Father, Father
Hannah was rushing around like a mad woman trying to get things in order before Blaise’s father got there. She’d baked a whole pie. He was looking at her like she was crazy because she was pulling the pie out of the over with one mitted hand and brushing her teeth with the other hand. He didn’t seem to understand that she wanted everything to look perfect, to be perfect. She had to be impressive today.
“You have met my father plenty of times. The last time, you even threatened him. He found it very amusing. Why are you stressing so much?”
“Because I’m going to talk to him alone.”
She could tell right away that Blaise did not like this idea.
“I’m not going to tell him about Calanthe. Stop fretting there. I just... I need to explain some things to him. I’d rather not have you there when I do. It’s embarrassing. And you might be uncomfortable.”
“Might be?” he asked. “I’m already uncomfortable. What on earth are you going to explain? And you’re about to drip toothpaste onto that pie.”
“Oh,” Hannah set the pie down on a cooling rack and moved over to the sink. “I’m going to explain why he should trust me with you. I think I should. It was mostly my fault you were so miserable. I want him to know that’s not how things will always be. And that I won’t be withholding you from work or anything. I had no idea the entire family was combing the world looking for you. That will be a story for the grandchildren. When they think we’re old and boring, we can watch the horror on their faces as we explain we had a sex-a-thon.”
Blaise made a face. “Do you really have to? As far as I’m concerned, my family doesn’t need to know the details. I’m fine now. We’re together again, we’re working through our issues, and they have nothing to worry about.”
Hannah gave him a very stern look. “I’m not going to go into graphic detail, but I think it would help your father to understand why you were so upset. I want to explain it to him. I want him to understand the place I am coming from in regards to you. I want him to understand how you are my life now, and I protect what’s mine.”
He was still making a face.
“I’m not going to tell him how we’ve anointed most of the available surfaces in this manor or anything like that.”
“You better not. I love my father and I do share things with him that I do not tell others, but that’s just...too much.”
Didly popped in and stared between the two of them cautiously. Blaise rolled his eyes. “What?”
“Master Blaise’s father be here.”
With a sigh, Blaise stood. “Do you want first crack at him?”
“I think we should go in together, show a united front.”
Hannah held her hand out for him to take it. He gave her a look. She gave him one back. Finally, he sighed and took her hand. They started walking to the room Didly had shown Alessandro to.
Blaise knew the moment he saw his father’s face that he was going to make a smart-arse comment, so he glared at him. “Don’t even start. You think I didn’t get enough when Serena and Sofia stormed in here?”
Alessandro grinned. “I was just going to say that I am glad you are still in one piece. I have not seen you in quite some time.” His eyes darted down to their clasped hands. “I take it everything has mostly resolved itself?”
Like he didn’t know that it had, although he probably wanted to quiz Hannah about her experience. His father didn’t study memory charms as a specialty, but he did find them intriguing. “We’re going to take some time off together, talk things over, but for the most part, yes.” Blaise turned to Hannah and gave her a disgruntled look. “And Hannah wants to speak with you.”
“You don’t have to sound so displeased about it, Blaise.”
Then she made a shooing motion for him to leave the room. The look Blaise gave her was priceless. After he had left... probably to go watch them, knowing Blaise, Hannah turned to Alessandro. She felt a great deal more comfortable around him now. Before she had felt like she was out of her league.
“I should probably begin by apologizing for drawing my wand on you the last time we were together.”
Alessandro held his hand up and drew his wand, keeping it aimed from her. He quickly raised charms on the room, adding silencing charms and disabling the watch charms. In the distance, probably two rooms over, he heard Blaise.
“Damn it!”
“Now you may speak freely,” Alessandro said with a grin. “He should learn that he cannot hear everything. And no apology is needed. I know the intricacy of memory charms and should have been prepared for the slight paranoia.”
Hannah took a deep breath. “Knowing him as I do, he didn’t tell you everything. He probably didn’t even tell you the half of it. It was bad. I almost cannot forgive myself, it was so very bad. I didn’t know him. At all. It was as if he’d been plucked from my brain. I don’t think he even realized he cared if I disappeared from his life until I did, the poor dear.”
Alessandro nodded. “He only said that there was an accident with memory charms and you were unable to remember parts of your life, not that it was just the removal of him.” He paused, peering at her carefully. “Was there truly an accident or was it purposeful?”
Hannah shifted uncomfortably. “Astoria Greengrass put the whammy on me.”
He gave her a confused look.
