A/N: Thanks everyone for follow, favourite and reviews for the last chapter.
The description of burying virgins alive is a true ritual. I found it in Wilipedia.
Description of shell cottage was taken from DH. So were the dialogues from chapter 'The Deathly hallows.'
Disclaimer: The copyright to Harry Potter characters belong to J. K. other characters are purely work of fiction and any resemblance is co-incidental.
Chapter 16: Broken Shards of Memories
"Do you know, Draco what is the meaning of Morpheus?" Draco heard her aunt ask him.
He looked around and found his aunt Audré standing beside him. He had been waiting for her while she visited Astoria's grave. But so lost was he in his thoughts of Astoria and Scorpius that he did not notice her until she addressed him.
He shook his head. "How was she when you met her?" he asked his aunt instead, "Why did it take so long?"
"Mrs. Greengrass apparently was badly in need of someone to talk to, Draco." Audré said looking grave, "And I can be a good audience if needed." She stated.
Draco chose not to enquire about the topic of their lengthy conversation. He knew what it could be.
"Naming a magical child is not something to be taken lightly, Draco." He heard his aunt's calm voice as it spoke suddenly, "Most of the magical community are oblivious to it but the name of the child infuses with it's magical aura and therefore has immense influence over him or her. Once named, a wizard's or witch's name can never be changed because their aura will be affected tremendously by it. Those who do not know about it and change or fashion a new name inadvertently, end up like The Dark Lord." She explained.
"Why are you telling me this?" Draco asked her feeling confused.
"Because of this." She replied and held out a piece of parchment. Draco identified it as the one he had been working on earlier when waiting for her.
"I noticed that you are trying to change Adrian's name." she commented examining his handwriting on the parchment. "You want to remove his middle name, Thomas and replace it with your name, Draco." She elaborated, "But that my dear, will bring disastrous effects on the aura of the child."
Draco was shocked at such proclamation, "I am his father" he said pointing a finger at his chest, "Thomas is Muggle grandfather." He informed his aunt, "And you are saying that his father's name will bring disastrous effects upon his aura? You are suggesting that a Malfoy be named upon a common Muggle rather than a pureblood father?" he asked her incredulously.
"I am not suggesting it Draco, I am merely stating the fact." Audré answered looking extremely calm, "You can look it up in any good book on the topic of magical Aura. There is only one time where a person's Aura can change for good – when a witch becomes pregnant. At that time two Auras merge together and her Aura brightens. Other than that, any attempt to change it will bring disastrous effects even to the extent of loss of magical power." She informed him looking serious. "So now Draco it's completely upon you; whether you wish your son to be a wizard having a Muggle middle name or be a squib having a wizard middle name." she offered him skeptically.
Draco sighed, "Is there no way I can add my name on him?" he asked her looking resigned.
"You can add your surname, Draco." His aunt informed him, "Mainly because it's not 'his' name but rather a family name. Other than that, I am afraid, there can be no modifications." She replied confidently.
"So he'll be called Adrian Thomas Granger-Malfoy?" Draco asked her, feeling extreme distaste for Thomas and Granger.
"That's a beautiful name, Draco." Audré patted his shoulder gently and smiled, "Don't be so possessive. After all it is Jean Granger who brought Adrian to this world." She reminded him.
Draco chose not to respond to her statement. "You told me you'll explain me why you learned Hypnotism and Memory Charms." he reminded her instead.
Audré motioned Draco towards the door, "Let's go in the garden and I'll explain you." She said.
Draco left his place by the Drawing Room window as he and Audré started for the garden.
"In Greek mythology, Morpheus is the name of God of dreams." Audré informed Draco once they reached the beautiful garden surrounding the handsome Manor, "He is the son of Hypnos, God of sleep. But my husband Morpheus Malfoy was the God of Nightmares, not dreams. And he never slept." She said looking grave.
Draco stared at her, surprised at her easy confession of such a serious matter.
"Why?" he voiced the only word that came in his mind.
Audré looked around the garden and eyed the trees. "There should be a Yew tree somewhere." She said, "Do you know where it is?" she asked him.
Draco couldn't understand how the Yew tree and his uncle's insomnia were interconnected but chose not to raise the question. Instead he nodded and turned to guide her aunt to the mentioned tree at the perimeter of the Manor. They reached there in a matter of minutes and he noticed how his aunt's demeanor suddenly changed from graveness to utter terror.
"Morpheus told me that Yew trees can be very long-lived. They are one of the oldest trees in Europe." Audré spoke in a quiet but cold voice, "This tree here was planted some five hundred years ago for a special purpose: to protect the Malfoy perimeter from evil influences by burying…a… virgin women alive at it's base once every month." She said to him, her voice trembling.
Draco's mouth fell open and he stared at his horror stricken aunt who looked very white; her wide blue eyes now fixed at the base of the Yew tree.
