Blaise's wedding day came so quickly that when Hermione walked in on Bella hyperventilating she didn't even question her before rubbing her back telling her to breathe.
"Draco… is…going…he's going to be there…" Bella huffed out trying to breathe air into her lungs before her son came and saw his mother panicking.
"Yes, and he will see you and Eltanin. You will hold your head up high and not pay him any attention. He's the one who missed out, not you. Don't you dare for a second think less of yourself for his stupidity," Hermione admonished feeling the tension leave her best friend.
"Thank… thank you. I just got so scared thinking of the looks everyone is going to have when we come in, because Eltanin looks like me but he definitely has his father's features," Bella shook her head then straightened up wanting to finish getting ready. "Do you want me to do your hair?" Bella asked knowing her best friend was just as jittery at the thought of seeing Theo after so long.
"That would be nice, yes thank you," Hermione smiled applying lipstick to her lips. Hermione had chosen to wear a floral chiffon tea length gown with white lace cap sleeves and nude heels she borrowed from Bella. Bella charmed her hair into a chignon up do with a few curls escaping around her face.
"Mama! Mama, I can't do my stupid bow tie!" exclaimed Eltanin in a near fit trying to tie it. Bella laughed walking out of the bathroom still in her silk robe walking up to her son. She knelt in front of him tying his emerald green bowtie for him and then straightening him up. Eltanin had chosen to match his mother wearing a black muggle suit with a white button-up and black dress shoes. He had gotten his hair cut the day before having the sides cut short and the top shortened so he could still have a few curls.
"Mama, why aren't you ready!?" Eltanin worriedly asked seeing his mother still in a robe with only her hair done.
"I had to make sure my favorite people were presentable before I got a chance to finish getting ready," she smiled before getting up and walking into her closet. She slipped into a black long sleeve shirt with an emerald knee length tulle skirt. Bella then put on her black stilettos and made sure to check her appearance in the floor length mirror. She had charmed her hair into soft waves cascading down her back with hardly any make-up except for a touch of nude lipstick and eyeliner. She didn't want to appear as if she was trying too hard even though she knew she was trying with all her damn might.
"You look beautiful Mama," Eltanin smiled watching his mother walk out from her closet. She beamed at him then held out her hand for him.
"Wow, you definitely can wear Slytherin colors," Hermione laughed intertwining their arms as they all walked to the study. Blaise had sent a portkey for them to take to the wedding location and so they all waited none of them saying anything just off in their own world.
"Little star, if you for any reason feel uncomfortable or want to leave you just tell me or Mione mouse okay?" She squatted down in front of him. She knew that while no one would physically harm her son, she just didn't want to take the chance of him being emotionally hurt.
"Okay mama, I really don't want to stay long anyways. This outfit is too stuffy," Eltanin said adjusting his bowtie. Bella and Hermione laughed then intertwined their arms to be able to hold onto Eltanin with each hand when the portkey activated taking them to the wedding.
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"Bellarose, wow it's been years!"
"Who is that little boy?"
"Where do you think they've been?"
Bella and Hermione soon tuned out to all the whispers and stares as they took their seats at the back of the groom's side. Bella noticed it was all business associates rather than any family. She also noticed Eltanin seemed nervous so she held onto his hand while he sat in between herself and Hermione.
The wedding began then causing Bella to stiffen in her seat as she watched Theo and HIM walk to the front followed by Blaise. She saw Hermione staring intently at the front when the bridesmaids of Pansy and Astoria walked to the front opposite of the men when Daphne made her entrance. They all stood as Daphne walked down the aisle escorted by her father. The crowd sat and Bella held her breathe as she and Blaise locked eyes for a moment as he took Daphne's hands.
The ceremony was short yet sweet and soon the crowd was clapping for the new Mr. and Mrs. Blaise Zabini. Bella took Eltanin's hand and led him out wanting to have a small meeting with Blaise before ever having to interact with Draco. Hermione quickly followed Bella after having made eye contact with Theo but quickly ducked out as soon as she saw him move towards her.
"She's here," Theo whispered to Draco who stiffened as he took his wife's arm.
"Darling, you seem tense," Astoria smiled patting his arm. Draco fake chuckled and shook his head no.
