They all walked into the fancy French restaurant causing everyone to turn and begin whispering about the group who was Britain's wizarding elite and a famous ballerina.
"Miss Zabini," the hostess looked wide-eyed at her and then regained her composure. "I'm such a huge fan of your work, I saw you perform the Nutcracker in Germany and it was brilliant. Would you like a private section for you and your party?"
"Yes please, that would be preferred. If you'd like I could get you tickets to our new show when it starts up again in a few months?"
"I would… I would love that," she gasped then fretted about quickly leading the group to a section the was in front of charmed windows in a back section where they could see out but no one could see in.
"Have a good evening Charlotte," Bella said having glanced at her name tag then patted the girl on her hand as she left blushing and smiling widely.
"You nearly killed her," Blaise stated looking over the menu.
"She was sweet," Bella smiled setting her menu down knowing her brother would order for her as they always did when they were out.
"So, tell us Bella, what's it like to be a famous ballerina?" Astoria asked looking over the menu before setting it down gently on her plate.
"It's a lot of work and straining on your body, but I'd never trade it for anything in the world. I've been doing this practically since I could walk, so I take great pride in my work and how far I've come. Plus, traveling the world is always a perk," Bella smiled.
"Are you really taking a break?" Blaise asked looking at his sister seriously.
"Yes, stop smothering me. I know I need one, so I'm finally taking one," she murmured looking down at her hands when their waiter appeared. He smiled at Bella with a lustful look in his eye.
"Miss Zabini and party, would you like to begin the evening with a bottle of wine?" William asked. Bella smiled oblivious to the tension the men at the table had as they all saw how the waiter ogled her.
"Yes, that would be lovely William," she smiled then turned back to the group. The waiter sauntered off as the men at the table each made eye contact and made a small nearly unnoticeable nod at one another.
"Now, tell me about Hogwarts. I would have loved to have gone and Blaise can only explain so much!" Bella said giddy to hear about the school she never had a chance to attend.
"We all were probably not the best group, but we knew how to have fun," Theo chuckled.
"And not get caught having fun," Draco added.
"We Slytherins were winners of the house cup back and forth with those pesky Gryffindors, but alas can't win them all," Pansy smiled.
"Quidditch was exasperating with the boys constant chatter and unbearable competitive nature with the other houses," Daphne laughed.
"Also green is no longer a favorite color of mine," Astoria grimaced causing the others to laugh. William appeared again carrying an expensive bottle pouring it into each of the glasses set on the table brushing close to Bella as he poured her glass.
"Are you ready to order Miss Zabini?" William asked keeping his eyes on her. Bella shifted uncomfortable at his proximity.
"She will be having Coq au Vin and I will be having the beef bourguignon," Blaise said placing his arm around the back of Bella's chair. William backed up smirking then wrote down everyone's order before walking back to give the chef their orders.
"Please don't," Bella chided leaning into Blaise's side.
"We should teach him a lesson on manners," Theo said darkly. Daphne smacked his arm at his suggesting making him grimace and rub where she hit.
"He's practically undressing you with his eyes," Draco growled raising his wine glass to his lips. The girls all rolled their eyes at the overprotective men.
"Thank Merlin you lot didn't come to America with me," Bella muttered grabbing her wine glass.
"ANYWAYS ignoring the testosterone battle waging, how about you tell us why you didn't go to school with us?" Pansy asked easing the tension.
"Well, we both got our Hogwarts letters at the same time, but Bella was approached by the Renaldi Ballet Company in Italy which was insane at the age of 11 to be asked to join," Blaise said enthusiastically clearly very proud of his sister.
"So, I decided to go on the road and train to be a ballerina with private magical lessons that they also provided for me. I'd been taking ballet lessons since I was about 5, so I knew that this was the only way to achieve my dream of being a prima ballerina. So when Blaise left to Hogwarts I left to be with the company and the rest is history. I saw so many different places and performed for royals as well as muggles and wizards alike. It was definitely eye-opening that the world is a much bigger place than I anticipated," Bella smiled softly.
"Shame we never got a chance to know you," Daphne smiled sadly at her.
"We have all the time in the world now," Bella smiled and reached out to place her hand on Daphne's.
"Of course, we'll have to have a girl's day!" Pansy laughed clearly excited about the prospect of shopping.