"Virgin women from nearby Muggle villages were abducted and brought here to be sacrificed." she said in deadly whisper. "Morpheus never knew about it until he was seventeen, when he was summoned to take part in that ritual." She licked her dry lips.
Draco shook his head in disbelief, "That's not true." He protested, "I never saw anything like that." He said firmly.
"Because they stopped it after Morpheus left the Manor." His aunt informed him still eyeing the tree with horror. "There is a special dungeon called Oubliette in the Manor. Do you know that?" she asked him with forced calm.
"A what?" Draco asked incredulous. He could not understand how his aunt claimed that such places existed while he had never even heard of them.
"An Oubliette. It's a secret dungeon with access only through a trapdoor in its ceiling." She explained, "Morpheus told me that his mother was obsessed with divination and would bring a new born child to sacrifice and use it's blood as a media to know the future. She used the Oubliette for that purpose." Draco gaped as his aunt Audré who blinked several times and testified.
"You mean my grandmother Medusa Malfoy?" he asked, breathless with fear and surprise.
"Yes, Medusa Malfoy." Audré nodded her head, "She had another hobby too. She loved to make Everlasting Elixir Of Youth and one of the key ingredients of that potion was live human eyes, which she collected from the virgin women before they were buried alive here under this tree." She suddenly trembled so vigorously that Draco thought she might fall and caught her in the arm.
Draco did not know what to say or whether to say anything at all. The horrible facts that his aunt was describing about his family were too intimidating.
"Morpheus never liked those rituals. He could not stand them. But most of the time he was asked to carry out the dirty jobs. His father always insisted that he should learn the proper way of uplifting his Pureblood inheritance and his mother assigned him to bring the victims. They thought killing Muggles were a way to obtaining more purity in their blood. " Audré reminisced, "When he turned twenty one, Morpheus decided that he had had enough and left his family and country behind. He went to France where we met."
Draco listened to his aunt's account, hanging at her every word.
"When we got married, I discovered that he had severe insomnia and nightmare problems." She continued as if in trance, "He never slept at night and when he slept for a few hours just before dawn he almost always woke up screaming and yelling at imaginary people. I was so worried about him. He was alright during daytime – just like the loving and caring man I had known; but as the night approached he became gloomier." Audré closed her eyes in horror, "Then I decided to take matters into my hands. I started taking lessons on Hypnotism. I heard that it helped to ease one's mind and bring tranquility. I also learned Memory Charms extensively so that I could modify his most haunting memories." She opened her eyes, her face tear stricken.
"I modified at least one hundred and forty two memories related to this Manor and this tree over the span of twenty years. Some of them were so horrible that I had to go through hypnotic sessions myself after modifying them." Draco saw the ghost like face of his aunt Audré as she proclaimed.
"Was father involved in these acts?" Draco almost whispered dreading to hear the answer.
"He took particular pleasure in killing the infants." Audré informed a petrified looking Draco.
•••••
Hermione eyed the box that her goblin boss Geccemp pushed towards her.
"Je ne vous force pas à le faire, Jean." (I am not forcing you to do it, Jean.) he said to her looking serious, "Vous pouvez heureusement nier et je ne m'en voudrez pas." (You can happily deny and I won't mind.) he assured her.
Hermione reached out and took the box before opening it. Inside a beautiful blue diamond ring glittered proudly.
It was the ring Julian Malfoy had given Geccemp to curse break. She remembered distinctly that the man had asked explicitly for her involvement in the matters of Curse Breaking because the ring would be worn by his mother.
"Je suis bien avec elle, je vous remercie." (I am fine with it, thank you.) she said to her boss calmly, "Je sais comment garder mes vies personnelles et professionnelles se séparent." (I know how to keep my personal and professional lives separate.) She affirmed him.
She took the box and left his office.
Her first week in Gringotts had been usual – busy and tough. In her absence some new cursed objects had arrived and now her lab was full with things for final evaluation.
Hermione had not had time to think over Alexis's proposal since it was delivered to her almost a week ago. She had thought of giving him a positive answer but backed off at the last moment thinking what might happen to Adrian if she got married.
'What if Alexis loses interest in Adrian after their marriage?'
'What if she had more children with Alexis and Adrian felt alone with his step brothers or sisters?'
'Is Alexis really interested in Adrian or he just feigns it?'
'Adrian still can't sleep without her at night. What will happen if she gets married and had to stay with her husband?'
'Does she still love Ron?'
'Does she feel guilty for turning him down?'
Hermione placed the 'seal of final evaluation and approval' on three different objects to certify that they were curse-free. She frowned at the fourth object, which was a Ruby-studded bangle, where a note was attached saying that the curse placed on it used to intensify on third Tuesday of every month.
'What was she missing?' she thought looking intensely at the bangle.
'Oh Merlin, how could she forget such an important day?' she almost slapped herself when she remembered that it was third Wednesday of August and every third Wednesday was Adrian's day to visit the Paedi-healer Henriette for his monthly checkup.
