Blaise Zabini was sitting on a stool at the bar, dressed in a dark red suit with a bunch of roses in his hand. Ginny smiled at him from the kitchen doorway. "She's coming, you know what girls are like."
Blaise smiled back, "I know what girls are like. I'm here early, just to get her flustered."
"It'll put some life in her cheeks. Shall I go and check on her?"
"No, come and chat with me. She'll be fine." He patted the seat next to him. Ginny smiled and walked over, but kept the bar between them. He made a mock-pout then resumed his smile.
"Business is going well?" he asked conversationally, rubbing his earlobe – complete with the gold-covered earring Hermione had delivered.
Ginny smiled wryly. Slytherin – so many undercurrents to such a simple question. "Oh, yes. Food just keeps getting better – autumn foods are not only pouring in, they're cheaper than spring foods as well. And the ale, mead and stout keep getting better as well. And with those things, people keep choosing the Leaky Cauldron over some more expensive locations. We're doing very well."
"And you're living on the premises?"
"Of course; I don't think even I could afford a loan from Gringotts' at the moment. What's their going rate of interest? Nineteen percent? Blah. Stupid."
Blaise gave her a crooked grin. "I suppose. Loaning money is risky business, these days."
Ginny snorted. Blaise shrugged. Ginny opened her mouth, but Blaise' gaze had moved behind her. He stood, offered the flowers he was carrying, his smile growing ever-more radiant.
Hermione was gorgeous. Ginny supposed she could have seen that if she'd looked; but, like most people, she had been too distracted by her irrepressible hair (well, not entirely – her hair was in defined ringlets tonight), and her regular but never-painted features. Hidden under her friend's usual jeans-and-jumper was a promising figure, now adorned with the beautiful dress Ginny had bought for her – much to her friend's dismay. Burgundy was a gorgeous colour that suited Hermione well (though Ginny would never wear it herself – she would clash horribly), and the cut was modest enough that she had known Hermione would actually wear it.
"Mademoiselle," Blaise began, but Hermione interrupted him.
"Blaise, I just want to have a good time tonight." She fixed him with such a look that Ginny had to stifle a giggle. She accepted the flowers and smiled at them, thanked Blaise then handed them over to Ginny to put in a vase.
"You will have a wonderful time tonight, Hermione," Blaise finally replied, returning the serious look. "I firmly intend on becoming better acquainted with you, and hopefully becoming friends with you. But do let me flirt a little; I like the way it makes you smile and blush," he added with a grin, then offered his arm. "Shall we?"
Hermione nodded, smiled and took his arm. The look she flashed over Blaise' arm as he led her out said, don't wait up.
Ginny just waved.