Contrite Author's Note: I'm sure at least some of you understand the temporary consumption of time that comes with starting a new year at university. I hope you all will forgive me. Now that I've settled a bit, I hope to get back to posting everything for all three of my current stories. Да свидания!

Author’s Notes: Alrighty, folks. Prepare yourselves. This is the chapter that started this whole shebang. The first true image I had of the story began here. The rest was developed over weeks of thought and planning and pure evilness (and some-parts fluffiness). I hope you enjoy, cringe, cry, laugh, shout, threaten your poor phone/computer for delivering these words to you, and all around love what you read here. Any questions? You know where the review button is! Or the PM button…message…thingy… er…yeah… Enjoy!

p.s. Some of the original plot lines remain. Slughorn is potion’s teacher, Severus is Defense, and Dumbledore introduces Harry to Horcruxes, which is then revealed to Ron, Hermione, and Draco. Harry’s obsession with Draco stems from an…entirely different reason this time. If you catch my drift. *nudge, nudge*

 p.s.s. This chapter has a bit of romance, both of the slash variety and also of the normal kind. Don't like, don't read them then. 

There is Always a Choice

Chapter VII: A little bit of a bad [girl] Part 3

“Duck!”

“Ow!”

“Ha! Point for the Killer Gingers!” Ron cheers triumphantly, happily ignoring the baleful glares sent at him by the Cunning Cobras. He high-fives Charlie, who is on a break from Romania to help out with the Order plans for the winter break.

“This isn’t over, yet! We’re tied now.” Draco smirks as he brushes snow from the side of his neck where the snowball had smacked him. (Rather hard, if you asked him…) Harry grins, leaning in to kiss it better. And lick. And suck. And…well surely you get the picture.

“Ew! Not in public!” Ginny’s voice was full of laughter, however, and ruins her statement. Hermione and Pansy pop up from their respective hiding spots. The Pernicious Owls, comprised of Ginny, Hermione, Luna, and Pansy, were behind in points. They preferred watching the boys slaughter each other. Neville heaves himself up from the snow bank where he had been recovering from the twins attack and shakes his head at Greg, who is offering a helpful hand.

Gregory was a new addition to the Dover Manor (It was really the castle of Dover, but Manor was less ostentatious.) His father had brought him to the Dark Lord, intent on inducting him as the new generation of young Death Eaters. Already, Theodore Nott and Vincent Crabbe, along with Marcus Flint, Marcus Belby, Lucian Bole, and a score of others were being marked. He had, surprisingly, got away from the previously-thought-to-be-abandoned Warkworth Castle before he could step into the throne room and had contacted Draco for sanctuary.

That had been a week ago, and he was now in the custody of the Malfoys, as was Pansy since the end of fifth year when her father attempted to do the same to save being punished for his failure at the ministry.

“Mum says dinner is ready in ten!” Bill calls from where he stands on the edge of the courtyard, bundled up in thick winter robes. At his side, Fleur Delacour stands smiling fondly at the younger wizards and witches. They were to be married in spring, Merlin willing. She knew Molly would warm up to her eventually.

“Come on, we’ll resume tomorrow.” Charlie says as he claps his little brother on the back. They walk ahead of the others.

“Charlie?”

“Yeah, Ron?” He hadn’t seen much of his little brother ever since he left Hogwarts, but the boy seemed to be growing up well. Tall and lanky, like Percy, but with a lot of heart and loyalty. Completely opposite to the great prat.

“How do you get a girl to say yes to a date?” The tips of Ron’s ears were pinkening as Charlie withheld a chuckle.

“Keep asking her until she says yes?”

“Tried that.” He replies despondently. Charlie ruffles the mop of ginger hair.

“Try going out of your way to do things for her. Open doors, pull out chairs, all that jazz. Actively participate in things she enjoys. Like studying and knitting for misunderstood house-elves.” He couldn’t withhold his guffaw as his brother turns to him, spluttering in denial with a completely maroon face.

“Bro, don’t even try. Just think about it and give what I said a try. She’ll say yes eventually.” He chuckles as he steps through the door, leaving his little bro to gape at him in the snow.

