Emerald Moon

Chapter 9 - Teamwork

"Don't forget to add that Ashwinder eggs can also be used in Felix Felicis. You only included Love Potions and the Edurus Potion. Also, if you want extra points with Slughorn, say that is it an antidote to Ague. He'll love that!" Blaise told Luna, as he read over her Potions paper on the uses of Ashwinder eggs.

"Thank you!" She said cheerfully and he handed her the parchment. She immediately started to scribble notes along the margins. "I am going to have to re-write it, but I've got time for that."

They were sitting together in the remote corner of the library. At first he felt anxious for discovery. But with OWL examinations yet around the corner, most students were far too focused on themselves to pay any attention to their classmates. That, and the stacks and stacks of books around them quickly provided a safe barrier. And over the past hour, he had often forgotten just what the risks were and simply enjoyed studying together.

Luna had a positive attitude towards studying, which despite being a Ravenclaw, wasn't just a given. He had met many students that would dread any sort of examination or paper. Many of them Ravenclaws. But she seemed to have limitless positive energy that radiated off her. And he couldn't help but go along, allowing himself to bask in her brightness. He had quickly understood why the friends she had, felt so strongly about her and were very protective of her. It was a shame that most people couldn't get past her odd and mysterious ways. Yet he couldn't help but think, that perhaps, that was for the best. If everyone realised just how wonderful she was, he would never be able to spend time with her alone.

Her open mind reminded him just how wonderful the magical world was, and how lucky they were to be part of it. And he needed more light and magic in his life. His mother had departed the same day he had returned to Hogwarts. She had left a trail of excuses in her wake with her friends. Magdalena had not quite grasped the severity of the situation but had accepted it with much grace, which had helped his mother. But when she touched the Portkey towards the Zabini Vineyard in the Tuscany hills, Magdalena had buried her face in his chest and sobbed her little heart out. It required all of his self-control not to break down himself. But he braced himself. He was her protector now and he had to be strong for her and for their mother.

He had gone to Platform 9 ¾ alone, leaving Magdalena with his uncle's family. One tearful goodbye was draining enough. And without his family there, it was far easier to pretend that everything was okay, his impassive mask back on his face. The trip had been pleasant enough with Nott and Parkinson. It didn't take long however after his arrival back at Hogwarts, for Montague to slip a question about his mother's whereabouts. News, he knew, travelled fast.

And so he braced himself during his first week back. Answering every question in a calm, collected and his usual nonchalant way. This seemed to mollify most of the Slytherin's. Especially those with known Death Eater connections. What had surprised him however was that Malfoy hadn't joined the investigation. He was usually on top of such rumours. But whenever he spotted the boy, his face had become as pale as his hair. He was thinner and had a haunted look about him. Blaise often caught Nott looking at his classmate with a weary look, and there was no doubt in Blaise's mind that Nott had a better idea what was bothering Malfoy than he let on. But Blaise had too much on his own mind to really care.

Assignments kept piling up and the Slytherin versus Hufflepuff Quidditch match was planned during the third weekend back. He didn't remember ever being so busy. And when Luna wrote on a note she could accompany him to the library during their second week, he had clasped it in both hands. He wanted to see her and help her with Potions like he had promised during their letter exchange over Easter break. It had been a quiet yet wonderful afternoon. He was almost curious whether he could call it a date. If so, it was the best he'd ever had. Hell, he could even imagine having a lovely time at Madame Puttifoot's Teashop together like this. What was the world coming to?