Chapter 8 - Easter Break

Her first letter arrived in the form of a small note, laying by his plate during breakfast. It was nearly a month later and many students, including Blaise was preparing to leave for Easter Break. Seeing that Nott wasn't paying attention to him, Blaise quickly opened the note and read.

Dear Blaise,

Thank you for my stockings!

- L

Inconspicuous indeed. Blaise felt heat rise on his cheeks and was glad for his dark skin that would hide his blush better than most. Really there was nothing wrong with her note. He had spent the past few weeks being as inconspicuous as possible himself to find all of her missing items of clothing. With some well educated guesses and a few threats thrown around here and there, he had managed it and had gotten a friendly looking house elf to bring the collection to her dormitory last night, in time for the holidays. But somehow, his mind had fallen straight down the proverbial gutter, because the image of her, just in stockings, flashed through him.

He snapped the note shut before Nott could make the mistake of glancing his way, and made the mistake himself to look at the Ravenclaw table, his eyes finding her immediately. His throat dried up as she gave a tiny smile, and his brain shut down. With great effort he managed a nod, which he then quickly disguised into taking a sip of coffee as Parkinson sat down beside him.

"Alright Zabini?"

"Yeah, brilliant. Off for Easter too?"

"Yes, my parents insisted."

"I thought Malfoy was staying here?" Parkinson gave an exasperated sigh.

"He is, even Crabbe and Goyle are too." She said gloomily.

"At least you won't have to be bored." Blaise told her which earned him a glare.

"Don't remind me of all the homework we have. We might as well not have a holiday with every teacher wants essays the same of a book." Parkinson groaned and Blaise patted her shoulder affectionately.

"Life is so unfair…" he told her mockingly and she gave him a glare.

They decided to share a compartment with Nott on the train. There were a lot less students leaving this time. Most remaining at Hogwarts, including Malfoy and Potter and his friends. But Blaise did catch a glimpse of Luna, settling into a compartment with some other Ravenclaws. He had to fight scowling in public when he spotted Scamander among them. He hadn't quite come to terms or decided what he thought of the boy. What did the 7th year want from a 5th year student?

With a mental slap, he brought his emotions back under control as well as his expression and put on his best bored and nonchalant demeanour that seemed to pass both Nott's and Parkinson's inspection.

As Blaise had promised himself weeks earlier, the second him got home and greeted his family, he went off to the stables where the Zabini Estate through bred horses were kept in the best luxury a horse could want. He saddled his stead 'Merlin' and went off on a refreshing ride. The Earth had started to warm up, spring flowers carpeting the ground. Blossom trees sprayed the air with petals and perfume. He loved spring. The air always felt electric. He enjoyed the rushing of the wind in his ears, clearing his mind. He savoured the moment of peace. Merlin only seemed too happy to gallop across the Estate. There were simply too many horses stabled for his uncle, cousin and mother to ride them all enough. The idea of helping them down the line definitely started to feel appealing. Perhaps he could even expand into magical horses? Abraxan had always interested him. His family had well established connections within Europe, including Madame Maxime. Perhaps he could buy a pair of her. But then he would need more knowledge in magical creatures. The possibility that he had too easily dismissed the class at Hogwarts now started to gnaw at him.

He wasn't sure how long he was out for but once both he and Merlin left sated, did he return to the stables. There his uncle, Vincenzo Zabini stood waiting for him. He had a similar strong stature as him, the one he had inherited from his father. It had been a comfort to him that his father's family had remained close even after his father's passing and his mother's multiple marriages. Adaline had always been close to the Zabini family, even before her marriage. She even kept the family name, even after marrying to other men. Her closeness to the family and that of her children, meant that even Magdalena had been given the family name too. It raised eyebrows often. But the Zabini's were known for their stoicism.

His uncle now helped run the Estate, until at least Blaise would be able to do it himself. His own son, Kamil, helped him too. Both also supported the Ministry, particularly with cases surrounding the protection of wizarding land. The fear of exposure to the Muggle world, was always present. Especially around country estates, where Muggles sometimes treaded wizarding land after getting lost during walks. To protect themselves, wizarding families tended to group together, living in relative close proximity to each other to ensure their protection of necessary. His uncle and Kamil helped when things got a bit out of hand. But now, the older men, the image of his late elder brother, stood grinning at him.

