A week passed quickly. It was the best time Alya ever had. The Manor was a thove of treasures; she could spend hours contemplating the beauty of the paintings, combing through every tome in the vast library or admiring the statues or trinkets spread all over.

The grounds of the property were no less attracting, with the lush gardens full of blooming flowers, the warm beach and refreshing sea; just about everything helped put her in a state of serenity and peace of mind.

Gone were her worries and pain, she could only enjoy the moment. And enjoy she did.

Blaise had been her anchor in the storm the raged inside her heart and mind. Many times when she found herself on the brink of tears he would distract her and pull her along with him somewhere in the property, every time showing her something new that she would love. He made her laugh and relax, for the first time in her life she felt safe enough to act her age and be silly. She had always been serious and guarded. With Draco she was able to let go a little, to show him her love and share her thoughts with him, but never completely. She knew that Draco was aware of it and he understood, given her difficult childhood. But Blaise, he smashed her walls to pieces and left her bare and whole for the first time.

And she loved it.

It felt so freeing and simple. A part of her wished she could hide here forever and never leave. But she was not a little girl lost in her dreams, she was responsible and mature, she knew that once the summer was gone she would have to go back to the real world.

"Sickle for your thoughts?" A husky voice breathed in her ear

Alya squealed in fright jumping high in the air and tripping on her own feet as she tried to turn.

Blaise steadied her with his hands on her waist before laughing deeply.

She swatted him it the chest pouting "You horrible person! You don't scare a girl like this!"

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were so lost in your head"

"You do it too many times for me to keep forgiving you, Mister" she sniffed haughtily

He smirked before taking hold of her hand and bowing low "Your humble servant begs forgiveness, my beautiful princess"

She raised a brow at him, trying very hard to keep the blush down "I may forgive you this time.. if you bring me chocolates" she finished with a smirk

"Your sweet tooth knows no bounds" he chuckled

"Just like your stomach" she rebutted

"Hey, I'm a growing boy! And I need a lot of calories with all the training I do" He protested. She hummed sarcastically, but she knew that he was right. Not only he was growing, he was already a lot taller than last year, but he really trained hard. She had taken to go running with him in the morning and even though she was pretty fit, already exercising at the Academy, she was ready to collapse by the end of it. And after that sometimes he went to his gym or he trained hours with his swords, other times they dueled together. She knew that a couple of times a week he trained with his martial arts teacher too. The boy couldn't stay still a minute, it was no surprise he ate like a starved man.

"Just make sure you don't get fat" she taunted him patting his stomach. She retracted her hand quickly though when she came in contact with his abs. Sweet Morgana, what was this boy doing to her?

He was just about to make a pervy comment when the elf popped in, interrupting them

"Misty sorry to disturb, owl bring letter for Miss" the elf said holding the envelope to her

"Thank you"

"What is it?" He asked

"My results" she said anxiously

"Go on, then open it"

"Alright, alright" she broke the seal with a shaking hand and unfolding the letter she began to read.

"What does it say?"

She gave him a brilliant smile, making his heart skip a bit, before she threw her arms around his neck and jumped hugging him. On reflex he caught her around the waist keeping her close to him, with her feet not touching the ground.

"I did it! I have all O's! I did it!" she chanted.

He chuckled at her childlike enthusiasm, happy to see her so content "Congratulations, cara"

"Thank you" she smiled "um, think you can let me down now?" she asked shyly

He lowered her, waiting for her feet to be firmly planted on the ground before releasing his hold "I say we celebrate"

"Celebrate?"

"Yes, go change. We're going out" he said, giving her a gentle swat on her bottom.

She squeaked in embarrassment, quickly running away from him and his grabby hands, making him laugh loudly.


People turned at the sight of the fashionably dressed handsome young man, with black wavy hair, tan complexion and confined stride; and his date, a pretty woman in a white summer dress with pale blue flowers on the skirt, with long ebony hair that flew around her frame in big curls and alabaster skin, walking by his side. They made a beautiful couple.