And she was almost late.
Hermione quickly finished the job at hand and left for home to retrieve Adrian before taking him to his appointment. If she tried hard they might reach there in next fifteen minutes.
When she reached her flat through Gringotts Floo, she found Adrian sitting on his usual place on her reading table deep in thought as he examined a drawing book.
'He always became so uncharacteristically silent when examining any book.' Hermione thought fondly, 'A trait undoubtedly inherited from his mother.' She smiled proudly and tiptoed behind her son to see what was keeping him so engrossed in his work.
One look and she realized that it was an advanced book on different drawing patterns. She was no expert on drawing but the way Adrian was practicing one of the pictures on a drawing sheet with immense concentration, told her that her son was finding it both difficult and interesting.
Some of the other brushes and sketch pencils that he was using were advanced too.
But she had not bought them for him.
'Then who did?' she thought to herself. She hated it when other people gave anything expensive to her son without her knowledge.
"What's my little rabbit doing this afternoon?" she asked her son softly who looked up at her immediately and gave her a cute smile.
"See Mama, Monsieur Monette gave me this new book and brush today." He said to her happily as he showed her his new belongings.
Hermione tried to recall who Monsieur Monette could be but to no avail. They had no family friends or neighbours by that name.
"Who is Monsieur Monette, rabitty boo?" she asked curiously.
"He is the man who teaches me drawing every Monday and Wednesday." He informed her happier than before.
Hermione blinked twice before full realization hit her. Her son was taking drawing classes without her knowledge.
She was furious and felt like scolding Adrian severely for not informing her about the classes but then another realization dawned upon her.
Her son was not alone in this and she knew that Adrian never lied to anyone. So someone must have persuaded him to take the classes by telling him that his mother would be informed later.
The question was who was that someone?
Hermione embraced her son tightly from behind and gave him a kiss on his cheek, "They are so beautiful, Rabbity boo." She admired his new book, brush and sketch pencils, "So who takes my little rabbit to these classes?" she asked him sounding falsely cheerful.
Adrian's innocent eyes widened in response, "Uncle Alexis. Did not he tell you?" he asked Hermione, surprised.
Aha. So it's Alexis Delacour who had been paying for her son's drawing lessons behind her back? She'd get to that man later but now she needed to take Adrian for his monthly checkup.
"Of course he did, Mama must have forgotten it, rabitty boo." She lied smoothly not choosing to make things look uglier, "We have to hurry now, Adrian because today is third Wednesday of this month and you have your monthly checkup in ten minutes." She informed him and scooped him from her table.
Unlike other children Adrian was never afraid to accompany his mother for his monthly checkup. Instead he enjoyed it when his Paedi-Healer who complimented on his perfectly healthy body and asked him to bring her a drawing on his next visit.
Hermione noticed that Adrian had taken the drawing of a mother hen surrounded by it's chicks, to be given to his Paedi-Healer.
Her son so amazingly talented in noticing beautiful details in the most ordinary of things.
Paedi-Healer Henriette was a motherly looking woman who liked children and whom children liked too – a rare feat for Healers who are often dreaded like hell by children. She kissed Adrian for the present he had brought her and listened with great interest as he recounted the story of the Drawing Competition. Upon full examination and declaration that the boy was doing excellent, she wrote down the name of a tonic to be given to Adrian so that he might not catch cold in upcoming changes of season.
Hermione was determined to question Alexis for his ill-conceited intrusion in their lives and cornered him after the dinner was over.
"Alexis, I would like to have a word with you." She told him not troubling to talk in French.
Alexis looked mildly interested as he followed her out in the garden and Hermione led them to a private corner.
"Can you please explain why I don't know that my son is taking Drawing classes with some Monsieur Monette?" she asked him not giving any chance to ask pleasantries.
Alexis's face immediately darkened but he looked up at Hermione boldly.
"I chose not to tell you about it, Jean. Surely you can trust me with Adrian's safety. I always accompany him there and drop him at home after his class is over." He answered.
"That's beside the point Alexis." Hermione flared, "I am his mother and I must know where he goes, who he meets and what he does." She stated, "But you chose to ignore my rights, Alexis." She commented angrily.
Alexis eyed her with apprehension, "I did not tell you, Jean because I thought you would take it as a way to attract your attention by using your son." he said gravely, "I never wanted to use Adrian to get near you, Jean. I love him, maybe not as much as you do as his mother, but I really do. And I wanted to help him in doing something he loves so much – drawing. I have no intention of prying in your privacy or rights as a parent. It's quite the opposite. I did not want to influence your feelings towards me by using Adrian." He confessed, "I am extremely sorry if my actions have caused you any inconvenience, Jean. Please forgive me upon your honour." He apologized and left without another word, looking extremely sad.
Hermione watched Alexis's retreating figure at a loss of words. She clearly did not know the man enough to give him a negative answer on his proposal.