“She’s a Seer, and she can do things, make people see things in their minds. She was going to do that to Blaise, and I grabbed her. I got it instead. I saw my whole life... with Blaise. I suddenly knew him, and he didn’t like that. It made him uncomfortable, and I just wanted... I wanted to make it right for him. I asked someone to help me, just to take the future away, but it went badly. Obviously. He was just so upset that I could speak Italian and knew family members he’s never introduced me to.”
Alessandro could see how his son would be extremely opposed to a woman he was romantically involved in knowing things he had not told. For some reason, his son kept the different aspects of his life completely apart if he could.
“You just wanted for your memory to return to normal,” he said and she nodded. Alessandro shook his head. “You would have eventually remembered. Once the mind knows something, especially about those we cherish, it will cling to it. Although it does not explain Blaise’s anguish after the memories were gone. I would think he would have been happy.”
“No, you don’t understand,” Hannah said. “It took him from my mind completely. I had no idea who he was.”
“Ah,” Alessandro said with a frown. His son always did assume the worst. He would have to speak with him about the reasons why he left instead of trying to help Hannah regain her memories. “Well, I am glad to see the sorrow removed from his face and that he is taking time to work through the problems instead of running from them. He never grew out of that terrible habit.”
“He also feels the need to uphold his commitment to the company, to stay working in Italy and not disappoint you. I like that about him. Even before this whole thing I always felt he gave himself far too little credit. He worries that what I do is because of what I now know. What he doesn’t realize is that there was no hope for me the moment I decided to see more than the boy I knew in school. Were I honest with myself, I was falling in love with him well before now, because he has that quality to him. He’s meant for it, for me, that is. I suppose what I am trying to say is that Italy cannot have him. I will find a way for him to honor his commitments, because it means so much to him, but he makes me strong, and I will fight if I have to. I am hoping not to, obviously.”
“Blaise does not have many besides family to fight for him, and he thinks we only fight for him because we are blood-bound. I am glad to add another to the list and hopefully he will realize his worth.” Alessandro started to pace, trying to think of a solution that could benefit all. “I do not want to him to stop working for us, because in the short time he has been there, he has been invaluable. However, I do not want him to abandon what he has here.”
He continued to pace, going over the job Blaise had been doing. “He could continue to consult, but perhaps only two days a week. The rest could be done through correspondence, since he also handles some of the vineyard business through owl correspondence.” Alessandro looked at Hannah. “I will have to ask him of course, but I have a feeling he will agree with me.”
Hannah smiled then. “Draco offered to buy him out from you. I honestly don’t know how I’m going to put up with that for the rest of my life.”
Hannah shifted uncomfortably.
“Cecelia didn’t mention... what I, um, told her to tell Nonna when she found us here, did she?”
He started chuckling.
“I will accept that as a yes.”
“Next time you are around my mother, be prepared for a lecture on why it is important to eat, no matter what you are doing, but especially when you are practicing giving her more great-grandchildren.” Alessandro laughed again. “Although, she didn’t tell until Sofia and Serena came back falling over themselves laughing. Everyone pressed her to explain. Although I think that endeared you to certain family members even more.”
Hannah rolled her eyes. “Of course it did.
It was quiet for a moment.
“I’m going to take care of him. I just want you to know that. He will never want for affection and care. I know I haven’t earned anyone’s trust in regards to Blaise, but I will. I’m a Hufflepuff. The loyalty runs strong in us, and he has mine. He’s earned it. I do not stray. I do not falter. I am as constant as true north on a compass.”
Alessandro nodded. As with any woman his son was with, he was optimistic but cautious. Even the sweetest of girls had left or been pushed away. “You have gone farther than any woman he has been with thus far. I do hope he does not wrong you and cause friction. In the short times I have seen you interact, he seems...lighter.”
“Oh he causes a great deal of friction,” Hannah said, then heard herself and started blushing. “That is to say... I mean... oh bother.” She wrung her hands a few times. “He and I are going to fight. We already have, but we make up as well. I know most of his darkest secrets now. If that hasn’t sent me packing, I can’t imagine anything that would.”
She could only imagine the frantic pacing that was going on with Blaise wondering what exactly was being said within the confines of this room.
“I appreciate your honesty,” Alessandro replied. The one girlfriend who claimed she and Blaise never fought had lasted a very short time. “There is no such thing as a perfect relationship. I do not believe that my son is anything but extremely difficult. He will continue to be, but I hope that you will work through your issues.”
