Rachel put a hand on her heart and took a deep, nervous breath as she prepared to read the last entry in Blaise's diary. The afternoon sun had now started its descent towards evening and it was nearing the dinner hour. Harry and Ron would wonder where she was when she didn't show up in the Great Hall on time. But there was no possible way she could close the book in front of her. This was, by far, the most compelling book she had ever opened. Her fingers trembled slightly as she read:My Dearest Rachel,
Are you surprised my love? I hope that it is a happy surprise and I hope that my boldness in expressing my feelings for you does not frighten you away. That would be last thing I would wish for.
I know you must be confused. Finding out that someone loves you and has loved you for a very long time has given you much to think upon. I do not want you to feel uncomfortable or that I expect anything from you. Perhaps it is selfish on my part that I could not keep these feelings unknown any longer and my longing has finally driven my secret out into the open.
You, my love, are so beautiful, intelligent and talented. It has been difficult for me to believe that someone like you could possibly want to know someone like me. Perhaps it was my dream, the one you've read about, that has caused me to try. Am I a fool for believing such things?
Do not let the intensity of my feelings for you make you afraid. I would never try to push you to do things you did not want to do. I only ask for a chance to be in your presence and talk with you so that you would come to know me better. Will you allow this?
I have arranged a place for us to spend time together this evening if you would agree. Do not fear my motives. They are entirely honourable, despite my reputation with other girls. You are not just any girl to me. You are the one I love.
Think now Rachel and decide. Will you give me this night to get to know you? Or do you have no interest in me?
If you decide you do not wish to know me, then leave my diary here, under the tree, and walk away. Then I will know how you feel and I will not bother you again, though my heart will be heavy.
If you decide to give me a chance to know you, then turn the page. Here you will see a flower I have drawn. Put your nose to the blossom and inhale its fragrance, then close your eyes to dream. I will come to you, if you do so, and take you to the special place I have prepared. Do not be afraid. I would never allow any harm to come to you.
I await your decision with a hopeful heart.
All my love to you,
Blaise ZabiniRachel let out a deep breath and looked around her carefully. This letter certainly indicated that he would be watching her. She wondered where he was, how close. He wanted to meet with her tonight! Goodness! That really didn't give a girl much time to consider things, she thought. Her eyes scanned the letter over again and she sighed and fidgeted with indecision. "Well, he just wants to talk," she reasoned. "There would be no harm in that would there?"
But her mind kept going back to his other words, the words that explained the things he thought about doing with her. It was the thought of being in his presence, knowing that he wanted to make love to her that was unnerving her most. What if he poured on the charm and tried to seduce her? Could she handle it? She had never had the experience of rejecting someone trying to make advances on her. It had never been an issue before.
She ran her fingers over his words again, mired in indecision. "Honourable," she read out loud. Then she laughed at her silliness and said, "Oh Rachel! He just wants to talk. You can do that can't you?" With a last look around she turned the page and looked at the beautiful white blossom he had drawn, its scent was already filling her head. She lifted the book to her nose and inhaled deeply.
Up above on the astronomy tower, Blaise's heart burst with happiness when he saw her lift the diary to her nose and inhale. His eyes were riveted on her as she fell over onto the grass in a deep sleep, the diary falling to her side. He hoped that she would not mind that he put asleep for now.
He made his way down to the ground and strode towards her sleeping form, his heart pounding in excitement as he drew nearer. When he reached her side, he knelt down and gazed at her in wonder. She decided to spend the evening with him! This was too good to be true! He reached out and touched her cheek for the first time and closed his eyes at its soft silky feel.
Then he took a bundle out from his bag which was wrapped in emerald green cloth. He unwrapped it carefully, revealing a woman's hair ornament that served as a port key. Taking Rachel in his arms, he touched the key and they disappeared instantly.
Rachel opened her eyes and found that she was on a plush bed, covered in rich maroon velvet. She pushed up on her hands and looked around at the unfamiliar bedroom. It was adorned in maroon, green and gold, the furnishings obviously opulent and expensive. A window was wide open and soft warm breezes were moving the sheer draperies about.
