A/N - Only one more chapter after this and then the Epilogue. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Chapter 26
Adrian resisted the urge to draw his wand and hex his mother. He could just leave before the Aurors got here. Despite what she had done to his father, Adrian thought that he stood a good chance of stunning her before she could use her own wand. He could go to Marcus' and find out where Anna and Daphne were. Things could continue on as they had been.
But he didn't want to do that. He was tired of hiding and if this was his last chance to try to make his parents see, then he had to take it. "The research is real, Mother. Anna has contributed greatly to the potion they are developing."
His mother scoffed. "And just how would she even have gotten in contact with these researchers?"
"That doesn't matter right now," Adrian said. "But you have to listen to me."
"Enough! I am tired of this, Adrian. I want my daughter home where she belongs, where she is safe! Where no one-" his mother trailed off looking away.
"Where no one will find out about her magic?" Adrian supplied. When his mother didn't respond, Adrian sighed and stood from his chair. His mother's wand was immediately trained on him once again but he ignored it as he picked up the other study from his father's desk.
"Anna's lack of magic isn't her fault. And it isn't yours or Father's. It's no one's fault. It just happened." He handed her the article and leaned back against the edge of the desk, arms crossed over his chest.
"What is this?"
"Just read it."
His mother did, the summary at least, glancing up at him when she'd finished.
"This study is what prompted the researchers to try to develop the potion in the first place. If they can stop babies from being born prematurely, then their magical cores will have time to develop fully. That's what happened to Anna, she just didn't get enough time."
His mother sank down heavily into one of the chairs in front of his father's desk. Adrian squatted down in front of her. His mother's hand shook as she held the study and when she looked at him he saw the glaze of tears in her eyes. He covered her shaking hand with his own.
"It wasn't your fault," he said softly.
She glanced up at Adrian's father.
"No matter what he said to you, it wasn't your fault." Adrian looked over his shoulder, somewhat gratified to see that his father looked uncomfortable. And not because of the spells that were still active on him. But because, as Adrian suspected, he had blamed his wife for Anna's problems all these years. It was the usual way of things, after all, at least amongst the Pureblood set. It could never be the father's fault that there was something wrong with the child. Arseholes.
"The potion that they've developed, they never could have gotten this far this quickly without Anna's help," Adrian said.
"I don't understand," his mother replied. "How could she? How does she know?"
"Like I said, she's a prodigy. And she reads. A lot." Adrian smiled. "She has this intuition about how things will work together, how ingredients can be substituted to change the nature of the potion. The initial potion they started working from was an old one that was used as an abortifacient. She suggested changing one of the main ingredients to change the use. When the researchers got stuck during a critical step, Anna was the one that came up with the correct suggestion, even though they were all researching it. She's amazing, Mother."
His mother stared at him for a few moments. Adrian could feel his father's eyes on him as well but he didn't turn. Right now, he felt that his mother was his best chance.
"I wanted to be a Charms Mistress," his mother said quietly. Adrian stared at her in surprise. "I excelled in school and Professor Flitwick encouraged me to pursue it after Hogwarts. He even offered to help me get an Apprenticeship." She smiled grimly. "My parents, of course, wouldn't hear of it. No daughter of theirs was going to work, no matter how intelligent she was. I was betrothed to your father already and the one time I brought it up to him, he laughed."
Adrian did turn now to glare at his father who had the common decency to look a bit ashamed.
"It wasn't his fault, not really. We were all brought up to believe certain things about our proper place," his mother continued. "I did hope, at one time, but, well I knew it was unlikely to happen."
"Don't let that happen to Anna, Mother," Adrian said softly. "Her magic being what it is upsets her but when she's brewing or researching or even talking about Potions, that all goes away. It doesn't matter anymore because she's so utterly brilliant at what she can do. Don't stifle that. Please."
Adrian stood now and looked between both his parents. "I know things have always been done a certain way. But it doesn't have to be like that. Think of all the good she could do, all the good she's already doing. What if she's the one that comes up with a treatment for people like her? Don't let our world lose out on a brilliant Potioneer because she happens to be a Pureblood woman."
