Blaise couldn’t stop staring, Ana had entered her second trimester, and was finally back in the kitchen. She was in her element almost floating around. Ana was feeling better recently, her sickness fading more day by day.
They had fallen into a new routine this past month. They wake up together, make breakfast together, and at the end of the day get ready for bed side by side. Blaise had never seen Ana the way he sees her now, in the literal sense. Figuratively… he has always seen her as the most beautiful woman in the world, since fourth year, his eyes were always glued to her.
Fifteen year old Blaise knew that he could never have Anari the way he wanted and he accepted that. He accepted that her anger and her annoyance was all he’d receive, but he was grateful for anything he got. She had still irritated him every day but he couldn’t deny she took his breath away. Blaise at nineteen though, It was torture to have her so close yet so far. Now it was even more impossible to accept his thoughts towards her. He’d ruin everything they’ve done, how far they’d gotten. They were becoming friends and him trying to push past that would be the downfall of them.
They were bringing a child into the world, they were together until death, it was too much to risk. Blaise never thought he’d be anymore than an annoyance in her life— and he still might be but he was her friend, her husband. If that’s all he could be, he was fine with that.
Ana was in a large sweater but he could still see her visible bump in her stomach, holding a hand to her belly every time she read a recipe or was deep in thought. Blaise was sitting on the counter watching her in awe, she was moving like she could do it with her eyes closed.
Every couple of moments she was muttering something under her breath to herself. He noticed that when she was deep in thought her eye brows would scrunch up and her tongue would poke out from between her lips every so often.
Blaise liked these peaceful moments, times where he could just observe her— appreciate her quiet presence.
“Stop looking at me.” She spoke up suddenly, not even turning around to look at him.
“How do you know I was looking at you?” He crossed his arms defensively, “Is that another inherited trait? The eyes in the back of your head.”
“I could feel your thoughts reaming into the back of my skull.” She mumbled, finally turning to him, “What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing really.” He shrugged, “School mostly.”
“School?”
“Yeah, how we were back in school.” He slid off the counter and took a couple of steps towards her.
“You were the bane of my existence, I never really felt hate before I met you and your friends– Draco mostly.” She smirked a little.
“You’ve warmed up to the both of us now.” He returned her smirk and took another step forward.
“Mhm.” She hummed, leaning a hip against the counter, looking up into his eyes. “Draco maybe, but you I still can’t stand.”
Blaise faked offense and his hands flew to her side, tickling her, making her face scrunch up and her body starting to squirm, trying to make attempts to get away from him.
“Okay! I surrender!”
“There’s no surrendering.” His fingers continue trailing over her skin.
“Stop! Wait, stop!” She speaks, suddenly serious, making Blaise pause his movements when her hands lay on her stomach.
“What? What happened?” Blaise takes a step back, pulling his hands back as if he burnt her.
“Oh my god.” She gasped, reaching for Blaise’s hand urgently. She pulls her sweater over her stomach and tugs Blaise closer to lay his hand where hers just occupied on her belly.
A ripple in her skin, like the tide moving in, then a sudden, firm nudge against his palm like a knuckle rapping on a closed door.
The world around them goes quiet as Blaise’s eyes raise to meet Ana’s. The fluttering in her stomach doesn’t last long, only a moment or two before it fades away.
Neither of them speak, just staring into each other's wide eyes and mouths agape. After taking a shaky breath Blaise removes his hand from Ana’s belly and surrounds it around her waist, gently pulling her closer to him, wrapping her in his embrace. His his cheek resting on the top of her head he speaks, “Had that ever–”
“No.” She whispered, her words muted where her head was buried in his chest. “That’s a first.”
Blaise plants a soft kiss on top of her head and she pulls back a little, still in his arms but now face to face. “There’s a thing growing inside of you.”
“Don’t say it like that.” She lets out a soft watery laugh.
“It’s real.” He mumbled to himself.
“Now for you. I’ve been feeling it for months.” She raises a playful eyebrow.
They stand in silence for another moment, face inches apart, and Blaise unwraps an arm and sets his hand on her cheek. He uses his thumb to swipe away a stray tear falling down. Ana slightly leans into his palm and sends him a soft smile which he returns.
It barely happened, if they weren’t so close she wouldn't have realised when his gaze fell from her eyes to her lips. Blaise didn’t mean to but that didn’t matter, she noticed, when his eyes flicked back up to hers he saw her pupil dilate slightly. It was like they were frozen, neither of them looking away first, neither wanting to be the one to break this moment.
It didn’t take long for Blaise to crack first, but when he opened his mouth to speak Ana was already pulling herself out of her arms. She turned from him and swiped at her cheeks, brushing away any other tears.
She turned back to him, several feet away, and spoke softly, “Our fifteen year old selves would be shocked seeing us at nineteen.”
“Me at nineteen, you’re still eighteen.” He couldn’t think of anything to say, his feet cemented in the same spot they had both been a minute ago.
“I’m not eighteen.” That’s what made him tense up and finally move his feet.
“What?”
“I turned nineteen in April.” She mumbled with her head down, like she didn’t want to see his reaction.
“Your birthday came and went and you didn’t tell me?”
“I-I didn’t feel like celebrating.”
“Neither did I and you still knew.”
“Not by choice!” She looked up suddenly and took a step forward, “You weren’t planning on telling me! I found out from Theo and Pansy that it was your birthday so don’t pull that with me.”
“And you were hurt by it and I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.” He ran a hand on the back of his head, “But why wouldn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want anyone to know. No one knew.” She held her arms out, getting defensive. “I had more of a reason to not celebrate!”
“Are we playing who had it worse right now, Anari?” Blaise gritted out, stepping closer to her.
“If we were, It’d be me.” She huffed out, crossing her arms.
“I’m not doing this with you.” Blaise shook his head, trying to turn away but Ana’s hand caught his arm.
“We are doing this!” She exclaimed, “It’s long overdue.”
“What do you mean? A fight?” She just raised both of her eyebrows at him like he should know the answer. “I don’t want to keep going over this with you, I get it but the war sucked for all of us.”
“You’re ridiculous. That’s outrageous! You had it hard, did you? Mummy didn’t coddle you enough?”
“Ana, please.” He said with a little more emotion that he’d wanted to. He didn’t want to fight, they’d been doing so well.
“Blaise, I am living your life!” She groans, “I’m hanging out with your friends, seeing your mother every week.”
“I didn’t ask for this either, you know.”
“But admit it, you’re much happier— much more comfortable in this situation than I am.”
“Yeah! I probably am but that’s because my family and friends didn’t pick the wrong side of the war and get themselves killed.” He had gone too far. He knew it as soon as the words came out of his mouth but it hit him even harder when he saw Anari visibly deflate.
“You’re right.” Her voice was raspy and filled with emotion. She turned from him and walked outside through the back door.
Blaise was left in silence for a moment, unsure of what to do next. He stood awkwardly in the kitchen as Tilly popped into the room. “I’m sorry to bother you but would you like Tilly to finish breakfast?”
“Um…” Blaise didn’t know what had just happened, “I’ll clean it up in a moment.”
He left Tilly in the kitchen and followed Ana outside. She was sitting in the grass, resting her head on her arms across her raised knees.
Blaise lowered himself next to her, leaving about a foot of space between them. “I’m sorry.”
“Blaise Zabini apologizing? The world must be ending.” She huffed.
“I shouldn’t have said that. I am sorry.”
“I know, I’m not mad at you.” She raised her head, looking at him with red eyes and tears rolling down her cheeks. “I’m just pregnant and hormonal and it’s all just been a lot. I miss my family and friends.”
“I know you do.” Blaise muttered, slowly moving his arm around her shoulders, he moved as carefully as he could in case she was lying about not being mad at him. “I’m sorry you don’t have them.”
“I know you are.” She mumbled, leaning into him, letting him comfort her. “I wanted to share these things with them.”
Blaise kept silent just rubbing his hand up and down her arm as comforting as possible.
“Everything has changed.” She lets out a watery emotionless laugh, “I want to go back.”
“Me too.” He whispers into the wind, watching the waves crash back and forth into the rocks, “I see why you like it out here.”
“It’s my spot, you can’t steal it.” She mumbled softly.
“I won’t steal it if you share.”
“I’ll think about it.”
Blaise thinks for a moment and then speaks, “I know I’m not your friends or your family but I hope you know that I’ll be there for you when you need me and even when you don’t. I can’t replace them but I promise to be worthy of your friendship.”
“Friends? Is that what we are?” She asks softly, still not looking at him.
“At least.” He shrugs, “Partners? Husband and wife technically… Friends at the very least.”
“We can’t mess it up.” She leans into him more, absentmindedly laying a hand on her stomach.
“We won’t.”
─TIED TOGETHER─
The next couple of days they’d kept their routine up, Blaise waking up before Ana most days and pulling his body away from her. Every night they moved to each other in their sleep, Blaise doesn’t mention it in the morning.
While Blaise was making breakfast Ana was getting ready to go to town, Blaise has been wanting her to get out of the house so he can do something so it was convenient. What wasn’t convenient was her walking over 3 kilometers by herself. When Ana walked downstairs, dressed and her bag packed for the mystery house.
“To ease your poor poor hopeless husband’s mind will you let Tilly accompany you?”
“Oh is my poor poor hopeless husband really that worried?” She raised an eyebrow, “I’ll be fine.”
“For my health, let her come with you.” He pleads with a smile.
“Fine.” When she agreed Blaise gave himself a little internal pat on the back.
Once they left Blaise planned to get straight to work but an owl sitting in the kitchen window made him freeze, he knew who this was from. The white and beige owl looked at him with a deadpanned face, like he was over everything, if a bird can even emote. Blaise grabbed the letter attached to his leg and fed him a treat from the bowl sitting on the counter.
It was from Draco.
Update, Bluebird
They’re investigating them still, the green family are still underground, no one has seen or heard from them in months. But they seem to be alive, just hidden. The group is still as secretive as possible which is both good and bad in our case. They are panicking here a little, no one likes stray deflectors, they dislike a united group even more. HE is keeping silent over this but everyone in the circle is on edge. Be careful of your next moves, they will not take anything lightly.
— Blackbird
Blaise took a deep breath before walking into the living room and throwing the letter in the fire. Draco has been working in the ministry for months and the past couple of weeks Blaise has asked him to look into the Patil family, Ana’s best friend and her family. They seem to be okay but he doesn’t have enough information to give her hope.
They’ve been using code names in case any of their letters are intercepted, they must be careful. The group however? Blaise doesn’t even know what to make of them.
Blaise decides to shove this away in his mind and focus on the task at hand.
After sitting with Anari outside and having to help her up from the ground he decided she needed a real seat out there. He had Tilly get him what he needed.
Wood and nails were sitting in front of him and he wasn’t sure what to do. But he was going to try nevertheless.
Blaise was glad it was a clear day while he carried out the wood and tools to the cliff.
He looked at the materials for a moment, unsure of what to do next. He sank to his knees and got started on…something?
Blaise was ashamed how long it took him just for it to turn out so ugly. He tried to squint but it was still lopsided, it was still misshapen.
He wanted to prove to himself that he could do something like this without magic but… It seems he couldn’t
“What the hell are you doing out here?” Was called out from the kitchen door. Blaise tried to scramble for his wand to transfigure the bench into literally anything else, but she was already in view. “What is this?”
“It was supposed to be a bench.” Blaise groaned, rubbing at his temples.
“It’s lovely.”
“Don’t lie to me.”
She rounded the clump of wood and looked at it with a tilted head, “I’m not lying. I can’t believe you built something for me.”
“Tried— I tried to build something for you.”
“It’s still standing, isn’t it?” She turns to look at him, “Have you tested it out yet?”
“No. It’s a monstrosity.” He protested but turned with her to sit as well. “If it collapses you can’t laugh at me.
“Stop it. It’s wonderful.” She beams at him, leaning back and staring at the sea.
“I will transfigure it into something prettier.”
“Pretty doesn’t matter.” She bumps her shoulder against his and smiles up at him, “This is the kindest gift I’ve ever gotten.”
I had so much fun bringing her version of Blaise and this little piece of their story to life. And somewhere along the way, I got a little too attached to these two myself 🥹❤️
Pregnancy wasn’t getting any easier. It was well into April and Anari was almost done being pregnant. She was due in Autumn.
Ana was feeling oddly nostalgic today and decided to go through some of her old photos that she had piled away.
She found one of her, Cho, and Padma at Hogsmeade playing in the snow, they were laughing, and throwing snowballs. She missed those girls more than she could say.
There were many photos of the three of them, one before the Yule Ball all in their dorm. Another at the lake on a sunny day.
A lot of them were of her at her grandmothers or of her grandmother. She was the sweetest woman Ana knew, she’d raised her since she can remember. Her grandmother taught her everything she knew, taught her to be kind, taught her to fight back when she needed to.
There were lots of photos of the ocean, the waves crashing in and pulling out. Her vision blurred as she stared at the moving photograph and it was like she could hear it again, the seagulls above, the wind. Sure, she had the ocean here but it wasn’t the same, not at all. This side of the ocean was different, plagued with haunting memories. Those waves held joyful moments.
When she looked outside her window now and saw the cliffs and water all she could remember was sitting out there her first night in her white gown. Her quiet sobs filtered out by the rush of wind and harsh crash of waves.
This is her sea now, no more of the one she grew up with. This is the one she gets.
She found a couple of letters that she had kept from her grandmother while she was in school. She’d gotten a handful from her uncle in sixth and seventh year but she had been instructed to burn every single one. There were some from her friends during holidays as well. She read through every one carefully.
Anari tried not to think of her old life; it only made her sad but this time of year she couldn’t help but reminisce. Her birthday was tomorrow.
She’d decided not to tell anyone, she didn’t feel like celebrating this year. She was nineteen. She was married. She was pregnant. She always felt alone. She was alone. Her family was dead. Her friends were missing.
I have Blaise. She kept trying to remind herself but did she?
Did she have Blaise for support? If she wasn’t carrying his child would he care if she lived or died?
She has Astoria and Pansy. But she didn’t. Those were Blaise’s friends who had taken pity on her.
She didn’t have anyone to herself, nothing was hers, no one was her friend. Blaise was an ally if anything.
The person around her most was Tilly and her and Blaise still hadn’t decided if she was a spy or not. There was no one in this world that she didn’t have to filter herself around and that was terrifying. Isolating.
Staring at the pile of letters and photos she longed for company of any of those people, her grandmother, her uncle, Padma, Cho, anyone. Anyone from her past life.
But the reality of it, none of them knew her anymore, not really. She wasn’t the same person she was a year ago, she barely recognized herself.
─TIED TOGETHER─
Ana couldn’t sleep, it was officially her birthday. She was nineteen.
She was sitting outside in the grass on the cliffs, it was a clear night, they were getting more of those now that they were officially in spring.
She was sitting outside to stop herself from baking, the last thing she needed was to be handling raw eggs, the smell made her want to throw up recently. There was always an itch to get into the kitchen though, but now she has to find a new calming activity for her nights.
She didn’t know how long she was out there but the moon was still high in the sky and the house was still quiet. Ana made her way back inside and glanced at the clock on the wall– two in the morning. Her sleep schedule was awful and she didn’t expect it to get better anytime soon. Her dreams have been plagued with dangerous memories recently, memories of her friends and her family, and her being able to do absolutely nothing to help them— to save them. Tomorrow—or today, she’ll have to prepare a Dreamless Sleep potion. Ana didn’t know how much longer she could take the lack of rest, even if she was sleeping she wasn’t resting.
Ana slowly made her way up the creaking stairs taking one step at a time to try and not wake Blaise. She tiptoed back to her room and threw off her robe and laid in bed. She stared out into the night through the window and waited for sleep to take her. But sleep never came.
The moon was low and the sky was gaining color when she left it— an uneasy heavy feeling in her stomach, she knew the drill. Sitting up as quickly as she could she rushed into the bathroom, ignoring the book that fell from the table with a slam.
Kneeling over the toilet she gripped the cold porcelain bowl, letting out a gutted noise from the back of her throat. This morning there wasn’t a knock, the door pushed open quickly and a shirtless Blaise rushed into the room.
Blaise kneeled behind her, wrapping his arms around her and using one hand to gather her curls back. He shushed her and rubbed his hands up and down her side from where his arms were surrounding her. While Ana was emptying her stomach once again he whispered into her ear apologies and reassurance.
This is their new normal. But this morning Blaise did something out of the ordinary, when Ana finally deflated, resting her head on her arms he kissed the crook of her neck lingering for maybe a moment too long.
“Did you sleep?” Blaise whispered in her ear, his voice raw and scratched from unuse. Ana shook her head slightly and Blaise clicked his tongue before standing behind her and lifting her up, one arm under her legs and the other around her shoulders.
Anari didn’t have the energy she usually would have to refuse. He sat her on her bed, sitting her up and Tilly was already standing by the bedside table with a glass of water and a vial of something.
Blaise handed Ana the water silently and she took it greedily, her throat feeling raw and tired. Once she drained the glass he took it from her and handed her the vial. Before she could ask, she answered her silent question, “Calming Draught. It’ll help.”
She slightly nodded and drained the potion. When he stood up from his spot next to her on the bed Ana caught his hand, “Thank you.”
After sending her a quick squeeze on her hand he spoke quietly, “Shut up. Go to sleep.”
He took a step away from the bed heading towards the door but Ana spoke up before he made it across the room, “Wait— would you…”
She didn’t have to finish, after she glanced next to her Blaise nodded and rounded the bed to sit on the other side. He laid down with his head resting against the headboard and he looked at Ana, she melted into the bed, feeling the potion kicking in.
Once she was comfortable she felt Blaise’s hands on her head, twisting and running his hands down her hair, slightly massaging her head while he was at it.
It was the easiest Ana had fallen asleep in months and she enjoyed a quiet rest.
─TIED TOGETHER─
When Blaise woke up Ana was still in a deep sleep, her breaths even and heavy, and her body spread out on the bed. He quietly snuck out of the room and down to the kitchen, Tilly was already there cleaning.
“Hello! Can Tilly do anything for you?” She asked from where she was kneeled on the counter.
“No, I’m going to make Anari breakfast.” He replied, heading toward the fridge to gather ingredients, he stared at the eggs in his hand and paused, “Actually, Tilly, would you help me?”
“Of course!” She smiled and instead of hopping down she instantly disappeared. After a moment Blaise heard a quiet shuffling past the closed pantry door. She popped back on the counter with an armful of ingredients. “What would you like to make? We can make pancakes, eggs and toast, bacon, sausage, anything!”
“Let’s do eggs, bacon, sausage, and toast? That will probably be best with how she’s been feeling.” He nodded to himself and Tilly disappeared again before apparating back with only bread in her hands.
“What would you like Tilly to do?” She sets down the bread on the counter and looks to Blaise.
“You can help with the meat, thank you, Tilly.” He smiled and went to grab a pan.
Once breakfast was ready Blaise divided the food up onto two plates after Tilly refused a portion. He found a tray to set the plate and juice on and he walked back upstairs.
When he slowly opened the door to Ana’s room he found her still laying down but eyes staring blankly at the window.
“How’d you sleep?” He asks quietly from his spot at the door, she slightly jumps and sits up quickly.
“Good.” She breathed out, swiping her hair out of her face. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” He muttered, stepping closer with the tray in hand, “Tilly and I made breakfast.”
“You did?” She stares at Blaise almost blankly for a moment before melting a second later and bit her lip slightly, “Thank you.”
“Eat.” He sets down the tray in her lap and sits on the side of the bed by her legs. “Was the potion helpful?”
“Yes. I should make some dreamless sleep potions today though.”
“You’re having nightmares?” He questions, furrowing his eyebrows slightly, Ana hadn’t told him about any dreams she’d been having. He’d assumed she couldn’t sleep because of the baby.
“Yeah, it’s fine though.”
“It’s obviously not if you can’t sleep.” He points out, crossing his arms slowly.
“It’s fine, Blaise.” She tries to send him a sleepy smile. “I’m sure they’ll go away.”
“What are they about?”
“I don’t want to talk about this.” She mutters, taking a bit of her food.
“Tell me anyway.” He uncrossed his arms and put a hand on her knee through the blanket.
“It’s just memories and sometimes…”
“Sometimes?”
“Things that could happen now.”
“Like?”
“Blaise.” She sighs lightly. “Please don’t push this.”
“Okay.” He thinks for a moment, wanting to say this next thought perfectly, “I think— I think it would be beneficial if we slept in the same room for a while.”
“Why?” She jerks back a little, surprised with his words.
“I want to be able to be there if— when you get sick. If you need something I don’t want you to have to get it yourself. I’m your partner in this.”
“It’s really not necessary.” She says, shaking her head at the thought. “I’m fine.”
“You say that word so much it’s lost its meaning. You’re not fine and that’s okay. It would also give me peace of mind if I was there for you. Please.”
She thinks for a moment, “We can try it out for a couple of nights.”
Blaise nods with a small smile and stands slowly, “I’ll get started on that Dreamless Sleep potion.”
“I can–”
“Shut up and eat.”
─TIED TOGETHER─
After Blaise finished making the potion he checked Ana’s room and found it empty. After calling out for her and hearing a small hum from a room down the hallway he found her in the nursery, hand on her stomach and looking around. “I hate this.”
“I know.”
“No– I hate this room.” She walked deeper into the room, dragging a finger down the width of the bassinet, “It’s so dull.”
