As It Was *Complete*

75. A Blaise Dilemma

Draco, true to his word, did help with Christmas dinner. He spent the entire time with Astra in the kitchen, basting the turkey, making stuffing, mashed potatoes, carrots and parsnip, brussels sprouts (which smelt awful to him and he refused to even try), broccoli, yorkshire puddings, gravy, cauliflower cheese, as well as homemade cranberry sauce.

The smell from the kitchen was amazing and every so often someone would venture in to ask if they needed help. But they were a pretty good team. Wands obviously were a huge help. The table was set, the food was piping hot and Astra was feeling pretty smug with herself.

As everyone piled into the dining room and took their seats at the table, she smiled. This was just as she pictured it. No – it was better! Sirius and Severus were pulling a cracker between them, both playfully fighting for the pink paper crown that came with it. Harry and Maddi were posing for a photo together. Remus had Teddy in the high chair as the little boy kept trying to grab the gravy boat in front of him and Remus was fighting to put a bib over his clothes. Esme, Andromeda, and Narcissa were clinking wine glasses together, laughing.

"You ready?" Draco asked with the large Turkey plate in his hands.

"Yip," she smiled as she levitated everything else over and everyone made room at the table.

"This looks incredible Astra," Severus smiled his pink crown on his head.

"Amazing sweetheart! You and Draco can cook for me anytime," Sirius rubbed his hands together with a pink crown on his head and a big, goofy grin. Both men looked silly in pink but it only added to the already wonderful mood in the room.

There wasn't much talk as knives and forks scraped plates besides moaning and groaning everyone savouring the taste. Even Teddy, who was having potatoes and gravy was enjoying himself and he stuck his whole head into his bowl.

Astra who had been feeling rough the last few days, really enjoyed her meal, having not eaten too much at breakfast to prepare. Everything was delicious and the smile could not be wiped off her face. Draco couldn't take his eyes off her. She was glowing. He had wanted this day to be special for her but he had no idea just how much it meant to her that everything worked out. She looked... relaxed and peaceful. She was mesmerising and he fell a bit more in love with her with every smile.

They were both shooed out of the room after dinner so that everyone else could clean up. They took the time to curl up on the same armchair by the fire and simply close their eyes and enjoy the silence as they hugged each other close.

This was the perfect Christmas in Draco's eyes. They didn't even notice when Maddi came into the room, with a vial for Astra and she took a picture of the two of them, looking loved up and lost in their own little world. She left the vial by the chair and backed out of the room, trying not to disturb the moment.

Not that it mattered because at that moment, the fireplace erupted and Blaise jumped into the room, looking like he had been through the mill once or twice. Astra's eyes snapped open as Blaise looked around him, spotting his friends behind him and pulling Astra to her feet, hugging her tightly.

"Blaise...." She asked nervously as he was shaking. "What is going on?"

"I have had the worst Christmas there ever was. That's what!" He snapped, and his eyes softened as they met Astra. "Sorry, Angel. I am not angry at you. I am angry at -"

"BLAISE ZABINI!" Came a shout from the fireplace as a woman stepped out. She was tall with dark sin, but lighter than Blaise's. She had long dark brown hair that seemed to cascade down her back. She wore way too much makeup and a long, black dress robe. She was beautiful if she wasn't pulling a face that told Astra she was mortified to be in such a small home and thought herself superior.