Alessandro was curious. This was the first time he had stepped foot in the United Kingdom since Blaise had been born. But his son's letter had described the two people that meant the most in his life, and just as Blaise had done a bit of research on him, he was going to do a bit of research on Blaise.

He decided to visit his son's fiance first. Hannah.

Hogsmeade village was rather nice, and he was taking a risk by being near his son's work, but he was willing to take it. As he entered the bakery, Alessandro smiled. It smelled like his mother's kitchen. She would be happy to have another cook in the family.

He walked up to the cashier. "A simple tomato and cheese sandwich please."

Kristen smiled at the man "What sort of bread would you like and what sort of cheese?"

Hannah came out of the back with a whole tray of goods that she started stocking her display cases with. She smiled when she saw Sarafinn leading Grace and Erin in.

"Lunch then, ladies?"

"Hugs, Hannah!"

Hannah laughed and came around the counter to hug the little girl.

Alessandro smiled when he saw his future daughter-in-law hug a small girl he assumed to be the young Grace Blaise had told him about. He turned back to the woman behind the counter. "Whatever you recommend. I've been told that everything here is wonderful. And when she has a chance, I'd like to speak to the owner of this establishment."

Kristen nodded. "The sourdough is the best, but I think the rye might do better for cheese and tomato especially if I do the smoked cheddar."

She smiled and headed to make it.

"Hannah, you have a visitor."

"Thanks, Kris." Hannah lifted Grace up on her hip and smile at Sarafinn. "Only two today?"

"Only two, love."

The woman was a master with children. Most of the working parents in Hogsmeade sent their little ones to Sarafinn Strega, or Finn as she was called by those who knew her a bit more. The woman had sandy blond hair today. It was a different color every time Hannah saw her, and she dressed like a Gypsy. She reminded Hannah of a younger and less spacey version of Professor Trelawney.

"Here Gracie, go to Finn. I'll see you this afternoon. Miss Erin, give my regards to your mother. Grilled cheese, girls?"

They giggled.

"And fruit for you?"

Finn smiled. The woman did not eat meat. Hannah waved them off and gave their orders to the new waitress Lucy. She turned to the man Kristen was waiting on and nearly fell down.

Blaise's father.

She would know him anywhere. He looked like Blaise. Or rather, Blaise looked like him.

Hannah put a hand to her heart. "Signor Zabini, my goodness. Does Blaise know you are in England?"

Alessandro grinned at her. So Blaise had shown her the pictures and told her about the letters. "Ah, Miss Abbott. I was hoping to speak to you. Actually my son is not aware that I am in the country. I was curious to see this life Blaise has built up for himself. Will you join me when my food is delivered?"

"Of course I will," Hannah said, flashing her thousand suns smile. She reached out and clasped his hand, shaking it hard. "I'm so pleased to finally meet you."

She adored that he didn't just want to know Blaise, but those in his life. She followed him to the table of his choosing, smiling even more when he pulled out her chair for her. Hannah had no clue what to say though.

Kristen quickly brought the food he'd ordered.

"Kristen, this is Blaise's father Alessandro Zabini. Signor Zabini, this Kristen Stewart. She lives with Blaise and I, as do all her siblings."

Kristen nearly dropped his plate. It clanked loudly on the table. She managed a clumsy curtsy.

"I'm pleased to meet you."

She blinked nervously then rushed off, patting her hair into place. Hannah offered the man across from her a weak smile.

"She gets nervous."

Alessandro smiled at Hannah. "Just like one of my daughters. She will ramble until sometimes forces her mouth closed when she is nervous. She also tends to walk into walls afterward." He took a bite of the sandwich. It was wonderful. "And my compliments, Miss Hannah. The food is just as well as Blaise boasted about."

Hannah smiled. "I baked the bread. Kristen truly has a knack for combining things properly. She's my apprentice. One day I will have to let her open a bakery of her own. I will hate to see her go, but the girl needs her own world, her own kitchen. Thank you though. I am pleased it is to your liking."

She paused made made a face.

"Why would you come to see me before Blaise? You realize I shall have to tell him I have seen you. I keep no secrets from him."

Alessandro took another bite of his sandwich before wiping his mouth. "And I would never ask you to keep such a secret from him. But just as he did a bit of searching into the life of my family, I shall do the same for him. It is harmless, and even though I know our relationship is progressing swiftly, I am anxious to know the man that Blaise has become. He seems so different than Calanthe."

