Blaise and I had always been the very best of friends considering he was my older brother. We relied on one another in many instances surrounding our mother's tendencies as a Black Widow witch as well as our father's demented passions. Our father had not been a good man by any means; the acts he fulfilled could only be described as depraved, and Blaise, my wonderful brother Blaise, often shielded me from father's incessant carnal desires. I owed everything to him.

With that said, I still found him to be the most annoying brat on the face of the planet. He would often pop up when I was busy and demand attention. He would drag me away to some café or store or restaurant and expect me to comply willingly. Of course, because I knew how petulant he could be when I didn't do as he pleased, I did comply—although not very willingly.

Today, he pulled me away from work in order to bring me to a very refined, high-class restaurant for lunch. Normally, I would scoff when Blaise did such a thing and demand he not spend our money in such a manner, but upon realising just who owned the place, the overwhelming urge to right myself and fix my hair took over. I was sure I looked the picture of a bewildered woman with small hairs flying around, reddened cheeks, and wide eyes. Blaise only smirked at me, knowing fully well what he was doing.

"Still hold a candle for Nott, I see," Blaise said amusedly as he pushing in my chair for me. I scoffed at that, swatting his arm as he ducked away to sit across from me. "You didn't deny it." Blaise's smirk grew and he attempted to hide it behind his menu. I kicked his shin under the table.

Theodore had greeted Blaise and I at the front and led us to our table, and I had become reticent in his presence. While Theodore was away, Blaise decided to do the brotherly thing and tease me about it.

"It does no good to lie, Blaise. Besides, it's not as if it matters."

Blaise's smirk remained when a throat cleared beside me. Of course Theodore had come to our table in that moment to bring us our drink order. Merlin, if he had heard a word of our conversation, I was done for.

Unfortunately for me, my dearest brother decided at that moment to open his mouth and speak.

"I'll have the fritto misto di pesce, and my lovely sister will have the saltimbocca di pollo alla Romana."

Nott wrote down our orders, silently mouthing the words as he wrote them. My cheeks flushed as he locked eyes with me momentarily before returning his gaze to Blaise. Blaise waved him off, settling another smirk on his lips. He turned his head to me, eyes glinting with mischief.

"What are you doing, Blaise? Why are we here? Salazar, you know how I feel about you doing things like this."

Blaise sat up taller, reaching for his drink and placing it to his upturned lips. As he placed his glass onto the table, he leaned forward with a smirk still dancing on his lips.

"Why did you break up with Nott again?"

——
If there was one thing I learned from my mother's many marriages, it was how to find a man. I picked out certain behaviours and certain patterns each of Mother's former spouses held, and using these, I was able to gauge whether a man was a creep or not. It became very effective, especially while I was in school.

Mother had also taught me how to take care of myself; keeping my skin clear and radiant, helping my hair attain a silky glow, keeping my nails trimmed and filed, and being exceptionally talented at personal hygiene. Many of these lessons she taught under the pretence of "all females should know this!" While this was partially true, I understood she taught me these things in order to better my chances of attaining a member of the Sacred Twenty-Eight or any pureblood male eligible for marriage.

But none of these material lessons were what drew Theodore and I together in the first place. I had been in my third year at Hogwarts while Blaise and Nott were in their fifth year.

Of course, I was familiar with Nott. He had visited our manor during school holidays and had been Blaise's friend since their first year. He was quiet and reserved, but he and Blaise never failed to find something rambunctious to do.

In this instance, he and Blaise had gone into my room and stolen my blankie, the blanket I had slept with since birth.

I had just arrived home from the birthday party of my friend Amira, a pure blooded witch who attended Beauxbatons during the school year. I carefully ascended the grand staircase, knowing if I were too loud, Mother would fuss, "you must walk as a lady! Gracefully and unheard!"

As I approached my room, I passed Blaise's, hearing the sound of restrained snickers. Thinking nothing of it, I toddled on, stepping into my room and quietly shutting the door behind me. The lights came on automatically—Mother had them charmed to come on when someone entered my room.

Exhausted after a long day of partying, I quickly shed myself of  fancy clothes, allowing them to puddle at my feet, and settled into my nightgown. I decided I would bathe in the morning. I made my way to my bed and sat on its edge, pulling pins out of my hair, dropping them in the floor. I quickly cast a charm on my pins and dress to put them away.

