BRANDED |BLAISE ZABINI

10| Home Bound

Hogwarts would always be home. But home would always be the place she had grown p in. The house that lay not far from Malfoy Manor but yet was so different. While the Malfoy's elaborate mansion was secluded from the muggle village that lay not far away, the Arabelle household stood quite in the center of it.

Stormy had quite a number of friends from the small town, all who knew nothing about the wizarding world and Stormy was careful not to reveal anything, but she told them stories about her, Fred, George and Lee modifying them so as to not give away anything.

But regardless, she had so much fun with them, roaming around the little town, having snowball fights, leaving her with damp hair and rosy cheeks. As she trudged back home, the sweat turning cold against her skin as the snow started to fall. She stopped, catching flakes of the snow in her hands, before continuing walking.

She took the long cut home, through the road that led past Malfoy Manor and to her house. As she approached the white house she saw Narcissa Malfoy talking to a woman who looked a lot younger than her. She could see the woman clearly and was taken aback by how beautiful she looked. Her skin seemed to be the color of milk chocolate while her eyes outmatched Stormy's blue ones. She tall and lean and her clothing seemed to made just for her.

But something about her seemed familiar and yet she knew she hadn't seen this woman before. But as soon as stepped out of the forest it became clear why she looked s familiar. Hidden by the bushes were Draco and Blaise, both talking as they kicked rocks.

Nobody noticed her as she stepped out except the woman whose eyes shot up and met hers. She held her gaze and stood still like a deer caught in headlights until a smile started to form on the woman's face causing Narcissa to turn towards her.

"If it isn't Stormy Arabelle," the woman said. Her voice was clear and silky and Stormy was convinced that she was part Veel. This caused both the boy's heads to snap up and meet her eyes. Blaise's gaze didn't leave her.

"Do I know you?"Stormy replied, willing herself to say something. She stepped forward and met her eyes with the woman. The woman stepped past Narcissa and walked toward her, her hand stretching out, "Ava Zabini. Your mother and I are great friends. But I'm afraid I haven't kept in touch over the last year or two. I've been traveling."

She shook Ava's hand. "she's never mentioned you."

Which wasn't true, for she had heard her mother mention the name of Ava quite a few times.

"I'm sure she has, I don't think you remember."

"Maybe."

"You go to Hogwarts?"

"I really have got to go-"

"She's in Slytherin, with us, "Blaise's voice cut through her hurried excuse to get away from them.

She averted her eyes towards Blaise and glared at him. "How lovely! I bet you'll are just as close as can be."

"Actually, I don't associate with power-hungry-"

"We are, mother."

"No, we -"

"In fact, we're going to go for a walk."He caught her wrist and pulled her away, back into the woods, with Draco following her behind. As soon as they were out of earshot and sight she pulled her hand away from him and glared at him.

"What the bloody hell?"

"If my mother finds out hat we haven't best mates she'll have a fit," Blaise said.

"I don't give a shit, Zabini. I don't owe you anything."

She walked away bu Blaise caught her hand again pulling her back."Do not touch me," she growled.

He let go, "Listen to me."

"No."

"Merlin, you're difficult!"

She turned to face Draco, "Just listen to him, will you?"

"What?"

"My mother just needs to believe we're friends alright. She wants us and if we aren't she isn't going to be like it. I just- I just need to you, to do this"

"Nothing ever comes free."

"We'll get the Slytherin's to treat you better,"Draco said, promptly.

Stormy laughed, "do you honestly think I want those stuck up arseholes talking to me?"

"Then what do want?"

"Nothing, right now, but you'll owe me, "Stormy said, winking, "now let's get out of here, it's getting dark."

Scared of the dark, Arabelle?

"No, but I know you are."

"When they stepped out, Narcissa and Ava were still outside and smiled upon seeing them.

"I wanted to drop in and see your mum but this will have to do," she handed her two envelopes, one that looked like an invitation, "I hope to see you there."

Her parents were sitting at the table when she done with her shower. "Had a good day?" her mother asked, looking up as she sat down.

"It was great."

She searched through her bag, pulling out the two envelopes and handed them to her mother.

"What is this?"

"I ran into Ava Zabini, the Ava you always talk about."

"Excuse me?"

"You're excused?"

"Stormy, where did you get this?"

"I told you, Ava Zabini, she was at the Malfoy Manor or rather outside and well she recognized me and gave me those."

"Ellie, you alright?" Alfred Arabelle asked. His wife had ripped the first envelope and was reading it fast. Her hard, scared expression soon softened and Alfred exchanged looks with Stormy.

"What's it say, mum?"

"None that you should care about," she replied, "but this holds an invite to a ball the Zabini's are hosting and we're going."

"When is it?"

"Christmas."

"But Mum, I'm meeting up with the twins that night."

"Well, you can't now."

"Mum, it's a tradition."

"Stormy, no. I haven't seen her in ages and you always get out of every ball that we're invited to, you can do this for this one," Ellie's voice was sharp, "Go and write a letter to the twins telling them you're not coming."

Sighing and glaring at her mother she made to walk up back to her room when her mother called

"Oh and Storm, love. You've got to dance with Blaise."