"Where are we?" she asked looking around curiously.

"This is the small village near the Manor. They usually hold a little market in its streets with typical foods, local crafts, antiques.. this kind of thing." He explained "I find it quaint and sometimes you can find really interesting things."

"I see." She said with bright eyes. Alya liked to collect a number of different things, some of her pieces were now proudly displayed in the room Blaise deemed hers, like her collection of glass figures and a number of dragon miniatures carved from precious stones that Draco gifted her each year and her favorite painting.

She had been reluctant to unpack all of her things, to make it her room, but Blaise had insisted, saying that whenever she needed it, it would be her room, for as long as she wanted. So she caved.

"But first, breakfast" he announced, placing his palm against the small of her back and guiding her towards a little café in the corner of the street.

Alya inhaled deeply, smelling the sweet smell of fresh pastries, coffee and much more.

Entering the small shot Blaise looked like he was at home.

"Buon Giorno!" he greeted

"Oh, Buon Giorno!" 'Oh Good morning!' The old woman behind the counted greeted him warmly "E chi è questa bella ragazza? Non mi starai nascondendo qualcosa, eh giovanotto?" 'And who is this beautiful girl? You aren't hiding something from me, right young boy?' she asked with her fist on her sides.

"Certo che no." 'Of course not' he replied placating the woman "Lei è Alya, una mia amica" 'She's Alya, a friend of mine'

"Solo amica? Che delusione" 'Just a friend? What a pity' the woman complained shaking her head.

Alya blushed vividly at her words, her traitorous mind imagining what it would be like to have Blaise as her boyfriend.

"I'm Gianna. I've known this boy for years and this is the first time he brings company" the woman said switching to an heavily accented English "What can I get you deary?"

"Um, a pleasure to meet you madam." Alya replied "I'll have a croissant and a cappuccino, please"

"Right away, honey. And for you?" she asked Blasie "The usual? Coffee, black; cream pastry and marmalade croissant?"

"You know me too well" he chuckled

"That I do. Go on, I'll bring everything to your table. You should sit outside, the weather is so nice" she said shooing them away.

"Bossy little woman" Blaise commented with a smile

"She looks like she cares about you, though"

"We're in Italy love. People are more.. open and welcoming." He said "Just let them know you for enough time and you'll become part of their family practically"

"It seems nice"


Walking around the various stands of the market, Alya was trying to look everywhere and absorb everything. She had done a little shopping, which Blaise insisted in carrying.

A warm hand enveloping her own halted her in her steps. She turned blinking at him and Blaise motioned around them with his head.

"It's starting to get crowded" he explained "Don't want to lose you"

"Oh, alright" she said, falling into step with him.

Just then, something caught her eye where there was a stand displaying a variety of little trinkets. She walked over and run her finger over one of the bracelets. It was a pretty silver chair in little sapphires charms.

A tan hand slipped it from underneath her hand and turned her, moving to clasp the piece around her wrist.

"Blaise? What are you doing?"

"I'm getting it for you" He replied "I missed your birthday after all. It's not every that a pretty girls turns fourteen."

"I never told you when my birthday is"

"No, but Draco did" he replied without missing a beat "fifteenth of December"

"You don't have to-" she stopped at the heated look in his eyes "Thank you, it's beautiful" she smiled looking at the delicate bracelet.

He smiled before paying for the purchase and leading them away from the stand.

Blaise turned his head sensing her staring intently at him "What?"

"You know mine, so It's only fair that you tell me when your birthday is"

He chuckled "You missed it. It was in March."

"Aww…"

"There, there" he cooed patting her head like small child and retracting quickly when she made to bite him "Feisty little thing you are."

"And don't you forget it"

"I won't! So, there's a nice restaurant a little ahead of here"

"Is food all you can think about?" she asked astonished

"No, but it's past noon, mia cara" 'my dear'

"Already? Time sure flew"

"So? Food?"

Now that he made her think about it she was actually pretty hungry "Food" she nodded.


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