Disclaimer: Harry Potter and Co. belong to J. K. Rowling!!!
A/N: Extra snippet on offer for all reviewers!!! Details included below.
Oh my darlings! We are getting so close to the end!!!! I can't wait!!! This has been going on for so long!!!
"You aren't worried?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"This is normal."
"Really? A week's absence is normal?"
Blaise nodded inattentively as he chewed a bite of his lunch. "He's a Malfoy. He's a little prone to brooding. A week is nothing…when we first moved to Italy, he locked himself in his room for a month, doing God only knows what."
Cat shook her head anxiously as she picked at her salad. Something just didn't sit right with her and she had no idea why. Ever since Draco had left that night with the fake Hermione, no one had heard a word from him. His secretary had even contacted Blaise in an attempt to contact Malfoy who had not come to work for several days.
What was even more worrying was that she had no idea who the impostor had been and if the lunatic had somehow harmed Malfoy then…
Ugh. She shook off her pessimistic thoughts with a disgusted sigh and tried her best to enjoy the scenic surrounds of the exclusive restaurant. The modern, open spaced area was beautifully appointed and every customer looked affluent and well-dressed.
Blaise fit in perfectly. He even had that certain pinch of arrogance which screamed old blood.
After finding that her appetite had truly abandoned her, Cat threw down her fork and sent Blaise a hard kick beneath the table.
He jerked, glanced up and sent her a menacing glare. When Cat answered him with a dismayed twitch of her eyebrow, he simply sat back, patiently chewed his mouthful and swallowed.
Cat frowned. "You're not worried? Not at all? Maybe we should go check on him…you know, just in case."
Blaise shrugged again, dabbing the corners of his mouth with a pristine white linen napkin. Arrogant bastard.
"As I have already reiterated several times; this is not unusual behaviour for Draco. If he wishes to be absent for weeks, then that can be perfectly normal."
"But I doubt it's normal for Ron to be missing for a full week without contacting his family." A new voice interrupted their conversation and Cat's head snapped up with a start.
"Harry!" She gasped. "What are you talking about?"
The man who lived ran a hand through his already dishevelled hair and pulled a chair up to their table, resting his elbows on the empty space available.
Blaise's lips twisted sardonically. "By all means Potter, make yourself at home."
Cat shot him a reproachful look and glanced back at Harry. "What were you saying?"
"Ron. He's been missing for a week. Molly is frantic; even contacted the aurors."
"A week." Cat repeated, the feeling of dread bubbling in her throat. She glanced at Blaise, her lips pressed into a firm line. "A week, Blaise. I don't believe in coincidence."
"I don't suppose the aurors have found anything?" Blaise asked, indolently sipping his glass of white.
Harry shook his head. "Nothing. No sign of a struggle and none of his things are missing. All he seems to have taken with him is his wand." He tore a piece of the fluffy bread roll off and popped it into his mouth, chewing as he contemplated the situation with a thoughtful air.
