In the ensuing week which followed Abraxas Malfoy's abrupt departure from his portrait, he hadn't returned since, which worried both Lucius and Draco, but for different reasons.

Draco, who'd often felt like a pawn at the whim of his elder's machinations, was left wondering when the proverbial other cauldron was going to drop. Lucius though, being the quintessential Slytherin he was, parlayed his worry into action and proceeded to utilize the last vestiges of underground contacts he'd cultivated throughout two campaigns, to seek out answers.

His efforts led him to France, and Vinda Rosier.

She was a distant cousin of Narcissa's mother, Druella. But the elder witch had at one time, been the right hand to Grindelwald, his most trusted acolyte, and somehow managed to escape judgement after Dumbledore's victory in 1945.

It was a miracle she was even still alive, as she had to be over one-hundred years old.

Naricssa thankfully supported his decision and was the one to make initial contact with Vinda, by sending a personal missive through one of their House Elves. Lucius received a response rather quickly, and thankfully due to his son's betrothal to Miss Alphonse, he was allowed limited travel to France. He'd been invited to tea at the Rosier estate in Toulouse and dressed in his finest robes for the occasion.

When he arrived by floo, the first thing Lucius noted was the opulence of the receiving room. The dark cherry wood paneling, ivory figurines and rich green and inlaid goblin silver velvet tapestries were clearly antiques and preserved under magical stasis charms. The floo hearth was comprised of burnished black onyx that gleamed with a sinister feel, and Lucius could feel the protective enchantments on the outward facing.

Clearly if anyone tried to enter Rosier Manor without express permission, this hearth wouldn't just block their entrance…no—it would likely cause grievous bodily injury. He couldn't help but smirk at the thought.

Perhaps it was something he might consider for Malfoy Manor.

Before he could wave his wand to determine just what kinds of curses were imbued within the stone edifice, Lucius heard an amused voice speak from his left.

"I wouldn't do that, Lord Malfoy. Only those of Rosier blood are able to cast a detection charm."

"Oh?"

"Quite," Vinda Rosier walked regally into the room, her dark eyes slight with an almost feral glee, "a lovely family spell."

Lucius chuckled. "Narcissa did warn me."

Vinda chuckled, "Ah, lovely Narcissa. How is she faring these days?"

"She's as well as can be."

Vinda raised her hand, gesturing for Lucius to follow her from the room, which he did in short order. It would seem Vinda Rosier wasn't one to stand on ceremony.

"I was surprised to a degree to hear from my cousin after so long, but perhaps I shouldn't be?"

Lucius curious gaze flitted to the left and right quickly, as they made their way down a long hallway, towards what seemed to be the back of the Manor. His suspicions proved correct after a few moments, when he entered a charming solarium which overlooked over a beautiful lake.

"I imagine you've heard about Draco's betrothal?"

Vinda sat down on a damask chaise, and waved her hand towards the opposing wing-backed chair, which Lucius took with a bow of thanks.

"I did, indeed. I'm sure Pierre wasn't exactly pleased with the news."

"No, he wasn't."

"I'll admit, I was surprised to discover the truth of Hermione's exploits during this last war. That girl has more of her mother in her than Pierre, but the wizard adored Angelique."

"Did you know Angelique?"

"Yes."

"And how well are you acquainted with Pierre?"

Vinda's eyes flashed, and her lips lifted into a small smile. "Well enough."

Lucius frowned, as he sensed there was more to Vinda's words, but for the life of him he couldn't fathom what he was missing.

"Pierre's choice of hiding his daughters identity must've felt like a betrayal."

"In what way?"

"Come now, Lady Rosier. It wasn't exactly a secret your devotion to your former master. I must commend you however, in escaping reprisal."

"Well, Lucius—did you think you were the only one to ever come up with the idea of using the imperius curse as a defense."

Silver eyes widened, and then Lucius chuckled deeply. "Touché." He then felt compelled to ask, "How did Grindelwald take your desire to place distance between the two of you?"

