Meeting their match, chapter 31
The sound of a briskly cleared throat interrupted the moment followed by the noise of high heals clicking their way up to the staff table. "I have a vitamin drink for you, Gellert. I made Pomfrey mix it up so drink it right now while it's fresh," Sabra zabini said, pushing a green glass bottle toward Gellert. She didn't comment on the interrupted embrace for which Blaise was grateful.
"Just because that potion returned your youth, doesn't mean it returned your health," Sabra continued firmly to Gellert. "I want Pomfrey to check your blood too so we can see just how everything is, so come along with me to the hospital wing once you've gotten that drink into you. I'm going to have her return your blood to me once she's finished testing it and I shall give it to you. Never trust anyone with your blood," she concluded firmly, and Blaise smiled, feeling a sudden warm affection for his paranoid mother. He did love his parents very much, but at times they could drive him ape shit. At others, though, they could be very wise not to mention sharp when it came to thinking ahead and preventing trouble before it came calling. He supposed that always made him feel safe. A good and pleasant thing when it didn't breed carelessness like with the stupid dementor thing yesterday.
"A drink?" Gellert questioned and his voice sounded a little startled to his own ears. Almost as if he didn't know what it was he was offered. It was of course the unexpected interruption that threw him off. He felt that the prison years did not break him too much. He could still possibly do a few things at a time, so long as neither demanded any deep concentration. Unfortunately for him, his interaction with Blaise proved even more enveloping than he had imagined it to be at the time. His mind found it rather difficult to extricate itself and adjust. Especially considering the relatively recent source of fear he has just been discussing with the young Zabini. It wasn't like he truly expected to be sent back to prison for not answering correctly, or for being caught in the sensuous act, but perhaps part of him still did not know what to expect from a woman who truly changed her attitude so drastically. Last time it was in his favor, this time he could overstay his welcome, his mind informed him and Gellert had to force it back under his control and act like nothing untoward happened.
"Yes, Mam. I am aware of the intricate spells that can be done with one's blood. Being a romantic slave seems like the worst of the stories I have come across. There was a case in Belgium documenting basically a living Inferi. Well for all intents and purposes it was an Inferi, if not in name, strictly speaking. So yes, I have learned to guard my blood against some intrusions and to never donate it to those who cannot be trusted. That's a good drink I appreciate it, and the concern for my blood," Grindelwald added sincerely, his calm slowly returning
"Is Blaise coming with us," he wondered with some uncertainty, not wishing to betray his dependence on the Zabini boy, nor start any confusion between mother and son.
"Romantic enslavement is your worst fear," Sabra Zabini asked incredulously, tossing back her head and laughing outright. "I was thinking more along the lines of a constant tracker via your blood or some complicated death curses or...well there is no reason to give you nightmares." Her light amused smile didn't seem to match her colorful descriptions unless one knew her well.
When asked if Blaise could come along with them to the hospital wing, Sabra shrugged, smile not fading though it did become more dryly ironic. "I assume he plans to. Though afterward it would really be wise of the two of you to actually get to work rather than to one another. Save that for...when the rest of us are asleep. Adler and the rest do expect productivity. It's what you were freed for, after all," she told Gellert. Her expression softened suddenly as she placed a hand on his slender shoulder.
"I can't imagine what you have to be going through right now. Were it up to me and were there no Voldemort with whom to contend, I would allow you as much time as you need to acclimate to being freed from an undeserved fifty years in a prison of your own making! And you do need to take things slowly so that your health and strength may be regained. I'll tell Adler that myself. But all the same, we do have a mad man to get rid of and we need all the help we can get."
"Especially with it having to depend on Harry bloody Incompetent Potter of all people," Blaise said, sensual lips curving down into a sneer of disgust.
Sabra shot an accusing frown at her son. It was as if by speaking he'd drawn her negative attention. "And you! I'm pleased to have raised a little predator, but not a sexual one. Let the man regain his feet before throwing your web at him."
"Noone ensnares Gellert Grindelwald if he isn't interested, Mother, and..." He found himself faltering for the mere fact that anything else he could've said was far more than he wanted to speak aloud. To his mother or perhaps even to Gellert. If he blathered on too much about how he felt, it may very well scare off the only person he'd ever had a deep connection with. Then again Gellert didn't scare easily and Blaise was aware enough of himself to realize he was projecting his own feelings onto the other man. Blaise did not like it when girls became overly attached to him and to say he did not like it was putting it mildly. That didn't mean Gellert would feel the same when it came to the two of them. It was entirely different. They truly had something and those girls didn't even know him before they became all obsessed which clearly indicated their own shortcomings.
Realizing that he wasn't going to continue speaking, only glaring, Sabra Zabini sighed, shaking her head at her son. "I realize that. I just mean, letting him settle in for a bit wouldn't have hurt," she said almost gently. Blaise frowned. "I think the timing was perfect and what we both needed at the time, mother, but in truth it's no affair of yours."
Sabra gave a slight frown but shrugged elegantly. "Fair enough. Lets get that blood work done now."
Glancing to Gellert and the glass bottle of vitamin drink she added,"Did you get it all down? Come on then."
Blaise tried not to sigh as he rose and took Gellert's hand, giving it a light squeeze. "It's not a bad idea to make sure you have your health fully restored. Lets go get it over with then."
Then to his mother he added, "And thanks, Mum, for thinking about it." It was practical that Sabra consider Gellert's health but also kind in her way and Blaise did appreciate that she took an interest in someone he so obviously had begun to care for.