Authors Note: Apologies for the late update, I hope the lengthy chapter goes some way to making up for it. The disclaimer can be found in the first chapter.
Chapter Three
The sun was high in the clear blue sky, its reflection bouncing off the calm turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Small fish darted in and out of the shallows, the refracted light picking out the colours of their scales.
From her position of ten metres below the surface of the clear water, Ginny could see for miles, her vision unhampered by debris or murky water as in Britain. She lay back, savouring the beauty of the scenery around her, reluctant to break the surface and go onto dry land. A tingling in her feet alerted her to the fact that the Gillyweed was wearing off and soon she would no longer be able to breathe under water. She swam upwards, and as she broke the surface, she felt her gills start to disappear and knew that she had timed things just right.
Treading water, she looked around her, startled to see that the beach was filling with holiday-makers intent on sun bathing. It must be later than she had thought. As she struck out towards the shore, she wondered how long she had been underwater. It had been early morning when she had dived into the sea and she had swallowed two more mouthfuls of Gillyweed while under the surface. Judging from the position of the sun, it must now be around 10 AM. Reaching the sandy beach, she made her way to the sheltered spot where she had left her towel. She had just picked it up when a voice spoke behind her.
"Excuse me, but there is seaweed on your, err, costume. Allow me to remove it."
Whipping round, Ginny frowned at the tall dark woman who had addressed her. The woman was surveying her through narrowed eyes, while looking as though she had stepped off the cover of a fashion magazine. Ginny judged her to be in her late forties although it was difficult to tell her age from her unlined face.
"Thanks for telling me," Ginny muttered, plucking the strand of seaweed from the shoulder of her bright green protective shark costume.
The other woman, however, did not move away, but stood appraising Ginny. Then she said, "I do not think I have seen you before, are you knew to the island?"
"Yes, I arrived yesterday."
"That is good. Allow me to introduce myself, Adriana Harringdon." She held out her hand and reluctantly, Ginny shook it, conscious of her own less than groomed appearance.
"Ginny Weasley," she replied, wondering how quickly she could get away without giving offence.
"Ginny?" the other asked, finely arched brows raised in enquiry.
"It's short for Ginevra, but no one calls me that," Ginny explained, feeling awkward. People never questioned her name so why this woman?
"That is a shame, as Ginevra is such a lovely name. I hope I may address you as such."
Ginny doubted that Adriana would listen if she refused and so nodded reluctantly.
"Wonderful. If you do not mind my asking, where are you staying?"
"At the Grand it's a lovely hotel."
"Indeed it is. " Adriana contemplated Ginny for a moment, then enquired, "Have you come to Ethosa alone?"
"Yes, I'm on a working break." May's scornful laughter of the day before came into Ginny's mind and she suppressed a smile. If this was a working break, she would happily continue the year round.
Adriana surveyed her green costume, her expression thoughtful. "You work with underwater creatures?" she asked politely.
"Yes, I've been surveying the shark population, from afar of course," Ginny smiled. "The underwater scenery here is spectacular." She pushed an escaped strand of hair out of her eyes, wanting to get out of her salt in grimed costume.
"We are known for our wildlife species on the island. But is it not dangerous? What if something went wrong and the sharks decided to go for you?"
"We always have our wands on us, and these costumes are charmed to repel sharks from getting too close," Ginny explained, but from the look on her face Adriana wasn't convinced.
"But there is still a risk to it," she persisted.
"About as much as being knocked off a broomstick," Ginny shrugged. She looked back at the dazzling water in which people were now paddling and sighed to herself. How different it was here than in Britain, where the seas were so polluted, much of the wildlife was on the point of extinction.
"Many of us keep exotic creatures as pets. I myself have some Habetan parrots," Adriana commented casually, noticing the younger woman's gaze and accurately interpreting her thoughts.
Ginny's eyes widened in surprise. Habetan parrots were very rare and unlike normal parrots, had some magical properties in their feathers. They could also be trained to act as messenger birds as their speech was more developed than their muggle counterparts. They were very rare though, and Ginny would give a lot for a chance to interact with one. "Wow," she exclaimed, "Where did you get them?"
Adriana's smile broadened. "My family breads them, has done so for years. I have a male, female and eight chicks which will be sold off soon." She was watching Ginny intently, and continued, "Would you like to see them?"
Ginny's expression brightened. "Oh, I'd love to. I've never seen a live one before."
"How about coming round this evening? You can have a meal with me, I would enjoy the company," Adriana offered, still in that off-hand casual voice.
"Well, I don't really know you and…." Ginny trailed off, feeling awkward.
The older woman's low musical laugh broke into her words. "My dear girl, this is not Britain you know. Here we are friendly and make our guests feel welcome so they will come back and visit us again. I would love it if you came to dinner, and see the Habetans. Shall we say this evening at 7:30?"
Ginny hesitated for a fraction longer, then nodded. Why not? If she was always going to be suspicious of people's motives, she would grow old before her time. "Thank you very much," she smiled.
"Excellent, my home is at the other end of the island Greenlawns. It would probably be easiest if you flooed, until you get to know the island of course."
"OK."
"Splendid, I will look forward to it and hope that those parrots of mine will be on their best behaviour. They can be very moody sometimes. I shall see you this evening, then."
Ginny laughed and nodded.
Turning, Adriana made her way up the beach, her light jacket swinging from her shoulders.
Feeling slightly bemused at her own actions, Ginny gathered the rest of her things together and set off for the hotel. She admired the easygoing manner of the Ethosian people; all were open and welcoming, and on learning that she was new to the island were taking pains to get to know her. It seemed that British pomposity had no place on this sunny island with its open friendly inhabitants and she wasn't sorry. During the short walk down to the marine reserve that morning, she had been accosted by a number of people, wishing her good day and as she was a new face, like Adriana, interested to know more about her, a far cry from Britain where everyone was too busy to stop and chat.
