So after a strange birthday where all but one guest was unable to make it, and ended up having to leave later in the night anyway, I am here to present the newest chapter. I'm afraid I've got a rough cold, so forgive me if I'm…well, if this chapter sounds different than all the rest.
"Oh, let's get rich and buy our parents homes/ In the south of France/ Let's get rich/ And give everybody nice sweaters/ And teach them how to dance/ Let's get rich/ And build a house on a mountain/ Making everybody look like ants/ Way up there, you and I/ You and I…" – Ingrid Michaelson, "You and I"
They'd roamed all over most of Italy that day, and it had been glorious. Hermione had been an eager and attentive student, and the tour guides or family friends had simply eaten it up and adored her. She asked as many questions as possible about the Colosseum, much to the annoyance of the Muggles in their tour group. She'd taken her time at the museums, had lovingly read every plaque that crossed her path and would happily whisper interesting tidbits to Blaise, as if he hadn't already seen them and committed them all to memory. She'd asked Giovanna, his mother's friend and owner of a beautiful vineyard, which grapes achieved which flavors and which were her favorite. She'd asked Tom, a friend of his grandfather who jokingly flirted with all the Zabini girls, how his restaurant was doing and told him how amazing the food was and that she'd be happy to recommend the place to the Harry Potter himself.
And now she was perched on a beautiful hillside, happily watching the sunset and enjoying the light breeze, and Blaise couldn't help but be entirely infatuated with her.
After he'd given her the ring and they'd stayed on the beach until the stars fully came out and the chill seeped into them, quietly making their way through a subdued streets and walking into the house. Blaise accompanied her to her door before stopping and turning to look at her.
"Do you need me tonight?" he'd asked, looking at her gently, and she bit her lip before ducking her head in to the room then shaking her head.
"Damiana or Simone left a potion for me," she'd answered, and he gave a light smile – trying not to be too disappointed that he wouldn't be curled up in bed with her again – before taking her hand, kissing it gently, silently admired how the ring glimmered in the moonlight, then took his leave and went to his own lonely bed.
Another successful day, with only one full one left to go, he collapsed on the blanket beside her and heaved a peaceful sigh that drew her out of her own relaxation to turn to him.
"Something on your mind?' she questioned, and he shook his head as he grinned lazily up at her and tugged on a curl.
"Just enjoying the view," he grinned wider for her, and she flushed before snorting and giving her own grin.
"I could get used to this," she sighed lightly, smiling as the breeze caressed her face and hair. Evangeline had, apparently, barged into her room that morning and happily picked out her clothes for the day. Hermione had been dressed in a transparent white, sleeveless button up with pale red roses, some strange wrap around her chest underneath to keep her decent, and a pair of pale rose colored shorts that showed off her legs. He'd had to glare at every man who'd glanced a little too long at her, and kept putting his arm around her shoulders or waist, although once she'd accidentally flashed the ring, and that had scared off around thirteen men in the vicinity.
"You could, if you wanted to," he offered, and she turned to look at him curiously as he picked his arms up, shifted a bit so the button-up shirt he was wearing wouldn't pinch the skin, and used them to pillow his head as he watched the sky. "Once we're married. You wouldn't have to work a day in your life, if you wanted to. Neither would I. We could just steal away, hide out in the countryside, and never do much of anything."
"Tempting," she said with a quick grin, not even hesitating, "But no, thank you. Despite how much I complain, I like my work."
"How did you become a wedding planner anyway?" he asked, turning onto his side and propping his head up.
"I…" she faltered this time, twisted the ring nervously, before giving him a smile. "I wanted to be a Healer, actually. No, scratch that – I was a Healer. One of the youngest, and one of the best. Part of it was how quickly I took every class, every exam necessary, part of it was…well, war shit. I knew most basic things for healing from firsthand experience." He nodded back at her, noticing her watching his face, and gave a small smile for her. She returned it, tucking her hair behind her ears, and went back to talking. "I was in the maternity ward. Pre-natal care, delivery, infancy. I took care of it. But, what I specialized in, was the…more difficult cases. Ones where it was unsure if the baby or the mother or both would make it. And, as time wore on, I couldn't handle it. Yes, sometimes there was life and a happy-ending, and a family rejoiced, but most of the time…most of the time I saw a wounded mother who felt she'd done something wrong, I saw a child who would never see it's mother's smile, I saw a man who'd lost his child or his wife, or sometimes I would see the man in the hallway collapse because he'd been so close and now they were both taken away from him. It felt so very much like war, one where the battles were daily and the opponent wasn't something you could easily get rid of," she admitted, and a tear dripped down from her eye, so Blaise took a fingertip to banish it. "I quit, after I realized how hopeless I felt. Took some time to heal myself, some self-care. Spent more time with my parents, tried to figure out what I wanted out of life. I wanted…happiness. I wanted to help others achieve happiness, to think that maybe they would continue with that happiness for the rest of their lives. So I became a wedding planner, because I'm meticulous and organized and I listen to others and help them with their goals. But sometimes weddings get ruined too, and all I can think of is if it's going to be another unseen war I'm going to fight in, or if it's just one bad, mismatched couple."