Over dinner, which was a loud, cluttered, and very cheerful affair, the conversation turns towards the most recent of the close-to-home Death Eater attacks, again on Hogsmeade. Harry and Draco perk up from their whispered conversation over treacle tart as the attention turns to them, what with them being the leaders of the student defense. Draco preens slightly under the attention, much to the amusement of the others.

“It was a quick offense; they appeared in pairs on each street corner and in front of every store. At least forty of them.” Harry begins. Albus, from his seat beside Hagrid, listens attentively. He was informed of the D.A.’s progress, but it was always helpful to hear it firsthand.

“Thankfully, we’ve organized the D.A. for such an event. They’ve shaped up quickly, and are advancing proficiently in their defense skills. For every mass-venture out of the castle, everyone stays in groups of three to four, wands in arm or thigh holsters. No exceptions.” Draco pauses, and looks to Neville to explain. They had been working on the boy’s confidence skills, hoping to improve his spell work. Said boy gulps slightly but straightens his shoulders and begins to outline their strategy.

“One of our plans is to quickly gather the outer-edges of the main force of attackers and circle them in, blasting the ground so that they are blinded and occasionally incapacitated from the rubble. This also lowers chances of hitting allies on the other side of the circle with our spells. We were able to employ this with half of the death eaters there, using a force of fourth and sixth years. In the confusion and panic of being surrounded, the enemy was dispatched within minutes.”

“Our other strategy that we used for this attack is divide and conquer. Our groups split into pairs, and each pair sought out a single enemy. While one engaged in a seemingly weak duel, the other waited until the opportune moment and took the death eater down from behind.” Ginny finishes, smiling with pride at her almost-boyfriend. Hermione had let slip that he wanted to ask her after Christmas. She crossed her fingers in her lap.

“Those are astounding ideas, good job you guys.” James praises ahead of the others. Kingsley sets his own cutlery down to get the boys’ attention.

“How is the training going with the D.A.?” He inquires.

“Excellent! Tallie gave us the idea for our schedule and its working perfectly. We get to work equally with each section of the army, and we’ve moved on from defense spells to offense. For fifth years and up, we’re studying the darker hexes, charms, curses, etc. The under years are getting concentrated lessons in healing and advanced warding magic since the older years have a mandatory class for both of those things. It’s fascinating.” Hermione says breathlessly, flushing slightly when Ron smiles warmly at her and offers her some of his gypsy tart.

“Do you think it wise, to teach the darker arts?” Tonks questions, her hair a bright gold for the holidays. She looked especially pixie like this week and Charlie didn’t seem able to take his eyes away.

“If one can understand what they are going up against, one can better protect themselves from it. Correct, Professor Snape?” Draco responds. A few heads turn to the silent Potion’s Master, whose eyes rise from his empty plate with a spark of surprise. A few seconds later, he scowls and nods shortly.

“Correct, Draco. You cannot effectively protect yourself from an attack of unknown origins.”

“I must agree with you there, Snape. I’ve always said you should have a course for the Dark Arts at Hogwarts, Albus.” Moody growls, drinking deeply from his hipflask. Albus looks thoughtful, but firm.

“Both of your arguments, and that of many others, are sound, Alastor. But in these times, it is most unwise to introduce it. Perhaps, when times are brighter, safer, it may be conducive to do so.” He concedes. Both men nod sharply and return to the meal.

“Sirius, James, have the aurors made any headway in finding Madame Rosmerta?” Narcissa asks quietly. The two men sat with their spouses beside them across the table, with Lucius and Severus beside her.

“No, unfortunately not. We haven’t figured out why they took her either. The only motive we could come up with for Voldemort wanting Rosie is to make them amazing food and drink. The Three Broomsticks has had to close down, too. Her nephew is too distraught to run it right now.” Sirius sighs, pushing away his plate. He hadn’t had much of an appetite as it was, with the very noticeable missing person at the table. Remus, sensing his mate’s unease and heartache, rubs his palm over his shoulder slowly, sending as much love and warmth as he could through their bond. Both look to their right to see the empty chair, set in hopes that Tallie might appear.