Around her, the beach was filling up with chattering families, although as it wasn't the holiday season, it was not too crowded. She felt an unexpected pang of home sickness at the sight of them. Maybe she would suggest that her parents come out to the Island for a break. They would love both the beauty of the place and the laid back people. She breathed in another lungful of the warm breeze when a voice beside her made her turn her head.
"Hello Ginny, how are you this morning?"
Blaise Zabini, dressed casually in an open necked shirt and cotton trousers, was walking beside her, his eyes glinting as they moved over her dishevelled form in its enveloping green costume. She noticed that women all around them were eyeing him with covert interest from behind beach umbrellas and sunhats shading their faces. A spurt of irritation seized her and she scowled. Maybe not everything on this island was ideal after all.
"Hello," she responded in a flat voice, not looking at him. Trust him to ruin her feeling of contentment.
"Ray said that you've been out observing the sharks, did you enjoy it?" he asked, easily keeping pace with her quickened steps.
"Yes, thanks."
"I was wondering, as you don't really know anyone here yet, would you like me to take you on a tour of the island? We can do it either by carriage or boat."
Taken aback by his words, Ginny turned to him. "Thanks Zabini, that's nice-"
"It's Blaise, Ginny," he corrected firmly. "We aren't school children any more. So how about it? We can do the tour using both. You can't see the beauty of the coral wreaths in the carriage and on the yacht, it's difficult to make out the island's birdlife."
She sighed wistfully to herself; it must be nice having a yacht of your own. Maybe one day, she would meet a rich man who would keep her in the style she dreamed of. The absurdity of the thought made her smile and she quickly stifled it before he misconstrued its meaning.
Stiffly she replied, "Well, as I said, it's really nice of you to offer, but I haven't much spare time. Anyway, I couldn't ask you to give up so much of your own time to escort me around."
"Why not? It was I who made the offer. If I didn't want to , I wouldn't have suggested it in the first place," he countered swiftly.
"I know, but still, I couldn't ask it of you. Anyway, I'd better get on, chatting on the beach won't get my paperwork completed and my manager in Britain is a stickler for punctuality." She gave him a polite smile which held no warmth.
"But why not?" he protested turning her to face him. "It'll be nice for you to see the island with someone you already know."
Her expression was cool and detached. "I appreciate the offer, I really do, but as I said, I've not much free time, and you're very busy as well. Anyway, we don't really know each other so there's no obligation on you." If that didn't get the message across, she didn't know what would.
"I'm aware of that thank you. As for free time, no one expects you to work all the time; I'll have a word with Ray about it."
Biting back her irritation at his high-handed manner, she shook her head. "There's no need for that. I enjoy my job and it's so beautiful beneath the water here that I'd happily spend all my time working."
He looked as though he may argue, his firm mouth tightening, but then nodded, apparently accepting her answer. "Of course. Well, if there's anything you need, just say." With that, he turned and walked away, his movements graceful.
Entering the cool interior of the hotel, Ginny went to her suite and took a cool shower. The day she asked Blaise Zabini for anything, would be a sorry day indeed.
It was as she was combing out her long hair that a voice in the fireplace of the sitting room called, "Miss Weasley?"
Swiftly she hurried into the room and over to the fireplace and kneeling down, saw the head of one of the hotel staff looking back at her.
"Sorry to disturb you, miss, but you have a long distance Floo call, from England. Is it ok if I put it through?"
"Yes of course." She watched as the dark head withdrew and a moment later, her mother's face appeared in the green flames.
"Ginny, there you are. We've been trying to get hold of you for hours, where were you?" Molly Weasley exclaimed.
"Hello to you too, Mum. How are you?" Ginny replied coolly. She could guess the reason for the call and sure enough, Molly's next words confirmed this.
"Ginny, what happened? First thing this morning Brian came round to say that you had broken things off with him. Why?"
"He said what?" Ginny exploded angrily. "It was him who said that he didn't want to carry on with the engagement."
"Well, can you blame him? Your ring snapped for Merlin's sake. What did you expect him to say?" Molly retorted. "What your father and I want to know is why."
"Join the club, I'd like to know that myself," Ginny replied irritably.
"But Ginny, there must have been a reason, rings don't just snap," the older woman persisted shaking her head.
"If there is one, I certainly don't know it."
Her mother's forehead creased into a frown. "What were you doing last night?" she asked eventually.
"I had a meal with the middle-aged manager of the marine reserve and one of his friends. Then I danced for a bit and the ring snapped," she responded shortly.
"You didn't…well-"
"No, Mum, I didn't sleep with anyone or anything of the sort. What do you take me for?" Ginny scowled, correctly interpreting her mother's hesitancy.
The older woman sighed. "Brian's very angry about it and the papers are having a field day."
"I'll just bet they are, I'm glad I'm not there to witness it. By the time I get back, it'll have died down and the press will have found someone else to talk about. You'd think they'd have nothing better to do than gossip."
"Doesn't it bother you? Your engagement's come to an end, most women would be distraught."
Ginny bit back a sigh of irritation. "Mum, the ring's snapped, meaning the engagement's at an end. My crying about it won't solve anything." Deciding to get the worst over with, she added, "Anyway, I was having second thoughts about Brian. We're so incompatible and I'm not even sure I liked him much by the end."
"I don't understand you. One moment you're happily engaged, the next you're glad it's over."
"Cheer up, I may find someone out here. There're plenty of good looking men about, you know, tall and muscular." An image of Blaise Zabini's sculptured features flashed into her mind and impatiently she shook her head to rid herself of it.
"But Ginny, you're 23 now, high time you were married. Why, at your age, I had one child with another on the way. If you remain single for too much longer, all the eligible men will be snapped up, then what will you do?" Molly said in a worried voice. The idea of being a career woman was one which Ginny well knew, her mother disliked.
