Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. It all belongs to JK Rowling.

Word Count: 553

Written for Are You Crazy Enough To Do It Challenge

Prompt: 104. (character) Blaise Zabini

Lauren quickly strode past the multitude of people walking by her in Times Square. She desperately needed a drink, as Jared was getting on her nerves with his constant flirting. If she didn't get some alcohol in her, she might hex him all the way to Canada.

As soon as she was inside, she rushed to the nearest open seat by the bar. "Bartender, one scotch on the rocks, please."

"Allow me to pay for that, my lovely lady." The man sitting next to her piped up.

"Look, I don't care who you are, I'll kick you where it-…" Lauren couldn't believe eyes. The man sitting next to her was her old friend, Blaise Zabini.

"Pansy?"

"Who are you talking about? I don't know any Pansy."

"Pansy, what are you doing?" Blaise caught onto her hand, preventing her from leaving.

"Let go of me. I'm not Pansy."

"Yes, you are."

"No I'm not. Let go of me, Blaise!"

"AHA! I never told you my name. I knew it! You are Pansy Parkinson."

Lauren sat back, defeated. "Fuck! Fine, I used to be Pansy. But not anymore, Pansy's dead."

"Okay… What do I call you now?"

"Lauren."

"Okay, Lauren. Can we have a chat outside?"

"Okay… Just, let me finish this." Lauren picked up the glass of scotch from the bartender and gulped it down in one shot. She handed him the money necessary and then walked out with her former friend.

"Lauren… Wow, you're so different from Pansy, I almost didn't recognize you."

"Good, that's what I was going for. Looks like I'll have to try a bit harder though."

"All I have to ask is… Why?"

"Blaise, I'm tired of the bullshit I faced through that world. I'm happy as a muggle fashion designer. So please, let me be that way."

"No, it's alright. I'll leave you alone. You probably won't see me anyways. I'm going back to Italy tomorrow. You won't hear from me after that. I'll also try and keep the others away from New York City, which probably won't be too hard. None of them really wants to come here anyways. I'm only here because I wanted to go sightseeing. I'll just tell them it's not worth it."

"Thank you, Blaise. I'd really appreciate that."

"Come on." Blaise pulled her in for a hug. "I'll get you another drink. I have an hour before I have to get back to the hotel room. Care to spend it with me… Lauren?"

"Fine… but no funny business. I'm happy without douchebags hitting on me every ten minutes."

"Wow, you really have changed. Pansy loved the attention." The wonder was clearly visible in Blaise's expression.

"Whatever, I need a drink." The two walked back inside the bar.

Lauren was happy that it had been Blaise who found her. He had always been respectful of everyone, and he understood the feeling of just wanting to be left out of the war and everything that came from it.

She felt a weight lift off her chest. A weight she didn't know she was carrying. She could now roam about New York City without worrying about her friends finding her.

That was one of the first nights Lauren went to bed with a smile on her face. She had managed to start her life anew.

I was a little saddened when this story didn't perform as well as my others, even though I felt it was quite good. But still, I decided to give it one more shot.

Please let me know what you think of this in a review. Thank you.