A/N: Thanks everyone for follow, favourite and reviews.
I saw about the 'Floral carpet event' in Brussels on TV and as the year of this story (2004) fell co-incidentally with the year of the floral carpet, I decided to include it. Anyone interested can just Google it.
Now moving on to a serious issue:
Some reviewers commented on Draco's lack of remorse and I would like to state a few facts that I realized from my own experiences. I have seen that it is not in the nature of human to repent easily, even if they know that they were wrong. Humans always try to justify their actions by any means possible. Perhaps it's a part of human's self preservation. So any remorse on Draco's part will not come that easily. We must remember how he was brought up and his thinking pattern is largely influenced by those irrational beliefs. Therefore I kindly ask the reader to have some patience regarding the issue.
Also please pay attention to the non-HP characters: Audré, Geccemp, Eva, Edmound - in coming chapters because they all have some important parts to play in this story. I created them with that intention.
The Poisoned Apple is not average sappy love story. I researched extensively for it and it's a story about self discovery as well. Above all it's a story about human psychology.
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 14: It's Flower Time!
Ever since Astoria's death, Draco thought he had no real purpose for living. His days were empty and nights emptier. But discovering Adrian, had given his vacant life a new purpose: to spend as much time as possible with the innocent boy.
He had returned every evening, following his first evening spent in Adrian's Suite, by the same usual route: the French window of the sitting room. The Palace Hotel took great care in safe-guarding the Entrance Door and the Floo Fireplaces of their guests. Apparently they thought that those were the most usual routes for anyone who wished to break in and thus they left the windows less protected. There were wards on windows, of course, but nothing very difficult that Draco could not undo.
While at Adrian's suite under protection of Disillusionment Charm, Draco gave his full attention to the small boy as he ran, talked, laughed, squealed, sat, drew, took bath, ate, examined picture books and would leave only when Adrian was safely tucked in bed snuggling Hermione. He waited for them to fall asleep so that he could plant a kiss on the sleeping boy's forehead before he left. Upon returning his own Suite, Draco would spend the lonely night in remembrance of the wonderful evening and even more wonderful boy.
When Draco entered the darkened Suite for the fifth consecutive evening that week, he found some changes. There were Muggle suitcases that were left half-packed in the bedrooms. He frowned at them. Apparently Hermione had left with her company in the middle of the packing for some unknown reason.
'Were they leaving so soon?' he thought wistfully. It was such an injustice that he had been allowed to spend only five evenings with his son while he wished he could do more. He still did not know him properly and his heart ached to hug and kiss Adrian – something that he couldn't do when he was Disillusioned.
Draco sat on the divan that Adrian so often occupied when he drew and tried to imagine the boy was sitting on his lap. His feeling was all over the furniture. His innocent presence was etched onto the soft cushions and Draco engulfed his senses with it, all the while patiently waiting for his son to return.
He must have dozed off while waiting for him because suddenly the Door of the Suite opened and an extremely excited Adrian zoomed in like a cannon ball, shouting.
"East or west, Mama is the best!" he climbed up the divan Draco was sitting, "North or South, it's rabbit's day out!" clapping his little hands and jumping like a small kangaroo as he squealed the rhyme.
Draco stared at him in awe – the sight was so innocent and sweet. He was so overwhelmed that he was about to reach and hug Adrian when Hermione suddenly interfered.
"Did you see, Gabrielle, how my little rabbit is hopping around?" she asked her companion as she took Adrian in her arms and kissed him tenderly on cheek.
"I hope our excited rabbit will not jump on the Floral Carpet tomorrow." Gabrielle commented, laughing.
"I am happy that the event is taking place while we are still at Brussels." Hermione said, "I have heard of it but never had the opportunity to actually visit it." she admitted.
"Are they really going to make a whole carpet with just flowers?" Adrian asked his mother, as she sat down on the divan and settled him on her laps. Draco suddenly became aware of the situation he was in and silently stood up to leave his place on divan.
His was confident that his Disillusionment Charm was extremely well cast but he still could be felt. He moved into a corner and listened to the conversation silently.
"Yes" Hermione replied to her son, "They use begonias for making the carpet." She informed him.
"What is begonia?" Adrian asked her again.
