𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒 𝐀𝐒 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒

chapter 5

Chapter Five -

"I can walk by myself, you know," Harry stated wryly as he and Blaise, followed by Ron and Hermione, headed to some room in the dungeons of the school. He could tell that Blaise wasn't going to reveal their hideaway in the kitchens and for that he was thankful.

"I know that," Blaise replied, but made no move to release Harry from his clutches. Harry pouted up at him.

They eventually entered an abandoned classroom not far from the Slytherin Common Room. Torches sprang to life as Blaise and Harry stepped foot in the room, glowing flickers of light illuminating the craggy stone walls. Several desks were stacked up against the far wall, the chairs tucked underneath in neat rows. Blaise immediately took out his wand and vanished the light film of dust coating every surface and refreshed the damp air with a quiet mutter.

Harry grinned when, a moment later, a perfect replica of their settee in the kitchens sat in front of him. He threw himself on it with a laugh, delighted that he'd have a familiar comfort during the coming tête-à-tête.

Blaise chuckled at him almost inaudibly, moving to his normal seat on the right side of the sofa, his left arm resting along the top of the backrest. After a nudge from Harry, he also transfigured one of the desks into an overstuffed loveseat and levitated it across from them.

Ron and Hermione stood in the doorway, eyeing the simple set-up. Harry saw the reluctance in their features; it was obvious they were uncomfortable being so far into Slytherin territory. He trusted Blaise, though. He obviously had a reason for bringing them so far away from the heavy traffic of central Hogwarts.

As if reading his mind, Blaise spoke quietly in an attempt to quell Ron and Hermione's nervousness. "This part of the castle has additional wards," he said. "It's steeped in old magic that prevents eavesdropping charms from taking root."

Harry's eyebrows rose in unison with his friends'. He could see why that would be useful, very useful-and very Slytherin.

"It's not foolproof, of course, but certain parts of the runic equations in most listening spells are nearly identical. The wards, which are embedded in the walls, lock onto those equations and break them, disrupting the spells."

The two Gryffindors seemed to shrug, their aversion to their rival house overridden by their desire to speak to Harry. They took a seat across from Harry and his dark companion, eyeing the two with no small amount of curiosity and trepidation.

Blaise saw that neither Harry nor his friends were willing to start the inevitable conversation-stubborn Gryffindors, he sighed to himself-and so broke the tense silence himself. "What questions did you wish Harry to answer?" he asked. Though his words were soft, his deep voice carried them easily to Harry's friend's ears.

Ron looked indignant that Blaise had the gall to question them, and he scowled heavily at the Slytherin's hulking figure. Harry had to suppress a smile at the way that Blaise returned his look: with complete boredom. Hermione merely took the opportunity presented to her.

"Why have you been avoiding us, Harry?"

Harry sighed. Of course Hermione would ask the most difficult question right off the bat. He supposed that it wasn't actually all that hard to answer-he wanted time alone, and eventually, he wanted to spend his free time with Blaise-but he wasn't sure the answer would satisfy his friends.