"Oh for heaven's sake Mum! There's more to life than getting married and having babies! The ring probably snapped because Brian and I weren't suited. As for finding someone else, what's the hurry? I'm young with my whole life ahead of me. The world won't end if I decide to remain single. In fact, I'm glad I am, at least now I can flirt with any man I like out here without worrying." The two women had had this argument at the culmination of each of Ginny's relationships with what her mother considered to be suitable men. She was becoming heartily sick of it.
"We've looked forward to planning your wedding for so long," Molly sighed changing tack, "at this rate, we'll never see you married."
She was starting on the emotional blackmail and Ginny knew that if she didn't end the call soon, she would be made to feel guilty for something she could not help. Hurriedly she said, "Mum, I must go. I've a write up to do about this morning's observations. I'll speak to you soon. Give my love to Dad. "
Reluctantly her mother nodded, and a moment later her head had disappeared, leaving the grate empty.
Ginny got up and went across to the balcony. Below, she could see witches and wizards lounging on deckchairs or on picnic blankets, soaking up the Caribbean sun. As she watched, she felt her tension melt away. What had happened the night before had been unsettling to say the least, but maybe it was for the best. She felt as though a weight had been lifted from her and hoped that Brian wasn't too angry. Knowing him, he would be, remaining so for the next few decades. She would do some work after lunch, and in the evening would visit Greenlawns.
Her mind turned to Adriana Harringdon. She couldn't make her out; on one hand the woman exuded snobbishness in waves, but she had invited Ginny to her home, which in itself suggested that she wasn't as arrogant as she looked. Maybe she was one of those women whose bark was worse than her bite? Somehow Ginny doubted this.
Ginny's mind switched to Blaise and the invitation he had issued on her walk back to the hotel. Now that had been a surprise, and not altogether an unpleasant one. The man was extremely attractive, but Ginny felt an innate wariness of him that she could not explain. Maybe it was remnants of the dislike she had harboured as a girl, but she doubted it. It had been a long time since their Hogwarts days after all and a lot had happened to both of them since that time. He was far too sure of himself for her liking and made her feel nervous for reasons she couldn't explain. She wasn't used to feeling that way when talking to a man and didn't like it one bit.
She would steer clear of him as much as possible while she was here. She suspected the only reason he was taking an interest in her was because she was the newest female on the island. He would soon lose interest and leave her be. So deciding, she made her way downstairs to where lunch was being served.
XoXoXoXo
Standing in front of her wardrobe, Ginny wondered what to wear. She didn't know if the dinner would be formal or not. After a moment's thought, she pulled out a calf length chiffon lined skirt in pale green and a silk white halterneck top. If the morning was anything to go buy, her hostess would be dressed in the height of fashion; no jeans for her! Dressing quickly, Ginny put her recently acquired camera into her evening bag. She wanted to get some moving shots of the Habetans to show her colleagues in England.
Checking her lightly made up face and neatly coiled hair once more in the dressing table mirror, she picked up her wand and bag, and made her way downstairs to the busy reception area.
"Hi Ginny," Cheryl called, waving at her from behind the well polished reception desk.
Ginny went across to her smiling. "Is it ok to use the hotel's Floo?" she asked.
"Sure, where are you off to?" Cheryl enquired, handing a harassed looking wizard with two toddlers registration forms.
"It's called Greenlawns, do you know it?"
The other girls eyes widened in surprise. "Sure I know it, who doesn't? I've never been there though, lucky you. It's the biggest house on the Island."
"Adriana Harringdon invited me round for the evening."
"Did she now? That's not like her," Cheryl mused. "She doesn't usually fraternise with the likes of us. The old cow must be after something. Watch out for her."
"You don't like her do you?" Ginny grinned.
"Can you blame me? She looks at you like there's a nasty smell under her nose. The house is supposed to be really lovely though. Shame she lives in it."
"I must admit I too was surprised when she started chatting to me on the beach this morning. It seems that she has some Habetans, I've never even seen one," Ginny explained.
Cheryl laughed. "You and your animals. Just be careful they don't crap on that outfit. Then you won't be so happy."
"Thanks a bunch," Ginny smiled rolling her eyes. "The clothes can always be cleaned. Anyway, I'd best be off or I'll be late."
"Let me know how it goes." Cheryl waved as Ginny moved towards the marble fireplace on the other side of the large room. Taking up a pinch of Floo powder, she threw it into the flames and stepped in.
"Greenlawns," she called and was whisked out of sight. The Floo ride was a short one and soon she was slowing down, coming to a halt in another large marble fireplace. Stepping out, she looked round her with interest while shaking her skirt free of any soot.
The hall in which she stood was wide, with a white marble floor. Portraits in heavy gilded frames dotted the walls, which were painted a pale lemon colour. A bowl of artfully arranged flowers stood on a low table and there were several doors leading off in different directions. Wooden shutters stood open, letting in the last of the sun's rays, and wide green lawns and a flower garden were visible through them. The air was fragrant with the smell of flowers.
"Ah Ginevra, you are punctual indeed." Adriana entered the room in a rustle of silk. As Ginny had guessed, she was wearing a sleeveless russet coloured dress with a full skirt, cut very low at the front. She smiled with approval, viewing Ginny's outfit. "You look very nice. Come, I have been looking forward to this evening."
"Thanks," Ginny smiled, looking round her as Adriana led her down the spacious hall.
She pushed open a door and stood aside to let Ginny go first. Ginny entered the well proportioned room, done out in shades of ivory and bronze.
"Take a seat," she smiled, shutting the door and ushering Ginny to a white leather sofa. "I trust the hotel did not mind you using their Floo?"
"Oh no, not in the least. They're really nice."
The other woman's eyes narrowed. "I should think so, too."
Ginny opened her mouth to defend the hotel staff but bit back the words. Antagonising her hostess before she had seen the Habetans was not a good move. She wondered whether it had been a good idea to come here; Adriana was not normally the type of person she would elect to spend time with.
