CHAPTER 14: Apologies.

Helena was not going to let her stupid jealousy affect her friendship with someone as great as Astoria. The fact Blaise had held her hand in public was totally insignificant, and the fact they now sat together at every meal was also stupidly meaningless. They were house mates, it was normal. Besides, Astoria would never be interested in someone like Blaise, and vice versa. But then, why did she feel like strangling her best friend every time she saw them together?

-It's not what you think, you know –Luna said, one day during lunch.

-What are you talking about?

-You've been staring at them for the past twenty minutes.

-No, I haven't!

-So now you do know who I'm talking about? –Luna laughed.

-Shut up! –Helena rested her head between her hands, embarrassed.

-Helena, you know Astoria would never do that to you.

-I know.

-And you know he likes you.

-I know… -but she didn't. Blaise had certainly been acting weird.

After breakfast, the three girls met up and Helena watched how Astoria waved goodbye at Blaise. The Slytherin noticed there was something going on with her friend and raised an eyebrow at her.

-Is everything alright?

-I don't know, you tell me.

Luna giggled. Astoria looked at her, in need of some reference to understand what was wrong with Helena. The blonde smiled and shook her head, her expression switching to a somewhat maternal air.

-Helena thinks there's something going on between you and Blaise.

-Luna! –Helena kicked the floor, like a little girl would.

-You can't be serious! –Astoria was horror-struck with the sole idea- Helena, you don't really think that, do you?

-I don't know, okay? –the brunette was obviously embarrassed.

-We're just friends, I swear!

-I know, Astoria… It's just… He's been so distant since the Ball…

Astoria rolled her eyes and crossed her arms on her chest. Helena had always despised that kind of attitude when other girls displayed it; the jealous female was not something Astoria wanted to be confronted with.

-Then maybe you should ask HIM what's going on.

-I was thinking… -Helena bit her lip, hesitatingly- Maybe you could talk to him.

-Me?

-Well, you ARE friends with him, aren't you?

-I don't like your tone, Helena –Astoria's black eyes narrowed down to slits-. If you've got a problem with us being friends, it's your fucking problem.

-She doesn't have a problem! –Luna tried to interfere with her soothing tone.

-As a matter of fact, I do –the brunette placed her hands on her hips and looked down at her friend-. What is it, now that you scared Draco away you're going after his best friend?

-You're fucking nuts –Astoria's upper lip curled up in disgust.

-I just saw you holding hands!

-Stay the fuck away from me –her tone was as calm as the rest of her.

-Astoria… -Luna begged.

The blonde tried to reach out to her friend but Astoria turned around and walked away in a manner so cold she could have frozen hell. Luna gave Helena a pitiful look, earning a glare from her. None of the girls said a word as they walked into the Charms classroom.

Astoria was fuming mad. How could her best friend think of her in that way? Helena seriously thought she could be able to try and have something with Blaise? Not only was she stupid, for Astoria would have never done something like that, but blind as well. It wasn't that difficult to imagine that Astoria's thoughts were not precisely occupied by Blaise. Of course, she would have taken three rounds of Crucio straight before confessing it. But it was a fact she could not deny. Astoria felt extremely guilty that Draco had gone home. She knew she was probably not the only reason, but her paranoia had obviously contributed to his feeling uncomfortable at Hogwarts. She imagined for a second what his life must have been like since his parents were locked up. She had never felt attached to her parents (especially after the incident with Uncle Phillip), and so she couldn't know how it felt to have someone you love so much taken away to such a horrible destination. But only trying to imagine was awful enough. To top it all off, he had no siblings. She pictured him alone, at the Manor. Probably drinking red wine and reading old manuscripts. The fireplace would be lit, as he was constantly cold. She shook her head. There was nothing she could possibly do now.

Well…

Actually, there was something she could do. Apologizing would be a good start.