'Apparently the boy has inherited his mother's unfortunate habit of insistent questioning.' Draco thought to himself. 'But unlike her, his questions are not irritating, rather interesting.' He thought smugly.
"It's a kind of flower, little rabbit; you'll see it tomorrow when we go to the Floral Carpet Festival." Hermione said happily as she stood up and lifted Adrian in her arms before swinging him twice, who giggled, "Now, off to bath." she declared and carried her son to their bedroom.
Draco's invisible grin spread from ear to ear. 'Tomorrow will be the day when your father will swing you in his arms, Adrian. And no power in this world is going to stop him from doing so.' He thought smugly as he left his stand and followed Adrian in the bedroom.
•••••
Audré noticed an unusual glint in Draco's eyes when he visited her in her Suite. She was well accustomed now, with the emotions displayed in her nephew's eyes and their meanings and was confident that Draco had been visited by a sudden idea which had caused the glint.
"So, who is it, this time, Draco?" she asked him casually as he settled across her by the fireplace.
"Edmound Bellamy" he replied curtly. Apparently he was becoming accustomed to her power of observation too.
"Why and how?" Audré asked with mild curiosity. She knew that the man was one of Jean's friends.
Draco's face was smug when he replied, "Tomorrow Adrian will be going to the Floral Carpet Festival at Grand Place with his mother and her friends. It will be a terrible waste if his father doesn't accompany him there too." He smirked, "Edmound, on the other hand, can spend a day indoors taking some much needed rest. I observed that he's always after some magical animal or other and Adrian surely will not miss him for it." his smile broadened at the thought.
"I trust, Draco, that you'll not hurt him." Audré said to her nephew, "You promised me to keep your adventures harmless." She reminded him.
Draco shook his head, "I guess a little bit of stupification will not hurt him badly, Aunt," he said to her, "..since I cannot offer him tea with sleeping potion on it. Besides he is already stupid enough to be actually stupified properly." he commented smugly. "But in order to completely succeed I'll need your help with the Memory Charm, Aunt. The job you did on Jacob was more than perfect. I met him this morning and he talked as if it was him who attended the competition as the third judge, not me." Draco smiled contentedly, "Where did you learn it by the way?" he asked Audré.
Audré's face darkened at his question. She remained silent for some time and when she spoke her voice was grave.
"I will keep that question to be answered in the future, Draco. For now just be contended by knowing that I am proud and happy that you're not like your ancestors."
Draco frowned, "What with my ancestors?" he asked her.
Audré shook her head in response, "Tonight is not the right time for such kind of tales, Draco." She replied. "Instead tell me what me what you plan to do with Bellamy?" she asked him.
Draco considered his aunt's reply for a moment. "Nothing much," he said after sometime, "It will be simple yet effective. I'll send him a note saying that a rare bird or animal has arrived at the 'Magical Menagerie' and I am sure as hell that he'll come to collect it. I'll stupify him on the way and bring him here. When I return from my little excursion after impersonating him, you can work on his memory just like you did on Jacob." He elaborated his plan to her.
Audré sighed and looked intensely at Draco, who suddenly felt unnerved under her intense scrutiny. "Malfoys never do anything unless they get something in return, Draco." she said raising an eyebrow, "I am a Malfoy too and what will you give me for my service?" she asked him.
Draco was surprised, "What do you want?" he asked sharply.
Audré smiled pleasantly, "Nothing very serious or expensive, Draco, just the truth about you and Adrian's mother – the whole truth when I feel like the time has come." She answered him evenly.
Draco nodded after a silent moment, "Very well, I will tell you the truth, Aunt. But first I have to discover it fully." he stated looking serious.
•••••
The morning of 13th August, 2004 was greeted with great enthusiasm and anticipation in Hermione's Suite. She, Adrian, Gabrielle, Eva and Edmound - were supposed to attend the Opening Day of the Floral Carpet Event held at the Grand Place, the central square of Brussels.
The magical part of Brussels called "Laan Grote Markt" opened directly at the Grand Place through it's portal of entry located in The Town Hall, a high gothic tower. Due to the close proximity of their destination, they would go to the event on foot.