"Ginevra, I believe you are already acquainted with my son, Blaise," Adriana said with a smile as the door opened and Blaise Zabini sauntered in. He wore perfectly cut evening clothes, which had probably been made exclusively for him. His silk shirt was again open at the neck, showing off to perfection his tanned skin and well muscled torso.
Ginny felt her heart sink and she stiffened. Now she knew that it definitely had not been a good idea on her part to accept this invite. It seemed, although whether by design or accident, that she kept coming across this man who screamed danger from every pore.
Blaise however was not in the least perturbed; he strode across to her and taking her hand placed a kiss on the back of it.
"This is an unexpected pleasure," he purred. "When mother said that she had invited a young lady for dinner, I hadn't realised that it would be you."
Ginny bit back a gasp at the sensation of his mouth on her skin; it felt as though her hand had been burned where his lips had touched it. Tingles were shooting up her arm, making her stomach contract with feelings she could not identify. Swiftly, she snatched her hand away, resisting the urge to rub the spot where his mouth had been.
"I wasn't aware that you lived here," she replied through stiff lips.
"Well, when Blaise said that he would not be going out as intended, I thought it would be nice for the three of us to have dinner. He will be company for you, Ginevra, someone of your own age to talk too," Adriana explained.
Blaise laughed easily. "I had intended to dine with Theo, but he's otherwise occupied this evening. I much prefer this arrangement."
Ginny's smile felt fixed to her face and she wanted to scream. She couldn't believe that she had blithely accepted this dinner invitation, she should have listened to her common sense and steered clear of Adriana. Now she would be spending her second evening on the island with Blaise bloody Zabini, and she wasn't pleased. Raising her left hand she brushed a strand of hair impatiently out of her eyes and saw the eyes of both Adriana and Blaise fix themselves to her bare ring finger. No doubt they had read of her broken engagement in the English papers and were wondering about it. Well let them wonder!
"What would you like to drink?" Blaise asked solicitously, moving to a teak drinks cabinet at one side of the ornate fireplace.
"Guava juice please," Ginny replied, her voice stilted. She stared down into the Waterford Crystal glass Blaise handed her, watching Adriana covertly over the rim. So this was the woman who had disposed of seven husbands. She certainly didn't look like a killer, but then who did? Ginny wondered how she'd gone about it.
The feel of Blaise's arm brushing against hers as he sat down startled her and she turned to look at him.
"You were miles away," he smiled. "Were you thinking about anything interesting?"
"I suppose that depends on what you classify as interesting," she responded coolly, taking a sip of the sweet guava juice.
Adriana gave a tinkling laugh as she surveyed them. "Blaise, let the poor girl be. She is new to the island and no doubt all this is very strange to her."
Ginny's brows rose and she asked, "What's strange to me?"
The older woman looked taken aback for a moment, then recovered herself. "Well, all this my dear." She waved a vague hand round the room and Ginny's annoyance, already sorely tested, grew.
"You mean your home?" she persisted.
"She means the island," Blaise drawled. "Mother dear, you must be more specific, not everyone understands your vagueness of speech."
"Yes, I mean the island Ginevra. You said yourself that this was your first visit, it must be strange coming to an all wizarding island where everything from the wildlife to the food is different," Adriana corroborated hurriedly.
"Oh, I wouldn't call it strange in the least, just different," Ginny countered in a cool voice. Adriana, she decided, was a patronising snob. She'd come across the likes of her before, and would not put up with the woman's insulting manner.
"Have you travelled a lot then?" Adriana asked, in an effort to defuse the tense atmosphere.
Ginny shrugged. "Here and there, whenever I've had time."
The appearance of a house elf announcing dinner forestalled any further conversation. Blaise drew Ginny's arm through his own, in what seemed to her a proprietary gesture, as they made their way out of the room.
"Relax," he smiled, pressing her arm against his side as they followed Adriana to the dining room.
The room they entered was not as large as Ginny had expected. A circular teak dining table was laid for three, the silver and crystal sparkling in the light of many candles suspended over the table. The high ceiling, like that of the Hogwarts great hall, seemed to reflect the sky outside. Large windows looked out onto a paved terrace and Ginny could see an orange tree just below this, the branches moving in the light breeze.
"Do you like it?" Blaise asked, drawing out her chair and waiting for her to be seated before taking his place on Ginny's left at the head of the table. Adriana seated herself on his other side opposite Ginny.
"It reminds me of Hogwarts," Ginny replied looking up at the ceiling which was slowly darkening to a midnight blue.
"Oh, it is a little more sophisticated than the ceiling at Hogwarts; this one only shows us nice weather," Adriana responded while shaking out her napkin.
Her own voice saccharine sweet, Ginny answered, "Oh I don't know. Personally I prefer simplicity over complexity; it's best to see the real truth in things, and not hide an illusion within an illusion."
Adriana blinked taken aback. No doubt she wasn't used to others contradicting her.
Ginny stiffened as she felt Blaise's breath on her neck. "Here," he murmured, taking the linen napkin out of its silver ring and draping it over her lap, his fingers brushing lightly over hers as he straightened. She felt goose bumps rising up her arms at his proximity and silently chided herself for her ridiculous reaction.
"Thanks," she muttered, trying valiantly to keep her breathing under control.
"We are having British food this evening; I was not sure whether you liked Caribbean food," Adriana continued recovering her poise.
"It's lovely. I've a friend from Antigua who sometimes cooks it for me so it's not new to me," Ginny said.
"Oh?" Blaise asked sharply, resuming his seat. "Anyone I know?"
She regarded him dispassionately, thankful he had moved away. "You may do, he was in your year at school. Dean Thomas. Do you remember him?"
"Yes. I wasn't aware you were still in contact with him." His expression had darkened.
"Of course I am! He's a friend!"
"An ex-boyfriend if memory serves me right."
She frowned not liking the harsh tone of his voice. "So?"
He shrugged. "I just wondered, that's all. What does he do now?"
"He works for the Ministry."
