s t r o n g [Blaize]

[doodle]

"Erm, outside?" said Blaize, making it sound more like a suggestion. The weather had been very agreeable for the past few weeks, generally warm and sunny with a lazy late-spring breeze. Conditions which Blaize had hoped would help with his twin sister's depression, but not even a break from damp and cold weather seemed to lighten her spirits. He worried about her incessantly, she looked terrible these days.

[chances]

Sydney nodded. In a bold move, out of character for her, she took Blaize's hand in her own and pulled him along. She laughed a bit happily as the sun touched her face. The heat was wonderful for someone who hated the cold, like Sydney. She smiled and, without releasing Blaize's hand, slowed to a respective walk. Her face was flushed, but she was determined not to be a coward today, maybe even attempt to ask him out. The possibilities were endless.

[doodle]

Blaize blushed deeply when Sydney took his hand, but did not reject this gesture. The sun was warm on his skin, his black robes absorbing its rays, but it was pleasant as the weather wasn't unbearably hot, just warmer than the chilly winds and rains of April. Blaize wasn't sure what to say, so he kept quiet, and would allow Sydney to initiate conversation if she wanted to.

[chances]

Sydney walked along in silence, wondering what to say. Her blush had died down to a faint, almost undetectable color. Her recent conversation with Bellatrix came to mind. Finally, she spoke. "Are you... Looking forward to summer?" She asked quietly. The question was rather ignorant, but she needed to talk to him. If she was going to ask him out today, she was going to have to start somewhere. Even if that somewhere was small.

[doodle]

"Sure, hearing my father's incessant criticism and how I'm a disgrace to the Weasley family sounds just grand," Blaize said sarcastically. Ron just didn't seem to understand his children, he didn't get along with Gabriella because she was going to marry a Malfoy, nor did he get along with Emily because she was a Slytherin. And as for himself, Ron thought that Blaize was a disappointment.

[chances]

Sydney frowned. "Is it really that bad?" she asked quietly. She took a deep breath and stopped walking. Now was the time. Her heart was pounding in her earss, but she leaned towards Blaize. She stood up on her toes and quickly pecked him on the lips. Her face was flushed as she pulled away. "I don't think you're a screw up." she replied quietly. Her heart was pounding in chest, but she managed a shaky smile. She reached up and pulled a strand of her dark curly hair behind her ear.

[doodle]

Blaize too managed a smile, it meant a lot to him to hear Sydney say that. It seemed that everyone was disappointed in him, he hadn't done anything special, he was just another Hufflepuff duffer. Only he was a Weasley, the first one to be in the "loser house," the first one to not do anything cool during adolescence. Blaize wanted to be an author, more than anything in the world, and had been looking into publishing secretly on his own since third year. But so far, he hadn't shared them with anyone, for fear of more harsh criticism. "Really?" said Blaize. "Thanks."

[chances]

Sydney nodded, smiling broadly. Her face had lost all of its tint and she was no loger nervous. "Of course." She replied. She took Blaize's hand once more. "Will you... Um..." Sydney began, becoming rather nervous. She wanted to ask him out, but her tongue was tied. Her face flushed brilliantly once more.

[doodle]

"Will I what?" asked Blaize, a bit confused. While many of his peers would easily be able to figure out Sydney's intentions, he had immense difficulty figuring out girls, they were just so confusing to him. One might think that with two sisters it would be easy, but not so much. Blaize generally didn't see much of Gabriella, and Emily certainly did not act terribly feminine.

[chances]

"Will you... um..." Sydney repeated. She took a deep breath, then continued. "Will you... go out... with um..... me?" she asked, stumbling over her words. Her face had flushed a deep red and she released Blaize's hand. She wrapped her arms around her body, as if they alone would protect her from the embarrassment she felt. Sydney felt like an ignorant school girl, and she hated that feeling of vulnerability and naive-like behavior. It made her feel so inferior to everyone and anyone.

[doodle]

Blaize had certainly not been expecting that, he didn't know the attraction he had toward Sydney was mutual. He could not help but blush, it was just his body's natural reaction to almost everything since he was so clumsy both physically and socially. "Yeah," said Blaize with a smile, ignoring his conscience telling him to be his usual, bashful self. Uncharacteristically for him, Blaize took back Sydney's hand, holding it gently.

[chances]

Sydney graciously took Blaize's hand. She walked along, shoulder to shoulder with Blaize. Her face lost it's pinkish hue as they walked. Her heart was pounding rapidly. She was so happy, and she felt triumphant.

[doodle]

"This weekend's the last Hogsmeade weekend," said Blaize. "We could go to the Hog's Head." He paused a moment, and then recalled not everyone shared his passion for the place. He liked the quiet, and how it was never busy. "Unless you'd rather go elsewhere," Blaize added hastily, not wanting to insult the girl that had been his girlfriend for a grand total of fifteen seconds.

[chances]

Sydney smiled and nodded slightly to Blaize. "I would love to." she replied with a cute smile. She actually enjoyed the Hogsmeade. A weird thing for a proper young lady, yes. But she loved it. The secluded atmosphere was perfect. She pulled herself closer to Blaize, now they were walking in step.

[doodle]

Blaize smiled, although he did feel that it was an unfortunate time to start a relationship, he had no idea where Sydney lived. Did she go back to France for the holidays? It would be horrible if he didn't get to see her all summer. But maybe it was better that way, surely if Ron found out that he had a girlfriend there would be more nagging, and he most likely would form a biased opinion before he even laid eyes on her.