For Hermione it was just like the day before she had started for Belgium. Adrian had woken up earlier than usual that morning and after a bath and breakfast, was making extreme rackets throughout their Suite. He was jumping on their springy soft bed, running from one room to another and asking what the time was every five minutes. Hermione could not bring herself to scold her over-enthusiastic child – he looked too adorable in his outfit – a pair of Muggle jeans and a red T-shirt that displayed the animated picture of a fat juicy Burger with writing across the chest 'Don't eat me!'. In Hermione's opinion, the suggestion was completely bound to waste since the Burger and her son both looked tempting enough to be eaten.
Everyone was ready to leave by nine o'clock except for Edmound, who was nowhere to be seen. He had left earlier that morning on the pursuit of buying a rare bird and hadn't returned since. Eva was starting to get worried about her twin brother.
"He is so careless sometimes.' she said angrily, "We are supposed to go somewhere." she looked at the clock, "And he doesn't even care to turn up."
Hermione felt worried too. She knew that Edmound was obsessed when it came to collecting rare animals and would spend days and nights after it if opportunity provided; but he should not have forgotten that this was not France. This was a foreign country and in his pursuit Edmound might fall into trouble. She sincerely hoped that it was not the case of his delay this morning. Much to Adrian's dismay, she decided to wait for him for an hour.
Hermione was just about to get up and inform the hotel management that they would be leaving an hour later with the second group when there was a soft knock on the Entrance Door and Eva almost ran out of her chair to answer it. Hermione was wondering who it might be when an impeccably dressed Edmound entered their suite, looking extremely smug.
•••••
Draco had never seen a dearer sight in his life – his son was looking at him, wide eyed, wearing a red T-shirt that read 'Don't eat me!'
'What a misleading warning.' he thought incredulously.
His plans with Bellamy had gone much easier than he had expected. The man was now lying unconscious on his couch while he prepared to accompany Adrian as Edmound Bellamy. He thanked the wizard who had invented the Polyjuice Potion and approached the group of ladies – Hermione, Gabrielle and Eva - who looked furious. Eva was staring at him with narrowed eyes and hands on her hips while the other two glared silently.
"I am sorry." he offered to Edmound's twin sister, Eva.
Eva flared up at once, "You have no common sense, Edmound." She snapped at him, "We are waiting for you for half an hour!" she almost screamed at Draco.
'That woman seriously needs some taming.' Draco thought with contempt but managed to keep his face apologetic. Eva was about to snap again but Hermione interfered this time.
"We can surely talk about it later, Eva." she reminded her as she checked her watch, "Adrian is getting impatient." she indicated a wide eyed but fidgeting Adrian.
Eva immediately cooled down and smiled at Adrian. She extended a hand at his direction and said, "Let's go, Adrian.". Adrian immediately came forward and took her hand happily.
Draco's hands fisted. 'That woman took his son from him that day in front of Tuileries garden. but today he'll not allow it again. He'll retrieve his son from her evil clutches and will spend a wonderful morning with him.' He thought determinedly.
He followed the party out of their Suite and walked silently as they started at the direction of the Floral Carpet Festival. The day was moderately hot but there was a gentle breeze which was playing with Adrian's silvery curls and making his hair messy, Draco noticed. It made him altogether more adorable to him. The ladies kept up walking on a gentle pace while talking among themselves happily. Draco kept his eyes fixed on Adrian who was still holding Eva's hand as he jumped with joy in every step and he smiled to himself.
'So close, father is, Adrian.' he thought delightedly.
"Come to uncle Edmound, Adrian." he called him suddenly.
Adrian immediately left Eva's hand and came to him hopping. Draco bent down and took his small form in his strong arms.
'Finally.' he thought triumphantly and inhaled his son's scent deeply. The smell of Peach and Honeysuckle had never seemed this good.
There can be no higher joy, no higher pleasure and no higher happiness as Draco held his son at last and felt that his son was happy about it too. He seemed to like his father's strong cradle and kept dangling his small feet which bumped his side lightly.
Draco eyed Hermione who looked perfectly happy to let her son be carried by Edmound. Apparently she trusted her friends enough to let Adrian alone in their company. Though he didn't approve it, he was happy that she allowed it, otherwise he wouldn't be able to come near to his son. He remembered all too well the day she had almost fled the Award Ceremony with Adrian.
He looked at his son, whose wide and innocent grey eyes shone in excitement and considered kissing him before he started their conversation. He was just about to kiss his cheek when Adrian suddenly looked at him.