“Do you want to paint it?” Blaise offers from his spot in the doorway watching her open the curtains.
“I think I do.” She mutters, “I can go into town and get some—”
“No.” Blaise shook his head, leaning against the doorframe, “I’ll get it, I don’t want you walking there.”
“What did I tell you about telling me what to do?” She rolled her eyes, slowly turning to him.
Blaise took two slow steps until he was just a foot in front of her, “I don’t really care about that right now. You’re my wife– pregnant with my child, You’ll stay here.”
“Blaise.” She huffed slightly, “I’m fine.”
“What did I say about that word?” He caught her wrist and gave it a small squeeze, daring her to argue with his eyes. When she didn’t speak up he continued, “Now, what color do you want?”
“I don’t know.” She deflated a little, looking around the room. “A light color, yellow?”
“Green?” Blaise smiled.
“Blue.”
“The kitchen is blue.” Blaise shook his head.
“You just want the baby to be a Slytherin.” She laughed for a moment before coming to a realization. “Is it safe? To go to Hogwarts?”
“I’m not totally sure, but we have time to figure it out.” He tried to smile reassuringly. “Let’s get yellow. We can leave the trim white. It’ll look great.”
“We need curtains too.” She hums, “Oh and maybe a rug.”
“You give me a list and I’ll do the best I can— we can always transfigure it.”
“I don’t like this.” She sighs, “I would like to go.”
“Accept defeat, baby.” He jokes, letting out a low laugh. “Make a list.”
Blaise leaves her in the nursery and goes back to his room to get ready to go.
When Blaise Apparated back from town his arms were full with everything from Ana’s list. Several different shades of paint, a rug, a lamp, and a mobile for above the bassinet.
He laid out the things in the nursery and watched as Ana examined it all. He was a little nervous— he wanted to make her… Happy? Maybe. He wanted to make her feel better. He wanted to do this right for her.
“How many colors did we need?”
“Well you said Yellow.” He crossed his arms a little defensively, “So I got oat, beige, Pale sunshine, sunflower, soft buttercup, and something called fucking bicycle yellow. Don’t say I didn’t give you options.”
Ana let out a light laugh, looking at all the different colors. “Thank you.”
“Shut up and let’s get to work.”
Ana rolled her eyes and picked up the Bicycle Yellow and Blaise got to work on moving the furniture from the walls. Ana went to drag the dresser, “Stop, you shouldn’t lift heavy stuff. Move the chair.”
“I can move the dresser.” She rolled her eyes but moved to the chair nevertheless. “You’re acting like I’m fragile.”
Blaise didn’t respond, moving the heavy objects himself as Ana got the paint ready. They painted in silence for a little until Ana spoke up, “I know we have time but… do you have name ideas?”
“Oh.” Blaise froze for a moment, his hand stopping mid stroke. “I never really thought about it.”
“Me neither.” Ana shrugged.
“I thought every girl had a list of names?” Blaise raised an eyebrow.
“I used to but…” She thought for a moment, “Nothing seems fitting anymore.”
“What doesn’t go with the name Zabini?” He laughed, “What did you assume your kid's last name would be? The Hufflepuff’s?”
“No.” She shook her head playfully, “They just seem too joyful now.”
“Maybe that’s what we need. Some joy.” Blaise turned to look at her, “Tell me them.”
“I uh— I liked Rory.” She shrugged, “I always like Aiofe and Jonah.”
“I like those.”
“No you don’t.” She laughed, still painting with her back to him.
“Yes I do!”
“I thought you might like something like…” She thinks for a moment, “Charles.”
“Charles?” He questioned, “What the hell made you think of that?”
“I don’t know, it’s a traditional name. Wait no– did you want to stick with the unique family names?”
“Don’t even, Anari.”
“That sounds weird.”
“What, your name?”
“No, you saying it. You’ve been doing that more recently.”
“Well, I can’t really call you Moody now can I?” He paused for a second, “Actually I think I can with the way you’ve been acting recently.”
Ana held a hand to her heart, faking a gasp. He dripped her brush in the paint and flicked it at him, getting yellow paint on his cheek.
“This is how you want to play?” He dipped his own paintbrush and splattered it on her shirt. “It’s on, honey.”
─TIED TOGETHER─
When the two had showered after their painting they met in Ana’s bedroom. Blaise stood on one side of the bed and Ana the other just staring at each other, not sure what to do next. “I can sleep on the floor.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, we’re both adults, we can sleep in the bed together.” Ana sighed before opening up the covers to climb into the bed. “Just stay on your side.”
“I could say the same thing to you. This morning you were spread eagle on the bed.”
“I was not!”
“You were, don’t even try to deny it, I woke up with a foot in my back.”
“Lies.” She shook her head while watching Blaise reach for the bottom of his shirt, his movements stuttered for a moment. “Go ahead.”
“You just want a show.” Blaise winked at her before pulling his shirt over his head and climbing into bed, facing her on his side. “You’re sure you’re okay with me staying in here?”
“Yeah. We’ll try it out.” She shrugs, tucking her hand between where her cheek met the pillow, sinking into the bed, and facing Blaise. “If you snore, you’re out of here.”
“I don’t snore.” He huffs offended, Ana gave him a suspicious look for a moment before taking a slow blink and clutching the blanket closer to her body. “Are you sure you’re comfortable?”
“We’ve been married for six months, it’s fine.”
“That doesn’t mean anything.”
“I’m comfortable.” She whispered, “You know I’d tell you if I wasn’t.”
“I know.” He sighed, shuffling around to get comfortable, “Your bed’s better than mine.”
“Sorry. I realised we never discussed who should get what room.”
“I went to the guest room first, we didn’t need to discuss it.”
“I kind of feel bad about you sleeping in the guest room for half a year.”
“Don’t.” He shook his head gently, “We both needed our space.”
“And now?”
“Now? I don’t know.” He shrugs, “We’re different people.”
“Yes, you’re much nicer now.”
“I was never mean.”
“Liar.” She laughed, “You always tried to get on my nerves and push my buttons.”
“That’s not mean.”
“You’re right, it’s annoying.” She sends him a sickly sweet smile.
The whole day Ana hadn’t really thought about her birthday, there was no sadness. It was a good day. She was officially nineteen.
“Shut up and go to sleep.” He laughs, rolling around to turn off the light, leaving them in quiet darkness.
Ana was about over being pregnant. It wasn’t even the slight sickness she’d been having or the fatigue she felt. It was Blaise. He was acting like he was afraid of her and she was tired of it.
She had told him she was pregnant a month ago and he walked around the house on eggshells. He was rarely home still but if he was home he’d tiptoe around her asking if she needed anything every hour. She was going to break.
“Can I get—”
“If you say, can I get you anything one more time, I swear to all the gods above I will make you meet them.” She raised her voice, standing from her spot on the couch to turn around and look at him.
“Sorry.”
“Stop apologizing!” She huffed, gripping her hair in frustration. “I’m tired of you acting like this.”
“Like… what?” He trailed like he didn’t want to upset her more.
“Like you can’t speak to me normally! I’m fine! I promise, I barely feel different, and right now what I need is for you to keep treating me like normal!”
“How can I talk to you the way I used to!”
“By moving your mouth and having anything other sentence than ones that ends with get you.” She stepped around the couch to stand in front of him. “I need normalcy. I can’t have you treating me like I’m pregnant with your child.”
“But you are!” He huffs, growing frustrated.
“I know that.” She seethed, stepping closer to him, pointing a finger at his chest. “But we need to— just for a little while longer, act like I’m not.”
“I can’t act like this isn’t happening.” He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Try. If you can do anything for me, try, and act like everything is normal.” She breathed out, body visibly deflating. “I don’t want your false niceties. I can’t take it.”
“It’s not false. I want you to feel comfortable. Whether we like it or not, you're carrying my child and I care what happens to you now. I want you to have everything you could possibly need. You deserve at least that.”
Ana sighed, everything he did, anytime he spoke to her during this faze in her life it reminded her that it could be worse. She could be married to an evil man.
But she’s not, he’s close to perfect. He cares for her. He has slept in a separate room for five months with no complaints. The past couple of days when he hears her getting sick he knocks quietly on the door and holds her curls out of her face. He brings her water and brushes her back while she sits on the hard tile of the bathroom.
She was lucky. She was lucky to have Blaise.
Ana couldn’t even tell you two years ago if she wanted children or not but now she can’t deny there are worse men to have a child with.
Recently everything Blaise has been doing has become… less irritating.
Yemaya comes over for dinner every other night and Blaise leaves them to talk most of the time.
Blaise has turned his blob of… whatever he was trying to knit into a baby blanket.
There are worse men than Blaise Zabini.
But she wasn’t going to tell him that. It must be the pregnancy hormones.
─TIED TOGETHER─
Ana had been seeing the Muggleborns in the village more now that the weather was manageable to walk. There was still a heavy storm here and there that she couldn’t go out in but she tried to go at least twice a week.
Last time she was there little Emma asked her to bring sweets so of course she needed to stop at the shop before heading to the little town house.
When she got there the house was as quiet as it usually is. No lights on. No noise.
Anari raised her hand but she paused hearing a slight shuffle of clothes behind her. When she looked there was nothing. She waited a moment then raised her hand again.
She knocks three times quickly then twice slowly. It was the code they had made for her.
It didn’t take long for her to hear the click of a lock behind the door. She slowly opened it, revealing the small home.
Where she was normally met with warm smiles and quiet greetings came silence. She looked around the room and everyone was quiet. “Hello.”
She set down her things on the kitchen table near an older couple. The boxes of food and blankets and books.
“Ana.” A voice came from behind her. Dani. “Sit down.”
“What’s happened?” She looks around the room. She didn’t see at least five people that would usually be in the living room when she arrived.
“We got too comfortable.” Dani sighed, sniffily, holding her son, Tommy. “A group of us went into town, the weather was bad and we needed food. They were seen. I don’t know how but they never came back.”
“Who was in the group?” Ana was almost too scared to ask.
Daniella started listing names one after another, five names, then the final one, “Emma.”
“Emma?” Anari’s heart might have broken in half. Her hand found her stomach whether to feel for her unborn child or to still the churning in her stomach.
A six year old girl was taken. It doesn't matter whether it was Snatchers or Death Eaters, her fate was the same. She was a little Muggleborn girl. She was gone.
Anari was taking advantage of her good situation. It might not be the life she’d envisioned for herself but it was safe. She was safe. Blaise was kind. She was a Pureblood. She was privileged. For the past five months she’d been living in her own world– her own bubble– ignorant.
Dani was talking but Ana didn’t hear any of it. Little toothless Emma was gone. You never finished Charlotte's Web. You had four chapters left. She was so excited to finish the story, she wanted to know how it ended. She was supposed to come last week so they could read the last of it, she didn’t come because of a storm.
She should’ve come. If she had they wouldn't've been to go outside. Emma would still be here. Alive. There was a little chance that Emma was still breathing and Ana had to deal with that.
─TIED TOGETHER─
Blaise never thought Anari could be so stupid. She was sneaking around town and going to secluded houses to meet with god knows who. He would have thought she was seeing someone else if not for boarded up windows and dark alley. It could’ve been a drug deal for all he knows. He waited ten outside of the building for her but after thirty minutes he decided to apparate home and send it to the furthest corner of his mind for the night.
They’d been doing so good with not fighting. They hadn’t had any arguments recently and Blaise wanted to keep that streak alive.
He didn’t feel like fighting with his pregnant wife today so he said nothing when she got home. He wished he didn’t follow her. He should’ve stayed blissfully ignorant with whatever she’s been up to.
“Why are you so quiet?” Ana hummed from across the couch. She was curled under a blanket with a book opened on her lap but she hadn’t been reading, just staring blankly at the ink on the page.
“I’m not.” Blaise murmured, turning his own page of a book he was barely reading.
“You are.” She softly closed her book and straightened up, looking at him. “You’ve been trying to avoid speaking all day. Just grunts and hums.”
“I’m just tired.”
“I don’t believe you.” She crossed her arms, tilting her head at him. Blaise finally sets his own book down and meets her eyes.
“If I’m telling you something, assume it’s the truth.”
“I know what you look like when you’re hiding something, Blaise.” She scoots closer to him, “I can see the gears in your head moving.”
“I don’t want to argue tonight.” Blaise sighed and looked at her hopelessly.
“You love arguing. You’d argue with a brick wall if you could still prove you were right.” Ana laughed, “So tell me, what’s going on.”
“Nothing.” He huffs, finally sitting up getting unintentionally closer to her. Blaise couldn’t tell her what was actually on his mind at this moment. What he said next wasn’t necessarily a lie, it had been plaguing him. “I– This just all feels a little too real recently.”
“What does?”
“This.” He waves around the room before his eyes land on her stomach.
Ana subconsciously laid a hand on her belly, it had rounded recently. “I know.”
“I know you know.” He sighed, scratching the back of his neck, “I can’t really complain where I am–”
“Yes you can.” Ana scoots even closer, trying to give his leg a reassuring squeeze. “You can complain, you can tell me you hate this. I understand better than anyone else. We haven’t been good at relying on each other in this…marriage. We need to do better, especially with what’s to come.”
Blaise just looks at her, unsure of what to say. She seemed utterly sincere. This might be the most genuine conversation they’ve ever had. “I’m sorry about that. I haven’t been the most understanding with what’s happened.”
“What’s the saying? The war is over but the battle’s just begun? That’s our life now and it’ll be a lot easier to come out the other side if we’re together. Neither of us are ready or prepared but we’ll learn together.” Anari nods, sniffling quietly. Blaise raised a hand and brushed her cheek, tucking hair behind her ear.
“Together.” Blaise smiled almost bittersweetly. “You’re tied to me now, Moody.”
“Zabini you mean.” She laughs as a soft tear runs down her cheek that he promptly swipes away with his thumb. Blaise hums in question, “My last name isn’t Moody.”
“Damn.” Blaise leans his head back dramatically, “I can’t use it in my jokes anymore. I had the best ones too.”
“Gave me a fucking complex.” She laughed lightheartedly. “I’d tell you to cheer up, but I guess that would ruin your whole branding.”
“You remember it word for word? I really am just that funny.”
"Big headed too.”
They sat quietly for a moment just being close to each other– someone. It was good to find comfort with someone who understands you fully. That’s living day to day with you. Going through all of it together has brought Ana and Blaise closer than they could’ve ever imagined.
Blaise takes the first leap and slowly wraps his arms around Ana’s waist, pulling her into his chest. She goes willingly, just breathing in the comfort for a moment.
A quiet and peaceful moment.
Their hug didn’t last long, the second they heard a little pop when Tilly entered the room they pushed each other away like the other was contagious with a deadly disease.
“Can Tilly get anything for you two before bed?” Tilly bowed her head a little bit, standing with her arms held behind her back in front of them.
“I’m alright, thank you.” Ana spoke softly and Blaise nodded in agreement. When Tilly disapparated Ana carefully stood up, folding up her blanket and making her way out of the room with a quick, “Goodnight.”
─TIED TOGETHER─
When Anari woke up Blaise was already gone, Tilly told her that he said he’d be back before dinner. It was before noon when the sound of the floo igniting was heard from the other room.
“Ana? Babe?” Astoria’s voice was heard, walking into the room with a hand resting on her stomach.
“Astoria?” Ana calls out, setting down her knitting project.
“Hey! I wanted to know if you wanted to hang out!” She smiled, walking around the couch to sit next to her. “Since Blaise and Draco are together I figured I’d come see what you were up to!”
“Blaise and Draco?”
“Yeah!” Astoria smiles sweetly.
“What are Blaise and Draco doing?” Ana had gone months without knowing where Blaise went every day and she finds out he’s with Draco?
“I never know what they’re up to, Draco’s either at the Ministry or hidden in the office with Blaise.” She shrugs, grabbing a blanket and getting comfortable on the couch. “I try to give him his space with everything.”
“Everything?”
“What’s going on in the Ministry that is.”
“What’s been going on?”
“Oh! Um–” Astoria thought very carefully on what she said next, looking around the room like to make sure they were alone. She whispered, scooting closer to Ana, “The Rebels, they’ve been umm… Rioting?”
“Why haven’t I heard anything about this?”
“It’s not something they really want to put in the Daily Prophet.” Astoria shrugged, “I only know because Draco told me. Blaise doesn’t talk about these kinds of things?”
“No. He doesn’t.” Ana mumbles quietly. Rebels? People are publicly defying the Death Eaters and Anari had no idea. She can’t help but feel like Blaise didn’t tell her on purpose like he didn’t trust her. It is hypocritical she knows but she can’t help but feel hurt that he wouldn’t tell her.
So everyday Blaise is gone he’s going to see Draco? That can’t be right.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to bring this up.” Astoria shakes her head, almost looking disappointed in herself for ruining the mood.
“You’re alright. I’ll just have to have a conversation with him when he gets home.” Ana said quietly before looking up at Astoria, noticing her hand still laid on her belly. “You’re pregnant?!”
“I am!” Astoria smiles sweetly, “Draco and I found out a couple of days ago! I heard you’re pregnant too!”
“I am.” Ana knew she sounds a whole lot less excited than Astoria but she still tried to smile. “How are you feeling?”
“Good! No sickness yet! But I have been moody recently, poor Draco, dealing with my wrath.” Anari can’t quite imagine Astoria raising her voice, she couldn’t be any taller than five feet two, she was petite, and her default expression was a smile. She couldn’t hurt a fly.
“Blaise has always dealt with my anger. He’s used to it.”
Astoria lets out a snort, “I remember. We all had to hear about you for years from Blaise!”
“Oh? So he used to talk about me in school? I knew I was winning in our rivalry.”
“Was it really ever a rivalry?” Astoria questioned, shifting on the couch. “I can’t help but think you too were… umm– tension filled?”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s just I always thought that you and Blaise would end up… dating.” She shrugged, “Which I guess I was kind of right but skip the dating and straight to marriage.”
“Are you serious?” Anari scrunched up her face, “I couldn't even imagine!”
“You’re telling me you never felt anything positive towards him?” She raised a suspecting eyebrow, “I always got the feeling Blaise thought you were pretty— which you are.”
“No! I never thought of him in that way. He never thought— he hated me.”
“And he doesn’t anymore?”
“I’m not sure. We have a tolerance agreement.” Her and Blaise willingly getting together? That seems so bizarre in Ana’s mind.
─TIED TOGETHER─
When Blaise got home Anari was sitting at the dining room table, facing the fireplace, arms crossed, and face serious. “What happened?”
“Nothing.” Ana hummed, Blaise standing stupidly in front of the fireplace, looking at her. “Astoria came over today. She and I had a chat. She figured since you and Draco were together she’d come see me.”
“Yeah? How was that?” He went to walk but her glare froze him in place.
“Infroming.” She sat up, “Were you going to tell me what was happening?"
“What’s happening?”
“Rebels?” She huffed, “You didn’t feel the need to let me in on that one?”
Blaise looked around the room for any sign of Tilly before speaking, “I didn’t want you to… get your hopes up.”
“Get my hopes up? I’m a grown woman, Blaise, not a child.”
“I know! I just…” Blaise knew deep down why he didn’t tell her. If he told her about The Order reforming into someone new. The Resistance was what they were calling themselves. If he’d told her she would’ve left to seek them out, she’d get herself killed, and as much as Blaise was trying to think that he was selfish and didn’t want to die for her. That wasn’t the case. He didn’t want her to get herself killed and not just because she’s carrying his child.
He tried not to think about this sudden affection for her life.
“You just what?” Ana stood, getting in his face. “Wanted to keep me clueless? You don’t trust me?”
“It’s not that.” He sighed, rubbing a hand on the back of his head, “I didn’t want you to go and do anything rash, something you’d regret.”
“Like what?”
“Like join them!” He huffed, exasperated, “You would seek them out, get yourself killed, when they’re a group of unorganized traitors who are one wrong move from getting themselves blown up!”
“Traitors?” She shook her head, “You know what you sound like right now?”
“I know but it's the definition of what they’re doing.”
“It beat the mutineers ruling over us now!”
“You don’t even know what they’re doing! You know nothing!”
“Because I don’t leave this damn house! You go out for hours and don’t tell me where you’ve been or what you’ve been doing. I should’ve known! Who’s a part of this group? Huh? The people on the Undesirables list?”
“Mostly.” He said, still face to face with her, “You know it’s not safe for you in the Wizarding World. And you go into town almost every day, doing god knows what in hidden alleys in boarded up houses!”
He hadn’t meant to say it. He didn’t want to bring it up but they were already fighting and it had been plaguing his mind.
“What?” She paused, stepping back slightly, “You followed me?!”
“I shouldn't've I know but I did. I’m not the only one keeping secrets in this relationship.” he spat out the last word like it tasted like venom. “So who’s in the house, Anari?”
She just stood there, looking at Blaise with a blank expression. He felt her fight disappear, the room becoming suddenly suffocating and stiff. She softly shook her head, turned, and walked up the stairs without another word. Leaving Blaise alone and breathless in the dining room.
an: this came to me in a dream... @revesephemeres have fun with the Blaise smut I wrote at 1:46 am
The first time Blaise eats you out while you're asleep, his eyes literally roll back so far he wonders for a brief moment if they might actually get stuck like that.
