," Susan replied unsure of what to say. "Well, I never."
"Relax, it was once, three years ago and it was entirely forgettable for both of us," Blaise chuckled again as he finished his dinner. Perhaps this was a better idea than he had originally though.
"Your turn," he added watching Susan's face flush.
"Well, Terry and I dated for about two months last year. Then there was Ernie Macmillon, Dean, and now you. I guess I needed to cover all of the Houses," Susan replied making a small joke.
"Dean, that Gryffindor that hangs around with Potter and Weasley? When?" Blaise asked, admittedly put off that her list was longer than his own.
"Fourth year," Susan replied putting her plate back on the table. "Dinner was delicious. Thank you."
Blaise followed suit, annoyed at the thought of Susan and Dean, but at least it hadn't been Potter or Weasley. "You're welcome," he replied rather stiffly. Discussing ex-boyfriends and girlfriends was definitely enough to kill any untoward thoughts he'd been harboring regarding the extremely flattering red dress she was wearing.
"What happened with you and Lenore?" Susan asked her curiosity getting the better of her.
Blaise frowned regretting his momentary thought that this was a good distraction. Why hadn't he brought up Quidditch? Blaise rose to his feet and offered his hand to her, "The couch is probably more comfortable," he replied helping her to her feet and then watching as she tucked her long legs under her as she sat on the sofa trying to decide how best to answer her question.
Susan watched his discomfort with fascination as he paced around the room. Susan took in the green curtains and wall hangings that surrounded her, it was a cold, formal place. She sat curled up in one corner of the couch wishing for a blanket as she shivered, the distance from the fire leaving her cold.
Blaise noticed her discomfort because he walked out of the room for a minute, and then returned with a dark green comforter and pillow that he handed to her, "Being this far underground, the dungeons never seem to get warm. This will help."
Susan wrapped the blanket around her and left the pillow on the arm rest leaning back against it. The blanket smelled of soap and a musky scent that she had begun to associate with Blaise. "Thank you," Susan smiled back up at the grumpy Slytherin as he took a seat opposite her on the sofa.
Blaise frowned and looked over at Susan and watched her shiver again, "What do you remember after the blast in the dungeons?"
Susan paused, Blaise stared intently into the fire. "Lenore cast a spell, it hit the wall behind me. After that, I don't remember much more than being tired and cold. Someone carried me, a long way I think, but I don't remember much until I woke up in the Infirmary."
"We found you, collapsed in the hall with Caleb. His right arm useless. The boy was in tears, but refused to leave you alone because he said you wouldn't know how to get back to the Common Room," Blaise told her.
"I carried you back to the Common Room and then to the Infirmary. Dumbledore and Snape were there. We weren't punished. You wouldn't stop shaking. Madame Pomfrey said that your body was in shock. You were unconscious for ten hours before you woke the first time," Blaise told her remembering how he had sat at her bed side as she slept, worried sick for the first time in his life in regards to another. He hadn't realized how much he liked the girl and how much that knowledge had scared him.
"When you woke for the first time, do you remember anything you said?" Blaise asked Susan, still staring intently at the fire.
Susan thought back harder, she remembered someone there with her in the cold, but nothing other than the feeling that someone was there for her, "I don't remember anything more than a presence there with me. Silly, I know. Madame Pomfrey said that she had refused all visitors until I had awoken."
"I was there. I didn't leave," Blaise told her still staring intently into the fire. Susan scooted over close to him, but he wouldn't look at her, "You opened your eyes and told me that you were sorry and you were glad that I'd found you."
"I don't understand," Susan told Blaise.
"You were sorry. Bloody hell Susan, you were sorry that you'd walked into a trap that I had sent you into. Then you told me you glad I was there. What was I supposed to think!" Blaise growled.
"Blaise, you're losing me," Susan told him.
"Susan, I'm a Slytherin. We don't apologize for anything and we absolutely aren't glad other people are around. I should have been glad that it was you that caught in the trap instead of me, but no I felt guilty. Guilty!"
"Wait, you're upset because you cared?" Susan laughed.
Blaise frowned, "I hardly think there's anything funny about this."
"Yes, yes there really is," Susan replied shaking her head.