"Are you afraid we're going to be a mismatched couple?" he quietly asked.
She was silent for a long while, but he recognized it as her Thinking Face, and let her take the time. "At first, I thought so. And, even though we haven't spent that much time together, or even know each other completely well, I…I think we're going to be fine, Blaise."
He grinned, and moved to put his head on her lap, closing his eyes and inhaling pure sunshine, "I think so too, Hermione."
She chuckled, and he expected her to push him off, but instead was rewarded with her raking her nails through his scalp, and so he sighed in contentment and nearly fell asleep as she hummed and thought to herself, staring at his face but thinking that he didn't notice.
Once it was time for dinner, the two Apparated back to the house, stepping in from the small courtyard and making their way to the kitchen. Rather than smelling delicious food, or the beginnings of it, the two were greeted by Simone, Damiana, Evangeline and another girl perched at the breakfast nook, all nursing cups of tea and being strangely silent.
"Are we interrupting something?" Blaise questioned, making all four women jump and look at him in shock. He settled beside Hermione uneasily, hands on his hips and glancing at each person as he tried to get some answer out of one of them.
"We…" Evangeline glanced at her mother and grandmother before looking to the girl beside her. She was tanned and blonde, but with a natural softness that most tan and blonde girls in Italy seemed to lack. She was more round in the face, and had a set of dull green eyes, but she seemed kind enough.
"Evangeline has decided to share a bit of news with us," Simone answered as Damiana murmured Italian into her tea, Blaise catching phrases of "didn't even think of this happening" and "what about the grandchildren? Hmm?"
"Blaise," Evangeline stood, settling her hand on the blonde girl's shoulder. "This is Rosa. She's…she's my girlfriend."
Blaise blinked owlishly at his sister, then at Rosa – who sheepishly grinned back at him – then at his mother and grandmother.
"Well, you aren't thinking of disowning her or any such rubbish, are you?" he asked, and Rosa paled while Evangeline blanched, the two in question snorting in surprise.
"Merlin, no, Blaise, we're just shocked is all," Simone insisted before turning to Rosa and Evangeline and smiling softly, "We're not upset at all, at either of you, it's just…well we expected that you'd at least tell us you were dating someone, or felt this way about the same gender, or even hearing a bit about Rosa before you just suddenly sprung her on us."
"We at least had fair warning from Blaise," Damiana muttered, and Simone sighed as Evangeline tensed.
"I know how you feel about blood status, as you've been sure to make it clear to us, but as for how you feel about gays…well, it never came up, and I wasn't sure, and I was scared," the dark haired beauty, trying to conquer the childish tears, dropped big fat tears onto her girlfriend's shoulder, who simply held her hand and squeezed and channeled comfort and relief into her.
"Well, we didn't exactly have a sociopath running around killing a lot of gay people in the past decade to use as a starting point in the conversation," Damiana huffed before sighing and engulfing Evangeline into her grasp, "I love you, but I am hurt that you have been living under my roof and have not shared so much of yourself to me."
"I'm sorry, Grandmother," Evangeline broke down into heavy sobs, clasping at her grandmother as Blaise uneasily edged toward Hermione, who reached out and grabbed his hand to comfort his discomfort.
"Do not be sorry, tesorino," she soothed as Hermione, recognizing the word, blinked and looked searchingly at Blaise, who only grinned back at her. "I love you. Always. And I want you to find love too." She turned to Rosa, who was still quiet, and smiled back. "And I'm glad she found it in you."
Rosa, fighting back her own tears, smiled back and jumped in her seat as Simone settled her hand on her shoulder and offered a handkerchief. Taking it with a laugh, Rosa smiled and dabbed at her eyes as she sniffed.
"Not to ruin the terribly wonderful moment," Rosa finally spoke, "May I ask what Hermione Granger is doing here?"
All eyes blinked, as if it were a sudden realization that Rosa had no idea as to the circumstances, and Blaise barked a nervous laugh as Evangeline grinned over at her brother.
