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Time's Up	By : Gotbooks00 Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Hermione/Blaise Views: 23286 -:- Recommendations : 4 -:- Currently Reading : 6
Disclaimer: I own many things, but not any recognizable characters, things, or places in the Harry Potter series. Somehow, I doubt that JKR would agree to joint custody…shame, that. Also, no profit is being made from the writing or posti

Chapter List
- 1-Time's Up
- 2-TWO
- 3-THREE
- 4-FOUR
- 5-FIVE
- 6-SIX
- 7-SEVEN
- 8-EIGHT
- 9-NINE
- 10-TEN
- 11-ELEVEN
- 12-TWELVE
- 13-THIRTEEN
- 14-FOURTEEN
- 15-FIFTEEN
- 16-SIXTEEN
- 17-SEVENTEEN
- 18-EIGHTEEN
- 19-NINETEEN
- 20-TWENTY
- 21-TWENTY ONE
- 22-TWENTY TWO
- 23-TWENTY THREE
- 24-TWENTY FOUR
- 25-TWENTY FIVE
- 14
- 15
- 16
Time’s Up, by Gotbooks93

Summary: After successfully hiding the existence of her son for eight years, Hermione is out of luck and out of time. When the father of her child discovers her secret, their quiet worlds are changed forever. Will things become better, or worse? Join Hermione and Xander as they find out.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Although it was only five hours after she had laid down to sleep, Hermione woke feeling fully refreshed. Lying in Blaise’s bed, she attempted to stretch the sleep from her muscles, only to be hindered by her bed mate. Blaise’s body spooned her from the back, his arm roped around her waist, and a leg was thrown over both of hers. His face was buried in her hair, and she could hear his quiet snores in her ear. At some point during the night, they had completely disregarded the sheets and blankets, which were wadded up at the foot of the bed.

Hermione began to slowly wiggle out from his grip, only to be re- captured. Blaise’s arm shot out and gripped her waist, tugging her back against his body. She had been in this position before, she recalled fondly. On the seldom occasions when they had wound up in the same sleeping quarters in Hogwarts, Hermione had become well- versed in Blaise’s nighttime antics. He tended to smother her a little in his sleep, and often laughed out, loudly, during his slumber. Hermione had teased him mercilessly when they were younger, halfway sure they were signs of a serial killer.

As he pulled her back against him, Hermione stiffened up a little. There, newly pressed against her bum, was the morning manifestation of Blaise’s desire. For a moment, she considered giving him a ‘special’ wake- up. It could potentially end in great fun for both of them, and was sure to put him in a good mood for the rest of the day. Considering their agenda for the day, it might come in handy. Was sleep a better alternative than sex? This question was clearly answered, however, when Blaise gave a deep, contented snore into her ear. ‘Best let him sleep, then.’ She thought, taking the snore as a sign.

Ten minutes later, Hermione had extracted herself from Blaise’s limbs, and dressed in muggle work- out clothes, her hair up in a ponytail. She had a goal in mind. After drawing the curtains across the seven o’clock sun, she slipped out of the room, closing the door softly behind her. In the hallway, Hermione thought she could hear Rosa puttering around downstairs, the quiet clang of pans giving her away.

Walking down the hall, Hermione opened the door to Xander’s room. As usual, her son was sprawled out across his bed, with Selena wrapped around his calf. As usual, Hermione wasn’t entirely sure if the serpent was asleep or not.

Creeping carefully around the snake- wrapped limb, Hermione sat down on the edge of the bed, smoothing Xander’s hair out of his face. After a few grumbled complaints and pleas, she managed to get him out of bed and into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt.

She ended up carrying her half- asleep son down the stairs, past a curious Rosa and the beginnings of breakfast. As they entered the brightening sunshine outside, Xander came into full consciousness.

Lifting his head from her shoulder, he squinted at her. “Mother, it’s early. What are we doing?”

“I think a morning by the water would be a good place and time to start your meditation exercises.” Hermione said as she sat him down in the sand.

After arranging themselves, Hermione and Xander sat cross-legged, facing each other. Selena, who had come along for the ride, slowly slithered up his body.

“How do we start?” whispered Xander, the quiet background automatically making him lower his voice. He closed his eyes and placed a hand on each knee.

‘He looks like a little, curly- haired, Italian Buddha.’ Thought Hermione, amused. She then began talking them both through the appropriate breathing exercises, drawing on knowledge she had read and what Seth had told her.

After a few minutes of breathing, listening to the water lap the shore, and ‘quiet thoughts’ Hermione cracked open one eye. Xander’s shoulders had drooped a little, and his thin chest rose and fell with his measured breaths. As usual, Selena was loosely wound around his neck, her body swaying in time with Xander’s breathing.

