After a few more tense minutes my mum and dad ushered everyone back to the table to eat. My stomach was not too accepting of food yet again so I just nibbled on some toast. 'This silence is killing me!' I thought I was going to die if no one spoke up."So Violet, where do you and Blaise live?" Thank you Dad thank you! Now the infernal buzzing and screaming in my head will quiet down."We live in Wiltshire, England, not far from Nott Manor." She responded. I gave a snort at the mention of Malfoy's name and received some puzzled looks and one seemingly guilty?"Hermione is something wrong?" Mum asked me.
"Nope." I replied looking straight at Blaise with my face set in stone. He caught my eye and then quickly looked down at his plate. He seemed uncomfortable throughout the rest of brunch and only spoke when asked a direct question. I noticed that he wasn't eating much either, just moving his food around with his fork. Blaise Zabini uncomfortable. Interesting. "So, Mia. Have you thought about our offer for you to stay with us the rest of the summer?" Mrs. Zabini excitedly asked. "Well, I haven't really discussed it with my parents yet." I said looking at mum and dad. I was definitely curious to see what Zabini Manor was like. I just hoped it was nothing like the Nott's, I didn't need any reminders of what happened to me this year."Oh, of course. I'm sorry. You take as much time as you need." She replied looking embarrassed. I smiled a little in response. She really was a nice woman; I didn't want her to feel uncomfortable. Blaise on the other hand could squirm in that seat as much as I could make him for all I cared. And I was about to do just that."So, Blaisssseee," I drew his name out to let him know things were going to go even more downhill for him now. He looked up from his plate shocked that I had addressed him personally and used his first name. I saw his eyes go wide at my next question."Got any friends at Hogwarts I might know?" I asked in a sickly sweet voice. Merlin I loved to watch his squirm. I didn't know if I was proud of myself because he was the enemy or because I was one upping my "brother." Before he could open his mouth to speak his mother spoke for him.
"Oh Blaise has a few delightful friends that come to the manor often. Theo nott is such a wonderful young man, so polite and kind. He is always helping me whenever I need it. His family has always been close friends of ours so we dine with them often. Then there's this pleasant girl Pansy Parkinson. Such a sweetheart. I am hoping one day my dear Blaise will finally ask her on a date." Violet finished with a wink at her son. Blaise put his head in his hands and groaned. "Mother, I thought we have been over this, Pansy is just a friend and I am not attracted to her at all, she looks like a pug." I had been taking a sip of my orange juice while I watched this spectacle and choked on it. I started laughing at the mention of Parkinson looking like a pug. It was too true. At least that's one thing we agreed on. "Hermione are you ok?" My dad sounded worried as he patted my back. I nodded my head while coughing and then laughed again."Mum, Dad may I speak to you in the other room please." I addressed them."Um, sure sweetheart. Violet, Blaise please help yourselves, there is lots more food. We will be right back." Mum told them. When we were in the living room I cast a Muffliato charm around it. My parents took a seat on the couch and I stood in front of them."What is it Pumpkin?" Dad questioned me."Well, don't freak out ok. I think I want to go to Zabini Manor for the rest of the summer." I said in a rush. I could see their faces fall, then bounce back for fear of making me feel guilty. They didn't need to worry, I already felt guilty enough as is."If… if you're sure that's what you want to do Mione." Mum eventually got out."I am. I just want to see what it's like. It kind of feels like an adventure you know. Like a vacation of sorts, something new to experience. And I can always come home if I don't like it.""Well, alright then. But you come back here the first sign of something you don't like you hear?" Dad told me in an authoritative voice.I hugged them both when they stood up from the couch and murmured an "I promise" to eventually broke apart and headed for the kitchen again while I took off the spell. I told "mother" that I would be delighted to take up her offer of staying with them for the summer. She was ecstatic. She basically squealed in delight, thank goodness I never inherited the squeal, and hugged me tight. Blaise on the other hand looked like he was going to be sick. Ha ha, in your face, I could totally make your life a living hell until we go back to Hogwarts like your friends made mine for the past 7 years."When will you be coming to stay darling?" Mother asked me."Well, I figured if it's alright with everyone that I would go today. It wouldn't take long for me to pack, but I would prefer to floo over after dinner so I can spend a little more time with my parents." I told her looking sheepishly at my mum and dad hoping they weren't too upset I was leaving them already."That would be wonderful! Blaise sweetheart why don't you go help your sister pack right now so the Granger's and I can have a little adult chat and she will have more time tonight to spend with them instead of getting ready." Violet addressed her son and turned to me to give a bright smile.
