Who: Blaise & Padma When: Tuesday morning, 13 January Where: corridor outside Divination tower Rating: G What: news and restraint
Nervousness mixed with slight irritation as Blaise paced, the corridor to the Divination tower blessedly empty for the time being. He never would have thought that he'd be nervous about dueling, of all activities, but after having caught a glimpse of the other teams in practise -- well, nervous was as good a word as any. His nervousness was only compounded by the letter received from Peter that morning at breakfast, detailing their mother's reaction and hesitancy to believe Antonio capable of such atrocities. He was thankful, though, that she'd agreed to not speak of her conversation with Peter to his father, and had sent her love and best wishes for the dueling tournament. He'd torn off a bit of the parchment, and, writing a small note -- Divination corridor, directly after breakfast -- and had instructed the owl to fly from the Great Hall, make a circuit around the castle, and then deliver the note to Padma. Not waiting to see if his instructions were carried out, he'd left the Great Hall immediately, not hungry any longer.
Though she had not been to this section of the castle in years, ever since she had happily abandoned the subject, Padma moved with purpose and little concealed anticipation to the corridor just beneath the Divination tower. She broke off bits of muffin as she walked, hastily consuming breakfast so that she might have a few moments more to talk with Blaise before they would necessarily part and make their separate ways to Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Impatiently reading over the letter once more, he glanced up at just the right moment to see her walking towards him. Everything about her was familiar -- the way she walked, the intentness of her gaze, even the way her hair always seemed to fall on one side rather than the other. He grinned slightly, leaning against the wall and waiting for her.
Confident under his gaze, Padma closed the space between them with a few sprightly steps and, looking about to determine that they were indeed alone, planted a smart kiss on his lips. "You have news, I think." She read the blend of worry and hope on his fine features.
It wasn't enough to deter him from stealing another kiss, however, before nodding. "Peter wrote back this morning. Mother does not want to hear such harsh words against her husband. I will take some comfort in the fact that she is willing to not speak of this to Antonio." He turned until his back was against the wall, head tilted back. He didn't stop to wonder when he'd ceased thinking of his father as 'father.' "I feel helpless, Padma."
Hands slipping without thought about his waist, Padma rest her head against his chest, a sigh released. "You have done what you can, for now." Her own feelings were mixed, a different uncertainty behind her words. "Is there no other means of convincing her to safety?"
Blaise curled around her, relaxing somewhat. "Not without seeing her myself, and telling her face to face." He paused. "I wonder if she would come to the next Hogsmeade weekend? You could meet her, then..."
Though there were certainly more troubles to be had, this possibility complicated. What sort of girl should she seem, to such a woman? "You should ask her." Padma bit her lip, banishing worry. "She will like to congratulate you about your victory, when it comes, against that foul Durmstrang boy."
A kiss, then, to soothe her. "She wished you could have visited over the holidays, Padma. As much as she will want to congratulate me, she will want to meet she who makes me happy more." He squeezed slightly, finding such meetings to be slightly unsatisfactory and entirely too short. "Has said foul Durmstrang boy been giving you problems?"
Blaise's eyes narrowed. Brocklehurst hadn't given him any trouble, and he knew she was a friend of Padma's. "Shall I speak to him on her account, then? And, of course, the younger ones?" He was perfectly serious, and willing to out himself in such a manner -- for her friends and his.
An amused smile spread across Padma's lips. "Ravenclaws are quite able to defend themselves, as it were. I am more than ready to turn a blind eye to see his pride compromised." She traced the line of his jaw with a straying hand. "Though your chivalry is noted." Her voice was soft, and she lamented the day breaking through the nearest window, the stirring of students near. Resisting desperately the urge to kiss his neck, the smooth places where his voice silked free, she took a step back, hands loose at his waist.
His chin moved slightly against her hand, wishing for nothing more than time. Taking a quick step, he planted a hard, brief kiss to her mouth then let her go entirely. "I have no doubts whatsoever on your -- or Mandy's -- abilities to defend yourselves. Simply make sure I'm there to watch the arse be beaten, yeah?" He tucked his letter into his robes and started down the corridor with a final, small wave and quietly spoken words. "I love you, Padma." And then he was lost to the corridors, to await the day's duel.