"I'll explain the full details later, but she's engaged to Blaise," she said, grinning wider at her confused girlfriend's blank stare.
Dinner was finally remembered, as well as calling Lia back in to explain things to, and Rosa aided in cooking with Hermione, the two chopping ingredients and chatting amicably, letting the family settle down together and reassure Evangeline that they certainly did love her and that Rosa seemed wonderful.
"I didn't know girls could date girls," Lia spoke in a loud whisper to her brother, looking at him curiously as he blinked.
"Well, a lot of people think that girls and girls shouldn't date, or that boys and boys shouldn't date, but there's really nothing stopping them from dating or even getting married, especially in wizarding society," Blaise offered, trying to speak softly as he stirred the sauce. "Especially if they're in love."
"Well," Lia said after a short pause, "If Evie's happy, then it's okay. Some people are just meanies."
Evangeline, hearing this, started peppering the little girl's face in kisses, making her squeal as Blaise took to tickling her. Rosa was integrated into the dinner table warmly, and Lia preened as she took to cooing over the little girl at every available moment. They spoke about both Rosa's and Hermione's families, learning more about Muggle customs through Hermione and delving deeper into Rosa's family and discovering which family members Damiana had gone to school with.
Blaise had been escorting Hermione back to her room, trying to ignore the whispering from his sister and Rosa and the bottom of the stairs, and had been surprised as he was deftly pulled in and collapsed in the middle of the bed.
"What was that tresorina that your grandmother called me the other night?" she asked, standing before him and settling her fists on her hips.
"Tesorino," he corrected as he sat up, sitting on the edge of her bed, "It means 'my treasure.' Typically used for one's own children, or just a loving pet name for a spouse or significant other."
Hermione faltered, blinking back at him, before stammering, "W-why would she call me that?"
"Because she likes you, Hermione, and considers you family now," he announced softly before smiling, "They all do, actually. My mother and sister adore you, and consider you just another facet of their mother-daughter bonding adventures now. My grandmother actually verbally smacked me upside the head and urged me to get that ring on your finger as soon as possible. Lia fucking loves you, but I don't think that kid could hate anybody. Well, almost anybody."
Hermione gently lowered herself on the other side of him, staring at nothing really, and quietly asked him, "Did they do the same to Daphne?"
He let out a loud, wild laugh, and grinned happily at her, "No. My mother, who set it up, only tolerated her. Evangeline abhorred her, my grandmother would hardly speak to her, and Lia…noticed how I said almost anybody?" She gave a small laugh, and he tapped her chin to get her to look at him. "Hermione, my family adores you, simply because you are yourself. They couldn't care less about your blood status, or your newfound fame, or for superficial reasons. You're smart, and funny, and witty and warm, and that's given you a place in the Zabini family. Even without some ruddy contract."
She flushed, and he gently tapped his fingers over the blush, marveling at how soft she was, before she spoke softly again. "Tell me more. Italian nicknames, I mean. Not about me – I couldn't care less about me."
He grinned and hummed, allowing her more personal space – still unaware when he'd begun leaning in – and sat back against her headboard as she moved and leaned against him for comfort. "Well, gattina is kitten. Fiorellino is little flower. Ooh, this is only funny to us – streghatta mia. My little witch." And Blaise continued on and on, going through all the things that she would ever possibly come across, and by the time he even looked to wonder why she was so quiet, Hermione had been asleep against him for quite some time. Blaise quieted and stilled, looking down at her, and carefully waved his wand to slip both of their shoes off. He helped slip her underneath the covers, throwing caution to the wind and getting in bed next to her, where she quickly curled back up against him and nuzzled against his chest. He gave a quiet laugh, kissing the top of her head, and whispered in the darkness to her. "Buonanotte mio sole."
The morning found Blaise and Hermione tangled together, waking up slowly and stretching languidly, and Hermione neither blinked nor blushed and simply curled up against him for warmth when he stole most of the duvet again. He wrapped it around both of them, sleepiness overtaking any attempts at awkward conversation, and buried his face against her neck and hummed in content. Hermione shifted, gently unpinning a wrist from under her hip, and pressed her face against his collarbone before sighing herself.
"You sure you want to go back to work?" he grumbled sleepily, capturing her small frame and tugging her tightly to him, fitting together perfectly.
"I'm beginning to rethink it," she answered back softly, but he could hear the grin in her voice and smiled back to her. They dozed lightly together, never once trying to make things awkward, and instead listened to the other's breathing and the soft pulse of a heartbeat.
