Chapter 3
"What did you say your boyfriend's name was?" Luc asked, his brilliant grey eyes narrowing.
"I didn't," Hermione said, oblivious to Draco's shock. "Draco, Draco O'Riordan."
"O'Riordan?" Draco muttered to himself, adopting his usual cool attitude. He held out his hand, and Luc Boulanger shook it almost reluctantly. Good, Draco thought. Two can play this game.
Hermione couldn't understand Draco's reluctance to speak with Luc. He had warmed up to Mrs. and Mr. Boulanger's presence almost immediately, and was a perfect gentleman to them. But when Luc asked him to pass the salad, Draco practically threw it at him; luckily, neither of Luc's parents noticed.
"So, how is school going, Hermione?" Mrs. Boulanger asked, her English flawless. "I understand Harry Potter attends your school."
Draco flinched and nearly dropped his fork, but Hermione ignored him.
"Yes, I'm good friends with Harry," Hermione said with a winning smile. "Harry is a very nice boy."
"Well, after Tu-Sais-Qui returned," Mr. Boulanger said, his deep voice echoing in the small dining room. "Mr. Potter has proven himself to be a valuable asset to the wizarding community. I'm sure you heard about him killing Tu-Sais-Qui in May. Of course, it was only temporary, but Mr. Potter has definitely acquitted himself admirably."
"Did you see it happen?" Marie piped up, her little face alarmingly excited. "Was Tu-Sais-Qui ugly?"
"Actually, Draco and I were in the room when it happened," Hermione replied, lying without a shred of guilt. She did not want to be associated with the incident if at all possible. "And yes, Voldemort was very ugly."
Everyone in the room dropped their silver simultaneously, and looked at Hermione as if she had just uttered the worst curse word ever imagined.
"Sorry," she whispered nervously.
"It's fine," Mrs. Boulanger said, smoothing her skirt worriedly. "Let's change the subject. When do you return to school?"
"September 1st," Draco said, cutting his meat slowly.
"Oh good," Mrs. Boulanger continued. "Then you can spend the next couple months with us, can't you?"
"I'm sorry," Hermione said. "We have to return at the end of July for Harry's birthday, and some school business."
"Well, in the meantime," Mr. Boulanger said benevolently, straightening his tie. "Luc can show you around Paris."
"We already have a guide, thank you though," Draco said quickly, very grateful that Blaise had offered his services. He reminded himself to thank Blaise when they returned to the hotel.
"Well," Luc said quickly. "They always say that two guides is better than one."
"When do they say that?" Draco asked ludicrously, but immediately shut his mouth when Hermione swiftly kicked him under the table.
"They say it here in France all the time," Luc said coolly. His mother shot him a warning look, but Draco missed it.
"We appreciate the offer," Hermione began, but then seeing Luc's crestfallen face, continued quickly, "And we accept."
Draco cast her a furious look, but she ignored him.
"How about we all meet tomorrow in the lobby of your hotel at 9 o'clock?" Luc suggested. "Then we can show you the magical side of Paris."
Hermione laughed. "Everything about Paris is magical."
"Very true," Mr. Boulanger said with a wry grin. "But you haven't seen real magic till you see the underside of Paris."
After bidding their hosts goodnight, Hermione and Draco hurried down the stairs and practically fell out onto the crowded sidewalk.
"Why did you accept that prat's invitation?" Draco snapped angrily. "I don't like him."
"Draco, you don't like anybody," Hermione said with a roll of her eyes, pulling on the sleeve of his jacket. "You're so suspicious of everyone. First Blaise, and now Luc. How do I know you're not going to get all rude on me as well?"
"There's nothing wrong with Blaise," he grumbled. "He's predictable, I know him well. This Luc chap, he's fishy."
Hermione growled in vexation. "Draco Malfoy, stop being so darn protective of me. I can take care of myself, and you know it. If you don't stop acting like such guard dog, I'll abandon you in the middle of France and go off with Blaise!"
Draco practically screamed. "So this is why you were so darn eager to get Blaise to drag us around Paris, huh?"
"Don't be so stupid, Draco," Hermione snarled, "And pipe down, will you? You're making a fool of yourself. I died for you, and I'd do it again if you stopped acting like I was committing a crime or something!"
Draco instantly felt guilty for not trusting her.
"I'm
sorry," he replied contritely, hating to admit that she was right,
but knowing that she'd never forgive him if he didn't. What had
he gotten himself into?
"You better be," she replied angrily.
"We came here to relax and get to know each other. Instead you're
suspecting me of running around with other men, and accusing everyone
of trying to pull a fast one over us. No one is trying to con us,
least of all Blaise or Luc."
"Look," Draco said, immediately defensive. "Luc looks way to much like my dad for comfort. Did you see those kid's eyes. I swear, he has to be related to me. Those eyes were Malfoy eyes, and it scared me shitless."
"Don't use such language," Hermione said. "And, you're right. I did notice a vague resemblance. But, Draco, I think you're just seeing ghosts. Lucius Malfoy had one son, you."
"Lucius Malfoy had one legitimate son. He probably has many more, and I don't want anything more to do with my family. Least of all any half-brothers."
Hermione sighed. "I doubt that Luc is any threat to us. I've known him for five years; he's a good family friend. Even if he is your half-brother, I don't think he'd sell us out to a man who hasn't been a father to him."
Draco ran a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. "It's not that I'm worried he'll sell us out, or something. It's just that, I don't want any reminders of my past, Hermione. I've given up everything, and I mean everything, to be with you, I don't want to be reminded of the family I gave up."
Hermione looked up at him, tears in her eyes.
"Were they ever a family to you?" she demanded.
Draco had to admit, that he could not answer her question.
A/N: You know the drill. :)