Hermione and Anna landed in a heap a few dozen yards from what Hermione assumed was Pucey Manor. After a cursory check of herself, Hermione rounded on Anna, checking the girl over for any injuries.
"What were you thinking? You could have splinched!"
"I had to come," Anna said standing up and dusting herself off.
"I told you that I would do everything I could."
"And gotten yourself arrested right along with him," Anna retorted.
"Anna-"
"No, Hermione! He's my brother! He's done all of this for me. I'm not going to let them take him. Not when I can do something about it!"
Hermione sighed but honestly, would she have done anything different for Harry? She knew that she wouldn't have. Adrian was going to be furious but there was nothing Hermione could do about that now. They were here and they might as well see what they could both do to help.
"I'm going to Disillusion us," Hermione said. "Just until we get inside and see what's going on."
"The House Elves will know we're here. As soon as we cross the wards. They'll know I'm here."
"Still," Hermione said, having suspected as much. "They'll know we're here but they won't necessarily see us. Until we're ready to let them, anyway."
She cast the spell on Anna, then herself. She grabbed for the younger woman's hand and they approached the house together. After a few moments, Anna whispered that they'd crossed the wards. Hermione saw no sign of the Aurors being here but that didn't mean they weren't in the house already. Or, Merlin forbid, had already arrested Adrian.
Pulling in a breath, they continued towards the house, Hermione hoping that they weren't too late.
"Mistress, Master!" Pippen said the moment he appeared in the room. Adrian startled, almost having forgotten that the Aurors were coming. But that's not what Pippen was coming to tell them. "Young Miss has returned."
All three occupants of the room simply stared at the House Elf for a moment. His mother recovered first.
"Where? Where is she?"
"Young Miss has crossed the wards but is not yet in the house."
Anna had crossed the wards? That had to mean that she'd been Apparated in. How the hell had she gotten here? If Daphne had brought her in some misguided attempt to try and rescue him, Adrian swore in his head. Before he could say anything, his mother had rushed from the room. Without even a backward glance at his father, Adrian followed.
When his mother reached the front door, she flung it open and ran outside. A quick scan showed no sign of his sister.
"Anna?" his mother called. "Anna, where are you?" His sister was nowhere to be seen, nor was whomever had come with her.
I'll check the garden," Adrian said and ran back into the house before his mother could protest.
Fuck, why was she here? He had to find her first and send her away. If their parents got her back into this house before Adrian had gotten them to agree to anything, he was afraid that things would go back to the way they were. And he wouldn't let that happen. Even if it meant spending the next twenty years in Azkaban.
Adrian reached the door to the back garden and opened it. He stepped out onto the patio and scanned the gardens. As he turned his head to the left he thought he saw a flash of something near the fountain. He stepped down off the patio and stared at the water. Yes, there it was again. A shimmer. Disillusionment charm which meant there was definitely someone with her.
"Anna?" he said even as he moved closer to the fountain. Once he got close enough he cast a Finite in the general direction where he had seen the shimmer.
"Hermione?" he said in astonishment when the woman's Disillusionment ended. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"She brought me," Anna said, still invisible. "Or rather, I hitched a ride without her knowing."
Adrian cast a Finite Anna's way as well. "You both have to leave. Now. Pippen knows you're here and Mother will be here any moment. The Aurors are on their way."
"That's why we're here," Anna said.
"No, Anna. You have to go."
"I'm not letting them take you to Azkaban, Adrian." Anna said.
Adrian whirled on Hermione. "How could you bring her here?"
"I didn't try to," Hermione said.
"Why did you come at all?"
"Because I want to help."
"After everything we did to try to protect you?" Adrian demanded.
"I'm not leaving you to deal with this on your own! I'll explain to your parents, tell them how much Anna helped."
"Damn it, Hermione, I was doing that! I almost had my mother convinced and then Pippen popped in and told us Anna was back."
"You did?" Anna asked in surprise.
"Well, I think so anyway. But I didn't get a chance to finish!"
"Anna!"
Adrian grimaced at the sound of his mother's voice. He could hear her running across the flagstones. Anna gave him an apologetic look as she stepped out from behind the fountain.
"Oh, Anna," their mother pulled her Anna into her arms. "I was so worried."