"That is good," Adriana smiled. "It is nice to keep in touch with old friends. Why I have known some of my friends since we were young children together." She shot Blaise a look that Ginny couldn't interpret and went on, "Ginevra, you will have some wine? It is from our own vineyards."
Ginny nodded and Blaise filled her glass.
"I propose a toast," he said lifting his own glass. "To the future and new friendships."
"Definitely," Adriana beamed.
"I suppose so," Ginny agreed, and reluctantly chinked glasses with the other two, while wondering what Blaise had meant by such a cryptic toast.
A house-elf she hadn't noticed placed a dish of asparagus and coriander soup before Ginny and she inhaled the rich aroma with pleasure. This soup was one of her favourites.
"Bon appetit," Blaise smiled, lifting his own spoon.
Ginny tasted the soup and would have purred in satisfaction if she had been able. It was just as she liked it, thick, richly flavoured and creamy on the palette.
"Is the soup to your liking?" Adriana enquired solicitously, watching her.
"Yes, it's lovely, just the way my mum makes it," she responded, trying not to sound surprised.
"We aim to please." Blaise's eyes lingered on her in a way that made her uncomfortable.
"So, my dear, tell us more about yourself," Adriana invited while buttering a roll.
"Oh there's nothing to tell really," Ginny shrugged, accepting a roll from the basket Blaise offered her. "I'm on a working break and loving it here. I miss my family and friends, though."
"What's Weasley doing now?" Blaise asked. "I heard that he and Granger had got married."
"Yes, Ron and Hermione got married a few months ago and are very happy together," she confirmed, surprised that he had asked about Ron, with whom he had never got on.
"That is nice," Adriana sighed. "I do love a wedding, I must say. When it is Blaise's turn we will throw the biggest party this side of the Atlantic."
"So you've someone in mind?" Ginny asked with interest, looking at Blaise who shook his head.
"Oh there's plenty of time for that," he dismissed. Then enquired, "So how're the rest of your family?"
Surprised at his uncharacteristic interest in people he had hitherto scorned, she said, "They're all fine, thanks."
"Am I right in thinking you have five elder brothers?" Adriana asked.
Ginny grimaced. "No, six and none of them can accept the fact that I'm grown up and don't need protecting from the big wide world any more."
"That, my dear, is families all over. Parents especially can never stop worrying about their children. I will probably still worry about Blaise when I am in my dotage," the older woman smiled. "Your family will always worry about you, it is perfectly natural."
"But nevertheless annoying," Blaise put in.
The soup dishes were removed and chicken marinated in white wine put before them. This was another dish Ginny was very fond of. Helping herself to carrots, broccoli and potatoes, she was relieved that she hadn't been obliged to eat food she didn't like.
Adriana laughed. "I am glad to see you are not one of those young ladies who will not eat because of her figure."
Ginny shook her head. "Merlin no. I don't have time for such women. I was brought up to enjoy and appreciate food. If you want to lose weight, starving yourself isn't the way to go about it."
"Quite," Blaise agreed, leaning over and refilling her glass. "There's nothing as off-putting as a woman who picks at her food." His mouth twisted in distaste and Ginny wondered how many women had done just that when he took them out. She suspected quite a few.
"My job uses up a lot of energy, so it's important for me to eat well," she replied neutrally.
"How long have you been working with the marine reserve?" he asked, helping himself to more vegetables.
"About two years. I really enjoy it."
Adriana shuddered delicately. "What, with all those sharks? It is enough to scare one senseless."
Ginny grinned. "Oh they're ok if you know how to handle them. Actually, they're fascinating, and like most creatures, will only attack if they feel threatened."
Blaise rolled his eyes. "Ginny, they're monsters who can kill with a single bite, how can you say they're interesting?"
"You sound like my fiancé," Ginny said without thinking. "He can't believe I like them either."
A tense silence greeted these words and she saw that the expressions on mother and son's faces had frozen.
"Your fiancé? But you're not engaged to him anymore." Blaise stared pointedly at her ring finger. "It was in the Prophet this morning." His expression was complacent as he watched her.
Later she would wonder why she did it, but a perverse streak in her made her raise her chin and stare haughtily back, defiance rising within her. How dare he derive such satisfaction from her broken engagement? His attitude coupled with her anger at herself for bringing it up in the first place made her say, "The Prophet? You know what they're like, they hear something and blow it up into a story. It's true my ring snapped, last night as it happens, but we'll get it fixed or choose another one. We haven't decide which yet." She kept her voice light and unconcerned, while inwardly wincing at the lie. She didn't know why she was doing this, but something in Blaise's smug expression had got to her. She would be damned before she let him gloat over her broken engagement.
"But you can't," he protested, leaning forward in his seat. He no longer looked smug, but almost panicky. "Ginny, the ring snapped for a reason."
"Yeah, it wasn't made correctly. It's our own fault, we were in a hurry to get engaged and didn't give the jeweller enough time to set it properly." She gave a deprecating shrug to underline her words.
"Well, I very much doubt it," Adriana contributed. "It does not take very long for a jeweller to set an engagement ring. Who did you use?"
"Lambert and Co," Ginny answered.
"They are one of the best," the older woman responded, something which Ginny well knew.
"Exactly, this must mean that you're not compatible." Blaise sat back, the tension draining out of him as though the matter had been settled.
Ginny was by now thoroughly annoyed; who was he to tell her that Brian and she weren't compatible? Pasting a smile on her face, she shook her head. "Ah, but if that had been the case, the ring wouldn't have set in the first place. It doesn't matter really, we'll get another one when I get back to England."
"No!" Blaise's eyes had darkened until they were black, his posture radiating what she presumed to be anger. He took a deep breath and continued in a more controlled voice, "Ginny, it won't work, you know that. It's difficult, I know, but you have to move on in life. He's not the only man in the world, and by the sound of it, you probably weren't suited."