"We should, yes. Blaise and I are going to Puddlemere United vs. Holyhead Harpies game actually tomorrow. Would you care to join us?" Bella asked looking at the group.
"Ugh, you're a fan too?" Daphne sighed.
"I love Quidditch, yes," Bella laughed. Draco chuckled shaking his head.
"Something funny Drake?" Blaise asked noticing how his best mate never takes his eyes off of his sister.
"Just thinking how perfect she fits with us," Draco taking a drink of wine smiled at Bella who beamed at him. His stomach knotted at her perfect smile that he would very much like to continue to see.
"Well, I have no plans so I'll definitely be joining you. Shall we all just portkey to the stadium?" Theo asked leaning back in his chair.
"Yeah it's set to leave at 1pm," Bella answered. William then returned with another male waiter bringing their entrees. Both males stared at Bella yet said nothing placing everyone's plates down.
"Anything else Miss Zabini?" William asked.
"Please feel free to ask for anything at all," the second waiter, his name tag saying his name was Jeremiah.
"I'm perfectly fine. Thank you so much boys," Bella smiled at both of them as they bowed and left. "You know you're going to have to get used to men looking at me."
"Not when they're being disrespectful," Blaise said coldly growing angrier at the waiters.
"They have not said or done anything other than be extra friendly," she shrugged tucking into her meal.
"You wouldn't get it coming from our standpoint," Draco shook his head.
Theo piped up sensing Bella growing annoyed at the boys, "So you mentioned earlier that you were taking time off? How long?"
"Probably a month or two depending," Bella answered smiling at Theo who smiled back.
"Depending on what?" he asked curious.
"On how stir crazy I get. I'm not used to being in a place for more than a week so a month seems unbearably long," she laughed shaking her head.
Theo smiled at her nodding, "understandable, well we will all have to keep you entertained, won't we? I have far too much free time for my liking, so I'm more than willing to help you cause some mischief."
"Mischief sounds wonderful!" Bella winked at Theo who smirked. Draco watched the interaction growing irritated. The group finished the rest of their dinner in peace only growing tense when the waiter came by with the bill. Blaise placed a pouch of galleons and told him to keep the change making sure to look coldly at William.
"Have a good evening Miss Zabini and party," he winked at Bella who laughed and shook her head at his antics.
"Good bye William," she rose and took her brothers arm who lead the group out of the restaurant.
"Seriously going to teach him a lesson," Draco muttered looking at Theo who nodded.
"Oh you boys are ridiculous," Bella laughed then turned towards the group. "So, who's all joining us tomorrow?"
"Why not?" Daphne said exasperated.
"Not me, I barely made it through Hogwarts Quidditch matches," Astoria said shaking her head.
"Ugh fine, but I expect to be entertained Blaise," Pansy smiled devilishly at Blaise.
"Of course lovely ladies, I would never force you to endure something such as a match without making it worth your while," Blaise smirked patting Bella's hand.
"Puddlemere is my favorite team, so there's no way I'm missing it," Draco smiled at Bella who beamed at him.
"I'll floo over before 1," Theo said making a bow before Bella and escorting the Greengrass sisters away.
"Drakey, come on," Pansy said pulling on Draco's sleeve who looked like he wanted to do anything but escort her home.
"We'll see you tomorrow Draco," Bella said softly watching him smile and walk off with Pansy. Blaise apparated them to their England manor. It was white stone with grey accents and very large for the two of them, but it reminded them of their family villa in Italy. Bella and Blaise walked in silence up the cobblestone pathway to the front door.
"My friends are smitten with you," Blaise finally said.
"Draco's quite handsome as is Theo," she replied blushing. "I'm not sure if the girls like me or the fact that my brother is an exotic wealthy bachelor."
"Hey, I would never introduce you to people I don't trust with my life," he said placing his palm on his sister's cheek. She looked at him with a sad look.
"Everyone always wants something, you know that," she said softly then turned and walked up the staircase to her side of the house.
"We're in control of what we give," Blaise said firmly still standing at the foot of the stairs. Bella turned and smiled sadly.
"Are we?" then continued into the East wing which was deemed hers when they were children. As happy as she was to be home, Bella knew that this was going to be an adjustment and she hadn't yet decided if it was a good or bad thing.