Sudden Meetings Who: Astoria Greengrass and Blaise Zabini When: Tuesday Afternoon Where: Diagon Alley What: Blaise makes progress on his latest project Rating/Status: G/Complete
It was rare for Astoria to journey to Diagon Alley alone. Her mother was incredibly protective and always insisted that she had an escort. That afternoon, however, her mother was off at some committee meeting and her father was working. That left Astoria alone in the house and she really didn't want to be inside.
Stepping into the floo, Astoria took herself to Diagon Alley. She loved the sounds and the bustle of the narrow alley. People of every shape and size chatting with each other. It was something she didn't get to experience very often. Walking along the stone path, Astoria smiled brightly. It was shaping up to be a lovely afternoon.
--
Blaise had taken a break from work. Well, not really. He wasn't the sort to put aside his work. He actually needed a book from Diagon Alley, and his boss had given him permission to leave for lunch early. Hence why Blaise was walking calmly along side the shops, until he saw Astoria. A slow smirk crossed his face before turning into a charming smile. He made his was to her quietly, so that when his voice came from behind her, he was positive she would jump in fright. "Miss Greengrass. What're you doing here unaccompanied?"
--
Jump she did. Astoria gasped in surprise and felt her heart race. Her mother always insisted that it wasn't safe in Diagon Alley and some stranger was talking to her. Slowly, Astoria turned around to see how had frightened her and breathed out a sigh of relief when she saw Blaise.
He was certainly attractive. Astoria looked up at him and smiled brightly. She stared at his eyes for a long moment, wondering if she'd ever seen such blue eyes before. Of course, she'd met Blaise before. Many times, in fact. But this was the first time she'd been alone with him and the first time he'd given her any sort of special attention.
"Blaise," she finally said. "You frightened me."
--
A smirk flashed on his face before it became a smile again. Once she turned around, he took a good look at her. Certainly attractive. And gullible. Blaise's smile grew as he thought how much fun he could have with her. Of course, to her, it would just appear as though he couldn't help but smile at her. He noticed that her eyes stayed on his for a while, and that made him chuckle quietly before speaking.
"I apologize. I didn't mean to frighten you. That much." he offered her a helpless shrug, and held out his arm, like any good pureblood man would. "You really shouldn't be walking around Diagon by yourself though. May I accompany you?"
--
Astoria took his arm eagerly. While other girls in her year were happy to go off into empty classrooms with boys, Astoria had never been tempted. Her father's words echoed in her head constantly, reminding her of her duty to her family. She was to become a good wife and mother one day and good wives didn't spend their youth in empty classrooms.
She thanks her stars for her heels. Without them, Astoria doubted he'd be able to notice her in the crowd. "I'd be delighted to spend a few moments with you, thank you. So long as you promise I'm not distracting you from something more important." He smelled good, too. Astoria told herself not to get excited that he was simply walking her along the Alley, but in her mind she was wondering if he could fancy her or if he was simply being nice to her because she was Daphne's younger sister.
--
He smiled down at her. Despite her heels, he was still a bit taller. "Oh, nothing would be more important than walking with you, Miss Greengrass." Blaise let his free hand rest on hers as they started walking. "What were you doing before I came along?" He kept a smile on his face, and his eyes on her, while carefully walking so she didn't bump into anyone unsavory. This would take time, and he had to do It correctly. "Thank you for inviting me to your mother's event. I'm quite looking forward to it." Another smile, and a gentle squeeze of her hand. He was, quite honestly, looking forward to getting to know more about her. The more he knew, the more fun he could have.
--
A please pink stained Astoria's cheeks. He truly did want to spend time with her. How lovely. And his hand was so much larger than hers. Her stomach flipped happily when his hand squeezed hers. She couldn't wait to tell her sister every moment of the encounter.
