A/N: Thanks everyone for follow, favourite and reviews for the last chapter.
The recipe of the headache relieving potion was taken by modifying recipe of headache relieving tea.
The oil of lily of the valley really does reduce depression.
Nostradamus is the French seer who prophesied many major world events. I used his name instead of Merlin which the British use.
Ecstasy suggests intensification of emotion so powerful as to produce a trancelike dissociation from all but the single overpowering feeling: anecstasyofrage,grief.
The lullaby was taken from a page containing traditional lullabies. I thought I went well with the concept.
The salon of John Nolett exists in real life and it's quite famous.
There is a quote I felt free to insert here as goes well with this chapter:
"Draco was quite intelligent and quick-witted, capable of deducing things and coming up with clever plans based on a small amount of information."
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 17: The Delacour Residence
A week passed since Hermione had confronted Alexis Delacour for maintaining secrecy in Adrian's matter. She had felt sorry afterwards when he explained her real reason behind it and wanted to apologize. But try as she might Alexis was not available in private anymore. She would meet him only during breakfasts and dinners in which occasions he remained civil but distant from her. Adrian was continuing his drawing classes with Monsieur Monette except for now it was Hermione who would accompany him there. She could never imagine stopping his classes just because Alexis had enrolled him without her permission. Adrian loved those classes and was the youngest student with exceptionally high potentials. Her chest swelled with pride and joy every time Monsieur Monette praised Adrian and proclaimed that the boy would become a world famous Painter one day.
Ever since Adrian had won the Drawing Competition in Brussels, Hermione had wondered how her five and a half years old son could manage to draw such complicated pictures. Not that her son was not talented – she gladly admitted that he was but he was too young for such kind of achievements. Boys his age couldn't even draw a cow properly whereas Adrian could draw a whole zoo given ample time and opportunity. All her doubts were cleared after meeting Monsieur Monette, who told her that he had taught Adrian some tricky pencil strokes and one of them was drawing white objects or animals in a white background.
Hermione had felt simultaneously happy and sorry afterwards – happy for Adrian and sorry for treating Alexis so rashly. After all, it was due to his efforts, however hidden, that her son had learnt some interesting art and won the competition. She could no longer ignore Alexis's contribution in Adrian's welfare.
Hermione sighed deeply as she looked out through the window overlooking the garden. She had terribly mistreated Alexis. The man was introvert and by the looks of it, a subtle lover. He would never proclaim his love loudly in public but would fight the world alone to protect his beloved if need be arise. In other words – a mature man and the kind of man any sensible woman would love to spend her life.
She suddenly saw figure enter the garden as it walked slowly towards one of the benches and narrowed her eyes. Adrian was downstairs with Father Gustave who was telling him some adventure story of his youth. Gabrielle, she knew, had not returned from Eva's house where she went to meet Edmound. The figure was definitely not Mother Apolline.
It could be none other than Alexis Delacour.
It was now or never.
Before Hermione could even contemplate her next move she was out of her bedroom on her way to the garden. Tonight she was going to tell him what she had been thinking all these time.
Alexis was sitting idly on one of the benches and looking blankly up in the sky when Hermione reached him silently. She had no intention of startling him now that finally they could talk in private.
She sat beside Alexis noiselessly and looked at him. Alexis seemed so lost in his thoughts that he did not notice her arrival.
"I never knew that you are such an interested star-gazer, Alexis." Hermione commented in English and Alexis whipped around. She could speak French fluently but sometimes, she felt like her mother tongue was her best option to convey her emotions and tonight was one of those times.
"Jean!" he said breathlessly, "I…is there I can do for you?" he asked regaining his control, "Is it about him? Malfoy?" he asked again.
Hermione shook her head. She was not going to spoil this opportunity by uttering that cursed name. She smiled instead.
"I just wanted to thank you for enrolling Adrian in those drawing classes." She said to Alexis, "He loves them so much. Besides Monsieur Monette is a very competent teacher. It was him who taught Adrian that trick which helped him win the competition." She explained happily.
Alexis nodded his silently in response, "It was nothing, Jean." He replied modestly, "Adrian deserved those classes and that prize too." He gave her a small smile and attempted to stand up.
"Can you please stay with me for a few minutes?" Hermione requested noticing that Alexis was trying to leave. "I promise I'll not take long." She assured.