Draco and Harry look up as if they feel the sudden tension from their parents. Emerald and grey alight on the empty chair and their expressions harden to hide their overwhelming need to cry, shout, rail, at the unfairness that their best friend was not there. Hands clench tightly around each other’s as they breathe slowly to force away the traitorous liquid.

“I’m sure she’s happy, wherever she is.” Ginny says quietly to the suddenly quiet table. All eyes are on the chair now. Lily scrunches up her eyes, letting her long hair fall into her face to hide the leaking tears. Her goddaughter wasn’t spending Christmas with them and it was entirely unfair!

“She always spends Christmas with us, no matter what. It’s a tradition.” Draco responds stiffly. The blow Tallie had delivered when she had told them of her other plans had been vast. It hurt still.

The couple waited until dinner was over and cleaned up to discuss this yet again. They were sharing a room with each other, after much reasoning and pleading. Their relationship was getting a bit heavy and they didn’t want to scar any of their roommates with anything they might see. Draco manages to crack a smile as he recalls Neville and Ron’s green faces after that comment had been delivered.  Their room had been assigned promptly afterwards.

“What does Zabini have that we don’t?” Harry snarls suddenly, chucking his robes violently at the laundry basket, his face screwed up with anger and his eyes flashing dangerously. Draco pulls off his own robes, watching as his boyfriend takes his anger out on his apparel.

“He knows what’s going on.” Draco finally says when Harry is close to ripping one of his toes off while taking off a sock. Harry slumps dejectedly onto their shared bed (what? It got cold in the castle!) with a sigh.

“What is going on?” Harry muses. Draco saunters over to his lover, clad only in his silk pants, and stretches out luxuriously next to him.

“Something I’m sure Tallie felt we needed to be protected from.” He responds as he runs his hand over the Gryffindor’s bare chest. It was lissome with a touch of a four-pack from Quidditch and training. And golden. Merlin, Draco loved gold.

“Draco” Harry’s breath hitches as his lover’s fingertips trail suggestively along his hip bone. He was clad in red plaid pajama bottoms and it became very obvious very quickly how much he enjoyed the stirring ministrations.

“I love you, you know that?” Draco whispers, suckling on the side of Harry’s chest, licking it with sultry strokes to ease the slight sting. Harry arches upwards with a breathy moan, turning his body towards Draco’s and enveloping him in his arms. Draco smirks down at the writhing boy and thrusts his hips just so.  

“Merlin!” Harry groans as he clenches his fingers on his boyfriend’s hips and moves him with more urgency.

“Just Draco is fine.” Harry snarls and nips sharply at the pink buds on Draco’s chest, causing the older male to choke slightly and grip the black-hair that he loved to touch.

“Harry…I can’t wait…ne-need you.” Draco stutters as he feels his belly tightening. Their movements cease abruptly as Harry stares up at him in shock and nervousness.

“Are you sure?”

“Do it before I do it myself!” Harry chuckles at the blonde’s impatience. It wasn’t as if they were inexperienced, but this was Draco. His oldest friend next to Tallie, his boyfriend. This next step would be…monumental. And he definitely did not want to mess up.

“I’ll grab the marshmallow flavoured one while you get ready.” Harry says as he jumps to his feet, depositing Draco with an ‘Oomph!’ onto the bed. Draco’s loving chuckle follows him into the bathroom.

My Christmas just got so much better. Draco thought happily as he pulls off his remaining clothes and lies back onto the silk pillows.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Her bedclothes were twisted around her hips, her legs splayed as her fingers clawed into the woolen coverlet wrapped around her shoulders. Sweat shone on her neck and under her shirt, trickling from her temples. Her teeth were bared, cries sounding low in her throat as emotions— sensations— scents wash over her, bringing such contrasting feelings into being that the cries were both impassioned and agonized.

Pale skin pressing against golden, all lithe and lean muscles and angles. A dark head thrown back with a guttural scream as his body spasms. Another, white-golden head pink with desire and exertion, head sinking onto the black pillow as the last of the climax left them both. Tender smiles, breathless pants, heaving chests, joined bodies. Rosy lips, swollen from fierce kisses, pressing softly to sweaty eyelids reverently, before moving in three little words, over and over. I love you. I love you. I love you.