"He is. I think he is more you than her, and I do not even begin to know you. She didn't like me. She said I wasn't good enough for him. He used to be a bit cold, like her in some ways. Then we met. It took me some time to get through his walls. I knew of him when we were in school. What I found underneath that facade was not who he seemed. Your son is a good man, not perfect by any means, but he continues to surprise me with his capacity for love. For a very long time I believed Calanthe, that I wasn't right for him, but we compliment one another."

"Just knowing that Calanthe didn't like you is making me warm to you even more." He smiled at her as he finished his sandwich. "He speaks very highly of you though. He's mentioned only a small part of you though--both how you met and that you are engaged. Congratulations, by the way."

"Thank you," Hannah said with a smile. "You will, of course, be invited to the wedding. All of you. So only a small part? Any you are wanting to know a bit more? Like what?"

"You said you knew Blaise in school. That is one part of his life I have not heard a thing about."

Hannah's eyes went wide. "O-oh. Well, he was different. Less... settled."

Alessandro's eyebrow went up. Hannah was acting exactly like Dona did when she didn't want him to know something she had done. "I'm afraid I don't know what you mean."

Hannah started turning pink and looked down at the table top. "He was not exactly what one would call a monogamist."

It took all of his self-control not to laugh. It seems that in his school years, he was still well under Calanthe's thumb. Perhaps he could learn more from the Malfoy boy.

"And I hope that he has grown out of that, yes?"

Hannah's eyes shot up. "I wouldn't be marrying him if he had not. He's mine, and I don't share unless it's with Draco."

She blushed more darkly this time.

"Oh bother."

This time he had to laugh. "Ah yes. Draco Malfoy. Blaise has mentioned him as well. Mentioned that they like to hex each other a lot, and also that he only got to share when you gave permission or if alcohol is involved. But as long as he is true to you, then I will not have a problem with him. You are a fine woman."

"Oh," Hannah said, blushing even more. "Well, thank you. Oh no. You've researched Draco then. He comes off much worse on paper than in real life. You must believe that. The last year has been better. He's a good man. Truly."

She didn't want Blaise's father thinking bad things of Draco.

"He is my next stop. Blaise speaks highly of him, and I know he would not be allowed to work with the children at the school he helped if he was not a changed man. I have done my homework."

Alessandro stood. "It was a pleasure, Miss Abbott. I hope to seeing you again someday. If things do not work out between Blaise and myself, I hope that I will still be able to visit you. You really are good for him."

Hannah smiled widely. She liked Blaise's father. She worried about him seeing Draco. Because Draco could be so... Draco at times.

Hannah felt someone grab her leg and looked down. Grace was there. Hannah lifted her up.

"Who are you," the little girl asked. "My name's Grace, and you better not be bothering Hannah. She's going to marry my new papa. He likes to hex people."

Hannah nearly fainted. Best to not let Blaise hear Grace say that again. Her new papa? She thought she had explained not to do that yet.

Alessandro smiled at the small girl. He had been correct in assuming the little one had been Grace. "Well, if she does marry him, then we will be seeing a lot more of each other. I am your new papa's papa."

Grace's eyes went wide. "My name's Grace. This is Mr. Bunny. What do I call you then?"

Hannah's eyes were wide too. She had no clue how to respond to this bit.

Not wanting to get too hopefully or too attached, he figured staying with his own name would be sufficient. "My name is Alessandro, but call me Sandro. It's easier to say." He turned to Hannah. "And no more Signor Zabini. Call me Alessandro."

"Hannah then."

Kristen hurried out of the back. "You're leaving?"

"He liked your sandwich," Hannah said coolly.

Kristen blushed.

"If it is all right with Blaise, I would like to extend an invitation to you and your wife for dinner at the manor soon."

"And the same is extended to you and your family. I'm sure Gia would love to meet you both, and the rest of your family." Alessandro gave a slight bow. "It was a pleasure to meet you all. I hope Blaise doesn't throw too much of a tantrum when he hears I've been around. The Zabinis aren't known for the even tempers."

Kristen snorted. "No one has Hannah beat on temper except perhaps Draco. Long fuse... big bang."

Hannah blushed.

"Besides, he'll get over it."

Hannah rolled her eyes. Kristen had been spending far too much time in Slytherin company.

Alessandro gave them a smile and left a generous tip before walking out of the bakery. He still needed to meet with Mr. Malfoy.

Hannah handed the tip to Kristen. She smiled as she sent Grace to Finn and made her way into her kitchen.



[Summary]: Hannah meets Blaise's father when he comes snooping around.