As she went down to the Slytherin common room, she saw no one around. Astoria didn't usually skip classes, and she would not make a habit of it, but today was definitely a good day to begin. She sat down at one of the tables and dipped her quill in the inkwell. The blank piece of parchment stared back at her as she wondered how to begin her letter. Slowly, words came into her mind, and even more slowly, they began forming sentences:

Dear Draco,

It is, as you can imagine, very hard for me to write this letter. I know it will probably sound too distant and cold, as usual. However, you have known me long enough to know I always sound too distant and cold. Believe me when I say I am terribly sorry about everything that happened. You have absolutely nothing to do with my problems, and without realizing, I made you pay for them. This is especially mortifying to me, being aware of your own situation as I am. I just wanted to apologize and wish you the best.

Sincerely,

Astoria Greengrass.

She doubted for a second whether she should send it or not. But she knew she would not be able to sleep until she had seen the owl flying away. On her way back from the tower, she found Blaise. He waved at her.

-Skipping classes, huh? –he grinned.

-Yeah.

-What is it?

-Huh?

-Something happened.

Astoria frowned at Blaise. She hated when he did that. But for some strange reason, enigmatic as she was to everybody else, Blaise had the annoying ability of reading her like an open book.

-It's Helena.

-What's wrong with her?

-She thinks I'm having an affair with you.

Blaise's dark chocolate-coloured eyes bulged out of his skull.

-Yeah, I know. I'm hideous –she laughed.

-No! –he shook his head- Of course you're not.

-Blaise, there are mirrors everywhere, I know what I look like.

-Astoria, you're not ugly!

-Right –she snorted-. Anyway, this is not the point. The point is, if you still want something with her, be aware she's one jealous bitch.

-It's actually flattering.

-Whatever –she rolled her eyes.

-But I was serious about you not being ugly. You know what, if you washed your face every once in a while you could pass for cute –he elbowed her softly on her ribs.

-Yeah? Well… -she couldn't find anything bitter to say, and so she stuck her tongue out at him- Bleeeh!

Blaise laughed at her and she couldn't help to smile back. Her nose wrinkled, giving her a child-like expression. He sighed and passed an arm around her shoulders, pulling her in closer to him. As they started walking towards the common room, he suggested a chess game, to which she grinned and simply replied:

-You're going down.

Damn, she was good. Blaise had been ruminating his next move for at least ten minutes. Astoria sighed for the hundredth time. Finally, he saw the light and moved his queen with a grin of satisfaction on his face. She frowned at the unexpected move. As she thought what to do next, she absentmindedly told him about the letter she had just sent.

-What did you do that for?

-I don't know. I guess I just wanted to apologize.

-Alright.

-Do you think he'll write back?

Blaise sighed and rolled his head, as if he was trying to release some tension. He did not know the answer to the girl's question. Probably not. Draco was too worn out, probably he would not lift a finger to contact her again. Probably. But hey, what the hell did he know?

-I don't know Astoria. I really don't.

-It's okay, though. I felt it was something I needed to get off my chest.

-As long as you feel better…

A sparkle shone in her raven eyes. Blaise caught a glimpse of it and knew he was screwed. With one quick move, she trapped his king between her queen, horse and bishop.

-You definitely suck –he moaned.

-And you're a very bad loser.

-Do you think I should talk to Helena right away or wait until you guys make up?

-I don't think we can possibly make up until she sees that you're still interested in her.

-That's stupid, though. I mean, no offence, Astoria, but I thought it was pretty clear I am interested in her.

-It is to me! –Astoria rolled her eyes- But apparently her self esteem is not as good as it seems.

-Perhaps it is time to improve it? –he smirked.

-If you have anything perverse in your mind I would suggest you dismiss it.

-Who the hell do you think you're talking to?

-Blaise Zabini –she answered, matter-of-factly.

A grin spread across his handsome features, giving her an approximate idea of the kind of attention Helena could be expecting from Blaise from now on. She knew the bastard was going to be the perfect gentleman with her friend, and that, somehow, relieved her, since it was pretty obvious Blaise would be the door to her making up with Helena.