Chapter 4 – Blaise
The perpetual night always seemed a little brighter form this spot at the edge of the garden. She could see the Muggles working in their fields, their lights set up all around to illuminate their path for them. She could hear them laughing nervously together and she felt close to them and their hopes although she knew they could not see or feel her presence.
Blaise’s hand was resting comfortably across her shoulders and their conversation had faded into the stillness.
“Have you read what old Tiberius says about Arithmancy in defensive spells?” he said at length.
Blaise had taken to calling one of the most prominent living Wizengamot Elders by his first name ever since he discovered that the man had actually resigned because of that toad woman Umbridge. His latest project was, apparently, to read every single one of his works – and to discuss the old man’s opinions in long, drawn out conversations whenever Ginny or Theo would listen.
“What’s the use of learning about that sort of spell if you’re not going to use it?” she asked sharply. She knew it was a bit harsh, comparing him to Umbridge, but that was one technique she hadn’t used yet, and ever since they had begun to go out she found herself less intimidated by him and more intent on convincing him that he was being stupid not to fight.
Blaise hissed. “Is that the only application of that idea that you can think of?”
“That’s what it was made for, defensive spells, and where do you think you come off suggesting I’m a bloodthirsty-”
He cut her off with a hand on her cheek. “That’s not what I meant.”
“So tell me what you meant, explain to me what this big thing stopping you from fighting is; make me understand.”
“Why,” he turned away, “So you can use it against me the first chance you get? So you can stab me where it really hurts next time?”
Ginny clenched her fists at her sides, hating herself for missing the warmth of his fingers on her cheek at this time. “It’ll only hurt because you’re stupid enough to actually think any comparison between you and Umbridge is anything but nonsensical. I deserve that trust!”
“I can’t give it.”
She ran back to the house, tears streaming down her face. It was always like this. She loved him, she loved his strength and his mind and his every stupid habit, but they were both too stubborn and she really could not understand what it was that held him captive like this. To Ginny watching from the sidelines like this was unforgivable.
“Look what I found,” Theo said, not turning from his seat at the study desk, “This could very well fix that problem with the protection charm.”
He turned and immediately dropped the loose parchment he had been scribbling on. His arms snaked around her and he pulled her into him, letting her tears fall on his robes and murmuring nonsense at her because she had told him just last week that Mum always did that when she wanted to comfort someone.
Eventually, it was the thought that Theo, at least, cared enough to remember every word she said and take it to heart, that he was always there to understand, that got her to stop her embarrassing crying. At least Blaise had the decency not to follow her inside.
She was struggling to get up from the comfortable spot Theo had placed her in on the couch with the vague idea that she was now strong enough and could take care of herself when he thrust the maps at her.
“You need to memorize these before you go, the circles are safe places where you can stay and the numbers beside them are how many days you’ll be safe staying there. The little scribbles are supposed to be fire for areas the Order has a good watch over and the sharp marks like teeth mean Death Eater areas. Don’t go near London if you can help it.”
Ginny dropped back down and stared at him in shock. How long had they been planning this? “How long have you been planning my escape, Theo?”
“Escape?” Blaise’s voice came from the doorway, “We’re really that bad to you?”
She narrowed her eyes at him and then turned back to Theo, waiting for an answer.
“We knew you would leave, you’ve talked about it endlessly and we also know we can’t leave with you. Friends don’t let each other go out there helpless, Ginny, this is the best we could do.”
She gritted her teeth, hating them for many reasons, but mostly for being right. She couldn’t just go out there with no idea where she was headed and what exactly she was going to do and it was now clear that they wouldn’t be coming with her.
Blaise stepped closer to her and took her hand in his like he was accustomed to. “I trust you, Ginny, but some things hurt too much. Out hearts lie on separate paths, but don’t hate me when you go.”
Ginny gave him a weak smile before grabbing the map. “I don’t hate you. I can’t.”