What had happened? She remembered sniffing the flower in the diary and now she was here. She looked about in confusion for some clue when a knock sounded on the door. Rachel quickly swung her legs over the side of the bed and sat up straight saying, "Come in."
A small, dark haired woman came bustling in with a big smile on her face. "Hello, I'm Sophia," she said with a curtsey. "Mr. Zabini has sent me to help you prepare for dinner," she said with an Italian accent.
Rachel looked at her in surprise. "Mr. Zabini?" The woman nodded. Oh my, thought Rachel. This must be the special place Blaise mentioned. "Where am I?" Rachel asked, perplexed.
"Mr. Zabini's home," the maid replied as she scuttled to a large wardrobe across the room, "near Venice."
"Venice?" Rachel jumped to her feet. "Italy? I'm in Italy?"
"Yes," smile the maid. Dresses began floating out of the wardrobe and slowly turning themselves around. "Which dress would you like to wear tonight, miss?"
Rachel looked down at her school clothing and then back up to the dresses. He wanted her to wear one of those gowns? To dinner? Her stomach flip flopped nervously as she wrung her hands. She wasn't sure how safe she was feeling so far from Home. "I… I have to wear one of those?" Rachel asked nervously.
The maid studied Rachel's expression and then said, "Mr. Zabini has chosen these especially for you. It is customary to dress for dinner in the Zabini household."
"Oh, I see," Rachel said. Was she going to meet his parents? This was definitely a lot more than she had expected for an evening of 'talking'. Well, at least if his family was here, then perhaps she wouldn't have to worry about being seduced. She looked over the dresses, deciding on a mauve silk as it seemed the only dress without a plunging neckline. I don't want to give them the wrong impression, she thought.
The maid helped her slip into the gown and then sat her at the vanity, putting her hair up in a very pretty manner and stringing little pearls throughout it. Rachel felt as if she had been taken back a century when she saw the way she appeared. Perhaps his family is very old world, she considered.
"You look very beautiful!" Sophia chirped when they were finished. "Follow me please." She led Rachel out into the hallway of the richly adorned house and down a long flight of stairs. Then the maid pointed to an open door up ahead and said, "Have a good evening, miss." She curtsied and walked away.
Rachel took a deep breath. She expected that Blaise and his family were waiting for her in that room. She patted her hair and then tried to walk as elegantly as she could through the door. As soon as she stepped into the doorway, the room faded away and it appeared that she was outside, on top of a large cliff with an enormous balcony on it. Down below, the ocean waves hit the rocks with a splash. How lovely, she thought, an enchanted room! She walked further out on the balcony and looked at the realistic
scenery. Resting her hands on the railing, she was suddenly aware that she was not alone. Off to the side, leaning against the railing, stood Blaise, dressed to the nines in a black suit and feasting his eyes over every inch of her.
"Oh!" said Rachel, placing a hand on her chest. "I didn't know anyone was here."
He pushed up from the railing and strode over to her, making a small bow and saying, "I didn't mean to startle you like that. Forgive me."
They looked at each other in awkward silence for a few moments and then Blaise said, "You are so beautiful, Rachel. I am very happy that you agreed to speak with me tonight. Thank you."
Rachel made a nervous gesture with her hand and answered, "I certainly did not expect anything like this. How did you bring me to Italy?"
"Port key," he smiled. "I use it when I want to come home to visit my family." He studied her face for a moment. "If you are uncomfortable here, we may return any time you wish. Just touch the rose over there." He pointed to a vase with a single red rose in it. It sat on a pedestal in the centre of the balcony. Blaise had wanted her to feel safe and so he made it easy for her to leave if she wished to.
She looked at the rose and then back to him. "How long was I asleep?" she asked.
"About forty minutes," he said. "I apologize if you were offended by my method of bringing you here. I wanted to surprise you."
"Well, you've certainly done that," she smiled back. "Is this your family home?"
"One of them," he said. "This particular house will be mine when I graduate in a few weeks. It is a gift from my parents."
"It's very beautiful. Is your family here?" she asked.
"No," he shook his head slightly. "They live elsewhere."
