Chapter 8: Zabini
Blaise kept me in my office for what felt like hours. I told him what I could, and Blaise also told me what he knew of the Death Eater revival that was apparently going on:
"I hadn't joined the Death Eaters in the war, and I wasn't directly related to any either," he explained. "I was considered true neutral. I wasn't a blood traitor or an active advocate for He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, so I was largely ignored throughout the whole miserable ordeal, thank Merlin.
"Loads of my friends were Death Eaters, and a few of them tried to convince me to join, but Malfoy convinced them to let me alone. At the time I wasn't sure how to feel about that, but now I'm grateful. Anyway, Malfoy casually mentioned to me that some Death Eaters were starting to band together again, and that if I saw signs of it I should leave the country. I suppose I'm not as valuable as the actual Death Eaters, because I never got a face-to-face visit, only a letter. It claimed I had a final chance to 'prove my blood loyalty.'"
"Was it threatening?" I asked.
"Not as threatening as you would expect from Death Eaters," he conceded. "It was more of an invitation to finally pick the 'right side.' I didn't say anything to anyone because with all of the post-war prejudices against pureblood Slytherins, the newspapers would have made me out to be the return of Voldemort himself."
I nodded, silently impressed that he managed to say the name with only a small flinch.
"Just so you know," I began, "searching for Malfoy was my original task, and it continues to be my central focus. But if I had a chance to get more information on what's going on, or the opportunity to topple the revitalized Death Eater regime, I'm going to do it."
We had been standing, and Blaise chuckled. "I would expect nothing less, Granger." After a moment, he threw his arms around me. "Just don't get yourself killed. I know you're a bloody Gryffindor, and part of the Golden Trio, but remember that you're the smart one. I know the idiot Weasel made you doubt that as well as your value, but I want you to come back from this just as badly as I want you to bring Draco with you."
When Blaise's strong arms released me, I stumbled a bit, unsure of what to do or say.
"I've been wanting to tell you that since that git left you the way he did, but I was a coward. I'm more grateful than I can express that you're helping Draco, but if you get yourself killed because of your bloody courage or your broken heart, I will tell everyone at your funeral exactly what happened that night we went for drinks," Blaise warned.
"You wouldn't," I yelped.
"Don't die and we won't have to find out. But really, take care of yourself, Granger." Blaise affectionately ruffled my hair before slipping out of the door.
I smoothed my hair down with a huff even as a smile quirked my lips upwards. Blaise and I had been paired together by chance on my first day of working at the Ministry and we moved through departments at the same pace, although we weren't always in the same one. He was brilliant as well as a charmer, and I loved my friendship with him because we didn't have to slow down or explain scholarly references to one another in conversations.
At Hogwarts I'd always pegged him as an arrogant git, but I had learned later that his younger self didn't know how to cope with his mother and his ever-growing list of stepfathers. His relationship with his mother was still pretty terrible, but after convincing him not to completely cut her out his life, he now dragged me to every interaction he had with her.
All I could say was that one day Blaise Zabini would make some witch incredibly lucky.
That was all that my mind had time for when I apparated to the same alleyway I had apparated from earlier that day. I really would have to find a closer spot. The walk home nearly killed me. Once in my apartment, I barely remembered to feed Crookshanks and myself before falling into bed.
While washing my face, I remembered meeting Mrs. Lewis, or Carol, and Charles. It felt like that had happened years ago, rather than earlier today.
Making a note to remember my dinner invitation for tomorrow, I fell into a deep sleep.
A/N: Thanks to all the reviewers and followers so far, it keeps me writing!