Adriana too nodded. "It is true my dear, the breaking of an engagement for unexplained reasons can be very stressful on the nerves, but there is always a good reason behind it. Not long ago, there was a girl on the island whose ring broke in just such a manner. It turned out her young man had been carrying on with another woman behind her back."
"Well, I know that Brian wasn't carrying on behind my back," Ginny replied stubbornly, more determined than ever to get the better of these two. "Rings can snap from wear and tear as well. Next time we'll make sure the band is nice and thick. On the other hand maybe we won't bother and just get married instead. Brian suggested as much." She furrowed her brow in the pretence of thought.
The crash behind Ginny made her jump in surprise. Wheeling round, she saw that a crystal decanter, sitting on the calved sideboard behind her, had smashed. Fragments of glass littered the floor and the whisky it had contained was spreading in an amber pool on the parquet floor.
"Merlin, how did that happen?" She turned to Blaise, whose expression was frozen. Adriana however, was looking uneasy.
"There is no need to worry, it can easily be fixed," she said, standing up and waving her wand at the spillage. Immediately, the whisky disappeared. Another wave of her wand and the decanter had repaired itself.
Feeling tense, Ginny watched her. "How did that happen?" she asked again.
"Who knows?" Blaise drawled, a mocking glint in his eyes. Adriana shot him a speaking glance and Ginny had the impression there was something they weren't telling her. Maybe they always treated their dinner guests to a smashed decanter or two? She wouldn't put it past them.
"I am sorry if it frightened you, Ginevra," Adriana said, resuming her seat. "That decanter has been frail for a while now. It was only a matter of time until it cracked."
Ginny nodded and said nothing, knowing that Adriana was lying.
The main course was cleared away and a bowl of chocolate mousse was placed before her. It smelled wonderful, but her appetite had deserted her.
"You don't like it?" Blaise asked, watching her distractedly prodding the fluffy mixture with her spoon.
"It's very nice." She ate a spoonful and on any other day would have relished it. Now, though, she was feeling on edge. The smashed decanter had disturbed her more than she liked to admit and all she wanted to do was get away from this house. Growing up in a family of volatile-tempered brothers, she had been witness to more than her fair share of bursts of accidental magic. She was sure that it was a burst of accidental magic that had caused the decanter to smash, but from whom and more importantly, why?
A sharp tap on her arm made her turn her head to see Blaise frowning at her. "I've called you three times now, but you were miles away," he grumbled.
"Sorry, what did you say?" she asked, laying down her spoon and giving up all pretence of eating.
"I asked whether you'd prefer another dessert, as this one isn't to your liking."
"Oh no, thanks. The mousse is lovely, but I'm not hungry anymore."
"Are you sure?" Adriana asked giving Ginny a quizzical look, which she met with a stony gaze.
Ginny nodded, relieved when Adriana changed the subject, asking, "Do you play Quidditch, Ginevra?"
"Oh yes, I love it," she enthused, her mind partially diverted.
"You were certainly someone to be reckoned with during our school days," Blaise reminisced, his mouth curving into a fond smile.
"I've been playing since I was six, when Mum and my brothers let me that was," she explained, grimacing slightly. At their questioning looks, she elaborated, "Mum and Dad worried I'd get hurt, while the boys wouldn't play with me because I was a girl."
"That is difficult," Adriana agreed diplomatically.
Ginny's eyes sparkled. "Oh no, if anything it made me more determined."
"We play a lot of Quidditch on the island. There's a match scheduled for tomorrow, in fact," Blaise informed her.
The desserts were cleared away by the efficient house-elves and Ginny was relieved the meal was over.
"Now, shall we have coffee first or would you like to see the parrots, Ginevra?" Adriana put her napkin on the table and stood up.
Blaise drew out Ginny's chair, and she also stood, conscious of his lean form behind her.
"Do you mind if we see the parrots?" she asked as he drew her arm through his.
Adriana laughed, "Of course, my dear."
Blaise sighed deeply. "What you find so interesting about them, I don't know."
"Blaise, they are pretty," his mother pouted. Ginny wondered if she had any idea of the Habetan parrots' magical properties. If she bred them purely for their looks, she was even shallower than Ginny had first imagined.
As though she had read Ginny's thoughts, Adriana continued, "Anyway, they are very magical. The feathers shed by them are used in many healing potions, and they are good messengers."
"Well, let's get this over with then," he sighed as they followed Adriana's tall figure out of the room.
"You don't have to come, you know," Ginny smiled sweetly.
"What sort of host would I be if I left you to look at the parrots alone?"
"But your mother will be with me," she replied, hoping that he would take himself off somewhere. To her chagrin , he shook his head.
"No, I'll endure it, just to please you."
"There's no need for that, I don't mind in the least if you'd prefer to leave us to it," she responded quickly, but he laughed throatily.
"No, no, my dear Ginny, that'd never do. Pleasing you is what's important here, and if that means cooing over Mother's parrots, then who am I to refuse?"
She decided it wasn't worth arguing over and so nodded.
XoXoXoXo
"They're absolutely amazing," Ginny gushed as they shut the door of the aviary and made their way through the spacious corridors into the drawing room.
"Definitely," Adriana agreed, smiling. "Once you can get them to pay attention to you, they are quite entertaining. As I said, once the chicks are a little older, you are welcome to one."
"But they're so valuable," Ginny protested, allowing Blaise to push her down onto a white leather sofa.
"It would be our pleasure," he assured sitting beside her. "Something for you to remember us by when in England."
"Another week or so should do it," Adriana predicted as the coffee tray was carried in by a smiling elf. "You can have first pick."
"Thanks very much, but are you sure?"
"Of course." She handed Ginny her coffee and sat back down. "They can be very rude when the mood takes them, though. I hope they did not offend you."
Ginny burst out laughing. "What, being called carrot head? It's a pretty creative insult for a bird. Still, they soon got used to me."
"You have an affinity with them which always helps." Blaise leaned back, resting his arm along the back of the sofa so it rested on Ginny's shoulders.