"Why not?" Alexis asked her instead as he sat down reluctantly looking very uneasy. "What's it, Jean? I am all ears." He said looking at her.
Hermione took a deep breath and prepared herself. More than six years had passed since she had last talked about her previous life to anyone.
"My parents used to be dentists, Alexis, before I obliviated and made them move to Australia. My mother Adeline Granger was my mentor." Hermione started in an even voice, "From my childhood she always encouraged me to achieve excellence in my studies. She told me that in a society which is dominated by men, women have only one way to achieve their rights and freedom – to gain it with their knowledge and intelligence. She explained that most men try to subjugate their wives, some even take pleasure in it and if a woman truly wishes to be free about her life and it's decisions, she must first beat her male counterpart on everything that they both compete. She told me that though women are physically weaker than men they are more intelligent, sensitive and patient in terms of decision making. If they are determined and strong willed enough, they can attain any peak, reach any goal and then men can never look down upon them." She paused.
Alexis was listening to her intently.
"Throughout my school life, both in Muggle schools and in Hogwarts, I never paid attention to men folk. My first priority was my knowledge which I loved and it helped me to attain my freedom, my position and my confidence. The male population of Hogwarts were not interested in me either which I suspected was mainly due to the fact that I was more intelligent than them and could not be easily controlled like other easily available girls. Strangely enough my best friends were male but they never considered me as a girl. None of them even asked me to go to the Yule Ball with them in our fourth year though both of them needed partners." Hermione chucked remembering her old school days, "Most of the boys thought I was a geek and I also preferred to keep it that way."
Alexis let out a low chuckle, looking amused.
"Then in my seventh year at Hogwarts, which I did not attend there, one of my best friends Ron Weasley, Fleur's brother-in-law, asked me out. We were already friends for six years by then, he was a funny guy; though a bit insensitive too and his family was always kind towards me. So I did not hesitate to start our relationship." Hermione stopped and closed her eyes before continuing again, "But after I realized that I was with a child, I felt that I could no longer continue that relationship. There were many reasons for which I chose to end it, the principle one being my baby's safety once it was born. So I ended our relationship and moved in here."
Even with closed eyes Hermione could feel the serious look Alexis was giving her.
"I truly felt heart-broken the day I turned down Ron's marriage proposal. After that I did not feel like starting any new relationship; partly because I thought I still loved Ron and partly because I was doubtful that any man could be a good father for Adrian." Hermione confessed and opened her eyes to look directly at Alexis.
"But after that day Alexis, when you told me that you did not want to use Adrian to come closer to me, I felt that my assessments regarding my own feelings were not the same as they were before. Previously I wanted to be completely independent and raise Adrian on my own. But now I want someone to take care of me and Adrian. I want to be loved again. I want Adrian to have a proper father, someone who'll love and understand him. And who can do that well than you Alexis?"
The night was absolutely still following her question as Alexis stared at Hermione in shock and amazement.
"Jean, are you…" he said after finally finding his voice, "….telling me that….." he paused, "….you are interested in me?"
Hermione sported no sign of uneasiness.
"I am very interested in you Alexis." She confirmed, "You are the kind of man every woman dreams to have and I am not stupid enough to let you go." Hermione proclaimed confidently.
•••••
Draco had never felt such ecstatic in his whole life of twenty four years.
He was currently feeling Adrian's white shirt in between his fingers as he lied down on one of the garden benches in Château de la Grange-Bléneau's vast compound.
He had not seen his son Adrian since he left Brussels with his mother fifteen days ago and Draco could feel that his sanity had reached it's borderline. Another day passed without Adrian's sweet voice, innocent eyes, cute smile and playful bathing sessions was going to render him mad.
Only if he could locate the Delacour residence in Paris.
Draco had watched Fleur Delacour's memory in Pensieve almost thirty times in last seven days in search of any clue that could give him the location of their residence in Paris but to no avail. Except for the fact that her brother's name was Alexis and her mother was a certified midwife he had no new information.
But Draco Malfoy could always device extremely good plans even with the slightest bit of information.
So he had searched for midwives by the name of Apolline Delacour in almost every hospital –Muggle and Magic alike – of Paris. But he could find none. Evidently Delacour's mother had retired or was not affiliated with any hospital.
Draco was at his wit's end and his wit was nothing to be laughed at. His grey eyes narrowed calculatingly as he sat up and tried to device a new scheme to find Adrian.