Pale, pink lips quirking upwards, still breathing harshly, looking ravishing on the black silk sheets. Meeting the rosy lips in such a sweet kiss that sugar is jealous, so soft that all sheep are affronted, so beautiful that the moon and the autumn landscape weep.

Tallie awakens with the tears of the moon and the autumn upon her face, gasping for breath as her body calms from what she had just experienced.

“Are you awake, now, dear?” A soft, patrician voice lilts in the darkness of her room. More accurately named a suite. There were doors to the left of the entrance that led to an ornate bathroom with a marble tub and an elaborate shower; a simple study with full bookcases and a stocked desk, and a small balcony, cozy enough to sit on for tea in the early hours of the morning. The main room was open to the eye, with a four poster bed wreathed in gold and silver palates in the middle and other bedroom sundries situated about the room, leaving it spacious and regal.

“Belladonna?” Her voice cut off halfway, her throat too raw to speak. A soft palm presses against her forehead, displacing several drops of sweat. Then her senses awake fully and she can smell and feel the woman sitting beside her on the bed, scent musky from recent sleep. Though completely dark, the woman’s blue eyes shone like a cat in the night.

“It is I, child. Come, sit up.” With her words, the room was semi-lit up lamps on the walls. Belladonna was in a thick woolen night robe, a subtle blue colour that looked extremely comfortable.

“What’s happening?” Tallie whispers, groaning as her entire body complained any movement of any kind. In fact, breathing sort of hurt right now.

“I once had a lover, when I was much younger, that was a werewolf. He had a soul mate that he could not yet claim, as they were rather promiscuous. He suffered from every encounter, as you are now.” Belladonna spoke briskly, but after a week in her presence Tallie had come to understand that brisk meant concern.

“I…I don’t understand.” She says lamely, gasping as she finally pulled herself upright. Belladonna places her hand on her arm to steady her and removes her other from her forehead to hand her a glass of water.

“An incomplete soul mate bond is a bond nevertheless. It still grows. You are aware of what the bond is and what it entails, I’m sure?” At Tallie’s confused nod, she continues. “Before the bond is completed, it can occasionally send feelings, images even, through the bond to the other. If it is of a sexual nature, especially when the non-were mate is copulating with another, it can send the pleasure of the act. But pain is also felt because of that act, as it is not with you, the intended. It can be rather difficult to process.” She holds open her arms as the young witch’s eyes fill with tears.

“This is too much.” She whispers as she lets herself be pulled into Belladonna’s embrace, sagging lifelessly against her bosom. The Zabini matriarch combs her fingers through the girl’s extraordinary hair to comfort her.

“This year is not the best for you, I agree. Have you thought of what will happen when your mission is complete?” Belladonna queries gently. It was something that must be brought up.

“You mean when I betray everyone I’ve ever loved and publicly work for the dark side? I try not to.” The girl was like a stiff board in her arms, but she held on anyway. She would need the support eventually.

“Talianna, you know what I speak of. Your mates’ reaction to your pseudo-betrayal.”

“Of course I have thought of it. I do so when I feel I haven’t cried recently.” She swatted at the young Slytherin’s arm for her insolence and stayed silent until she replied seriously. “I have, Belladonna. It scares me, knowing what they can do. If I ever see them face to face again, they could reject me. And then…” She trails off as Belladonna shushes her gently, not wanting such words to be said aloud.

“I do not think it would come to such extreme measures, but if it does, Blaise and I shall be here to help you in any way you can.” The girl straightens suddenly, a grateful smile gracing her face.

“There is something I need your assistance with, Belladonna.” At the elder witch’s nod, she explains her recent musings and ideas, even grabbing her notes from bedside drawer to show her. It was quite a long time later, maybe a few hours, that Belladonna was fully informed.

“Oh my” Was her only coherent reply. Her eyes took in this small girl, this powerful witch, with new measure and respect. Tallie was rubbing her eyes to get rid of the sleep and nodding eagerly.

“It’s farfetched, I admit it honestly. But I think it could work. I know it could. Blaise is behind me fully, but I don’t dare tell Severus until after the mission is finished. He’d kill me and then have to hide my body somewhere in the castle.”