"It was his idea." Vinda admitted, relishing the look of shock on Lucius Malfoy's face. "He knew once he chose to face Dumbledore, the odds were even he'd not be returning to me. So he placed me under the imperius, and when he was defeated and I was taken in by the French Aurors, well…"

"Clever." Lucius drawled with respect.

"Gellert was many things, but he was devoted to those he cared about. Unfortunately that devotion didn't always extend the other way."

"Dumbledore."

Vinda's thin lips pursed in displeasure, and before she could answer a soft pop echoed into the room, and a tiny elf bowed in greeting.

"Would Missus care for tea now?"

"Yes, Gibby. And we're not to be disturbed until I call for you, yes?"

"Of course, Missus."

Lucius watched as the antique goblin silver tea set was settled, along with a serving tray of Mille-feuille's, Canelé's and Macaróns. Vinda politely inquired his preferences on tea and served it with the style and grace Narcissa did, which caused Lucius to smile fondly.

"I'd expect you're more used to transitional English tea service, yes?"

"I am, but truth be told I've always considered my Mother's choice of taking tea preferable."

"Ah, Madeline was a lovely woman. Good family too."

Nodding in agreement, Lucius couldn't help but think fondly about his Mother's family. The de Lapin family was one of the more noted in Wizarding France.

There was another moment of silence before Lucius settled his tea cup down silently on its matching saucer. When he glanced up, it was to interested dark eyes that were watching him like a hawk.

"I'm sure you're curious why I asked to speak with you?"

"The thought did cross my mind." Vinda responded easily.

"Before we begin, I feel compelled in inquire if you're under any influence which might prevent you from answering?"

Vinda chucked and shook her head. "None, whatsoever. If I don't wish to share, I won't. But something tells me I already have some idea why you're here."

"Oh?"

Vinda waved her hand dismissively. "Let's get on with this interrogation, Lucius. I'm old, and my time is nearing the end. I don't have the energy for games, like in my erstwhile youth. I was a much different witch in those days."

"And now?"

Vinda took a measured sip of her tea, her eyes glittering with power, even at her advanced age and Lucius had to wonder just how powerful this witch had been to stand at the right hand of Gellert Grindelwald for all the years she had.

"Now, I suppose it's time for the truth to be set free."

"The truth?"

She just smiled grimly. "Ask you questions, Lucius."

He nodded, and settled back in his chair, deciding to ask the most obvious one first.

"Why did the Dark Lord refrain from an open campaign here in France?"

"Ah, not the first question I suspected might come, but an interesting one nonetheless," Vinda responded, "and the answer is a fairly straightforward one: he was bound not to invade."

"What?"

Lucius just stared gobsmacked at the older witch, not expecting that answer at all.

"Lucius, did you honestly think Gellert wasn't aware of Tom Riddle, even when the boy was at Hogwarts? I'm sure you were aware of the scandal in June 1943, yes?"

Lucius swallowed uncomfortably, but Vinda seemed almost gleeful at his discomfort.

"The chamber of secrets." Lucius answered lowly, and Vinda nodded.

"Gellert and Dumbledore were quite close as young boys. They planned to rule the Wizarding World together, and for a time were lovers."

Silver eyes widened at that piece of knowledge, but Vinda forged on.

"The two of them created a blood pact, and as such couldn't openly move against the other. Ingenious bit of dark magic, and eventually Dumbledore did find a way around it, which led to Gellert's fall in 1945. However, for years Gellert hoped Albus would give up his righteous piety in protecting those lesser and join the cause. Part of this wish was Gellert hoping to invoke the Ardante bond."

Lucius coughed in horror. How in the world did Grindelwald know of the Ardante?

"You seem surprised, but trust me when I tell you that you shouldn't be, Lucius. Did you truly believe your lineage and that of Harry Potter and Hermione Alphonse were the only option?"

"But that would mean?"

"Yes, I was the third, the omega. Gellert of course was the Alpha, and as such hatched a plan to take the Ardante for his own."

"How would that even be possible?"

"Ah, that's not something I should share, but suffice to say it was the overriding reason dear Angelique was killed."