She closed her eyes again, and let herself fall back into that peaceful, mindless cycle of breaths. As she breathed, Hermione could have sworn she felt serene waves of magic brush against her crossed legs. But whenever she tried to focus on the feeling, it slipped away. She decided to count the sensation as a sign of success, and reminded herself to owl Seth with the news.

When the sunlight had turned her eyelids a brilliant red, Hermione opened her eyes again. Xander’s still swayed slightly, although Selena had abandoned her post at his neck for the hot sand.

“Xander?” she asked, keeping her voice near a whisper. It could barely be heard over the sound of the ocean, but his eyes drifted open lazily.

“Hmm?” He asked, his swaying slowly coming to a stop as he re- entered full consciousness.

“How do you feel?” Asked Hermione, continuing her gentle tone.

“Nice.” Said Xander with a small smile. Looking around lazily, he noticed Selena on the sand next to him. Gently stroking her scales, Hermione noticed her body start for a second, as if she were caught off guard. She immediately relaxed, however, as Xander continued to run a finger over her scales.

“Darling, how do you know when she’s asleep?” asked Hermione.

“Well, I can usually tell when she did that tense thing, like just now.” He said. “And her tongue doesn’t move around as much when she’s asleep…Speaking of sleep, Mother, where did you sleep last night? I woke up for a few minutes and didn’t see your light on in your room.”

Hermione shifted in place, forming her words carefully. “I was in your father’s room.” She answered.

Xander was quiet for a minute. “Does that mean you’re going to go stay at Father’s house when we go back to England?” he asked.

Hermione immediately sensed the unspoken question that accompanied it. “If I do, you’ll come with us.” She was quick to reassure. “No matter what happens Alexander, you’ll always be my number one person. You know that right?”

Xander looked at her hard. Then, he nodded steadily. “Because Mothers always love their kids, right?”

“Always, darling.” Hermione’s heart ached at the look on her child’s face. She was relieved when he turned back to Selena, apparently reassured.

“Father says we’re all going to be a family.” Xander continued. “A proper family.”

Hermione paused a little at his emphasis on ‘proper’ “Well, I mean, we won’t be quite like other families,. You’ll still live with me most of the time, and your father will live at his house.” Hermione said carefully, “But we’re still a family.”

“No, Mother.” Xander said with emphasis. “Father said we would be a regular old family now, like my friends have.”

Hermione attempted to squash the uneasiness bubbling in her gut. “What do you think he meant by ‘proper’, my love?”

Xander’s hand stopped stroking Selena’s scales for a moment before resuming. “I don’t know, I suppose.” He said, although she got the feeling he was keeping something back.

Hermione wanted to continue to talk about it, but stopped herself. If she kept asking Xander about what Blaise had said, he would be fully aware that something else was going on. Better to just ask Blaise.

“I’m hungry.” Xander announced, gathering Selena along one arm. “I’m going to go get breakfast from Rosa.” With that, he scuttled off toward the house, leaving Hermione on the beach.

Still, she wondered. ‘What did he mean by a proper family?’

~(o)~

For the hundredth time, Hermione smoothed the back of Xander’s hair, trying to press down a particularly stubborn cow lick. In front of them was a huge villa, with a large, bronze ‘Z’ on the front of the house. As the imposing iron- wrought gates swung open to admit them, Hermione got an unobstructed view of the house. Done in classic Venetian architecture, the tall pillars and bright paint of the house decorated all three floors. A large fountain was situated in the middle of the drive, showing two little fucci angles spouting water from pursed lips. When Xander noticed the angel’s absolute nudity, Xander looked rather disturbed and hurried ahead a little.

Somewhere close by, she could hear joyful screams of children, possibly from the back of the house. Gorgeous flowers lined the walkway, the product of either loving devotion or well- paid maintenance workers.

As they mounted the stairs leading to the door, it swung open, revealing a house elf in a dark green and gold toga.

“Saluti, maestro Biagio giovani. Il mio padrone è stata attesa per voi. Inserisci la maggior parte del nobel casa di Zabini.” The elf squeaked out, and Hermione fought a giggle. The smooth sound of Italian sounded strange when spoken by the creature. [Greetings, young Master Blaise. My master has been expecting you. Please enter the most noble house of Zabini.]

The elf stepped out of the doorway, gesturing for them to enter. After doing so, he shut the door. “Si prega di prendere posto. Il mio padrone sarà con voi in un momento.” The elf suggested, waving them into a stylish sitting room. [Please take a seat. My master will be with you in a moment.]

They settled onto several pieces of delicate- looking furniture. “What are we waiting for?” Hermione questioned.

Blaise ran a hand over his face exasperatedly. “I was hoping he wouldn’t do this, but I should have known better. My mother’s uncle, my great- uncle Berlios, is head of the Zabini family. So I’ll have to formally present you to him. Shouldn’t take more than a moment.”