She became aware of the taughtness of his thigh against hers, how there was barely any space between their bodies, and the weight of his bare, muscular arm resting on her shoulders. She felt her breath catching and knew that his proximity was having an effect on her. Darting a glance at him, she saw he looked as composed as ever, and was angry with herself for her reaction. No man so far had been able to make her feel like this, and he hadn't turned on the charm yet!
Jumping up, she went over to the windows, looking out on to the well kept lawns stretched out below her. It was high time she left and so she hurriedly drank her hot coffee, almost scalding her throat.
"It's been a lovely evening," she said turning to her hostess, putting the bone china cup on a side table. "I had better be going."
"Why?" Blaise asked, coming to stand beside her.
"I have to get up early tomorrow and its 10:20 already," she excused, glancing at her watch.
"That is a shame," Adriana sighed. "It seems they work you far too hard at the Reserve."
"I love it," Ginny smiled, picking up her evening bag. "May I use your Floo?"
"Certainly," the older woman agreed. Then she called, "Atlan?"
There was a crack and a house elf appeared at her side. "Get the Floo terminal ready for Ginevra's use."
The corners of the elf's mouth drooped and it shook its head.
"Atlan can't, mistress, the Floo is out of order."
"What?" Adriana asked in surprise.
"The Floo is not working, mistress. Atlan tried to send the letter to Waxbies as mistress instructed, but couldn't as the Floo broke down."
"Damn!" Adriana scowled. "The Floo system always seems to be breaking down since they installed that speed booster. It probably will not be sorted until tomorrow morning, if I am any judge."
"I could Apparate," Ginny volunteered hurriedly. "It won't be a problem."
"What, and get splinched?" Blaise put in.
"Of course I won't get splinched," she flashed back, irritated. "I've been Apparating since I was seventeen, I think I can managed this one without any trouble."
"It's a different country, the air currents of which are completely different from Britain's, so it's best not to risk it until you've tried it under controlled conditions," he returned.
"Blaise is right, Ginevra," Adriana put in. "I think it best if you escort her back in one of the carriages, Blaise."
He nodded. "Yes, I can show Ginny the scenery as we pass. It's worth looking at."
Adriana turned back to the elf. "Tell Simes to be ready with the Palimar carriage."
Ginny's heart sank; she didn't want to be on her own in a carriage with Blaise Zabini, the mere thought was making her nerves prickle with something she could not name.
"I don't want to cause you any trouble," she began, to be interrupted by an impatient Blaise.
"It's no trouble, now shall we go?"
She would have liked to say no, but knew she couldn't verbalise her reluctance without sounding rude and ridiculous. Her fingers tightened on her bag which held her wand and she nodded stiffly.
"It has been lovely meeting you, Ginevra," Adriana said, accompanying them outside where a gleaming silver carriage waited. "We must meet again, and soon. Maybe we can go shopping together, there is a very nice collection of shops not too far from here."
Ginny smiled politely. "That sounds nice. Thanks for dinner and for letting me see the Habetans, they're wonderful."
"It was my pleasure, I will let you know when the chicks are ready to leave their mother and you can choose one." She bent and kissed Ginny's cheek.
A man dressed in blue and bronze livery stood to one side, holding the door to the carriage open. Ginny noted it bore the Zabini coat of arms, a silver hawk brandishing a wand.
Ignoring Blaise's helping hand she climbed into the plush interior of the carriage, returning Adriana's wave as the door was shut behind Blaise, who got in beside her.
She watched Simes climb into the driver's seat, partitioned off from the rest of the carriage. The interior of the carriage was done out in silver and blue, with leather seats facing each other. Velvet curtains hung at the windows and a small bar was set to one side of the carriage.
"Would you like anything to drink?" Blaise asked, leaning back beside her, his arm brushing hers.
"No thanks." She felt the carriage start to move, and quickly looked out of the window to forestall further conversation. They were rising into the air, the movement barely perceptible. Soon they were above the bungalow and gliding smoothly over fields and trees.
"Wow, it's beautiful," Ginny breathed, looking down at the landscape below her. They were not very high so it was easy to make out the shapes of houses, restaurants and cafes all with light spilling from windows.
To break the uncomfortable silence she asked, "I've never seen a carriage like this, how does it work?"
"It's been fitted with lots of flying, unbreakable and Merlin knows what other charms, a bit like a broomstick. It's very handy as you don't need thestrals or other creatures to pull it. So much nicer than a flying carpet."
"Yes, I can see that."
"Look over there," Blaise murmured behind her, reaching round and putting his hand under her chin. She started at the contact with his cool fingers and tried to jerk away. It was then she realised that his other arm had come round her, his hand resting on the window frame. She was trapped.
"How long will the journey take?" she asked uneasily, trying to ignore the feel of his body against her back.
"Another few minutes. The carriage is going slowly so you can appreciate the view." His breath was stirring the hairs on the back of her neck and she felt her heart beat quicken.
They were now passing over groves of mango, orange, banana, and papaya trees. All were in bloom, their flowers riotous and colourful, picked out by the lights of the carriage.
"It's so lovely," Ginny said again.
"Definitely. Just imagine living here all year round," Blaise drawled.
"That'd be heaven," she sighed eyes still glued to the window as she tried to ignore the way his breath caressed her cheek.
"You never know." A silence fell between them and Ginny was profoundly relieved when the carriage began to descend. They must have reached the hotel. A moment later, there was a slight bump and they landed.
She saw Simes climb out of the driver's seat and come round to her door. He opened it and she alighted, looking round her.
"Where are we?" she asked, turning to Blaise who had climbed out behind her.
"A little way from the hotel," he replied. "Simes, wait for me here."
Turning to Ginny, he wrapped an arm round her shoulders. "Come, it's a short walk up the beach to the hotel."
"Why couldn't the carriage have parked outside the hotel?" she asked, trying to extricate herself from his grip. She may as well have not bothered.
