CHAPTER 23

DEFENSE

Blaise had not wanted to return to Hogwarts this year. His soon-to-be step-father had been talking about how this school year was going to be different with a Ministry representative taking the Defence position. The conversation had bored his mother, so the man had changed topics to discuss Potter's attention seeking ways and Dumbledore's senile mind that would destroy the Wizarding World. Blaise had rolled his eyes once and his mother kicked his shin so hard under the table that his eyes watered for at least half a minute.

Since then, he tried to avoid being in a room where he would have to endure their bashing of the members of Gryffindor house, mostly because when that was discussed his brain went to a certain blue-eyed Gryffindor. And that was the last thing he needed.

He really tried avoiding that thought because it meant he would think about the night of the last tasks. And he hated himself for it because one of his classmates died and the only thing he could think about was this girl who held his hand that day out of fear and maybe comfort.

He planned on staying far away from her this school year. But then he got on the train and Malfoy practically dragged him to the Gryffindor squad compartment, including a few Ravenclaws. And he saw her and she looked different, her hair was a shade of blue fading to her usual brown, matching with her eyes. She had grown maybe two inches, not much compared to the five inches he now gained on her.

He assumed she would probably stay at that height, while he was expected to grow a bit more in the coming year, most likely towering over her by sixth year.

Still seeing her again is strange, because he doesn't know where they stand exactly. Last he checked they were this complicated fireball of arguments, truces, one awkward kiss, and hand holding. A whole mess of things that he has no clue how to categorize. He just knows that she's fierce and kind and someone who gets him in a way.

The first time after the train that he encounters her is History of Magic. She's almost late, barely entering the room when the bell begins to ring. But she makes it and takes a seat behind him next to her friends, he doesn't look because he knows Theo or Draco will ask questions.

He liked history, despite how many people doze off in the class. Sure, Professor Binns is a bit boring but the topics are interesting, informative. So, he endures the teasing from his friends who think it's dumb to be so invested in the subject. What he wasn't expecting was Lyra's teases coming in small notes that she sneakily levitated into his hand.

He had looked at his friends on either side of him, no one seemed to be paying attention so he opened the note and responded, fighting back a stupid grin that was threatening to break his cool demeanor.

And then she sent, "That's adorable, Zabini."

And Blaise felt himself freeze because, first of all: he was not adorable, that is dumb. Attractive, he can understand. Hot, he had heard a few times. But adorable? Really? And second: Lyra Knight was calling him adorable.

Fighting back the grin now just felt useless because, yup, he was smiling. And he sent her back a casual note, like what she wrote wasn't affecting him. Then turned, classmates be damned, and smiled at her, watching her troublemaking grin disappear into a look of complete shock that made him want to laugh.

Suddenly, History of Magic didn't seem as interesting as Lyra Knight.

Potions had been boring. Blaise was never really good at it so he didn't bother trying too hard. He was smart enough to get a passing OWL, if Draco managed to force him into studying long enough, but it bored him and he instead spent the period staring at the back of Knight's blue-to-brown hair.

He fought with himself over it, he really did. But in the end his idiotic side won out. "What's with your hair?" Theo wasn't paying attention to what he was doing, instead flirting with Daphne Greengrass. It made it easier for Blaise to levitate the note into her hand without him or Fay Dunbar, Lyra's partner, noticing.

Her shoulder shook in what he assumed was laughter. "Ginny dared me to dye it."

"And of course, you didn't back down."

"Of course. You should have seen my dad's face." And in the corner she had drawn a tiny stick figure with very angry facial expressions, and it's hands on its hips.

Blaise covered his laugh with a cough that seemed to have gotten Theo's and Dunbar's attention. They turned to look at him, Lyra as well with her hand over her mouth covering a smile. Blaise's face calmed to a neutral expression, raising his eyebrow at the confused gaze until they turned away, Lyra still fighting to keep in her laughs.

Well, he didn't hate his first day back as much as he thought he would.

He was wrong. He was so wrong because of course he had Defence Against the Dark Arts today and that sucked so bad, souring his mood completely.

First, her entire lesson plan for the year was ridiculous, most of the stuff he had learned in his first year. He and Draco had exchanged glances when realizing how dumb this book would be despite Draco not even liking Defense.

Then, practically all Gryffindor students in the class had argued with Umbridge. Because these assholes were noble and always looking for a fight.

And of course, Lyra Knight jumped at the defence of Potter and Granger and every other Gryffindor "So, according to you, Cedric Diggory just dropped dead last year?"

The entire class sucked in a collective breath at her question. Umbridge's eyes were bright and angry, staring from Harry and Lyra who were both standing from their seats.

"The Gryffindor King and Knight strike again." Draco muttered from beside him, rolling his eyes at the fuming Harry and Lyra, who stood with her hands curled into fists.

"That will be a detention for you too Miss Knight. Now, Cedric Diggory's death was a tragic accident," she said coldly.