Rachel suddenly felt uncomfortable at finding out that they were not to be supervised by his family. Her hands fidgeted nervously at this news.
Blaise noticed the change in her and said, "Rachel, I meant what I said. I wish only to get to know you, speak with you. I just wanted a place where we would not be disturbed by others."
She let out a small, nervous laugh. "Of course," she said. "It's quite fine, very nice in fact. Thank you for bringing me here." She didn't want to seem worried, so she tried to put on a brave face.
"I know you have not had dinner yet," Blaise said. "I have had something prepared for us. Will you join me?" He held out his hand and waited for her response.
"Yes, thank you," she said and placed her hand in his. He smiled in relief and led her to a small elegant table set for two. Similar to the school ones, the meal magically appeared before them after Blaise had brought her to her seat and pushed her chair in for her.
"This looks wonderful," she said. She truly was hungry and the smell of the food made her stomach growl with need.
He smiled as he poured some wine into her glass. "This wine is from one of our vineyards," he told her. "I hope you like it."
She took a sip and nodded, "It's very good." Rachel did enjoy its sweet taste.
They ate in awkward silence, sneaking covert glances at each other. Blaise was so happy to finally be with her face to face. He was so excited that he was forgetting all the things he had planned to say to her. Finally he said, "I've never brought anyone here before. It's always been my private retreat."
She smiled at him and replied, "I can see how you'd want to come here to be alone. It's beautiful."
"But I don't always want to be alone," he said. Those words seemed to make Rachel nervous. "Rachel, I hope you believe that I did not bring you here to seduce you."
She smiled nervously and took another sip of wine. "Yes, I understand that. I'm just not use to… well… being with someone… alone. I've never really dated much."
Blaise nodded in understanding. He already knew that piece of information, however. It very much pleased him that she had not had a boyfriend yet, more than she knew. "You can trust me," Blaise told her.
There was more awkward silence as the meal was finished and the remains disappeared from the table. Rachel had a question on the tip of her tongue for quite a while now, but she had been hesitant to ask it. Finally after a few glasses of wine, she was feeling a bit bolder. "Blaise?"
"Yes," he looked at her hopefully. He was hoping she would ask him something. He did not want to be the type of person who sat and talked about himself all evening, so he had politely waited for her to talk.
"Why haven't you… well… approached me before, if you felt so strongly? I don't believe I'm that frightening of a person. I do enjoy meeting new people," Rachel bravely asked.
"I was afraid of what you may think of me. But you know this from my diary," he answered.
"Yes, but why would you think that I wouldn't like you?" Rachel asked.
"Do you like me?" he asked in amazement.
She saw the hopeful look in his eyes and she wondered if she should have said her question in that way. "I… well… I have heard only good things about you," she said carefully. Many of the things she had heard were about how good he was in bed, but she definitely wasn't about to mention that!
"You have?" he said, pleased. He thought about this for a few moments. "But what is your opinion?"
Oh boy, Rachel thought. "Well, from what I know of you from our short acquaintance today, I would say that you're very kind, sweet and romantic."
"That's it?" Blaise asked. "Anything else?"
"Well, what do you want to know?" she said, uncomfortably.
"Do you like how I look? Do I appeal to you?" he asked, bluntly.
Rachel looked down at the table, blushing. This conversation was getting into dangerous territory. "You… are very… nice looking," she managed to say.
"Nice?" he asked. He saw how uncomfortable she was growing so he said, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be so direct."
The truth is Rachel was growing very attracted to him now that she had read his journal and discovered how passionate and romantic he was. She definitely thought he was gorgeous, but she had always felt that way. She had just never entertained any ideas about him before all this.
"It's all right Blaise," she said. "I'm sorry I don't know how to speak of such things. Not much practice I suppose," she smiled and shrugged.
"Rachel, would you like to dance with me," Blaise asked as ballroom music began to fill the air. Rachel looked around in wonder. She definitely didn't expect him to change the subject so quickly. Now he wanted to dance! She suspected that he was just as nervous as she was under his easy demeanor, except that his way of hiding it was by keeping them busy.