Finally, I rose from my bed and faced it, preparing to reach for my blankie. A sense of panic washed over me as I realised it wasn't there. Worriedly, I pulled back my bedcovers. No blankie. I ducked my head under my bed. No blankie. I moved around the room, searching. I searched my wardrobe and personal toilet, no blankie. This meant one thing: Blaise had stolen blankie.

Blaise knew how impossible it was for me to slumber without my blankie. He was well aware of the fact I faced vicious nightmares without it. However he knowingly stole it from my room to seem cool to his friend.

I stormed into Blaise's room, irritation washing over me and replacing my panic.

"Give it back," I demanded, glaring at my smirking brother who, when I first stormed in, sat up tall and made a witty remark to Nott.

"To what are you referring, dear sister?"

"You know what you've done, Blaise. Give it back. Now."

I crossed my arms over my chest, squaring my jaw in anger. I could practically feel the anger coming out of my ears.

Nott, sensing my anger rising dramatically, wiped a smirk off his face and he attempted to smooth things over.

"Just give it back, Blaise. This is going too far."

Blaise shook his head, standing from his bed and holding blankie up above his head so I couldn't reach.

I sighed heavily, feeling heat waves roll over me, anger overwhelming my senses. 

"I will only ask once more; Give. Me. The. Blanket."

Blaise hummed, feigning thoughtfulness.

"No, I don't think so," he said, smirk returning as he lifted my blankie as high as he could.

I couldn't stand it any longer. I lunged at Blaise, knocking him on his back in the floor. I managed to grasp the corner of blankie, tugging viciously toward myself. Blaise countered my tugging easily, but I used all my might. Nott easily lifted me up, as I was still straddling Blaise. I kicked and wriggled ferociously, still struggling to regain my blanket. Nott had a firm grasp on me, however, and was able to tire me out.

When Nott assumed I had calmed down and Blaise had gotten up from the floor, he set me down. At this point, I was breathing heavily, tired and still very much fuming. But I wasn't going to let that stop me.

I lunged at Blaise again. I was determined to get my blankie back. I was so determined, in fact, I didn't hear the faint ripping sound until I was flung backwards forcefully with only a small corner of blankie clutched in my hand.

All went silent.

Blaise sat up, face devoid of the mischief that had previously been present. He looked...worried.

My mind's gears slowly turned, and I realised what had happened. Looking down at the small corner of blankie in my hand, I felt my breath hitch.

Blaise immediately went into protective older brother mode, apologising profusely, doing anything to make me not cry.

I felt the pressure build up.

I began to sniffle.

Then came the waterworks.

The tears rolled silently down my face. I quickly stood and ran out of Blaise's room, hurrying into my own.

I sat on my bed, my face buried into my hands as I cried.

How would I sleep now? I had slept with blankie since I had been an infant. Blankie never failed to comfort me when I had a nightmare. What would I do now?

I heard soft footsteps into my room, and I felt the bed gently dip down.

"Go away, Blaise. I'll never forgive you," I said after a moment's pause.

"I'm not Blaise."

Shocked, I faced Nott. I felt my face flush red as I looked into his eyes. His expression was guarded, but he placed his hand gently on my knee, just barely touching it.

That night, Theodore Nott, the boy who was as emotionless as a statue, let me cry into his shoulder.

——

After moving into my own flat, my mother and I began a weekly ritual which comprised of our going into Madame Twoworth's Tea Shoppe and catching up on our lives.

The little shoppe was decorated on the inside with garish gold, blue, pink, and green rococo decor. The ceilings had blue and pink frescos of angels and cherubs adorning them, trimmed with golden leaf. The walls were white with minute blue and pink flowers and golden leafed-rimmed. The windows were surrounded by gold leaf vines as well as the wall corners and table corners. Each seat was red velvet cushioned with golden adornments.

"I would gladly give them the number of someone who can decorate," Mother commented as we entered and made our way to our usual seat in the front right corner. I gave her a tight-lipped smile as response.