Blaise needed a distraction, anything to get off the subject from before and then it happened, the same thing that happens to most sixteen year-old males where a beautiful girl is concerned. Blaise's annoyance took a turn in the wrong direction. Susan, wrapped up in his blanket in the glow of the fire was becoming a distraction of her own. The memory of the kiss still fresh on his mind, he wanted to try again.
He opted instead to continue with his initial plan, "What about you and that wanker, Boot?" he continued. It was her turn to be honest.
"Terry? Well, I guess, it was all his idea. We had been friends since first year and I knew he had a torch for me for awhile, but he never had the nerve to make a move. It was Hannah that finally convinced him to ask me out, and I said yes thinking we were such good friends that we would be umm. . . well, compatible. It turned out very quickly that we weren't. At least, I didn't think we were, but Terry seemed so happy I didn't want to hurt him," Susan frowned looking back at the fire.
"Define compatible," Blaise asked pouring himself a cup of hot chocolate and one for her. He handed her the cup of hot chocolate and used it as an excuse to move closer to her.
Susan blushed and looked back at Blaise, her hands wrapped around the mug, "He's the worst snog I've ever had the unfortunate experience of witnessing first hand."
Blaise's sarcastic smirk turned into a full-scale laugh and even Susan had to admit there was some humor in the situation. "You ended it with the bloke because he was a bad snog? That is too rich!" Blaise chuckled taking one sip of his hot chocolate and realizing that chocolate was not enough to make him stop staring at her. He fought to focus on what she was saying.
Susan just shook her head, "I stuck it out for awhile, but the guy was clueless. It was worse than awful and I felt horrible for it. In the end, I could barely stand to be around him, and thus I ended it."
"That bad?" Blaise followed, the sarcastic smile on his face as he set both of the mugs of hot chocolate back on the table, hardly touched.
"It was like kissing a snake. It was just disgusting," Susan cringed before noticing where Blaise had moved to. His arm draped along the back of the couch behind her, he looked down at her, his face inches from her own.
"Like a snake?" he continued, the sarcastic smile back on his face, but the way he looked at her was almost predatory. He gave up and moved towards her again. Perhaps the first time had been a fluke?
Susan nodded, as Blaise came towards her again, "I think that's an insult to the snakes. I am sure they are much better than Terry," he whispered as he tucked a strand of her long, gold hair behind her ear. Susan shivered at his touch, but didn't back away, and Blaise desperately wanted to prove that kissing him would not be such an unfortunate event for the beautiful girl sitting so close to him. He had to convince himself that what had happened earlier wasn't an accident.
"Blaise?" Susan whispered her eyes meeting his and worry clouding them again.
"Yes?" he replied his knuckles lightly brushing against her cheek as he struggled to pay attention to what she was saying.
"Have you ever heard of a Slytherin and a Hufflepuff actually being able to maintain a relationship?" she whispered breaking eye contact.
Blaise froze, he had anticipated her question, but he knew the subject would come up eventually. Susan was not an one night stand type of girl, and Merlin help him, Blaise wasn't in this for a quick shag. If he wanted that, there were plenty of beautiful birds in his own house that would be happy to accommodate him.
"No," he replied honestly pulling away from her.
Blaise hadn't spoken to his parents about Susan and, he admitted to himself, that he truly was concerned about their reaction to the news. However, while he knew they would not be particularly pleased, he found himself surprised that he didn't truly care what they or anyone else thought about the matter. Susan was his and that was final, for as long as she would have him.
"Have you?" Blaise asked her in his turn. Curious as to what she was thinking.
Susan shook her head negatively, "No, my Aunt said Hufflepuffs and Slytherins are almost exact opposites. It's a rare thing that two would actually make a relationship work."
"What else did your Aunt say?" Blaise asked unhappy all of the sudden.
"She said to be careful and to make my own judgments," Susan replied as the cold, Slytherin mask covered Blaise's face once more.
"What did your parents say about me?" Susan asked him suddenly. Not sure where her curiosity came from.
"I haven't told them," Blaise returned, the mask still in place.
Susan sat up straight and took one of Blaise's hands in her own. He looked at her, but his eyes were distant, guarded. "Will what they say change your mind about this? Us, I mean?"
"No," Blaise replied stiffly, still forcing himself to be honest with her. "I doubt they will be pleased, but it is my decision and that is something they must respect."
