Stay Away From Me ~ Blaise Zabini ~ Part 6

"People are staring."

"So let them stare."

"But it's so awkward!"

Blaise and I were sitting together under a tree near the lake, just after lunch. I was leaning on his shoulder, our hands intertwined. In the month we had been dating, few people knew about us. Now that everyone was outside for a day off of classes, many heads were turned toward us.

"Can't we just go somewhere without all these people?" I asked, my face turning red after seeing a few Ravenclaw girls giggling at us.

Blaise chuckled. "Really, Belle, I thought you were braver than this."

I nuzzled into his shoulder. "I'm like... Stand up to a dragon brave. Not socially brave." I said.

"Really, Zabini, I would have thought you had better taste than this." I looked up to four figures looming over us. "I thought it took a lot to impress you, but you'll just take any blood traitor that comes along, won't you?" Malfoy spat. Parkinson and Goyle snickered, Crabbe glared at us.

"Back off, Malfoy." Blaise said, glaring at him.

"A little defensive, aren't you?" Malfoy sneered.

"Really, Malfoy. Just go away, we don't need you here." Blaise spat.

Malfoy raised an eyebrow. "Well, I guess I'll see you around, Zabini. We'll deal with your, ah.... situation later." Malfoy shot a quick glance at Crabbe, then turned on his heel and left, Crabbe still shooting us dirty looks.

Blaise absentmindedly played with my hands, staying silent.

"What was that all about?" I finally asked.

"Hm? Oh, nothing. Don't worry about it." he murmured.

"What did he mean about your situation? Was Malfoy saying I'm a situation to deal with?" I asked, getting angry.

Blaise sighed, dropping my hand. "Look, Belle, it's nothing. Just.... promise me you'll stay away from them."

I snickered, but when he shot me a serious look I quieted down. "I already avoid most Slytherins, what's the big deal?"

"Just stay away from them, okay?"

"What, you think I'm not tough enough to defend myself?" I asked, standing up.

"Not at all!" Blaise exclaimed, standing beside me.

"Whatever, I should go. I have to finish Flitwick's essay." I said, turning.

"Belle! Please just promise me." Blaise said quietly.

"Sure thing." I smiled and gave him a kiss before walking toward the entrance hall.

*** *** *** *** ***

I was walking down the hall towards Gryffindor tower, my pace matching the beat of "The Bird and The Worm" as it blared out my headphones when it happened; two hands grabbed my waist roughly and pulled me into one of the nearby hidden passageways.

"What the helI!" I exclaimed, ripping out my headphones and turning to face whoever grabbed me.

I was looking right into the face of Vincent Crabbe. Rolling my eyes, I turned to leave, only to be jerked back.

"What do you want, fatäss?" I growled, glaring at him.

That's when things got really weird. Crabbe pinned me against the wall, leaned in and smashed his lips to mine. I tried and failed to force him off, he was too heavy for me. So I kicked him, hard, right where it hurts. He immediately released me, and I took the opportunity to run away, down the passage until I found the exit. Only to discover that it lead to a part of the castle I was unfamiliar with.

Footsteps echoed behind me, and I turned to see Crabbe, red faced and fuming, running towards me. Before I could turn to leave, he reached me and slapped me across the face with such force I fell over, twisting my leg at an odd angle.

"What the helI is wrong with you?" I spat, glaring up at him.

"Don't you get it, Arabella?" I flinched when he said my name. I hated my full name. "That bastârd doesn't deserve you."

I slowly put the pieces together. "You're the one who cursed me?" I asked.

He nodded, still looking mad. "It was aimed at him." Crabbe walked over to me, kneeling down. I guess he noticed the necklace Blaise gave me, because he got a disgusted look on his face. He reached toward my neck and ripped it off.

"Give that back!" I yelled, pulling out my wand.

He snorted, looking at the necklace. "'To my sweetheart, I will always love you.'" He pocketed it.

"Give. It. Back." I said through gritted teeth.

"Or what?"

"I'll take it back, and I'll kick your âss." I spat. Crabbe laughed, then placed his foot on my leg and added pressure. Pain shot through me, making me scream.

"I'd like to see you try." Crabbe murmured. Then with a flash of red light, the pressure was gone.

"Belle?" Someone called. I turned to find the voice's owner, but there was no one around.

"Who's there?" I called, my voice cracking from the pain. The air next to me shimmered, and Harry stood before me, holding his Invisibility Cloak. "How long were you here?" I asked as he helped me up.

"Long enough." He said quietly. "Can you stand?"

I tried to put pressure on my leg, but immediately crumbled. Harry caught me before I hit the ground.

"Let's get you to the infirmary." He said, helping me stand.

"Wait." I pointed my wand towards Crabbe's frozen body. "Accio Necklace." I whispered. My necklace flew into my hand, and I placed it back around my neck where it belonged.