BLAISE ZABINI: 17 June, 1997

[coolasblaise]

Handed over to Draco after Potions class, silently, and with a serious look.

Dear Draco,

I don'tI'm going to stop pretending that you're not mad. You are, you know. Quite insane. Runs in the family, no doubt, although with you particular mix of utterly batshit relatives it would be difficult to point out where exactly yours comes from. In

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[malfoybrat]

*enters the dormitory quietly, pausing and considering his words carefully*

I burnt your letter. I imagine you wish to reconsider the wisdom of putting such things on paper. I will say no more about it if you don't.

[coolasblaise]

*looks at him for a while, serious*

I assumed you would, of course. However, I don't think not speaking about it would be a good idea.

*lifts chin slightly*

It would be difficult for us to make plans without talking.

[malfoybrat]

*lips twitch into an irritable pout for a second*

*wets his lips and forces an even tone of voice*
I think I've been keeping you from your sleep. Your general good sense has deserted you and while you said some... *flushes a little, glancing away* ...some unforgiveable things, I love you enough to forgive and forget.

As I wish you would.

[coolasblaise]

*takes a step closer, folds his arms across his chest*

I don't intend to. Just as I don't intend to watch you die.

[malfoybrat]

*snaps sharply*

Well seeing as you intend to disappear off to Italy, you won't be in a position to play spectator, will you?

[coolasblaise]

*takes a sharp breath, opens mouth but stays quiet*

*exhales, lets his head drop*

*briefly closes his eyes*

I don't want you to die.

[malfoybrat]

*high-pitched voice*

I don't plan to. Contrary to what you seem to think, I'm not useless and in a few days you'll see just how competent I am.

*looks away, lips pressed into a thin unhappy line*

[coolasblaise]

You will if you stay here.

*wets his lips, takes a long breath*

That's why you need to come away with me.

[malfoybrat]

*exhales sharply, keeping his face turned away*

*takes a few steps back, sitting down on the floor at the foot of his bed*

*shakily*
It's very cruel of you to put such thoughts in my head. If I listened to you, if I put myself in your hands, that would be lending weight to your words.

And what you said about me was wrong, and I won't stand for it.

[coolasblaise]

What was wrong, Draco?

*steps carefully closer, then sits on the bed*

[malfoybrat]

*arches an eyebrow*

Pretty much all of it. If I hadn't burnt the wretched thing, I'd've underlined the relevant passages for you.

*sighs and shakes his head*

[coolasblaise]

*rests a hand on Draco's shoulder, thumb stroking his neck slowly*

Tell me. Because I meant everything I said.

[malfoybrat]

*stills under his hand*

*sharply*
You called me mad. You assigned blame to my father and people who have only ever loved me. You said there was no reason to love me. You said I was useless.

Plenty of people love me and merely because I don't live up to the high standards set by Beppo and your halfblood Ravenclaw, doesn't make me unloveable.

[coolasblaise]

It has nothing to do with Beppo or Anthony. I don't love either of them.

*bites his lip*

And there is no doubt that you have been abused by your father's friends.

[malfoybrat]

*eyes widen*
*considers for a moment*

*rationally*
Are you jealous, Blaise? Because you really needn't be. I don't love them like I love you. I don't love anyone like I love you.

[coolasblaise]

*slight smile*

No, I'm not. I know you don't. But I don't want you to die, and you will, if you stay here.