The Longest Walk
Theme # 8: Diffindo


"Zabini, wait! Please!"

They had fought. He had tried to talk to her, and she had been an absolute jerk. Ginny did not see why she should not be one: She had never been more than a blood traitor to him. And now he was storming away, angry, refusing to even fight with her any longer. She felt a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.

He did not turn.

"Zabini, please!"

She acted on impulse: whipping out her wand, she shouted, "Diffindo." The spell whizzed past her, hitting his bag which split apart at the seams. He turned around, a heavy scowl on his face.

"What's your problem, Weasley?"

"I want you to listen to me!"

"Not interested."

"Blaise -" She stopped short, realizing she had used his first name, for the first time in her life. He realized it, too. He was silent. Then he said.

"You have five seconds."

Ginny took a deep breathe. "Listen - I'm - I'm sorry. Alright?"

With an effort, he nodded. "Anything else, Weasley?"

"Yes. I have a first name."

He looked away. "I know."

Ginny bit her lip, then held out her hand. He took it.

- Long walks were fun.