for @claclm
Blaise Zabini/Ginny Weasley
524 words
Rated T
Puppy Love
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“Did you lock up?” Blaise asked as they apparated down to the street below.
“Shit. No,” Ginny replied. “I’ll go back and do it.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll do it.” Blaise apparated with a loud pop before she could argue.
Sighing, she leaned against the brick wall behind her, bringing one leg up to keep her balance.
If it was up to her, she’d rather have a night in for Valentine’s. She sort of hated big do’s ever since she’d embarrassed herself back in school with Harry.
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes before letting it go again. Blaise didn’t care about that. If he remembered, he had the good manners to never ever mention it. Plus, she loved him. And he loved going out. So she could get on board with it as well.
Besides, he’d gotten them dinner reservations at their favorite Quidditch bar. Usually, they didn’t have to get reservations, but since it was Valentine’s, Blaise had figured it was better safe than sorry.
She drummed her fingers on her forearm where she had both arms folded over her middle.
A small whining sound drew her attention.
She glanced down in the direction of the sound, immediately falling to her knees beside what looked like the saddest dog she’d ever seen. Her heart felt as if it was cracking open, old wounds from their previous dog’s passing combined with the desire to help this one all rolled up into one big leaking mess.
“Oh no, puppers!” she cooed, her voice immediately taking on that tone that most people reserved for newborn babies.
The dog was shaking, and it had matted fur. There was no collar, which was no big surprise, given the state he was in. “Oh baby, I won’t hurt you,” she murmured, holding out her hand and nearly bursting into tears when the dog flinched but moved shakily toward her.
Blaise apparated back with a pop, and the dog cowered.
“What-- where--” he spotted Ginny kneeling, and promptly took stock of the situation, dropping to a crouch beside her. “Who’s that?”
“A scared stray, I think…” she held her hand steady in front of her, and presently, the dog moved towards her and sniffed her hand. It then tilted and allowed her to pet it behind the ears.
“What do you want to do?” Blaise asked.
“What do you think?” she asked.
“I was hoping you’d say that. I think Harvey’s stuff is still up there in the closet.”
She shot him a smile. “Don’t apparate, it scares the puppy.”
Harvey had been gone for almost a year. And after he’d passed on, Ginny didn’t think she’d ever be able to open her heart up for any more animals. But the second she saw this shaking little mess in the alley, she knew.
She’d just had to heal a bit.
It took very little to coax the quivering pile of mats and bones into her arms, and as the dog seemed to collapse against her, she and Blaise made their way back up to their apartment.
Seemed like she’d get the Valentine’s Day she wanted after all.