The conversation around this particular kink happened almost 3 weeks ago, and ever since then it's been stuck in his head. He asked about casually, an air of nonchalance meant to betray the deep interest he has for somnophilia. It'd taken you a few days to think about it properly, and you finally concluded you wouldn't particularly mind indulging him in that fantasy. Quickly, both of you agreed on rules and boundaries, and for the next 3 weeks it was all Blaise could really think about.
So, imagine his surprise when he walks into your shared apartment after a grueling day spent in the summer heat, all cooped up in an office with broken AC, only to find you in just a sleeping dress with the fan going.
Your expression is peaceful when he approaches, carefully as to not wake you, and he notes the clothes strewn across the floor. You must have returned from your errands not too long ago and taken a nap to combat the heat, he concludes, his eyes tracing along the shape of your bare thighs.
He's almost ready to turn around and go about his day in the other room, were it not for the slight movement he perceives from his peripheral vision. It's subtle, the way you rub your thighs together in your sleep, your brows knitting together at whatever dream you're having. His movements halt, all his attention now trained on you to study the way you move, the change in your breathing pattern, your frustrated expression as you toss and turn.
It's too good to be true, he reckons, but still, he bites the bullet and slowly approaches the bed. The mattress dips underneath his weight, the slow crawl to position himself somewhat closer to you an excruciating journey that is taken with utmost caution.
Ever so slowly, his hand creeps up your foot, across your calves all the way up to your thigh until he parts your legs, the sight of your damp, black panties sending jolts straight to his dick.
He recalls your conditions for some mid sleep action, and mentally checks off all the cues of consent. No bottoms? Check. Black panties? Check. Very clearly damp and getting wetter? Check.
When he realizes all is in order, it takes a herculean amount of effort for him to not start moaning right there and then. Instead, he grabs your hips, lifting them off the bed with light movements and bunches your dress up to your waist for some better access. Your panties are quickly disregarded to the side, your legs resting on his shoulders as he brings his face closer to your cunt.
The entire thing feels so wrong, yet so incredibly right, and Blaise wastes no time in beginning to devour your dripping pussy. His tongue makes fine work of licking and savouring every drop you release, his juices soon flowing down his chin through his methodical and precise work.
Blaise thinks you might stir awake, but you're none the wiser to what's happening, still blissfully asleep and occupied with whatever dreams you're having while he's eating you to his heart's content.
It's only when he sucks and circled his tongue with added pressure around your puffy clit that you begin to squirm in his touch, soft groans and sighs leaving your pretty lips.
When he deems you slick enough with arousal, he maneuvers his slowly numbing hand to prod at your entrance, and to absolutely no one's surprise, his finger slides in with absolutely no resistance. In fact, it enters you so effortlessly he adds a second one for good measure, working you open with clinical precision that drives you mad both awake and asleep, if the flutter and clench of your walls is anything to go by.
He's painfully hard against the mattress, rutting his hips against one of the throw pillows you must've kicked off in your sleep, but he doesn't actually care about a release of his own. No, Blaise Zabini is a man on a mission, and right now that mission is making his girl cum in her sleep.
The fingers-tongue combination—or as you lovingly dubbed it; the devil's tango—clearly works it's magic on you, because the squirming increases into something shy of thrashing, his name now mumbled like a prayer in your sleep, accompanied by the prettiest moans he's ever heard from you.
He's restless, tongue flattening against your clit while his fingers curl just right to hit the spot he knows makes your legs shake, and when he switches from licking to sucking and flicking? It's game over.
Your eyes flutter open, disorientation and pleasure both coursing through as when the coil in your stomach releases with such pressure, a silent scream gets stuck in your throat.
Your legs shake on his shoulders, your pussy is dripping with release and you're clenching around his fingers like you never want them anywhere else, and honestly? He wouldn't mind, not if he gets to see you come undone like this for the rest of his life.
When your tremors subside, exhaustion washes over you again, your eyes so heavy you can barely keep them open. You only manage to prop yourself on your elbows, hands cradling Blaise's face with warm affection as you mutter praise and gratitude for his service.
"such a good boy, takin' care of me even when I'm sleepin'," you murmur, barely hearing the whine he lets out at your words.
You're falling asleep in an instant, and Blaise decides that taking care of his own little issue isn't as important as getting cleaned up and falling asleep with you.
Besides, his own pleasure doesn't matter right now, all he wants is for his girl to be happy and satisfied, and he's achieved both of those things.
Synopsis. Sitting with the quiet guy of your class for a potions assignment.
Pairing. Blaise Zabini x hufflepuff.g.n.reader
A.n. I need to get a solid characterization of bro 🥀🥀
Yes. // No__ requested by @siruslyloony4u
Quiet man, stern, nonchalant. Whatever you call him Blaise Zabini wasn’t one to talk with strangers. Hell if you asked his friends, the most he tends to add is one to two snarky remarks or a correction of fact to a conversation.
And you, Well you’re a good student. You try your hardest to pass and come out with good results. You’re a kind person, that’s what your house is known for after all.
You’re the person to not hesitate to help. So what happens when your partner for potions refuses to let you do any work?
It was a good day. You had some much needed rest the night before, you were in your favorite class for a group project with the guy you had a big fat crush on.
You and Blaise were paired up in potions for your finals.
You sat at the table around the cauldron and the respective Iran’s you’d use for the assignment. Butterflies flutter in your stomach as you look across at Blaise. He was going over the items.
The assessment was for you and your partner to use the ingredients given to your pair and decode and decide what potion you were supposed to make. The intended outcome was from a list of potions your class did all semester and each table had different ingredients and intended outcomes.
Snapping back to reality from your long gaze of Blaise you decided to do the same as him, look over the vials and herbs. Just as you were about to grab some roots a hand snatches them from under you, measures, and drops them into the cauldron.
What?
This was a group project wasn’t it?
So why is Blaise doing all the work?
He didn’t let you do a thing. Some people may like that prospect but no, not you. It was infantilizing in your mind. You could do this project too! But, this was the guy you've been after since well- forever. You didn't want to make a bad impression so you sat back, tired to tell yourself that this was okay, but it sure as hell didn't feel like it. Soon Blaise was done and the potion was complete. Mr Slughorn came by to look at it, perfect grade. You should be proud, right?
But alas, there was a pit in your stomach. It hurt you being. Was it jealousy of Blaise's skill? No. bad food? No. what it was, was guilt. You didn't want to take credit for another's work. As good as it sounded it wasn't what you wanted.
Shit.
Wasn't all this morals crap for the gryffindors?
The class continued until the charm for the next class. You had spent half of that 70 minute class time staring at the ground with your forehead pressed on the table. Your stomach churned and flipped, it felt like a mix of that guilt and embarrassment. Blaise had done all the work, that's a horrible impression! You're trying to impress the guy you like not latch off him like a leech.
The sound of the bell was sweet relief. You instantly grabbed your bag but something in you made you stay. The rest of the class filed out rather unorderly with blaise at the back. His friends tugged him along as he glazed back at you standing alone with your bag draped over your shoulder. You turned away from the door and came up to professor Slughorn's desk as he sat behind it.
He looked up at you with a smile. “You did well! Fastest pair I've ever seen” he complimented but you couldn't stomach it.
“It wasn't me!” you blurted, cheeks hotter than the sun's core.
He looked at you with pure surprise. “What do you mean?” his brows furrowed as he leaned closer over his desk.
Your eyes shut closed and your hands tightened on your cross body bag, “it-it was all blaise!” you stammered, “i-i didn't do a thing! I uh tried to but anyway I'd like to re-retake it another time” your voice lowered down to a whisper, “it that is alright with you. That is, Professor Slughorn.”
He leaned back into his chair. “Well if you want too i suppose.” he sighed though he still kept his familiar smile.
Merlin, it was over.
You don't know why you were so nervous. But it was over anyway.
You bowed quickly and scabbled out of the class. As you did so you looked out into the hallway and there he was, Blaise Zabini. He was leaned against a stone pillar and his dark, obsidian eyes locked with yours. He pushed himself off his spot and he walked up to you.
“Why didn't he take the credit?” he said coldly.
“Oh so uh” you looked back into the class room for a second, “you heard that?” you winced slightly as he confirmed your suspicion.
“But why?” he asked again, “you would've passed with flying colors.”
“But it would not have been my work.” you stammered. “It would've been your work. That doesn't sit well with me.”
Surprisingly, he laughed. Well it was more like an amused huff but it was there nonetheless. “Think the sorting hat choose wrong,” he joked.
“Oh I guess.” you chuckled. After that there was uncomfortable silence but instead of leaving Blaise asked another question.
“Why didn't you try to help?”
It caught you off guard. A pit returned in your stomach. “Well you just seemed so in the zone and when i tried to help you took the stuff from right under my hand.” you tried to nervously pass it off as nothing.
His brows furrowed and his weight moved to one leg. “If you're going to cosplay a gryffindor maybe get some more confidence,” he huffed before turning on his heel and leaving.
He turned down the hall and now you were left alone with your thoughts. Professor Slughorn's call from his class room for you to get onto your classes snapped you out of your daze.
Shit! He's right! Mrs Umbridge wasn't a forgiving woman.
Your conversation with Blaise didn't help you through your class. His voice and face were engranded into your mind for the rest of the day. It was the longest you had held a conversation with him.
January flew by in a rainy blur and Ana had knit two blankets and Blaise knitted a little blob of… something.
They tried to spend more time together and not fight but most of the time they just sat in silence avoiding speaking to each other.
It wasn’t until the middle of February when the girls finally had their girls night. Four of them went to Pansy and Theo’s Manor.
Ana officially met Daphne Greengrass– Astoria’s older sister who was lucky to graduate the year before them and the marriage law didn’t apply to her. She actually lived in her own flat in Diagon Alley and was training to be a healer at St. Mungos.
Astoria brought potion vials and Pansy got out some of her paint and they decided to paint them while listening to music.
“So how’s Blaise?” Daphne asked while painting a daisy on her bottle.
“Fine.” Ana shrugged.
“Is he being a pain?”
“Not so much anymore.” Anari didn’t look up as she painted.
“Do you feel any symptoms yet? I know you guys have been trying for a while and I’ve been getting sick.” Astoria spoke up.
“Really? Are you and Draco excited? I know you guys dated in school.”
“This isn’t what we hoped for but I did feel like it was in the future for us. Just maybe a little too soon.” Astoria shrugged, “I feel bad for you, I know you and Blaise didn’t get along in school, Pans’ and I are lucky to get guys we know and love even as friends.”
“I didn’t know you and Blaise didn’t get along.” Daphne spoke up.
“Yeah, we kind of fought in school. We spent a whole year being Herbology partners and I think Professor Sprout regretted making us as punishment.”
“Blaise was always a sweetheart to me.”
“‘Cause he had a major crush on you in first year.” Pansy rolled her eyes.
“Are you serious?” Daphne gasped.
“Yeah, it was annoying.” Astoria laughed, “But you were a pretty older girl. He had googly eyes.”
“That’s adorable.” Daphne cooed.
“I think third year was when he moved on from his crushes on older women.”
“Who’d he move on to?” Daphne questioned Pansy.
“I… Uh– don’t remember.” She muttered, scratching the back of her neck.
Ana saw Astoria smirk to her right and just shrugged it off, maybe she remembered but didn’t feel like spilling all of Blaise’s secrets tonight.
“You were a Ravenclaw, right, Anari?” Daphne looked at the girl.
“Yeah, I was.” She smiled, looking at the girl.
“I always wished I was in Ravenclaw.” She sighed, “I wanted to be one of those girls that could love studying and be creative, but as much as I tried, I sucked at it.”
Daphne turned her vial to show Ana her work and she was right— her flower was awful–ly abstract. Ana couldn’t help but cover her mouth trying to cover up a laugh.
“It’s okay, laugh, it’s truly awful.” She laughed, turning the bottle back to her to continue. “Now, Pans’, how is it living with Nott?”
“He loves to hear himself talk.” Pansy laughed, “But my pairing could’ve been worse, at least I know he’s kind and I care for him.”
“I was terrified going into graduation, every single one of my friends weren’t there. The only guy I wouldn’t hate getting would’ve been Ernie Macmillian, the Hufflepuff, and I just knew him from Prefect meetings.”
“So Blaise wasn’t on the list?”
“No. But he’s better than others, Crabbe and Goyle were definitely at the bottom of my list. Blaise may be a pain in the arse but he’s better than those two—” Ana covered her mouth, “Are you guys friends with those guys?”
“God no, Draco was for a year or two until we showed him the light.” Astoria laughed.
“Who were you friends with in school?” Daphne asked Ana.
“Padma Patil was my best friend, Cho Chang was my roommate and another friend. Just those two honestly. I had a lot of acquaintances but not close friends except for them?”
“Do you know what happened to either of them?” Astoria asked softly.
“No.” Ana sighed, “Neither of them were at graduation. Cho was a half-blood so I don’t know, she may have fled. Padma, I wouldn’t be surprised if they fled the country. Probably the smartest idea. Or maybe they were caught. I really don’t know.”
“I’m sorry.” Astoria reached over and gave Ana’s hand a light squeeze.
“Do you have any family?” Daphne asked gently.
“Not anymore.” She shrugged.
“You have us now, I’ll try not to annoy you too much.” Pansy reached her arm around Ana’s shoulders and gave her a tight hug.
Anari nodded while she saw the other two nodding in agreement. “I appreciate that. It’s been lonely, especially with it just being Blaise and I most of the time. We live in silence most of the time.”
“I hope it gets better.” Daphne sighed, “You might never love him but you could be friends. That’s all you can really ask for.”
─TIED TOGETHER─
After girl’s night ended they agreed to do one every month, which Ana was actually really excited for.
It was late February when Ana had glanced at her calendar she’d set up in her room to track her ovulation cycle. She had to look twice. She hadn’t bled this month. She was at least a week late, her and Blaise would usually try in the next couple of days.
She felt her breast but she didn’t feel sensitive like the books had told her. She hadn’t felt sick. Or Nauseous. It could be a mistake.
But she knew, in her gut she knew.
Ana was pregnant.
Blaise wasn’t home to see her pacing around the house.
“Ana, can Tilly get you anything?” Tilly popped into the room, “Are you alright?”
She needed to talk to someone, now. “No, I’m going to leave the house, If Blaise gets back will you tell him I’ll be back before dinner?”
“Yes, of course!” Tilly smiled while Ana quickly moved to the floo.
“Zabini Manor.” She said clearly as she dropped the dust at her feet.
She was in the sleek living room instantly, Yemaya’s house elf appeared instantly. “Miss Ana? Can I get Mistress Zabini for you?”
“Yes please.”
Yemaya was in the room less than a minute later with squinted eyes that looked her up and down. “Where is Blaise?”
“I don’t know.” Ana’s hands were shaking, her breathing laboured.
“What is wrong?”
“Nothing! I mean— I’m not sure.” Yemaya motioned for Ana to sit on the couch next to her.
“Take a breath child.” She reached and set her warm hands on top of Ana’s. Ana took a couple of deep breaths and shook her head, “Tell me what’s going on.”
“I haven’t bled this month.” She admitted in a whisper.
“Okay…” Yemaya took a breath, “That is good news, yes?”
“I mean… technically.”
“You were supposed to conceive, you did. That’s good.”
“Right.”
“Does Blaise know?”
Ana shook her head, “He wasn’t home and I never know where he is if not home. I didn’t know where else to go— I don’t have anyone to talk to—”
“You can come to me.” Yemaya interrupted, “I may not want this for Blaise but it doesn’t matter if either of us like it, you are a Zabini and are carrying his child. You might not be pregnant, it could just be late. How many days later are you?”
“A week.”
“Okay…” Yemaya nodded and took a breath, “The only way is to brew the potion.”
“I– I should’ve done that. I shouldn't have come before I knew.” Ana went to stand but Yemaya didn’t let go of her hand.
“You can do it here. Come with me.” She didn’t let go of Ana’s hand as if she was scared she was going to make a break for it. The two walked upstairs to an office with a cauldron.
Ana stood by the door while Yemaya went through different potion books. She pulled out an old book with a creased spine. “Here we are. The potion is simple. Have a seat.”
Ana sat in a loveseat that was against the wall and she saw Yemaya go through her cabinets looking for things, she spoke every ingredient under her breath. “Powdered Moonstone… Dandelion Root… Pearl Dust… Sage… Toad Wart Essence.”
She added salt water to the potion and when she was finished she poured it into a clear vial. She looked at Ana and brought the bottle closer to her, “Hair.”
Ana quickly plucked a strand of hair from her head and dropped it into the potion. Yemaya swirled it around as they saw the stand dissolve.
The little amount of liquid started glowing gold and Yemaya’s eyes widened. “You’re pregnant.”
Ana felt her lips tremble a little bit but she did her best to take deep breaths.
“Oh baby.” Yemaya tutted, setting the vial down and bringing Ana into her arms, “It will be okay. I promise. No one ever feels ready to become a mother but you do it anyway.”
Yemaya tried her best to soothe the quiet cries of Ana in her shoulder, rubbing her back and hushing her. “I’m sorry, I knew this was going to happen, I don’t know why it’s affecting me so much.”
“It doesn't matter how much you prepare now it’s real and it’s okay to freak out a little. Merlin knows I did when I had Blaise.” She pulled back, her hands on Ana’s arms. “I was scared, I had no mother to guide me, just like you.”
Ana nodded, “I need to tell Blaise.”
“Tell him when you’re ready.” She nods, “Take the night to think it over and give him time as well. But at the end of the day, you are in this together, you are meant to be a team.”
“You’re right.”
“I always am.” Yemaya winks, squeezing her hands and wiping under Ana’s eyes, swiping her tears away. She stepped back and called Polly in, “Would you mind preparing lunch for Anari and I?”
Polly left with a nod and a smile. “I don’t want to impose—”
“You already have.” Yemaya sent her a kind smile and moved to go back to the living room.
─TIED TOGETHER─
“How was your day?” Blaise asked across the dinner table. Ana needed time before she told him maybe a day or two or ten.
“Fine.” She took a bite of her pasta, “Nothing special.”
Blaise furrowed his eyebrows at how fast she replied but shrugged it off, “Any plans tomorrow?”
“If it doesn’t rain I’d like to go into town or take a walk by the cliffs.” Ana shrugged, maybe she’d just rot in bed letting her mind take over.
“Are you alright?” Blaise speaks suddenly after a moment of silence, “You seem off tonight.”
“Yeah, I just didn’t sleep well, I’m knackered.” She feigned a yawn.
“Okay…” Blaise sighed, she was keeping something from him. She stood up from her spot at the dining table and handed her plate to a smiling Tilly and went to the living room to finish her book.
She was going to have a child with this man. Blaise was the father of her child. He deserved to know.
When he slowly walked into the living room seeing her sitting curled up on the sofa. He sighed and sat on the other end of the sofa and just looked at her.
It was like he was waiting for her to break, just his chocolate brown eyes staring into her soul. “Stop.”
“Stop what?”
“Looking at me.”
“Can I not look at you?” Blaise smiled a little too sweetly.
“No, you cannot.” She slammed her book shut.
“I think I can.” He whispered, not breaking eye contact.
“I would prefer to not do this tonight.” She sighed, fully turning her body to him.
“Do what? Speak?” He questioned, scooting closer to her.
“Blaise…” She sighed, “I’m too tired.”
“Too tired to move your mouth? You love talking.” He laughed softly, leaning against the back on the couch and throwing his arm up on the back of it.
“I do not.”
“It’s okay, I’ve grown a tolerance for it.” He reached over and twisted a curl around his finger.
“I’m glad.” She said, breaking eye contact to look at his finger tangled in her hair.
“Me too, makes my day to day life easier.” Blaise laughed, resting his head on his arm, looking at her. “Who was that Hufflepuff you were talking about on my birthday?”
“What are– oh! Um his name was Justin.”
“Justin?...” Blaise asked.
“Finch-Fletchley. He was in our year.”
“Did you date this Justin guy?”
“No…”
“Why not?”
“We were just friends. He didn’t want to date me.”
Ana could’ve sworn she heard Blaise mutter the word, “Idiot.”
“What’d you say?”
“Oh nothing.” Blaise waved her off, “look at us. Sixth year us would have aneurysms if they saw us now.”
“It’s definitely been a weird couple of years.” Ana laughed, crossing her arms over her chest and leaning against the back of the couch.
“Weird is an understatement.” Blaise chuckled while still playing with her hair.
“Yeah…” Anari rested her head on the back of the couch, looking up at the ceiling.
They sat in silence for a little bit and then Ana spoke up again, “I saw your mother today.”
“And she didn’t bite your head off?” He laughed, “What’d she come over for?”
“I went over there.” Anari admitted quietly.
Blaise sat up slowly, furrowing his eyebrows, “Why, did something happen?”
“I’m late.”
“Late for what?” Blaise said instantly until he realized, his mouth opened wide, and he blinked wildly, “Oh.”
“Yeah. She made me the potion to test— to make sure.”
“And?”
“I’m pregnant.” She sighed, unintentionally curling into herself more.
“Why didn’t you tell me when I got home?”
“I needed a moment.” She said quietly.
“Uh– okay. This is good.” He didn’t say it like he believed it, more like he was trying to convince himself.
“This is what we had to do.” She muttered, “We’ll make it a good thing.”
Blaise ran his hands over his face taking a deep breath, and laughed quietly. “Thank Merlin."
“What?”
“We don’t have to try anymore. That was the weirdest thing I’ve ever done in my life.”