She would think about him seriously from now on.
•••••
Draco and his aunt Audré had returned to France after spending almost a week in England. Upon return Draco had been bombarded with questions by his mother Narcissa which he did not care to answer.
He was currently eyeing two vials placed on the table alongside his uncle's Pensieve.
After the horrible revelation of his ancestors, especially his father's actions, Draco could not bring himself up to stay in Manor any longer than necessary. He had understood why his aunt suffered that panic attack on her first day of visit at the Manor.
He also chose not to reveal them to his mother, Narcissa. After all, his father was dead now and tarnishing his image in her eyes would not bring them any benefit.
He reached for the vial that contained Weasley's memories and emptied them in the Pensieve.
Some long lost questions would be answered by visiting those memories and he plunged his head in the silvery depths of the Pensieve.
Draco landed on what looked like inside of a tent. He looked around; his nose wrinkled in the smell of cats and found it was like a small flat complete with a bathroom and kitchen. The only furniture was an old table, three armchairs and four bunk beds.
"I've got it. I've got!" Draco whipped around at the direction of a familiar voice, "Password was 'Albus'. Get in here, Harry!"
Potter and Weasley!
'So this was where they lived when they hunted those soul-pieces of the Dark Lord.' he thought.
That means Weasley was not suffering from Spattergroits as it was said to them. He was with Potter all those time. But where was Granger?
His thought was soon voiced by Potter who came inside their tent and found Weasley kneeling beside a little radio. "Where do you think, Hermione is?" he asked Weasley as he sat beside him, "She took my Invisibility Cloak this morning, telling me that it was for some surprise."
"Dunno," Weasley shook his head and motioned Potter to listen to the small radio.
Draco watched them as they listened to the tiny radio on a station called 'Potterwatch'
"Evening, River." A voice said in radio.
"River, That's Lee," Weasley explained, "They've all got code names, but you can usually tell."
Potter and Weasley listened excitedly as the radio programme unraveled news regarding Dark Lord, Death Eaters and mysterious deaths of Muggles.
Draco was beginning to lose patience when suddenly Potter exclaimed, "Did you hear what Fred said?" he asked Weasley, "He's abroad. He's looking for the wand. I knew it!"
"Harry-" Weasley started but Potter cut in.
"Why are you so determined not to admit it? Vol-" Potter snapped.
"HARRY, NO!" Weasley warned Potter but it was too late.
"-demort's after the Elder wand" he finished looking breathless.
'Fool' Draco thought in his head, 'The Dark Lord's name was a taboo.'
His thoughts were echoed by Weasley who jumped to his feet and almost dragged Potter out of the tent as a Sneakoscope lit up on the table and begun to spin.
"That name is a taboo!' Weasley bellowed, "I told you Harry, I told you. We can't stay here anymore-" he said dragging Potter out and casting a Disillusionment Charm on both of them.
Draco could feel that the wards around Potter's tent had broken as rough and excited voices neared the place.
"Come out of there with your hands up!" came a rasping voice through the semi-darkness of late afternoon. "We know you are there! You've got half a dozen wand pointing at you and we don't care who we curse!" Draco recognized the voice of Fernin Greyback, the werewolf.
The Disillusioned Potter and Weasley made no sound.
Draco saw as the group of Snatchers approached the empty tent and entered inside.
Then there was another sound - an audible crack as a witch apparated in the middle of the horrible mess, unaware.
'Granger?' Draco wispered.
The witch looked around and dropped the bag she was carrying. She reached for her wand and called, "Harry?"
Draco almost closed his eyes as six flashes of red jet hit her and she crumpled on the forest, unconscious.
Greyback and his companions came out from the tent and surrounded her unconscious form.
"Let's take cover and attack." Draco heard Potter's voice, horrorstruck, from somewhere his right.
"I bet Greyback can sniff us." Weasley's shocked voice said directly from his front.
But before they could do anything the group of snatchers hoisted their captive and started walking away from the tent. Draco followed them.
"Where do you think they are taking her?" Potter whispered from Draco's right.
"We must attack now, Harry, otherwise it is impossible to track them if they Disapparate." Weasley whispered urgently.
But just at that moment the group disapparated.
"Where did they go?" Weasley bellowed, not troubling to keep his voice down anymore.
"I heard something like Malfoy." Potter replied breathless.
"Malfoy? You mean they took Hermione to Malfoy's home?" Weasley's voice was bewildered, "But why?" he asked.
"I don't know." Potter seemed scandalized too.
"But we don't know where it is?" Weasley said with a tone of desperation.
"There is one who can say that." Potter stated, "Dobby?" he called loudly.
'Of course,' Draco thought, 'It was that elf who rescued Granger from his Manor that night.'
He had lost his interest in the memory now. He knew what had happened later. The elf had sneaked Potter and Weasley in their cellar where Granger, Lovegood, Ollivander and a goblin was held captive. The protective enchantments around the Manor had delayed their arrival but Bellatrix had foreseen it and assigned Pettigrew to guard the cellar in case they arrived.