"I'm alright just ready to be done with the theatrics," Draco lied. The wedding party exited the garden where the ceremony was held to enter the large ballroom where refreshments and dinner was to be served along with dancing.
"I can't do this Hermione," Bella whispered running her fingers through her son's shortened curls.
"You will not be run out from your brother's wedding. You have every right to be here," Hermione tsk'ed in her knowing way. The ladies sipped champagne as they both watched the wedding party enter the ballroom.
"Mummy," Eltanin whispered causing Bella to crouch down. "Mummy, I'm nervous."
"Me too little star, but you know what I know for a fact Nana Molly has some of her famous pie waiting for us as soon as we say congratulations we can leave," Bella smiled at her son who kissed her on the cheek then hugged her tightly.
"Okay mama," he sighed letting her go playing with her curls before turning to face the room once more. Blaise had slowly been approaching when he stopped taking in the little boy. He was cute and had blonde curls with caramel mixed in with skin a shade lighter than his sister. He had gray eyes and an adorable smile, but what stopped Blaise in his tracks was seeing the affection between his sister and the little boy. He knew then that everything was about to change.
"Bella?" Blaise called tentatively. Bella smiled softly at him and handed him a white rose with a card.
"Blaise, it's been too long. This is my son Eltanin, Eltanin this is your uncle Blaise," Bella said running hand through his curls before pulling him close to her side. She was trying desperately to appear nonchalant with Blaise so she wouldn't lose her cool, but she knew the longer she stayed the higher the chance of running into Draco.
"Nice to meet you! My mama told me all about you. You really do look similar," Eltanin smiled holding out his hand. Blaise chuckled taking his small hand into his large one and shook it.
"Similar? That's quite a word for you, isn't it?" Blaise asked raising an eyebrow at the boy.
"Mione mouse says words can change the world," Eltanin said. Hermione giggled next to Bella who smiled down at her son. Theo had sauntered up next to Blaise noticing how stiff his friend was.
"Blaise, what's… who's this?" Theo asked eyes widening at the boy who laughed.
"Mummy, is this Theodore?" Eltanin asked holding out his hand that man dumbly took and shook.
"Yes, little star, it is indeed dearest Theo," Bella laughed then nearly choked as Theo hugged her tightly. "Theo?"
"I've missed you," he grinned sheepishly.
"And I'm a side dish," Hermione laughed causing Theo to smirk. He quickly hugged her tight settling his hands low on her hips as he released her.
"You are the appetizer, main course, and dessert my dear," Theo smirked at Hermione's blush.
"Bella, can we talk?" Blaise asked coming out of his stupor at the boy. "Privately."
"What about your wife?" Bella asked shocked that he would do this now and not wanting to leave her son.
"This is more important," Blaise said stiffly. Bella looked at Hermione who nodded taking hold of Eltanin's hand.
"Now my love, I'm going to talk for a moment with Blaise then we'll head to Nana Molly's okay?" at his nod Bella kissed his cheeks and allowed Blaise to lead her from the ballroom to the sitting room down the hall.
"How could you do this to me!" Blaise yelled as soon as the door shut.
"What are you on about Blaise?" Bella asked surprised at how angry he sounded.
"You have a son! My nephew! You didn't… how could you not tell me!?" Blaise roared feeling the sting of this betrayal grip his heart.
"Are you serious? I did fucking tell you! I wrote you for weeks when I found out I was pregnant! I wanted you there and I told you that, but you…" Bella yelled infuriated at the nerve of this man.
"You did no such thing! I would have been there in a heartbeat!" Blaise said coldly staring his sister down. Bella had grown into a stronger woman though, no longer was she the fragile girl he knew.
"You bloody bastard, I wrote to you for weeks until you told me you wanted no part in my drama as you so eloquently put it, so I stopped trying. I wanted to raise Eltanin in the best possible atmosphere and it killed me not to have my brother there, but you know what I survived and Eltanin is the most amazing little boy I could have ever asked for. So you and that best mate of yours can shove that bullshite up your arse and never contact me again," Bella huffed walking to the door but it slowly opened as she neared it.
Bella stopped dead in her tracks feeling her heart race and her stomach drop. Her hands grew clammy and her throat felt swollen.
"Bella."