He had visited St. Joan's Institute already but there was no child there by the name of Adrian Granger.
He had visited other nurseries as well but failed.
He had looked for Eva and Edmound Bellamy's residence and failed.
He had searched for Jean Granger's workplace and failed.
But Malfoys never lost hope and Draco was not going to be an exception. He sat on the bench and thought about Adrian longingly while trying to find a way to reach him.
It was any man's dream to have a son like Adrian: innocent, intelligent, handsome, talented, playful, healthy, strong and magical.
Draco almost closed his eyes relishing his son's memories as they played in his mind. It was an unfortunate situation that Granger had mothered his son but it did not tarnish Adrian's reputation to the least. After all, he was a Malfoy.
'There is no rose without a few thorns.' He had thought.
'And lotuses are said to be born in mud.'
So his son, a Malfoy, was just like a rose or a lotus.
Draco shook his head and condemned himself. Being emotional was not going to get him near Adrian. He needed to think clearly and scheme a full proof plan to find his son.
And for that, he needed to keep his mind occupied in something productive – like potion making.
His mother Narcissa had accompanied his aunt Audré to one of Paris's finest salons and his cousins were at work. Draco was alone in the whole Château. He stood up and started for the Potions lab located in the Château's basement.
The lab chamber was a large room with elaborately made work benches and shelves lining along the walls. Cauldrons of almost every variety were available and all types of common ingredients could be found in Potions Cupboard. It was a potion maker's ideal sanctuary.
Thanks to his Potions Master, Professor Severus Snape, at Hogwarts, Draco was proficient in Potions making from an early age and loved doing it still. It was like a drawing to him – right stroke at right time does the magic.
Draco was under a silent truce with his aunt Audré. Since the day of his confession about his role in Granger's pregnancy, his aunt had become a bit reserved towards him. Draco could feel it and did not like it at all. He was truly fond of his aunt. They were so much alike in terms of intelligence and both had undergone immense sufferings associated with the death of spouses. She was exceptionally good in her observation skills and had helped him immensely in his search for Adrian. He was going to work to make their relationship just like it used to be – friendly and witty.
Draco placed a pewter cauldron on one of the work benches and lit a fire beneath it. He was going to make a Headache Relieving Potion for his aunt.
He went to the cupboard and started taking out the necessary ingredients: Valerian, Skullcap, Lemon and Passion flower.
He placed the jars on the workbench and rolled the sleeves of his black shirt. He was ready.
Draco did not need to read the labels of the jars to know what it contained. He knew them all by sight. He poured some clean water in the cauldron and started to prepare the base by adding right amounts of carefully sliced Valerian roots and powdered Skullcap leaves, one by one while stirring and counter-stirring at the proper time.
The base was ready in forty-five minutes and Draco proceeded into the next step by adding Passion flower extract and Lemon juice in the base.
He poured the two items needed and stirred the concoction three times clockwise. Now he needed to wait another seven minutes before adding the final ingredients after which the potion should be left to mature for six hours.
He gave it his personal touch by adding a pinch of lavender and chamomile to comfort the neck muscles.
Draco took the jars of the used items to the cupboard and placed them there carefully. He was about to turn away when something caught his attention and he turned again, his wide eyes fixed at the jar.
There among the many jars of various sizes, shapes and colours lay a wide mouthed jar containing some 'Jellyfish stings' with a label that read:
Gustave Delacour
Proudly presents the finest quality 'Jellyfish stings' from
Delacour Apothecary, Shop no- 177/B, Ruelle Les Halles, Paris.
Draco's hands fisted automatically. A two week old memory struck his mind like a thunderbolt.
"Tell me who gave you this T-shirt?" Draco asked Adrian.
"This?" Adrian seized his red attire, "Grandpa Gustave."
Draco's grin spread from ear to ear as he reached out and took the wide mouthed jar in his hand to examine the address of the apothecary.
"Father is coming Adrian. Father is coming." he thought and left the potions chamber without a backward glance towards the Headache Relieving Potion.
It was time to relieve his own constant headache.
•••••
Audré looked sideways at her companion, Narcissa Malfoy and found her looking so deeply relaxed that she seemed almost asleep. They were currently having some hair treatment in of Paris's leading salons – John Nolett at Park Hyatt Hotel.