Blaise and I tried to protest simultaneously, stating that I'm more than capable of packing my own trunk."Oh you two, go on Blaise, shoo, I would like to talk with Mia's parents for a bit." She ushered us out of the kitchen and towards the stairs. I looked to Blaise and saw him give me an apologetic smile; I just pushed past him and made my way up the stairs with him trailing behind. As soon as we got into my room I close the door and cast a Muffliato."Granger look I-" He started but I was not about to let him apologize that easily.
"No, Zabini don't you dare say you're "Sorry". That doesn't even cut it when it comes to what you and you friends did to me." I rounded on him all guns ablaze."I didn't do anything! I never said one word to you!" He defended himself. I don't know if I liked uncomfortable or pleading Blaise Zabini better at that moment, it was fun to watch both though."No, but you watched. You stood there and egged them on with your laughter and praise. You and the rest of those cowardly Slytherins, too afraid to stand up for what was right. You didn't do anything; you just stood there and let me take it just like…"I finally came out of my memories and looked Blaise in the eye."What just like what?" He asked in a soft voice. I felt a tear trickle down my cheek and quickly brushed it away. I could not let him see me weak. I was a Gryffindor for Merlin's sake, hold it in Hermione. Don't let them break you.
"Nothing." I mumbled on my way over to my trunk. "Accio shampoo and conditioner." I pointed my wand to the bathroom."I'm sure we have shampoo and soap and that kind of stuff that you'd need at the manor." Blaise said."I want mine. It smells like coconut." I told him while stuffing the rest of my toiletries into my trunk. "You can sit or wait outside; I don't need help with this." I motioned towards the chair at my desk in the corner of the room and then the door. He started to walk over to my desk but then stopped and took in my room."You like Green Day? And the Weird Sisters?" He asked in amazement."Yeah. Not many people know so keep your mouth shut. I have a bookworm reputation to uphold."I walked around the room levitating everything and anything I thought I might need for a month as well as my Hogwarts books and uniforms. I even stuffed my pillow in there. Last but not least was my stuffed dragon I had gotten when I was little. Dad bought it for me when I was about 5. It was our father daughter day out and he ended up taking me to Harrods. Not really a good idea when you have a cranky 5 year old on your hands.I wouldn't leave that store without this dragon I had spotted when we were walking through the toy department. A little kicking and screaming later and daddy bought me my favorite stuffed animal ever. I know it sounds lame but I never go anywhere with out him, well long trips I mean. I bring him to Hogwarts, when I go to the Burrow, vacations; I even put him in my purse when we were on the run all last year. Just knowing I had him gave me some level of comfort."Do you're friends know?" He asked me still gazing around my room at the many posters I had hanging on my walls."No. I don't think they would approve of my "other side." I tried to explain, my face contorting into a frown. Why was I telling him all this? Before I could find the answer he interrupted my thoughts."What do you mean by your "other side," and why don't you think they would approve, I mean its Potter and Weasel. Aren't they like the most understanding people in the world?"
