A/N: Hi, peoples! I have added something according to one of my reviews, by hilda-gatita. She/he gave me a great idea, and then gave me permission to use it, considering it was his/her question that gave the idea.
Chapter 6
I woke with a stiff neck and a book on my lap. I quickly realized what had happened and I jumped up, forgetting the book on my lap. The book on my lap fell, along with the ones on the edge of the armchair. I sighed and looked at my watch. It was only six thirty in there morning, so I figured nobody else was awake.
I put the books back and stretched. My neck was really stiff. I looked at my watch. It was still only 6:45. I knew I wouldn't be able to go back to sleep, what having slept a good night, despite only sleeping for six or so hours. This was the first rest I had had that didn't handle a nightmare. It felt good to finally sleep. So I walked out of the Library, and took a right turn, the turn that led me away from my bedroom.
After taking many twists and turns, pushing big doors open and even going up and down a few small staircases, I came upon a long hall filled with portraits. I walked closer, pondering about what the hall was about.
I came upon the portrait. It was a lot bigger up close than it was at the beginning of the hall. When I took a closer look, I realized there was a plaque under the portrait. It read:
Name: Ada Zabini
Date of Birth: August 24, 1827
Date of Death: August 29, 1868
Age of Death: 41
School: Mago Scoula
House: Grifondoro
In all accounts, Abele was a great woman and died a young age, too young to succeed all her goals in life. But she completed most before her tragic end. I hope she lays in peace.
Voiced by:
~Antonio Zabini, husband of Ada
The portrait showed a woman with a small smile on her lips. She had brown hair, like mine, and it was straight. Her eyes were a chocolate color. Her nose was long and narrow. Her lips were pink and she was sitting on a plush chair. She had a red robe on with a gold trim along the edge.
"Why, hello. I don't remember seeing you before the present. Where have you come from, young one? Are you a friend or foe? Are you a part of the great Zabini family?"
I jumped, not expecting her to speak. "Yes, I just got here yesterday. I was in a, um, Muggle home. See, Mum wanted to protect me so she put a glamour charm on me and just got me yesterday. I am a part of the Zabini family. I am Sasha's daughter and Blaise's twin. It is nice to meet you." I smiled at her.
"Yes, as it is nice to meet you. And this is the Family Hall. My side, the same side of the wall I am on, is the Zabini's side. Your father's side of the family. The other side is your mother's. I expect you don't know much about the family? No? Well, continue down this Hall of greatness and learn about your very important heritage and family. I hope the best for you considering the circumstances of which you come here in." She smiled down upon me.
So I continued down the hall and took in my relatives. There were a fair amount of 'Grifondoro's, but also a fair amount of Serpeverde. Which, I could only assume was Gryffindor and Slytherin. I am not quite able to speak Italian yet, but I will have to remember to ask Mum and Blaise. Not only would it be interesting to know more than one language, but a fair amount of my relatives were able only speak Italian.
"You know, if you had gotten me before you came here, you wouldn't have to struggle to figure out what they are saying. I am a fluent speaker in both languages, English and Italian." A voice said from behind me, making me jump nearly a mile the air.
I turned and smacked Blaise's chest while he just smirked. "I found this at around seven o'clock in the morning. So I didn't think you would appreciate it if I woke you up just to translate. Which reminds me, I have a question. Can you please, please, please teach me Italian?"
He laughed. "You are right. I probably would have groaned and rolled over anyway. And yes. But it isn't all that easy, Mia. You have to get used to it. The hardest part is pronunciations."
I smirked. "Aren't you forgetting? I am the smartest witch of our age." We both laughed.
"Well, Mum said breakfast is done. I suspect you don't know how to get back?" I shook my head. "Well, then, follow me, malady," he said, giving me his arm. We laughed and started to walk back.
While we were walking back to the dining room, he taught me some basic Italian words. We stopped at my room so I could change. This time, I decided to wear a purple skirt that had three layers and went down the mid-thigh. I had soft yellow leggings under it and a shirt the same color of the leggings. The shirt had a purple belt that gathered above the stomach, letting the rest of the shirt to flow freely. I put on some purple flats and opened the door to Blaise.
We started to walk down to the dining room. An amazing smell wafted from the kitchen, through the dining room, and up the stairs. When the dining room was in sight, I saw four huge plates filled with food.
I walked down the stairs while still staring at the food that would have been able to feed an army. There were eggs, bacon, ham, omelets, muffins, cinnamon rolls, cereals, pancakes, toast, and waffles. It all smelled wonderfully.
Mum came into the room just then. " Good morning. Now, come on, you two. Time to eat."
"Buongiorno, mamma. Spero che tu abbia dormito bene," I said, earning a surprised look from both Blaise and Mum.
"Oh, honey I didn't know you could speak Italian. And buongiorno. Ho fatto, grazie. Spero che hai fatto troppo"
I burst out laughing. "Okay, I only caught some of that. The 'good morning' and 'thank you' part. And I don't know a bunch of Italian. Blaise taught me some basic Italian words during the walk here."