Whenever Audré found it was difficult to relax and think rationally in Château, she came to this Muggle salon. She was well known even in the Muggle world, thanks to her kind neighbours and some of her charity works in Muggle orphanages, and was always well privileged with private services whenever she visited John Nolett. She could use the private terrace when her hair was styled and treated by John Nolett or his team while breathing in the refreshing scent of spring jasmine. Narcissa had protested when she was told that they were going to a Muggle salon but upon arrival even her pureblood supremacy was subdued. She had admitted to Audré that even some Wizarding salons were not as well equipped as this one in terms of hair care.
Any mother with a young and beautiful daughter like Lillian would be horrified to host a guest who was a rapist. Audré was terribly shocked when Draco had blamed the victim, Jean for the violation she had suffered. Any woman in her right mind would immediately ask the guest to leave her house and never to come back again. But Audré was not driven by emotions. Her twenty years long marriage with Morpheus Malfoy had taught her many things about that pureblood family and their thinking patterns. She knew that Draco liked and trusted her and would never do anything to lose his place in her eyes. She also knew how difficult it was to achieve such a place in a Malfoy's heart and had decided to use it to protect Adrian and his mother, Jean from Draco's irrational actions.
The young man needed right guidance, something which he had lacked from the very beginning of his life. He might not have any remorse for his past actions but if Audré's plans succeeded he would be in a lot of pain.
Sometimes pain is the best teacher and Audré knew how to inflict that without appearing to be causing so.
She had promised herself that no matter what happened Draco Malfoy would suffer immensely in monthes to come and by the time he left France he would be completely a different man.
All because of Adrian - the child he would never get as long as Audré was alive. After all, she was Audré Chombrun Malfoy, the woman who could manipulate even the mightiest of Slytherins.
•••••
Finding the apothecary was not a difficult job for Draco once he reached Ruelle Les Halles. The shop bore a large sign in front to attract customers and he entered it feigning to be one too.
The shop was spacious and housed every possible potion ingredients imaginable. Draco noticed jars full of Dragon blood, Tarantula venom and stalks of shiny Unicorn tail hairs among various ingredients. He feigned interest in some Sphinx Mane, which were incredibly rare and looked around for any sign of the shop owner – the Delacours.
His patience was rewarded when a familiar looking silvery-haired young woman appeared behind the counter to deal with large number of customers.
'Gabrielle Delacour' Draco whispered triumphantly.
His key to the Delacour residence was walking and talking in front of his eyes, completely oblivious to the plans she soon would be subjected to.
'Patience is virtue, Draco.' He reminded himself and moved to a corner to watch the young woman as she efficiently dealt with the customers.
Soon he was Disillusioned and stationed in a less used corner of the shop as he eyed the shop for any means of private transportation.
There was a large fireplace behind the counter; undoubtedly it was used as Floo.
'But what if the girl used Apparition?' Draco thought, 'In that case he would have to take the help of Imperius Curse once again.' He decided.
Draco had never imagined he would be using that Unforgivable curse like some common cleaning spell but everything was worth for a glimpse of his son Adrian. There was nothing he would not do to get to his last resort, his heir- Adrian.
When Draco had arrived at the apothecary it was four o' clock in the afternoon and he waited four hours patiently until the shop appeared to be closing for the day. He saw the Delacour girl as she gave orders to five different employees and leave behind an office door. Draco left his corner and approached it carefully. It was time.
The office door opened and Gabrielle Delacour came out clutching her bag. Draco followed her silently as she approached the Floo fireplace and took a pinch of Floo powder.
Gabrielle entered the empty fireplace and Draco followed her silently inside. As soon as she uttered 'Residence de Delacour' a green flame issued from the Floo powder she had thrown and Draco grabbed her arm in an iron fist.
The woman, noticing that someone had attacked her screamed but it was muffled as they were transported through the Floo fireplace rapidly. As soon as their feet hit another fireplace Draco released her and casted the spell he had been intending to.
'Confundo' he said nonverbally with immense concentration as the green flame around them died away and they swayed on their feet to gain balance. Gabrielle shuddered and her eyes became unfocused just for a second before becoming normal again. She left the fireplace looking confused.
Draco followed her silently and entered what appeared to be a large Entrance Hall. Gabrielle was rubbing her forehead wearily and looking at the fireplace suspiciously when a scream startled both of them.