Mother was not very keen on the bright interior, however the tea was made exactly to her specifications each time, the music played in the background was calming to her, and the servers were far from nosy.

"I can only hope Marissa is our server today, Christina intervened far too often for my liking."

I nodded in agreement, holding my hands together in my lap.

Before we could begin telling our weekly gossip, our server arrived with our typical tea orders. They had become so acquainted with us, they would make our teas right as we walked into the shoppe.

I thanked the server quietly, raising my tea cup slowly to my lips, careful not to burn myself. Mother scrutinised as I did so, ensuring I sipped properly. When she was satisfied, mother cleared her throat gently to arouse my attention.

I carefully returned my teacup to its saucer, turning my eyes to hers.

"Blaise told me you and Theodore separated. He said you initiated it."

My eyes widened. Blaise, that bastard. I would get him back.

"Mother, it was more than a separation, it was a break up," I began hesitantly. She raised an eyebrow, urging me to explain myself.

"The two of you were very close to being married, were you not? Why would you throw away the opportunity of a wonderful marriage with a good man who can provide stability and comfort physically and financially? Not to mention, his family is a part of the Sacred Twenty-Eight."

I sighed lowly. Why did Blaise tell her?

Playing with my fingers in my lap, I responded.

"Theodore and I simply had differing opinions on important matters. We fought about it often. That's all."

I glanced away from Mother's piercing gaze, bringing my tea to my lips once more. Mother seemed to think about her next response, gauging my facial expressions in an attempt to read my emotions.

"And these fights warranted you leaving him?" Mother asked, almost confused.

In her mind, mine and Nott's relationship was ideal. Theodore was the main provider of the household, however I contributed partially. He was kind, gentle, careful, and soft spoken. When I was uncomfortable with something, he was not pushy. Our faults were minor, at best, in her mind because my Mother had never been in any sort of healthy relationship. She intentionally sought out pig-like, violent, greasy bastards who happened to have some sort of financial background.

Mother's first husband was Blaise's and my Father. According to Mother, our Father was a raging alcoholic with a depraved fetish for small children. Blaise had fallen prey to our father on three occasions that my Mother was aware of. When Mother found out, our Father suddenly disappeared two days later. Until Blaise was in second year and I in first, we believed Father had simply left us.

Mother's second husband was a gambler. He was great in bed, but his financial situation was iffy at best. He owed many debtors. Mother finally had enough after a week of marriage. We were told he had been murdered by a debtor.

The third husband was Mother's longest relationship. While he did commit several shady business deals, he went to great lengths to ensure Blaise and I felt loved. He treated us as if we were his own children, actually doing things with us and making us laugh. After five years of marriage to my Mother, he disappeared suddenly. It was revealed to Blaise and I that he assaulted our Mother heavily while we were away at school.

The fourth husband was by far the most vile. He dabbled in dark magic, often holding "Gatherings" in the tea room. Mother claimed he made human sacrifices during each start of a new moon phase. He also trafficked girls on the side. He was gone after three months of marriage.

The fifth husband, while he was a relatively kind man, slowly turned into a dark and twisted madman.  We later found he had been responsible for the deaths of over 10 muggles.  He also had many underlying mental health issues for which he was unmedicated.

"How is number six?" I asked, changing the topic. Mother knew what I was doing, but indulged me with a raised brow.

"He's thinking of taking a holiday next month. He's thinking somewhere tropical." She rolled her eyes.

"Will you be tagging along?"

"It would be unwise to allow him to go on holiday unsupervised," she answered, bringing her tea to her lips. Apparently, number six had an infidelity problem. According to my estimates, Mother would be rid of him in three months. Blaise and I had money going on this.

Mother's demeanour suddenly changed. She donned a small smirk as she brought her tea to her lips, eyeing the door to the shoppe as it opened.

"It seems your former beau had the same idea as we did," Mother remarked. Fortunately, her eyes were not on me as she made this comment. She would have slapped me had she seen my wide eyes and the falter in my arrow-straight spine.

Before I could reply, a shadow was cast upon our table.

——

"Zabini!"

I peered up from the paperwork I had been reading over, sighing in acceptance. It would seem today would not be as productive as I had hoped it would be.