"I'm sorry it's likely to be dull. These things always are. Some cause always needs gold and my mother seems to believe it's her personal responsibility to plan all of these events." That was the closest Astoria would come to badmouthing her parents. Even speaking out against her mother so slightly made her a bit nervous.
--
He took in her blush with another smile. "Oh, I'm sure it won't be too dull. I sent your mother an owl before I left the office, asking if she would mind if I came to hear you play. I'm hoping to hear back from her soon." Blaise raised an eyebrow at Astoria's words. They didn't surprise him, his mother did the same thing and he couldn't stand it. Still, coming from Astoria, it was surprising. In an extremely good way. "Its sad, in a way, that we don't know each other that well, don't you think?" He cast a look at her, watching her face. "I think I would love to get to know you better, Miss Greengrass."
--
"Astoria," she corrected with a shy smile. "Please, call me Astoria. If we are to be friends then you shouldn't be bound to such formalities." Astoria looked up at Blaise once again, her bright eyes shining with excitement. Even if she wanted to mask her feelings at the moment, there was no point in trying.
"I'm afraid I'm not too interesting." Her mother wouldn't like hearing her speak like that, but it was the truth. "My sister has always been the more entertaining of the pair and I can't imagine what I'd have to say that you would find interesting."
--
He smiled at her. "Astoria. Thank you." My, her name rolled right off his tongue. She looked so excited and happy, by his attention. If he hadn't been so committed to making this last a while, it would've been quite easy to just get what he wanted and leave. No, that wouldn't be fair. To him.
"On the contrary, I think you would be very interesting. Just because you are different from your sister, does not mean you are a complete bore." He squeezed her hand gently again, and watched her reaction out o the corner of his eye.
--
The way he said her name was different than hearing it spoken by her family or friends. Her name on his lips sent a shiver down to her toes, causing them to curl in her shoes. She'd do anything to hear him say her name again. Perhaps someplace private. The mere idea of of Blaise whispering her name caused Astoria's cheeks to go scarlet.
"Well, what would you like to know? I'll tell you anything you'd like to hear." She was so eager to please. If he enjoyed talking to her, maybe he'd continue and Astoria liked the idea of speaking to Blaise more often.
--
Oh, that reaction was marvelous. Blaise was extremely glad he had chosen Astoria. He watched as her cheeks turned scarlet, and that made him curious as to what she was thinking about. Of course, he could guess.
"Anything you'd be willing to tell me. It wouldn't be fair if I just started asking questions. I don't want to interogate you." He smiled and let his eyes wander over her face, taking it in. He didn't bother hiding it. He wanted her to know he was interested.
--
Astoria didn't know what to tell Blaise. Her mother always told her not to reveal too much about one's self, but he was interested in her. It was a game she found she wasn't very good at playing. Instead of answering right away, Astoria nodded towards a small shop nestled between the bakery and a tailor. "My music is delivered to the shop. I've never trusted owls not to tear it when they deliver it."
Stepping inside the shop, Astoria greeted the elderly wizard with a warm smile and pulled away from Blaise long enough to greet the shopkeeper with a kiss to his cheek. Albert was like a grandfather to her and Astoria had been coming to his shop since she was a young witch. "I have something for you," she said to him quietly and pulled out a small vial from her robes. "For the pain," she said and rested one of her hands over his gnarled and stiff hand. The old wizard suffered from arthritis and it killed Astoria to know he could no longer play the instruments he loved so much.
--
He nodded as she pointed out the shop. He was familiar with it, his mother often took him with her when she came for new music. He let Astoria go to Albert, and looked around the shop. He kept a close eye on Astoria, of course, and nodded to Albert. He smiled as he saw her give something to the old man. She was actually very sweet. He went back to her side, letting his hand touch her lightly on the small of her back.
--
Having a hand against the small of her back was not something she had expected. Astoria couldn't help herself. She leaned back against his hand, taking no small amount of comfort from the warmth of his touch. It was a shame she was wearing such a heavy cloak. She should like to feel his touch through only her dress.