Breakfast was more of a brunch, as everyone had decided to take a late start to the day, and everyone idly chatted about things that didn't really matter. Blaise considered convincing Hermione to go back up to bed and just spending the day that way, when Simone spoke up with a sparkle in her eyes.
"Hermione, why don't I introduce you to one of my friends? They own a boutique and have some excellent wedding dresses."
"Oh," Hermione flushed, knowing she was going to have to say no, and fidgeted with the ring again. "I'm afraid I'd have to decline, Mrs. Zabini, as most of my friends are still unaware about my engagement and its circumstances, and I'd love to have them involved."
"Well there's no harm in merely looking, or having a few ideas drawn up," she insisted.
"Well, if there's no harm, I can go," Blaise brightened, and Simone scowled at her son as he grinned at her. She was going to throw every dress imaginable at the girl until she fell in love with one, then pay for it and just explain it to her friends later. Even though they were Pureblood, Simone was well versed in all wedding customs and never wanted to flub up something that would spell disaster for a marriage, no matter how short lived they were supposed to be.
So Lia was left with Evangeline and Damiana, and Blaise kept his hand in Hermione's as they walked through the tiny streets of Venice before they came to the shop. Simone's friend was Loraine, who gushed over Hermione, took her measurements, and then shuffled her into a dressing stall.
"Miss Loraine, I'm not looking to buy anything today," Hermione insisted as the woman tossed dress after dress over the door to her.
"Of course, dear! But we're trying to see which style looks best on you," she said, although she winked at Simone. "Take your time, and if you need any help zipping up, just shout!" She hurried over to where Blaise and Simone sat, positioned behind a pedestal with mirrors looking back at them on the other side, and crouched beside her friend. "She's just gorgeous, Simone, you're very lucky for her as a daughter-in-law. Mine are all cranky cows." She grinned at Blaise, who chuckled because he knew her sons and their wives, and pinched his cheek, "You are lucky for very much the same reason. Going to have some beautiful children, I tell you!"
"That's going to be a while," he insisted, although he flushed darkly as she scrutinized him.
"Not unless you plan on being celibate, my boy," she scoffed, Simone chuckling at her friend's crudeness. "Oh, don't bother trying to act modest. I saw you looking at her rump."
Blaise, if possible, flushed darker, and thought that he should've just let Hermione be forced into the awkward position of explaining to her friends that she was engaged and had already found a dress without telling them. Then the dressing stall opened, Loraine stood and ushered Hermione onto the pedestal, and positioned the brunette to look at herself and the Zabini's reactions simultaneously.
It was tapered at the waist, long and flowing behind her, and it looked oddly Victorian, but Blaise still gaped and blinked and awed at how beautiful she was. Hermione remained silent, appraising herself and trying to hide the scar on her arm, before Loraine tugged a veil onto her head and put a tiny bouquet into her hands.
"Perfect," Loraine insisted, before amending, "Well, the silhouette is perfect, although I think the corset is a bit much and I do think those wide puffed sleeves are simply dreadful. What do you think, Blaise?"
Put on the spot, Blaise didn't have much time to choose his words or censor his voice of emotion, but he roughly managed, "Beautiful," and made Hermione turn a deep, dark red.
This went on for around an hour, trying on different styles of dress that Blaise couldn't tell much difference from, but each one looking more beautiful than the last on her, or maybe that was just her, maybe that was just what she did to those dresses. Loraine insisted that she come back with her friends to see what she'd drawn for her, and the three departed, finding that it was about midday and heading back into the house to change and relax back at the beach.
"It's getting all very real," Hermione murmured, biting her lip as Blaise eyed with white bikini.
"It is," he agreed softly, quietly, trying to give her as much space as possible and not touch her hand in anyway, no matter how badly he wanted to.
She, instead, leaned against him and sagged with a sigh, her gaze at the ocean before she settled her head in his lap and looked up at him. "We'll be okay, won't we?"
And Blaise, with a very near naked woman in his lap, was more entranced by her face and how amazing she was, twisted his fingers through her hair and rubbed at a spot under her ear, quietly murmured with as much sincerity as possible, "I know we will."
I don't really feel the need to explain what it was that Blaise said, as it's partly pretty common knowledge and partly pretty evident if you've ever even glanced at a Latin-based language. Also, google translate exists.
Evangeline is gay, and if I made Damiana seem too cold by the "grandchildren" comment, I'll explain it further on. Possibly after they get married, actually. That seems better placed than just a random, passing comment to explain in the next few chapters.
As said previously, I'm feeling very sick and very exhausted, so please excuse me.
I would love it if you would review!