Stay Away From Me ~ Blaise Zabini ~ Part 14

Hermione, Ron, Blaise and I sat together in the stands as the four champions gathered for the final task. After each of them had disappeared into the maze, all was quiet for a while, but before long, conversation broke out with everyone as they waited for signs of the winner.

"Oh, I hope he's all right in there." Hermione murmured.

"He should be fine." Ron said, straining his neck as though it would help him find Harry.

After a while, a jet of red light shot out of the maze - one of the champions was in trouble. Someone - a Ministry wizard, I guessed - went in after the light. Not long after, another light followed. A second Ministry wizard went into the maze. Soon the first wizard appeared, helping Fleur Delacour out. She looked extremely shaken. Madam Maxime appeared, and led her away to recover. Next the second wizard showed up with Krum. I couldn't tell what was wrong with him, but he was led off by the Ministry wizard.

And then we waited.

And waited.

Harry and Cedric were taking a while, which didn't help Hermione's nerves.

"What do you think's going on in there?" she asked for the fifth time.

"Not sure... I hope everything's alright." I muttered.

Blaise gave my hand a reassuring squeeze.

And once more, we waited. Then, suddenly, Harry showed up, clutching both the cup and Cedric. The crowed broke into cheers for Harry and Cedric.

"Wait... Something isn't right." I said. Hermione seemed to notice as well - she wore a look of horror on her face.

Harry was crying over Cedric. Who didn't seem to be moving. It didn't take long for the rest of the crowd to realize something was wrong. A man rushed over to the two of them, and after a moment I realized who it was - Amos Diggory, Cedric's father. Amos looked terrified. He knelt before Cedric, trying to shake him awake. It wasn't working.

I almost didn't notice Harry being dragged away by Professor Moody. The crowd fell silent as Dumbledore walked over and motioned from someone to follow. Madam Pomfrey came hurrying over to look over Cedric. It seemed as though everyone in the stands were holding their breath. After a minute that seemed like an hour, Madam Pomfrey stood, her face pale.

She simply spoke one word: "Dead."

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

The rest of the year seemed to breeze by. Before long, I was boarding the Hogwarts Express with my friends as we made our way back home.

Harry, Ron, Hermione, Blaise and I all got a compartment together on the train. None of us spoke much - the combined shock of Cedric Diggory's death and the return of Lord Voldemort was on all of our minds. I looked up when Blaise squeezed my hand. He gestured to the door and I nodded. We stood up and went to find an empty compartment.

"Look, Belle," he began as we sat down at the compartment at the end of the train. "I got a letter from my mum the other day. Her new husband wants us to go on a family -" he spat the word, "holiday. So I don't think we'll be seeing much of each other."

"Oh..." I mumbled. I had been looking forward to seeing him over the holiday.

"I'm sorry. I'll send you an owl every chance I get."

"So, who's this new husband?" I asked, trying to clear my mind of not seeing him for two months.

Blaise's face grew dark. "An idiot. He's the photographer for Witch Weekly and they met when Mum was modeling for it. She's smitten." he rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed with the idea.

"Why don't you like him?" I asked.

"Please. Not only is he a complete arse, but I'm sure the only reason Mum married him was from some love potion. After I started assuming that, well..." Blaise gave me a forced smile, "he didn't like that much."

"What do you mean by that?"

Blaise walked over to the compartment doors and drew the shades.

"What're you-"

He stripped off his shirt, tossing it to me. I didn't get what he was trying to do. Until I saw the scars.

At least ten of them, and that was just his lower back. It looked as though someone had tried to burn him. My jaw dropped, looking at his terrible markings.

"That's why I can't ditch Mum with this nutter." he smiles, walking over to me.

"This... This isn't right!" I almost shouted. I couldn't stand it, the thought of anyone hurting Blaise. My eyes brimmed with tears at the thought.

"Hey, it's okay, it's okay." he said, pulling me close. I rested my hands on his stomach, which was also covered with burn marks.

The compartment door slid open, and Ron's head popped in. "Hey, guys, we're just about at King's-" he stopped short when he saw the two of us, which was when I remembered that Blaise was still shirtless. "I'll, ah... Just leave you two alone, then..." Ron quickly closed the door.

My face flushed, and Blaise picked his shirt up and slid it back on. "Shall we go, then?" he said, offering me his hand.

We went and got our trunks, and together, hand in hand, we walked off the train, through the barrier, and into the Muggle world.

"Promise to write?" I said, smiling up at him.

"Of course." he responded. He leaned down and our lips met, creating a perfect kiss. I sighed when we broke apart. Blaise glanced around, and then sighed as well when his eyes rested on his mother and step-father. "Have a good holiday." he said, releasing my hand.

"Yeah, you too."

And just as he's about to turn away and leave me for the whole summer, I grab his arm and stand on the tips of my toes, smashing my lips to his in a final goodbye. "I love you." I say, letting his arm go.

"I love you, too."