A/N: Thanks to everyone for the huge response after my last update.
I would like to state that I am trying my best to keep the story according to cannon (Except DH epilogue), which is quite difficult because I have to change the facts not changing the later outcomes. I am also researching widely about every single topic or place I am writing, trying to make it look realistic.
I am trying my best to keep Hermione and Draco in their characters though Draco may deliver less snarky comments due to the fact that he is depressed. It's upto you to tell me whether I was successful or not. So please review.
Disclaimer: The copyright to Harry Potter characters belong to J. K. Rowling. Any other characters are purely work of fiction and any resemblance is co-incidental.
Chapter 10: Looking For His Precious.
Draco had been able to sleep quite effectively without taking sleeping potions ever since his aunt massaged his head almost two weeks ago. He would sit in that couch, hum her words in his head and soon he would fall asleep. His dreams were getting better and it showed him some of his happy memories twisted with imagination. Astoria was always present in them.
But this night he could not bring himself to sleep. His head was too full of the boy he had seen that afternoon and the subsequent events following it. His aunt Audré had been true to her words and discussed with everyone about different ways to find out who Adrian was.
"Well, it might appear as something very difficult but in reality it is not, Draco." she had told him. "There are two possibilities: either Adrian is a common Muggle boy or he is a magical child. And our method of search should encompass both of the possibilities." She had stated.
Draco could not bring himself to think that Adrian was a Muggle or non-magical boy. He just could not. That boy was surely a Malfoy and there can never be a Squib among Malfoys let alone a Muggle.
"If the boy is a Muggle we can search him using Muggle methods. And if the boy is magical there is only one place where he can be found – St. Joan's Institute for Magical Children." Audré had told everyone.
"What's that Institute? And why can we find him there?" Narcissa had asked her.
"It's a very old and prestigious institution for pre-school Magical kids." Audré explained, "It was founded by famous French Sorceress Eugène Thirion in 1432 to educate the magical children and to keep them protected from prying eyes. I believe you are well informed about witch-burning ritual of the medieval ages. While adult witch or wizards could not be affected by burning, the children could. So in order to prevent their outburst of accidental magic and exposure of their true heritage to Muggles, they were enrolled there to train them to control magic from very early age. Every single witch or wizard in France has attended this institute including myself, Julian and Lilian." she affirmed.
"But why Joan of Arc? As far as we knew, she was not a witch." Narcissa had asked again.
"Of course she was not! She was purposefully framed on witchcraft and executed by burning. She was innocent." Audré had confirmed, "After she died, the English raked back the coals to expose her charred body so that no one could claim she had escaped alive, then burned the body twice more to reduce it to ashes and prevent any collection of relics. They cast her remains into the Seine River." she informed them, "The amount of violence in their action touched everyone – Magic and Muggle alike – since she was considered a heroine of France. The following year Sorceress Eugene founded the institution and named it after her. It may sound as an irony that her name was used for a magical institution, the very reason she died; but the name is an epitome of perished innocence and reminds us to take care of our magical children so that they don't meet the same fate as her." She had finished gravely.
Everyone remained silent realizing the deeper meaning of her words. Then Draco broke the silence: "What about the Muggle methods?" he had asked.
"That's simple enough." Audré had replied, "We have to draw a picture of that boy and show it to people near the place you saw him. Not to everyone but to places or people where children frequently go – in your case vendors near Tuileries Garden. Your memory was clear Draco and I noticed some things which perhaps you have missed. Like Adrian was holding a colouring pencil in his left hand - it was green. That means he knows drawing well enough to carry his own colouring pencils at such young age and everyone in Paris knows that there is no better place for drawing than Tuileries. Famous Muggle painter Claude Monet made his many paintings in that place. So while enquiring you can ask them about a boy who can draw well." She had said matter-of-factly.
Draco had no words to express his surprise at his aunt's power of observation and deduction. He had rarely met intelligent women like her. Finally when his jumble thoughts cleared a little he spoke: "I will draw his sketch." he had offered.
"Really? Do you draw, cousin?" Julian had asked him surprised. "You never said that before."
Draco nodded and looked at his cousin, "I did not feel like drawing until now, so I must have forgotten to mention it." he had admitted.
"Draco is very good at drawing." Narcissa had affirmed proudly, "He started drawing from an early age and his drawing teacher was very pleased with him. Lucius and I were so proud when we found out." she had stated.
"Your French is also very good cousin." Julian had commented, "But why did you learn it when according to Aunt Narcissa you never planned to visit France?" he had asked.
Draco had sighed, "I learned because it is a tradition among aristocrat purebloods to be able to speak at least five languages: English, French, Spanish, German and Latin." he had answered, "I could not learn them all so learned just three: English, French and Latin." he informed them and then looked at his aunt, "Where is that institute situated, Aunt?" he had asked.