Eventually she was informed that Potter and Weasley had come to rescue their friend as predicted but his aunt had failed miserably to capture them all in order to present them to the Dark Lord.
Draco lifted up his face from the Pensieve and looked up at the painted ceiling of his suite. He plunged again after a moment.
Draco was standing on a cliff overlooking the sea where a lone cottage stood alone, it's whitewashed walls embedded with shells. On the left side of the main door an ornate writing declared the name of the abode: Shell Cottage.
He looked at the direction of the constant sound of ebb and flow and saw the enormous sea as it stretched before him reaching the horizon. The place was beautiful but had a lonely feel on it. He could feel the salty, cold wind as it touched his face.
There was a loud sound of gasping and he whipped around to look for the source only to find two people currently occupying the small garden beside the cottage. One of them, Hermione Granger was sitting on a garden bench looking thunderstruck while the other, Ron Weasley knelt down before her, offering her a ring. They both looked quite younger compared to their current appearances. Granger was wearing a blue shirt with long black skirt while Weasley was dressed pompously in a red shirt and black trousers.
Draco moved closer to in inspect the scene from more proximity. He noticed that the ring that Weasley was offering to Granger bore -
'Diamond' he thought. 'How did that impoverished Weasley manage a diamond? And that too, to offer it to the Mudblood?'
His thoughts were interrupted when Granger suddenly shook her head and spoke:
"I am sorry, Ron but I can't."
Weasley looked as if he just seen a Dementor.
"You can't what, Hermione?" he asked incredulously.
"I can't accept this ring, Ron." Granger repeated shaking her head fervently.
Weasley looked positively bewildered by her reply, "You can't accept my ring? Why? Are we not already dating each other?" he asked her.
Granger closed her eyes and opened them, "Then we shall not date anymore." She declared.
Weasley stood up at her declaration and threw up his hands in exasperation, "Why Hermione? What's wrong? I noticed that ever since we rescued you from that git Malfoy's house you almost jump when I touch you. Have I done something that you did not like? Are you angry that we did not reach there earlier?" he asked her looking shocked.
Granger stood up and faced Weasley directly, "No, Ron. It's not that. Nothing is wrong with you or Harry. It's me." She informed him.
"What's wrong with you then?" Weasley asked her, surprised.
Granger seemed to contemplate his question, "I ….. I am….. I am changed, Ron." she replied looking very white.
Draco realized what she meant by that statement. He looked at her more closely.
"Changed?" Weasley almost screamed, "In what way? You look just like you were before." he said examining her appearance.
Granger sighed exasperatedly, "This" she said while pointing a finger at Weasley, "This is what I don't like about you, Ron. You can't look past physical features." She explained, "I have changed my mind, Ron. I don't want to be with you anymore." She stated looking determined.
"But why? Why have you changed your mind?" Weasley asked still looking confused.
Granger crossed her arms across her chest and straightened herself up, "Why should I not change my mind, Ron?" she asked him instead, "Even after the war, this society has the same attitude towards me as it had before. I have hardly seen a married witch who's scholar or a scientist or a Healer. You are a pureblood wizard, Ron and being married to a pureblood means raising a lot of children, maintaining a house, cooking vast batches of food and keeping your husband happy. I am afraid, Ron, that I cannot do that." She announced.
Weasley looked even more surprised, "Bloody hell, Hermione, are you serious?" he asked his lips twitching into disgust.
Granger flared at him, "Do I look like I am joking, Ron?" she asked glaring at him, "It may seem like your type of behaviour, but I certainly don't make fun of such serious issues." She said confidently.
Weasley was still not convinced by her explanation, "I thought you would love to have your own family, Hermione." He said looking dejected.
Granger bit her lips, "I do Ron, but not at the expense of my career." She said looking sad, "With all due respect, Ron, look at your mother, Mrs. Weasley. Raising seven children and maintaining a household has given her no time to look at herself, let alone any career. And I don't want my life and career to be wasted like that." She sighed.
Weasley looked up sharply at the mention of his mother, "Why are you taking Mum's example only?" he asked her narrowing his eyes, "There is Fleur too, who is happily married to Bill." He pointed out.
Granger sat down on the bench again and leaned against it. "Well, Fleur is Fleur, Ron and I am not Fleur Delacour. I am Hermione Granger." She stated calmly.
Weasley's face broke into a devilish grin, "Yes, of course, you are 'the' Hermione Granger. The famous know-it-all. The Gryffindor Goddess of knowledge. Huh!" he said mockingly, "How could I forget that? But you seemed forget that when we kissed during the battle." He said as if reminding her an obvious fact.
'Weasley kissed her? Willingly? Ewww!' Draco shuddered at the thought.