'Adrian' they both gasped recognizing the sweet childish voice and Draco almost bolted at the direction of the cry alongside Gabrielle, who looked frightened.
'His son was crying.' He thought as he approached the room and entered it only to discover a distressed looking Adrian lying on the floor clutching a book to his heart and screaming agonizingly. His mother was trying to calm him by embracing him but the efforts were failing miserably as the child thrashed violently under her.
"Mama will repair your book, little rabbit." Hermione said to her son with tear in her eyes, "Mama will even buy you another new one, my love. Even better than this one." She offered her violently crying son.
Draco did not know what had happened to him. He felt like every single cry of agony his son issued was cutting through his soul and making him insane.
"It was a gift from Monsieur Monette." Adrian exclaimed agonizingly, "He gave it to me when he heard that I won that competition." He pounded the floor with one of his little fists, "How could Pierre do this to my book?" he asked clutching his book more protectively, "I told him it was gift from my teacher but he did not listen." He shook his head vigorously, "He was not happy when he heard that I won that competition…." Adrian was breathless from constant screaming and sobbing, "….He always says bad things about you, Mama." He turned his red and puffy eyes at Hermione, "He says that you are not a good woman because you have no husband." He said and cried harder before falling on floor again.
Draco's hands fisted so tightly that he almost crushed his bones. Whoever this Pierre was, he was going to rip him from limb to limb for making his innocent boy cry like that.
"He is a nine year old boy bullying my five year old son?" he heard Hermione demanding angrily, "I am going to talk to his parents." She declared sternly.
"The Roches are very proud about their Pureblood status, Jean." Draco heard another elderly woman comment looking extremely fierce, "But don't worry because Gustave and I are going to talk about it to them once Gustave returns home. Their son can't run around the neighbourhood and continue bullying other children." She said and turned to Adrian before kissing his shoulder soothingly, "Calm down my little man. Grandma Apolline and Grandpa Gustave will talk to Pierre's parents about it, my love. Calm down my baby. Calm down." She tried to comfort a sobbing Adrian.
'Pureblood my foot!' Draco gritted his teeth in rage. 'How dare they mess with a Malfoy?' he was flaring at the thought.
Adrian only cried harder at his grandmother's assurance, "I know he'll not listen, Grandma!" he said between his sobs, "He'll beat me for telling you." He said shaking his small head, "Look what he did to my book?" he showed them the tattered pages of a Drawing book, "I hate him, Mama! I hate him! My book! MY BOOK!" Adrian let out a loud cry of anguish.
Every single windowpane of the room shattered as a surge of power hit them when Adrian's cry echoed around the room. Everyone including Draco looked around wildly for the cause of sudden incident and then Apolline was the first person to react.
"Oh my Nostradamus!" she exclaimed as Adrian slumped on the floor, "That's his first magic."
Hermione was beside herself, "Adrian?" she called her son while shaking his motionless form, "Adrian? Open your eyes and look at Mama." she said hysterically while embracing her son protectively.
Every single nerve in Draco's body became taut. 'This was not happening to him again. He was not going to lose his son again!' he thought, horrified.
Apolline was on her feet in an instant as she gave orders to Gabrielle in rapid French. In a matter of three minutes she mixed some honey in a glass of milk and offered it to Hermione who was still sitting on the floor embracing Adrian protectively.
"Here, take this, Jean." Apolline said and handed the glass to her, "That was his first magic and it was far too strong for him." She explained as she helped Hermione straighten the almost unconscious boy, "He needs instant energy to replenish the loss he suffered." She held the glass of to Adrian's small mouth, "Drink it my dear. You'll feel better, my baby." She offered Adrian.
Draco watched breathlessly as Adrian opened his innocent eyes weakly and took a small sip from the glass. Apolline noticing the boys weakness used a spoon to feed it to him.
"He's cold." Hermione said in a panicked voice, feeling Adrian's forehead and hands.
Draco was shaking uncontrollably now. 'Why was his son cold?' he thought, 'Was he going to..' he could not complete the thought in his head, feeling extremely tense.
"Gabrielle, go and bring my box of oils." Apolline commanded her daughter who ran out of kitchen and returned almost instantly carrying a wooden box. She placed it on the floor beside her mother who opened the lid immediately and frantically searched among the phials.
"Here" she said as she extracted a crystal phial full of some clear liquid, "Jean, give Adrian to me." she commanded a horrified looking Hermione, "Gabrielle and you massage this oil all over his body." She instructed them.