"Albert, if you could be so kind as to fetch my music? I am keeping my friend from his work and don't want to steal all of his time today." She smiled at the wizard once more before turning her attention back to Blaise. "You're very kind to accompany me this afternoon. Next time I venture to Diagon I won't find it nearly as enjoyable."
--
When she leaned back into his hand, a smirk flashed on his face again. He was also wishing she wasn't wearing her cloak, but there wasn't anything he could do about that, yet.
"Oh, it was my pleasure. I must admit, I just wanted to spend some time with you. Perhaps, next time you find yourself in Diagon alone, you can owl me. I'd be more than willing to accompany you again." Blaise let his hand drop back his side, wondering if she would show how much she missed his touch.
--
Her gaze fell to his hand, wondering why he had pulled away from her. It had been so much nicer when he was touching her. Astoria didn't say anything. It wasn't good to tell a man how eager you were to have his hands on you. Though she wasn't aware that words didn't need to be spoken to show how much she enjoyed his touch.
"You're welcomed to spend time with me whenever you wish," she said before she could stop herself. "I like being in your company." Astoria took a small, but bold step forward and allowed her fingers to brush against hist. "I wouldn't want to bore you with shopping trips though."
--
His eyes followed hers, and his smile grew. This was perfect. He allowed his fingers to hook onto one of hers and smiled at her. "If you want to spend time with me, all you have to do is ask." Slowly, he brought her hand up to his lips and placed a soft kiss on it, keeping his eyes on hers.
--
A small smirk appeared on Astoria's lips. Though she might not have been the most experienced witch when it came to matters of courting, Astoria knew better than to be the one pursuing a man.
"I'm afraid it doesn't work that way," she said and watched as his lips brushed her hand. "I never intend to ask a man to spend time with me. No matter how charming or handsome me may be."
--
He smirked back at her and lowered her hand. "I didn't honestly expect you to." He was enjoying this. But, a quick glance at Albert's clock showed him that his lunch break was almost over. "I would like to accompany you back to the floo before I return to work, if you don't mind?" He knew he didn't have to say that he would ask to spend more time with her, that much was obvious.
--
Astoria nodded and waited a moment before Albert returned with a thick leather portfolio containing her sheet music. Tucking it under her arm, Astoria linked her fingers with Balise's more firmly. She had no desire to let go.
"Of course I don't mind. Thank you again for walking with me." Tossing him a small smile, Astoria began to walk out of the shop. She would have liked to shop a bit longer, but it would be best to go home and practise her new piece. She needed it to be perfect if Blaise was going to come listen.
"I don't suppose you are bringing someone to my mother's event, are you?" She certainly hoped he wasn't. Astoria might have to hex any woman she saw near Blaise.
--
Blaise nodded to Albert as they left, placing his hand on top of hers once more. "Who would I bring to the event? If I have to, I suppose I could convince Draco, but I'd really rather focus all my attention on you." He smiled at Astoria, she was getting comfortable with him, which was perfect. He wasn't so stupid as to bring another woman with him. He probably wouldn't even talk to any except her mother and sister, just to be safe.
--
"I won't complain about having you all to myself," she said as they walked back towards the floos. It occurred to her she would have to look her best for the evening and wondered if she could convince her mother to buy her a new set of robes prior to the evening. It shouldn't take that much convincing.
As they approached the floo, Astoria stopped and turned towards Blaise. "Thank you again for walking with me. I hope I hear from you soon in some way or another." Oh how badly she wanted to lean up and kiss his cheek, but Astoria knew that wasn't proper. She was going to follow all of the rules and instructions she'd been taught over the years.
--
"I was hoping you wouldn't." His smile had yet to leave his face. As they approached the floo, he turned to her. "If I don't see you before the thirteenth, I will be sorely disappointed." Blaise flashed a smirk at her before reaching for her hand and kissing it again, then took a step back, intending to see her off before he headed back to the office.