The Marriage Decree

Chapter 64: Will We Now?

Since living within the United Kingdom from the age of six, Blaise has become accustomed to eating lunch at midday instead of two or three o'clock like he would when living with his grandparents in Italy. However, Minister Emilio Constantini had insisted on carrying on their morning meeting with Minister Shacklebolt until half past one, leaving Blaise famished since he had skipped breakfast.

Blaise is now stood in the foyer of the Ministry of Magic, waiting with nine Heads of the Italian Ministry for Minister Emilio to return from the bathroom with his two bodyguards. What he had discovered through eavesdropping on the small group's conversation, is that they all, including the Minister himself, spoke particularly good English and so he wasn't entirely sure why Minister Shacklebolt hired him in the first place.

"Signor Zabini," (Mister Zabini.) The Head of the Italian Department of International Magical Cooperation, Liliana Romano calls his attention.

"Sí, Liliana." (Yes, Liliana.) He flashes her a playful smile.

"Sembra che ci sia una donna che cerca di attirare la Sua attenzione." (There seems to be a woman trying to gain your attention.) Liliana nods over in the general direction of the lifts. Blaise glance over his shoulder. "La bella donna in abito corto nero." (The pretty woman in the short black dress.) She leans over his shoulder to point at a crowd of people walking towards them. "Ora sta salutando con la mano e correndo verso di Lei. Guarda." (She is waving and running towards you now. Look.)

"Oh! Pansy." He mutters confused as to her sudden appearance.

"Checca?" (Pansy; Queer) Liliana questions amusingly.

"No, viola del pensiero. Pansy, lei é mia amica." (No, pansy. Pansy, she's my friend.) Blaise corrects as he waves back at Pansy. "Inoltre, Liliana, non usi il termine 'checca'. Lo trovo irrispettoso e molto ofensivo. Per favore mi scusi." (Also, Liliana, do not use the word 'checca'. I find it disrespectful and very offensive. Please excuse me.) He turns on his heel away from her and walks over to meet Pansy.

She grabs hold of his hand, pulling him into a hug, shocking him still in the process.

"Cosa fai- What are you doing?" He questions her, returning the hug tentatively.

"Reporters. Everywhere." She states as an explanation, leaning away from him slightly to see his face. "You won't believe what Hermione did to Draco." She whispers with an excited smirk.

"Draco finally told you?" He asks, with a hopeful smirk.

"No, Hermione came around yours around midday. She told me everything." She chuckles excitedly as she glances around the foyer before leaning back into his ear. "She visited Lucius in Azkaban." She admits, leaning back to see his reaction.

Blaise frowns as he steps away from her again. "Why would she do that?" He states unequivocally. "She knows how Draco feels about his father, how he never wanted to see him again. She wouldn't break his heart like that." He shakes his head, in denial, turning away from her.

"She needed to do it. For Sophie and Hyperion." Pansy calls quietly behind him as she follows him back to the group of Italians, still waiting for Minister Emilio. "She makes a good case for seeing him again as well." She adds, stopping him in his track.

"Okay, Draco would never allow that. Even if he doesn't forgive her and they end up divorcing. He still has feelings for her and he'll never allow her to go anywhere near him again." He mutters so neither the Italians nor any eavesdropping reporters or passers-by can hear them.

"I know that but she's pretty adamant on visiting him again. She thinks she can change him." Pansy rolls her eyes with a smirk.

"Signor Blaise," (Mister Blaise.) Minister Emilio sighs as he rests a hand on his shoulder. "Ci fará aspettare ancora a lungo?" (Are you going to make us wait much longer?) He asks with an indifferent shrug.