Chapter 53
Blaise Zabini sat in his room, the dim light from the fire casting shadows on the walls. He poured another glass of firewhisky, his movements fluid from practice. Pansy Parkinson lounged on his bed, sipping her drink with a languid grace. They were both well past the point of sobriety, their cheeks flushed and their words increasingly slurred.
"It's been a month already," Pansy slurred. "Back to the same old grind."
"Indeed," Blaise chuckled, his smile lopsided. "Some things never change."
“It’s out last year. We have to make it epic.”
"I'm hoping Draco lets me finally have sex with Hermione this year," Blaise blurted out.
Pansy stared at him, wide-eyed. "What? I thought Draco was engaged to Astoria. What day does he have?"
Blaise shook his head, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. "Engaged or not, Draco doesn't let go easily. And Hermione... she's still very much in his life."
"So, Draco is still... involved with Hermione?" Pansy asked, bewildered.
"Yes," Blaise admitted, his voice slurring. "And I want a piece of that too. It's been torture watching them, being so close yet so far. Hell, Draco doesn't even let me watch anymore."
"Draco used to let you watch?" Pansy asked, her shock evident.
Blaise nodded. "Yeah, but not anymore. I have to ask him. It's our last year, after all. It's worth a try, right?"
"Blaise, Hermione is a person, not a broom that you need to ask Draco permission to ride." Pansy set her glass down.
"It's not like any of us are saints."
"Blaise," Pansy began cautiously, "what makes you think Hermione would even want that? She's already tangled up with Draco and Astoria. Why add more to the mess?"
"Because, Pansy, sometimes you want what you can't have. And I've wanted her for so long. Watching isn't enough anymore. I need to feel it, to know what it's like to be with her. Just once.”
"You're playing a dangerous game, Blaise. What if Draco doesn't approve? What if Hermione doesn't want you?"
"Since when do you care about what Hermione wants? She will do what Draco tells her, just like the rest of us. And Draco... he'll come around."
"And what about Astoria? How does she fit into all of this?"
"Astoria is very involved with them both."
"Blaise, have you heard about Astoria? There's a rumor going around that she tortures first years. Draco should be careful with her."
"Astoria? Torturing first years? That sounds... a bit far-fetched, don't you think?"
"I don't know, Blaise. I've heard it from a few different people. They say she's cruel. Draco could be getting involved with someone even darker than he realizes."
"You really think Astoria could be like that?"
"I don't know. But Draco should be careful. I don't want to see anyone get hurt."