Hermione shifted Adrian to Apolline's lap and rapidly unbuttoned Adrian's small blue shirt before pouring some of the unknown oil in her hand and starting to massage it on his small body. Gabrielle did the same with Adrian's small legs and feet.
"What's it mother Apolline?" she asked her after sometime, while rapidly massaging her son.
"It's oil of Lily of the valley." Apolline answered stroking Adrian's head gently and kissing it, "It lifts depression and creates a feeling of well-being." She explained, "My little darling will be up and about in a few hours after a good massage. Won't you, my dear?" she asked Adrian softly.
Adrian nodded his head weakly in response.
Draco let out a breath of relief. For the first time ever in his life, he felt grateful towards someone who he did not know. Fleur Delacour's mother Apolline Delacour had saved his son twice already; once before he was born and once this evening.
He watched with apprehension as his son was given a thorough massage by his mother and Gabrielle and promised that he would thank this elderly woman one day for the ministrations she had offered to his son.
"You'll become a very powerful wizard when you grow up, Adrian." Apolline said to him smiling gently, "I have never seen a five and half year old boy display magic that powerful." She remarked.
Draco's chest swelled with pride at her declaration. He himself had not been able to shatter all the windowpanes when he was five and a half years old. He displayed his first magic when he was seven.
He continued to watch the group of ladies as they tended and nursed his son and after an hour of constant massage Adrian spoke for the first time.
"Mama, I am sleepy." He declared in weak voice and Hermione immediately took him in her arms. "Yes, my little rabbit, Mama will take you to bed." She said kissing him twice in both cheeks.
"Not before he takes his supper, Jean." Apolline said as she stood up, "He must eat and sleep for next two days to completely fill up the energy he has lost." She commented while cutting a large piece of meat pie for Adrian. She handed the plate to Hermione who helped Adrian eat it.
Once fed, watered and declared fit for bed, Adrian was carried to his bed by his mother as Draco followed them silently. She changed Adrian into his favourite red Pajama and gently placed him on their bed before settling down beside him.
Adrian immediately snuggled against his mother who held him so tight that Draco, from his position beside the headboard, thought that she might suffocate his son.
The mother and son remained quiet for some time after the lights were turned off when the moonlight coming through one of the windows was the only source of light. Draco watched them silently, feeling peaceful that his son was alive and well at last.
"I love you, Mama." he heard Adrian's sweet innocent voice as it reverberated through his soul. 'When will he say that to his father?' he thought, 'Just like the way he said that to his mother.'
"Mama loves Adrian more than anything in the world." He heard Hermione respond in high-pitched emotional voice and kiss Adrian's forehead gently before slowly singing a lullaby:
"Down in the valley, valley so low
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow
Hear the wind blow, dear, hear the wind blow
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow.
Roses love sunshine, violets love dew
Angels in heaven know I love you
Know I love you, dear, know I love you
Angels in heaven, know I love you.
Writing this letter, containing three lines
Answer my question, "Will you be mine?"
"Will you be mine, dear, will you be mine?"
Answer my question, "Will you be mine?"
Down in the valley, valley so low
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow
Hear the wind blow, dear, hear the wind blow
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow."
The words and music echoed around Draco's mind and soul long after they fell asleep.
'Father loves you, Adrian.' he thought watching his son peacefully sleep in his mother's embrace, 'And he's is going to protect you from everything that dares to touch and cause you pain.'
•••••
When Audré returned to Château after completing her morning walk around seven o' clock in the morning, she found Draco sitting on the stairs that lead to the main entrance of the building. He looked tired but there was a strange gleam in his grey eyes.
"Who is it this time, Draco?" Audré asked facing her tired nephew.
"Who are the Roches?" he asked her instead, tilting his head on one side.
Audré frowned at him, "The Roche family is one of the influential Pureblood families of Paris." She answered, "Why do you ask, Draco?" she enquired.
Draco offered her a smirk, "Influential, are they?" he sneered, "I think the time has come to test that at last." He commented and stood up from his place on the stairs, "Let's go inside, aunt. I have some important issues to discuss with you." He informed her and turned to leave.
Audré watched Draco's retreating form as it entered the Château. She knew that look very well, 'The Roches are in big trouble.' She thought ruefully and followed her nephew.