Summer Holiday

Chapter 40

Bronson arrived at the pier and found Blaise reading a book. The wooden planks beneath Bronson's feet creaked as he approached Blaise.

"Evening." Bronson smiled.

Blaise nodded in acknowledgment and closed his book. "Nott and Malfoy are unable to attend this evening. They're working on a group project in the library."

"Huh." Bronson responded. "So are Sophie and Cho. I wonder if it's for the same class."

Blaise spoke. "Most likely."

"Well, looks like it's just us then." Bronson sat down across from Blaise. They both fell silent as the water pushed and pulled with the light breeze. "You know, you don't have to stay if you don't want." Bronson offered. "I just wouldn't be offended if you wanted to take off."

Blaise eyed him curiously before speaking. "I've never done anything I didn't want to."

Bronson felt his stomach warm. He always took Blaise for an emotionless person. Bronson couldn't help but feel flattered. He watched as Blaise turned his head towards the lake and calmly watched the water. Bronson felt something was off.

"You alright?" Bronson asked.

Blaise turned towards him. "Yes. Fine." He forced a small smile.

"You sure?"

"Mm." Blaise nodded.

"You're lying." Bronson raised an eyebrow.

Blaise stared at him and sighed. "What gave me away?" He asked.

Bronson shrugged. "I'm a people person. I can tell when something's off."

"Well alright. I'll give you this one."

Bronson tilted his head to get a better look at Blaise. "What's on your mind?" Blaise chewed his cheek and weighed his options. "You don't have to say if you don't want." Bronson smiled.

Blaise didn't know Bronson well, but he was eager to get his feelings off his chest. It had been years since he vented to someone. "My father wrote me. My mother isn't doing well."

"Oh." Bronson changed his position. "Is she ill?"

"In a way." Blaise said. "She has some health issues regarding her mental stability. The first time The Dark Lord was around she stayed at an institution until she got better. Now that he's staying at our house, she seems to be deteriorating again."

Bronson scrunched his brows together with concern. "That's too bad." He replied genuinely.

Blaise watched Bronson. "I know what you're thinking, my parents must be horrible people for letting the Dark Lord stay at our house. They're not bad people, just scared like the rest of us."

"I never said they were bad people." Bronson said defensively.

"You don't have to. I see the way the rest of the school looks at Slytherins and their families."

"You're grouping me in with everyone else?" Bronson asked offended. "I'm dating a Slytherin. I'm pretty sure I got over that prejudice a while ago."

Blaise closed his eyes and sighed. "You're right. Sorry. I'm just worried about my mum." Blaise couldn't stop thinking about the detrimental impact this war would have on his mother's health and it was beginning to show in his own.

"You know what you need? A drink." Bronson stood up. "Come on."

"What?" Blaise scoffed. "Where are we going to get a drink?"

"Follow me." Bronson began walking back towards the castle. Blaise didn't follow. Bronson stopped and motioned for Blaise to follow with his hand. "Coming?" He asked.