McKinnon

| CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT |

"How many people has your mum married?!"

Sarai asked in shock as Blaise, Astoria and her sat at Rosa Lee's Tea Shop. Her jaw nearly hit the floor once Blaise informed the two of his mother's wedding coming up. Blaise tilted his head back to think for a second.

"This would be the fifth wedding."

Sarai's eyes widened as she set her tea cup down. She had heard tales of Mrs. Zabini being infamous for her relationships but she hadn't realized just how many the woman had gone through.

"I heard she's doing a masquerade theme this year," Astoria said in an airy voice. "Is that true, Blaise?"

Blaise pinched the bridge of his nose. "Unfortunately," He said with a heavy sigh. "And you're sure you won't be able to make it?"

Astoria shook her head empathetically. "No, Mum's been wanting to visit the states for years now. She's finally convinced Papa to take all of us." The brunette girl scrunched up her nose as the sunlight hit her electric eyes. "She'd skin me alive before letting me leave the trip early."

Blaise threw his face in his hands, "Theo's off visiting his grandparents in Australia." He groaned, "That's it. Push me off a cliff McLupin."

Sarai bit down her tongue to cover her laughter as she looked at Astoria. "I'd love to, but I doubt my Dad would enjoy seeing me shipped off to Azkaban."

Blaise lifted his head up, "How is living with the ex-convict anyways?"

It was Sarai's turn to groan, "He's a bloody morning person."

Astoria let out a light giggle as she covered her mouth, "I take it you're not?" She asked kindly.

Sarai shook her head, "No, but any sane person living with him would understand!" She ranted, "He's up at the arse crack of dawn every morning, whistling about. He's a bloody loon."

Blaise sniggered his tea cup, "Could you blame him though? Honestly, if I was freed from Azkaban I'd be living my best life as well. Enjoying every second of my life as a free man."

Sarai gave him a look, "Oh that's not even the worst of it!" She said carrying out the theatrics. "The other morning he turned my hair bright red and gold!"

Sarai looked over to see both Astoria and Blaise holding in their laughter. She rolled her eyes "Go on then, have at it."

Astoria burst into giggles before shooting her an apologetic look. Blaise on the other hand, laughed unapologetically.

"Bet it really brings out your eyes huh?"

"Nip it, Zebra."

"Zebra?" Astoria said puzzled.

"It's the new nickname she came up for me at the platform." Blaise explained.

"Yeah after you ripped my jersey in half!" Sarai reminded him.

Astoria raised an eyebrow as she looked back and forth between the two. The two seemed friendlier terms, but never missed a chance to snap back at each other. It was like they had turned it into a game. Totally out of the loop as to what transpired that day of the platform, she shrugged it off.

"Oh!" Sarai said suddenly, turning to Astoria. "When are you leaving for the states again?"

"The tenth." She answered, "Why?"

Sarai shook her head as her shoulders slumped down in disappointment, "Never mind then."

Astoria and Blaise looked at her expectantly. "Well, McLupin? Why do you ask?"