"There's nowhere to park there," he smiled, teeth glinting in the light of the moon.
He lead her out from behind the palms where the carriage was parked, and towards the strip of sand edging the calm sea. She could clearly make out the water's reflection by the white light of the moon and stars.
"There's no one around," she commented, unease taking hold of her as she scanned their surroundings for signs of other people. She was conscious of his athletic body towering over her diminutive frame. It was never a good idea to be alone with a strange man, and especially this man!
"Well, no."
"Why not?" she had quickened her steps as she spoke.
"I don't know, this is an area where people like to enjoy solitude."
She rolled her eyes in disbelief, what did he take her for? "I very much doubt it."
"You don't have much faith in me, do you?"
"No."
"Why not?"
She could have given several sarcastic answers to this, but in view of the fact they were alone on a beach, and she only had a vague idea of where they were, she decided against it. "Because you're a stranger, and naturally, I can't be expected to trust someone I don't know." To emphasise this, she tried to push his arm from her shoulders but he simply tightened it, forcing their bodies closer together.
"I'm less of a stranger to you compared to everyone else here, though," he countered.
"In some respects, I suppose."
Their footsteps were silent in the hard sand and in other circumstances, Ginny would have relished the romantic setting. The lapping of the waves against the shore provided a soothing background to a scene of stunning beauty, and despite herself, Ginny felt the tension easing out of her.
"I can't see the hotel yet," she ventured, straining her eyes into the distance.
"It's further along here, we'll be there soon. Do you like it here Ginny?"
She nodded, surprised at the change of topic. "It's very beautiful and relaxing."
"I lived here as a child and returned when Hogwarts was closed down. A far cry from England." He stopped walking, seeming to be deep in thought. "How time moves on, you don't even notice it."
She stood beside him, gazing out to sea, unsure how to interpret his change of mood. Slowly he turned her to face him, and she looked up at him, trying to decipher his expression.
"You're very beautiful, you know that?" He trailed a finger down her cheek to her throat, and she felt her breath hitch in response to the delicate touch.
She swallowed, aware of the deserted beach around them, and of the effect his touch was having on her. She should move away and stop this while she could.
Blaise, as though reading her mind, slid an arm round her, trapping her slender body against him. "I can't think straight when I'm near you," he muttered, lifting her face.
"No," she whispered, knowing what was coming, but he didn't seem to hear as he lowered his mouth to hers in a gentle but persistent kiss.
She gasped against his lips as sensations she had never experienced shot through her body. It felt as though her mouth had become extra sensitised under his expert ministrations, and she was unable to pull away as he moved his mouth gently over hers, teasing her lips into compliance. Soon his tongue was probing at the seem of her lips, and he slid it into her mouth, entwining it round hers. His grip on her body had tightened, his eyes darkening until the pupils were black slits as his gaze devoured her. She didn't resist as his tongue probed every corner of her mouth, shuddering as he sucked her full lower lip into his own mouth.
Ginny was unaware she was kissing him back, her body seemingly out of her control as she pressed herself against him, mindless of her earlier dislike of him. In some dim recess of her mind, she knew this was very wrong, but her subconscious worry that there was something wrong with her was finally being disproved and right now this was more important than her conscience. Their tongues were entwined and it felt good letting him ravage her like this.
With a groan, Blaise tore his mouth from hers, arching her backwards and tracing scorching kisses over her jaw, and down her neck to her throat. One hand was splayed possessively over her back, while the other had tangled in her hair, pulling it from its confining pins to fall in untidy main down her back. His mouth had reached the slender column of her throat, his tongue lightly teasing the sensitise flesh so the pulse at her throat beat erratically. Ginny's breath was coming in shallow pants as she tried to make sense of what was happening.
"No!" she gasped, shaking her head and trying to pull away. "No, stop!"
Blinking, Blaise straightened, looking at her with glazed eyes. "What?"
"We shouldn't…we can't…" she trailed off, trying to think straight and finding it difficult.
Blaise however, had no such problems, his glazed expression fast disappearing. "We kissed Ginny, the world hasn't ended you know!"
He made to draw her to him again but she jerked away, taking a few steps back and inhaling deep breaths of the salty sea air. Her mind was rapidly clearing and the full import of what they had done dawning on her. Anger, she wasn't sure whether at herself or him, was starting to build up and she narrowed her eyes, glaring at him.
"To you, Zabini, this is probably no more than the natural end to an evening spent in a woman's company. I however, operate on different principles and am not in the habit of kissing strange men. That's why this unfortunate interlude is so disturbing."
His relaxed expression had disappeared, and he too looked angry. "For your information, I don't kiss every woman I dine with. What do you take me for? As for your principles, where were they a moment ago?"
Choosing not to answer his last question, she flashed back, "I won't go into what I take you for, as none of it is complementary. I'm just sorry that our paths ever crossed here. You haven't changed since our school days, conceited as ever."
His lip curled in a sneer. " And I'm sorry that you've not matured since then. Merlin, woman, it was just a kiss, nothing more."
How could she explain her jumbled feelings? To him it may just have been a kiss, but she felt as though her body had been woken from a deep slumber. It was the first time she had felt anything while kissing a man, which for her was momentous. It was just unfortunate the man in question was him. She was sure there would be other men to whom she would respond, but for now she had to take him down a peg or two and ensure this didn't happen again, for her own peace of mind if nothing else.
"In case you've forgotten, I'm engaged to be married," she drawled. " You're right, this was nothing more than a meaningless kiss between two people who've drunk too much wine. Regrettable, but easily forgotten."
She saw with satisfaction that her jibe had hit home. He paled, then let out a bark of harsh laughter.
"By the way you reacted to me, I'd say your dear fiancé is not much of a kisser. Does he have problems pleasing women, then?" he taunted.
Her reaction was instinctive. Raising her hand she slapped him with all the force she could muster around the face. Then she closed her eyes, pictured the interior of the hotel and Disapparated with a crack.