"Welcome back. Merlin has been needing a ride. You trained him well." Blaise grinned at the praise.

"He listened very well. We both needed some exercise."

"You are a natural with them, just like your father."

"I know. I am thinking about it uncle." He didn't need to say more. His uncle understood and nodded.

"I am glad to hear it. Come on, dry him and join us for dinner."

Dinner, as always, was a pleasant affair. His mother was delighted to have him home again, even for a short while. Blaise did note that she looked rather tired and had an anxious energy about her. Magdalena in contrast was alight with happy energy. He had laughed when he saw the Spectrespecs still firmly on her head. He longed to tell her about the girl who had given them. How weird she dressed with her radish earrings and butterbeer cork necklace. All things that he now understood Magdalena would find fascinating. But he knew that would land him into a dangerous rabbit hole and his mother had been the only person, perhaps now joined with Luna, that could look straight through him. And his feelings towards the girl was not something he wanted to discuss with his mother.

And so he entertained his sister, listening patiently to her birthday plans in May. Her 11th birthday was going to be magnificent, she told him. The greatest gift, would of course be her Hogwarts letter. And there was no doubt it would arrive. Magdalena had shown her magical abilities early in life. As a toddler she had summoned more toys into her crib than had been physically possible. Blaise also remembered a time when he had gone outside to the horses and she had wanted to come along. When he had emphatically told her no, he later found her perched on top of the stable roof. Had she not been extremely frightened about being up so high, he would have scolded her. Instead his irritation had turned to amusement as she shrieked while he helped her down.

After dinner, his mother had asked him to stay behind in the dining room along with his uncle. His cousin Kamil, meanwhile distracted Magdalena out of the room , in search for extra pudding. He felt the tension in the room shift. His mother's tired face turned grave. Panic instantly settled into his stomach.

"What's wrong mother? Are you ill?" She gave him a small smile and gestured him to sit beside her.

"No my dear, but I have been worried. Since Christmas the situation within the Ministry and… in the society has grown worse. There have been more attacks, more deaths. They are gaining power. It's becoming difficult to keep our distance." She gave a glance at Vincenzo, whose expression had now also turned sombre.

"Have they started to trouble you?" Blaise asked him fiercely, the dread in his stomach now bubbling into anger.

"Not yet, but it's clear they are keeping an eye out. Kamil has received some questions from Dolohov about our loyalties. Meanwhile, the Minister is trying desperately to keep control. The need to pledge your allegiance to him is almost just as strong as that of You-Know-Who."

He sighed, running a hand through his dark locks. His amber eyes fixed on Blaise.

"I know you are being careful, and I am proud of you. But I am not sure if it's going to be enough. Your mother and I…" He gave Adaline a brief look in affirmation. She nodded and Blaise noted how her skin had grown ashen. "We believe we have to consider going to Italy. At least for a short while, just to be safe."

"What? You can't do that. I can't just leave Hogwarts. And Magdalena is starting her first year. You can't take that away from her."

"If it means you'll be safe, I'd do anything." His mother said sharply, her dark eyes blazing.

"Won't it be more suspicious if we just leave? They all know where in Italy we would be." He countered and saw he had made an impact. "Is there something you're not telling me? I do follow the news. You know who I share the dorms with… But if we are not targets.."

"We might become..." His mother then said and dropped her head in her hands and to his absolute horror, she started to weep.

He had never, ever seen his mother cry. Perhaps emotional once or twice, but never crying. She laid the same expectations on the show of emotions on herself as she did her son. Now suddenly she was distraught and Blaise stood frozen in place. His mind trying to catch up with the scene in front of him and as his heart wrenched, he desperately tried to think of what he could do. Nothing came up. And so he watched. His uncle moved an arm around her shaking frame and murmured softly. His own stupid brain hadn't even been able to think of that. He felt useless. He waited.

