CLOUDGAZING - blaise zabini

two

"What. The. Hell." Aurora said the minute they left the charms room. "You just single handedly ruined my social life and my self-esteem."

"Don't be dramatic, that was the most interesting charms class we've had since that time Padma Patil started crying because Flitwick wouldn't let her use the toilet," Jasmine laughed.

"She's never going to live that down," Aurora smirked, already letting the note incident go.

"By the way, what'd Blaise write on the note?" Jasmine wondered.

"He basically agreed with you about his level of attractiveness in the most Slytherin way possible."

"That man is honestly a blessing from Godric," Jasmine laughed.

"Oh, please don't tell me you like him now," Aurora said.

"No, I don't. But that doesn't mean I can't appreciate his enticing blend of humor, attractiveness, and slyness."

"Fine, but never use the word 'enticing' in that context again," Aurora spoke, "Okay, I've got advanced divination, so I'll see you at lunch okay?"

"Sounds good." The two girls parted ways, Jasmine going down a staircase to get to alchemy, Aurora going up one to get to divination. Aurora always enjoyed the walk to Divination class because she got to walk through some of the most peaceful parts of the castle. Though she had a passion for being loud and cracking jokes, she appreciated the quiet moments too.

As she strode through the corridors, a silvery mid-morning light slid through the towering windows of the castle, creating an almost ethereal glow. By the time she reached the divination staircase, she felt refreshed and renewed, all the tension from the stressful but entertaining charms class rolling off her shoulders. A pungent smell of lavender and sage filled Aurora's senses when she stepped into the dimly lit room. In the center of the space, Trelawney was gathered with several students, seemingly telling some sort of far-fetched story already.

"Hello dear, please join us," Trelawney called upon seeing Aurora. "Don't take a seat yet, we'll be choosing partners once everyone arrives." Aurora nodded and stood on the perimeter of the circular floor. Now that Jasmine wasn't with her, her confidence dimmed a little. Students filled the space quickly, and Aurora was already focused on trying to decide who her partner might be.

"Okay, I see that everyone is present!" Trelawney squeaked. "I'd like everyone to find a partner to work with for the day."

Oh god, Aurora thought, I've already had one awkward social interaction today. I can't handle another. She scanned the room again, looking for someone that she was at least mildly acquainted with.

But, none other than Blaise Zabini was already walking her way. Aurora was caught between relief at having someone to partner up with and panic at having more interactions with Zabini.

Blaise already had a smirk on his face. When he reached Aurora, he said, "I figure since you and your friend think I'm hot, you won't mind being my partner for the day."

"Hey, I never said that you were hot-- it was all Jasmine," Aurora defended herself, putting up her arms in front of her.

"Doesn't answer my question." Blaise responded.

"What was your question?" Aurora raised her eyebrows.

Blaise sighed a little and looked off to the side. "Do. you. want. to. be. my. partner."

"Sure, why not," Aurora shrugged, trying her best to be nonchalant. Blaise and Aurora started off towards a small, round table that had a crystal ball in the center. Naturally, their table was located in the back. They sat down, not making eye contact because, well, they didn't have to.

"Today," Trelawney announced, a bit too loudly, "we'll be doing a crystal ball reading. Many view the crystal ball as simply a mode of seeing into the future, but it has other properties as well. It can be used to see the deepest parts of one's psyche. Not only can it show us the future, but also the present and past."

Aurora heard Blaise scoff a little bit. Many students took Divination to simply fill their class slots, and most of them were skeptical of the subject. Aurora guessed that Blaise fell into both those categories.

"So," Trelawney continued, "you'll be searching inside the crystal ball to find one of your partner's interests. All you must do is channel your focus towards finding your partner's hobby or pastime, and gaze into the crystal. Good luck!"

Blaise turned a little to face Aurora, a bored expression on his face already. "Lets just get on with it," he said. "You read first or me?"

"I'll go," Aurora said. She began to stare into the crystal ball, trying to focus only on Blaise and his possible interests.

"You look ridiculous," Blaise remarked.

"Shut up, Zabini." Aurora continued to gaze into the crystal. A flash of color appeared, then vanished. She focused more, imagining a third eye on her forehead. Blaise was right, she looked a little ridiculous.

For an instant, Aurora saw a pencil appear inside the crystal's depths, then vanish. She gasped a little bit.

"What?" Blaise asked.

"Hold on." She looked deeper, seeing a sketchpad this time. Suddenly, it clicked. "I didn't know you liked to draw!" she exclaimed, looking up at Blaise now.

Blaise's eyebrows shot up- he was clearly surprised. "How the hell did you know that?"

Aurora grinned, "it's all in the ball, my guy."

"Let me try," he said, gazing into the crystal himself. Immediately, he saw a flash of blue.

All at once, he saw a picturesque scene in the crystal. It was Aurora, by the black lake. She was laying in the grass, looking at the clouds.

"Cloudgazing," Blaise looked up.

Aurora smiled. "Yeah, I like looking at clouds."