Later that day, Blake found himself back at his log in the Forbidden Forest, working on his spell again. He'd managed to improve it slightly, especially with things like paragraphing, but the main problem still hadn't been solved - how do I make the essays sound like the person it's meant to be?
Blake sighed, and checked his watch - suddenly cursing.
Damn it! I was meant to be in the library with Zabini 10 minutes ago!
Grumbling, he hastily packed up his things and ran back towards the castle - not noticing an elderly wizard with a long, white beard watching him from afar.
/
"Excuse me!"
Blake assumed that the shrill voice from behind, which he immediately registered as Hermione Granger's, was not addressing him, and he continued on his brisk journey to the library.
"I said - excuse me!"
Is she really talking to me? Blake wondered. Making the wise decision to not engage in any possible conversation with the Gryffindor bookworm, who he'd found and heard to be quite nosey and uppity, he quickened his pace, still pretending he hadn't heard her.
"Blake Renshaw!"
Damn it.
Being left with no choice, Blake turned around, acting as if he hadn't realised she'd been addressing him.
Ok - no need to be rude, she's not done anything to me. And she's smart too, and muggleborn, like just me. No need to make any more enemies, especially ones that could be important in the future.
"Oh, sorry Granger, I didn't realise you were talking to me," Blake said cordially, trying to be polite.
That being said, I don't exactly want to be friends with her - but then again, from the look on her face, I doubt she wants to be friends either.
Granger had been approaching him with a barely disguised hostile look, which turned into one of surprise for a moment when Blake responded politely, showing the girl's expectation that he'd be rude - because I'm Slytherin.
"Yes, well, I have something important to talk to you about actually!"
"Okay, go ahead," Blake responded.
Granger lowered her voice, as if the topic was something scandalous.
"I know you've been helping Ron, Harry, Neville, and Lavender and Pavarti, and God knows how many more, to cheat!"
Granger said the word 'cheat' in the same way that Malfoy said the word 'mudblood', and Blake only just managed to hide his smile.
"I'm just doing them a favour."
"They're paying you!"
"Well, they're doing me a favour too then."
"You do know that that's against the rules, don't you?"
"Really? Can you show me where it says that?"
"Well, I don't have them on me right-"
"I was joking, Granger."
"So you know it's against the rules!" she said triumphantly.
"And you haven't done anything against the rules?"
For once, Granger didn't have anything to say for a moment, but as she opened her mouth to continue speaking, Blake cut her off.
"Besides, it's not like they're stupid, or we're forcing each other to take part in it. Everyone's well aware of what's going to happen if they get caught."
Granger opened her mouth to speak again, but Blake spoke faster, beginning to enjoy this.
"I know what you're going to say. The people that don't do their essays will fall behind right?"
Granger was speechless for a second.
"But that's not necessarily true. If they want to, they can still study for their subjects. And then I guess you'll say it's disingenuous of me to write essays on their behalf. But to me, it's a win-win. They don't want to do homework, and as far as I'm concerned, they'll use that time to practice or study, and I get paid for it. What's wrong with that?"
"Yes, but the professors-"
"You're telling me you agree with whatever the Professors say? Even Snape?"
Granger was speechless again. Blake smirked.
"I'm going to assume Harry and Weasley told you, then you tried to get them to stop but they wouldn't, so you came to me instead. Well, unfortunately, I like making money - not all of us have the luxury of having Galleons and Galleons to spend from Mummy and Daddy's money. Hope you understand, Granger."
Blake left Granger at the bottom of the staircase agape, and he made his way to the library feeling quite proud of himself for how he handled that situation. Although Granger was a muggleborn, he knew that she had to be decently well off, having overheard her speak with Lavender Brown about a holiday in Venice some point earlier, so the assumption that she had money to spend probably wasn't wrong. Blake didn't mind someone like Granger speculating that he wasn't rich - even if she was nosey and uppity, it didn't seem like she was a gossip.
"Where were you?" Zabini asked him, waiting outside the library, and Blake's smile grew even wider.
"Ran into Granger. She had some opinions about the essay writing."
At his expression and words, Zabini let out a small smile too.
"You beat Granger in an argument? Fair enough, Renshaw."
The pair shared a laugh, but their intent wasn't malicious. After all, Granger seemed 'nice' enough - just a very odd character.
"Could I get in on the joke too?"
Both of the Slytherin boys froze.
That voice… but why?
Luckily, both of the boys regained their composure fairly quickly despite their shock.
"Oh, it was nothing, Professor Dumbledore - we were just talking about one of the Muggle 'movies' Renshaw likes."
"Oh? I'm intrigued - what's this movie called?" Dumbledore said in his grandfatherly tone. What is he doing here?
Zabini looked at Blake, who smoothly responded.
"It's called Captain America, sir."
"That does sound interesting, doesn't it? Perhaps I'll see if I can watch it soon."
Blake and Zabini shuffled awkwardly for a moment, wondering if they could leave. The Headmaster continued to smile at them as if nothing was wrong, making Blake feel even more awkward, until he finally spoke up.
"Well, Zabini and I have a Herbology essay to do, Professor. We'd best get a start on it, right Zabini?"
Zabini nodded, back to his regular nonchalance, and Dumbledore agreed.
"Yes, of course, Herbology is a very pesky subject. In fact, it was probably my worst one when I was your age."
Blake and Zabini both smiled as convincingly as they could, before saying goodbye and turning to enter the library.
"Just a moment, Blake. Might I have a minute or thirteen of your time?" Or thirteen?
"Of course, Professor," Blake said, trying not to show the nervousness in his voice. Zabini gave him a look - almost of concern - before looking back at Dumbledore, who chuckled good-naturedly.
"Not to worry, Blaise. Your friend's not in any trouble at all."
Zabini nodded, giving Blake another look.
"I'll start some of the research," he said, before entering the library on his own.
Dumbledore smiled widely.
"Now then, shall we go to my office?"
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