Hermione looked up at the knock on her door and smiled. Only Blaise would knock on a opened door. He smiled back,
"May I come in?" She nodded and set her book down, sitting up. Blaise sighed and sat on the chair next to her bed, head in his hands, "Mia, they are trying to find mama. Draco is awake but no one can find mama." He looked up at her, the distress clear in his blue eyes and she was touched.
"It's good that Draco is awake." Hermione frowned, "that means he's out of the woods."
"Out of the woods?"
"It's a muggle saying," she smiled, "it means he is out of danger." She frowned, clasping her hands in her lap, "what is her name, Blaise? You've never told me your mother's name."
"Tilantha." He said quietly, "Tilantha Maria Zabini. She also goes by Tilly."
"What's she like?" Hermione went on.
"She is…mama is like bella noche."
"A beautiful night?"
"Si! Si, a beautiful night. Mama is a strong woman, mia, like you. She is graceful and delicate looking… if I were a girl, she is what I would look like." He frowned, "she is clever as well. I had thought her to go after my child sister, out wondering the arenas. However… she was not there."
"What about your brothers, you have three don't you?" Hermione asked.
"Si. There is Marius, Mael, and Julius. They are not to be found either. Zenobia is my sister; she is but seven years old."
Hermione decided to dash the rules brains on the floor and stood, going to him. He leaned back to look up at her and she sat in his lap, pulling his head down to her chest to hug him. Blaise went willingly into a cuddle, wrapping his arms loosely around her waist.
"Tell me about them," she smiled.
"Marius is the child of the devil, I will always hold to that… Mael is whispy and by far the palest of us. He is also the most vicious. Julius is kind and warm. Zenobia is clever and holds as much wit as Draco. They are friends. Mother… mama, she is the thing that holds us all together. She is our, what did you say it was called? Glue?"
"Glue, si." She smiled, stroking his hair.
"I must believe that they are…alright." He sighed, "I cannot imagine anything else." He lifted his head and kissed her mouth gently, "ah, Mia, grazi." And he leaned his forehead against hers, eyes closed.
"I know they will be okay, Blaise. You are so strong, I'm sure that they are too."
"Thank you, bella."
They remained like that for a long time. Eventually, Hermione curled up, laying her head on his shoulder. She wanted to comfort him but had no idea how to do anymore so she leaned her face over and kissed several times along his neck, taking in his scent. Blaise always smelled so good. He purred and twisted away.
"No, Bella." He sang. She just smiled, nuzzling him and sighed.
"What were you reading me? When I was sick?"
"It was a fairy tale." He smirked, "In this fairy tale…."
Hermione nearly jogged into the kitchens, knowing she made a lot of noise on the stairs, but who cared? No one was in there, she was the only one awake. She froze as she opened the door and discovered that she wasn't alone at all. Remus put a finger over his mouth and she nodded, going to sit down beside him. The beautiful woman looked at her, scrutinizing her appearance and posture, she knew. There was something menacing about her, like Andromeda.
Suddenly, looking at the seven year old at the woman's side, Hermione realized. She gasped, head whipping back quickly,
"Tilantha and Zenobia Zabini!"
"Hush." Remus scolded, "you'll wake the whole house."
"Sorry," Hermione blushed, "hello, my name is Hermione Granger. I have to ask you, Mrs. Zabini, where are Marius, Julius and Mael?"
"My sons have all found appropriate hiding places of their own." Tilantha replied, "how is it you know their names?"
"Blaise told me." Hermione blushed a bit, "all about all of you. He's really worried."
"Blaise doesn't worry about me." Zenobia said with a sniff, smoothing her dress, "I can take care of myself." Hermione, amused, nodded,
"Si, he said that."
"Do you speak Italian as well?" Tilantha asked, "you do not appear to be Italian and I do not recall the Granger name."
"It's muggle." Hermione replied proudly, "I'm muggle born. No, I do not speak Italian, though I'm trying to learn."
"I see." Her disapproval was clear. Beneath the table, Remus squeezed her hand. Upstairs, she shifted her eyes to the floor, something that sounded like a herd of horses was coming down the stairs. She smiled gently,
"Ron and Harry are awake."
"GINNY! GET YOUR ARSE UP! IT'S CHRISTMAS!"
"and now Ginny is." Remus snickered.
"Presents!"
"And Siri." Hermione snickered, "I'm going up there or Blaise will come straight down. They should be a surprise." She hurried back upstairs and scowled at the Gryffindors making separate piles of gifts. She was the only one properly dressed. Hearing a noise, no doubt done on purpose so as not to startle her, she looked back at Blaise and Draco. Both of them were properly dressed. "Draco!" she cooed, hugging him. He tensed at this and then immediately relaxed and awkwardly patted her back. "Sorry I hadn't gotten to seeing you yet, I was just allowed out of bed last night."
"I heard, dragonpox." He nodded. Behind the Slytherins, Tilantha and Zenobia floated into view with Remus. Hermione grabbed Blaise by his shoulders, smiling up at him.
"Blaise, I hope you have a very Happy Christmas."
"Si, mia, Happy Christmas."
"There are presents here for you both." Sirius nodded. Draco scowled, realizing everyone was staring. He opened his mouth to ask what they were looking at when Hermione turned Blaise about. He tensed, leaning into her hands and then hurried forward.
"Mama! Zenobia!" he grabbed the seven year old, swinging her around and kissing her cheek before turning to his mother and bowing deeply, kissing her hand. "I am pleased you are well. What of my brothers?"
"They are well." Tilantha nodded. She smiled at Draco who bowed to her and then he crouched next to Zenobia, kissing both her cheeks. She hugged Draco tightly. He stood, lifting her with him and Blaise pried her off.
"Tell me, little sister, you have looked after Mama, cared for her?"
"Si, Blaise, I have."
"You made sure Marius, Julius and Mael were well taken care of?"
"You know they can't do it alone." She nodded firmly, "now put me down, you make me look like a child."
"Si, bella." He said with an amused tone of tolerance. Ginny beckoned to her excitedly,
"Come on then, you have presents too!"
"I do?" Zenobia gasped, "Grazi!"