Resorted

Chapter Sixty-Four

It was exceptionally lonely right now in the Slytherin Dungeons. It was the day before Christmas, and Blaise was restless. However, that's how he's been ever since the holidays began. He and Octavia have talked a lot more, with Blaise deciding to give her a chance, considering they are family and family comes first.

Walking to the kitchens in long strides, Blaise was thankful that Harry showed him and how to enter it. Tickling a pear? What an idiot and ludicrous way to enter a place, and how someone found that entrance still baffles him. Entering the kitchens, he was swarmed by House-Elves asking him if he wanted anything he quickly and harshly brushed off, ordering them away. When Dobby walked up to him in his odd socks and a very weird hat Blaise goofily smiled at the clueless creature. "How is Mister Blaise doing?"

"I'm good, Dobby..." He still didn't know how to talk to a House-elf like Dobby. Ones that served in the kitchens, he knew how to address. House-Elves are a race of creatures who like to serve. That didn't mean he agreed with how people treat them like training dummies or less than them. One's like Dobby- who want to be freed and not serve under anyone- should be freed, but House-Elves enjoy serving masters. "Erm- how's Winky?"

The House-Elf shook his head and let his long ears droop, "She is doing bad, Mister Blaise still." He went to continue, "Winky is missing old master, but Dobby is tellings her she is freed!" 

Deciding to crouch down- even if the floor incredibly dirty- he talked to Dobby in a patient and clear voice (something he doesn't normally have- patience), "Dobby, some House-Elves don't like the idea of freedom."

"But Mister Blaise!"

"Dobby, it's like when a dog is bred and trained to be a house pet. The idea of being independent, having to fend for themselves, they don't like, because they've always been taught that they were a house pet." He tried explaining to the creature. Dobby disagreed and expressed his opinion to which Blaise ignored in favour of turning to the noise from the door. 

"Brother." Octavia greeted, closing the door behind her. By now, Dobby had scurried off or apparated away (if he was honest, Blaise didn't care what the elf did). Walking over to his sister, Blaise hugged her and was still surprised they were nearly the same height. "How are you?"

"I've been better, Tay." He sighed, walking in synch with her to a table in the back corner. Grimacing, Octavia took out her phoenix feather wand to cast a silent cleaning charm. Happily, joyful, reminiscent, they sat down at the table and Octavia ordered a House-Elf to get some light food for them both. "So, how has school been?"

Awkwardly, Blaise coughed into his hand then smoothed the napkin on his lap over, "The first four years were mundane..."

"Then Potter arrived?" She raised an eyebrow over a wine glass she held, and brought it to her dark lips. Nodding, Blaise chuckled as he picked up his cutlery to eat the salad with a very large array of vegetables and some seasoned chicken. "Exactly," He started, "But without him, Pansy, Draco and I would have stayed cowards for the rest of our lives."

"And you wouldn't have a way in with Longbottom." She added, smirking as Blaise spluttered his drink.

"I do not-"

"Yes you do."

"No, I-"

"Yes, Mister Zucchini, you do!" She emphasised the mispronunciation of his name.

Defending himself, Blaise laid down the cutlery to fold his arms and cross one leg over the other, "Well how do you know? You have only been at this school for two weeks."

"Two weeks is enough time to know you're acting like a love-sick puppy, brother." She laughed at his bright cheeks and Blaise grumbled out an insult that would barely class as Troll in OWLs. "He obviously likes you back, so why are you two not together? You don't have the pressure of an arranged marriage anymore, you're free."

"I don't feel like I'm ready." He huffed, swirling his fork around his plate. Without a reply, Blaise looked up to see encouraging and curious eyes, "I slept around a lot, before last year... Then, this girl I really liked cheated on me with her best friend. And it," Sighing, Blaise took a deep breathe, "And it really hurt. She was the first person I ever tried to properly date, and she hurt me."

"Do you think Longbottom is like that?" Prompted Octavia

"Well no-"

"Then go out with him!" She exclaimed, "Blaise, you're never going to be ready if you don't try. This girl hurt you. She gave you your first experience in romantic heart break. But unless you try, you're never going to know if you're ready."

Keeping that in mind, Blaise woke up in the morning with an extra spring in his already energetic, extraordinary steps. His first course of action would be talking to Huckabee and clearing the air between them. He found Marcus sitting in the common room with some sort of device in his hands. It was flashing colours and there was some writing on the screen, but nothing like the writing they did: it was squarer. On the weird device, there were buttons in the shape of a cross and some others. "Hey Marcus..." Blaise greeted.

"Hey..." He said back, but was still perplexed by the muggle contraption in his hands.

"What is that?" Asked Blaise, momentarily forgetting why he was talking to Huckabee in the first place.

"No idea..." He pressed a button and the screen went black making him jump, "My muggleborn friends got it for me..." He shrugged, throwing it down on the couch, "What'd you need me for?"

"Well, about what went on between us-"

"Blaise, I've moved on..."

Surprised, Blaise furrowed his eyebrows and went to talk again, "I'm sorry," Marcus interrupted. Smiling sadly at Blaise, Marcus walked off to his room. That went a lot better than expected... He thought.

Entering Gryffindor tower, Blaise smiled seeing Neville huddled up in a blanket in front of the Gryffindor fire. It was too red, but Blaise decided he could handle it as he ignored the venomous vermillion colours for the boy in the room. "Hey" he smiled, stuffing his hands in his pockets and walking further into the room.

Neville blushed, reaching a hand out hoping Blaise would join him. Giving a dopy look, Blaise walked over and lifted the blanket for him to join Neville. He lifted an arm over Neville's shoulder and (not seeing Neville bright, bright red) the black-haired boy slowly moved closer to the warmth. Tentatively, slowly, nervously, Blaise lowered his arm, squeezing Neville's shoulder. "So... How are you?" Neville's squeaky, small voice asked. Smiling, Blaise answered and they didn't move from that space for hours. 

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One more Holiday to go and then we're in the clear!! (Well, for Holidays anyways, let's not forget that Angst exists :) )

Stay safe and I hope you enjoyed xx

I love it xD