"Yes, Emerson?" I called out to the secretary just outside my door. Why he couldn't ring my phone, I would never understand.

"You've got a visitor!"

I sighed once more.

"I swear to Salazar, if Blaise thinks he's going to whisk me away from work for the rest of the day, he's got another thing coming," I mumbled to myself, attempting to tidy my desk a little.

I startled at the sound of a throat clearing.

I looked up from the stacks of papers littering my desk top. The sight of the man in my doorway had my heart racing, forcing blood into my cheeks and causing me to fluster. I blinked, trying to right myself.

"You can come in," I said gently, motioning to one of the chairs in front of my desk.

The man listened, silently taking a seat.

"My apologies, Nott. I assumed you were my brother. Although, I should have known it wasn't Blaise because he wouldn't wait by the door, he would barge in and make himself at home until I catered to his need for attention."

Nott gave a very slight upturn of the corners of his lips. The small smile dropped just as soon as it happened.

My chest felt as if my lungs had been tied into knots. What could Nott possibly want? Why was he here? I asked him just that.

"I need to renew my business license," he responded simply. I raised an eyebrow.

"You need to renew your business license...so you came to the Department of Magical Transportation?" I asked, clearly puzzled. It suddenly became obvious to me that Nott was in my office for another reason, although he wasn't lying—I knew him too well.

"What is the true reason for your being in my office?" I asked. Nott tapped his fingers against his knee. I knew he was thinking of how to tell me what he wanted to say.

After a moment's pause, Nott finally answered.

"I missed you."

My eyebrows rose incredulously. I leaned back in my chair, biting my tongue so as to not lash out immediately. It would not be professional or ladylike to do so.

Nott watched me silently, able to read my inner turmoil in my eyes.

After a moment of thought and attempting to control my feelings of irritation, regret and hurt, I shook my head.

"Why are you telling me this now? Why didn't you think of this when you decided not to speak to me for two weeks?"

The man sighed, his eyes cloaked in obvious shame and regret when they finally met mine. My gaze softened. My chest tightened further.

"Come to my restaurant tonight at seven sharp. I will answer all your questions and more."

——

My relationship with Nott hadn't been easy.

I was well aware of his horrid childhood, and therefore, I understood why he was so hesitant about showing love but was unopposed to receiving it. This was no problem to me.

The problem was that after dating for nearly four years, Nott was still unable to fully trust me. He intentionally distanced himself from me whenever he felt even the slightest bit of emotional. Nott would stop talking to me, stop coming by my work, and he would do so for days at a time. In this instance, he had—so far—been reticent for two weeks. I had enough.

I remembered that I entered the restaurant calmly, silently and internally angered by Theodore's surprise to see me. Did he really think I would let him get away with not talking to me for two weeks?

"When you have the time, I'd like to speak with you," I said, smiling through my fury.

It would do no good to have an outburst in front of this many people. Or at all. After all, I was now nineteen. Perhaps it was okay at thirteen to have an outburst with my brother, but at nineteen, I needed to control my anger and speak calmly. I was now a grown woman in the eyes of the ministry.

Theodore nodded softly, conversing with one of the servers, before leading me through his restaurant and into his office beside the kitchen. He closed the door.

As soon as he sat down in his chair, I began.

"I'm hurt, Theo. You haven't said a word to me in two weeks."

Theodore looked over me silently, his expression unreadable. He was distancing himself. Still. I sighed, knowing I was out of options. I looked to his somewhat cleared desk.

"Theodore, I love you very much. You have to understand that I am concerned for you. I'm worried about you. Salazar, I've not slept a wink because I've been worrying about you," I continued as I glanced at him cautiously. Still, his expression gave nothing away.

"Is there anything you want to say to me?" I asked, hoping he would say something. Anything. But still, Theodore made no move to speak to me. His expression was guarded, and his arms were crossed over his chest. He had no intentions to try to do anything.

"Alright then. If you have nothing to say to me, I will leave. I will leave your restaurant, and I will leave you. Clearly, whatever's the matter with you is none of my business. We've been together for four bloody years, but you still can't trust me enough to tell me what's going on."

I stood from my seat and turned toward the door, opening it. Thinking again, I faced an emotionless Theodore. I sighed.

