Working on getting back on my game, yall! Here are 5 chapters for you.
Just a word of warning, the next few chapters talk about Depression. A lot of it is representative of how my depression manifests, but know that there are tons of resources out there and if you can always reach out if you need help finding them. Finding help during a depressive episode is the worst, but I for one know that therapy and antidepressants have been lifesavers.
Please enjoy!
Chapter 1/5.
Tuesday, September 30, 1998
As she was waiting for Draco to finish getting dressed, Hermione quickly ran through her story one more time. "There is no way she won't see through me," she whined to Theo as her parents sat on the couch across from them.
"There is nothing we can do about it now," Jean said with a soft smile.
"Blaise wouldn't let anything happen to you," Theo said, rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand. Hermione couldn't stop the nerves though no matter how hard she tried. Finally, Draco came down, dressed in a semi-formal set of robes that complemented Hermione and Theo's. Every piece of clothing had some sort of meaning and today's dinner was no exception. Her over robe was dark silver with a subtle tropical leaf pattern in a dark green. Her under robe was a dark maroon that complimented her parents' more flamboyant red and purple robes. Draco and Theo were dressed in silver and green accordingly.
Finally she stood between her parents, while Theo and Draco stood in front of the Floo. Theo went first as he had a better relationship with Madame Zabini. Draco held out his arm for her mother and Jean and Draco went next. "We'll do fine," her father said, patting her hand. "And even if we don't, the elves and your husbands will keep us safe."
Hermione nodded, but didn't say anything until they approached the Floo. She grabbed a handful of Floo powder and called out "Mansao Zabini!" When she and her father had arrived at the home, Hermione was disappointed to see how British it looked. Nothing stood out to highlight the multicultural home.
"Mother," Blaise said, eyes twinkling, "May I introduce Lady Myuh Malfoy Nott and her father, Raimond Giroux."
"It's a pleasure to see you again," Madame Zabini cooed, kissing both of Hermione's cheeks. She turned to look appreciatively at Richard, who kissed her hand as stiffly as was acceptable. Madame Zabini's reputation preceded her.
After everyone was properly introduced, Theo escorted Madame Zabini towards the lounge, Blaise took her Mother's arm and Hermione found herself between Draco and her father. Upon entering the lounge, Hermione couldn't help grinning. The whole place looked like her Mimi's dream house. Everything was brightly colored and mismatched, but in a way that was cohesive and comforting.
"I don't normally have guests in this room," Madame Zabini said conspiratorially, "but Blaise assured me that you all would appreciate the room and the informality of it all."
"It's delightful!" Jean said smiling, "My mother would have absolutely adored being here. She always loved pattern and colour, something Myuh definitely brought into her own home."
"Every choice I made was with her in mind, Maman," Hermione said, smiling softly at her mother.
"You've always been such a thoughtful child," Jean said, patting Hermione's hand.
Moments later, Hermione was sitting between Draco and Theo, while her parents were sitting on a loveseat. Drinks were passed around and Hermione took a small sip of her drink. She could tell that something was slipped into the drink, and looked subtly at Blaise who grimaced slightly.
Hermione looked over at Draco and watched as the lovebite covering his neck appeared starkly against his pale skin. "What is the meaning of this?" Hermione asked coldly.
Madame Zabini blinked at her innocently. "Whatever do you mean?"
"I will not go into someone's home and be insulted like this," she gestured at Draco's neck. "If you do not trust we are who we say we are, then we have no business interacting with you."
She stood swiftly, both Draco and Theo following suite quickly. Jean and Richard set the drinks down and looked between the beverages and the witch in question with disgust in their eyes. Hermione looked to Theo who looked disappointed more than surprised at the slight.
"I suppose after all these years, I thought…" Theo trailed off and started to walk towards the door, holding Hermione's arm tightly.
"You know, Auntie," Draco said, his anger simmering, "I always thought of you as an Aunt, someone who had my best interests at heart, and I know with Theo's mum… he thought of you as more like a mother figure."
"Your reputation certainly precedes you, Madame Zabini," Jean sniffed, "Draco and Theo assured us that we were welcome in your home, but it is apparent that that is not the case."
Hermione followed a dejected looking Theo towards the Floo and quickly stepped through. Her parents followed almost immediately afterwards and Draco followed behind.
Not ten minutes later, Blaise appeared carrying a small suitcase. "If the offer still stands?" he said, looking between Draco and Theo.
"It's not us you need to convince," Draco said quietly, gesturing to Hermione and her parents.
Blaise turned to them and began to speak. "I cannot apologise enough. I thought she was being authentic. She's… well there's really nothing I can say. After you left she tried to convince me that something was off about you, but…"
Hermione looked at him, "As I've told both of my husbands countless times, you are not the sins of your parents."
"We've always left a room open for Blaise and him for us if anything ever got bad," Theo said at almost a whisper, "I thought she.."
"She does," Blaise said forcefully, "she always considered you a son, and Draco a nephew and I'd like to say that this was misguided protection but…"
"You're welcome to stay here," Hermione said after a silent conversation with her mother.
"We'd never turn away family," Jean added.
"Th-Thank you," Blaise said, wiping his eyes surreptitiously.
Hermione called for Gertie who clapped about having "Young Mister Zabini to be helping!" Not long after the whole group was sitting in one of the living rooms, eating pizza and watching an old projector play an old movie on the wall. Something Theo and her father had been working on to run without electricity.
Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think or if you have any thoughts about what might happen next!
Shout out to RabidCommentarian for being a great Alphabet!
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