"Did you get the bird?" he asked him curiously.
"Pardon?" Draco asked, momentarily distracted.
"The bird you went to buy. Did you get it?" Adrian explained him and Draco understood what he meant.
'Father always gets what he wants, little son.' he thought to himself before answering, "I got what I was looking for."
"Is it beautuful?" Adrian asked him.
Draco eyed his son admiringly and smiled, "He is the most beautiful creature I've ever seen." he confessed to him.
Adrian gave him such a bright smile that Draco almost lost his senses. "Can we talk about you?" he asked after sometime, regaining back his senses.
Adrian nodded happily.
"So tell fa…." He started but hastily corrected himself, "Tell uncle what you did this morning." he asked casually as they followed the chattering ladies.
"I got up at six o' clock and…" Adrian started but Draco cut in.
"At six o' clock. Why?" he asked incredulous.
"I was too excited to sleep." Adrian replies happily as if not being able to sleep was something very delightful. "Then Mama gave me a bath. I love when Mama gives me a bath, she always sings." he said with another radiant smile.
Draco blinked at his son, "She sings? Why?" he asked him.
"Because I always feel sleepy in the morning, so she sings to wake me up." Adrian explained.
Draco nodded his head in understanding and eyed Hermione who was just two steps ahead of him, "Oh! What did you do after bath?" he asked Adrian again, keen to keep the conversation going.
"I ate breakfast." was his simple answer.
"Yes, of course. But what did you eat?" Draco elaborated the question this time.
Adrian counted on his little fingers as he replied, "I ate egg, jam and bread, something called Tofu and drank Almond Milk."
"Almond Milk?" Draco asked surprised, he had not heard of such milk in his life.
"Yes. Mama says, Almond is good for your brains and it gave me the idea of the rabbits." he exclaimed happily.
"It did." Draco asked, still confused. "How?"
"I have already told you uncle." Adrian exclaimed again, "Why do you always forget?" he asked Draco, pouting his lips.
'Well that's hardly his fault. One is bound to forget everything under his son's charming presence.' Draco thought to himself and grabbed his ear with his free hand apologetically, "I am sorry. Tell me once again, please." He pleaded to Adrian.
Adrian rapidly blinked his eyes twice and pompously lifted his little pointed chin, trying to appear important and Draco almost swooned at the sight, "Ok." Adrian said granting his wish, "The morning the competition was going to happen; I didn't know what to draw there. Then Mama gave me some Almond Milk and it gave the idea to draw the rabbits." he told Draco, "And I won. So now I always drink Almond Milk." He stated happily.
Draco nodded his head in agreement. "Aha! Very good." he said as he walked the wide alley between the shops carrying Adrian in his arms towards their portal of exit in The Town Hall. "Tell me more about what you eat." He said.
"I eat Tofu." Adrian informed him, "Mama says it is good for bones and muscles. She says it has…." Adrian stammered and suddenly called after his mother loudly, "Mama? What does Tofu have?" he asked her.
"What, Adrian?" Hermione turned to her son and asked.
"What is the good thing you said Tofu has?" Adrian asked her again , loudly.
Realization dawned on Hermione and she replied almost instantly, "It has a lot of calcium and protein." She answered. "Why are you suddenly asking about Tofu, Adrian?" she asked him instead.
"I was telling about it to uncle." Adrian replied and Hermione stretched her hands at Draco's direction, "Now Adrian, don't bore uncle with Tofu. Come to Mama." she told him.
Draco's grasp immediately tightened around Adrian as he shook his head in silent protest. 'Don't you dare take my son from me, Mudblood, Go back to your nonsense chatter.' He snapped at her in his head. "It's alright, Jean." he said to her in assuring tone and Hermione turned and resumed her walk.
Draco looked at Adrian again and smiled, "Tell me who gave you this T-shirt?" he asked him.
"This?" Adrian seized his red attire, "Grandpa Gustave." he informed him as Draco carried him through the portal and out in to the Muggle world.
"Really? So nice of him." Draco commented.
"And I really liked the book you gave me about animals." Adrian professed and Draco was struck with a sudden idea.
"I'll buy you an actual animal this time. What will you like?" he asked his son.