"I feel the same way," Susan replied. "Your parents don't know me and my Aunt hasn't met you. Let's worry about what they think after they had an opportunity to actually meet us."
Blaise turned his frown on her, "Then why did you ask?"
Susan didn't flinch, but instead rested her head on his shoulder, "I needed to know. I needed to hear you say it."
Blaise considered her response and then shifted wrapping his arms her once more. Susan looked up at him with a soft smile and Blaise willingly committed himself to her and the possibility of a relationship once again, "No, I don't know of any couples Susan, but I know a Slytherin that's willing to give it a try," he finished.
The smile on Susan's face was all the more encouragement Blaise needed. She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled up at him. This time it was Susan that initiated the kiss and Blaise was more than happy to oblige. His Hufflepuff had guts and damn if she wasn't brilliant to boot.
Harry and Ginny laid curled up on the floor of the Astronomy tower and Harry thought he wouldn't stop smiling for a week.
"Are you comfortable?" he murmured into Ginny's hair.
"Hmmm?" Ginny responded shifting in her sleep, her arm tightened briefly across Harry's chest before she relaxed again.
Harry stared up at the stars and couldn't believe his luck. He was lying naked in the Astronomy Tower with the most beautiful girl in school and he couldn't have asked for anything better than this moment.
Harry reflected back on Talon's words from the castle and the looks on Ron and Hermione's faces as they had danced together that night. Harry knew that if he had a mirror, his face would show the same amazed reverence Ron's had when Hermione had entered the room.
All the training, the work, and the worry melted away from Harry as he was reminded how small he was in the universe. He and Ginny, tucked away in the night, where no one would ask him about Voldemort, of Quidditch, or training. Here there were no Dementors, no attacks, no Slytherin Cold War and expectant professors. Here, Harry found peace for the first time in so long he barely recognized the sensation. It overwhelmed him as he listened to the sound of Ginny's breathing. He loved her. In the end, he couldn't be without her and he would fight only that much harder to remain at her side. Tonight, Harry considered the possibility that there may be a future for him. A future with children, a job, family vacations, Christmas at the Weasley's, and living next to Ron and Hermione where their children would grow up together. Harry knew, a knowing that touched his very core, that he wanted to win. He wanted to live. He wanted a future without Voldemort, anger, and fear. He wanted it all and most of all he wanted her.
Ginny stirred against him once more. Harry smiled down into her hair knowing he wouldn't sleep. Whatever Daphne wanted in payment, Harry would give it to her in spades.
Neville waited for Luna outside of the Ravenclaw Common Room wondering what he had done to deserve such a wonderful woman to choose him. Luna returned, a bag slung over her shoulder, "I'm ready."
Neville nodded, "Remind me that we need Blaise to give us a map of those corridors he's been finding so that we can cross from the Gryffindor Common Room back to the Ravenclaw Common Room without having to dodge prefects, professors, Peeves, and so on ."
"Blaise has maps to the castle?" Luna whispered as they hurried through the halls.
"Yes, Susan said he's been making maps of the entire castle. He seems to think the corridors are mostly used by the House Elves," Neville replied as he paused, pulling Luna behind a pillar as Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle .
Neville waited until they were past and then hurried Luna along, "We need to get back to the Common Room."
"Cold War?" Luna laughed, "What an odd name."
"Wingardium Leviosa," Neville spoke the password as the portrait swung open to reveal an empty Common Room.
Neville and Luna hurried up the stairs to the sixth year dormitories before someone would see them.
Neville led Luna into the room and closed the door. "Where do you think Seamus is off to?" he asked as Luna took a seat on his bed.
Luna shook her head, her hair silver in the moonlight, "I'm sure he's somewhere comfortable."
Neville nodded and immediately forgot about everything as Luna pulled him down beside her.
Hermione watched as Ron shook himself from the haze that had flowed through both of them. Finally, he managed to regain his focus and he sat back down and looked at Hermione.
"Okay, come have a seat and we'll talk."
Hermione realized the trap when she saw it. If she got anywhere within arms reach, Ron would have her back on that couch and snogging in less than a minute. Just the thought caused her to grow even warmer than she already was.