"Because someone suspected she was part of the lineage?"

"Likely."

"But what does that have to do with the Dark Lord?"

"Gellert suspected once the chamber opened, Slytherin's heir was at Hogwarts and he wanted a spy on the inside. It only took him a few months to identify the Riddle boy, and once he'd done so, confronted him at Wool's orphanage. Gellert was impressed with the boy's darkness and potential. He was also the one who encouraged Tom Riddle to harness his powers and use those gifts to gather followers to the cause. Gellert groomed the young man, gave him books and in time had hoped he would become a trusted acolyte. The Horcrux issue was a bit problematic, but despite my reticence, Gellert trusted his own judgement. However, he wasn't a fool and extracted a vow from Tom Riddle at my behest."

"That he would stay out of France?"

"No, Lucius," Vinda grinned malevolently, "that he would never raise a wand nor harm our family."

"I'm sorry," Lucius stuttered uneasily, "what family?"

"Gellert and I had a daughter, Lucius. That daughter, married into the Alphonse family."

Vinda watched as Lucius Malfoy's expression fell into wonder. "Are you telling me that Pierre Alphonse is the grandson of Gellert Grindelwald?"

"I am." Vinda purred, "Didn't it ever make you wonder why Albus Dumbledore encouraged Pierre to place Hermione at Hogwarts, and why the former Headmaster kept the girl close all those years? You didn't think she was sorted into Gryffindor by mistake, did you? Please tell me you're not that obtuse, Lucius?"

"He used her to protect Potter?"

"Yes, and in doing so knew they would become close. Hermione is destined for the Ardante, with your heir and Mr. Potter. Not ideal the boy being a half-blood, but I'll admit he's powerful. Defeated Riddle at seventeen. Gellert would've scooped that boy into his ranks in a heartbeat."

Lucius didn't have a comment for that.

He sincerely doubted Harry Potter would've ever willingly chosen to follow any dark lord, family or not.

Which left him back at the beginning.

"Is my son in danger?"

"What do you mean?"

"Angelique was murdered, do you know by whom?"

"Sadly, no. I've had my suspicions for years, but something never set right about her death."

Lucius averted his gaze for a moment, his mind going over several options before asking, "This vow that the Dark Lord partook in…it obviously didn't prevent his followers from harming your family, yes?"

"You mean Bellatrix?"

"Yes."

"Lucius, she's a Rosier by blood."

"Shite." His face paled heavily, but he bowed his head in contrition at Vinda's displeasure of his profanity. "So it was just dumb luck Bellatrix happened to be the one to harm Hermione?"

"I wouldn't call it that, but accurate nonetheless."

"What about Dolohov in the Department of Mysteries? He almost killed her!"

"But he didn't. For some reason I've only suspected, those marked with Riddle's insignia, couldn't fatally harm those of Grindelwald or Rosier blood. I'd imagine knowing Antonin as I did, no one had ever survived that particular curse, yes?"

Lucius nodded, because it was true. A point of contention with Dolohov, who'd been obsessed with Hermione Granger after the incident.

Thankfully, he was dead now.

"Angelique wasn't of Rosier or Grindelwald blood, so it stands to reason one of the Dark Lord's followers might've done the deed."

"I've wondered that myself, Lucius. But who it might've been, that I cannot say."

His gaze narrowed accusingly. "Can't or won't?"

"I don't know what you are getting at…"

"It's rather obvious you have more knowledge than you're willing to share!"

Vinda stood up, her haughty demeanor now filled with warning and Lucius could feel the dark magic radiating from the older witch.

"I must ask you to depart, Lucius. I thank you for your visit. Please send my good wishes to Narcissa. Gibby!"

The tiny elf popped back into the solarium.

"Yes, Missus."

"Please escort Lord Malfoy to the floo."

"Yes, Missus."

Lucius watched stunned as Vinda Rosier left the room quickly, his head still spinning from the truths revealed. However, he now knew there was still more to the story, and for once he was determined to do what he should've done when Draco was younger, and that was to protect his son at all costs.