Draco and Hermione apparated to the edge of a large estate. Hermione let go of Draco's arm; she had never been to Blaise's home before, so she had been forced to side-along apparate. She took a moment to take his estate in. They stood on a stone path that led up to a massive white mansion, made for the most part from looked like white marble. The porch was lined with greek style columns. On either side of the walk way were perfectly kept and trimmed white rose bushes. To the right of the path, a large, manicured lawn lead down to a broad lake, whose opposite shoreline was hemmed by trees. To the left of the path, a much smaller swathe of lawn lead up to a large veranda, with a round granite table, and gold seats with bright white cushions. Hermione's heart pounded in her ears as her anxiety mounted. She looked around at the black iron fence that surrounded the massive property, and noticed a faint shimmer when her eyes were unfocused.
"Draco… they have perimeter charms…" She started slowly.
He looked down at her and raised an eyebrow. "Well… yes. Most of the old estates have them."
Hermione's heart began to ache. She looked at Draco, her eyes watering. "How was I able to get past the perimeter charms?"
Draco's face saddened as he understood her meaning. "He added you to the charm after your first date. Clearly, you made quite the impression."
Hermione swallowed hard. He had added her to the estate. Old estate perimeter charms are hundreds of years old. This was a permanent addition. Her breath shuddered, as the realization of the weight of his choice washed over her. Guilt hit her like the whomping willow.
Draco gently turned her towards him. "He loved you. I can promise you that he doesn't regret it. You will always be friends. He wanted to share his home with you. Whether it be as a friend, or as more."
Hermione nodded, slowly, unable to find words. Draco held his hand out for her. "Come on then. I'll help you."
She took his hand and he led her up the stairs of the grand porch and to the front door. He didn't even knock, but merely opened it, and walked straight in.
The ornate white and gold furniture, the dual staircases leading to the upper rooms, the expensive life-sized paintings; all this, she expected. What she did not expect however, was to see Trevor, standing in the middle of foyer, in a teal and white Hawaiian style speedo, a matching towel around his neck, and what looked like a margarita in either hand.
"Master Draco…. and Miss Granger! Lovely to see you! I'm sorry you had to see me in this… well… I'm on vacation." He grinned sheepishly.
"It's wonderful to see you, Trevor. Never mind the attire. I'm glad you're on vacation. Merlin knows you need one! I just wasn't expecting that you'd be here. I thought you'd be with… well…" She stuttered and blushed, trying ever so hard to keep a level eye, but not being able to meet his steady gaze.
Trevor smiled warmly and changed the subject for her. "Margarita? I just made a ton!"
Draco was already flipping through a notebook. He waved at Trevor distractedly. "Not today, Trev. I'm going to the library to look for this book." He looked up at Hermione. "Would you like to come?"
"Yes. I need to dip into the loo first though, if that's alright." Hermione said.
Draco nodded. "I'll show you to the upstairs one on the way to the library."
Trevor had already started walking towards the back of the house. "If you need anything, I'll be by the pool," he called over his shoulder.
Draco grinned a fat, stupid grin, and jerked his head for Hermione to follow. When they got to the top of the landing, Draco turned right, and headed down a long hallway. There were at least a dozen different doors on either side of the hall. When they got to what seemed about halfway down, Draco opened a door on the right. There was a massive bathroom that reminded Hermione of a nicer version of the Prefects' bathroom at Hogwarts.
"Here you are. When you're ready, there are French doors on the left, four more doors down, the same direction we were headed. Open that, and walk through the study. There will be two doors behind the desk - go through the door on the left. That's the library." With that, Draco turned, and marched down the hall.
Hermione stepped into the bathroom and looked around. Gold and white was certainly the theme of the house. Aside from some equally lavish bits of expensive looking wood here and there, everything was made from, or trimmed in, polished gold or white marble. When she finished her business, she stepped out into the hall, and looked around. She counted the doors, and as promised, the fourth down was a large set of French doors, left slightly ajar. She stepped through them, and into a handsome study. A large mahogany desk stood in the center of the room, with a large red velvet chair behind it. There were three large bookcases standing behind it, also cut from mahogany. She walked around the table, trailing her fingers across polished the surface. She could picture Blaise sitting behind the desk, working long hours to catch up on ministry assignments. She missed him.