"I love you, Theo. I guess it's just not enough for you."

I turned back to the door and left before he could see me cry.

——

Once again, Blaise had abducted me from work in order to have lunch. Typically, I would be reluctant to allow Blaise to do so, however after Nott's visit, I was unable to throw myself back into work.

Blaise knew right away that something was bothering me. Instead of our usual lunch date in Diagon Alley or Nott's restaurant, Blaise took me to a quaint soup shop in the muggle world. Rarely did we go into the muggle world, as we had been raised in the magical one, and Mother was never fond of muggles, but Blaise and I found ourselves disregarding such things in order to speak in privacy.

"When did you learn about this place?" I asked, observing the hustle and bustle of the muggle staff and customers. Blaise cleared his throat as a smiling female approached our table.

"I was wondering when you'd come back," the woman stated with a smirk, clearly speaking to Blaise. I rose my eyebrows as Blaise mirrored her expression, a gleam of something shining in his eyes. It was then I realized Blaise had affections for this muggle girl. I too smirked, only internally. I could use this to tease Blaise.

"I've been rather busy with work, otherwise I would've stopped in sooner," Blaise responded to the woman, still donning his smirk. She reddened slightly under his gaze, but never faltered.

"Well I'm just glad you came back. I assume this is your sister you told me about?" She asked, finally turning her gaze to me. The woman smiled softly, nodding toward me as she spoke.

By now, I had long forgotten the situation with Nott earlier in the day, and I had found a more...intriguing situation to worry about.

I zoned back into their conversation as the young woman walked away. Giving my brother the most Zabini smirk I could muster, I leaned into my seat.

"I see the true reason we came here; you wanted to see your muggle girlfriend, and you used my chat with your friend this morning as an excuse," I teased. For once, my older brother blushed.

"She's not my girlfriend," Blaise responded. He tried to send a seething glare toward me, but I simply rolled my eyes. "Besides," he continued after a brief pause, "we're here to talk about your love life, not mine."

I sighed, shaking my head.

"What do you think about all this Blaise? I thought I did the right thing, but I'm not sure anymore."

"Look, I'm a neutral party. On one side, I completely understand why you broke up with Nott. On the other side, I understand Nott's reasons for not speaking to you. In the end, you're my sister and Nott's my friend. If you ask me, the two of you need to sort your differences once and for all, and just get married."

Of course Blaise would end his little speech with wanting Nott and I to get married. He was an advocate for it since day one of my romance with Nott.

Blaise's lady friend returned to the table shortly after, placing piping hot bowls of soup in front of Blaise and I.

"Enjoy!"  She winked at Blaise. He smirked at her, briefly watching her retreating figure.

"It's good soup, don't waste it," Blaise said, ladling a spoonful of soup into his mouth. I knew Blaise thought the soup wasn't the only good thing in the small diner.

——

I entered the dimly lit restaurant, eyes searching for the blond owner avidly. It was clear he had closed the restaurant specifically for our conversation, but even in the empty building, the man was nowhere to be seen.

I sighed. Perhaps this was a bad idea. Perhaps this was a ploy of some sort to—

"I have a table set for us over here."

I turned to face Theodore with wide eyes. Salazar, he'd startled me! Quickly regaining composure, I followed Theodore as he led me to a small table with flickering candles and plates of food. He pulled out the chair for me, moving to stand at the end of the table.

"I forgot one thing," he said, and he dove into the kitchen. I let out a breath. It was then I truly felt the quick palpitations of my heart and the clamminess of my palms. I had the urge to reapply my lipstick, but I refrained. It was far too late now, and it would be futile, as we were about to eat. I played with my fingers in my lap as I waited quietly.

Fortunately, Theodore emerged from the kitchen just then, a bottle of wine in his clutch. He held it up as if to show me, and he popped the cork. Coming to the edge of the table, he poured the red liquid into my glass and did the same for his. Theodore recapped the wine, settling it in a bucket of ice on the table, and he took the seat across from me.

Finally, we sat across from each other, looking at one another. 

What was I to say? I couldn't remember.

While I was getting ready, I had rehearsed all the questions I wanted to ask, any speech I would make, and any answer I would give. It seemed the moment Theodore sat before me, all thoughts I had escaped my mind.