"I think I'll stand for the moment, thank you," she hoped the smile she gave him would take away some of the sting.
Ron nodded and then waited for her to say something.
Hermione took a deep breath and started, "I can't stop worrying about you, Ron. You're taking unnecessary risks and you're worrying a lot of people who care about you."
Hermione could see Ron's eyes light up the way they did when he thought he was being attacked, and she tried to cut him off before things got bad.
"I know you aren't doing it intentionally and I know you do the things you do because you want to make a difference. The thing is that you and Harry don't have to do everything."
Ron ran his fingers through his hair and looked back up at her, "Somebody has to do it Hermione. I can't let them hurt you or Dad again and I damn sure won't just stand by while Voldemort kills Harry," Ron jumped to his feet and rose to his feet in front of her. "I am who I am Hermione. I thought that was enough for you."
His misunderstanding didn't surprise her and she knew she had to stop this before his pride started to get in the way. Hermione took two quick steps towards him and reached out for his hands.
"You know as well as I do that I'm mad for you, Ron. So mad for you that I don't want to lose any of the time we could be together because you get yourself killed."
"You know I don't take needless risks, Hermione. I'm not stupid," Ron lifted her hands to his lips and slowly turned them over. Looking her right in the eye he ran his tongue along the lines of her palm.
It was Hermione's turn to shake her head in a vain attempt to clear her thoughts. Even as she felt herself flush again, she turned back to the conversation, "Ron, this is important to me."
With a sigh, Ron lowered her hands and then let them drop, "What do you want me to say, Hermione?"
"It's not what I want you to say, Ron. It's what I want you to do. I want you to be more careful."
"Damn it,Hermione, sometimes I can't be careful. I have responsibilities."
Hermione winced at the word. How long had she nagged at him to be more responsible only to have it bite her on the bum? "I need you to be more careful. In case you haven't noticed, I need you."
She could see Ron's face fall as he saw the tears start to well up in her eyes. She rubbed at them furiously, but he had all ready seen.
"I promise I'll be more careful 'Mione. I promise," he murmured pulling her down to him and wrapping his arms around her once more.
As she folded herself into the crook of his shoulder, she could hear the sincerity in his voice. He meant it, but she knew it was a lie. The hollow words helped dry her tears, but even though they stopped she knew his promise to her would only last until he once again found himself, or one of his pride, in danger. He just couldn't be any other way than he is and how could she fault him for that? Then again, another voice inside of her whispered, how much longer could she do nothing?
Deep in the dungeons, a Slytherin sat on the couch, a magazine in his lap, while a blond haired Hufflepuff dozed on his shoulder. Susan had fallen asleep as she and Blaise had been reading an article on the Chudley Cannon's prospects over the summer. After she had fallen asleep, Blaise had turned the magazine to read the article on the speculations as to whom the anonymous buyer had been that purchased the Appleby Arrows. He smiled as he looked back at the fire. He couldn't wait for the summer.
Susan shifted against him and Blaise's thoughts turned back the girl at his side. He couldn't ever see himself sitting at the Hufflepuff table for a meal and he certainly didn't want Susan at the Slytherin table, but he could see them continuing to study in the library together. Blaise didn't understand the point of walking a girl to class, but there were other things that would be permissible. He just hoped Susan didn't turn into someone that was overly clingy or emotional in public. Blaise preferred his private life to stay private and his relationship with Susan would be on that list. He was going to have to start running though. There was no way he could allow her to be in that much better shape.
The clock tolled the hour as three a.m. and Susan stirred against him, "Blaise, what time is it?"
"Time to go back to your Common Room," Blaise replied rising to his feet and leaving the magazine closed on the table.
Susan rubbed her eyes and stretched, the blanket falling back to her waist, "Do you have a loo here?"
"Go back through the bedroom and it's the first door on the right," he replied rising to his feet.
Susan grabbed her bag and walked out of the sitting room and into the dark bedroom. A chest, a school trunk and a bookcase lined the walls around a large bed with dark green hangings similar enough to her own bed. Susan entered the loo and changed quickly out of the red dress and into her pajamas and robe. She still wore the makeup she had previously put on, but she tied her hair back behind her and stuffed the lot of it back into her sack. Susan wore her favorite pink pajamas bottoms and matching top; she added her blue fuzzy robe and laughed at herself in the mirror. She looked ridiculous, but she'd rather change here than in the dark corridor.