She heard a voice behind her and jumped inside her skin. "Ah, so you must be the muggle born girl who broke our poor Blaise's heart."
She looked around, but nobody was in the room. She heard the voice again. "I thought you were supposed to be sharp."
Hermione's eyes finally found a large portrait of a stern looking man, looking down upon her from the wall opposite the desk. As she searched his face, she found various bits of Blaise. In the way that his nose arched, in his jawline, but most of all, in the piercing intelligence and confidence in his eyes. "Hello," she said, in a rather small voice.
"What are you? A mouse? Speak up. And come forward so I can get a good look at you," the portrait said crossly.
Hermione walked forward, curiosity leading her. "Who are you?"
The portrait smirked in reply.
"You must be related to Blaise. I can see him in your face," she said softly, but with more volume.
The portrait smacked his lips sarcastically. "Well done. Quite the detective you are. I am Allegra's father. Dominic Zabini."
Hermione smiled. "How is he?"
"A mess. No thanks to you, little witch. Spent millions on you, he did. On that trip you rejected, the one that sent him stumbling home to drown in his sorrows." Dominic crossed his arms.
Hermione took a deep breath before responding. "It hurt me too. Saying no was not easy for me. But, I couldn't chase him around the world and run away from my duties here. It hurts but, I don't regret my choice. I wouldn't do it differently." Hearing her own words aloud strengthened her resolve just ever so slightly. She started to leave.
"I can see why he liked you, little witch. Who knows. Someday your paths may cross again." Dominic called after her.
"I would like that very much. It was very nice meet-" Hermione had turned to bid Dominic farewell but he was no longer in his portrait.
She turned to walk into the library, and almost crashed headlong into Draco.
"There you are. I was wondering what was taking you so long. I have what we need. Are you ready?" He asked.
Hermione nodded. "I'm sorry. I was having a moment with Blaise's grandfather."
Draco froze. "That geezer. He wasn't being rude was he?"
Dominic popped back into his portrait. "Excuse you, Malfoy. I have every right to say what I like, to anyone I like." He sniffed. "And I am never rude."
Draco stared at him half lidded. "Rude is your first language."
Dominic glared at Draco for a short moment, and then a large smile spread across his face. "It's always good to see you, Draco."
Draco winked. "And you. We really must be off."
Dominic waved them off with his well wishes. Draco turned back down the hallway they had come up. They reached an iron door. Draco ran his finger down the center of the door and it swung open.
"What is even behind all of these doors? And there's more down that other hallway!" Hermione exclaimed.
Draco nodded. "This wing has the library and study, as you've seen. This room for the portkeys," he gestured to the door he had just opened, "and there's a potions lab as well. The other wing is sleeping quarters. His room, Trevors, the house elves rooms, and a few guest rooms. Oh, and he's always got a room ready for his mum."
He stepped in and gestured for her to follow. She trailed behind him. There were various items placed on podiums. Each podium had a label: Sydney, Australia; Beverly Hills, CA USA; New York, NY USA; Rio De Janeiro, Brazil; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Rome, Italy; Paris, France; Bali, Indonesia. The list continued on. Her eyes widened.
Draco stopped by the Netherlands podium. "Oh bugger, I forgot our bags downstairs. Hadpey!"
A young male house elf that reminded Hermione of Dobby, appeared with a loud crack. "Yes Mister Malfoy!"
"Could you please send Ms. Granger and my bags to the Amsterdam estate?" Draco said kindly.
"Of course, Mister Malfoy!" He bobbed happily. "Is there anything else that Hadpey can gets for you sir and miss?"
Draco smiled. "No, that'll be all."
Hadpey gave a low bow before disappearing.
Hermione gave Draco a bewildered look. "Amsterdam estate?"
Draco balked. "Oh I'm sorry. Was Zabini's great wealth a secret?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Good point."
Draco grinned before gesturing to the silver ballpoint pen that lay in the middle of the podium. "Shall we?"
Hermione smiled and nodded.
Draco took her hand and held it beneath his, over the pen. "Three… two… one!" And on one, he brought both of their hands down on the portkey.