Chapter 225: Christmas Ball Once Again (2/2)
”My dear Daphne, there's a difference between tacky and what I did. I might be a fan of the flair, but I do things with a certain class. My events don't go overboard with all the glitter and gaudiness — everything in moderation is the key.”
It was then that Quinn noticed someone behind Daphne and raised his hand.
”Zabini!” he called.
Blaise Zabini, who was walking by, turned at the sound of his name being called out and saw Quinn West and Daphne Greengrass standing by a corner with Quinn motioning him to come to them.
”Ah, another one to keep me company,” said Quinn smiling, ”I was dreading this for no reason; I should've known that you guys were coming.”
”Hello,” said Blaise.
”Good evening,” replied Daphne.
”Ah, look at me forgetting something so important,” said Quinn, ”Merry Christmas, and I hope you're having a great Yuletide, both of you,” he was feeling chipper now.
The trio wished each other Christmas and Yuletide greetings.
”Zabini, you want something to drink?” asked Quinn. ”I have Pineapple Cobbler, Citrus Fuzz, Shirley Ginger, Lavender Lemonade, Rose Fizz, Lemongrass Jasmine Iced Tea, Virgin Paloma,” he said, taking out a handful of shrunken down hip flasks, ”damn, I brought too many.. . all of them hold more volume than the regular flask.. .so, you guys would have to help me finish these.”
”.. . I guess I'll have the Citrus Fizz,” said Blaise, and before he knew it, there he had a goblet full of fizzy golden in his hand.
”Hey, West, I was wondering if I could ask you something?” asked Blaise.
”Sure, what do you want to know?”
”Listen, I heard that thing you talked about with Theo.. . Theodore Nott. I was wondering it was open to others.”
”Ah, so he told you about that, huh. Well, I suppose it's natural.. . you both are friends,” said Quinn, and he didn't mind.
Daphne looked at both boys in confusion. She didn't understand the topic of the talk.
”What are you talking about?” she asked.
”I offered Theodore Nott a job opportunity after Hogwarts. The job he gets depends on his interests, how well he does in Hogwarts, and the skill he builds in the next two years,” said Quinn before turning back to Blaise.
”Sure, it's open to you as well. You get the same deal as I gave to Nott; do well in the next two years, and you'll have a better starting point. Want to learn more? We can provide you with further training — it's all up to you want to do; of course, there will be some caveats, but they will come with rewards as well.”
In the amount of time Quinn had spent with George, Elliot, and Lia, he had learned a few things about company culture — if an organization could provide the best job environment, the people working in that environment would like to stick because it was good for them and then that would benefit the organization. And Quinn was all for getting the cream of the crop from Hogwarts and making them part of the West business.
It could be said that Hogwarts was in possession of a golden goose in the form of Quinn West. Every student that had some connection to Quinn could get a golden opportunity from just asking, and if they did well, their immediate future would be secure with further possibilities in the later future.
”Really, you're not joking, are you?” asked Blaise.
”I have no reason to joke, Zabini. If you do good, it would be better for me,” said Quinn, ”but I do have a question that I'd like to ask.”
”Sure, whatever you would like to ask.”
”Is the reason you're asking me about this because of your mother?”
Irene Zabini was a witch and the mother of Blaise Zabini. She was famously beautiful and married seven wizards who each died in mysterious circumstances, leaving her with a large amount of gold from each. It was unknown if she was the reason behind her deaths or if they truly were a string of unfortunate deaths, but it was a mystery talked much in many circles.
To some level, even Quinn was curious if the woman was a killer or just really unfortunate, and he was also curious if Blaise was her son or stepson and who was the father. He, of course, couldn't ask either the mother or son about the birth status of Blaise. Quinn was even skeptical that if Blaise himself knew of his origins.
”Yes.. . I would like to get some distance between mother and me till I can figure things out,” said Blaise.
If others were curious about the seven deaths, then there was none who wanted to know more about the truth than Blaise. He was at an age that he had got curious about the question, and currently, Blaise's mind was in turmoil about if the answer he would get be the one he was fearing.
Moreover, Blaise never knew when his mother would get herself a brand new husband. He wanted to get out his mother's roof as soon as possible, and getting a well-paying job that could support his independence was essential to him.
”I see.. . I can't say I know to be in your position; I can only imagine,” said Quinn, ”well, you can come to me when you're ready, and you know where to find me if you have any other problems.”
”Thank you, that means a lot, West,” said Blaise sighing in relief. Even though he still had more than two years before he could actually take the next step, this promise was represented a great deal to Blaise.
”Work hard, Blaise. Only you can direct how your life goes,” said Quinn, raising his goblet, which Blaise followed.
”Uhm, you two should change the topic immediately,” said Daphne suddenly, ”Blaise, your mother is walking towards us.”
Blaise straightened up and immediately looked back to see that his mother was indeed walking towards them with a glass of champagne in her hand.
”Oh my, well, I can definitely see why she's so popular,” said Quinn.
Blaise turned to give a Quinn incredulous look.
”Sorry, really,” said Quinn, zipping his lips.
Irene Zabini was a blonde bombshell, a seductress-type beauty that gathered a lot of eyes around her. Even now, as she was walking here in her black velvet floor-length gown, many men were enamored by her, following her with their eyes.
”Blaise.. . so this is there you were dear. I have been looking for you everywhere,” said Irene Zabini
'Oh my god, even her voice is.. .' thought Quinn. It was so smooth, velvety.. . sexy was the word that popped into the mind when hearing Irene Zabini's voice.
”Yes, mum,” said Blaise.
”Why don't you introduce your friends to me.”
”Ah,” Blaise turned and did the introductions, ”this is Daphne Greengrass and Quinn West.. . and this my mother,” he added at the end.
”Greengrass.. . so, you're Sophie and Jacob's daughter,” said Irene looking at Daphne before turning to Quinn, her every move as erotically charged. ”Quinn West, you say.. . aren't a handsome one.. .”
”.. . Thank you, ma'am. You too are gorgeous,” said Quinn.
He was feeling conflicted about whether he should use Occlumency or not. It was very confusing.
”Oh please, dear; don't call me ma'am. It makes it sound like I'm old.. . you can call me Irene~.”
'Oh my god!' Quinn screamed in his head as he nodded with a smile on the outside.
”Good, did your grandfather come today?” asked Irene, brushing a hand through her hair, ”I should go say hello.. .”
”.. . Unfortunately, my grandfather was busy today, so I came alone,” said Quinn with a polite smile, but he was screaming inside.
”What a pity.. . I would have loved to talk to him.”
Daphne looked between Quinn and Irene, and she didn't like what was happening, so she did what seemed logical. She grabbed Quinn's arms pulled him.
”Quinn, let's go dance. I like this song very much,” she said.
”Eh, huh, sure,” said Quinn letting him get pulled along.
Irene watched as the pair walked away, and a smile appeared on her face.
”Oh my, so innocent~,” she said with her hand on her cheek.
She then turned to Blaise and asked, ”Would you also like to dance, Blaise. You can always dance with me.”
”Thank you, mother, but I would like to pass,” said Blaise.
”Are you embarrassed?” said Irene looping her arms around Blaise, ”My son grew up before I knew it.”
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Quinn West - MC - Oh my god!
Daphne Greengrass - Feeling threatened - I want to dance.
Blaise Zabini - Another promised one - Mother.. . please everyone's looking.
Irene Zabini - Married seven times - Don't care about them, come one, let's dance.
FictionOnlyReader - Author - Mid-terms starts tomorrow.. . sigh.. .
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