“Weird for you? You don’t even what to know how it felt–”
“Don’t tell me!” Blaise held a hand up, stopping her from finishing her sentence, “You’re right, I don’t want to know.”
Blaise and Ana didn’t discuss the balcony or the party in general. For the next two weeks they didn’t really talk, they went back to their new normal. Living together but living separate lives.
It was the middle of January when they finally sat down and had a full conversation. They sat across each other at the dinner table, eating a delicious pasta Tilly had cooked up for them.
“Do you feel any different?” Blaise asked after placing his fork down. Ana sent him a questioning look and he continued, “I don’t know what one feels when they are pregnant, but do you feel anything?”
“Um… I don’t think I feel different.” She shook her head, “the symptoms are like tenderness, nausea, fatigue, and a couple of others after the first month. But nothing yet, I could not be symptomatic yet or I might not be pregnant.”
“Do we need to try again?” He said quietly, as if it pained him. “Is it time yet? I mean it’s almost been a month since…”
“Yeah, I wanted to mention that, tomorrow is my first day of ovulation so we should try again then and then every other day for the next week.”
Blaise took a deep breath and nodded solemnly, “Okay.”
“Are you alright?” Ana couldn’t help but ask, he looked… disturbed.
“I’m fine…” He trails off, “I um– I don’t know.”
Ana waited for him to continue but he didn’t. “You always know, Blaise, what is it?”
“Nothing.” He meets her eyes after staring at his plate emotionlessly. “Shouldn’t there be an easier way?”
“There is.” She raises an eyebrow, “But I think we both would agree that’s not an option we’ll consider.”
“Right.” He nods, looking off in the distance as if there was more he wanted to say. “You’ll tell me if you feel anything, right?”
“‘Course.” She places her napkin on her plate and moves to bring it to the kitchen.
Tilly pops in quickly, “Oh! I’ll take that, Ana.”
“Thank you.” She accepts the help and hands the elf her plate. Ana looks at Blaise one more time before leaving the room, heading to the living room to continue her chess game she’d started.
It wasn’t long until Blaise walked in and sat across from her, “Are you winning?”
“I am.” She huffs and she decides to attempt something, “Want to play?”
“I’ll preface that I'm very good.”
“We’ll see about that.” She smiled slightly and he got comfortable and reset the table to play her.
It didn’t take long for Ana to say Checkmate and Blaise let out a groan, “Rematch.”
They played three more games, Anari winning every single one of them. “I thought you were good? How many times do you need to be humiliated?”
“I guess only four times before I give up.” Blaise lets out a laugh and stands from his spot. “I’m headed to bed, any plans tomorrow?”
“I’ll probably go into town again.”
“You’ve been going every day? Not too cold?” Blaise questions, walking around the couch to head to his room.
“Nah, It’s a peaceful walk if I bundle up.” Ana stood up and folded her blanket back up and set it on the couch. Blaise left silently and she went to the kitchen to make tea before bed.
─TIED TOGETHER─
Blaise was woken up bright and early to Tilly apparating into her room, “Mister Blaise, there are letters here for you.”
Weeks ago he had asked Tilly to bring him any mail he’d received immediately. He probably should’ve told her not to today— these ones weren’t important.
He thanked her and she left the room after setting the pile on his bedstand. The first one was from his mother asking him to come over for lunch. The next one was from Draco and Astoria giving him their best wishes. The next one was a howler from Theo and Pansy singing him happy birthday so loud he was worried it’d wake up Anari from across the house. And it did.
She was at his door in a matter of minutes, busting in. He was still in his pajamas and sitting up in his bed. “Are you alright? What the bloody hell was that?”
“Uh… I’m fine. Howler from Theo and Pansy, trying to mess with me.” Blaise mumbled, she’d never been in his room before and this felt strange, her standing in the doorframe in her pajamas. “Also, if you’re going to come into my room. Knock.”
Blaise hadn’t seen her since he’d handed her his cup of— you know— last night and they usually avoided eye contact until the next night they had to try.
“Firstly, tell Pansy and Theo that they can send Howlers just not at a quarter to six in the morning.” She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and pointed a finger at him, “Second, if you were dying you wouldn’t want me to knock now would you?”
“You thought I was being attacked?” He raised an eyebrow, "Wouldn't you be excited? Finally out of the contract, a widow.”
“I didn’t know what was happening and I’d love that, but who knows if they’d come after me next.” She shrugged, turning to shuffle back to bed.
“Good morning, then.” Blaises shouted at her back and only heard a groan in return and a slam of her door.
Blaise knew there was no going back to bed now so he shoved his slippers onto his feet and headed downstairs.
Tilly wasn’t ever asked to make breakfast since they always had pastries laying around from Ana’s night time baking. Blaise made a coffee and sat on the barstool and looked out the window with a muffin and his mug.
It was his nineteenth birthday and it felt bittersweet. Last year was a mess but at this time then he would’ve never imagined he was married to Anari Moody and planning to be a father soon. It all felt like a nightmare. One he was desperate to wake up from. But there was no waking up, this was his life now, and he had to make do.
He had a wife he knew little about, he had to be a good father when he didn’t have any example of one growing up. He was really starting from scratch.
Who knew what his nineteens would give him. A child? Death, probable, with what he’s been up to recently.
Blaise heard a shuffle of feet behind him and it could only be one person, “Couldn’t go back to sleep?”
“No.” She huffed angrily and grabbed a muffin, orange juice, and sat next to him.
Nothing else was said for a moment but Blaise could feel her eyes on him. “See something you like?”
“Yes.” She groaned, shoving her head in her hands, “I want coffee so bad, right now.”
“Drink some.” Blaise looked at her like she was crazy, “I’m not sharing.”
“I’m not supposed have caffeine you fucking spoon.” She gave him a look from the corner of her eye.
“Is it a rule?”
“No. Technically I can have some. But I don’t want to risk it.” Ana says, still glaring at his coffee cup.
Blaise sighs and gets up and dumps his coffee in the sink as well as the pot he’d just brewed.
“What’re you doing?” Ana squints her eyes at him.
“Out of sight out of mind. If you can’t have it, neither will I.” He shrugged, sitting back down with a glass of water he’d gotten.
“What happened?” She looked at him suspiciously, “Why are you acting like this?”
“Like what? I’m not acting a certain way.” He shrugged, finishing his muffin.
“You’re chipper, you’re acting nice today. Why?”
“Maybe I’m tired of fighting.” He shrugged.
“Or maybe you’re sick.” She scoots away from him.
“I’m not ill. I’m just thinking that we should try to get along today and in the future.”
Ana didn’t respond, “Why?”
“Well, we’re stuck with each other unless you decide that it's worth killing me and we’re having a child in the near future. So, it might be best if we get along.”
“I’m not unconvinced that you’re ill.” She squinted her eyes at him again before slowly backing out of the room, not turning her back on him, making him laugh.
─TIED TOGETHER─
When Blaise got back home from having lunch with his mother there was no sign of Ana. This birthday lunch with his mom was much different than any other he’d spent with her. No talk about grades or school or quidditch. Instead, he talked about becoming a father, how Ana might be pregnant this very moment, how he had a wife who hated him.
He deserved it— her hate. He was never nice to her in school. He stood behind Draco in school who bullied her friends and he did nothing and that was worse.
Blaise couldn’t tell you the last time he’d cried in his mum’s arms, probably as a child when he scraped his knee. But today he did. He broke.
Happy nineteenth birthday.
Ana came home a couple of hours later, she came back with a bag stuffed with something colorful in her bag.
“You’re back.” Blaise turned to her, away from his book in his hand.
“Yeah.” She took her layers off and put them on the hook in the entryway, she rubbed her hands together while walking over to Blaise. She tried to smooth down her hair after having a hat on but it was probably useless. “I got a couple of things to keep me busy especially with the storm coming up.”
“What’d you get?” Blaise asked, stretching out to rest his arms on the top of the couch.
“Some yarn. I used to knit with my grandma growing up.” She shrugged, pulling out all the materials she got.
“We’re you close with her?” Blaise questioned as Ana sat down a little further down the couch from him. “Your grandma?”
“Yeah. She raised me, lived with her my whole life until like… sixth year, then I moved in with Alastor.” She didn’t look at him while she spoke, just digging in her bag.
“Was it weird in fourth year? With everything.”
“I never really talked to him before, I saw him a couple of times at Christmas. But, I mean, there was no reason for him to talk to me at Hogwarts anyway, I tried but you know…”
Blaise just nodded silently, she was quiet after that, staring into her bag or colors. After a moment she spoke again.
“I miss when my only problem was my uncle being a polyjuiced death eater.”
“That was quite a problem.” Blaise laughed under his breath at her seriousness, she joined in just a second later. “I miss it too. Never thought I’d miss school.”
They sat in silence for a little bit while she unpacked her yarn. Once she was finished Blaise opened his mouth to say something but they heard the roar of the floo and stood quickly, wands ready.
“Alright mates!” Was yelled from the dining room, “I’m ready to celebrate!”
Theo and Pansy came around the corner with Pansy holding a bottle of something and Theo holding a gift.
Anari looked to Blaise to just see him laughing quietly. “I told you not to come.”
“You don’t tell me anything, Zabini. I do what I please.” Pansy waved him off, rounding the couch to hug Ana first.
“How does it feel to finally be at my level, Blaise?” Theo asked him after hugging him and then Anari.
“I feel fine.”
“Blasphemy, being nineteen is fucking incredible.” Theo shook his head.
“Theo, what do you think blasphemy means?” Ana questions.
“He’s just saying shit to say it at this point.” Pansy whispered, “He likes people thinking he knows big words.”
Ana smiled at her words and Theo gasped, clutching his chest. “I heard that, dear wife. I’ll have you know I’m quite smart.”
“Sure but the sorting hat didn’t almost put you in Ravenclaw though, it was Hufflepuff.” Blaise spoke up.
“I told you not to tell anyone, Zabini!”
“You were supposed to be a Hufflepuff?” Ana laughed, “I can see it, honestly.”
“I like your wife better than you at this point, Zabini. I’m returning your gift.”
“Gift?” Anari questioned.
“His birthday gift, finally nineteen.” Theo smiled, plopping himself on the couch.
Ana’s face fell. What an awful fake wife she was that she didn’t know his birthday. “You didn’t tell me it was your birthday.”
“Because I didn’t feel like celebrating this year.” He shrugged, sitting in the arm chair as the rest of the group sat as well.
Today was his birthday and this morning she basically told him she’d be delighted if she was a widow. “I would’ve baked a cake.”
“Again, I didn’t want to celebrate.” Blaise tried to meet her eyes but she didn’t look up. “I don’t know why the hell these two are here, ruining our peaceful evening.”
“Peaceful is overrated.” Theo waved a hand, shushing him.
“We brought drinks!” Pansy said, shaking the bottle a little bit, when both Ana and Blaise opened their mouths she quickly corrected herself, “Not the fun ones but liquid nonetheless.”
“You both do need to feed us dinner.” Theo stated, nodding at the two of them.
Guess this was practice before having the actual baby.
After they’d eaten Draco and Astoria joined them in the living room. After Blaise had opened his presents from the two couples they’d decided to play a game.
Drinking their cider and holding their fingers up Draco asked the first question. “Never have I ever… snuck into a different common room.”
Looking around the room it seemed as if only Ana had. Astoria looked at Ana and gasped, “What the hell are the Ravenclaws doing? I thought you all just stuck to your books.”
“I knew a guy in Hufflepuff…” Ana shrugged, Pansy raised an eyebrow but Ana just tried to move on. “Theo, it’s your turn to ask.”
“Ah– yes, umm… never have I ever cried watching a muggle film.” He gives Draco a pointed look and both him and Blaise put down a finger.
“Not my proudest moment.” Draco mutters.
“What film was it?” Anari questions, looking at the boys.
“Bambi.”
“What’s it about?”
“A stag’s life…” Blaise mumbles and looks up quickly, “Astoria you’re next.”
“Oh, okay. Never have I ever been almost sorted into a different house.” She sent a sweet smile to Theo.
“This feels pointed.” Theo huffed, putting a finger down. Blaise put a finger down as well.
“Zabini?” Pansy raised an eyebrow.
Blaise muttered something under his breath and Ana couldn’t hear it from her spot between Astoria and Pansy. He cleared his throat and spoke again, “Ravenclaw was considered.”
“Shut the hell up!” Theo started cackling, “And you were giving me shit for Hufflepuff!”
“What’s wrong with Ravenclaw?” Ana sent Theo a look with a raised eyebrow.
“Nothing darling, but he gave me shit for years about Hufflepuff. And of course, Slytherin is the superior house.”
“Debatable.” Ana shrugged before thinking about her question. Any of the questions she’d want to know the answer to would be inappropriate and ruin the mood. “Never have I ever lost a bet.”
Draco’s head shoots to Blaise and sees him put a finger down, Theo laughs beside them, body visibly shaking.”What’d we miss?”
“Nothing, absolutely nothing, dear wife.” Theo finally calmed down and turned to Blaise, “Want to explain?”
“The two of them bet that I wouldn’t do something… and I said I would… and I didn’t.”
“That’s all we get?” Astoria raised an eyebrow.
“Yes. That’s all you get and it’s my birthday so you can’t humiliate me.” He sent a pointed look to the guys still laughing next to him.
“Alright… Never have I ever kissed someone who was dating someone.” Pansy being the one to spice it up seemed right. But for some reason Pansy put a finger down along with Draco and Theo and Astoria.
“What the hell?” Ana yelped, “What are you slytherins doing down there? Don’t answer that.”
“Well in my defense she hated her boyfriend.” Pansy shrugged, sipping on her cider.
“It was spin the bottle!” Astoria protested, shaking her head in her hands.
“I have no defense. She was hot.” Theo shrugged.
“Mine was spin the bottle as well…” Draco trailed off, Ana couldn’t help but think he was lying.
Blaise went next, “Never have I ever had meaningless sex.”
That was a question she wasn’t expecting Blaise to ask, she figured he’d bring it back to P-G questions.
To everyone's dismay they all put their fingers down except for Blaise who coughed up a sarcastic, “Sluts.”
“Woah! Nuh uh! You’re just a saint. Although I can say I’m surprised…” Pansy’s eyes slowly moved to Ana who blushed and shrugged sheepishly.
“Hufflepuff…” She muttered, sinking lower into the couch.
“I fall in love with you more and more everyday.” Pansy sighed playfully.
“Alright Draco, give us your best.”
“Never have I ever… said the wrong name while kissing someone.” He crossed his arms and looked at Blaise.
“I hate you. It’s my birthday.” He sighed, “I apologized, I was drunk.”
“Alright, Draco, finish the birthday boy off.” Pansy noticed that Blaise was on his last finger.
“Never have I ever skinny dipped in the black lake.” Draco smirked but Blaise didn’t put down a finger but Ana did.
“I was wearing my pants, idiot.” Blaise laughed before seeing where everyone was looking.
“I think Ravenclaw’s have more fun.” Theo muttered.
“I uh— I don’t really have an explanation.” Ana scratched the back of her neck.
“Something we’ll discuss at girls night.” Astoria sent the blushing girl a wink.
“Moving on… Never have I ever had over five step-dads.” Theo smiled, knowing it would get Blaise out.
A couple days after Christmas a letter arrived addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Zabini, it was regarding an event that the loyalists were inviting high ranked couples to. It was a ball for New Years Eve.
Before Ana knew it there was a large box sitting on her bed. Inside the box was a black silk dress that had a high boat neck top. It was tight up until the butt where it flared out a little. The back was open, the fabric draped down her shoulders. It was a beautiful gown.
She paired her dress with black heels and simple gold jewelry. She tangled her hair into a slick back bun where her curls took over, leaving a couple of intentional pieces to frame her face.
She met Blaise downstairs at nine thirty at night, ready to leave. He waited by the Floo network with his hands behind his back and talking quietly to Tilly. The clicking of Ana’s shoes on the stairs made him look up and he looked like he was assessing her. Like seeing if she was passing.
“Okay, let’s go.” He took her arm and led her into the fireplace for the floo. They were being careful in case Anari was pregnant since it wouldn’t be good for the baby for her to apparate, using the floo was gentlier for her.
They could tell that only the trusted inner circle was invited, the Malfoys, Notts, Dolohovs, Averys, Lestranges, and other families of the Sacred Twenty-Eight. Ana had never felt so out of place, sure, she was a Pure-Blood but not to their standard.
Blaise evaluated the room, scanning for something, once he found what he was obviously looking for he looked to Ana, “Stay here, don’t talk to anyone.”
The ballroom was grand, the air thick with perfume and whispers, swirling with the clinking of glasses and the soft shuffle of shoes against polished floors. She stood at the edge, feeling every bit the outsider in this glittering sea of purebloods, all dressed in their finest, exchanging polite smiles and subtle glances.
While looking around the room she didn’t notice a man approaching her. “Now, now, what do we have here?”
She knew who it was immediately, “Lestrange.”
“What’s little Moody doing in the snake den?” He whispers into her ear. Rodolphus Lestrange, husband of Bellatrix who was presumably roaming around the room somewhere.
“It’s Zabini now.” She didn’t look at him, just kept staring out into the crowd.
“Yes, it is.” He mutters, finding Blaise across the room chatting with someone she couldn’t see. “I do hope he’s treating you like you deserve.”
She didn’t want to know what he thought she deserved, couldn’t be anything good. Ana didn’t dignify his words with a response.
“It was such a shame Mad-Eye kept you locked away for so long.” He tutted, still whispering in her ear, she cringed at his hot breath hitting her skin. “We would have loved to get our hands on you, made him watch.”
She flinched away from him, finally looking him in the eye, she went to grab her wand from a hidden pocket in her dress. But a hand on her hip stopped her. “Wife, care for a dance?”
She turned and saw Blaise, he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her so her back was against his chest. She looked at Lestrange one last time before saying, “Yes.”
“Til next time, little one.” Rodolphus sent her a sly smile and turned to walk away the opposite direction Blaise was walking away obviously expecting her to follow, which she did. Anything to get further away from Lestrange
Blaise moved through the crowd like a shadow, effortlessly commanding attention. His dark suit seemed tailor-made for him, perfectly fitting, and yet somehow, he managed to look entirely unbothered by the extravagance of the event.
Ana doubted he heard what the man had said to her and if he did his face didn’t give anything away.
“Enjoying yourself, wife?” His last word sounded both like mocking and venom coming from his lips. They both stopped in the middle of the dance floor, surrounded by other couples.
She shot him a withering look, “Oh, why yes.” She replied, tone dripping with sarcasm, “All I could dream for, being in a room with people who wouldn’t spit on me if I was on fire.”
Blaise raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained by her response. He leaned closer, just enough for his breath to tickle her ear. “Careful, darling. Someone might think you’re not as happy to be here as you should be.”
She stiffened, her jaw tightening. “And why would that be, Blaise? You think I’m thrilled to be married to you?”
His smirk widened. “I can’t imagine why not. I’m quite the catch.” He placed his hands on her hips and guided her to the music. She felt the shift in the air. It wasn’t the soft, graceful kind of dance she was used to; no, this was more like a carefully calculated battle. Every movement is steady and sure.
“But I suppose you’d prefer to be alone, wouldn’t you? No one to witness your charming temper or—”
"Why don’t you keep that smug mouth shut for once?" She snapped, her patience thinning. "These people ruined my life— killed people I love and I’m just supposed to stand here and pretend like everything’s fine? Pretend I’m not miserable standing here with you?"
Blaise’s lips quirked upward again, clearly enjoying the moment. “Oh, I’m not making you miserable. You’re doing that all on your own, darling.”
A tight laugh escaped her. “Quite an observation.”
He shrugged, feigning innocence. “It’s true, you know. You’ve always been a bit of a walking disaster, haven’t you?”
“Right,” She said, cutting him off before he could continue. “And I suppose I should thank you for pointing that out. Because nothing says ‘husband’ quite like constant criticism.”
Blaise glanced down at his watch, as if toying with the idea of leaving. "Perhaps you should actually dance with me then. Just to show me how 'miserable' you are," he said, his voice suddenly softer, but the teasing edge never quite leaving it.
She narrowed her eyes, unsure of his intention. "I’m sure I’d rather chew glass, but thank you for the offer."
He chuckled, clearly unbothered by her words. “You know, it’s almost cute how you think you have any control in this marriage."
“Control?” She scoffed. “You think either of us have control over this—this farce?” She looked around the room, where the pureblood elite swirled around them, pretending to be so important, so dignified. She leaned in slightly, keeping her voice low. “You’re just as stuck here as I am. So don’t act like you’re above me.”
Blaise studied her for a moment, his dark eyes piercing. “Oh, I’m not above you. But I know one thing,” he said, his voice a little quieter now. "We are nothing but pawns. They traded our freedom for politics, and all you can do is glare at me. Put on a smile and dance with me."
She shook her head but gave in and wrapped one of her arms stiffly around his neck and the other in his hand and looked anywhere other than him. "What else am I supposed to do? You're a constant reminder of everything I lost in this war."
“Careful how you look at people.” He guided her eyes back to him before returning his hand to her waist. "Mad-Eye isn't here to protect you anymore. It should be obvious since Lestrange so easily approached you. Perhaps you should learn the value of diplomacy over violence.”
She held his gaze, anger and something else bubbling just beneath the surface. “You don't know anything about me, don’t pretend you do.”