"I'm sorry, Mummy," Anna said hugging her mother back. So, that was how she was going to play it. Anna hadn't called their mother 'Mummy' since she was ten.
His mother finally noticed Hermione and narrowed her eyes. "What is she doing here?"
"She brought me," Anna said.
"Mrs. Pucey," Hermione said politely. "It's very nice to meet you."
His mother looked Hermione up and down but did not respond to her greeting. Adrian grit his teeth.
"Come inside," his mother said and Adrian had no idea if she were talking only to Anna or to all of them. He turned to Hermione before he followed.
"Go," he whispered. "Leave the way you came. You can Apparate when you reach that big oak tree."
"I'm not leaving," Hermione said.
"Please, Hermione, let me handle this. Anna is back now and I swear that I almost had my mother agreeing. Just please go."
Hermione stared at him for a moment before she sighed and nodded. She turned to start towards the back of the garden.
"Bring Miss Granger, as well, Adrian," his mother said, not even turning around.
Adrian shook his head at Hermione and pointed towards the oak tree.
"Unless you'd like me to send the Aurors to her home after they're done here."
Adrian sighed. He took Hermione's hand and led her toward the house.
"I'm sorry," he said.
"No, it's my fault," she replied quietly so his mother didn't hear. "Although, I swear I never intended to bring Anna. She grabbed me as I was Apparating. You have to believe me."
"I do," he said. "I know how sneaky she can be. She'd have been a Slytherin for sure."
Hermione cracked a smile as they made their way inside.
When they stepped into the house a House Elf suddenly appeared in front of them.
"Young Miss, Pippen is very happy to be seeing you," he said to Anna.
"Thank you, Pippen," Anna replied with a genuine smile. "I missed you too."
"Mistress, the Aurors have arrived."
"Where are they?"
"Pippen has shown them to the sitting room."
"Thank you, Pippen. I'll be there in a moment."
The House Elf bowed and disappeared.
Mrs. Pucey turned to face them, arm still around Anna. Her mouth turned down when she saw their clasped hands. Hermione tried to pull her hand from Adrian's but he held fast.
"Return to the study. I must speak with the Aurors."
"What are you going to tell them?" Adrian asked.
"That remains to be seen. Do you intend to abscond with my daughter again?"
"That depends. Do you intend to continue our discussion?"
Mrs. Pucey studied Adrian for a few moments. Her eyes flicked towards Hermione and Hermione suspected that the other woman was putting the pieces together.
"I suppose that would be acceptable," Mrs. Pucey finally said.
"Then I have no intention of taking Anna with me unless she asks me to," Adrian replied.
His mother nodded once and then turned, taking Anna with her to talk to the Aurors.
"Come on," Adrian said pulling Hermione in the opposite direction. They stepped into a small sitting room.
"I'm sorry," she said again. "I just, I couldn't let them arrest you."
"Even though it was likely they would have arrested you too?" Adrian asked. "Because trust me, Hermione, if I hadn't gotten through to my mother as much as I had, you would have been there right along with me. As it is, I'm positive she's figured out who at least one of the other researchers is."
"I think you're right," Hermione said. "But I didn't care if they arrested me too."
He sighed and shook his head. "Why are you even here? You're meant to be in Sweden."
"I was. But I couldn't concentrate on anything and so I told Anders I needed to go home and take care of something."
Adrian sighed again and scrubbed a hand down his face. He stared at her for a few moments.
"Do you know how much it would have killed me if you'd been arrested?" he asked softly. "You still could be depending on how this little chat goes."
"I could say the same thing."
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Hermione melted into his embrace and fervently returned the kiss. She still had no idea what his mother was actually going to do and if this was her last kiss with him for a while she was going to make it count.
They finally parted and Adrian rested his forehead against hers for a few moments before he stepped back and took her hand again.
"Come on. We'd better get back to the study."
When he and Hermione walked into the study together, his father's eyes widened comically and then his face turned bright red again. He struggled against his bonds but Adrian had to hand it to his mother, she knew how to cast an Incarcerous.
"Calm down, Father," Adrian said trying to sound bored. "Mother is just dealing with the Aurors."