Before I could answer him we heard "Blaise, darling it's time for us to get going."I walked over to my bedroom door, took down the Muffliato and headed for the stairs. Before I reached the top step I felt a hand on my arm and spun around."Hermione… I…I know you don't want to hear it, but I really am sorry. You were right, I was a coward. I don't have many friends and I didn't want to lose the ones that accepted me so I just played along. But I swear, that's not who I am anymore. The war changed a lot, for everyone." He pulled me into a hug and whispered "I'll see you tonight Mia." Then he walked past me and down the took a minute for my shock to wear off. I slowly made my way downstairs and into the waiting arms of "mother.""We'll see you tonight darling. Just remember say "Zabini Manor" and that's it. Easy enough, yes?" She said holding me at arms length now. I nodded and gave a slight smile."Ok, well it was an absolute honor to meet you all. Jean we will definitely need to have a girls shopping day soon. The 3 of us could get a bite to eat at this lovely little café I know in Diagon Alley and then we can go wild picking out new clothes for Mia." Hmm. Mrs. Zabini didn't have such a bad idea there. Getting to spend the day with my 2 mothers, eating what I would assume to be delicious food, and getting a whole new wardrobe. The idea already had me smiling."Yes, that would be splendid, I can't wait. Just send me an owl whenever you have a free day. It was a pleasure meeting you and your son as well, thank you so much for coming." Mum was also smiling; I think she liked the idea that she would be seeing me more often than she thought before I left for school. She then gave Mrs. Zabini ahug and told her any time she needed a friend to talk to she was there.
"It was great meeting you Violet and you have a wonderful son." Dad said reaching out to shake her hand. "It was great meeting you Blaise, I'm sure I'll see you again, take care of yourself." He now reached out and shook Blaise's hand."I will. It was a pleasure meeting you Mr. and Mrs. Granger. Thank you for brunch." He shook mums hand after dad let Zabini's then took their leave through the floo. After cleaning up and putting the food away I went to my room to take a nap and think about today's happenings. In less than 6 hours I would be leaving my room, my house and my parents until the holidays. "Look at it as an adventure Hermione; a chance to do something new, to find out who you really are. You've been fighting Voldemort and his cronies since first year, this cant be any worse than everything you've been though." I voiced out loud trying to calm myself down. I went over to my trunk and took my dragon out, curled up on my bed and drifted off to sleep."Hermione darling, dinner in 10 minutes." I bolted upright out of bed once I heard my mum's voice. I had sweat on my forehead and tears running down my face. "I'll be down soon Mum, just going to shower first." I yelled out my bedroom door. I took a quick shower and used spells to dry and dress myself. Then I bounded down the stairs to the kitchen."Mmm, eggplant parm. You hardly ever make eggplant parm." I said to my mum as my mouth was salivating."Well, I had your father go get the ingredients while you were resting. I thought it might be a nice send off dinner for you." Mum said as she moved the dish onto the table."Thanks guys, but you know I will be seeing you whenever I, or you want. All you have to do is floo." I told them while taking a big helping of eggplant. I love eggplant parm. Aside from my dragon, if I could have anything if I was stranded on a deserted island it would be this. There would already be coconuts so I could make my own shampoo. And now with my basically see through complexion I would need about a gallon of sunscreen. Ok, I would never be able to survive on an island, let's just forget I dinner I helped mum clean up. We then spent the remaining time with dad out in the living room looking through photo albums, picking out some pictures for me to take to show "mother" and Blaise. Even though I looked different I assumed she would have liked to see how I grew five minutes to 7 I took a good last look around my room. After all I wouldn't be seeing it for the next 5 months. I then levitated my truck and Crookshankes cage downstairs and sent Billie Joe off to Zabini Manor with a note saying I would be arriving at 7. I shrunk his cage and placed it in my purse.
"Bye mum, bye dad." I said as I hugged them in front of the fireplace."I love you guys and I'll see you soon." I smiled and got many kisses, "we love you"s and "you come back whenever you want to"s before I stepped into the fireplace with all of my luggage. With one last look and smile at my parents I shouted "ZABINI MANOR", threw down the floo powder and was gone in a flash of green flames."Mother, I thought we have been over this, Pansy is just a friend and I am not attracted to her at all, she looks like a pug."