"Oh well, that is lovely. And thank you Blaise. We promise to teach you more if you want to learn."
"Please. I would like to learn Italian. It is a part of my family, and it would be fun to be a fluent speaker in more than one language." Mum laughed quietly.
"Okay, we will teach you. Now, dig in!" So that is just what we did, and the food was absolutely delicious!
After breakfast, over which I learned a lot of new Italian words, I went upstairs and plopped down on my bed. Blaise peeked his head into my room and smiled. "Can I come in?"
In answer, I patted the empty space beside me on the bed. He came to sit down. We were facing each other. "You know, it really is great having a little sister. Even if she is only younger than you by six minutes."
"Yeah. It is great to have an older brother. Even if he is only older than you by six minutes." I said, bumping his shoulder. We laughed. "Is that all you wanted to talk to me about?"
He sighed and looked me straight in the eye. "No. I was just stalling, I guess." He laughed lightly.
I didn't. "And it seems you still are. What is it?"
"Okay, okay. We... will be having a guest over tonight for dinner. Now, don't ask me who it is, because I am not going to tell you. But you may not like this person, so I am warning you beforehand. Please, please, please do not explode when you meet this person again. Okay?"
"Of course. If this person is your friend, then I will at least be civilized toward this person." I smiled reassuringly.
He smiled back. "Thank you. I appreciate it. Now, it is time for some more Italian lessons."
I smiled enthusiastically. I sat up straight and said, "I am ready, Professor."
Six Hours Later: 5:30 pm
"Mia? Are you in here?" Mum's voice came through the door after two soft raps on the door.
"Yes" I opened the door and smiled. "I am suspecting dinner is ready?"
"Lei ha ragione." I shot her a quizzical look. She laughed and said, "That means 'You are correct.' Don't worry, you'll learn."
I smiled and repeated the words in my head, and was soon able to pronounce and remember the words and translation. "Okay. I am just going to put on my shoes and then I will be downstairs to eat. Don't start without me."
"Wouldn't dream of it, honey."
I smiled and she descended the stairs. I walked back to the opening of the closet and put my flats back on. I put my hair up in a ponytail and made sure none of the little makeup I had on was smudged. I reapplied two strokes of mascara then started down the stairs.
I was a tad bit excited. This was my first dinner at my new house with my new family. And there was the mysterious guest. I was a little apprehensive about this mysterious person. I mean, why would Blaise have to warn me beforehand and tell me to not explode when I saw him or her? It was a bit worrying.
I finished walking down the stairs and looked around for the guest. When I only spotted Blaise and Mum, I got confused. "Where is this mysterious guest of yours, Blaise?"
"He is using the loo. We promised we wouldn't start without him," Blaise replied, gesturing to the table and chairs. "Come on, sit. Mum made a wonderful dinner for your first dinner here."
"Oh. Ok. What are we having?"
"We are having mushroom soup with Italian bread and crackers. We are also having these sandwiches that are actually very complicated. They are just regular bread. But they are toasted and spread with Italian dressing. Then there is melted cheese with tomatoes and lettuce on it. I put a bit of oregano, salt, and pepper on it too, so it has more flavor," Mum said.
"That sounds amazing! Did you make it yourself?"
"Yes, I have to agree with... Mia, is it?"
A voice from behind me on the stairs said. But I didn't have to look to know who said it. I snapped my eyes to Blaise and glared at him.
"Malfoy?" I hissed quietly at him. Blaise winced and nodded his head. He looked guilty.
"He is going through difficult times at home and he turned to us. We accepted him. Please, Mia? Just don't freak out. Remember what you said in the bedroom. You promised."
I sighed because I knew he was correct. "I'll try my best. I can't make a promise. I didn't know it was Malfoy."
Just then, Malfoy decided to sit next to Blaise, across from me. "Why, hello Mia," Malfoy said, making sure to put extra emphasis on my first name.
"Hello, Draco. How are you?"
"Great. And how about you?"
"Perfect." All the while, our voices and bodies were stiff as a board, Mum and Blaise were silent, and Malfoy and I were glaring at each other.
"Questa sarà una lunga notte," Blaise mumbled.
"Sì, sarà," Mum mumbled back.
A/N: Hi! I hope you guys liked this chapter! As for the Italian translations, I will be putting them down below so you know what they mean. I am not Italian and I do not know how to translate, so I am relying fully on Google Translate for this. If you are Italian and knows how to speak Italian, please review or PM me and give me some feedback on the whole translate stuff. Thanks!
Translation:
Grifondoro - Gryffindor
Serpeverde - Slytherin
Buongiorno, mamma. Spero che tu abbia dormito bene - Good morning, Mum. I hope you slept well?
Buongiorno. Ho fatto, grazie. Spero che hai fatto troppo. - Good morning. I did, thank you. I hope you did, too.
Questa sarà una lunga note - This is going to be a long night.
Sì, sarà - Yes, it will.
Mago Scoula - Wizard School (I couldn't think of another name for the Italian school.)