Audré smiled pleasantly at him, "Not very far from here – just beside Notre dame."She replied, "But first you should better concentrate on that sketch." She had advised him.
Draco smiled at the thought as he reached out for the piece of parchment and charcoal Julian has placed on his table in his Suite. He was going to spend the night by making a perfect sketch of Adrian.
••••••
As the Lady of the Château, Audré had certain duties to perform. Post-dinner inspection of house hold was one of them. She was in middle of conversation with one of her house-elves about the current food storage status of Château when Narcissa approached her.
"Ah, Audré, I see that you are quite busy." she commented.
Audré looked up from the elf and waved him to leave. "Not anymore." she said to Narcissa, smiling.
"Can we take a turn about the garden, Audré?" Narcissa enquired and Audré stood up from her seat, "Sure, Narcissa." she came to Narcissa and held out her hand, "Let's go."
Hand on hand the two ladies left the Château and appeared in the gardens. It was a moonlit night and the beauty of the exotic flowers were enhanced many folds as the ladies walked silently.
"I wanted to thank you for everything you have done for us." finally Narcissa spoke up and André stared at her. "I know, it will sound odd but I don't think Lucius did you any justice."She admitted bitterly, "He never spoke kindly of you and from his comments about you I thought that you were really like that." she said.
"Like what?" Audré asked curiously.
"He used to say that your family has used you to create alliance with the Malfoys. In other words you were a temptress and have seduced his elder brother into this marriage. He called you a material girl." Narcissa answered.
Audré remained silent letting Narcissa speak, "He never let Draco visit France thinking that you might use your charms on him as well and use Lilian for that purpose."
Audré shook her head in exasperation, "If that was so, why did you visit us this summer?" she asked, "I can still let loose Lilian after Draco." she declared.
"I am so sorry, Audré, I meant Lilian no disrespect. Believe me." Narcissa pleaded, "I just stated what was told to me. As for the visit, after Lucius, Scorpius and Astoria died, the Manor became almost like a haunted house. Draco would spend his days in graveyard beside Astoria and Scorpius's grave. It was so suffocating and I had no other family members left. They all died in the war. So I decided to come here and see for myself whether Lucius was right or not. And I must admit that he was terribly wrong about the whole affair." she admitted.
"I am happy that you changed your view of us." Audré remarked.
"I did not do it by myself. Your attitude towards us helped in changing it." Narcissa spoke from her heart, "Especially the way you dealt with Draco this evening. At first I thought you were playing tricks with him but when you brought the Pensieve, I realized you were serious from the beginning." she admitted.
"I was serious from the beginning, dear. How could I not be?" Audré exclaimed, "What if it was a real hallucination and he needed better treatment?" she asked, "But as it happens that it was not and I am sure that the boy is somehow related to Draco. And I shall not rest until I find out what it is." she said determinedly.
She squeezed Narcissa's hand in assurance and they continued their walk again.
•••••
Being a Muggleborn witch, Hermione had the privilege of being able to use both Magical and Muggle means with equal expertise. As a train, Thalys was not only well equipped with all modern amenities, but also was very fast and reliable for journey when someone was travelling with witches and wizards who had very little knowledge about Muggles.
Journey from Paris to Brussels are normally one hour and twenty two minutes in Thalys and Hermione arrived at Brussels in due time. Their journey had been short but comfortable and Adrian, his first time in train, had spent it all by almost gluing his little face to the compartment window to watch the outside scenery.
Hermione had been invited by Gringotts Belgium too, as a guest of honour and they had arranged for her stay in the most luxurious hotel in the magical part of the city. She had insisted that they would pay only for her accommodations while she would pay for her own guests. The hotel- 'le Trône Royal' or 'The Royal Throne' was housed in a former Royal Palace and Hermione could not but appreciate Belgian Gringotts's choice any better.
Adrian and Gabrielle spent the rest of the day exploring the palace hotel while Hermione left for Gringotts to present herself to the Chief Goblin.
•••••
If Draco had thought that drawing a sketch was fun, it was nothing compared to the feeling he had encountered when he made Adrian's sketch. His hands were still in perfect working condition, though he had not drawn since Scorpius died two years ago, and he faced no difficulty working on it. By the time the first rays of sun reached his room, he was done.
He presented it to the rest of the family at breakfast. His mother and aunt both admonished him for not sleeping at night but otherwise praised his work most earnestly.
Draco soon left for Tuileries Garden armed with his sketch and tried to find out the exact location where he had met Adrian. Standing there after finally locating it twenty minutes later he relived the memory.
He had been here: Adrian, he thought to himself and he bent down to touch the pavement where the boy had been lying after colliding with him.
"Scorpius. Adrian." he murmured as he gently touched the spot as if trying to reach the boys through time and space.
