Chapter 9
Blaise got off the train with Aspen they shared a carriage with two very nervous looking second years boys. He was waiting for the carriages start to move when Aspen leaned over and whispered in his ear.
"What do you say that we just make those kids a little uncomfortable? Just follow my lead." Aspen put her arm around his neck and started to play with his hair then she leaned over and bit his ear lobe lightly with her teeth. She kept nipping it slowly while moving her legs over his so she straddled him she smiled at him mischievously then began to moan.
"Oh Blaise honey the summer was so long and hot without. I got so wound up and didn't have you to unwind me. I'm all tight and in agony won't you put me out of my misery?" The entire time she said this the second years were turning redder and redder. They both ran out of the carriage she bent her neck so it appeared that they were about to go into a passionate kiss. When she heard the carriage door shut she looked at the door and slid off his lap to sit in the seat opposite him. She smiled at him with what was fast becoming in his eyes her trademark smile. She rested her head against the cushion and closed her eyes. Smiling to herself she mused that this was shaping up to be and interesting year already.
Hermione shared a carriage with Neville and two younger students of whom she had no idea of who they were. Harry and Ron had offered to have Luna or Ginny sit on one of their laps to make room but she had respectively declined. Due to the fact that being around the couples still made her very uncomfortable. She pulled out a book and pretended to read so that she would have to try and make conversation with Neville who was talking to one of the younger boys about some plant or another.
When the horseless carriages arrived in front of the great doors of Hogwarts she put away her book and allowed herself to be helped down by Neville. She was walking up the steps and was almost in the great hall when she collided with someone ranting about green horses.
Aspen and Blaise passed the duration of the short ride from the front gate to the great hall much to the relief of both. Trying to make conversation was just too hard and Blaise was still trying to get his mind in control.
He had just gotten his first kiss from a girl who albeit was very funny and pretty but whom he had only met a couple of hours before. That was when he made a decision. He was sick and tired of being unknown, he was going to try his hardest and be friends with Aspen. Because despite all her attitude and jokes he had a feeling that she was really lonely.
"Hey you've been here for three years now right?" Blaise asked suddenly.
"Yeah, why?" she asked without opening her eyes.
"Then why have I never seen you at meal times. Even I go to the great hall to eat."
She pushed her self out of her lounge position and turned to face him. "You see that is where you and I differ. I've eaten every meal for the last three years in the kitchens on the company of a house-elf named Dobby. He's currently the only friend I have."
"Not any more you have me. So what do you say to eating in the Great Hall tonight with me at the prefects table?" He asked really hoping she would say yes. She looked at him with her big blue-gray grays questioning and uncertain.
"Blaise that's a really nice offer and all, but to tell you the truth I'm not all the comfortable around big groups of people." She said looking at the floor of the carriage.
"Don't worry I'll even hold your hand if it will make you feel better. So, what do you say?" She looked at him for a moment completely confused and a smile started to grow on her lips but just then carriages stopped and they had arrived in front of the great doors. She shook her head and nodded her agreement.
Blaise stepped out of carriage and looked behind him to see Aspen still inside looking out concernedly. He went back to the door and held out his hand for her and helped her out of the carriage. They were just about to enter the great halls when all of the sudden Aspen stopped dead and almost caused Blaise's shoulder to wrench out of its socket. She was looking at the carriages with the strangest expression on her face.
Then she whipped around to him and said "Don't you see them?"
"See what? There's nothing there."
"You don't see the big green horses that are latched on to every single carriage?" she said desperately and she let go of his hand. "I'm not crazy Blaise! I'm not there standing right there and they have wings too. Fine if you don't believe me I'll show you!" Aspen said with such vehemence that she grabbed his hand again began to back drag him down the steps.
But she wasn't looking where she was going because she collided with Hermione Granger and Neville Longbottom. Blaise, Hermione, Aspen and Neville all slammed into each other and together they rolled down the steps and landed in a painful tangle on the ground.