Saying goodbye to Blaise had been more difficult that she imagined it would be. For the last two weeks of summer he had taken her sightseeing, never venturing too far away from the manor; they went to the movies, to the village fair, they even attended the show of a wandering circus that stopped nearby. Her favorite moments were the simpler ones though, when they would take long walks on the beach and talk about everything and nothing or when they would both settle on the couch reading in peace.

She had grown so comfortable with him that she even spoke about her past. She didn't venture in to deep, but she shared that she grew up in an orphanage and that they weren't very kind with her. She hadn't said anything more but from the fire and anger in his eyes she could tell than he had an idea, as vague as it may be, of what she went through.

Seeing him so furious on her behalf made her feel warm inside. For her, who grew up unloved and mistreated, certain that no one would ever want her or care, it meant the world seeing that there was someone instead. Someone who wanted her and someone who cared. In that moment, when she couldn't count or rely on the small family she found for herself, Blaise was that someone. Her someone.

The morning of her departure she tried very hard to show a strong front, but a couple of tears still escaped her. Blaise had smiled gently, wiping the tears with his thumbs while framing her face with his hands.

"Hey, don't cry. We can keep writing each other while at school" he reassured her, her smile watery.

"Promise?"

"Cross my heart" he said "Who knows maybe you'll be stuck with me next summer too. I could take you to Florence and Rome. You would love the sights and the art"

"Don't be so casual about it. Chances are I'll be banned from the Manor, still"

"Their loss, my gain" he stated

"I'll miss you" she said hugging him one last time and clutching the small portkey set to activate in mere moments.

"I'll miss you too" he whispered as she took a step back, the portkey already glowing "Amore" 'love'. His last word was lost as she vanished from sight, leaving him alone. Sighing deeply he turned to the fireplace headed to the Station to take the Hogwarts Express for another year of madness.


Alya sighed staring out of her bedroom window. She was already exhausted and it was only the first week of school. On the other hand, Blaise had kept his promise and wrote already. She had a letter from Draco too. Pursing her lips she decided to read her cousin's first.

Dear Alya,

Hogwarts is a madhouse as usual. The new teacher for Defence is Dolores Umbridge, a pink wearing monster of a toad. This school is getting worse and worse each passing day. Why couldn't I attend Drumstrang?!

On a different note. Do you know that Blaise is engaged or betrothed or whatever?! News spread pretty fast this summer. Apparently he has been seen with his girl in Diagon Alley the past month and you know how fast gossip travel. They say it's a pretty brunette with golden skin and blue eyes. Lucky sod.

The bastard refuses to talk about it though. Can you believe it? I'm his best friend and he didn't even tell me that he was in a contract or courting!

Mother heard about it too and now she's pestering me to find a pretty girl of good family and court her. Of course Pansy attached herself to me like some kind of pug faced octopus. Urgh.

Before I forget, Mother sends her love and the box with .. I don't know what's inside and with the risk of it being something feminine, I don't want to know either. Father keeps asking me to find out where you spent the summer, fat chance I'll tell him even if I knew.

I miss you sister,

Draco


Grabbing parchment and quill she set to reply right away, best take advantage of the moment before she became too tired to even see clearly the words.

Dear Draco,

She sounds like a dreadful woman, I do not envy you. And you are right, you would have done so much better in Drumstrang. I can't fault Aunt Narcissa for wanting her son close or Uncle Lucius for wanting you to make connections but there are other ways to go at it, they should have thought of your education firstly. Trying to study a year worth of material in the two summer months of holiday you get is not healthy nor good. Either you forget half of what you learnt or you get only the basics at best.

I do not know anything about this rumors concerning your friend. Ever thought it could be just that? A rumor?

Thank Aunt Narcissa for me and tell Uncle Lucius that it's useless to insist.

I'm sorry to keep this short, but my desk is crying under the workload I already accumulated.

Love,

Alya


Carefully folding it, she put the letter inside the envelope and called for her elf to deliver it. That done, she read Blaise's letter.

Mia Cara,

It's only been a week but I find myself already missing you. I miss our long talks about everything and anything, how we could go from a serious matter to argue about silly things. I sit myself in the couch in front of the fireplace reading and I miss how you can go from nudging your little cold feet against my leg, to lean on me with your head on my shoulder.

You'll probably think I'm being awfully sappy and ask yourself if I had a personality transplant. But the only thing that snuggles with me now is Millie's cat. Pretty thing, I admit, but a bit too furry for my tastes.

Draco has been torturing me all week. Seems that Madam Malkin worked her mouth overtime and spread all kind of gossip. According to the rumors I'm set to be married this summer with an Italian Princess. By now, trying to deny or set them straight would be too difficult, not to mention useless. Even Draco wouldn't believe me when I told him I was just showing the Alley to a friend, preferring to keep insisting. When they see me without a wedding band maybe they'll reconsider?

Umbridge is even worse that my worst nightmares. Her simpering voice could make even a dementor run away disgusted. She refuses to let us use wands and we're relegated to book reading. Also, Potter already got detention with her. He can't just keep his mouth shut about Voldemort. I say, if the government is slandering you, if the paper is slandering you, if even your schoolmates think you're an attention seeking disturbed child.. shouldn't it at least pass in his mind the thought of laying low and fucking stay silent?!
People like him irritates me to my very core.