Granger stood up so fast as if the bench had suddenly burnt her back, "A kiss is not a relationship, Ron." She said pointing an index at him, "I guess you knew that better considering your relationship with Lavender." she snarled at him, "Besides it was done at the heat of a moment. We destroyed a Horcrux and we were relieved. So we kissed? What's the big deal about it? she asked looking annoyed at his insensibility.
Weasley did not seem want to let of the topic, "So what's 'the' big deal in your life, Hermione? Hm? Becoming the next Morgana or Circe?" he asked her, sneering.
Granger did not retort at his jibe, "No, I plan to move to Australia to look for my parents and live with them for the rest of my life. They are my parents and they have right to live with their only child." She said looking determined.
Weasley did not respond instantly, "And what rights do I have, Hermione?" he asked after sometime.
Granger looked straight at Weasley's eyes, "You have no rights over me Ronald Weasley." She declared, "I plan to marry no one and never become a mother." she stated firmly.
Draco frowned at her statement on motherhood. 'Why did she say so when she is about to become one?' he thought.
Weasley looked sadly at her, "That's your final answer, Hermione?" he asked, stone faced.
Granger sighed and faced him boldly, "That's my final answer, Ron." She affirmed, "I really hope that you will move forward without me and never regret it." she said calmly.
Weasley's face hardened even more as he took a step forward to her, "But I hope that you regret it Hermione Granger." he said venomously chewing every word.
The scene ended and Draco pulled himself up from the Pensieve.
He then emptied the contents of the vial that his aunt had given him. They belonged to Fleur Delacour. He plunged in the silvery surface of Pensieve once again.
Draco landed on a room that looked like a kitchen. He looked outside through the wide window and saw the shores of the same sea he had seen earlier in Weasley's memory. That meant he was inside Shell Cottage's kitchen now.
He turned his gaze into the room and looked around the kitchen. It was a medium sized room with pastel coloured walls, open shelves and wood planked floor. There were shining copper pots and kettles all around the wall and a stove gleamed in a corner. The wide and spacious centre table, made of chestnut boards was currently occupied by only one person, who was sitting there her face buried in her hands placed on table. Granger was wearing the same blue shirt and black skirts that he had seen her wear earlier.
'So this must the memory of the same day.' Draco tried to deduce.
He moved towards the table and saw a younger looking Fleur Delacour approach Granger with a mug full of some foamy white substance. She set it on the table beside her and settled herself across the other woman.
"Take it, 'ermione, it'z good for the baby." Delacour pushed the mug towards Granger's hands.
Granger looked up and observed the contents of the mug, "What's it?" she asked her.
Delacour smiled kindly at Granger, "It's yogurt drink." She replied, "It's full of calcium and Maman always says that growing babies need a lot of protein and calcium. Take it and you'll feel good." She insisted her.
Granger eyed the mug and suddenly burst into tears.
Draco was taken aback. 'Women!' he thought, 'What was there to cry about over a simple yogurt drink?'
Delacour however immediately left her seat and settled herself beside the crying woman.
"What'z it, 'ermione?" she asked her in soothing voice.
Granger continued to cry and Delacour asked her the same question another three times before she received an answer:
"Ron proposed me this morning" Granger said between her sobs, "….and I turned him down." she sobbed harder, "….I can't believe I did that considering that I truly love him, but I did that – all because of this baby." She placed her right hand over her stomach.
Draco noticed that Delacour's face immediately became grave.
"You did not need to do that, Hermione. I know Ron, he would have accepted you and this baby if you told him the truth." She said Granger, "He would never ask you to abort it."
Granger clutched her stomach protectively, "I would never abort it even if he wanted me to do so." She said vehemently, "That bastard Malfoy might be a monster but this baby is innocent. It never told him to ra…violate me." She said breathing heavily from prolonged crying.
Delacour nodded her head in agreement, "Then what's wrong, 'ermione?" she asked her calmly. "What's bothering you so much?"
Granger looked up at the ceiling and closed her eyes.
"What is bothering me is that I don't want this baby to face what I had to endure at Hogwarts." she said through gritted teeth, her voice raw with emotion, "It will definitely look like it's monster father in one way or the other and everyone will realize who the real father is." she shuddered, "They'll taunt him or her by calling Malfoy's bastard - something worse than being called a Mudblood. I can't let that happen to my baby – it's innocent. That's why I'll take my baby away – far away from all these – where no one will know or care who the father is." she straightened her neck and looked at Delacour determinedly, "There is no way I am taking it to that bastard Malfoy." She shook her head, "He'll kill both of us, I am sure a half-blood child from a Mudblood mother is the last thing he'll ever want." she proclaimed firmly, "I have made up my mind, Fleur, I am going to Australia." She declared.
Delacour eyed Granger sadly, "Why Australia 'ermione?" she asked "Why not France?"
"But my parents are in Australia." Granger replied, looking surprised.