"It was murder," Potter said loudly, he was practically vibrating with rage. "Voldemort killed him and you know it."

Professor Umbridge's face was blank but the anger in her eyes was very visible. The class waited for her to begin screaming, Lyra and Potter still not backing down. Blaise wanted to roll his eyes because this was so like Lyra, who stood beside her Gryffindors without a care about the consequences she would definitely endure later. It was just so Lyra.

Then in the softest, most sweetly girlish voice that sent a cold feeling to Blaise's spine she said, "Come here, Mr. Potter, dear. Miss Knight you have already earned yourself a detention, if you would not like to make it worse for yourself or your house, I suggest you take a seat."

Please, for the love of Salazar, sit down Knight.

But Lyra opened her mouth to argue again, her head raised high. Thankfully, Dunbar wrapped a hand around the stubborn girl's wrist, pulling her down while Granger, who sat in front of Knight, gave her a mothering glance and gestured for her to sit down as well.

Potter sent her a thankful glance before walking up to Umbridge, but Lyra was still glaring hard at the back of their professor's head, her fist still tightened in front of her.

When class finally ended, after Umbridge had finished her lesson on a low note Blaise felt like he could breathe again. Why did all of his Defense classes make him so uncomfortable?

Lyra had not stopped glaring the entire period, most Gryffindor's sending her glances of worry or appreciation. When everyone began to file out, the Gryffindors had patted her on the back. Granger squeezing at her hand, Weasley ruffled at her hair, and Dunbar gave her a quick hug. Brown and Finnigan had looked at her, opened their mouths to say something, then turned away quickly. Blaise assumed something had happened in the Gryffindor common room involving Potter's claims that had left them all feeling less than friendly towards one another.

"Go on to dinner without me. I'll be there in a minute." She said when Granger, Dunbar, Longbottom, and Weasley waited. They looked at her worriedly but she sent them a small smile. "Don't worry. I won't do anything dumb."

"That seems to be your specialty, Knight." Draco sneered as they walked past the Gryffindors.

"No, Malfoy," She sneered right back, "My specialty is putting narcissistic gits in their place, care to see what that's like?"

Malfoy snarled but didn't respond and walked away, Theo and Blaise following. The Gryffindors began to walk away, but Lyra stayed put.

Blaise stopped. It's for her safety. She might actually do something stupid.

"Hey, I forgot something in Defense. I'll see you guys at dinner." He said and hurried back up the steps when his friends kept walking.

Lyra had stepped towards a window near the Defense classroom.

"Well that was something." Blaise said, startling Lyra who whipped around to look at him.

She gave him a small smile, "Yeah, it was, wasn't it?"

Blaise shook his head, good-naturedly, "Typical, noble, Lyra Knight. Running to the defense of her housemates. Your loyalty is going to get you in big trouble one day."

Lyra shrugged, "Guess it's a price I'll have to pay."

"Well, they don't call you the Gryffindor Knight for nothing."

She scoffed, "That's dumb."

"Is it? Because a knight tends to defend its people. You are the knight of the Gryffindors, always trying to protect them. Longbottom, Potter, the Weasleys, Granger, and the list goes on."

She shrugged again, but seemed to finally see what the nickname meant.

"Just be careful. These Ministry people, they don't mess around, Knight."

Lyra looked at him, seemingly sizing him up, before nodding and pushing off the wall she had leaned against and walking towards the staircase. "I'll keep that in mind, Zabini... Thanks."

Blaise watched her walk down the steps, waiting until she disappeared to lean his head against the window she had been next to. When did he become so invested in Lyra freakin Knight?

It had been an unpleasant dinner. Draco had spread the story to most of the Slytherin table about Umbridge's row with Potter and Knight. It had seemed to spread to the entire hall throughout dinner.

Glancing at the Gryffindor table, he saw Potter storming off angrily with Granger and Weasley, while Lyra stayed in her seat, rubbing her temples as Dougherty, the Weasley siblings that were left, and Dunbar spoke around her. Dougherty would fill up the Gryffindor's plate when the girl would stop eating.

In the end she seemed back to her cheerful self, so Blaise returned to his own friends, who thankfully seemed to have to have finished their Potter and Knight versus Umbridge discussion.

When they were all back in the Slytherin common room, Theo threw himself on the couch. "This year is going to be the worst. It's the first day and I already have like ten assignments."

Draco shrugged. "We could probably take our homework from first year and use it in Umbridge's class.

Blaise let out a huff. "As long as we don't argue with her, I'm sure we won't have to worry about anything in her class."

"Yeah. You might want to say that to Potter and Knight." Theo said with an eye roll.

I'm trying. Blaise thought but just chuckled, pulling his potions assignment towards himself.

"Hey, Draco." Blaise turned to look at his friend

"No." The blonde yelled back, "Don't you dare even ask for the Potions, Zabini."

"I'll do your History."

"Deal."

*****

lyra is protective of Gryffindors, blaise is protective of lyra, awww.