Blaise smirked again, a wicked gleam in his eye. “I know more than you think I do.”
Before she could snap back, the music shifted, signaling a new dance. They stayed on the dance floor and others joined them, Ana saw Draco and Astoria a couple feet away from them.
The gaze of everyone in the room felt oppressive, their judgment hovering just over her shoulder. Ana wasn’t paying much attention to her dancing with Blaise too busy gazing around the room. She accidentally stepped on his foot but didn’t bother apologizing, he deserved it.
“Not so good at this, are you?” Blaise teased, his lips curling into a smile that bordered on cruel. “I thought you were supposed to be the top student.”
She gritted her teeth, forcing herself to focus on the steps, trying to ignore the way his hand on her waist felt far too possessive. “I don’t see you dancing with anyone else, Zabini. So, what’s your excuse?”
“Oh, I have many,” he replied with a smirk, twirling her just a little too sharply, making her stumble for a moment before she regained her balance. “I think it’s just funny how you always act like you’re in control.”
“I am in control,” She snapped, meeting his gaze with as much venom as she could muster.
“Prove it,” he murmured, pulling her a little closer, his hand slipping just a little too low on her back. The move was calculated, deliberate, meant to make her uncomfortable. Ana couldn’t deny the rush of irritation that swirled through her, and the way her heart sped up—not from desire, but from the sheer frustration of being so close to him.
The music swirled around them, the other couples gliding effortlessly, while Ana and Blaise stumbled through every step, each move filled with tension and hostility.
“You know,” Blaise said with that infuriating smirk, “if you spent as much time trying to enjoy yourself as you do trying to be miserable, this wouldn’t be so bad.”
“Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad,” She retorted, voice tight, “if you weren’t so insufferable.”
He leaned in closer, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered, “You’ll get used to me. You’re already halfway there, I can tell.”
Anari shivered, unwilling to admit he might be right. The dance continued—awkward, tense, filled with barely contained animosity, but somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew he was right.
As much as she hated it, her and Blaise were in this together. And no amount of mean teasing or cold shoulders would change that.
─TIED TOGETHER─
After dancing for a few more songs they retired to a table where Theodore and Pansy were sitting. They were huddled together, talking quietly.
“Mind if we join you?” Ana asks, breaking them apart from their secrets.
“Of course not!” Pansy smiled at Ana and patted the seat next to her, Anari took it greedily wanting a break from the pressure her heels were putting on her feet. “Are you enjoying your time?”
“I uh—” She doesn’t want to lie but the truth may sound too harsh for this setting.
“Me too.” She whispers, laughing under her breath, “Pretending to like this guy will be the death of me.”
“I thought you two were friends.” Ana questions, she can’t quite figure out their dynamic yet.
“We are!” Pansy corrects, and lowers her head closer to Ana’s ear, “It’s just we have a similar interest in… well let’s just say we bond over our love for a certain type of person.”
She sends a wink to the girl and Pansy waits for her to understand. “Oh! Yes, I understand.”
“Now you see my predicament. At least with Blaise you don’t mind his… parts. On my end dick disgusts me.”
“Oh– Blaise and I don’t…” She trails off.
“Sorry, I just assumed since you were trying to conceive.”
“We make it work, what about you and Theodore?” She whispers back.
“We do what we have to do.” Pansy looks devastated as she says those words, like it was giving her the heebie-jeebies. “Anyway, enough of that. What have you been doing with your time? I’ve run out of hobbies to try.”
“I go to the town not so far from our house and the cliffs when I need silence— not that our home isn’t quiet enough.” She says honestly.
“We should do a girls' day.” Pansy decided, “With Astoria of course, It’d be good for us to be around people other than our husbands.”
“I agree.” Ana never knew that she’d be excited to spend time with Pansy Parkinson or Nott now but she was.
“I’ll tell Astoria and I’ll write to—”
All chatter died down in the room and there was only one sound, heavy footsteps. It was him. Voldemort was in this very room with them. He took a spot at an elevated stop in the room and a large chair— almost throne-like. Bellatrix Lestrange stood behind him to his side and his snake was to his other side.
“I want to make a toast.” He announced, Ana didn’t know what she was expecting him to say but it wasn’t this. “To the death of our enemies. To the future. To purity.”
Everyone raised their glasses in the air and repeated ‘to purity’. Ana couldn’t get herself to listen to the rest of his speech.
It was disgusting to hear him speak, to be in the same room as him. The man who killed her uncle. The man who was responsible for her friend's dying. While she tuned him out she thought of Padma, who wasn’t at graduation, she didn’t know what happened to her or Cho.
They were her best friends and she didn’t know if they were dead or alive. Either way neither of them made it to graduation.
Her uncle’s murderer was sitting in front of her, boasting about cleansing the world, and she felt like she was going to be sick.
Knocking her out of her thoughts was a hand on her thigh, Pansy looked at her with concern and Blaise looked at her from across the table. Someone else was speaking now, saying that there was less than five minutes to midnight.
“I need to find the toilet.” She heaved out, standing up and walking in a random direction. She didn’t need the loo, she needed air, she needed to breathe.
When she found a door to an empty terrace, she took her chance. Shutting the door behind her she faced the expanding gardens behind the house.
The door opened quietly behind her and Blaise spoke up, “Are you alright?”
“Do you care?” She said hoarsely.
“Don’t be weak, don’t cry, not here.” He can’t even see her but she does have tears in his eyes, he can hear it in her voice.
“Can we go?” She sighed, leaning against the railing, him stepping up next to her.
“Not until midnight.” He murmured, facing her, “Take a deep breath and get ready to head back in. Don’t let them see you crumble.”
She shook her head, swiping at the stray tears. “I don’t think I can do this.”
“You can. You have to.” He steps closer,seeing her shiver he placed his suit jacket over her bare shoulders. He grabbed her chin and made her look at him. “You’re stronger than you think.”
She knew he was just saying this so she wouldn't cause a scene by crying when they got inside but it was comforting nevertheless. She just stares at him, piercing her lips.
“Agree with me.” He says softly and before giving her the chance, he uses his hand on her chin to shake her head and down slowly, making her nod. “See, I knew you could admit when I’m right.”
Anari lets out a small laugh and he lets one out as well, smiling down at her. Before either of them can say anything else there’s shouting inside. It must be midnight.
“To 1999 being better than 1998.” Blaise muttered, letting go of her face.
“Shouldn’t be hard.” She sighs, taking the arm he offered and letting him lead her inside.
Michael Corner agreed to meet Ana in the Ravenclaw Common room before the Yule ball. He'd approached her in the library weeks ago to ask her to accompany him and she was ecstatic.
She was wearing a light blue dress that went to the ground, by her calves the fabric flared out in layers. All the lining was a slightly darker silk, it was on the short sleeves that seemed like scrunched fabric on her shoulder and a silk band on the top of the dress around her bust. Her heels matched the darker fabric and her normally untamed curls were calm and tied up on top of her head in an up-do.
She had never felt more beautiful. She made her way to the common room after saying bye to her remaining roommates who were still getting ready. Walking down the spiral staircase she saw Michael waiting with one of his friends, she sent him a soft smile when he saw her.
“Wow, Ana… you look wonderful.” He looked her up and down with a grin. “Are you ready?”
“Yes! And you look wonderful as well.” He was wearing a dark blue robe set.
Michael took her arm and helped her down the stairs of the tower.
The great hall was beautiful, Ana was in complete awe. It looked like a white winter wonderland. There was a large tree in the middle with snow covering it. Everything was silver and sparkles. The walls were covered in silver frost and the ceiling was transformed into a starry sky.
Michael led her into the hall and they stood to the side as the Triwizard Tournament Champions came in and started dancing with their partners. Her and the boy went onto the dance floor after Neville and Ginny Weasley went first. Ana can’t say she knew how to dance properly but Michael was being kind enough to not mention when she accidentally stepped on his foot.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw her uncle with his usual scowl. When Dumbledore had announced that Alsastor would be working at Hogwarts this year she thought it might be nice to have a friendly face around the castle, no matter how strained their relationship.
The school year was half way over and she hadn’t even shared a conversation with the man. Every time she’d try to grab his attention he suddenly needed to be somewhere very urgently so she’d give up trying to talk to him.
They continued their dance and Ana felt a heated gaze stabbing at the back of her head. After Michael spun her she’d finally faced the man behind the eyes. It was Blaise Zabini. They’d never really spoken to each other, only indirectly, really. He looked agitated more than anything. He was dancing effortlessly with Pansy Parkinson but wasn’t staring at the girl in his arms instead he was staring at Anari.
Ana stared back at him with a raised eyebrow, questioning him, but Blaise just kept staring. It wasn’t until Ana accidentally stepped on Michael’s foot again and disconnected their eyes to apologize.
“Sorry.” She muttered sheepishly.
“You’re not very good.” He laughs with her, “How about we take a break from dancing and I’ll grab us drinks.”
Anari agreed and let him lead her to a table.
Cho Chang and Cedric Diggory took a break from dancing and joined Ana at her table. “How is your night going?”
“Good!” Cho sighed, she glanced at Cedric who was smiling kindly at Anari. “Yours?”
“I think Michael might regret inviting me.” She admitted.
“Why the hell would he regret it?” Cedric spoke up.
“I keep stepping on his toes. Literally.” She smiles sheepishly, “And instead of grabbing drinks for us he’s talking to Ginny Weasley.”
“Well he’s an idiot.” Padma Patil spoke behind her, “So is my date. Wanna dance An?’”
“I’d love to!” Ana took Padma’s hand and they danced to the Weird Sisters who had just come out on stage.
─TIED TOGETHER─
Professor Sprout might just hate Ana. She was sitting next to Cho all year but of course the professor decided to do randomized partnerships, stating that this assignment was about communication. Communicating with Blaise Zabin might just be Ana’s biggest nightmare. The only times they talk is to argue, other than that they just glare at each other's direction
They’d met up once in the span of the three weeks they’d been working on this project. The first night they set up a game plan in the library and had planned a feeding schedule for the plant. They took turns every other night after dinner caring for it.
They'd been writing notes on the notebook next to the pot for each other and it may or may not have been passive aggressive most of the time. The only times they talk is to argue, other than that they just glare at each other's direction
When Blaise went to feed the plant on his night Ana was already there, he’d thought about turning around and deeming it that he’d gotten the dates wrong. But he was never wrong.
“What are you doing here? It’s my night.” Blaise walked into the greenhouse, crossing his arms.
“Something is wrong.” Ana mutters looking at the plant. "Does it look ill to you?"
Blaise just rolls his eyes, "Did you forget to feed it?"
"No, did you?" She raised her eyebrows accusingly.
"I never forget anything." He crosses his arms, taking a closer look, leaning into the plant. But Anari was right, the plant looked sick, it was a lighter color and slightly deflated from the last time he’d seen it.
Suddenly the plant seemingly sneezes at Blaise and silver dust flies in his face making him sneeze.
Ana almost doubles over laughing as he wipes the dust off his face and onto his clothes with a scrunched up face. While she was laughing she accidentally gets closer to the plant and then it sprays the dust over her as well.
She coughs trying to swipe the silver dust off her face, Blaise mumbles "Karma, bitch."
"Did you just call me a bitch?" She mutters, swiping at her face with her sleeve.
"No, I said, 'Karma's a bitch'." they both know he didn't. She just rolls her eyes and continues to wipe her face. "Oh shit, I need to sit down."
Blaise sits on the greenhouse floor, resting against a table leg. Ana gets closer to the plant studying it, it seemed to be done with whatever it had sneezed at them. "What the hell is that?"
“You forgot to feed it, that’s what happened.” He tutted from where he was sitting. Ana suddenly felt very weak, she leaned against the table.
“I didn’t forget to feed it.” She muttered, lowering her head to the table.
“Well you must’ve done something.”
“What if you did something?” Ana shot back, “Why does it have to be me?”
“Well…” Blaise gathers his words in his head, looking utterly exhausted. “You were here last, you fed it last, and you always mess shit up.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Ana questions him, letting her body slide down the table leg, sitting across from Blaise.
“First year, Potions class. You made our potion explode.”
“Oh, shut the fuck up. That was first year.” She muttered. Their bodies felt so heavy, like it would take an army to lift them or Hagrid. Dinner was still finishing up so Ana doubted anyone would be here anytime soon.
“We’re going to fail.” He sighed, still sitting hopelessly unable to move. “It’s the shit you were reading to it.”
“How did you—” Ana sighed, “I was testing out positive vocal frequencies.”
“You’re fucking hopeless.” Blaise turns his head to look away. “If you had stuck to the book, we’d be doing just fine.”
“Do you think we’re gonna die?”
“No, Miss Moody, you are not going to die.” A voice comes from the door, the pair turn their heads and find Professor Sprout standing with her arms crossed. “Now… remind me, what did I say this project needed for it to succeed?”
They both met each other’s eyes before muttering together, “Teamwork.”
“And excellent communication. What have you both failed to do?” She huffs, stepping closer. “Both.”
“Can you at least tell us what we did for the plant to do this?” Blaise rolled his eyes at Ana’s words.
“Miss Moody, I’ve enchanted the plants to give your muscles extreme fatigue so that you would have to communicate.” She pulls out her wand and uses the reverse spell. “Now, I’m sure you both know you’ve failed this assignment. I hope you learn to work better together in the future because as long as you two are in my class you will be partnered up together. Off to bed you two.”
Blaise and Ana stretched out and quickly scrambled up. They stomped back to the castle in silent huffs, neither of them looking at each other. When they separated at the staircase, Blaise going down and Ana going up, Blaise looked like he wanted to say something but decided against it and continued walking.
─TIED TOGETHER─
Anari knew for a fact Blaise was invited because of his mom and she relished in that. He sat next to her in silence as they listened to Slughorn drone on about other people's family members. He made his way around the table during dinner and the rest of the group either listened or whispered to the person sitting next to them. There was no way Blaise and Anari were talking. She could talk to Marcus Belby who was a fellow Ravenclaw but he was busy eating and she didn’t really desire any conversation topics he would bring up.
Ana couldn’t seem to find her appetite as she listened to her professor dig for information about the famous family members.
The only famous family member she had was her uncle and he wasn’t very well liked in the world now. He was a famed Auror who caught big named Death Eaters. He spent six months chasing down Igor Karkaroff and he killed Evan Rosier, another Death Eater. But now that Voldemort was back she’d barely seen her uncle, his paranoia took over, she wasn’t allowed to leave the house all summer. She’d planned to stay at Hogwarts for this year's Holidays. He was obsessed, more than usual.
Blaise nudged her leg with his knee under the table, breaking Anari from her thoughts. “I’m sorry Professor, what did you say?”
“I was asking about your grandmother. You know I went to school with her.” He smiles at the girl. “I’m sorry to hear about her passing.”
“Oh– Yes…” She didn’t know quite what to say, “Thank you.” She may have said that like a question and she hoped no one noticed, but Blaise snorted quietly at her side.
“And your uncle dear? Still hard at work I hope.”
“Not so much nowadays but still the same man he’s always been.” She didn’t mean that as a dig at his character, truly.
“What does he always say?” Slughorn questioned her.
“Constant Vigilance.” She nodded, trying to smile kindly.
“Yes! That was it!” Slughorn nodded to himself and quickly moved on to the next person.
“Real smooth, you almost sounded like you didn’t hate his guts.” Blaise whispered in Ana’s ear, with Slughorn sitting to his other side he had to be quiet.
“I don’t— I don’t hate him.” She muttered back.
“Could’ve fooled me.” Blaise straightened his posture and turned from her.
The rest of the dinner was a bore until a huge dessert bowl came out with enough ice cream to feed a family.
“So, tell me, Cormac, do you see anything of your uncle Tiberius these days?” Slughorn questions McLaggen sitting on his other side.
“Yes, sir. In fact, I’m meant to go hunting with him and the Minister of Magic over the holidays.” It sounded like a lie to impress Granger who he couldn’t take his eyes off of.
“Well, be sure to give them both my best. What about your uncle, Belby?” Slughorn looked around the table, “For those who don’t know Marcus’ uncle invented the Wolfsbane Potion. Is he working on anything new?”
“Don’t know.” Marcus shrugged while taking a bite of his ice cream, not even swallowing before continuing. “Him and dad don’t get on. Probably ‘cause me dad says potions are rubbish. Says the only potion worth having is a stiff one at the end of the day.”
Slughorn's face visibly fell and Ana saw Blaise pinch his lips, observing the boy who had to be glad he was wearing a bib or his shirt would be utterly disgusting. Anari brought her hand to her mouth, trying not to laugh at the situation she was in.
The professor went to ask Hermione Granger what her Muggle parents do and Ana saw Blaise push his bowl away.
“Full?” She raised an eyebrow.
Blaise lazily looked at her and muttered, “Disgusted, actually.”
Unfortunately that’s what made Ana laugh and gain some looks around the table, she quickly tried to shrink in her seat.
─TIED TOGETHER─
She had no idea what to wear to the Slug Club dinner but Padma had taken her shopping the weekend before and found her the perfect dress. It was a black and white strapless dress that fell just above her knees. Around the bust was black silk fabric with a lace and silk bow in the middle of her chest, the rest of the dress was a white silk that ruffled out into the skirt.
She decided not to bring a date to this event, the last thing she needed was to entertain a man she didn’t care about. She knew most of the people who were attending, Harry Potter who brought Luna Lovegood who she got along with. Hermione Granger who was avoiding Cormac McLaggen at all costs. Ginny Weasley was attending and Neville Longbottom who was working as a waiter. Blaise Zabini was also there. Of course. was standing quietly in the corner, observing the room with a glass in his hand.
“Hi, Luna.” Anari smiled at the girl who was looking around the room.
“Hello, Anari!” She sighed out, “You look beautiful.”
“So do you, Luna.” Ana smiled back, “Did you come with Harry?”
“Yes! He was very kind to ask me to join him.” She continued to look around the room in awe so Ana left her to it.
She walked along the room, trying to avoid Blaise while she was at it. After last year and all their Herbology projects together, she didn’t need to have any more conversations with him.
While she investigated all the memorabilia Slughorn had laid out and took her time chatting with the guests.
There were a couple professors here as well, Trewlawney and Snape notably
“Didn’t think you’d make the cut.” Was whispered in Ana’s ear from behind her. She almost jumped out of her skin before turning and seeing Blaise.
“I assume Mummy bought your ticket, Zabini?” She muttered, looking out to the group of people.
“Not quiet.” Blaise said under his breath, still looking at her. “What are you looking for? Possible threats?”
“In a place like this, never know who could receive an invitation.” She looked at him through the corner of her eye. “Pity invites I assume.”
“Seems like a charming family trait. I suppose paranoia is hereditary.”
“So is murder, Zabini. Best to keep your distance.” She gave him a sickly sweet smile.
“According to everyone here, we have that one in common.” He laughed humorlessly.
“Getting trouble for Mummy’s actions?” She fake pouted at him, looking up to meet his eyes. “I aspire to be like your mother.”
“Oh, really?” He laughs again.
“I would find so much joy in killing men.”
Before Blaise could say anything Draco Malfoy was dragged into the room by Argus Filch, “Take your hands off me, you filthy Squib.”
Ana doesn’t say hate lightly but she might hate Malfoy. Filch spoke next, "Professor Slughorn, I just discovered this boy lurking in an upstairs corridor. He claims to be invited to your party.”
“Okay! Okay! I was gatecrashing. Happy?” He gritted out, still holding up by Filch.
Snape walked up to the boy, “I’ll escort him out.”
Draco jerked out of Filch’s grip and straightened his jacket. “Certaintly, professor.”
They both walked past Blaise and Anari and Slughorn encouraged everyone to carry on with the festivities. “What the hell was that?”
Anari had muttered under her breath but Blaise answered, “You don’t want to know.”
The pair saw Harry Potter exit the room not long after, he seemed in a rush for some reason, leaving Luna, still in the same spot as before, observing the room.
After trying again three more times that week neither of them felt like looking the other in the eye. It felt like a humiliation ritual every night, as much as Ana wanted to act as if it didn’t bother her it did. It affected her so much that she was starting to become possessed with the need to become pregnant, it took over every thought in her mind, she could think of nothing else.
Blaise wasn’t doing much better, he never thought he’d say it but he was tired of masturbating— said no eighteen year old man ever.
He couldn’t think of anything other than that Anari might be pregnant right now and he has no idea. She could be carrying his child this very moment as she’s out walking around a muggle town.
He’s sitting on the couch in silence, staring at the glass chess board. He saw Ana playing herself in chess the other night and the night before she recruited Tilly to play. Blaise was good at chess.
Tilly was making dinner for the two of them tonight and again Ana left a couple of hours before, something to grab in town or whatever excuse she handed Blaise. She was lying through her teeth and Blaise could tell.
Ever since they started trying to get pregnant she’d been baking more, Blaise hadn’t seen her even touch the oven so she must be baking while he’s asleep. He wonders what’s keeping her up, he probably knows the answer. The sweets had been disappearing along with her during the day, she must be taking a bunch with her. Blaise knew if he asked he’d get another lie so he didn’t even bother.
When Ana had come back home they slipped back into the old pattern of not speaking again. Dinner was only the scrapping of forks on the plate and the soft breaths coming for them both.
─TIED TOGETHER─
It wasn’t until two nights later that Ana finally spoke.