When it appeared his mother had regained some control of herself, his uncle leaned back, conjuring a handkerchief, which she took gratefully, dabbing her eyes.

"S… sorry…" she managed to stutter in between unsteady breathes. "I… I tried… but… oh darling…" She finally looked back at Blaise, fear etched on her face. His stomach dropped into his shoes.

"What happened?" He asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"It's… all… all… my fault." He was finally able to moved and crouch before her, taking her icy hands into her own. Her lip trembled as she swallowed heavily. "Do you remember the Greengrass New Years gathering?" Blaise nodded. "We left early because of a guest… I couldn't believe it when I saw him..."

More dread now filled him. He squeezed her hand to continue.

"Rabastan Lestrange…" she said and the hairs on his neck rose.

"What the hell was he doing there? Did the Greengrasses invite him?" His mother shrugged her shoulders.

"I don't know, I never asked." She paused again and he saw emotions flick over her face.

Before the First Wizarding War, Rabastan had pursued his mother. He was furious when she choose Dante Zabini instead. Of course he wasn't able to bother her when he had been thrown into Azkaban. But after his escape last year, he had started to pop up everywhere she went. Even in circles that avoided known Death Eaters. Blaise felt guilt fill him. His mother had been uncharacteristically open about Rabastan. She usually never spoke about her lovers or men that pursued her. And Rabastan, she made clear, belonged solely to the latter category. She, like him, had high standards. Knowing that the line within the Pureblood Society that protected them from You-Know-Who and his followers was growing thin, he should have protected his mother better. He was head of the family after all, even with his uncle's support.

"Did he say anything to you?" She shook her head.

"Not that evening. I didn't give him the chance… but a few weeks ago he was suddenly there in Diagon Alley. How he managed without being detected I'll never know. But he made… well his case. I rejected him. And then two weeks ago he appeared in the village…"

Now Blaise's blood ran cold. The village was a mere miles away. Far, far too close to their home. He glanced at his uncle, who immediately caught his meaning.

"We've had protection around the Estate for decades but added some more after…"

"After…?"

"He threatened me." His mother said, now anger started to seep in her voice. "He was so arrogant. Acting if nothing could touch him. If we hadn't been in the village, I would have severed his tongue. Regardless, he knows our position. And while his threats were solely against me, I can't risk it Blaise…"

He stood and started pacing the room. This was bad. One wrong move and they were done for.

"What do you like is best?" He asked his uncle and thoughts swirled through him. His uncle looked unsure.

"I understand why your mothers wants to leave with you bambino."

"I am not a child anymore." Blaise bit back angrily. "If we leave now, Lestrange will find out in seconds. If I don't show up in Hogwarts, you can bet every Death Eater will hear about it and think we've chosen a side."

"Why would it mean that? I just can't have that creep near me or my children." He mother countered.

"Several students have been dropping out of school due to attacks on their families. None of which are Purebloods." Blaise said bitterly and his mother paled. He paced the room several more times. "We can't have Lestrange close to you. I can't protect you if you're here." That earned him a watery smile.

"My love, I am not asking you to protect me. That is my job…"

"He has only threatened you?"

"So far, yes… but…"

"Then you should go. Not immediately. Make up some story when you're with Greengrass or something."

His mother stared at him aghast. His uncle looked thoughtful. A plan now started to become clear in his mind. He knew she wouldn't like this. But it would keep up the pretence for as long as possible. Neutrality. That was important. As much as he now wished to kill the slimy greaseball for even thinking of his mother, Lestrange's position within the Death Eater hierarchy meant they would become targets, just as his mother had said.

"Uncle, would you be able to look after Magdalena? If she stays here too, they won't suspect mother has fled."

"What? I am not fleeing and I am not leaving Magdalena! Are you mad?" His mother cried but his uncle interjected.

"I think Blaise might be right Adaline. Of course I'll take care of Magdalena. You know Sophia adores her." He said, referring to his wife.

Adaline Zabini looked at both men in horror.

"W.. what…? Are you serious? I can't leave alone, not without my children."