Hermione couldn’t help the pricks of nervousness that raced along her skin, thinking of the surely trying day ahead.

“Where is everyone else?” asked Xander.

“Around the back of the house, I expect, by the pool. We’ll join them after we finish with my great uncle.” Blaise replied, making sure to keep his voice neutral. “Now, before I forget, let me cast the translation charms.”

Blaise took out his wand, running through the appropriate motions- a double circle counter- clockwise, then three flicks in quick succession. “It isn’t the same as being bi- lingual, of course.” He explained. “It should wear off in a couple of hours, and you may hear a slight delay between the Italian words and their English counterparts. But it will do for now.”

Pointing his wand at Hermione’s ear, he cast the spell. “Audi verba vera” he murmured. A moment later, he cast the same spell on Xander, and not a moment too soon. The small house elf re- entered the room.

“My master will see you now.” He squeaked. Hermione was caught off- guard by the faint Italian echo, but quickly adjusted. Standing, she followed the elf down a series of turns, eventually ending up on the second floor of the house.

The hallway was lined with frames. Most of the frames were portraits of long- dead Zabini ancestors, who sneered and gossiped with each other as the party passed. Other frames were paintings of various landscapes or still arts, all done in exquisite detail.

At the end of the hall was a set of huge double- doors, made of polished cherry wood. The doors were carved expertly, depicting a garden scene. Platinum handles the side of Hermione’s arm were attached.

As she, Blaise, and Xander came within a few feet of the doors, they swung open noiselessly. Inside was a study, with bookcase- lined walls, huge windows, and several comfortable- looking armchairs. In the center of the room was an enormous desk, loaded down with organized stacks of parchment, paperweights, and a rather flamboyant peacock feather. But it was not the desk that had Hermione’s attention- it was the man behind it.

As Hermione looked at the man behind the desk, she couldn’t help but think of the muggle film “The Godfather”. He was a large man, at least double her weight, and tall- although he remained seated as they entered. He had black hair, streaked with grey, and the color of his eyes were the signature Zabini gold. He wore an impeccable three- piece suit despite the warm weather outside.

However, it was neither the hair, nor the suit that made Hermione think of the “The Godfather” film. It was the undeniable aura of power and control that he exuded. Wordlessly, the man gestured at the armchair and chaise lounge in front of his desk. Hermione smoothed her hand over Xander’s head in reassurance as she guided him to the chair on the left. She took the one on the right, and Blaise took the middle seat.

“Hermione, Alexander, this is my great Uncle Berlios,” Began Blaise, his voice precise, controlled. “Uncle, I’d like to present to you my son, Alexander, and his mother, Hermione.”

Hermione watched as the man wordlessly studied Xander, who was doing his best to keep calm. The man took in Xander’s curly hear, pale skin, and gold eyes. Obviously satisfied with the boy’s undeniable Zabini traits, he smiled. The gesture softened his whole demeanor, and Xander relaxed a little.

“Hello, Alexander. How are you liking Italy?” The man’s voice was rough, but easy, and demanded an answer.

“I like it,” said Xander, somewhat shyly. “It’s much warmer than England. The food here is really good.”

This caused Uncle Berlios to erupt in laughter, praising his great nephew. “Blaise, your boy is smart enough to know what he likes, huh?”

Still chuckling, he turned to face Hermione, his face slowly setting into a more serious countenance. Hermione kept her expression neutral, and met his eyes steadily, determined not to be intimidated.

“Hermione Granger.” Berlios said slowly, drawing out her name. “I finally get to meet the woman who my niece Elena has been talking so much about.”

Hermione knew she should be smiling easily, saying ‘Good things, I hope!’ but something about the man’s manner stopped her. “I would hope they were positive remarks,” she began, “but somehow I doubt that.”

A slow, steady smile slid across the Italian’s face. “If you ask me, my dear, it’s about time someone put her in her place.” He said seriously, “I mean no disrespect, Blaise, but your mother can be quite a…challenge.”

Blaise nodded wearily, as if to say ‘Don’t I know it.’

Berlios chucked before turning back to Hermione. “Well, maybe you’ll keep us all on our toes, my dear.”

Hermione met his eyes squarely, seeing the warning there: ‘I will tolerate you,’ the look said, ‘but don’t mess with my family.’

Hermione bowed her head a little, agreeing with a look. Perhaps today wouldn’t be so bad, after all.

Chapter Fifteen Author’s Note:

Hey guys,

Well, here’s part one of the Zabini Family Reunion. A little less dramatic than I originally planned, but I seriously could not get this chapter the way I wanted it. As a result, it’s shorter than usual. Next chapter will be their last in Italy, and hopefully quite a bit longer. Also, any opinions on the language translation style are appreciated.

Next update will be on Dec 26 (aka Boxing Day, for some of you),

Godnat, verden,

Gotbooks93
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