Chapter 13

Shanara sat silently as her father paced around his study in front of her. Robert, as the eldest, stood silently, his hand at the mantelpiece, playing with a figurine resting there.

Beren looked at his daughter with a mixture of anger and frustration and said 'I'm sorry, my love, but it is our only hope'.

Shanara smiled, a trifle distantly, and said 'I understand, Father. It's not that bad'.

'I like Blaise' she continued, 'He has been my friend for many years. You shall not face any opposition from me. Blaise however, is another issue entirely'.

Beren nodded and said 'Yes, his mother told me that he might be difficult but surely he must see how it is best for you both'.

'I hope so' said Shanara, tiredly, 'I don't know how much longer I can fight for'.

Both Beren and Robert exchanged worried glances and Robert said 'You're tired, little sister, go rest, Papa and I will handle things from here'.

Shanara nodded and left the room.

Turning to his Father, Robert asked 'Why Zabini ? His mother has never been one of our friends and we both know that neither you nor Mama have ever cared for her'.

Beren sighed and said 'You know what pureblood laws dictate, would you have your sister targeted further. Despite their scandalous nature, the Zabini's are powerful and Margarite Zabini is the toast of pureblooded society. Shanara could do a lot worse'.

Robert nodded and said 'What puzzles me is Lucius' involvement. Why would he put himself through so much trouble to instigate this union?'

For the first time Beren smiled, if a little wryly, and said 'He fears us'

Robert returned the smile, coldly and said 'Well, that goes to show that atleast one of the Malfoy's retains some sense'.

The two men sat in silence for awhile until Robert voiced something that had been troubling him, 'What of the secrets that we have taught Draco? The truths passed down only to the Montgomery's ?'

'An unbreakable vow', said Beren without looking up, 'I made him take one last night'.

'Good', said Robert, sneering with disgust at the thought of Draco, 'It irks me to leave him unpunished for his insolence. The effect of this entire affair on Shanara…..'

'….Is deplorable' agreed Beren, finally meeting his sons eyes 'And when I'm through, he will regret ever shaming the Montgomery's.'

Robert smiled and bowed to his father, 'I pity him if you have got your claws in him, father'.

'Claws ?' asked Beren, indignantly, 'I'm a Montgomery, do you think I'd touch such scum personally?'

Robert laughed and poured his father a glass of wine and the two men silently toasted to their plans.

In the morning parlor, Amara Montgomery and her daughter, Marya sat with Margarite Zabini, sipping tea. Anyone who glanced into the room could be pardoned in thinking that it was merely a polite affair with the three women making small talk. However, what was actually happening was that the two mothers were probing the waters, trying to see if they would get on well enough to call eachother family.

So far the two women were favorably pleased with eachother. Both realizing that they were first and foremost mothers, both deeply fond of their children and dedicated to their happiness. They also realized that they had a great many friends in common and seemed to have a similar sense of humor.

Margarite looked over at Marya, Shanara's sister, though the two elder women seemed to have formed a bond, Margarite had not been overly enthusiastic about making conversation with the younger girl. Remembering Marya from a few balls and masquerades, she had dismissed her as an insipid doll. She was therefore a little shocked to find herself being looked over carefully and that Marya's bright blue eyes were critical and analytical. Acknowledging, inwardly at least, that she had underestimated her, Margarite attempted to make amends by asking some polite questions about Marya's young husband, Adrien.

Ignoring this, Marya said 'I don't think you give a damn about Adrien, Madame, and for once, I too think he is of secondary importance'.

Smiling a little, she continued 'I want to know what your son's intentions are'

Taken aback, Margarite said 'They will be betrothed so naturally he intends to marry her!'

Marya smiled coldly and said 'She was once betrothed to Draco and look where that landed her', she paused for effect and then said 'No, I want to know that Blaise will not treat my sister in a similar manner'.

Margarite flushed with anger and snapped back 'Blaise Is a man of his word, if he decides to marry Shanara, he shall keep his word'.

Marya threw her head back and laughed, unexpectedly, and said 'excellent. In that case

Madame Zabini….I think we shall be very well suited together as a family'.

Slightly appeased, Margarite smiled back while thinking that she would have reassess a lot of things in her life now that it involved the Montgomerys.

Blaise was confused. He knew that he cared about Shanara. That he loved her…He always had but as a wife? Did he want to marry her ? There was only one way he could find out….so with that thought in mind, Blaise Zabini began scouring the Montgomery mansion looking for his bride-to-be.

He finally found her in a quiet room which was empty save for a couch and a grand piano.

Shanara was seated at the piano, her fingers idly playing her chords, her head in the clouds. Blaise watched her silently for a minute before she said, without looking up,

'I see that you've heard'

He nodded absentmindedly, even though he knew she wasn't looking at him and said 'Yes'.

'Are you upset?'

'No, Not really'

'I'm glad' she said, still refusing to look at him.

Blaise crossed the room and sat down next to her. Cupping her chin in his hand, he pushed it upwards until he was looking her in the eyes.

For one long moment they stared into eachothers eyes. Each acknowledging in some indefinable way that this was a moment to treasure. Each letting their guards drop for a brief moment of shared uncertainty.

Blaise didn't know what possessed him to do it, perhaps it was her quiet, clear, trusting gaze, or the fact that she was so close to him that he could feel her breath upon his cheek or was it the fact that somewhere deep inside himself he realized that he did infact, want this to work.

Whatever it was, the fact remains that Blaise Zabini leaned forward and in one fluid motion, pressed his lips to Shanara Montgomery's.

Shanara went rigid in shock for a second but before she could stop herself, she found herself melting into Blaise's embace. She was conscious only of his hard body against hers, the way his hands came up to cup her face and then trail through her hair, the faint moaning sound he made when she nibbled at his lip… the world seemed to become to much clearer – there was only Blaise.

When she pulled away from him for air, a couple of seconds later, she found herself looking up at him, dazedly and saying, 'what was that?'

'That, my darling', said Blaise, smiling mischievously, 'Is what life with me is going to be like'.

Laughing, Shanara said 'Where do I sign up?'

Smiling at eachother, they linked hands and went to tell their parents the good news.