The evening had dragged on longer than they'd anticipated, and with each passing minute, the weight of the silence between Ana and Blaise seemed to grow heavier. He’d been quiet for the most part but Ana could feel his presence like a shadow at the edge of the room. She couldn’t focus on the book in her lap any longer, so she closed it with a soft snap and glanced at Blaise, who was lounging on the armrest of a chair, one leg hanging casually over the side, his eyes glinting with that signature arrogance.
“You’ve been awfully quiet tonight,” She said, trying to break the oppressive silence.
Blaise didn't look at her at first, his gaze still lazily fixed on the flickering fire. “Just trying to enjoy the peace and quiet, Mrs. Zabini.” His voice dripped with sarcasm, and she could practically hear the mocking smile in his words.
she rolled her eyes, not bothering to dignify the title with a response. "You know, it’s not that hard to act like a human being once in a while."
Blaise’s head tilted just slightly, and she could tell he was assessing her. “Oh? You’re one to talk. You’ve spent more time hiding in this room than doing anything remotely… social.” He smirked at her, the usual edge in his voice. The past few weeks wasn’t the Blaise Ana knew, it was this one.
“I don’t need your commentary, Blaise,” She shot back, crossing her arms tightly. “I’m just fine without it.”
He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by her defensive tone. “Are you?” he asked, pushing himself off the armrest and taking a few steps toward her. “You don’t seem all that fine. Actually, you look more… miserable than usual.”
Ana stood up quickly, throwing the book on the nearby chair in frustration. "I’m perfectly fine, thanks for asking,” she bit out, voice sharp. “Not that I expect you to understand anything about personal space.”
He took another step forward, his eyes gleaming with that mix of amusement and challenge she has always despised. “Personal space?” He laughed, but it wasn’t a friendly sound—it was mocking, dismissive. “Are you really going to pretend like you’re not just avoiding me? You think I haven’t noticed?” He leaned in just a fraction, his face now inches from hers, his breath warm against her skin. “You’re hiding, and it’s pathetic.”
Ana pushed him away, more out of irritation than actual force, but he didn’t budge. “I’m not hiding. I’m just... trying to deal with everything without tearing my hair out.”
He leaned back slightly, his posture still relaxed, but his gaze never wavered. “You’re so
dramatic. It’s not like you’re the only one stuck in this mess.”
“Don’t pretend like you’re not enjoying this just a little bit,” She said, her voice lower, eyes narrowing. “I know you, Blaise. You thrive on this power.”
Blaise chuckled darkly, his lips curling into a smirk. “What, you think I enjoy being shackled to you? Please.” He stepped back, just enough to give her some space, but the mocking look never left his face. “You’re the one who can’t handle the fact that you’re stuck here with me, and it’s funny to watch.”
Her eyes flashed with anger, and before she could stop herself, she snapped, “Funny? You think I’m enjoying this too? It’s not a bloody game, Blaise. I have other things to do, but no, instead, I’m stuck here with you and your... smug face. Every damn day.”
Blaise’s expression darkened slightly, but he quickly masked it with another smirk. “Is that so? You don’t like being stuck with me? I guess that’s a shame. I was just beginning to think maybe we weren’t so different after all.”
“Don’t flatter yourself,” Ana muttered, turning away from him as she grabbed the book off the chair again, though she had no intention of reading it. She just needed something to hold on to, something to distract herself from the tension in the room.
But Blaise wasn’t done yet. He followed her, close enough that she could feel his presence like a weight on your back. “You know, if you weren’t so hell-bent on hating me, we might actually get along,” he teased, his voice low, almost too calm. “But no, you’ve got this chip on your shoulder, don’t you? I can’t imagine why.”
Ana spun around, finally losing her patience. “Maybe I have a chip on my shoulder because you have been the biggest pain in my arse for the past several years. You think I’m just supposed to sit here and pretend like everything’s fine?”
Blaise smirked, his posture still languid as he leaned against the doorframe, eyes flicking lazily over her. “You’ve got a temper, don’t you? I like it.”
Her jaw clenched, and she resisted the urge to lash out at him physically. Instead, she just glared at him. “What do you want, Zabini?”
He raised both hands in mock surrender, though the smirk never left his lips. “Nothing at all. I’m just trying to figure you out, that’s all. You’re so... prickly, it’s almost charming.” He looked at her as if she was some kind of puzzle to solve, his gaze calculating but with an edge of amusement.
“Well, don’t get too comfortable. I’m not one of your little games, Blaise.”
For a moment, there was nothing but silence between them two, thick with the unspoken tension. Then, with one last glance, Blaise straightened and pushed off the doorframe, his lips still twitching with a smirk.
“Keep telling yourself that,” he said, turning to leave, but his words hung in the air, sharp and cutting. “You’ll get used to it, eventually.”
Ana stood there, fists clenched, watching him leave, knowing that every word he said stung a little more than she wanted to admit.
It seemed her and Blaise had thrown the momentary blip of conceiving out the window and were back to what they used to be.
─TIED TOGETHER─
Neither of them acknowledged the holidays, no decorations, no talk about anything. When they woke up on christmas eve it was as if it were a normal day. There was an owl in the kitchen window waiting for Anari when she awoke. She untied the letter and read the outside. It was addressed to Blaise so she just set it aside and gave the bird some food before sending it off.
This was Ana’s first Christmas without her friends and family, she’d never felt so alone.
Tilly was pretty much her only company nowadays, Blaise was off doing god knows what and she was fine with it. Truly. At least that’s what she had been telling herself. Blaise did tell her in passing that his mother was coming over Christmas morning, which Ana couldn’t say she was looking forward to.
Blaise walked into the kitchen not much later, Ana sat on one of the barstools in front of the window watching the sea in the distance. He didn’t say anything, just opened the letter and read as Ana continued to eat her breakfast.
“My friends are coming over tomorrow night.” He stated.
“That’s odd…” She turns to look at him, “When someone wants to invite someone into your home there’s usually a question with their words.”
“It’s my home too and I haven’t seen my friends in a while, they asked to come and meet you as well.”
“I know you’re friends, they already know me, in case you forgot we went to school together.” She huffed, facing the window again.
“I thought you might want to speak to someone other than me or Tilly. I think you’d like Pansy and Astoria.”
“I don’t like them, they are prejudiced bullies.” She takes a long drink of her juice, forgoing her normal coffee in case she was pregnant.
“You’re making assumptions. Just because they’re Slytherins doesn’t mean they’re like that.” He holds his arms out, “I’m a Slytherin.”
“Case and point.”
“You’re acting like a child.” He huffs out, “I don’t see any of your friends writing to you, would you like to invite them to dinner as well?”
Ana didn’t dignify that with a response, he should know why her friends weren’t speaking to her. They were dead.
“We can live in silence all you want after the holidays.” Blaise mutters, grabbing his own breakfast. “They’ll be here at six tomorrow evening.”
“You’re not listening,” She grits her teeth.
“I am, you’re just being a fucking brat. They’re going through the same shit we are. You might even find some things in common with the girls.”
She shakes her head, turning to Blaise once more, “Being in the same room as you is almost too much, four more? I think I might just combust.”
“Glad to know I affect you so much, darling, but I promise my friends aren’t as charming and devastatingly handsome as I am.” He throws a smirk at her.
“You’re unbearable.” She hisses.
“Not one I’ve heard before but I’ll take it with pride. Listen, you might not like that we’ll be having company but get used to it. After tomorrow you can live in your depressing hole once again.”
“Your friends terrorized mine, their families killed mine. Not much we can bond over.” Ana shot back at him.
“I expect you to be pragmatic. We are all collateral damage to the Ministry’s new laws. We might as well survive it together.”
Ana rolls her eyes, dropping her plate in the sink and walking up to her room, leaving Blaise.
She didn’t really feel like doing anything for the holidays this year, not after everything. It was the first first time a holiday has approached since everything. The holiday season always made her reflect, it brought sadness most of the time but this year… there was no word to describe her feelings. Everything felt wrong, a twisted reality.
Blaise was right though, she probably needed to socialize with someone other than him and Tilly but these people would be her last choices right before Voldemort himself.
They never bullied her in school but she liked to keep to herself but she saw the names they’d throw to her classmates. Blaise was really the only one who would mess with her and that wasn't necessarily mean but more egotistical back and forths, from both ends.
─TIED TOGETHER─
The next morning Yemaya Zabini came over bright and early. Anari had barely slept and there were different fruit danishes littering the counter when she floo’d in.
“Darling?” She called out into the house.
Ana took a breath before confronting the woman in the hall, “I haven’t seen him this morning but I’ve made danishes if you fancy some.”
“Oh…” She seemed at a loss but sighed and said, “Alright.”
While the pair walk the short distance to the kitchen neither says anything. The tension in the room was thick. Once they were in the kitchen they stared at each other across the island.
“Can I get you something to drink?” Anari tried.
“No. I’m fine.” Yemaya said back, it wasn’t as if they were having a staring contest but neither of them wanted to be the first to back down. “Any family plans today?”
“No.” Ana didn’t know what Blaise had told her about Anari but she assumed she might not be a big topic of conversation. “I don’t.”
Yemaya just nodded and still didn’t move her eyes from Ana’s. “Any signs of pregnancy?"
“Not yet.” Ana said simply, this wasn’t her favorite topic of conversation, “We shouldn’t know for a while, I’ve read.”
“Once a Ravenclaw always a Ravenclaw.” There didn’t seem to be any hostility in her words, just a mere observation. “For Blaise’s sake I hope you find out sooner rather than later. How are you planning out conceiving?”
For Blaise’s sake, of course. Ana told herself she didn’t care if Yemaya liked her, she didn’t, not really. It would make the rest of her life easier.
Before Ana could say anything Blaise entered the room, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. “Mother! You’re here early.”
“I think you’ve just slept in, darling.” Yemaya looks away from Ana first, addressing Blaise.
“I apologize for keeping you waiting.” He sends her a smile, “Any coffee?”
“Yes, dear, that would be wonderful.” She nods while he walks through the kitchen, around Ana. She’d never felt so invisible.
“I think I’m going to go on a walk this morning.” She mutters to Blaise. Best to give them time alone and she doesn’t think she can stay here in this house with this company all day without combusting or letting her emotions take over.
Before either of them could say anything she was out of the room and getting dressed. When she returned downstairs Yemaya and Blaise were sitting on the couch while she packed up the sweets in tupperware and tried to leave unnoticed. If they noticed then neither of them had decided to acknowledge her.
When Anari got into town she took the same route she had been taking for weeks, down a dark alley and around a couple of corners, it was less scary in the daylight. When she got to the almost beaten down wooden door she knocked in a certain pattern. She saw an eye peak through the boarded up window.
The door opened and she made her way in quickly. Around the room were about a dozen cots in the living room and kitchen. It was a small townhouse but they made it work.
“I have some sweets for you, I made them this morning.” She smiled, opening the tupperware to the children that had gathered by her feet.
“Thank you miss Ana.” Smiled a toothless six year old, Emma, her parents had died in the war and she was a muggleborn, nowhere safe for her anymore. Emma leaned in and whispered, “Did you bring it?”
“Yes ma’am, I did.” Ana smiled, digging through her bag, grabbing the books she had gotten for the kids. It consisted of Peter Rabbit, The Secret Garden, Charlotte's Web, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. There was a small group of children in the small home who had asked for more books to read. Parents of the children had asked for some necessities that they couldn’t risk leaving for. She handed over diapers to the woman who’d asked for them.
“Can I ask you something, Daniela?” Ana asked quietly.
“Of course.” She nodded, holding up her one year old, Tommy.
“What was your pregnancy like?”
“Are you–” Dani looked shocked, looking Ana up and down as if assessing her.
“I’m not sure.” She admitted, hopeless.
“Well…” Dani sat down at the kitchen table and motioned for Anari to join her, “I was very ill, morning sickness isn’t just the mornings. I bled a little, which can be normal, too much is not good.”
“What’s too much?” Ana felt like she should be writing this down.
“Anything more than spotting should be checked out.” She nodded, visibly thinking of other things. “Your mood will change easily, ask for grace from the people around you if you have to. Take as much rest as you can. People will tell you what you should be doing differently and don’t listen to them unless they’re a professional, you know your own body, remember that.”
When Dani was done talking Tommy was cooing in her ear, “Thank you… I don’t have many people to ask, so I figured…”
“If you have any questions please come to me.” She sent Ana a soft smile, “Anytime.”
Before Ana could speak there was a tugging at her sleeve, little Emma was staring up at her. “Miss Ana, would you read to me?”
“Of course, which one would you like?” Ana watched as the little girl pulled Charlotte's Web out from behind her back. “We won’t have enough time to finish it, but we can start it.”
Ana walked with Emma to her personal cot and sat down with her to read to her.
─TIED TOGETHER─
Yemaya and Blaise had exchanged presents and discussed everything that needed to be talked about. The pregnancy, the marriage, everything.
His mom had left an hour ago and Ana had been gone for five hours. This was a new normal, he itched to ask her where she’d been going but he knew what he’d get from questioning her.
It wasn’t until two when Ana walked back into the house, it’d been raining for the past hour and Blaise saw her approaching through the blurred glass. She casted a drying spell over herself and set her muddy boots aside on the porch.
“Have fun?” Blaise questioned her, leaning against the living room door frame.
“So fun, I saw my lover.” She said with a straight face.
Blaise rushed over to her, hissing out, “Watch your fucking mouth, we don’t know who’s listening.”
“I was joking.” She said with no emotion.
“It won’t be very funny when you get caught.”
“I was not with anyone Blaise,” she pinches the bridge of her nose in irritation. “No need to worry.”
“I am fucking worried.” He glares at her, stepping away, “You’re going to get us both killed.”
“From doing what? Going into town?” She holds her palms up in disbelief.
“Don’t be fucking smart with me.”
“Don’t try and control me, you already said I can’t go to Diagon Alley, are you gonna order me to stay here?”
“You need protection in the Wizarding World, it’s not safe.”
“I don’t need your protection, Blaise, I’m a big girl!” She laughed bitterly.
“Well, you bloody have it anyway, I’m not letting you get yourself killed while your name is legally tied to mine. Trust me, my defense of you is entirely self-serving.”
“That makes me feel so much better.” Ana spat out. If her uncle could see her now he’d be rolling in his grave at her marriage. Marrying Blaise must be punishment for something she’d done in her past life.
The truth was Anari had been protected all her life, her grandmother raised her and after she passed she lived with her uncle who’d taught her everything she knew about protecting herself, he was always there. Now she was on her own.
“I don’t care to continue this fight.” Blaise said, moving on. “My friends will be here in a couple of hours and try your best to act civilized."
“Oh, I’m perfectly civilized. I just choose to be a monster specifically around you.” Anari said as she took off up the stairs.
─TIED TOGETHER─
Draco and Astoria arrived first, at six sharp, they came in through the floo, arm in arm. Blaise greeted them with a big smile and a hug. They chatted for a moment, Anari standing quietly behind them, trying not to fidget. She’d put on a simple dark red dress, high necked, sleeveless, and stopping at the knee. Even though she didn’t plan to leave the house she had put on black tights and comfortable flats.
Astoria was just as beautiful now as she was in school, maybe even more now. Her brown straight hair styled in a half-up half-down style, long dark green dress on. She greeted Anari with a soft smile and kind green eyes.
“Draco, Astoria, this is…” It’s almost as if Blaise didn’t know how to introduce her. What title to use, his wife? Surely not.
“Anari Moody– or Zabini I guess now.” Astoria stepped up to Ana and wrapped her arms around her, pulling her into a hug. “It’s wonderful to see you!”
Anari froze for a moment before slightly melting into the hug, she couldn’t remember the last time someone touched her like this and as much as she didn’t like Astoria she savoured the moment.
After pulling from the hug Anari noticed that Blaise and Draco were talking quietly across the room. “Now, we never got to chat in school, which is a shame.”
Astoria was acting kind but Ana couldn’t help but wonder if it would be the same under different circumstances. She dragged Anari over to the couch as if this was her own home, asking very surface level questions.
It was almost six thirty when Pansy and Theo Nott arrived, similar to Draco and Astoria but not hand in hand. The group of five greeted each other and Ana stayed a couple of steps back, letting the friends reunite.
Pansy and Theo greeted Anari with smiles, Theo’s face lit up in recognition, “You’re the person I cheated off of in Charms class in fifth year!”
“You did? You almost failed that class.” Pansy laughed.
“Yes, well, I wasn’t very good at cheating.” Theo scratched the back of his neck, smiling bashfully. “Well it’s nice to officially meet you.”
“You as well.” Ana nodded at him, “I don’t remember ever sitting next to you in a class.”
“Oh, we never sat together. You were just the smartest person in my close proximity, you had to be a couple rows in front of me. Again, didn’t make it easy for me. I’m pretty sure I was sitting next to Crabbe, so no luck there.”
“That’s unfortunate.” Ana couldn’t help but say, talking about Crabbe.
“He was definitely the worst to sit by, I don’t think he showered very often.”
“He didn’t.” Draco muttered under his breath but the group heard him and he answered Ana’s questioning eyes, “I shared a dorm with him.”
By the time the group of them were sitting at the dinner table, digging in, conversation was flowing pretty well.
“It must be nice to be matched up with people you’d been dating in school.” Ana noted, looking at the other two couples.
“Daddy’s money always spoke loudly for Draco.” Pansy laughed, “But Theo and I have never dated.”
“Oh… I’m sorry, I assumed.” Ana speaks quickly.
“It’s alright, we’re best mates but unfortunately, Pansy could never like me like that, ain’t that right, Pans?” Theo threw a wink at the girl sitting across from him, she feigned a gag.
“My deepest apologies that you're stuck with Blaise.” Draco says across the table from Ana.
Anari watched as Blaise threw a dinner roll from where he was sitting that hit Draco on the cheek. “I’m fucking delightful.”
Every single one of his friends looked to Ana with a sardonic look and she couldn’t help but laugh.
Saturday morning Anari went on a walk around the cliffs, it was the only day they had no sign of rain in over a week. Before lunch she headed back, she’d been avoiding Blaise as best as she could. She had been reading about pregnancy, she had an idea on how to get pregnant but of course she would need Blaise’s help and she wasn’t going to be the first one to break.
Ana found different methods she could try to have a bigger chance of becoming pregnant the first try and she was willing to try any of them.
Getting pregnant wasn’t the issue, Ana didn’t know what pregnancy entails and none of her reading could possibly prepare her for what it felt like to carry a child. She had no one to ask, her mother was gone, all her family was. Her uncle had been her last living relative and after a death eater attack he was gone.
She lost her mother when she was young and her dad was never in the picture, she had no idea who he was. She lived with her grandmother for a while, she didn’t have a good relationship with her uncle until her fifth year, after Crouch impersonated him for a year and avoided her at all costs.
The only possible person she could ask would be Blaise’s mother and she hasn’t even met her yet and that wasn’t really a dinner table topic.
Anari had gone back to the muggle town and got some child development books, this world was cruel and if she was to have a child she would do it right. If there was a right way.
When she walked up to her room there was a black long dress laid out of the bed. Must be from Blaise to impress his mother. Ana didn’t think so.
Shoving the dress into the back of her closet she pulled out a navy blue silk dress and a white shawl to go over it, much more her.
─TIED TOGETHER─
Blaise noticed a couple of nights ago, Anari had been slipping out of the house to go somewhere before dinner every night, bag stuffed and looking completely suspicious.
He couldn’t ask her, they weren’t speaking and he hasn’t been all too truthful about where he’s been going recently either. It was better if she was in the dark with these things.
There wasn’t necessarily a rule against infidelity but it wasn’t encouraged and it wouldn’t be taken lightly if she was caught with some muggle man. It could become disastrous if anyone even suspected and he couldn’t afford for that to happen.
Anari got back an hour before they needed to leave for his mother’s estate. “I need you to tell me if you’re seeing someone.”
Ana froze mid-step while climbing up the stairs to get dressed, “Excuse me?”
“I don’t know what they’d do if they found out so if you’re going to I need to know.” Blaise was dressed and sitting in the arm chair in his dress robes.
“I’m not—” Anari paused, “I’m not having this conversation right now, I need to get ready.”
She continued her way up the stairs, Blaise followed her into the master bedroom. “Don’t lie to me.”
“I’m not but I’m not talking about this.” She huffs, grabbing her dress from the hanger, if Blaise noticed it wasn’t the one he’d set out he didn’t say anything. “I could be asking you the same thing, but I’m not. And on contrary to popular belief I don’t feel high and mighty and I’m not suicidal either. I would never put myself at risk like that.”
“Good.” Blaise nods, “Okay.”
“Great, now would you leave so I can change, I don’t like an audience.” Blaise leaves the room with a roll of his eyes.
Once Anari is dressed she walks down the stairs, careful to not fall in her kitten heels, they were as tall as she could go without breaking an ankle. Blaise didn’t say anything when he grabbed her arm and apparated to the Zabini estate.
It was beautiful. Dark stone lined the outside, blossoming garden, and a large black gate Blaise unlocked. Blaise’s mother answered the door before they could even knock.
“Darling.” She greeted Blaise with a hug and a kind smile before turning to Anari, “And you are?”
“Anari Moody, Ma’am.” Ana holds her hand out for her to shake and Mrs. Zabini just stares at it, before sighing and turning into the house. They followed her inside silently, a house elf waiting to take their coats. They walk deeper into the house and see Yemaya pouring herself a drink. “Polly, get our guests a drink.”