“Why tell me, then? What if I think it equally foolish and lethal?” She received a careful smirk and a raised brow for her comment. This child acted as an adult sometimes. It was unnerving.

“You have a taste for exotic, Belladonna. And you want vengeance for what Voldemort and Bellatrix did to Blaise. I can give you both with this if you return it with your help.” Belladonna smiles conspiratorially and places her fingers over Talianna’s.

“I would have been overjoyed to welcome you as a daughter-in-law, Talianna. But you are part of the Zabini family in other ways, regardless of the lack of blood/marriage-connections.” Tallie smiles and kisses her cheek in acceptance.

“Before you go back to sleep, Talianna, I have some advice for you. When you feel your mates begin to couple, focus on the love aspects of it, instead of the lust. Part of their love is for you, even if they’re unconscious of it. It will ease the pain you feel and keep you from such negative effects.” Belladonna cautions, tucking the witch back in. Tallie murmurs in understanding before the lights sputter out and her mother-in-all-but-blood leaves the room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Come on, let’s try it again!”

“No! The last time you pushed hurt!”

“It was one little push.”

“No” Blaise sighs and rubs the back of his neck to ease the tension. Beside him, Tallie was bundled up tightly in heavy-duty snow robes with very fetching dragon hide boots. Behind her, and over the ski lift, one could just spy the Val di Fassa ski resort where they were staying for the rest of Christmas Day to enjoy the slopes and nonjudgmental civilization.

“You can ski; I’ve seen you on the bunny slopes.”

“Yes, and then you pushed me you great oaf.” Came the snarling reply. Blaise groans but relents, falling back to sprawl in the snow; his ski poles clattering beside him. Tallie grins triumphantly and sits cross-legged by his side, brushing away bits of stray snow before it could melt into his cloak.

“My mother told me what happened last night.” Wow, great going Blaise. Six years in Slytherin has definitely paid off. You have the ability to speak Gryffindor now! Her expression had already hardened before he finished speaking. Both of them purse their lips at the same time before she drops her tough act and slouches wearily.

“And?”

“I want the honest answer of how you are holding up?” He replies, his self-preservation instincts having said ‘See ya later, loser!’ before he had opened his mouth. She sighs and reclines until she’s using his splayed arm as a pillow. Her usually free hair is braided tightly into a bun and tucked under a snow cap; he could feel the bump on his elbow.

“I feel as if I’ve been sucker punched by a hippogriff. And then I feel like smiling because my mates are happy and I can revel in that. And then it hurts again when I realize that I had no part whatsoever in that happiness.”

“Excuse my crassness, but that sucks.”

“Tell me about it.” She snorts, turning to snuggle into his side. He wraps his arms more securely around her and holds her close, sharing his warmth. The were-girl shivers and mumbles a soft thank-you.

“Hey! This is not a site for crazy-animal-teenage-sex! Get!” Both magical students jump to their feet, wands halfway out of their sleeves when the words register. The middle-aged ski operator, on his morning jog, scowls as the two teens fall back to the snow howling with laughter and clutching their midriffs.

“I said get!”

“Okay, we’re getting. We’re getting.” Blaise chortles as he hauls Tallie back up and they stagger to the waiting lift port, waiting for their breathing to return to normal.

It wasn’t until lunch time, and after they had opened their presents with Belladonna, that Blaise mentioned the incident.

“Maybe you should too.” Blaise murmurs after taking a sip of deliciously thick hot cocoa. He and Tallie were lounging in front of the hearth in the lobby, watching the other guests meander about.

“Pardon?” Tallie looks up from her reading, a book about old were legends and myths that Belladonna had gifted her. She looks far too fetching with rosy cheeks and a slight Rudolph nose. Her mug of hot cocoa sits empty beside her feet where it rests on the coffee table.

“Maybe you should find some of that happiness too.” Blaise repeats, not backing down as her eyes pin him to his seat in their sudden intensity.

“How would that benefit me?”

“It might ease your pain, and take away some of your dependency on them.” With a flash, she was standing before him, her eyes flashing silver as her face blurred from girl to wolf and back again.

