There was a knock on my door and I lazily flicked my wand and opened it, I only expected and inter departmental note to fly into the room and land on my desk so did not bother to look up. The scent of perfume wafted past my nose and I looked up with a jerk, turning my head to face the door, sure enough in the doorway stood my mother. She was 65 years old, nearing middle age for a witch, but she looked on older than 30. I had not heard from her in the five years it had been since I had graduated from Hogwarts, she had never liked me as she always viewed me as weak for not supporting Voldemort, a muggle born girlfriend had been the last straw.

"Well aren't you going to invite me in?" She asked, slightly indignant at my lack of speech, I had lost the ability in my surprise. Before I could get over my shock and form a coherent sentence she sat down on the only other chair in the room, a small uncomfortable wooden one that was normally buried under paperwork, said paper work had magically transferred to my already over flowing desk. I smiled to myself as I imagined Hermione's reaction to my desk, she was always neat and tidy, she would have had it organised and colour coded with in a few seconds of entering my cramped office. A slight cough bought me back to reality with more than just a little bump, "Well" She said expectantly "Are you going to greet you mother Blaise? Where are your manners?"

"Err Hi."

"Is that all you can manage? No inquiry as to my health or even a formal greeting such as good afternoon rather than this casual 'Hi' business. I'm your mother, have some respect boy."

Within seconds I became the quivering boy of my youth. Even then I rarely saw my mother as she was always with her latest rich and conveniently 'ill' husband, but when I saw her she instilled fear in me with her harsh punishments. Children were seen but not heard, I was not to play outside for I would dirty my expensive clothes, and she was mother never mum because that was 'vulgar'. The endless rules and punishments reduced me to a meek boy who hid in his room and read, I was passionate about many things but I kept them buried away, I was bullied at school by the other boys and at home by my mother and her drunken friends. It was only five years ago that anyone broke through that shy outer shell and let my true personality free. I was a different man thanks to Hermione, I shook my head as if to clear it, determined not to close myself of because of my mother's presence.

"Why are you here? I thought I had been disowned."

"Nonsense you're my only child why would I do that, don't lie, you are an evil boy I raised you and this is how you repay me." She had a convenient memory.

"What do you want?" I demanded; I was angry because she had to have a reason.

"Can't a mother visit her only child, her dear boy with out a reason?"

"Yes they can, but that's not your style. Has the ministry finally managed to make the connection between your riches and the tragic deaths of how many is it now? 12 husbands, or do you still pay them sufficient money to keep them quiet?"

"Alright then, I may be in need of somewhere to stay, I have lost many friends in high places due to that damned war. Since they are in Azkaban I have lost my influence and well, the ministry has taken all my money and property."

"How long for?"

"Only a couple of months."
"Well I'll have to ask Hermione."

"Oh are you still dating that mudblood?"

"Yes mother I love her, and don't call her that!" I said somewhat stiffly.

"Well her opinion doesn't matter anyway; I'll just get my things. Thing bring my things!" A small house elf appeared dragging a trolley of five trunks that had evidently been shrunk to make it easier. Great, I thought, not only do we have to put up with my discriminative, rude mother for a couple of months; she has a house elf. Hermione is going to love this.

I came home and as usual Blaise wasn't home yet so I went for a walk, we lived in a fairly small cottage on the Yorkshire moors. It was far from anywhere as we could apparate or floo to get to work or to visit friends, it was small at the moment with only a kitchen, dining room, living room, a master bedroom, a bathroom and a tiny spare room that could fit a bed and wardrobe if needed. Blaise had a small studio at the bottom of the garden but we could always add more rooms with magic if we needed to expand. I fed Crookshanks and took our puppy out with me, she was a lively border collie but she kept well clear of Crookshanks as when we first brought her home she had bounded up to Crookshanks only to be greeted with a vicious swipe to the nose. They kept well clear of each other and it suited them both.

I climbed over the hill by our house and was greeted with a view of the surrounding country side, mile upon mile of purple moor. I set out along my favourite walk, it led to the top of a hill which gave an even better view, Blaise liked to draw there and I liked to think. I let Art of the lead, and she raced ahead knowing instinctively where we were going as it was a path I took her along regularly. We had named her Art after Artemisia Lufkin the first female minister for magic. It was shortened to Art because border collies are traditionally used as sheepdogs so often have one syllable names to make the easier to call, Artemisia is a bit if a mouthful, and well of course art is one of Blaise's favourite things.

When I reached the top of the hill the wind was very strong but I did not mind, I lay back on the side of the hill and looked out at the moors. I had always loved the countryside, the grounds had been one of my favourite things about Hogwarts, and being up here was bliss. If like then I had had a stressful day at work all I had to do was come up here and all the worries of the day were gone. Blaise and I were lucky, we were both intelligent and had got jobs straight after leaving, Blaise worked for the ministry and I made potions for St Mungo's. We didn't have to struggle for money and at 24 we still only had very low down jobs but we would progress to higher levels over the years. We both loved what we did; Blaise even had some time to paint magic portraits which gave us a little extra income for small luxuries. We were altogether very happy.

I smiled as I remembered how much he had changed since I had met him, when we had first met on the train he had looked so happy just to be able to escape for a few hours. He had been lost in a book and had barely noticed me but then our friendship had begun. He had no friends so was shy at first but he soon opened up, he had rapidly transformed from a timid boy who had spent the whole of his life bullied by others to the happy, laughing, gentle, kind man I had fallen in love with. He had even won round my friends who managed to look past the fact he was a Slytherin and found who I saw. He was good friends with Harry and Neville nowadays, Ron still resented him slightly but he was now very happy with Parvati, they had got together after they found Lavender and Seamus kissing. Harry and Ginny had jus got engaged and we expected Neville to propose to Luna very soon. Finally I grew cold and walked back along the path to home, I noticed the light was on and happily rushed home to meet Blaise who was back from work early.

A/N: Hi, it's been a while but here is the promised sequel to Secrets, Silence and Solitude! I hope you like it. I'm not sure if I like the title, tell me what you think and if you have any better suggestions. Thanks.