The house elf appeared in front of the pair and took their drink orders, they sat down on the couch a foot apart while Yemaya sat in an armchair.
Yemaya Zabini was what Ana could call a siren on land, she had a sort of elegance to her but a devilish eye. She looked like she had money, a fur jacket hanging on her chair, black silk dress.
Polly returned with their drinks and Yemaya continued to ask Blaise questions. “How are your friends? ever hear from them nowadays?”
“ I see Draco every so often, Pansy and Theo got married a month ago and they seem fine.”
“I always loved that Parkinson girl. Very respectable.” Yemaya sent Ana a harsh glare with her words.
“Yes, well, they seem to be doing just fine. They always got along.” Blaise nodded, ignoring his mother’s comments.
Ana decided she didn’t want to push, it might make her life easier if Mrs. Zabini liked her but she would not respond to her hostility.
Dinner had begun just like Anari had expected— polished silver gleaming under the soft light, crystal glasses catching the flicker of candle flames. She sat at the long, elegantly set table, Blaise beside her, his mother across, smiling as if she had rehearsed this moment in her mind for weeks. There was a quiet anticipation in the air, and Ana could feel it, even if nothing had been said yet.
Blaise’s mother—always so poised and calculating—wasn't one for pleasantries when it came to matters that truly mattered. She had a way of making the most innocuous conversations feel like high-stakes negotiations. Tonight, though, Ana couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off, that this dinner was meant for more than just food and idle chatter.
Finally, after a few rounds of safe topics—politics, the harvest, and the state of the family business—she cleared her throat, setting her glass down carefully.
“Now, I assume you both know what your expectations are.” She smiled, finally head on addressing Anari, “It is time to think about the next generation, of course.”
Blaise and Anari kept quiet, they hadn’t really spoken a real conversation since their argument the other night.
“I trust you both are thinking about your futures and where they lie with each other. As you know, the Zabini family is quite… traditional in some ways. One of those traditions, which we hold in the highest regard, is the continuation of our bloodline.” She looked straight at Anari, “We have a reputation to maintain as well. \It’s the law of the land now. For families of status, it is a non-negotiable expectation. The bloodline must be preserved. It is your duty as a couple, as future heads of your respective houses, to ensure the continuation of that legacy.”
It’s as if she was reciting something, both Anari and Blaise knew all of this but hadn't heard it aloud and it was awakening.
She didn’t even let either of them speak, “If you were not to conceive well… I’m sure you understand the weight of those consequences, dear.”
Mrs. Zabini’s eyes were trained on Anari, looking for anything that would show weakness, a quiver of the lips, redirection of her eyes, anything. Ana was not going to give her the satisfaction.
You don’t have to agree with it,” his mother continued, her smile returning, sharp as ever. “But you will comply. It’s for the family, for the legacy. For the future.”
The silence stretched for a long moment before Blaise spoke, his voice low. “We’ll do what we have to.”
But even as he said it, the bitterness hung in the air, heavy with the understanding that, in the end, there was no real choice. There was no escape. And as much as Ana wanted to fight it, she knew it wasn’t a battle she could win.
─TIED TOGETHER─
Blaise and Ana arrived home in silence, both of them shedding their jackets and shoes in the entry-way, Tilly appeared and took Ana’s bag back up to her room.
Once they were alone Anari finally spoke, “We’ll do what we have to do?”
“What did you want me to say? It’s not like you were very talkative tonight.”
“You do not speak for me, Zabini.” Ana raised her voice, pointing an accusatory finger at him. “You need to learn that.”
“Then speak up for yourself!” He held his arms out, “Newflash I am your husband and you are my wife, we speak for each other.”
"You do not speak for me." She reiterated.
"So what? Do you want to get locked up? Them to make us have a child?"
"I'm not scared of them."
"You should be." He speaks softly, "I am. You don't know what they're capable of."
"I know! You think I don't! They killed my friends, my family, forced me into marrying you under the threat of death!" Ana raised her voice.
"That's just the fucking start." He rubs his hands on the back of his neck. "Listen, I may not like you as much as I should with you being my wife and all, but that doesn't mean I want you to die."
"God, that's the sweetest thing someone has ever said to me." She rolled her eyes. Ana turned to move deeper into the house.
"Where are you going? We're not done with this conversation." He follows her into the kitchen.
“What you want, time to get me pregnant.” She huffs, digging in the cupboards. Finding a cup she slams it onto the counter. “You– in that.”
“What the actual fuck are you talking about.” He stares at the glass.
“I don’t really want to have sex with you and this was my best idea.” She glares at him, pushing the cup closer to him.
“You want me to ejaculate in that cup?”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“Why the hell not?” She sighs, irritated.
“It’s weird.”
“No weirder than you doing it in me.” She picks up the glass and forcibly puts it in his hand, “Do what you have to do and quickly, I’ve read that the sperm only lasts fifteen minutes.”
“This is the weirdest conversation I’ve ever had.” Blaise mutters as he looks at the glass. “How are you going to…”
“Do you really want to know the logistics of it?” Ana raised an eyebrow.
“No.” He sighs, still looking at the cup.
“Now go upstairs to your room or the bathroom or whatever and do your thing and then bring it to me in my room.”
“This is bizarre.” Blaise sighs but walks upstairs anyway.
It takes Blaise about thirty minutes of staring at the cup before he even does anything.
Anari is sitting on her bed, last night she had mapped out her ovulation schedule to figure out when the best time would be and with her luck, she ovulates in three days. She drank her fertility potion she had made and crossed her fingers Blaise would be done soon.
It took about an hour for Blaise to shuffle into the room, glass in hand, he didn’t even look at Anari when he set the glass on the bedside table and left her with it.
He looked embarrassed more than anything.
Ana didn’t touch the glass, just took off her pants and opened her legs. She put a pillow under her hips to elevate her body, and using her wand she guided the liquid into her. It was a violating feeling. Uncomfortably wet and warm but Ana wanted to close her eyes but she wanted to make sure her magic didn’t fail, every last drop was needed to make sure it worked, it would have to work. She wasn’t doing this again but the reality of the situation is they probably would have to, she had less than five days in her fertile window which is what the books talked about.
She would make this work, it’s just a couple of days.
Once she knew every last drop was inside and the glass was empty she laid with her hips elevated for the next fifteen minutes, she didn’t know if this helped but she was willing to try everything. After her fifteen minutes was up she sat up and peed, another thing she read she should do. As much as she didn’t want to touch the glass she didn’t want to make Tilly or Blaise come and get it so she tried her best to elevate it beside her while she walked back to the kitchen.
Blaise was sitting on the couch staring at the wall and turned quickly when she walked out of the kitchen. He looked her up and down as if he could tell the difference, of course when he found nothing out of the ordinary he asked, “How’d it go?”
“Well we won’t know for a while but we should do it two more times, every other day or so.” He just nodded with her words.
“You’re ovulating now?”
“Not for another couple of days.” She mutters, shocked that he knew anything about the female body, it wasn’t like they had classes in school about it.
He just nods, “Okay.”
That’s when they went to their respective rooms and stared at the ceilings. The weight of their situation finally fell. This was happening and there was no stopping it.
Blaise was gone when Anari woke up. They both retired to their rooms they had slept in the night before after finishing the painting in the kitchen. Anari walked down to the main floor with her slipper and robes on.
The kitchen was spotless, they’d left a mess last night, letting it dry. Ana was glad that Blaise joined her last night, they may not have spoken but it was good to get used to each other’s presence. Before she could grab a pastry from the tupperware on the counter she heard a pop behind her.
“Hello, Mrs. Zabini.” A quiet voice came from behind her. She turned quickly and found a small house elf standing with her hands clasped in front of her with a pleasant smile. “My name is Tilly, I am assigned to your household. I’m delighted to serve you and Mr. Zabini.”
Anari doesn’t really know what to say. Firstly the name Mrs. Zabini was horrendous to hear. Secondly, house elves may love to serve but that didn’t make her feel any better about having a slave in her home.
“Uh– Hello Tilly, please, call me Ana.” She tries to send over a kind smile. “No need for formalities.”
“Of course, whichever you prefer, Ma– Ana.” Tilly might just be the most adorable little elf Ana had seen. “Is there anything I can get you?”
“No. I’m alright, thank you.” Ana shook her head, she looked at the little make-shift dress Tilly is wearing, it's floral— what looks like a towel or pillow case, but it seems she’s made sleeves for it.
“Alright, please, call Tilly if you desire anything.” and with that she popped away, not a moment later Anari heard movements to her right, there was a small door, only for a toddler’s height maybe and there was a light shining through the door. Must be her room.
Ana can’t believe that Blaise would feel the need for a house elf, they were adults, they could do chores. They were fully capable.
She didn’t do much during the day, she explored the house more and looked at all the different books on display. It was raining outside so she couldn’t sit outside with the waves but she lit the fireplace and sat by the window in the sitting room.
It was almost dinner time when she saw Blaise for the first time that day. Ana heard him Aparate outside and saw him walk up the steps in the rain. When the door opened she heard him pull his coat and shoes off. When he wrapped around the corner he was completely dry so she assumed he used a spell.
He doesn’t look at her as he passes the living room and goes into the kitchen. Anari gets up and follows him slowly. His shoulders are tense as he washes his hands in the kitchen sink but before she can say anything Tilly pops into the room.
“Mister Zabini.” Tilly bows from behind him, making him jump just a little and quickly turn around, wand in hand. His eyes flash to Tilly then to Ana in the doorway.
“Who are you?” He accused quickly, wand still held tightly.
“I am Tilly, I’ve been assigned to your household. I am here to serve you and Mrs. Za— Ana.” Tilly sends Ana a little smile after she corrects herself.
“Did you do this?” Blaise accuses her.
“No! I–I thought you did.”
“I don’t— I didn’t.” He huffs, Anari could see the gears in his head turning, “Tilly, is it? Would you mind leaving us for a moment.”
Tilly leaves with a bow and disapparates. When Blaise knows they’re alone he rushes over to Ana, grabbing her hand and dragging her into the walk-in pantry they have, quickly closing the door behind them.
“When did she get here?”
“This morning, why? I thought you set this up.”
“I didn’t.” He hisses quietly, grabbing her shoulder, “Sounds like she’s been assigned to us by somebody.”
“That’s what she said, yes.” Anari huffs, “I still don’t get why we’re hiding.”
“What did you tell her?” He shakes her shoulder slightly, urging her to answer him.
“Nothing, barely saw her. Why? She’s just an elf.”
“Are you that fucking dull, Moody?” Ana doesn’t bother pointing out that that’s no longer her name but he continues, “She’s a spy.”
“She’s an elf.” Ana finds herself saying, Tilly said it herself she’s here to serve them, which makes them her masters, meaning she has to follow what they say.
“Why else would they give a blood traitor a house elf for free?” He grits his teeth, “They want to know what you know.”
“Well I didn’t tell her anything, there’s nothing to tell. This is the longest conversation we’ve had since we’ve gotten married.” She huffs, “And where the hell were you today?”
“Dealing with business, it’s none of your concern.”
“Right.” Ana turns to leave the confined space, “I guess that’s how we’re doing this.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“Listen Zabini, do whatever the hell you want, you owe me nothing, I owe you nothing. We can live a separate life in this big arse house. They can demand us to get married but they can’t force us to act married.”
“Glad we see eye to eye on that.” Blaise straightens up, “But we do have to go to my mother’s for dinner on Saturday.”
“You just said you agreed to live separate lives.” She ran a hand down her face. “What about having dinner with your mother says that?”
“She would like to meet the woman who will give her grandchildren.” He said it with absolutely no emotion, like he thought nothing of this.
“I’m not having your children.” She lets out a humorless laugh. “You’re insane.”
“Then you must not have listened while they were talking to us at graduation and while we signed our marriage license. We need to provide an heir before our first year of marriage is up.”
“What will they do if we don’t?” Ana raises an eyebrow, “You’re mother might want her precious pure-blood grandchildren but she won’t get them for me.”
“Are you thick? They’ll punish us and I don’t feel like finding out what that entails.” Blaise’s voice gets louder, “You will not be the reason I die. We’ll have a child in a year.”
Blaise makes a move to open the door. “What? End of discussion? A child isn't a light decision, it’s not something you have on a whim. It’s not–”
“It’s not a decision at all!” Blaise yells, “We will do this. We have no other choice.”
“Are they gonna come knocking on our door at the three month mark and make sure I’m with child?” She takes a breath. “This might be something easy for you to agree to. But it wouldn’t be happening to you, would it?”
“What the hell are you talking about?” He laughs, “I’d be the father, of course it’d be happening to me.”
“Not for another year. It’s my body, Blaise.” She sighs, “What-what if I can’t have children? What if we lose it?”
Blaise opens the door and leaves Anari with the words, “Pray to all the gods you don’t.”
─TIED TOGETHER─
Blaise and Anari didn’t speak for at least three days, not a single word. Meals were eaten separately, if they happened to be sitting in the same room neither acknowledged each other’s presence. Neither wanted to break the silence.
Blaise spent most of his time going to— wherever he was going. Ana spent her time outside when the English weather allowed her to. She’d been back to the village twice but today she wanted to go to Diagon Alley to grab a couple of items.
Anari took the floo network there and when she stepped out of the fireplace her eyes landed on a truly horrific sight. The path was plastered with signs praising Voldemort and pure-bloods but that’s not what worried her, there was a man hanging. In the middle of the square, he was naked and hanging from his neck, on his chest were the words in bold red letter TRAITOR.
Ana couldn’t look at him for a second longer, there was nothing she could do for him, he was dead. It was an older man— no one she could recognize but it brought chills to her body. She decided this would be a quick trip.
Posters of people were hanging, wanted signs of people she went to school with. Many of the names she knew were ones ending in Granger, Weasley, Dumbledore, Shaklebolt, and Lovegood.
Her and Luna weren’t friends necessarily but with them being in the same house they got along. It was good to know the people on the list were still alive, they had to be in hiding if they were listed as Undesirables. Anari wasn’t friends with any of them other than maybe Hermione and Luna but it was nice to know that there were people still on her side.
It was alarming to see so many dark mark symbols on the buildings but she tried to quickly make her way to her needed store.
It didn’t take her long to make her way home. She didn’t speak to a single soul other than the clerk. With a bag of ingredients to make the potion she needed she apparated home.
It wasn’t raining yet but she could tell a storm was underway. When she walked inside she heard thundering steps while she took off her shoes. Quickly turning, she met Blaise's eye.
“Where the hell have you been?” He yells, he looks tired more than angry.
“I went to Diagon Alley to grab a couple of things.”
“You should have told me,” He ran a hand over his head, “It’s not safe!”
“Why can I not leave the house without telling you but you can do whatever you want?” She huffs, setting her bag down and her coat on the hook.
“You’re not safe, Diagon Alley isn’t safe!” He says exasperated, “What the hell did you need so urgently?”
“I don’t have to explain myself to you! I haven’t been asking where you’ve been sneaking off to, have I?”
“I’ve been with a— friend.”
“Ridiculous,” Ana can’t help but mutter under her breath.
“I told you, now you tell me!”
“I went to go get ingredients for a potion.” She turns around, grabbing her bag, and starts for the stairs.
“What the hell do you need a potion for?” He yelled while Ana walked up the stairs.
“My fertility.” She shot back. “If we’re doing this we’re doing it once.”
Blaise didn’t know what to say. Where does this leave them? Does she want to— tonight?! Blaise thought he had more time, time to find a way to get her pregnant without being intimate with each other.
He wasn’t going to let her end the conversation like that. Walking up the stairs he found her in the office, pulling a cauldron off the shelf.
“Are you serious?”
“What?” She doesn’t even turn to him. “Do you need to know how this works? Did mummy never give you the talk?”
“Don’t be smart.” He grits his teeth, walking closer to her, standing on the other side of the table, and staring at her.
“I’m not trying to be. Days ago you told me I needed to get pregnant and I plan to make it the easiest way possible.”
“I’ve been trying to think of a way where we don’t have to—” He stops himself, he can’t believe he’s having this conversation with Anari fucking Moody— Zabini now.
“What have sex?” She laughs, “Be a big boy, Blaise. Use your words.”
“Shut the fuck up.” He places his hands on the table leaning over it to get in her face. “Watch your mouth, remember who you’re speaking to.”
“Remember? I’ll never forget!” She yells, “I will never forget who you are, trust me.”
Blaise sighs, “Just give me time to figure it out, okay?” He turns to leave the room.
“I’ll figure it out. Give me a sleeping pill or something I don’t care!”
“What the fuck is wrong with you!” He turns around quickly. “That’s–That’s… Never suggest something like that again.”
Anari can see visible hurt in his eyes which is a big difference from the emotionless man she’s known.
“Then you better get a different idea and quickly.”
The Slytherin common room was buzzing with activity. The party seemed to go on forever, with glasses of Butterbeer and magical spirits being passed around. Green lights danced on the walls, and eighties rock music blared in the corners of the room. You, with a goofy grin plastered across your face, were decidedly tipsy.
Beside you, Blaise Zabini was watching the scene with his usual distant gaze. He was sober, as always. He never drank at these parties. He was just there to make sure you didn't get into any trouble.
Suddenly, someone shouted,
"Spin the bottle!"
A group gathered in a circle, sitting on the black and green carpet of the room. You, your eyes sparkling with alcohol, dragged Blaise by the sleeve.
"Come on! Let's play!"
"Y/n, no," he snapped, trying to hold you back.
But you weren't listening. You broke free of his grip and threw yourself into the circle, laughing. A blonde girl picked up an empty bottle and spun it quickly. The bottle stopped in front of Theodore Nott, who leaned down to kiss a fifth-grader.
The bottle spun again. And again.
When it was your turn, the bottle stopped on Draco Malfoy. The room erupted in laughter and whistles.
"Go, Y/n!" someone shouted.
"Come on, don't be shy!"
You stood up unsteadily, but before you could take a step toward Draco, you felt an arm around your waist. Blaise grabbed you in a firm grip and pulled you back.
"Y/n, stop," he whispered in your ear in a tone that brooked no argument.
You struggled to free yourself, frustrated.
"Come on, Blaise! It's just a game!"
"Not for you."
With a firmness you were not used to, Blaise picked you up, ignoring your groans and the curious looks of the others.
"I can't believe you're ruining my fun," you muttered as he dragged you out of the common room.
"I'm saving you from yourself," Blaise replied.
Just as you walked out the front door, "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" by The Clash began to play on the speakers. The guitar riff made your eyes light up and you began to sing at the top of your lungs.
"Should I stay or should I go now?" you hummed, stumbling down the dark corridor of the dungeons. Blaise sighed in exasperation, but there was a faint smile on his lips.
"If you keep singing like that, I'll put a Silent Charm on you," he threatened.
"You don't dare!" you exclaimed, laughing.
When you reached the door to your dorm, Blaise stopped. He placed you in front of him and looked you in the eyes.
"Y/n, you're a terrible drinker."
“But you still love me,” you replied, smiling softly.
Blaise shook his head.“Yes, unfortunately.”
As you opened the door, you turned to him.
“Are you staying with me?” you asked, sounding almost pleading.
Blaise hesitated, but then stepped into the room, closing the door behind him.
“Just to make sure you don’t do anything stupid again.”
As you lay down on the bed, you hummed a bit more of the song.
“If I go, there will be trouble…”
Blaise sat down in a chair next to you, smiling to himself.“You really are a hopeless case, Y/n.”
“I know,” you muttered, closing your eyes. “But you’re staying anyway.”
You look up at him with your eyes darkening with longing. "have you always been this sexy?" you mutter looking up at him.
his smile turned into a smirk as his eyes darkened as he wrapped his arm around your waist, pulling you closer. "Oh, always..."
you look up at him with longing and kiss him.Blaise wrapped his arms around your waist as he returned the kiss, pulling you closer to him. He quickly lifted you up to straddle him as his tongue battled with yours for dominance in the kiss.
You moan into the kiss and grind against him.Blaise deepened the kiss as he smiled, his hands traveling lower. Pulling back, he pressed small kisses to your neck, softly nibbling on a spot on his neck that he knew you loved.
"Blaise" you moan closing your eyes in pleasure as you grinded closer but he stilled your movements holding you still.
He smiled, biting your sweet spot a little harder before licking and sucking the red mark he made "Do you like it, love...?"
You moan and nod "yes so much" and try to grind against him again and Blaise smirks a little and you moan.
Blaise smiled, marking your neck as he slowly slid his hand up your thigh, squeezing it. "I know you do, mi amor..."
You continue to moan and cling to him even more. Blaise chuckles against your neck, before biting a little harder as he moves to your collarbone, marking you more and more.
"Blaise is so beautiful" you whisper dreamily. He smiled at that, sucking a deep mark on your collarbone, his hands sliding under your shirt "You're so adorable, my love..."
You whimper in pleasure at the nickname he gave you. Blaise smiled at you, slowly lifting your shirt and throwing it on the floor "I know you like that nickname..."
You gasp and grab his shirt. "Blaise I need you."
He smiled, loving the effect he had on you. He raised his hips a little to grind a little on your pussy making you moan. "Yes? Do you need me, hm..?"
"Yes please Blaise" you murmur desperately seeking more friction.
"Mhmm... And what do you need it for, love...?" He hums, grinding his erection against you.