Susan left the bathroom, tucking her wand into the front pocket of her robe to find Blaise waiting for her. "Are you ready?" he asked looking at her with those dark eyes.
Susan nodded as he approached and took her pack, "Thanks for dinner," Susan smiled up at him noticing the change as he became the cold Slytherin once more.
"You're welcome," he replied taking up his lantern and his wand. "Remember, be quiet."
Blaise led them back through the secret corridors to the first break where they would have to dodge through one of the dungeons. As they approached it, they could hear a scuffle behind the wall, "Stay here," he hissed leaving Susan's pack and his own lantern on the ground.
Blaise dodged out into the dark corridor where Susan could make out a number of bodies gathered around something lieing on the floor. Blaise walked up to them, his wand out of site, "Is there a problem here?"
Crabbe, Goyle and a few fifth years that Susan didn't recognize turned at the sound of his voice. The person lying on the floor didn't move, "Nothing for a stinkin' prat like you. I suggest you move along before one of the Prefects comes along and catches you out after hours."
Crabbe cracked his knuckles menacingly and Susan drew her wand, careful to stay out of sight until she was needed.
"I'll just be taking Gavin with me then," Blaise replied gesturing to the body on the ground.
"No," Crabbe sneered, "He's with us."
"He's coming with me," Blaise replied coldly still not reaching for his wand. Susan stepped out of the corridor and edged along the wall, careful to stay out of the light of the single torch that lit the hallway.
Crabbe took the first swing, and Blaise ducked under it delivering a hard punch up into his stomach for his effort. Blaise's second swing connected with one of the fifth year's rather large nose and sent the skinny boy back clearing the space for Crabbe and Goyle to come after him. Goyle was lucky and took advantage of Blaise's distraction to deliver a right hook straight into Blaise's jaw. Blaise staggered from the swing, but kept his feet.
Crabbe moved into follow through with a second punch, but Susan stopped him, "Petrificus Totalus," she spoke calmly causing the brute to freeze in place.
Blaise took a second swing at Goyle, forcing him back before pulling his wand, "Expelliarmus!" Goyle took the spell full in the chest and flew back knocking over the other three.
"Leave," Blaise demanded coldly looking over at Susan as she stepped into the torchlight still dressed in her nightclothes.
"Ah," the fifth year with the broken nose crowed as they all regained their feet once more. "Is this your new flavor of the month? What did your Mum and Dad decide they needed to buy some more influence into the Ministry of Magic? Or is it that she's one terrific shag?"
Susan turned white, "You've got it all wrong," she whispered. Susan balled up her fist and punched the prat's overly large nose once more. He jerked back, blood running down his face as he pulled his wand on her. "Do it," Susan hissed.
Blaise's hand pulled her back, "As I said before, it is time for you all to leave. Or do I have to let my girlfriend teach you a lesson in manners? Don't worry, I won't tell anyone how five Slytherins were taken down by one Hufflepuff girl."
Goyle growled at them, but Blaise kept his wand pointed at the group and his other hand firmly on Susan's shoulder. Finally, Goyle jerked his head and the group of them turned around and walked away from them back down the Hall.
"Enervate," Blaise countered Susan's jinx on Crabbe. "I suggest you go with them."
Crabbe followed the others as Susan and Blaise looked at one another. "Lumos," Susan cast with her wand inspecting the rapidly forming bruise along his jaw. "That looks like it hurts."
Blaise shook his head and walked over to the fallen Slytherin, "It was Gavin."
Susan knelt next to Blaise as he rolled Gavin onto his back, "How bad?"
Gavin tried to smiled, but his split, swollen lip and his bruised eyes turned it into a grimace, "Ribs," he hissed. "They surprised me."
Blaise looked over at Susan, "I'm not very good with healing charms."
Susan ignored him, feeling around on Gavin's chest and watching his face for a reaction, "At least three cracked, but nothing terrible to fix. Madame Pomfrey has something to treat those."
"We can't take him to the Hospital Wing again, Susan," Blaise replied.
Susan frowned looking to Blaise when Gavin interrupted, "Wait, Susan? Susan Bones? What are you doing down here again?"