Before he could say anything else, loud knocking began on the door. “And he is also not very patient when he knows people talk about him.”
“I know,” Hannah replied with a wry expression.
She opened the door and glared.
“We’re discussing baby names, you’ll have to come back later.”
At his look of horror, Hannah started laughing.
“I’m sorry, love. I couldn’t resist. You are far too impatient at times.” She stood on her toes and kissed him lightly to help ease the sting of her little joke. “You can make me pay for that later.”
He narrowed his eyes at her in irritation but didn’t reply, instead walking into the room and looking at his father, trying to gauge his reaction. “Are you done with your private chat or do I get to be banished again? And you also better take down the charms in here and put the ones originally in place back the way they were.”
Alessandro rolled his eyes. “There will be no issue. Although I do think I have a solution for your work schedule that will keep you happy and Draco from trying to bankrupt himself.”
Blaise frowned and turned to Hannah. “You told him? Please tell me you didn’t threaten to storm the building or something.”
“I did not threaten. I explained, and yes, I told him about Draco. Of course I told him about Draco. He’d be the one to storm a building over it. I think your papa needs a warning about that, don’t you? After all, Draco’s already punched you over this working in Italy thing.”
Alessandro raised his eyebrow at Blaise, who sighed. “Don’t ask. He wasn’t all that happy I took the job.”
“Don’t tell your grandmother that. You know she hates it when you get into fights.”
Blaise rolled his eyes. “Yes, well. Draco is going to have to learn to live with it.”
“Not necessarily. What if you did the majority of your work by correspondence? You already consult on the vineyards by owl. You could decrease coming to Italy to two days and only staying one night.”
Blaise turned to Hannah. “Did you barter this?”
Hannah just smiled. “I prefer to call it negotiating, but I didn’t even have to argue it. Perhaps it was my fierce insistence that you are mine now. Perhaps your father doesn’t want me inventing excuses to be in Italy just to see you and disrupting your work. I simply let him know that I did not like seeing you warring with honoring your commitments and being happy with me. He made up his own mind what to do about that.”
“I think you should still come to Italy to watch him work,” Alessandro said with a grin. “For having everything handed to him in life, he has a strong work ethic.”
Blaise made a face. “Will you stop?”
“He also has quite the secretary.”
Hannah raised a brow. Then she turned to Blaise. “Let me guess, she’s about a foot taller than me, all leg of course and looks a hell of a lot like that Ella woman you used to date - the model that needed to eat a real meal.”
Hannah was glaring now. Well, he could just get a new secretary. A boy one.
Blaise rolled his eyes. “Yes, and her name is Chris. It’s short for Christopher.”
“That’s a funny name for a woman,” Hannah said.
Blaise was giving her this look.
“Oh. Well, that makes me feel marginally better. Is he prettier than I am?”
Blaise glared. "I honestly don't care as long as he looks presentable. You are welcome to show up and interrogate him. It might be amusing, actually."
“Perhaps I will,” Hannah said. “After all, I’m determined to make certain you’re happy. It’s my new hobby outside of baking and gardening.”
She gave him what she was certain he would call a very sappy look, but Hannah couldn’t help it. She felt lucky.
Alessandro chuckled. "Does this mean your garden party is back on?"
Blaise groaned. The family had been very disappointed that it had been cancelled. They would kick up a fuss until he agreed.
“Of course it is,” Hannah said. “Everyone shall find very soon that I like entertaining. I love being a hostess. So many things to check off a little list to make certain everything goes according to plan.”
She giggled excitedly.
“And I’ve fixed those dreadful gardens he had here.”
Blaise threw his hands into the air.
"We have many Christmas Celebrations. You are more than welcome to join us. Zabinis love to throw parties. Maybe you can convince Blaise to attend. He normally finds excuses."
Hannah gasped in horror and looked at Blaise. “Of course he’ll be there.”
He was not looking especially pleased with her just now. Alessandro did, however.
“Don’t look at me like that,” she said. “I think you should spend the holidays with your family, go to their parties.”
"I attend all holiday parties. I just don't hop over there every other night for the random family gatherings." Blaise made a face. "It's exhausting."
Hannah put a hand on his father’s arm. “You’ll see him a bit more often, but you know we have to appease Draco as well. I never understood what an undertaking that would be until now.”
Blaise snorted.
Alessandro grinned at Hannah. "Oh trust me. I know. We shall look forward to the party."
"Oh yes," Blaise muttered. "I can't wait."