“How dare you say such a thing to me! You do not understand the complexities of such a bond, how could you? Your only interest is in getting me into your bed, Blaise. I cannot believe…how could you insinuate…such a thing in my life…” She was nearly spitting with rage, but somehow her tirade had been conducted in a harsh whisper that nonetheless left Blaise shaken as she straightens up with a cold grace and stalks away, presumably back to their rooms. Blaise stares after her, his mouth slightly open from shock.

“Bad luck, amico.” His head swivels to see that another guest had wandered over, holding a cup of some hot beverage, and watching the young Slytherin with commiseration.

“Pardon?”

“Your girl, she is rather focoso, no?” Blaise blinks slowly, his brain refusing to connect with his second language. The man, who was probably in his late twenties, took further pity upon the teen and translated. “Feisty, spirited, hot-headed?”

“Oh! Sì, lei è molto focoso.” He responds. The man now returns the stunned blinking before grinning.

“Ah, a hidden brother. My name is Ricardo Costa.” He holds out his hand, which Blaise shakes.

“Blaise Zabini. Please, have a seat.” Blaise sits up, returning to his proper etiquette. The man, with rather common brunette colouring and green eyes, smiles warmly and sets his mug on the table as he settles into Tallie’s old seat.

“A pleasure, young friend. Now, if I may, I would like to give you some advice.” Blaise, only raising a single brow to show his wariness, nods in acceptance.

“Whatever you said to the lady obviously set her onto her high horse, yes?” Another nod. “What should you do now?”

“Lock my doors and sleep with a panic button under my pillow?” Blaise replies quite seriously. The man barks out a laugh before nodding his head in agreement.

“Give her an hour or two to cool off before going to her bearing her favorite melt-worthy gifts and asking to talk it out. If that doesn’t work, then yes the locks and panic button will be necessary.” Blaise chuckles, his previously heavy heart lightening slightly.

“You don’t know her.”

“No, but those are the general guidelines when attempting to appease an angered woman.”

“I must concede to that, my friend.” Blaise sighs, staring moodily into the fire for a second before looking up again. “Thank you”

Ricardo grins and throws back the last of his drink before standing up. “Someone’s got to save the future of romance.” With a wink the elder Italian saunters over to the elevators. Blaise watches him go before sitting back to stare into the fire with pensiveness.

Later, after dinner, Blaise is pacing his room. Tallie had not come to dinner, and his mother had had the kindness to not pester him about both that and his quiet visage. On Blaise’s bed, which was a queen-sized, oak-framed, woolen-blanketed piece of heaven, sat several scrounged chocolate frogs and a little wolf carving he had bartered for in town before dinner. He had really liked that watch too. Not having muggle money on hand was a drawback sometimes. But the carving was so lifelike, head tilted back as if howling to the moon, every hair on its pelt detailed and the eyes almost seemed to be looking sentiently at you.

With a sigh of finality, Blaise scoops up the treats and the precious figurine and heads to his door.

There is a knock before he can touch the knob, and he opens it quickly, not wanting to waste too much time dilly-dallying. Again, his comportment flees his brain as his mouth drops open in shock. “Tallie?” Said girl was looking flushed, her eyes downcast and her foot scuffing the beautifully done wooden floors.

“May I come in?” Blaise steps back and opens the door some more, letting her slip in. He closes it behind him, flicking his wrist to slide his wand into his hand from his holster. With another flick, the fireplace comes to life with a cheery blaze.

“I was just about to come see you.” He blurts as he takes in Tallie fidgeting awkwardly in front of the hearth, her back to him. Her head tilts slightly.

“How funny. Blaise, can we sit and talk?”

“Yes, of course.” He settles himself quickly onto the sheepskin pelt-rug before the hearth, setting his retribution gifts beside him. Tallie lowers herself as soon as he’s settled, crossing her legs and linking her elbows around her knees.

They lock eyes for a very long, very uncomfortable minute before both speaking at once.

“I’m sorry—”

“What I said was—” Both pause, blushing slightly. Blaise picks up the gifts again and holds them out to her. “What I said was way out of line. I’m sorry, Tallie.” He wasn’t going to say he hadn’t meant it, because he did and he didn’t want to lie to her. She smiles, pleasantly surprised, and accepts them with a moan of appreciation over the sweets and takes a good three minutes exclaiming over the wolf.

