Word Count: 316
Daphne blinks rapidly, mouth opening slightly as she tries to make sense of what Blaise has just said. It doesn't make sense. Everyone who knows Blaise knows that he has a reputation for being picky. During their time at Hogwarts, she can't recall ever seeing him look at anyone. Pansy had always enjoyed teasing Blaise about it, warning him that the Zabini line would end with him.
And now he says he loves her, and she doesn't know how to respond.
"Daph?" His voice quivers on the syllable, his confidence seemingly stripped away. "If you could say something, that would be great."
She finds herself smiling. How many times had she stolen glances at him, cursing him for being so picky, for never seeming to see that she wanted him. Had he noticed? Had he shown it in his own way? She tries to recall a moment when he seemed even remotely interested, but she can't grasp anything solid.
She adjusts the strap of her sapphire gown, swallowing nervously. There's the faintest bit of guilt that stabs at her insides. They're here to celebrate Astoria's engagement. To feel this sort of happiness for herself seems selfish.
"Are you sure?"
He snorts, dark eyes rolling. "When we were twelve, I watched you slap Marcus for harassing Gemma," he tells her. "And in that moment…" He shakes his head, a hint of a smile turning up the corners of his lips. "I just knew."
"I always thought you were picky," she says.
"I was. I only wanted you." He shrugs. "Unfortunately, I also found you incredibly intimidating, so I could never tell you that."
"What changed?" she wonders.
"I did."
He takes her hand, guiding her through the crowd and onto the dance floor, leading her in a graceful waltz. It's everything she's ever dreamed it would be. Blaise Zabini loves her, and she could never be happier.