Alessandro glared. "Behave."
"Never."
Hannah just shook her head. She could look forward to more of this, and she did look forward to it. It was one thing to know certain events, experiencing them had proved better thus far.
“You have met my father plenty of times. The last time, you even threatened him. He found it very amusing. Why are you stressing so much?”
“Because I’m going to talk to him alone.”
She could tell right away that Blaise did not like this idea.
“I’m not going to tell him about Calanthe. Stop fretting there. I just... I need to explain some things to him. I’d rather not have you there when I do. It’s embarrassing. And you might be uncomfortable.”
“Might be?” he asked. “I’m already uncomfortable. What on earth are you going to explain? And you’re about to drip toothpaste onto that pie.”
“Oh,” Hannah set the pie down on a cooling rack and moved over to the sink. “I’m going to explain why he should trust me with you. I think I should. It was mostly my fault you were so miserable. I want him to know that’s not how things will always be. And that I won’t be withholding you from work or anything. I had no idea the entire family was combing the world looking for you. That will be a story for the grandchildren. When they think we’re old and boring, we can watch the horror on their faces as we explain we had a sex-a-thon.”
Blaise made a face. “Do you really have to? As far as I’m concerned, my family doesn’t need to know the details. I’m fine now. We’re together again, we’re working through our issues, and they have nothing to worry about.”
Hannah gave him a very stern look. “I’m not going to go into graphic detail, but I think it would help your father to understand why you were so upset. I want to explain it to him. I want him to understand the place I am coming from in regards to you. I want him to understand how you are my life now, and I protect what’s mine.”
He was still making a face.
“I’m not going to tell him how we’ve anointed most of the available surfaces in this manor or anything like that.”
“You better not. I love my father and I do share things with him that I do not tell others, but that’s just...too much.”
Didly popped in and stared between the two of them cautiously. Blaise rolled his eyes. “What?”
“Master Blaise’s father be here.”
With a sigh, Blaise stood. “Do you want first crack at him?”
“I think we should go in together, show a united front.”
Hannah held her hand out for him to take it. He gave her a look. She gave him one back. Finally, he sighed and took her hand. They started walking to the room Didly had shown Alessandro to.
Blaise knew the moment he saw his father’s face that he was going to make a smart-arse comment, so he glared at him. “Don’t even start. You think I didn’t get enough when Serena and Sofia stormed in here?”
Alessandro grinned. “I was just going to say that I am glad you are still in one piece. I have not seen you in quite some time.” His eyes darted down to their clasped hands. “I take it everything has mostly resolved itself?”
Like he didn’t know that it had, although he probably wanted to quiz Hannah about her experience. His father didn’t study memory charms as a specialty, but he did find them intriguing. “We’re going to take some time off together, talk things over, but for the most part, yes.” Blaise turned to Hannah and gave her a disgruntled look. “And Hannah wants to speak with you.”
“You don’t have to sound so displeased about it, Blaise.”
Then she made a shooing motion for him to leave the room. The look Blaise gave her was priceless. After he had left... probably to go watch them, knowing Blaise, Hannah turned to Alessandro. She felt a great deal more comfortable around him now. Before she had felt like she was out of her league.
“I should probably begin by apologizing for drawing my wand on you the last time we were together.”
Alessandro held his hand up and drew his wand, keeping it aimed from her. He quickly raised charms on the room, adding silencing charms and disabling the watch charms. In the distance, probably two rooms over, he heard Blaise.
“Damn it!”
“Now you may speak freely,” Alessandro said with a grin. “He should learn that he cannot hear everything. And no apology is needed. I know the intricacy of memory charms and should have been prepared for the slight paranoia.”
Hannah took a deep breath. “Knowing him as I do, he didn’t tell you everything. He probably didn’t even tell you the half of it. It was bad. I almost cannot forgive myself, it was so very bad. I didn’t know him. At all. It was as if he’d been plucked from my brain. I don’t think he even realized he cared if I disappeared from his life until I did, the poor dear.”
Alessandro nodded. “He only said that there was an accident with memory charms and you were unable to remember parts of your life, not that it was just the removal of him.” He paused, peering at her carefully. “Was there truly an accident or was it purposeful?”
Hannah shifted uncomfortably. “Astoria Greengrass put the whammy on me.”
He gave her a confused look.