"Did you do this?" Hermione whispered looking a bit shocked at his father's current predicament.
Adrian snorted. "No, this was all my mother."
They sat in silence, his father alternately glaring between the two of them. Hermione was nervous, Adrian could tell by the way she kept biting at her lip and clasping and unclasping her hands in her lap. He honestly couldn't say that he wouldn't have done the same thing if their positions were reversed but he wished to Merlin she hadn't come. It was bad enough that Anna was back here, but Adrian was not confident that he could trust his mother, let alone his father, not to have Hermione arrested.
He reached over to take her hand, giving it a squeeze to try and reassure her. She gave him a grateful smile. When Adrian looked up, his father had a look of scorn on his face. If he could have spoken, Adrian was sure that he would be spewing hateful venom. Hermione either didn't notice or pretended not to.
It seemed an eternity before his mother and Anna finally returned. His father's face softened considerably when he saw Anna walk through the door. Anna, however, didn't even spare him more than a glance. Good. His father should know what he'd done to his daughter betrothing her to that disgusting excuse for a wizard.
His mother flicked her wand and while the bindings remained, his father was no longer silenced.
"Release me this instant, witch!" he snarled at his wife.
His mother just looked bored. "Oh, do be quiet, Aldon or I'll silence you again."
Adrian hid a snicker behind a cough and he could see the amusement in Anna's eyes.
"I have sent the Aurors back to the Ministry," his mother said. "I convinced them that now that Anna has been returned this is a family matter. However, I can always call them back if I do not like the answers I receive."
His mother conjured two more chairs and she and Anna settled into them.
"Anna," his father finally said and Anna turned to look at him.
"Hello, Father," she said but with none of the warmth in her voice that she usually had for him.
Adrian saw the barely perceptible flinch at her flat greeting, but his father cleared his throat and continued to look Anna over.
"You are well?"
"Quite well, thank you. Adrian has taken excellent care of me." She gave her brother a genuine smile that Adrian returned. When her eyes shifted back to her father, all emotion was gone from her face.
It was almost like a physical blow had hit his father at the change in Anna when she regarded him versus how she had addressed Adrian. But, as it always did, his mask slid into place. He turned his attention to Hermione.
"You had something to do with her disappearance, didn't you?" he demanded.
"Don't try to blame her, Father," Adrian said. "I was the one that helped Anna get away from you."
"And she hid you," he sneered, chin raising towards Hermione. "In some filthy Muggle place I'm sure."
Hermione stared back at him, looking defiant. "Even if it were, your daughter preferred it to staying here under your thumb."
"Why you insolent little Mud-" his father's voice was instantly cut off and Adrian realized that his mother had silenced her husband once more.
"That is about enough of that, I think," his mother said. "I have other things I wish to discuss with Miss Granger."
Adrian might have been wrong but he thought there was a bit of approval on his mother's face when she looked at Hermione after her comment to Adrian's father. Perhaps the two had more in common than he thought.
"I can only assume that you are one of the researchers in these studies." His mother held the two articles in her hand.
"I am," Hermione said.
"And the other?"
"That's not information I'm willing to share," Hermione said. "But I can assure you that they have no idea where Anna has been staying."
His mother studied Hermione for a few moments and then finally gave a nod as if she believed her.
"My son has insisted that Anna was essential in developing this potion."
"She was," Hermione replied. "Mrs. Pucey, your daughter is the most intuitive Potioneer that I've ever met. Of any age. I think only the late Professor Snape was as talented. Had he lived I think he might have done amazing things. As Anna could do, given the chance."
"And why should I believe you? It's obvious you have ulterior motives given your apparent relationship with my son. You could simply be spinning this tale to make sure he, as well as yourself, is not arrested."
"That's true," Hermione said. "My suggestion to you would be to speak to Anna yourself. If you are not well-versed in Potions then have her evaluated by a someone who is. A Master even. Once they see the work that she's done, I think they could convince you."
"How are they to see the work she's done if you will not reveal your partner?"
"I have all of Anna's notes. Surely, you're familiar with her handwriting. Anyone could look over them and see how she came to her conclusions."
"And how can I know that they are real and not just something you concocted to have her write?" his mother asked. Even though he was annoyed with his mother's questions, Adrian had to admit that she was trying to cover every angle.
