Song- Gasoline

If Blaise had thought the ride here was nervewracking, nothing compared to the weight of Rowena Ravenclaw's powerful stare at him.

She sat atop her throne, cold blue eyes looking down on them. She wore a dark golden gown with a deep blue cloak atop it. Her bronze crown glinted off of the firelight in the room, and complimented her caramel skin. Her dark hair was perfectly smooth and flawless, cascading over her shoulders.

Next to her sat Salazar Ravenclaw, the previous ruler of Slytherin kingdom before he left to marry Rowena. He stayed true to Slytherin colors with his dark green robes, but his crown was bronze, a distinct color of Ravenclaw loyalty. His dark eyes watched them, but he said nothing. This matter was in Rowena's hands.

Their daughter, Reyna, sat on the other side of her mother in her own throne. She looked about sixteen, maybe a little older. Although she looked like her mother in every physical aspect except age, her blue eyes were a bit softer than Rowena's. She seemed interested in knowing why they were there.

"Your Majesties, Your Highness," Blaise greeted, bowing low. Ron copied him.

"State your names." She was business, cold, unforgiving.

"Ronald Weasley."

"Blaire Zabini." Blaise did his best not to wince at the name.

"Liar."

Blaise's eyes snapped up in surprise. "Your Majesty?"

"I don't appreciate lies, Zabini. Your name is not Blaire. You have lied to me."

"My name from birth is Blaire Zabini," Blaise said firmly.

"But that is not your name now. You don't believe the very words you are saying. I'm a perceptive woman, Zabini. You won't lie to me again."

"Blaise. My name is Blaise Zabini."

Rowena studied him for a long moment. "You are not the woman your outward appearance attempts to project."

"No I am not, Your Majesty."

"What business do you have here?"

"We come on behalf of King Draconis of Durmstrang and King Harry of Slytherin and Gryffindor. They request your blessing and appearance at the coronation of myself, Ronald, Hermione Granger, and Persephone Parkinson. Ronald and myself are to rule Gryffindor kingdom, and Hermione and Persephone shall maintain Durmstrang. Harry and Draconis will have Slytherin kingdom."

Salazar's eyes widened slightly at the mention of his old kingdom.

"Your request is denied," Rowena stated, without a change in expression. 

"If I may ask why, Your Majesty."

"Draconis and Persephone betrayed their marital arrangement by divorce after only a day of it's existence. Marriage is not to be taken lightly, and for it to be tossed around in the hands of children is nonsense. Furthermore, I will not allow said children to rule three seperate kingdoms. It is unwise and reckless. You may leave."

"Mother, please be reasonable-" Reyna started, but Rowena cut her off.

"I am always reasonable, Reyna. Hold your tongue."

"Would this Harry be the fated child of Lily and James Evans?" Salazar suddenly said.

"He would, Your Majesty."

"I would put my life in Lily Evan's hands. She was one of the strongest women I ever knew. You have my blessing, and I shall attend your coronation. You only need the blessing of one leader from each kingdom, and you have mine."

"Salazar!" Rowena admonished. "What are you doing?"

"I have faith, Rowena. You should, too."

Rowena simply frowned, eyes cold. "You got what you came for. Leave now."

Blaise and Ron obeyed, bowing low once before exiting the room.

"That was a trial," Ron breathed out.

"Hm? Oh, yeah," Blaise murmured.

Ron looked at him for a minute. "Can we talk for a minute?"

Blaise paused, and nodded. They walked down to the stream by the castle, and sat down.

Ron dipped his fingers in the water, watching the current swirl around his fingers. "Do you love Draco?"

"Yes," Blaise responded immediately. He had always loved Draco. That was the problem.

"No, I want you to think about it. Consider your answer. Consider what you love about Draco, why you love Draco."

Blaise frowned. "Everything. I love everything about him."

"Blaise, you're not thinking about it. You're just saying it."

"How do you know?"

"Because you're answering immediately."

"I can think and answer at the same time."

"You're not even considering the question. Why do you love Draco?"

"Because he's my best friend, alright?" Blaise shouted.

Ron just raised an eyebrow. "You love him... because he's your friend?"

Blaise ran his fingers through his hair, irritated. "Yes."

"Blaise, everyone loves their friends. How do you feel about Pansy?"

"I love her," Blaise said immediately. Then he frowned.

"Blaise, is it possible that you used to be in love with Draco, and you were so used to the feeling that somewhere along the line when your feelings changed to platonic love, you didn't notice?"

Blaise paused, genuinely considering this. Ron smiled. 

"Now you're thinking about your answers. Do you even hate Harry anymore?"

"No," Blaise murmured, deep in thought. "I don't."

They spent the ride back to Durmstrang in silence.

When the carriage pulled up to Ron's house, the redhead paused, and turned to face Blaise.

Blaise what about to ask what, but was stopped by Ron lightly kissing his cheek.

"Let me know when you figure things out," the redhead whispered, and then he was gone and the door was shut.