"Another time," Blaise snapped. "We need to get you back to the Common Room. Where's Jerod?"
"Behind you Blasie, with the calvary," Jerod announced. "I see you brought your own though."
Blaise and Susan turned to find Jerod, Caleb and three more Slytherins standing behind them. A seventh year girl stepped around to Gavin's other side. The girl, Susan didn't know her name, checked Gavin as well. "Three cracked ribs and bruising," she spoke aloud looking to Blaise. "It could have been worse."
Blaise rose to his feet, dragging Susan along with him, "Take him back to the Common Room and get him patched up."
The Slytherins nodded and Blaise continued, "Anything else?"
The girl kneeling next to Gavin added, "Blaise, we haven't seen Daphne all night."
"I'll find her," Blaise snapped. "Get back to the Common Room and make sure everyone is reminded of their duties."
"And the Hufflepuff?" one of the group asked.
Blaise looked over at Susan and noticed his grip still on her arm, "Won't say anything."
Satisfied, the Slytherins moved to help Gavin back to the Common Room and left Blaise and Susan alone. Blaise held her arm for the entire time, but when he looked at her, Susan knew he was angry.
"Why couldn't you listen?" Blaise whispered as he pulled her back along the corridors.
"I wasn't about to let you fight them alone," Susan replied annoyed.
They walked a time in silence, neither wanting to start the argument they sensed was coming. It was Susan though that broke the silence, "Don't you think you should have asked me?"
Blaise stopped, turning back to face her, he swung his lantern up so that he could see her face, "Asked you what?"
"You told them I was your girlfriend," she replied with a smile and then kissed Blaise, hard.
Blaise's anger melted away as he remembered earlier in the evening. He wrapped his arms around her and ignored the pain shooting up his jaw line as he kissed her for all he was worth. Eventually they pulled apart and Blaise murmured, "Damn woman, will you try to make more sense?"
Susan just smiled up at him and kissed his cheek, "You really can be thoughtful, if you want to be."
Blaise took Susan's hand with a shake of his head and continued back towards her Common Room, "They all ready saw you in your nightclothes. There was little point pretending after that."
Susan blushed, but said nothing as they finally reached the deserted Hufflepuff Common Room. Susan and Blaise stopped in front of the door and neither seemed to know what to say to summarize the evening.
Again it was Susan to speak first, as she took her pack back from Blaise, "Don't worry about defining everything. We'll just figure it out as we go, OK?"
Blaise frowned down at her, "Good night, Susan."
"Good night," she replied walking back into her Common Room and up the stairs to her own bed, certain she wouldn't sleep the rest of the night.
The sunlight streaming in from the window pulled Hermione from her dreams. Blinking against the glare, she sat up and glanced around the unfamiliar bedroom. It only took her a moment to register where she was and why there was a lion laying at her feet.
Reaching her hand out she ran her fingers through Ron's mane and she smiled to herself. She felt Ron shift and then in a blink of an eye he shimmered and his expressive face was smiling up at her.
"Good morning, did you sleep well?"
Ron nodded and then stretched with several resulting cracks and snaps.
"I wish you didn't have to change for us to share a bed like this," Hermione told him.
Ron smiled at her with a twinkle in his eye. "Well, I just wanted you to be comfortable. I thought you might not be sure I could be trusted to keep my hands to myself."
Hermione flushed bright red and coughed, "Honestly Ron, the reason I wanted you to change was that I didn't trust myself to keep my hands off of you."
"Really?" he asked beaming.
Hermione nodded shyly, "I know we aren't ready for that sort of thing," her voice dropped to a whisper, "but that doesn't mean I don't want to."
Ron swallowed hard and nodded as he valiantly tried to ignore the fact that he and Hermione were alone in their cottage with a very comfortable bed and plenty of time.
Hermione eyes grew wide as she figured out what he was thinking about and then she chuckled. "You Weasleys are a randy lot aren't you?"
"You have no idea luv, no idea."
Hermione could see Ron's eyes darken and the set of his jaw told her that he was going to reach for her any moment. As much as she was greatly tempted, she knew that things would go to far to fast if she gave into her desires. So, with a slight sigh of regret, she held her hands out to stop him and gently reminded him. "We need to get back before anyone know we're gone."