"Then I would suggest that you have whoever evaluates her give her a problem to solve," Hermione said simply with a shrug of her shoulders as if it were a given that Anna would be able to do so.
"Mother?" Anna said quietly and the older woman turned to look at her. His sister had been quiet up until now, which Adrian knew must have been difficult as their mother seemed to not believe anything she was being told.
"Yes, Anna?"
"I know that I can't do much magic but Potions is something I can do. Brewing was always easy for me and I was always successful. That's why I liked it so much because it wasn't a struggle like everything else was. I know that I shouldn't brag about myself but I'm good at it. Adrian and Hermione keep using words like prodigy and amazing and I don't know if that's true.
But I can look at a potion and just…know what it needs to be better or different. I don't know how I know but I do. And when I research, I just always seem to gravitate towards the source I'll need. It's like I already have this idea of what I'll find before I look. I don't always know the names of things but I always know the properties I need to find."
She was silent for a moment and then met their mother's gaze. "I think I might be able to help people. Really help them and that's, that's what I want to do. Helping Hermione with this potion has been, well, I feel like I'm not a failure of a witch when I do potions."
Adrian's throat was tight and he felt Hermione's hand slip into his. When he looked at her, there were tears in her eyes. His mother was the same and even his father had been affected. Adrian had never seen that look on his face before but it was pain. Not at his current situation but that his daughter was suffering.
"Oh, darling, you are not a failure," his mother said, drawing Anna into her arms. Adrian had to try extremely hard to keep his jaw from dropping. He had never heard a term of endearment from his mother, ever. His father seemed to be equally shocked. Anna didn't seem too surprised, so perhaps his mother had treated her this way before, just in private. Or maybe Anna was just too overcome to notice.
There was silence in the room for a few minutes and Adrian glanced at his father again. He could tell the man wanted to say something. With a glance at his mother who was still hugging Anna, Adrian released the silencing spell on his father.
"Adeline," the man said gruffly. Adrian's mother looked up, a bit surprised that her husband had spoken. Her eyes slid to Adrian who shrugged. If they wanted to change his mind, they were going to have to let the man speak at some point.
"Release me."
Adrian's mother stared at her husband until he spoke again. "I will keep my temper."
His mother raised her wand and the bonds fell away from his father and disappeared. His father turned his attention to Anna who only looked at him. If he were expecting her to run into his arms, Adrian knew he would be waiting for some time. Anna hadn't forgiven the man yet for who he had betrothed her to.
After it became obvious that his father wouldn't get what he wanted, he turned to his wife. "I would like to speak to Adrian privately."
His mother's eyes flicked between Adrian and his father. She clearly did not want to leave the two of them alone. Adrian felt a bit of gratitude towards her, something he hadn't felt for a very long time.
"You have already sent away the Aurors," his father said. "And Adrian has removed my Floo powder and my wand. What can I possibly do to the boy?"
"We haven't finished our discussion," his mother said with a meaningful glance at Anna.
"We will," his father said. "You have my word."
"Very well." His mother rose and turned to Adrian. "Give me your father's wand."
Adrian pulled it from his pocket and handed it over. His mother then gestured to Anna and looked towards Hermione. "Perhaps you would like to join us for tea, Miss Granger. I have a few more questions I would like to ask."
Hermione glanced at Adrian before she smiled and rose. "I'd be delighted." She followed the other two women from the room.
Adrian turned his attention to his father who had picked up the two studies and stacked them neatly on top of one another. He then contemplated Adrian over the expanse of his desk.
"Your sister looks well."
"Did you think I was going to starve her or something?" Adrian scoffed.
"I know that you could not get into the vault."
Adrian didn't respond knowing that his father was trying to figure out who else had helped them. He doubted that his father thought it was only Hermione.
"I had no idea that Anna was this talented in Potions," his father continued when it was obvious Adrian wasn't going to say anything.
"You never thought to ask about it," Adrian returned.
"No, I did not," his father agreed. Adrian was immediately on guard. His father was only agreeable when he wanted something or had some other plan up his sleeve.