"Tell me, 'ermione, why did you send your parents there?" Delacour asked her patiently, "To keep them safe." She replied it, "How will they feel when they find out that their only daughter was tortured during war and now carries a baby?" she asked her again, "Will they not feel horribly guilty?" Granger's eyes widened fearfully, "Spare them the horror, 'ermione. You have come this far without them, surely you can go further too." Delacour stated.
Granger was silently shedding tears and her voice was rasping, "Where should I go then, Fleur?" she asked Delacour, looking helpless, "I don't have any other relative outside Britain." She informed her.
Delacour took Granger's chin in one hand and wiped her tears with the other, "I offer you stay at my family home – the Delacour Residence – in Paris with my family." She said firmly, "You have already met them at my wedding though my brother Alexis couldn't come at that time."
"But what would they say about me?" Granger whispered at her.
"They'll say nothing, 'ermione." Delacour assured her, "I'll explain them about you and I am confident that they'll accept and love you just the way they love me, Gabrielle or Alexis. Besides my mother is a certified midwife. She can help you go through your pregnancy." She offered.
Granger looked confused at her offer, "Why are you doing this, Fleur? Out of pity?" she asked.
"Of course not, 'ermione." Delacour shook her head forcefully, "I am doing this because you deserve this chance. You've been very brave and we – Bill and I – respect you for that." She stated confidently.
Granger's eyes widened in horror, "You mean Bill knows?" she asked indicating her stomach.
Delacour nodded, "Of course he knows, 'ermione. He was the one who noticed the odd way you walked and how you depressed you looked when you arrived here with Harry, Ron and Dobby." She informed Granger who closed her eyes and shook her head in disbelief, "She told me about his suspicion and I soon confirmed it when I noticed that you were having morning nausea attacks." Delacour explained, "But we did not tell you at that time, the three of you were so busy with the Horcruxes. The distraction helped you to come out of your depression."
They remained silent for a long time after that - Granger crying silently.
"What will I do in France?" Granger asked after some time looking tired.
Delacour smiled encouragingly at her, "I advice that you enroll in Beauxbaton and finish your education first. Without graduation you can't have a decent job anywhere." She offered.
Granger sniffed, "But what will the students and teachers of Beauxbaton say if they find out that I am pregnant?" she asked timidly.
Delacour shook her head, "They won't say anything, 'ermione." she answered fiercely, "You are of age and have right to carry out relationships. Our teachers don't pry into other people's personal life. Besides you are a brilliant student and I am sure you'll become their favourite very soon." She declared proudly.
Granger still looked confused, "Are you sure about this, Fleur?" she asked her.
Delacour beamed and answered, "I am positive, 'ermione. Go to France and build yourself a new life with your child." She patted her shoulder gently.
Granger sighed, "And what will I tell Harry? Neville? My teachers? Everybody?" she asked.
"Tell them what you told Ron that you are moving to Australia in search of your parents." Delacour supplied, "You can keep your faith on Bill and me, we'll never tell anybody." She assured her, "Go 'ermione. Start a new life." She took Granger's hand and squeezed them, smiling.
The scene dissolved and Draco looked up from the Pensieve only to find his aunt occupying the chair across his seat. She looked very calm and composed.
Draco felt unnerved under her calm gaze. He rubbed his fore head wearily and closed his eyes. The memories certainly provided answers he had been looking for but they were disturbing him too. He never considered the possibility that Granger had to leave Britain to keep his child safe from him. Not that, she was not correct about his dislike with 'lesser blood' but he certainly would not have killed it.
'Maybe father would have done it in my stead.' He thought ruefully.
"I guess you have done watching them, Draco." He heard his aunt speak and focused his gaze on her. "I did not want to pry but when you did not answer me after knocking three times, I came in to see if anything was wrong." She informed him.
Draco shook his head in protest, "It's alright, aunt. I did not mind." he said.
Audré continued to eye him calmly, "I hope you still remember your part of the deal, Draco?" she asked him quietly.
Draco nodded, "I do, aunt." He replied curtly.
"You said you'll tell me the truth." She reminded him.
"I will." Draco affirmed.
"So tell me, Draco how was Adrian conceived?" she asked him the dreaded question.
Draco grimaced at the word 'conceived'.
"You will hate me after you hear this." He warned his aunt.
"I'll take the risk, dear." She offered him.
Draco took a deep breath and started, "She, I mean Granger and I went to Hogwarts in the same year - 1991. She was in Gryffindor and I was.."
"In Slytherin. I know that. There is no Malfoy except for Julian and Lilian I believe, who had not been in Slytherin." Audré commented.
Draco nodded, "She was a Muggleborn too." He supplied.
"I can see why you must have disliked her. It's not possible for a Malfoy to not dislike a Muggle born or a half-blood." Audré snorted.
"Julian and Lilian are Malfoys too, aunt. Don't be severe on me." Draco requested her.