Ron stoped and gave her his "I'm trying to be charming so you'll do what I want grin" and then in a purring tone told her, "We still have plenty of time luv."
Even as his smile make her belly feel all warm and fluid, Hermione shook her head and spoke to him sharply. "We can't stay Ron. If we get caught it will be that much harder to sneak out here the next time. So let's get going and keep your hands to yourself until we get back to the castle."
Blaise walked back through the corridors towards the Room of Requirement. At 3 a.m., there were only about two places where Daphne preferred to take in a quick snog with some random bloke. Blaise checked the secret cubby hole next the kitchens and found no one.
He started walking towards the Room of Requirement and his mind went over his date with Susan once again. He had enjoyed himself. The realization surprised him. Truly, when she had walked back into the room in her nightclothes Blaise had been tempted to tell her to stay. Then he could have walked her back into his bedroom and finished what they had only just started on the couch earlier. Shaking his head to stop those thoughts before they became "inconvenient," he stopped before the door to the Room of Requirement. Someone was in there.
Blaise waited, debating whether to interrupt or not when the door opened. Blaise ducked quickly back around the corner and watched as Daphne and Seamus, both looking rather ruffled, came into view, locked at the lips. Blaise watched Seamus run his hands over Daphne as they pulled apart.
"Lass, that was fantastic," Seamus smiled down at Daphne and Blaise rolled his eyes.
Daphne shook her head and smiled, "Did you have a doubt?"
"Nah, I was just a wee bit surprised," Seamus replied. "I thought I was in for one lonely night, being kicked out my room and all."
"Ah the sacrifice," Daphne replied wrapping her arms around Seamus once more and kissing him again. Blaise desperately wanted to leave, but couldn't without waiting for her. Thus, he turned around, but he still heard every word and sound they made.
They broke for air a little while later, "I need to go," Daphne's voice was low.
"Wait," Seamus stopped her. "So, you want to meet me out by the lake, say Tuesday night?"
Blaise groaned mentally. He could have been in his own bed with Susan. What in Merlin's name was he doing here, his jaw throbbed while he groaned? Some days, he yearned for the time before Daphne had dragged him into the school problems.
Daphne replied, "Perhaps, if you can hold to our agreement."
Seamus chuckled, "Lass, I'll keep our little secret. Provided you show up on Tuesday."
Blaise quirked an eyebrow, she wanted to keep it a secret?
"I'll be there," Daphne replied. "It's hard enough finding a decent snog around this place."
"Tuesday then," Seamus spoke up and Blaise thought he heard the sound of another kiss.
"Tuesday," Daphne replied.
Blaise waited as he listened to the sound of Seamus' footsteps walking away. Daphne's own headed towards him and Blaise waited until she had walked by his hiding place to stop her.
"You agreed," he frowned stepping out into the hallway.
"I was bored," Daphne shot back, if she had been surprised, she hid it quickly.
"Finnigan?" Blaise asked as they started back towards the dungeons.
"Susan Bones?" she returned.
Blaise frowned, but decided to let the subject drop, it must be an Irish thing. Blaise continued, "We had another incident this evening."
Blaise recounted the events from the end of his date with Susan through the scene in the hall and Susan's part in the event. He also made sure to note that people had noticed that she had been gone as well.
Daphne snorted, "So, everyone saw Susan Bones in her robe after she broke his nose and you claimed she was your girlfriend. Well, at least your temperaments are similar. I wish I had been there. I would have done more than bloodied his face."
Blaise rubbed his sore jaw, "They injured Gavin before we got to him."
"I am sure Celeste was able to take care of him," Daphne replied as they walked into the dungeons.
Blaise drew his wand, but kept it and his arm carefully out of view under his cloak as they walked towards the Common Room. "She was, but the fact that the violence is continuing disturbs me. It was Gavin against five others. They are singly us out."
Daphne stopped and looked up at Blaise, "Bones is wearing off on you, Zambini. I'm surprised you care so much."
Blaise turned away from her, but Daphne stopped him, "It was a compliment, Blaise. It's late and we both need some sleep. We'll just have to figure out the next step in the morning. It may end up that someone is going to have to challenge Malfoy one on one."
Blaise looked back down at her, "I hoped it wouldn't come to that."