"A rabbit." Adrian exclaimed immediately, "A small white rabbit." He affirmed. "And I'll name him as Peter rabbit." He informed Draco.
"Why Peter?" Draco asked, surprised at Adrian's choice of a common Muggle name.
"You don't know?" Adrian asked looking even more surprised than Draco, who shook his head. "Well there is a famous story character called Peter Rabbit and Mama always reads it to me." he informed a puzzled looking Draco, "The writer has a tough name, something with a B…. Mama?" Adrian called his mother again, "What's the name of the writer of Peter Rabbit?" he asked her.
"Beatrix Potter." Hermione answered turning to them again and Draco immediately tightened his grips on Adrian. "Why?" she asked her son.
Adrian gave his mother a radiant smile, "Uncle Edmound is going to buy me a rabbit and I am going to call him, Peter." he informed his mother happily.
"Of course not, Edmound." Hermione eyed Draco and forbade him sternly.
'Surely a Mudblood like you isn't going to stop me. I'll give my son whatever I feel like.' he almost exclaimed at her in his head.
"Of course, I'll." Draco overruled her objection calmly. "The winner shall be awarded." he affirmed.
Hermione's stern feature softened a little, "He has been awarded enough already." She informed him.
Draco couldn't care less at her comment, "Then he shall be awarded more." he declared smugly.
Hermione rolled her eyes and turned back, "If you grow up spoilt, Adrian, it's completely Edmound and Eva's fault." she commented.
It was Draco's turn to roll his eyes, 'Shut your mouth, Mudblood. He's a Malfoy and Malfoy's are always spoilt.' He said in his head.
Draco and Adrian continued their conversation and soon they reached their destination: The Floral Carpet Event at Grand Place.
The place was extremely crowded as thousands of people came to see the new Flower Carpet which was composed by 1.800 square metres of beautiful and shimmering "Art Nouveau". It was bi-yearly tradition to make the carpet with fresh begonias at Brussels' central square – the Grand Place. The result lived up to all expectations: 1,800 m² of begonias compose that flowery and gleaming stained-glass pattern in carpet.
There were heavy metal bars around the Floral Carpet and visitors crowded beside it to look and take photo of the "Art Nouveau" style carpet. Draco made his way to the bars with difficulty with Hermione and her other companions in tow. As they reached there, Adrian burst into loud exclamation, "Look! So many flowers! It is so beautiful!" he clapped his small hands in delight and Draco caught him tightly to prevent any untoward fall.
They spend almost an hour around the gigantic floral carpet as Hermione took photos of all of them in her Muggle camera. Draco was not interested in any of her activity – he was too busy watching Adrian's reaction.
They left the place and left for a restaurant as the ladies declared they needed some refreshments and Adrian declared he was thirsty. As they located a suitable place and settled themselves, Draco ordered for some water. He smuggled down a dose of Polyjuice he was carrying and helped Adrian drink water from the glass that was too big for his small hands. It felt so good – watching him drink water as he sat on his lap comfortably.
The waiter arrived and ladies ordered for coffee.
"Mama! I want coffee too." Adrian exclaimed and requested his mother.
Hermione shook her head in disapproval, "No, little rabbit, you are too young for coffee." She said. "You'll take…." She examined the menu and offered, "Mango margarita."
"But you'll take coffee." Adrian sniffed and pouted his lips.
"Who said so? Mama will also take margarita." Hermione affirmed.
"So will fa.. uncle." Draco corrected himself and declared.
"Thank you." Adrian said and suddenly kissed Draco on his cheek. He then climbed over the table and planted a kiss on his mother's cheek too.
Draco was flabbergasted, bewildered, dumbfounded and awestruck upon receiving such a sweet and innocent kiss from his son. He blinked several times and regained his composure when three Margaritas and two Coffees arrived.
He did not touch his margarita at all. Instead he employed the time helping Adrian drink his one. He suddenly noticed everyone on the table was eying him with silent interest.
"What?" he looked up at them and asked.
Hermione smiled at him kindly, "You're doing a great job, Edmound." she said to him, "I think you'll be a great father one day." She commented and squeezed Gabrielle's hand who blushed furiously.
Draco was not fazed to the slightest by the young lady's unceremonious blush.
"I guess I will." he remarked confidently, raising an eyebrow at Hermione.