Title:Hush
Author:TinaMustDie


Blaise Zabini loves his mother. It's not something he's ever told her, not something he ever will. But it's there, and he knows she can see it. She always knows exactly what a man thinks of her. He smiles at the thought that he is no exception.

Every child believes that their mother is the most beautiful woman in the world. For him, that's always been more of a reality than a belief. Eniola was the definition of beauty. The way her dark skin contrasted her eyes, a light green, was stunning. Her lips were full and heart-shaped, her cheekbones prominent. She held herself with poise and moved with a grace that made dancers look clumsy.

She was lovely.

Regardless, Blaise had never thought of her as an angel. He knew very well that she wasn't.

One of his favorite memories of his mother is the time he was twelve and home for Christmas. His latest stepfather had died six months ago and they were staying in his summer home on the beach. It was Christmas morning, and they were sitting on the bed in his mother's room. The curtains were open, long, white, flowing things, and a gentle breeze was sweeping through the room. Eniola was resting against the headboard, still amazingly beautiful, even in cotton pajamas. He'd been sitting cross legged on the other side of the bed, enjoying the smell of the cold sea seeping through the window.

"You know,"she'd said suddenly, light eyes sparkling in amusement. "My name means wealthy."

They'd sat, staring at each other for a few moments, before bursting into laughter.

Some thought Blaise would resent his mother, hate her even, and in a way, he does. She's the reason he's the most legal savvy student at Hogwarts. She's the reason he knows the symptoms of different types of poisons. She's the reason he knows how to deal with questions on the mysterious deaths of stepfathers he barely knew. She's the reason he could kill someone and get away with it.

But he remembers other things too. Like how she'd smile when she saw him reading books far past the average child's comprehension. Like the time she told him he's the only person she's ever thought was more beautiful than herself. Like the way she'd send him something when she was really thinking of him, as opposed to Mrs. Malfoy who spoiled her son just because she could. Like how when he was five or six, she'd pick him up and twirl him around while listening to old muggle music. Even now, ten years later, she plays Ella Fitzgerald and waltzes with him when she's in the mood to dance.

Yes, his mother is a murderer. She's beautiful enough to smother signs of danger, and smart enough to keep getting away with it. They're not much of a family, but he loves her. And even though she's never said it, Blaise knows she loves him too.