The older man sighed. "I do regret many things about how I have handled your sister's situation. Her recent betrothal included."
"You mean how you betrothed her to a predator?"
Adrian could see his father's jaw tense and waited for the man to explode. He was shocked when his father reined in his temper. "You are right in that I didn't look into Lowe's background carefully enough. That is my fault."
"Just tell me what you want," Adrian said.
"I don't know what you are referring to."
"You don't apologize and you rarely take responsibility for anything, Father. It's obvious you want something so out with it."
"Do you really think so little of me?"
"Give me a reason not to," Adrian said with a shrug.
His father sighed and shook his head. "We have had this argument before, Adrian but someday when you have children you will understand why I have done the things I have."
Adrian snorted but said nothing. It wasn't worth repeating himself again, especially when his father would never see anything wrong with the things he had done.
"I do not wish to be at odds with you, Adrian."
"You disowned me, remember?"
"Yes, and I was a bit hasty in that decision, I admit."
Adrian's eyes narrowed, not believing whatever shite his father was trying to pull.
"I am willing to allow Anna to continue her Potions training, even obtain a Mastery if that is what she wishes."
"And you aren't going to set up another contract for her?"
"I am not going to deny that I am going to continue to look for an appropriate husband for her but I will concede that I will let her give her input before any contracts are written."
"That isn't exactly giving her the choice to marry who she likes, if she marries at all."
"I just want her to be happy," his father said. He actually looked sincere when he said it. So much so that Adrian was caught a bit off guard.
"And me, Father, do you want me to be happy as well?"
"Yes," his father said and Adrian scoffed. "I know that you do not wish to marry Daphne. I will not try to reinstate your betrothal contract with her. I will allow you to marry a witch of your choosing."
Adrian stared at him.
"An appropriate witch, of course."
And there it was. Adrian would be welcomed back into the bosom of the family as long as he ended his relationship with Hermione.
"There is only one witch I wish to marry, Father. And it's doubtful you would deem her 'appropriate'. So, I will have to respectfully decline."
Adrian stood from his chair and made to leave the study when his father spoke again.
"It would be a shame if I would go to the Ministry to drop the kidnapping charges against you only to bring them against Miss Granger."
Adrian turned and stared at his father.
"Hermione did not kidnap Anna."
"So you say. However, I do find it interesting that Miss Granger obviously knew Anna's whereabouts as she worked with her on this project." He tapped the uppermost study with his index finger. "Not to mention she is the one that brought your sister here today. The Aurors might find that interesting as well, don't you think?"
"You are going to propose to the Auror department that Hermione is the one that kidnapped Anna and kept her hidden all these months and that I had nothing to do with it?" Adrian scoffed. "You're delusional."
"Oh, I don't know. Women have been known to manipulate men to get what they want. They've been doing it for centuries. I wouldn't argue that you weren't involved at all, but that you were convinced it was in Anna's best interest to take her. You would have never done it on your own."
"What could Hermione possibly gain from taking Anna?" Adrian asked.
"You said yourself that your sister was instrumental in developing this Potion. If it hadn't been for her ideas they would still be months away from success if they even discovered it at all."
Adrian stared at him incredulously. His father was completely mad. "There are so many holes in that scenario that I don't even know where to start. The DMLE will pick it apart in seconds or her barrister will."
"Perhaps," his father said. "But perhaps not."
Adrian snorted and shook his head. "You are a piece of work, Father. I'm going to have to respectfully tell you to shove your offer up your arse."
"If you walk out that door, Adrian, not only will I file new charges against the Mudblood but I will be sure that the ones against you remain as well."
Adrian whirled and strode across the room pointing his wand at his father's throat. "Call her that again. I dare you."
"Enough!" his mother snapped. Adrian turned his head to see her in the open doorway, eyes ablaze with fury. "Adrian, lower your wand this instant."
"Mother," he began but at her glare he did as she asked. He was shocked when his mother took his place, her own wand pointed at her husband's throat.
"You will do no such thing," she hissed. "There will be no charges against either Adrian or Miss Granger. This was your fault, Aldon, and you will reap the consequences."
"You will not order me about in my own home!" his father roared.
"Then we will not be in your home," his mother retorted. "Anna and I will move elsewhere."
