not just f r i e n d s (azzurra)

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Zelphar wasn't sure why he was so nervous about going to the dance with Azzurra that evening, they had only been best friends for as long as he could remember. But his intentions were different that evening, Zelphar could only hope that she wouldn't reject the idea of it being more like a date rather than the two of them going as friends. Zelphar's throat felt permanently tight, his relationship with Azzurra was getting much more complicated than what he wanted it to be, but he knew in his heart that he was falling for Azzurra.

Zelphar paced in the Entrance Hall, near the entrance to the basements, waiting for the girl whom he hoped would become not just a friend that evening. The tightness in his throat traveled to his chest when he heard the sound of footsteps from the basement corridor. He could only pray the evening wouldn't be too awkward.

[violethorses]

Azzurra's throat tightened the closer she got to the Entrance Hall. She had told Zelphar she would go to the End of Term Dance without hesitation, but Azzurra had become increasingly nervous about it since then. She had thought Zelphar wanted to go as friends originally, but now she wasn't entirely sure. Did she like Zelphar as more than a friend? Azzurra couldn't be sure; she was very confused at the moment. But the thing making her the most nervous was this was the first dance she had attended since the one that had ended in disaster a year ago.

Azzurra mentally told herself not to fidget as she entered the Entrance Hall. She had done her hair and makeup, and didn't want to mess any of it up. But really, she didn't want to seem as nervous as she felt. But when Azzurra caught Zelphar's eye, she couldn't help but smile ever so slightly. He was her best friend- it was only natural. "Hey Zelphar," she said, stepping so that she was next to him.

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"Hey," Zelphar responded with a small smile. His heart rate was a bit faster than normal, but he managed to keep a calm exterior. After all, he had known Azzurra forever, but lately her presence made him nervous, but calmed him at the same time. It was difficult to explain. "You look nice," complimented Zelphar, she did look pretty that evening. Perhaps she had done something different with her hair.

[violethorses]

Azzurra smiled slightly at the compliment, but she didn't blush as she once might have. "Thanks," she said somewhat quietly. "You look nice as well." Azzurra was glad that Zelphar seemed to like what she had done with her hair. Normally she just let it curl itself, but that night she had dried it and then curled it, which did make it look rather different. Azzurra had also pulled a few strands back and pinned them there.

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"So, should we go in then?" said Zelphar. He didn't usually like going to dances, he usually only went because his friends wanted him to go, but it seemed like the right thing to do, asking Azzurra to come with him. He wasn't sure how else to hint that his feelings were changing for her that wasn't entirely obvious. Perhaps they might leave early and take a walk in the garden.

[violethorses]

Azzurra shrugged slightly, then nodded. "Yeah, I suppose so," she said somewhat timidly. She knew it was ridiculous to stand outside the entire time, but she couldn't help but be tempted to do just that. The whole idea of a dance was starting to bring back bad memories, though Azzurra knew she was safe around Zelphar. Still, she stayed close to her best friend as they entered.

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Zelphar could sense the tenseness coming from Azzurra as they entered the Great Hall, which had been converted to a more suitable environment for a dance. He could practically feel it radiating off of her in waves. Zelphar quietly took her hand and gave it a squeeze, offering Azzurra a reasurring sort of smile. He wanted to blurt that she would be fine, and that he would protect her from anything that might happen, but he felt that would just be weird, and he didn't want the moment to be any more awkward than what it was.

[violethorses]

Azzurra was grateful when at last Zelphar took her hand. She squeezed his hand back, releasing a bit of her tension. Azzurra focused on breathing for the moment, figuring it would be easier if she took everything in slowly. Azzurra then noticed the music and decided to concentrate on that. Ever so slowly, her body began to visibly relax. She was beginning to convince herself that she was safe. It was difficult to do so, but Azzurra knew that Zelphar would never allow any harm to come to her, as long as he could.

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"Come, let's get some punch," Zelphar suggested. The dance had barely started, for the most part it was just people trickling in. Looking around, he found it kind of odd to see nobody dressed up, Hogwarts events tended to be formal affairs. Zelphar lead the way to the refreshment table, and momentarily released Azzurra's hand to pour them both a cup of the punch.

[violethorses]

Azzurra nodded and followed Zelphar over to the punch table, always about a half-step behind him, preferring not to take the lead at this point. Azzurra was still feeling nervous, though she had started to relax. "Thanks," she said as Zelphar poured the both of them a cup of punch. She picked hers up and took a sip, glad for a momentary distraction.

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Zelphar nodded, and then busied his hands with his own cup. He took a moment to observe what the other people there were doing, watching as groups formed in various spots around the hall. Nobody was dancing yet, but the dance had barely started, that would come later. Zelphar took a sip of his punch, keeping quiet and waiting for Azzurra to say something. She still seemed abnormally tense to him. Was the atmosphere of a dane bothering her that much? He would feel guilty if it did, he was the one who asked her to come in the first place.

[violethorses]

Since she had no idea what else to do, Azzurra focused on acting normal. She breathed slowly, refusing to allow herself to hyperventilate. She sipped her punch thoughtfully, wondering what it was about a dance that made her nervous. Azzurra bit her lip and turned to Zelphar. "Where is everyone?" she asked, a half-hearted attempt to make conversation.

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"We are a little early," said Zelphar with a shrug, "everyone else should turn up shortly." He took a sip of punch. This moment seemed far too tense to him, that last thing he wanted was for Azzurra to be uncomfortable. Zelphar was just thankful that Alec was no longer around Hogwarts these days. He still had the desire to beat the crap out of him, though. "Do you want to go outside?" Zelphar asked suddenly after a pause. It felt as if the walls of the hall were closing in on him. Maybe some fresh air might make them both feel better.

[violethorses]

Azzurra nodded slowly at Zelphar's response, and then downed the rest of her little punch cup. She was very glad when Zelphar suggested going outside. At the moment, it seemed far better than standing awkwardly in the Great Hall, waiting for people to arrive and start dancing. A different Azzurra might've been comfortable being one of the first to dance, but she certainly didn't want to now. "Yeah, let's do that," Azzurra replied.

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Zelphar nodded and then set down his cup of punch, he hadn't really drank any of it. Once again he took Azzurra by the hand and lead the way out of the hall. It didn't feel right, leaving as people were just turning up, but somehow he just felt like the dance was like a prison. "Ladies first," said Zelphar with a small smile as he pulled open the door outside and held it for Azzurra.