“Oh Blaise, you didn’t have to go to such trouble. I overreacted to your words because they were true. I apologize with the greatest sincerity.” She sets it on the trunk a few feet away, sitting at the end of the bed. Her hand is then linking with his, holding on tightly to convey her thanks and gratitude. Blaise smiles happily at the silver-haired witch, relieved to have made amends.

“Everything is forgiven.” He intones. She sighs, clearly relieved as well, before fidgeting once more and biting her lip worriedly.

“I’m just going to say this. Because hinting around it and beating around the bush will take forever and I’ll lose whatever vestiges of courage I had left. And then I won’t get what I need to say off my mind and everything will just— mmpphh!” A hand covers her mouth gently, pink lips twitching with barely withheld mirth. Her chocolate brown eyes narrow but nod to show she was done with her rambling. As soon as the hand was away, she stated clearly what was on her mind.

“I want to have sex with you, Blaise.”

“Ow!”

“What’dya pinch yourself for?” Tallie exclaims, startled from the boys sudden shout of pain. The dark-skinned Italian teen was still gaping at her, his fingers still lingering over his abused forearm.

“What do you think? I say the same thing not five hours ago and nearly get my head bit off for it!”

“Yes, but when I calmed down and thought about it, I realized that you were right. Blaise, I deserve happiness. They have each other, and they don’t n-need me.” Her throat closes slightly but she plows on. “And I know that we can never be in a relationship, but I would be honoured to have you as a lover.” At Blaise’s continued look of stupefaction, she smirks and winks lasciviously at the poor boy. “Besides, I’ve always enjoyed Italian.” Blaise coughs suddenly, before a small grin begins to grow on his face.

“Oh now, how can I deny you that pleasure?” He pauses and a serious expression slips onto his face. “Is this really happening? Are you prepared for this?” She flushes but pulls out her wand, waving it quickly across her pelvis and lower abdomen, muttering quickly. Blaise flushes deeply, suddenly feeling as if he were sitting in the fire instead of beside it when a red glow encompasses the now-protected parts of her body.

“Right now?” His voice is nothing more than a squeak and he is forced to clear it again before facing his best friend’s steady gaze.

“Why wait? Blaise, I want… I want to. I want to know this one paradise that can’t be taken from me. Who knows, I may piss of Voldemort so badly he’ll really give me to Fenrir Greyback or some equally disgusting monster. Or…or Harry and Draco will reject me and I will never know this one simple pleasure. I trust you, Blaise. I trust you and I love you as much as I can without it being like my love for my mates. You have saved my life, and that of one of my mates at the cost of your own. You have sacrificed much of your happiness and safety for me. You have done so much, Blaise. So much. Let me give this to you.” She draws in a deep breath, not having expected that little spiel to pour forth. Her friend is staring star-struck at her. She cups his face and leans close enough to brush her lips with his. “I want you, Blaise Zabini. Do you want me too?”

Without warning, hands are gripping her upper arms with surprising strength besides the obvious shaking in them. Blaise’s beautiful blue eyes are…well they are blazing into her own and his mouth descends upon her with such passion that her breath promptly leaves her body.

“Of course I want you. Gods, Tallie, yes I accept you as my lover. I accept anything you offer.” Blaise says throatily as he presses kiss after feverish kiss to her lips and cheeks and neck and collarbone. She sucks in a large breath and grips the shoulders of his robes, concentrating on the faint shiver of magic within her body, thrumming beneath her skin.

Blaise yelps as they are suddenly bereft of their over-clothes, clad only in their undergarments. She raises an amused brow at his cauldron-patterned boxers, causing him to glare playfully. Though he was having a hard time keeping it while staring lustfully at her (admittedly only) pair of lace underwear and bra, in a simple honey colour. His hands seem to lose their tremors as he takes in her exposed body before lifting his eyes to hers.

“Are you sure?” She nods slowly, her mouth slightly parted as the desire, the want, the lust goes up another notch in the face of this actually happening. At her nod, Blaise wraps one hand around her waist while the other grasps her shoulder blade, lowering her to the warm woolen rug beneath them, already kissing her silly as the light of the flames washes over their bare skin.