“She’s a Seer, and she can do things, make people see things in their minds. She was going to do that to Blaise, and I grabbed her. I got it instead. I saw my whole life... with Blaise. I suddenly knew him, and he didn’t like that. It made him uncomfortable, and I just wanted... I wanted to make it right for him. I asked someone to help me, just to take the future away, but it went badly. Obviously. He was just so upset that I could speak Italian and knew family members he’s never introduced me to.”
Alessandro could see how his son would be extremely opposed to a woman he was romantically involved in knowing things he had not told. For some reason, his son kept the different aspects of his life completely apart if he could.
“You just wanted for your memory to return to normal,” he said and she nodded. Alessandro shook his head. “You would have eventually remembered. Once the mind knows something, especially about those we cherish, it will cling to it. Although it does not explain Blaise’s anguish after the memories were gone. I would think he would have been happy.”
“No, you don’t understand,” Hannah said. “It took him from my mind completely. I had no idea who he was.”
“Ah,” Alessandro said with a frown. His son always did assume the worst. He would have to speak with him about the reasons why he left instead of trying to help Hannah regain her memories. “Well, I am glad to see the sorrow removed from his face and that he is taking time to work through the problems instead of running from them. He never grew out of that terrible habit.”
“He also feels the need to uphold his commitment to the company, to stay working in Italy and not disappoint you. I like that about him. Even before this whole thing I always felt he gave himself far too little credit. He worries that what I do is because of what I now know. What he doesn’t realize is that there was no hope for me the moment I decided to see more than the boy I knew in school. Were I honest with myself, I was falling in love with him well before now, because he has that quality to him. He’s meant for it, for me, that is. I suppose what I am trying to say is that Italy cannot have him. I will find a way for him to honor his commitments, because it means so much to him, but he makes me strong, and I will fight if I have to. I am hoping not to, obviously.”
“Blaise does not have many besides family to fight for him, and he thinks we only fight for him because we are blood-bound. I am glad to add another to the list and hopefully he will realize his worth.” Alessandro started to pace, trying to think of a solution that could benefit all. “I do not want to him to stop working for us, because in the short time he has been there, he has been invaluable. However, I do not want him to abandon what he has here.”
He continued to pace, going over the job Blaise had been doing. “He could continue to consult, but perhaps only two days a week. The rest could be done through correspondence, since he also handles some of the vineyard business through owl correspondence.” Alessandro looked at Hannah. “I will have to ask him of course, but I have a feeling he will agree with me.”
Hannah smiled then. “Draco offered to buy him out from you. I honestly don’t know how I’m going to put up with that for the rest of my life.”
Hannah shifted uncomfortably.
“Cecelia didn’t mention... what I, um, told her to tell Nonna when she found us here, did she?”
He started chuckling.
“I will accept that as a yes.”
“Next time you are around my mother, be prepared for a lecture on why it is important to eat, no matter what you are doing, but especially when you are practicing giving her more great-grandchildren.” Alessandro laughed again. “Although, she didn’t tell until Sofia and Serena came back falling over themselves laughing. Everyone pressed her to explain. Although I think that endeared you to certain family members even more.”
Hannah rolled her eyes. “Of course it did.
It was quiet for a moment.
“I’m going to take care of him. I just want you to know that. He will never want for affection and care. I know I haven’t earned anyone’s trust in regards to Blaise, but I will. I’m a Hufflepuff. The loyalty runs strong in us, and he has mine. He’s earned it. I do not stray. I do not falter. I am as constant as true north on a compass.”
Alessandro nodded. As with any woman his son was with, he was optimistic but cautious. Even the sweetest of girls had left or been pushed away. “You have gone farther than any woman he has been with thus far. I do hope he does not wrong you and cause friction. In the short times I have seen you interact, he seems...lighter.”
“Oh he causes a great deal of friction,” Hannah said, then heard herself and started blushing. “That is to say... I mean... oh bother.” She wrung her hands a few times. “He and I are going to fight. We already have, but we make up as well. I know most of his darkest secrets now. If that hasn’t sent me packing, I can’t imagine anything that would.”
She could only imagine the frantic pacing that was going on with Blaise wondering what exactly was being said within the confines of this room.
“I appreciate your honesty,” Alessandro replied. The one girlfriend who claimed she and Blaise never fought had lasted a very short time. “There is no such thing as a perfect relationship. I do not believe that my son is anything but extremely difficult. He will continue to be, but I hope that you will work through your issues.”
Before he could say anything else, loud knocking began on the door. “And he is also not very patient when he knows people talk about him.”
“I know,” Hannah replied with a wry expression.
She opened the door and glared.