Snape is more abrupt and abrasive than usual, so I would say that he met your father for tea during the summer. Hope he didn't tell the professor anything about you.

On a different note. I need your genius mind for a moment. I'm studying a ward at the moment, my individual study mind you, I'm doing everything the instructions say to the letter but it keeps trying to blow up in my face. I can't get what I could possibly be doing wrong. I attached my notes to the letter, maybe you can shed some light on the matter before I destroy half of Hogwarts.. though it wouldn't be such a loss.

Blaise.


Alya bit her bottom lip, leaning her head against the cool glass of the window. Here he went again being confusing and making her hope for something. Why couldn't he be clear just for once instead of flirting friendly with her? He got her to the point that she imagined things, like him calling her 'love' when she left. How silly of her. She was too old for daydreaming.

Sighing resigned she took her quill and a fresh parchment.

Dear Blaise,

I miss you too, maybe I should invest in a cat to cuddle with too, see if it makes for a decent substitute.

Things are so hectic now that I'm back here at the Academy. I really understand why they are called Nastily Exhausting, and it's only week one. Personally I think that all my professors decided to gang up on me and try to kill me, now that everyone knows I'm aiming for the Master of Magic program. It's like they expect me to be better than everyone, do more than everyone and even know it before they even breach a new subject! It's maddening.

I mean, I could totally do it (why be modest when you can afford to brag?) with enough time to at least read the books, but in a week it's impossible. I like challenges though, so I'll show them what I'm made of, even if it kills me!

She really sounds horrible, Draco said as much too. Did you know that garter snakes eat toads? They are pretty sassy too, lovely to chat with.

Maybe I should invest in a snake instead. At least they talk back. To me, that is.

Potter being an idiot is no news, it's just like what I know of him to act like some stupid and reckless martyr. Plus if she's treating you like children he'll probably have to write lines.

Draco told me of the rumors too. He is deeply offended that you didn't confide in him and envious. He called you a lucky sod and a bastard right after. It seems Aunt Narcissa is pestering him to get a move on.

Maybe we could stage a violent fight and break up if they still bother you come next year. I would even have the excuse to go all Dark Princess on you!

The reason your wards keep trying to blow up is because your book has a mistake on it. Never use chalk for repressing wards, it twists the whole construct in a way that it absorbs any magic, the one you put in to activate it and the one you are trying to contain inside, and instead of keeping it locked within, it pushes it all out in a violent shockwave. What you need is either salt or powdered moonstone.

Now that I've lent you a bit of my infinite wisdom, I must really tackle my homework before my desk collapses.

Alya


Mia Cara,

You really are a genius! I did as you suggested and the ward worked perfectly. It was high time though, I was getting tired of regrowing my eyebrows. It made me feel like Finnegan, the Gryffindor who blows up something every time he waves his wand. Not funny at all.

I swear if Draco doesn't stop pestering me or hiding from Pansy in my room, and consequently pestering me, I'm not going to be responsible for my actions. He will probably become my new target practice, you're warned!

The toad is more and more insufferable. I started to take her classes as additional nap times, right along with history of magic. She did make Potter write lines, though it was using a blood quill. Sadistic bitch. The idiot doesn't even realize the severity of the situation.

I heard Granger mumbling something about making a club to learn what she doesn't teach. They all will get in trouble. No doubt. And as good as Potter may be at this farce they call Defence in Hogwarts, what is he going to teach them? Expelliarmus and trickling jinx?

I'll have you know that you can't replace me with a mere cat. I should be offended. A snake now, that would make a poor substitute but still keep you company. Cats are just something soft and fluffy you can pet.

I feel sorry for you. NEWTs are bad enough already without teachers expecting too much from you. Showing them what you're made of is good and all, but take care of yourself too and don't forget to eat at meals. I know how you are when immersed in your thing.

Question for you: have you ever thought of becoming an animagus?

Blaise.


Dear Blaise,

Are you insinuating that cats are useless? I'll have you know that I love cats and don't you dare speak badly of them!

Snakes are my second favorites though. I really wanted a pet as a child but I never could. First in the orphanage it was prohibited and then Uncle Lucius is a little maniacal with cleanness and thinks that pets are dirty and all this rot.

A blood quill? Pretty daring of her, I know that blood quills are strictly regulated inside the Ministry and banned for personal use, only the Goblins can use them for contracts and the like. She will face many years in Azkaban if she is found out. Though I doubt she would be so stupid as to use it on pureblood students or children of wizengamot members.

I can't see Potter teaching them things more difficult than that. Maybe he'll try the Patronus Charm.

Animagus you say? It would be pretty cool to be one. My transfiguration teacher is going to tutor a select few who show more promise during this year. She said that she would choose them within the week. It pretty funny that you asked such a question right now. What about you? Thinking of learning too?

Alya


Thank you everyone for adding my story to your favourite or alert lists and for leaving a review!