He stood up after some time and scoured the place thoroughly. He looked for any clue that might lead him from where Adrian had come. The sun rose and appeared in mid-sky but Draco displayed no sign of tiredness as he showed the sketch to every suitable vendor he found. Only one of them could tell him what he needed to know.
"That kid comes here with his mother." he said to Draco, "They usually sit around the Round Pond." he showed him the place Adrian sits, "The boy draws nice pictures." he commented happily.
Draco's heart beat faster: 'Adrian can draw nice pictures.' he thought as he approached the place they usually occupied.
It was full of people and he approached an elderly couple about Adrian, showing them his sketch.
"Why do you want to know about him?" They asked him instead, suspicious.
"I am looking for a child model to draw a portrait." Draco lied flatly, "He's perfect." he commented, "Can you tell me where to find him?" he asked them.
"You won't find him here now." The elderly man replied.
"Why?" Draco asked.
"Are you an English?" the man asked Draco instead.
"Yes." Draco almost snarled, irritated that he was not replying to his questions. He never talked to Muggles and it was hurting his dignity a lot.
"You drew that picture?" the man indicated at the sketch.
"Yes I did. Tell me why I can't find the boy?" Draco asked trying not to lose his patience.
"Well he went to holiday with his family. To Brussels. For two weeks." he answered finally. "He came here yesterday and told us." he informed Draco.
"Brussels?" Draco whispered. "Can you tell me where he lives?" he asked again.
"No." the man answered. "But they call him Adrian and his mother's name is Jean." he added.
"Jean? You mean the woman who was with him yesterday?" Draco asked feverishly.
"No. That's his mother's friend, Eva." the woman said now. "She's so strange! Does not know how to use a cellphone." she laughed as if it was a stupid joke.
Draco knew better not to ask what a cellphone was.
"What about his father?" he asked instead holding his breath, "I mean I should ask for his permission if I want to use the boy as model." he explained.
"His father?" the woman looked at her partner, "Jacques, have we met his father?" she asked him and the man shook his head. "I don't think he has a father. His mother is a single-parent." he said.
"Thank you." he thanked them and left for Château.
•••••
Hermione was feeling relaxed as she took her hot bath. The visit to Belgian Gringotts had been a huge success. She was honoured beyond her imagination and The Chief Goblin had presented her with a diamond stud small knife, which she has kept safely out of Adrian's reach.
She lifted her left forearm and looked at the writing there: Mudblood.
'Bellatrix must be turning in her grave now, seeing a Mudblood being honoured like this.' she thought.
She finished her bath and opened the door to her suite. She and Gabrielle were staying in this double bedroom suite with Adrian. He was already lying on their bed examining a tourist book. He noticed his mother and jumped down from the bed.
"Mama!" he ran to her clutching the book, "Look at the photos here." he showed her the open book, "When will we go to these places?" he asked.
Hermione kissed her son tenderly, "We'll start from tomorrow, little rabbit." she said.
Adrian kissed his mother in response. Hermione had never felt happier as she saw her son's eyes twinkle with unspoken excitement and glee.
She would do anything to keep him this way: innocent and happy.
•••••
Draco almost ran into the Château and burst into the parlour. His mother, aunt and cousin Lilian were seated there, talking idly.
"I am going to Belgium. Right now!" he declared to the occupants.
"Belgium? Now? Why?" Narcissa exclaimed leaving her seat. "What happened, Draco?" she asked.
"His name is Adrian, his mother's name is Jean and she's a single parent. They left for Brussels this morning for two weeks." he said in a hurry, "The woman you saw in my memory was her mother's friend Eva. Adrian can draw nice pictures." he let out all the information he collected, "I am going there, mother. I am sure now he is my son, though I don't know how. I must find him out." he said determinedly.
"But how are you going to find him there?" Audré spoke at last, her voice calm. "Brussels is a large city and we don't know whether he is a Muggle or not." she said.
"He is not." Draco said gleefully, "That woman Eva, she doesn't know how to operate a Muggle cellphone. That means she is a witch and Adrian is a wizard. " he proclaimed.
"How do you know all that?" Narcissa asked, surprised.
"An elderly Muggle couple told me. They apparently know them well enough." Draco answered his mother, "They praised his drawing." he said relishing the fact.
"Well supposedly that Adrian is a wizard, Draco, but it does not answer the question that how you are going to find that small boy in that big city?" Audré asked seriously.
"I am Draco Malfoy, Aunt Audre." Draco declared proudly, "And Malfoys always get what they want. I have a very good plan." he said smirking at her.
Audré eyed her nephew for a moment, "Then I am coming with too." she announced to a bewildered looking Narcissa and Lilian.
"You are most welcome." Draco grinned. "We'll make a decent team together."