“We’re discussing baby names, you’ll have to come back later.”
At his look of horror, Hannah started laughing.
“I’m sorry, love. I couldn’t resist. You are far too impatient at times.” She stood on her toes and kissed him lightly to help ease the sting of her little joke. “You can make me pay for that later.”
He narrowed his eyes at her in irritation but didn’t reply, instead walking into the room and looking at his father, trying to gauge his reaction. “Are you done with your private chat or do I get to be banished again? And you also better take down the charms in here and put the ones originally in place back the way they were.”
Alessandro rolled his eyes. “There will be no issue. Although I do think I have a solution for your work schedule that will keep you happy and Draco from trying to bankrupt himself.”
Blaise frowned and turned to Hannah. “You told him? Please tell me you didn’t threaten to storm the building or something.”
“I did not threaten. I explained, and yes, I told him about Draco. Of course I told him about Draco. He’d be the one to storm a building over it. I think your papa needs a warning about that, don’t you? After all, Draco’s already punched you over this working in Italy thing.”
Alessandro raised his eyebrow at Blaise, who sighed. “Don’t ask. He wasn’t all that happy I took the job.”
“Don’t tell your grandmother that. You know she hates it when you get into fights.”
Blaise rolled his eyes. “Yes, well. Draco is going to have to learn to live with it.”
“Not necessarily. What if you did the majority of your work by correspondence? You already consult on the vineyards by owl. You could decrease coming to Italy to two days and only staying one night.”
Blaise turned to Hannah. “Did you barter this?”
Hannah just smiled. “I prefer to call it negotiating, but I didn’t even have to argue it. Perhaps it was my fierce insistence that you are mine now. Perhaps your father doesn’t want me inventing excuses to be in Italy just to see you and disrupting your work. I simply let him know that I did not like seeing you warring with honoring your commitments and being happy with me. He made up his own mind what to do about that.”
“I think you should still come to Italy to watch him work,” Alessandro said with a grin. “For having everything handed to him in life, he has a strong work ethic.”
Blaise made a face. “Will you stop?”
“He also has quite the secretary.”
Hannah raised a brow. Then she turned to Blaise. “Let me guess, she’s about a foot taller than me, all leg of course and looks a hell of a lot like that Ella woman you used to date - the model that needed to eat a real meal.”
Hannah was glaring now. Well, he could just get a new secretary. A boy one.
Blaise rolled his eyes. “Yes, and her name is Chris. It’s short for Christopher.”
“That’s a funny name for a woman,” Hannah said.
Blaise was giving her this look.
“Oh. Well, that makes me feel marginally better. Is he prettier than I am?”
Blaise glared. "I honestly don't care as long as he looks presentable. You are welcome to show up and interrogate him. It might be amusing, actually."
“Perhaps I will,” Hannah said. “After all, I’m determined to make certain you’re happy. It’s my new hobby outside of baking and gardening.”
She gave him what she was certain he would call a very sappy look, but Hannah couldn’t help it. She felt lucky.
Alessandro chuckled. "Does this mean your garden party is back on?"
Blaise groaned. The family had been very disappointed that it had been cancelled. They would kick up a fuss until he agreed.
“Of course it is,” Hannah said. “Everyone shall find very soon that I like entertaining. I love being a hostess. So many things to check off a little list to make certain everything goes according to plan.”
She giggled excitedly.
“And I’ve fixed those dreadful gardens he had here.”
Blaise threw his hands into the air.
"We have many Christmas Celebrations. You are more than welcome to join us. Zabinis love to throw parties. Maybe you can convince Blaise to attend. He normally finds excuses."
Hannah gasped in horror and looked at Blaise. “Of course he’ll be there.”
He was not looking especially pleased with her just now. Alessandro did, however.
“Don’t look at me like that,” she said. “I think you should spend the holidays with your family, go to their parties.”
"I attend all holiday parties. I just don't hop over there every other night for the random family gatherings." Blaise made a face. "It's exhausting."
Hannah put a hand on his father’s arm. “You’ll see him a bit more often, but you know we have to appease Draco as well. I never understood what an undertaking that would be until now.”
Blaise snorted.
Alessandro grinned at Hannah. "Oh trust me. I know. We shall look forward to the party."
"Oh yes," Blaise muttered. "I can't wait."
Alessandro glared. "Behave."
"Never."
Hannah just shook her head. She could look forward to more of this, and she did look forward to it. It was one thing to know certain events, experiencing them had proved better thus far.