Audré smiled, "Well they are Chombruns too, Draco, and I am not being severe on you. I just stated a well known fact. Pray continue. So you disliked or better say detested Jean because she was a Muggleborn witch." She offered.
Draco nodded his head, "Her name is Hermione Granger. Jean I guess is her middle name though I don't know why she uses that. She was friends to the famous Harry Potter – the boy who lived and another supposedly pureblood boy named Ron Weasley." He started again.
"You mean she was one of the Golden Trio?" Audré asked him.
Draco nodded again, "Yes. They called them that. But there were many other reasons for which I disliked her. She was bossy, know-it-all and strutted the place like she owned the school. She also did not know how to show respect to superior bloodlines." Draco stated.
"That infuriated you." Audré interjected.
"Yes, immensely. It still does. It was our seventh year and the Dark Lord had overtaken the Ministry and Hogwarts. Attendance was compulsory that year and so I had to return under a new headmaster – Professor Severus Snape, a supposedly fellow Death Eater. But Potter, Weasley and Granger were not there at Hogwarts. Rumour had it that Weasley was suffering from Spattergroits and Granger was on the run with Potter, hiding from the Dark Lord." Draco recounted, "Then just a week before the Easter I returned home on mother's request to spend the holiday there. That day I was in my room upstairs practicing some jinxes that Bellatrix, my mother's Death Eater sister, had instructed me to do. I heard the main gate speak and open with loud sound and I thought maybe some snatchers had arrived because the Death Eaters could pass it without opening it – they had the Dark Mark. Besides our manor was being used as the base by the Dark Lord. I was really concentrating on a hard jinx when suddenly I heard a loud scream from downstairs. It was mother. I was terrified and thought something might have happened to father. So I immediately ran downstairs. Upon reaching the first floor landing I saw…. I saw Granger taking my mother hostage by pointing her wand at her throat and threatening to kill her." He stopped abruptly.
"I don't know what happened to me all of a sudden, I was filled with uncontrollable rage." He started again after some time, noticing his aunt's intense look upon him, "I felt like ripping her from limb to limb for touching my mother and threatening to kill her. How could she even think of it?" he asked shaking his head, "So I did the first thing that came in my head. I sneaked behind her when she tried to escape and grabbed her hair from behind. She lost control and my mother was rescued. But I was not satisfied. Bellatrix wanted to punish her but I would not let her unless I was done with her first. So I dragged her to the dungeons and…and-" Draco could not bring himself to utter that word in front of his aunt.
But she understood none the less.
"Oh, my Nostradamus!" she whispered rubbing her forehead wearily. "Was she a virgin?" she asked looking disgusted.
Draco remained silent. Of course she a virgin, he had felt that when he violated her.
Audré left her seat and turned her back on him.
"You disgust me, Draco. You disgust me." She confessed, "Have you ever felt sorry for what you did?" she asked vehemently.
Draco was taken aback by her question. "What?" "Why?" he asked instead.
"Why not?" his aunt whipped around, "You did a heinous crime, Draco. You should feel ashamed of it." she snapped at him.
Draco left his seat too, "Look aunt Audré, I know what you might think about me now but I am not totally accountable for it." he said to a shocked Audré, "I am not a cold-blooded rapist, for Merlin's sake. She attacked my mother and I was enraged and wanted to teach her proper place. It was she who pushed me to do it." he demanded.
Audré slumped on the chair she had been occupying and closed her eyes.
Draco suddenly felt ashamed for the words he had uttered and approached her cautiously.
"Look aunt Audré I am sorry I suggested it but that's how I feel and that's how it occurred." He confessed quietly to her.
Audré opened her eyes and looked at him directly, "Tell me Draco, do you care about me?" she asked him suddenly.
Draco faltered under her intense gaze. "Yes, of course." He replied.
"How much? To the extent that you can take a Wizard's Oath upon my request?" she enquired.
"Unless the Oath has something against me…or Adrian…or you." Draco answered truthfully.
"Very well then, place your right hand upon your chest and repeat after me." She instructed.
"You are not going to make me apologize to Granger? Because I am not going to do that." Draco warned his aunt.
Audré shook her head, "No." she said.
Assured, Draco placed his right hand on his chest as Audré pointed her wand at his hand.
"I, Draco Lucius Malfoy….." she started.
"I, Draco Lucius Malfoy," he repeated.
"Solemenly swear upon my honour….
"Solemenly swear upon my honour,
"Upon my blood…
"Upon my blood,
"Upon my power as a wizard…
"Upon my power as a wizard,
"That I'll not harm Hermione Jean Granger and her son…
"That I'll not harm Hermione Jean Granger and our son,
"Adrian Thomas Granger…
"Adrian Thomas Granger-Malfoy,
"By speech, by action or by any other means possible…
"By speech, by action or by any other means possible.
"This I take Oath to my aunt Audré Renee Chombrun Malfoy.
"This I take Oath to my aunt Audré Renee Chombrun Malfoy.