You whimper and grind yourself more against him. "you know..." you murmur whining. Blaise chuckled, his grip on your waist tightening slightly "But I want to hear you say it, love. Tell me what you want me to do..."
You whimper and lean into him more "please Blaise I need you to fuck me" you whisper desperately as you grind against his hardness and he grunts.
He chuckled against your neck, gently biting the sensitive part "Mhmm... you're so needy, aren't you, love...?"
You moan and nod. "yes please Blaise, I beg you" you whisper desperate for him to do something.
Blaise smiles, his hand moving up your thigh again "You want it that bad, hm..?"
You nod biting your lip. "please" you whisper looking up at him.
He chuckles softly, his grip on your hips tightening "You're so desperate for me, love... you don't even make it a challenge..."
You whimper and take his face kissing him. Blaise smiles, pulling you closer as he kisses you back, one of his hands cupping your chin as he pulls your head back. He moves his kisses from your mouth to your neck, starting to leave more small marks on your flesh.
You moan and clutch at his shirt again. He pulled away from your neck, grabbing the hem of his shirt with his other free hand and tossing his shirt to the floor. “Mhmm… I like it when you hold me like this, love…” you whispered seductively.
You bit your lip at the sight of him shirtless. Blaise chuckled, his smirk turning into a smile at the action. He grabbed your chin again, bringing your eyes back to his. “Do you like what you see, my love..?”
he smiled as you began to touch his body, pulling you a little closer to him. “Yes? Do you want to feel me, love..?”
You look at him with desire and lust. "yes please"
Blaise chuckled, his grip on your hips tightening. He moved your body against his, letting you feel him completely “Mhmm… come on then, love… touch me as much as you want…”
You moan and continue to caress his body. He moans, your touch is like fire on his skin. He smiles, his grip on your hips tightening “Oh, I love the effect I have on you, my Love…”
You moan even louder and resume grinding against him. Blaise gasps and grips your hips even harder at the movement “Mhmm… you’re so needy… so desperate for me…”
He smiled, throwing the rest of your clothes on the floor as he leaned back against the pillows. His eyes were darkened and filled with lust as he looked at you.
He started kissing you out of pure passion as he rubbed his erection near your entrance before thrusting in with a quick thrust making you both moan.
Blaise moaned, pulling you down onto his knees and grabbing your hips as he moved you against him. "Mm-shit.." he whispered, lifting his hips against you.
You moaned and started bouncing on his cock. "You're so big." You muttered, moaning as Blaise slapped your ass and then moaned against your neck, his grip on your hips tightening as he helped you move towards him. "Oh, shit, you're so tight."
You moaned, continuing to bounce on him. "You're squeezing my cock." Blaise muttered, increasing his thrusts and you continued to moan.
He moaned, pulling you closer to him, biting your sweet spot in your neck. "Mm-shit... just like that, love..."
You moaned and bounced even more, your pussy was squeezing his cock tightly. "I'm so close" you whisper moaning.
Blaise moans against your neck, his grip on your hips tightening as he increases his thrusts. “M-me too, my love… just a little more…”
You moan nodding and grinding and bouncing more.He pants, his grip getting so much tighter that it would leave a bruise mark on your hips “M-my god…”
He moves the hand that was holding your chin to your waist, trying to pull you further down towards him “J-just a little more, love…”
You moan and bounce more. “It's so big Blaise, I can't take it anymore” you moan in pleasure. Blaise grabs your hips and starts fucking you fast and you moan.
He pulls you into a passionate kiss that was a clash of tongues. Blaise moans as he moved your body against his even rougher. “I-I love… I'm going to…” he whispers through the kisses.
You moan into the kiss and nibble his lip and then he comes and he follows you by cumming inside you making you both moan.
You collapse on his body humming satisfied. Blaise nibbles your neck “M-my god… you drive me crazy, my love” he whispers.
You hug him softly trying to catch your breath. He wraps his arms around you, making you lie on his chest, one hand in your hair as his chest rises and falls “That was… incredible…”. You nodded softly hearing those words.
Blaise hums in agreement, one hand caressing your back while the other is still in your hair “You are so beautiful…”. You blush hearing those words.
He chuckles, smiling softly as he kisses you back, wrapping his arms around you and pulling you closer to his chest. He was holding you so tight to him, as if he was afraid to let you go “You feel so good against my chest, love…”
You smile softly and cuddle closer to him. “Stay with me all night Blaise” you whisper softly.
Blaise chuckles, wrapping his arms around you tighter “Of course, my Love. I’m not going anywhere.”
Neither of them knew what to say— if there was anything to say. Both of them stood in the entryway of their new pristine home and stared out into the home. All they could hear was their breathing and the wind colliding with the windows. They didn’t know how much time had passed when Blaise took the first step into the home. Freshly eighteen neither of them knew how to live an adult life.
Anari expected Blaise to walk deeper into the house but he just started taking the steps up slowly. “Where are you going?”
“To bed.” He muttered, continuing his steps up the grand staircase. Blaise reached the top and looked down to Anari. “Goodnight.”
He left her there and wandered into the upstairs, there was a single hall. Six doors. He chose the first one to his left and opened it to see a big office, bookcases lining the walls, books he recognized, ones he’d seen on the Malfoy’s shelves. Everything was some sort of propaganda.
Closing the door he moved to the next one, further down. What looked like a guest room with a bathroom connected. The one across from that door wasn’t just a normal room, it was a nursery. Dull colors around the room, a rocking chair in the corner, large windows and below them was a bassinet. Blaise quickly slammed that door and headed to the other side of the hall, to the staircases right.
There was another guest room, the second to last door was a bathroom, and the last room was the master bedroom. High posted canopy bed, black silk sheets, a large vanity and dresser and a door opened to a large bathroom and a door continuing to the closet. He opened the dresser door and found his clothes.
He grabbed his essentials and his hygiene products that were laid out on the bathroom vanity and walked to the guest room down the hall. He didn’t like that someone would have had to go through his things to see if there was something they deemed derogatory to their cause. He quickly got ready for bed and laid down. Hoping he would get some much needed rest. But Blaise had never been lucky.
He had left her. No conversation, no acknowledgement of her presence. Nothing. Even though it was late at night she decided she might as well get acquainted with her new home.
She walked down the entry way into the hall, the staircase was double curved steps and to her left was a sitting room with a grand fireplace and bookshelves. There was a gorgeous glass chess board on the coffee table she couldn't wait to get her hands on.
To her right was a dining room with a long table and high-backed chairs that had a golden flower pattern upholstered to the chair. There was a fireplace that was connected to the floo network and had a bowl of powder on the mantle.
In between the stairs was a door frame leading into a large kitchen with a wall of windows and an island in the middle with the sink and counters lining the side walls with any appliance she could need. There was a pantry under the stairs behind her with any food she could want. As much as she hated this situation she can’t wait to bake in this kitchen. There was a small countertop with bar stools lining the wall of windows.
Sitting on one of the stools she stared outside onto the cliffs in the distance, the moon illuminated the waves and Anari decided she wanted to sit by the waves before going to bed tonight.
It had to be almost midnight as she took the door out on the opposite side of the room as the pantry on the side wall and found a mud room holding her blue rain boots and other shoes. Stepping outside of the house Ana let the wind hit her face, she followed the sound of the waves and found herself at the edge of a white cliff. She took a seat in the fluffy grass and let the wind fly through her clothes. She'd changed out of her wedding dress hours ago and now she’s in a white silk dress for the festivities after the wedding.
Her and Blaise haven’t had a full conversation in over a year. They barely acknowledged each other at their own wedding, what does that mean for the rest of their marriage? Is it hopeless?
Blaise didn’t fall asleep until he heard Anari’s soft footsteps and the click of the master room door and that wasn’t until the maybe three in the morning
─TIED TOGETHER─
Blaise woke up right after the sun rose, the light shining through the window that had an obvious need for blinds or curtains. He laid in bed for a couple of moments, not knowing what to do with today. It’s his first day married. Does he make her breakfast? No. Does he wait for her to wake up so they can talk? Probably.
He gets dressed as quietly as possible, with this lifeless and empty home everything echoes. He brushes his teeth as he inspects his dark under eye circles from his lack of sleep the night before. This wasn’t his room, wasn’t his bed, wasn’t his home.
When Blaise made his way downstairs he could smell something he couldn’t quite place. He took him time investigating the living and dining room before wandering into the kitchen where some pots clanking could be heard.
He just stands in the doorway and eyes the pile of sweets on the island, croissants, scones, cookies, muffins.
Anari doesn’t notice him with her washing her cleaning up the pan with the water running.
“What are you doing?” Blaise asks her from across the room, making her jump a little bit with his raspy unused voice.
“Baking.”
“I can see that…” He trails off, stepping closer to the island. “Why?”
“I bake when I’m—” She takes a deep breath, “When I don’t sleep very well or can’t sleep, I bake.”
“Did you not?” He questions, leaning against the counter. Anari was still in her pajamas, her hair brushed out and all the pins taken out of her head.
“Sleep? No, I didn’t.” She sighs, turning back to her house work.
“I think…” Blaise tried to find his words, “We need to speak about what we expect of this.”
“What are you talking about?” She dries her hands off before setting the clean pan on the counter on top of a towel.
“What we expect of each other in this… predicament.”
“Nothing.” She shrugs, grabbing a muffin from the counter and facing him, peeling off the liner from the cupcake. “I expect nothing from you. You might be my husband in name but I don’t know you, not really. We never got along in school, we never aligned in anything. I don’t want anything from you, Zabini.”
“Listen.” He stepped closer, still about a foot away from each other and he spoke in a hushed voice as if he was warning her. “I don’t want you, not as a wife, not as anything. This marriage is purely superficial, we’ll do what we have to do, understand?”
“There’s one thing I need you to understand.” Anari steps closer to him, “You do not command me, you do not order me, I will never play the doting wife. I will never suck up to your pure-blood supremacist friends. I will never stoop to your level when it comes to this. We are not the same.”
“Is that what you think I am? A pure-blood supremist?”
“You are who you surround yourself with.” Ana points out, trying to hold her ground as best as she can.
“We will play the part. We will do what we have to do so that our heads don’t end up on a spike.” He grits through his teeth, looking down at her. “I will not die because you want to act all high and mighty when you really are acting suicidal. I will not get killed for you.”
Anari huffs and takes a step around Blaise, walking upstairs, he watches as she goes with a sigh. This is not going to be easy for either of them.
Not five minutes later she walks downs, dressed for the day and a tote bag hanging from her shoulder. “Where are you going?”
“Into town.” She says, walking down the hall to the entry way and quickly leaves.
It’s not long after she leaves he hears the roar of the fire and a voice coming from the dining room. “Blaise?”
“Mother?” He stands from where he was eating a blueberry scone and sipping on his coffee.
“Oh this place is lovely.” She sighs, Blaise walks up to her giving her a kiss on the cheek and a quick hug. “Now, where is she?”
“She just left.” Blaise says.
“And where could she possibly be going on your first day of marriage?”
“She went into town. We got into a little disagreement but I’ll speak to her again when she gets back. We both need time to think.”
“Yes. Well this was very sudden, neither of you were prepared.” She nods, leading the way into the living room and sitting next to Blaise on the dark brown leather couch. “How was your night after the wedding?”
“Fine. She had some time to herself and I took the spare room.” His mother looks at him disappointedly.
“Blaise, you have to warm up to each other, you heard what they said, you must have an heir before your one year mark.” She shakes her head. “I hate saying this but it might just be best to get it over with as soon as possible. You may never love her but you’ll love your child’s mother and that will have to be enough.”
“Yes, mother.” He nods along with her, he agrees— maybe not the get it over with part but everything else makes sense.
“Now, I can’t stay long, you both must come to dinner on saturday.” She stands quickly, “But before I leave, give me a tour.”
─TIED TOGETHER─
When Anari said she wanted to go into town she didn’t know it was a two mile hike, but she had already committed. With the cool air the walk wasn’t too bad, leaves were still falling and it was a beautiful hike to town.
The town of Dover was busy for the late morning, people bustling off to work, shops were open and she found herself walking into a bookstore. It had many classics and she picked a couple up, thankful that she still had some muggle money on her.
Anari loved walking around the muggle worlds, it was peaceful. Nothing like the Wizarding World. It was her break, normalcy. There were still signs of Voldemort and his Death Eaters all around the UK but it was much less consuming around ordinary people.
After finding a cassette tape, hoping her player was still in one piece from the move and not removed from her things. She packed her things into her bag and sat down for some lunch before heading back.
Ana took her time on her way back to the Manor, walking a couple of extra streets through town. She never wanted to live somewhere like this, she wanted it to be lively, full of color, lived in. on her way back she passed a store that caught her eye.
Walking back to the house with a can of paint wasn’t ideal but she did it. Her arm was limp by the time she walked up the porch and walked in the door.
Blaise was sitting in the living room reading a book when she approached.
“Is that… paint?”
“Yes.” She huffed setting the paint can down with the brushes on the coffee table. “I can’t live in a black and white house, it’s killing my soul.”
“You haven’t even been here twenty-four hours.”
“Exactly.” She nodded, “I got dark blue. I figured you weren’t a pastel fan, but I’m thinking for the kitchen.”
Anari shows Blaise the paint swatch, called midnight sun. which makes absolutely no sense for it being a dark blue but who was Anari to judge someone’s creativity.
“Alright.” Blaise spoke before going back to his book. And after that Anari was off into the kitchen, wrapping everything, taping stuff down, putting the baked goods away. It took her maybe an hour to get to the actual painting bit but before she started she found her cassette player and popped in her new album.
It took thirty minutes of Anari’s grunt as she tried to reach all the different nooks and crannies before he checked up on her. “Need help?”
She huffs and turns to him, one leg on the counter and the other pushing her off the floor. She wasn’t short by any means but this kitchen had very high ceilings.
“If you don’t mind.”
Twenty minutes later Blaise was standing on the counter, paint smudged on his face and painting above the upper cabinets. Anari watched him for a moment, the precise movements of his hands, careful not to get any paint on the ceiling, his face focused and scrunched up.
When she got back to work Blaise spoke up, “If I’m helping you, I need better music.”
“Better?” She huffs, offended.
“Yes.” He sends her a deadpanned look
“I’ll see what I have.” She drags her feet and makes her way up to her room to get her box of tapes.
Maybe they could figure this whole partnership out.
This wasn’t exactly how Blaise imagined his proposal going to his future wife but it will have to do. Blaise had barely even thought of marriage before this, he never expected this so soon. He’d been to his fair share of weddings, most of them being his mothers but he had no idea what to expect from this.
Anari Moody was a blood traitor, the lowest of the low in the high rank’s eyes but her blood was precious to them. So much so that they would pair her up with a respectable family— Blaise can’t help but feel this is his punishment for him and his mother being neutral in the war.
When he arrived home after graduation his mother was waiting by the front door. “So?”
“They went through with it.” He saw his mother’s face fall, this isn’t something she wanted for her only child.
“Then you take this with grace.” That was always her reply, keep your composure and your dignity and accept what the world has given you with a smile. No one needs to know what happens when you turn your back but never let them see you crumble. He’d always hear that growing up, he had seen his mother go through countless evil and vile men and she always took it with a smile… but when their backs turned— “Now who did you match with hmm? Someone respectable, from a good family?”
They both walk inside into the living room and take a seat on a long couch.
“She’s uh– She’s a Moody.” He tries to speak confidently but with his mother his guard always fell. He never needs to use his Occlumency around her. She had taught him the skill after fourth year, no one needed to hear or see our business.
“Oh dear.” She gasped, this was worse than she had thought. “As in Alastor Moody?”
“Yes.” Blaise nodded. “Anari Moody, Mad-Eye Moody is her uncle.”
“My little boy is marrying a blood traitor— I assume she’s followed in her uncle’s footsteps,” With a confirming nod from Blaise she took a deep breath and continued, “We must make do. She will need to learn the new ways of the world. She must be ready, she cannot drag the Zabini name down.”
“I understand.” He nods. He will have to make it work.
─TIED TOGETHER─
Anari and Blaise hadn’t seen each other since graduation, so while house elves tie up the lace wedding dress she doesn’t know what to expect next.
The wedding was nothing like she’d imagined it would be.
Her dress was beautiful but it wasn’t her style, it was fully laced with a corset and a laced veil as well, paired with gloves. It was something Anari would never pick out for herself but it did look elegant.
Everything felt cold—the ancient stone walls of the ceremonial hall, the piercing stares of the pureblood guests seated behind her, and the delicate lace of her dress sticking uncomfortably to her damp skin. The enchanted candles floating above did nothing to dispel the oppressive atmosphere. Their soft glow felt harsh, illuminating every detail of this forced spectacle.
The hall was beautiful, paintings up and down the walls, stained glass windows, the altar was grand and gold, looming above her. Anari admired it all while she walked down the aisle slowly, no need to rush this moment. Her lacey gloved hands were bound around a pristine bouquet and slightly shaking. Looking forward she saw Blaise for the first time in months, he didn’t even turn his head to look at her, just facing the person that was to wed them.
He was in black dress robes, shoulders back, and chin up. As composed as ever.
Anari never thought that she would make this walk alone. Her uncle was supposed to be on her arm giving her away. She wanted a wedding by the water at dusk, colors everywhere, and looking around this lifeless hall she felt nothing but sadness. This was supposed to be a happy moment. A choice. The person waiting at the end of the aisle should be someone she loved, someone she couldn’t live without.
But circumstances change, this is for her life. She didn’t want to know what would happen if she refused this union and she didn’t want to find out.
So she put on a brave face, handed her bouquet away, and walked up the steps to Blaise and the official. Her husband would have offered her a hand but that wasn’t what Blaise was or ever would be. She focused on staying up right in her heels and tried to stand tall next to Blaise.
He didn’t look at her and she didn’t look at him.
The officiant's droning voice blurred into the background as Anari stared straight ahead, refusing to meet Blaise Zabini’s gaze. He stood beside her, his posture perfect, his expression as unreadable as ever. If he was as horrified by this union as Ana was, he didn’t show it. His face was carved in cold indifference, as though this moment meant nothing to him.
Anari clenched her trembling hands together, the smooth lace gloves doing little to hide the anxiety coursing through her. The crowd’s eyes burned into her back, no doubt judging every move, every breath. Were they thrilled to see a blood traitor like her bound to one of their own? Or were they disgusted by the pairing? She couldn’t tell, and she wasn't sure which possibility made her feel worse.
“Do you, Blaise Zabini, accept this bond as law dictates?” the officiant intoned, his voice sharp and unyielding.
There was a brief pause. Ana could feel Blaise shift slightly beside her.
“I do.” His voice was steady, emotionless.
The words felt like a knife, cutting away any hope she had that he might fight this, that he might object, that anyone might. But Blaise Zabini was no fool. He knew better than to challenge the Ministry.
“And do you, Anari Moody," He spoke with no emotion, moving his eyes to her, "accept this bond as law dictates?”
Her throat tightened. The words felt foreign, like they belonged to someone else. The silence stretched, thick and suffocating, until she forced the response from her lips.
“I do.”
He motioned for Blaise to go ahead and Blaise slowly turned to her and slid her ring onto her finger and then his band onto his finger. They both knew the next steps. They turned to face each other, Anari wasn’t brave enough to meet his eyes just yet, just staring at her ring, they joined hands. The officiant raised his wand, the tip glowing as he muttered the incantation that would seal their fates.
They felt the magic take hold, wrapping around their wrist like a silver shackle before fading into nothingness. It was done.
“And now,” the officiant said, a note of finality in his tone, “to seal the bond with a kiss.”
Anari’s stomach lurched. She hadn’t forgotten this part, but she desperately hoped it would be skipped—maybe Blaise would refuse, or some exception would be made. But no, tradition demanded it.
Blaise and Anari both met eyes, his expression unreadable, but there was something in his eyes—a flicker of discomfort, or perhaps resentment. He leaned down, his movements slow and precise, giving her no time to brace herself.
The kiss was brief, a mere press of lips against hers, cold and devoid of anything resembling affection. It felt more like a command than a gesture of unity. She fought the urge to flinch, standing rigidly until he pulled away.
As they parted, her lips tingled—not from passion, but from the bitter taste of obligation. Ana didn’t look at him, focusing instead on the floor as the crowd offered polite, stifled applause.
Blaise offered her his arm, as tradition dictated. She hesitated, staring at it as though it were a venomous snake. But with the weight of the crowd’s gaze pressing down on her, she relented, placing her gloved hand lightly atop his. His arm was rigid, his touch devoid of warmth.
As they walked back down the aisle together, the reality of their situation began to sink in. This wasn’t a wedding—it was a sentence. A chain around her neck that tied her to someone who didn’t want her, just as much as she didn’t want him.
And yet, as she glanced up at Blaise’s perfectly composed face, she couldn’t shake the thought that, behind his mask of indifference, he might feel just as trapped as she did.
The ceremony ended in a blur of cold stares and stifled applause. Ana and Blaise were whisked away to the government-mandated home—a pristine, lifeless manor nestled in the countryside of southern England. The house was grand and silent, its dark wood floors creaking underfoot, the high ceilings echoing every sound. The Ministry had spared no expense, making sure it was a perfect symbol of their forced union. But inside, the house felt empty, lifeless, like a cage waiting to trap them both.
The only saving grace might be the cliffs just outside with the ocean. Maybe this wouldn’t be the prison she had thought it would be. Just a different form.
2087
vaporwave
ellievsbear