"You will not take my daughter anywhere!"
"She is my daughter too and as I still have your wand, I don't see what you can do to stop me. Adrian managed to hide her from us for months, I'm sure he could assist us in leaving again."
"Mother," Adrian began but she interrupted.
"Be quiet, Adrian," she snapped. He closed his mouth.
"Miss Granger and Anna are in the kitchens being fawned over by Pippen and Tippy and the rest of the House Elves. I, however, have been listening to your tripe the entire time. You are done making the decisions, Aldon."
Before his father could protest, she bound and silenced him again. Adrian almost laughed aloud at the expression on his father's face.
"Do you remember the vault my mother left me when she died?" His mother waited until his father nodded. "Yes, well, there was a stipulation in her will that the money never be moved into the Pucey vault, that it stay solely in my name. A stipulation you were not informed of as you chose not to attend the reading of the will. All these years it has sat there, collecting interest on the investments and now holds quite a tidy sum. More than enough for Anna and I to go anywhere we like, I'd wager."
"I may not be able to divorce you, Aldon. But I do not have to live with you and neither does my daughter. As for Adrian, he is a grown man and can make his own decisions. While I am not altogether pleased with Miss Granger's less than stellar blood status, she is an intelligent witch that obviously cares greatly for both our children. He could do much, much worse. And in the end, what does blood really matter anyway? Look where it's gotten us."
She turned now to Adrian. "Perhaps there is somewhere that Anna and I can stay while your father decides what he would like to do."
"Of course, Mother," Adrian said. "I can take you there as soon as you're ready."
"And might I remind you, Aldon," his mother said turning back to his father. "That there are many secrets you hold of which I am aware. It would be a shame if the wrong people found out about them."
His father's face which had been purple up to this point drained of all color. Adrian knew that his biggest fear was finding himself in Azkaban for his financial support of Voldemort. Adrian was, however, a bit concerned for his mother's safety. Threatening his father couldn't be a good idea. He decided to add a bit of incentive of his own.
"As far as I'm aware, few people, if any, knew who Anna was betrothed to. Given that Lowe has now been arrested and is facing multiple charges, what would it do to your reputation if your friends were to find out that you had betrothed your young daughter to the man?"
His father was able to get things done because of the respect others on the Wizengamot and in the Ministry held for him. Respect that could turn on a knut if they thought Aldon Pucey hadn't done his due diligence in investigating his daughter's betrothed.
His father's fury returned but Adrian didn't much care. If what his mother said about her vault were true, she and Anna would have no problem hiding from his father. It would likely mean leaving the country but there were always Portkeys.
"How much time do you need to gather your things?" Adrian asked his mother. He would take them back to the cottage for the moment. He wasn't sure if Daphne and Tracey had left or not but even if they had, Hermione knew where Tracey was planning to take them. Once there, they could decide on a more permanent plan.
"No more than fifteen minutes," his mother said. "There is little I wish to take with me."
"I'll meet you in the kitchens then," Adrian said.
His mother nodded and turned back to her husband. "I will release your bonds when Anna and I are ready to leave. And I will have Pippen return your wand once we are gone." She turned to Adrian. "Will your father be able to contact us by owl?"
Adrian hesitated for a moment. If he said no, he gave away that they wouldn't be in a magical area. Hermione would be back in Sweden and Adrian was not getting Tracey or Daphne involved. And owls could be tracked anyway. He picked the one person who wouldn't give two shites if Adrian involved him. In fact, he'd probably encourage him to.
"Send an owl to Marcus. He won't know where we are but I'll check in with him regularly. And before you draw the wrong conclusion, Marcus has had no idea where we've been. If you decide to bring charges against any of my friends trying to ferret out information, my threat stands."
"As does mine," his mother added.
His father glared at both of them but Adrian ignored it and turned for the door, holding it open and ushering his mother out. They didn't speak as they walked down the corridor toward the staircase. When they reached it his mother stopped and turned to him. She stared at him for a few moments before she finally spoke.
"You are a good man, Adrian. I'm sorry I have never told you that." And then she turned and made her way up the stairs to her suite, leaving Adrian staring after her in shock.