"Narbonne?" Hermione repeated, "Are you sure?"
Draco nodded. "It is the biggest estate mentioned in the ledger, and look," he pointed to the map. "It's right here on the map"
"Have you been there before?" she asked, watching Draco out of the corner of her eye.
Draco ran his hand through his hair. "I don't know. I am trying to remember but it's hard." he shook his head. "I just don't get why I don't remember any of this."
Hermione turned to face him. "I guess everyone reacts differently to war. You had so much to deal with, and all of it was forcing you to confront things that had previously been just ideology. Suddenly you were thrust into the situation of it being reality; of watching teachers killed before your eyes." She shuddered, pausing. "Classmates being tortured in front of you," she whispered as he reached out, pulling her into his arms, taking his comfort readily. "I can understand your need to lock everything away," she sighed.
.
Hooded figures stood at the altar. The silver blade raised. Candle light flickering across the room. Kneeling inside the pentacle. Head bowed, left hand raised, trembling. Wand slicing flesh, blood dripping into the bowl, magic tingling. The Stone. The Elixir. Drinking from the chalice.
Draco awoke suddenly, bolting upright. He was dripping with sweat, tangled in the sheets. He glanced over, his wife sleeping soundly next to him, her curls cascading across the pillow like a golden halo, alabaster calf exposed. Turning to lean across to the nightstand, he grabbed the watch she had given him for his last birthday and checked the time. 3:23am. He needed to get all this down before he forgot. Hurriedly pulling on his boxers, he headed out to the next room to grab parchment and a quill.
.
He felt her hand come down across his chest before her lips gently grazed his neck as he scribbled furiously. Resting her chin on his shoulder, she read his notes.
"I had a dream," he told her. "I remembered some of the details. I think I need to go and take another look at the villa."
"What? Now?" she murmured, kissing him again.
Draco smirked. "No, I am not you. I will go in the morning."
Hermione swatted him on the arm playfully.
.
Stumbling from the apparation, Hermione gripped Draco's hand tight. He glanced over at her. "Are you alright?" he asked her, concern thick in his voice.
Hermione nodded, swallowing down her nausea. "Just a bit dizzy," she told him.
Draco frowned. "I told you that you were working yourself sick," he murmured.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "I am fine!" she stated as they walked into the drawing room. Standing inside the pentacle, Draco explained his dream.
"I saw the ceremony. The initiate was kneeling in the pentacle. His left arm was raised, then sliced open with a wand. Blood was collected in the bowl. Then they gave the chalice to the initiate," he pointed to the chalice on the altar. "It was filled with the Elixir of Life."
Hermione frowned, her mind pulling forward all she could recall from her research into Nicholas Flamel. "In order to maintain his immortality, Nicholas had to keep drinking the Elixir. The immortality was not fixed," she stated.
Draco turned to her, and said, "I am guessing then, that this cup they wanted, they needed because of that. What if that is exactly it and they need the cup to drink the Elixir in order for the immortality to be fixed?"
Hermione nodded. "That certainly fits. Is there a room like this in Narbonne?"
Draco frowned, trying to recall. "I would think so. Clearly they are intending to break the wards, hence needing her blood," he shuddered at the thought.
"I feel like we are missing something vital," Hermione stated, her eyes narrowed in deep thought.
Draco nodded. "I guess we need to go to Narbonne then."
.
Eyes narrowed, he watched his wife carefully as she took a steadying breath before drawing her wand. Approaching the wards, Draco tested them with his, probing them for any signs of alteration. Something didn't feel right as they approached the tall, iron gates halfway along the driveway. A chill went down Draco's spine causing his heckles to rise; senses on full alert.
"Can you feel that?" he asked Hermione, throwing her a sideways glance.
Hermione nodded, nervous apprehension causing her to feel nauseous.
Raising his hand to the gate, he felt the cool iron slick under his touch. Pulling his hand away, he was alarmed to find it coated in crimson.
His eyes darting from his hand to Hermione, complexion paling to almost translucent, he cast alohomora and forced the gates open. He was surprised how easy the wards fell, his stomach plunging to his feet from the implication. Breaking into a run, he made for the Chateau, alert to the possibility this was a trap. Hermione hustled after him, signalling her own approach of the tired building to Draco who nodded his understanding.
Entering the atrium, they secured each room in turn before entering the drawing room. Draco entered first, wand drawn; Hermione providing cover. Frantically his eyes searched, relief washing over him when they fell on Pansy bound to a chair in the middle of the room. The gash on her left hand was still fresh, crimson pooling on the floor as she bled.
Tears silently streaked down Pansy's face as the pair set about casting the counter charms to those that bound her, silenced.
"Oh Merlin!" she cried, breaking into sobs.
"It's ok, we have you; you're safe," he told her, pulling her into his arms and planting a kiss atop her head.
Pansy shook her head. "They are here. Gathered in the North Wing drawing room. Father always forbade me to enter the North Wing. Now, I know why," she choked back her tears.
Draco frowned as Pansy grasped at his shirt, her eyes wide with fear.
"They are creating 'The Immortals'."