Chapter 1

Quick Bonjour
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter, not me...throws a pity party.

A family of three stood appeared outside the Zabini Mansion. The persons were lavishly dressed in matching purple outfits. Both adults were wearing silver robes. The man rapped on the door and fussed over his cravat.

"Stop fussing, cheri. You'll only mess it up," the woman said.

"It's just zat ze heat is getting to me and I really don't want to be here," the man replied.

"It's only proper for us to make a social visit," she stated.

"Zese British wizards are so stuffy. I thought we were supposed to be pompous, being French and all. I cannot believe we have to get all dressed up just for a quick bonjour," the man complained.

"We're hardly ze exemplar of French upper crust. We really don't care all zat much about status. And I doubt zis bonjour, as you put it, will be quick," the woman said logically.

The man groaned and frowned. The baby girl in the woman's arms started to stir. The woman softly cooed and settled the child into a more comfortable position. The man's frown turned into a stupid grin as he looked down on the woman and child.

"What iz it?" the woman asked looking up at the man's face.

"Nothing; only remembering that I'm the luckiest man alive. I have a gorgeous wife and a little miracle of a daughter," the man answered in a warm voice.

The man gave his wife a quick peck on the cheek, and then kissed his daughter's little hands.

"Je'taime," the man whispered to his family.

"Our daughter is going to be so spoiled," the woman announced suddenly.

"What makes you say that?"

"Because her father is such a softie."

"I am not!"

"Yes, you are."

"You're going to pay for that comment later tonight."

"I hope so," she said rather cheekily.

The couple held each other's gaze for a few moments.

"I wonder what taking so…" the man started to say when the door opened.

"…long," he finished as a house elf came into view.

"May I help you, sir?" the house elf inquired.

"Please inform the Zabini's that Lefevres have arrived to give zem a formal introduction," the man replied.

"Right away, sir. Please come into the parlor, while I inform my master," the house elf said and waved the family in with a flourish of his arm.

The Lefevres strolled into the mansion and took in the surroundings. Portraits of who they could only assume as Zabini family members hung ornately on the walls. The painting surveyed the family with guarded eyes. The white marble tile sparkled with arrogance. Artifacts and antiques were positioned throughout the mansion. They followed the house elf into the parlor and sat down on the lavish burgundy couch.

"Do hope we get along with ze Zabini family. I heard zey have a child zat's Victoria's age. It would be nice if zhe had a playmate," Mrs. Lefevre said in a concerned tone.

"Don't worry, mon ami. We’ll get along fabulously."