Blaise stood up and put his hand out to her. She placed her hand in his and watched a pleased expression dawn on his face. He helped her up and swept her into his arms, starting the waltz immediately. Rachel was surprised by his sure movements and she let him lead as she contemplated how wonderful it felt to be dancing with him. Her skin tingled where his hands touched her on her waist and her fingers enjoyed the sensation of his hair tickling her hands on his shoulders.
Soon they were smiling and laughing as they spun around the balcony, happy that the dance had broken the nervous barrier that had been between them. Faster and faster they spun and Rachel was beginning to feel a bit dizzy. She stumbled and started falling, but Blaise pulled her up to his body, holding her against his heated torso as he stopped to steady her.
"Oh, sorry!" she said, feeling like a clumsy fool.
He looked at her in amusement and replied, "I'm not."
It made her blush when she realized that he was talking about how close he was holding her and a spark of excitement lit her senses. They were both breathing hard and looking at each other and Blaise had not loosened his hold around her one bit.
Oh please just kiss me, Rachel's brain was screaming, her heart racing in excitement. But Blaise just looked at her, waiting for her to make any indication. He wanted it to be up to her as he had promised her that he did not bring her here for seduction. If she pulled away, then he would let her go easily. But if she wanted more…
Blaise waited for her slightest movement.
Her mouth fell open in a breathless manner and when her gaze fell to his lips it was all the signal Blaise needed. He brought his lips down to hers and began his slow, maddening assault on her senses.
Rachel made a small moan and tightened her hold around his neck as Blaise brought her more fully against him, deepening the kiss to a new level. His tongue caressed hers, drugging her with languid pleasure. She was relieved that he held her so tightly because her legs felt rubbery and weak as her insides pulsed with pleasure. He was so warm and strong and he smelled so good. Rachel wanted to melt right into him.
It seemed like the kiss went on forever and Rachel was lost in a world yet unexplored to her. Then they broke the kiss, their foreheads pressed together and Blaise said, "I love you, Hermione." Her brown eyes looked up into his and she backed her face away slightly. She didn't know what to say. This was all too soon for love talk on her part!
Blaise seemed to realize this and he smiled. "You do not have to say anything. I know you are just getting to know me. But I needed to say it to you so that you know how much it means to me to be with you like this. I want to be part of your life, Rachel, if you will allow it. I want you to be mine and I want to be yours." He looked at her and waited for her reaction. "Will you allow me to date you more? I would like you to get to know me and perhaps… someday… you can feel something for me…"
Rachel's senses were reeling in overdrive. She had never felt like this before! This beautiful boy was declaring his love for her and it felt so very wonderful to be in his arms. She wanted more and more of his kisses. "I would like to get to know you, Blaise, very much so." She pulled his head back down to hers and felt his smile against her lips as they began another long, deep kiss.
Standing there for quite awhile, attached at the lips, Rachel was enjoying the sensation of his hands gently caressing her back while they kissed. She became more aware of how her body was reacting to him and she felt something very needy building in her lower regions. It was maddening how her body took on a mind of its own and she shifted her feet just slightly enough to put one leg in between his, pressing her pelvis further onto to him for relief.
Blaise groaned in her mouth at her innocent move. She did not seem to know that her hip was now pressing onto his straining erection. He didn't want to push things too far with her, and he tried to shift himself out of the dangerous zone again, but she moved back once more, pressing herself against him in need. His arms tightened around her and his lust grew as her hip continued to press up against his hard member. Merlin! Did she know what she was doing to him? Automatically he bent his leg, the one which rested between hers and pressed it up against her needy core.
Rachel groaned at the contract and a new nervous flutter filled her belly as she realized that both of them were breathing very hard into each other's mouths and the kiss was becoming ever more desperate.
Suddenly Blaise broke away from her and said "No!" He held her at arms length, restraining himself from going any further. Rachel looked at him in confusion and need. Why did he have to pull away? "I will not have you thinking that I have brought you here for sex," he declared. "I want much more than that, Rachel."
Her mind was a jumble of lust and confusion. "Blaise… I… "