I tapped my fingers in the table.

Before I could begin to think of what to say, Theodore spoke.

"I was planning on proposing to you."

My eyes widened, and my heart sank into my stomach. All the time he was being distant, he was planning on proposing to me?

I averted my eyes from Theodore's waiting gaze.

It explained why Blaise was so adamant to have me talk to Theodore, so annoyingly adamant to bring me into his restaurant on my lunch hour; it explained so much.

Salazar, I was the most idiotic and oblivious moron to have ever existed! How did I not think of a proposal?

Theodore sat quietly, knowing it would take me a moment to register his words—he was always very patient with me.

I swallowed thickly, returning my eyes to Theo's.

"I feel so ridiculously ashamed of myself for being so...stupid!" I exclaimed. Theodore cracked a small smile.

"I should have better communicated, I know. It wasn't entirely your fault," he responded, still smiling.

I shook my head.

"Salazar, I am so sorry, Theo."

He shook his head.

"Don't apologise. I forgave you the moment you stormed into my office. Now eat, or you'll have to cast a stasis charm."

——

FOUR YEARS LATER

"Your husband is concerned, and if you keep him waiting any longer, I will alter your wards to let him in."

I rolled my eyes, shuffling some papers around to further unsettle my pest of a guest. He, exasperated, sighed heavily, knowing the Zabini stubbornness was a trait shared by the both of us.

"And you are well aware of the repercussions which would follow," I reminded him, holding my wand up. Of course, Blaise was aware of the damage my wand could inflict upon him should he decide to once again side with Theo over me and allocate the wards to allow him in—we had been in this situation many times in the two years Theo and I had been married. Blaise always sided with my husband, and I was always left taking one for my team—mother was a neutral bystander, although she found it all quite amusing.

Blaise, unfazed by my threat, brought out his wand, narrowing his eyes as if challenging me to do anything.

I sighed heavily, and Blaise smirked in triumph, knowing I had given in. He muttered a few words, and with a wave of his wand, the wards let my husband through.

Theo stood before me, his eyes widened slightly in shock, and his wand up defensively. He scanned me over quickly, then lowered his wand to his side when he saw I was in no imminent danger and unharmed.

"I'll let the two of you catch up. You can hex me later."

Blaise left the room with a smirk, obviously only going outside the door to eavesdrop. I failed to point it out to him, as I had more important matters to discuss with my husband, who had regained composure and remained silent.

I continued my paper shuffling in an attempt to seem aloof, but truly, I wanted to run into Theo's arms and hug him. I truly missed him, and I had already forgiven him, but I wanted to keep him on his toes. My stubbornness would not allow me to back down, especially not when I had taken measures to keep him away to the point of altering the wards in our home.

"I should have told you I was planning a holiday, and I got you some time off work, I'm sorry," my husband apologised, bringing me from my thoughts. I slowly looked to him for the first time since he had entered the room.

"Please talk to me," he pleaded quietly.

My heart broke at the soft spoken words.

Why was I so petty? This poor man was obviously hurt by me.

"Theo, I was never mad that you planned a holiday without telling me, I was mad that you went behind my back and told my boss to let me have off. Imagine my shock when I go into work, and they're all staring at me like I've got six heads because I'm supposed to be on holiday! On a holiday I didn't know about!"

I sighed, slowly treading toward my husband.

"I'm sorry," he apologised again, and I brought my hand slowly to his cheek.

"I'll forgive you this time, but you will meet the wrath of my wand if you do it again," I warned. Theo nodded, smiling hesitantly.

"Salazar, kiss already! He apologised and you forgave him, kiss!"

I turned instantly to the threshold, where my insufferable brother stood.

Rolling my eyes, I humoured the man-child, kissing my husband quickly and resoundingly on his lips.

I then turned to my brother, bringing my wand from the waistband of my jeans. Blaise flashed me a smirk before running off hastily.

I turned back to my slightly amused husband. He smiled at the questioning look on my face. As if reading my mind, responded, "Go hex him, I know he's been a bother."

I reached up and pecked Theo on the cheek quickly.

"I love you," I called out, rushing out the door myself.

Blaise was about to meet his maker.