"I understand my dear, but I think it might the safest option for now. And not for long. Only until Blaise finishes his term. Then we will decide whether is fine for you to come back or for us to join you in Italy." His uncle said softly. The fear had left her, instead anger flashed in her eyes. His mother flew up and storm out of the room, leaving curses in her wake.

Blaise and his uncle were silent for a moment as his mother's voice faded away.

"It will be alright…" His uncle began, laying a strong hand on his nephew's shoulder.

"Why didn't you write me about this?" He heard a deep sigh next to him.

"We didn't think that much of it until two weeks ago. But it wasn't something I could put in a letter. You can't be sure post will arrive nowadays."

"If the situation changes, you, Kamil and Magdalena should join mother. I'll be safest at Hogwarts."

"That's assuming your mother will go."

"She will. I know her. She is usually far more cool and collected. He must have really scared her."

"He did. But you're right. Your mother was always the wise one. Did you know she was a hat stall?" Blaise shook his head.

"Between which houses?"

"Slytherin and Ravenclaw of course. You got it from her."

"I wasn't a hat stall."

"No, but you got her sense. Bless my brother, but he was out of her league in that sense." Somehow that comment made him smile.

Blaise turned to him.

"Thank you for your support uncle."

"Of course." A simple but honest and true reply but it made him feel a little better.

He found some sanctuary in his bedroom. The curtains were closed and the fireplace provided the only light, but Blaise liked it. Quiet. He needed time to think. He also needed to talk to someone, but knew he couldn't. No one could know of this plan.

As he was above to drop onto his bed, his eye fell on the desk drawer where he had stuffed the Quibbler magazine and the idea sprung into his mind. He turned and strode towards the table. Quickly he assembled parchment and ink. Of course, he couldn't tell her anything. But maybe, somehow she could understand him as she had done over the past months. And maybe tell him something ridiculous, that both soothed him and made him laugh. He dipped his quill and began to write.

Dear Lovegood,

I am glad you got all your belongings. I don't think they will disappear as often anymore.

I hope your arrival back home has gone well.

It has been a whirlwind here. Mother is planning a trip to Italy soon. Some odious relative needs her. It makes Magdalena nervous to stay here with my uncle for the first time. It will be good practice for Hogwarts next year.

Do you have plans to travel this summer?

- B

Perhaps it was a bit pathetic to send an owl as it neared midnight, but he couldn't resist the urge. He would think about it all night and maybe even change his mind if he didn't send it now. The family owl Iris was absolutely not happy with him, and reluctantly flew into the night, after giving him more scratches than usual. But Blaise found he didn't care one hoot.

What did surprise him however, was how fast he fell asleep. One second he had laid down, and after what felt like no more than a minute, he awoke to scratching at the window, sunlight streaming into his room. Unlike during Christmas, he felt no irritation whatsoever. No, he leapt as fast as he could to the window and let a much happier Iris inside. He frowned at the haughty looking owl.

"She spoiled you rotten didn't she?" He asked aloud and Iris gave a satisfied preening noise. He rolled his eyes before carefully unwrapping the parchment from her letter. As he unrolled it to read he saw the paper was decorated along the edges by colourful doodles, which made him smile.

Dear Blaise,

I am very happy to see daddy again. We are very close. I always miss him when I am at Hogwarts. I am sure Magdalena will miss your mother too. It is good to look after your relatives. I hope they are okay. Will you visit in the summer with Magdalena?

Daddy has been to Italy before for research for the Quibbler. We might travel this summer if necessary. Last year we went to Sweden. It's very beautiful there too.

I've been studying for my Potions OWL and assignments. I am afraid it's going to take up all of my holiday. Did the professors give you assignments too?

- L

Blaise smiled that she had understood his underlying messages. His mother had to leave. He was worried about her and for his sister. And he had even dared to ask her whether she would leave the country too. And she understood his fear and the general danger and had answered flawlessly. A true Ravenclaw indeed. He couldn't help but feel proud. And now he couldn't wait to see her again, and help her with Potions…