A/N: Thanks everyone for follow, favourite and reviews for the last chapter.
The Saining ceremony is a real one. You can Google it to find more.
I am not Robert Langdon but I find symbology quite interesting. It also goes well with witchcraft and concept of Patronus.
The nine items on the table were taken from Wiccan naming ceremony. So were the prayers.
Easter rabbit does really signify new life, sacrifice and resurrection. The concept went well with my plot so I felt free to use it.
Sage is really a cleanser. Sage bathe process here was taken from a website about sage uses.
The Rhyme "Here comes a bunny" was taken from preschool rhyme book.
The credit for Netherland Dwarf completely goes to Louisethelibrarian, my wonderful reader. I also Googled some info on it too.
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 18: The Saining
When Draco entered the Delacour compounds around nine thirty in the morning his nose wrinkled immediately. He sniffed twice and a registered a subtle scent of Sage in the air.
'They are cleaning the air?' he thought considering the reasons behind it as he made his way towards Adrian's bedroom.
He had left a peacefully sleeping Adrian in his mother's embrace around five o' clock in the morning to explore the Delacour Residence. He could not use the Apothecary Floo every time he needed to visit the place and Delacour's apparition point was warded against intrusion. He had searched relentlessly for another way to enter the perimeter. There were wards around it which he did not want to disturb and after an exhausting search in the early morning sun for one and a half hours, he had finally discovered a back door almost hidden in the perimeter wall, completely covered with a layer of thick moss. A simple 'Alohomora' spell was enough to unlock it and Draco had smiled internally that how his fate seemed to be helping him lately in his pursuit of his son.
He knew that Adrian lived in the East Wing of the handsome Delacour Residence and reached there easily using one of the staircases. He had cast a silencing spell previously upon his Disillusioned form to muffle any untoward sound and when he entered Adrian's bedroom as silently as a spirit, he noticed Apolline Delacour sitting beside Adrian's lying form and talking to a worried looking Hermione Granger.
"….. his temperature is still high." Hermione said as she rinsed a washcloth in a small bowl and wrung it tightly before placing it gently over Adrian's small face, "Should I call Henriette? She's his Paedi-Healer after all and must know what to do in such situations." She commented while wiping Adrian's face with the washcloth.
Draco moved closer to examine his sleeping son. 'Adrian was perfectly alright when he had left him in the morning. Then why is he suddenly feverish?' he thought apprehensively.
Apolline waved a hand of indignation at Hermione. "You worry too much, 'ermione Jean Granger." She chided her, "I am his Grandma and I won't let anything happen to my little man." she assured Hermione, "It is just the after effect of sudden outburst of magic." Apolline informed her, "There were fifty pieces of windowpanes in that room and he smashed them all to nothing just with an outburst. Do you think you could do that at the age of five?" she asked her looking serious.
For some inexplicable reason Draco believed what Apolline Delacour had said was right. 'His son was just exhausted, he couldn't be ill.' He thought determinedly as he took his previous stand by the headboard and looked down at Adrian's wet and sleeping face, 'My son is just too powerful for his age.' He thought feeling elated.
"When will the temperature come down then?" he heard Hermione ask Apolline, who was now standing by one of the big windows and examining the grounds.
"Just after the Saining, I believe. His little body is having trouble adjusting with the large amount of magic that has suddenly exploded." Apolline answered still examining the grounds.
Draco suddenly felt extremely relieved that his son was living with Apolline Delacour, who seemed to know everything about childhood illness and it's cure. He was sure that his own mother Narcissa was not as knowledgeable as her in terms of different healing processes.
"What is Saining?" he heard Hermione ask Apolline again and he rolled his eyes. 'Clearly the Mudblood had never been Sained and it was not something found in text books which she could memorize feverishly.' He thought sneering at her.
Apolline looked away from the window and smiled kindly to Hermione, "I guess you never had your Saining when you became a Witch, Jean, but I assure you that it's alright. It's not compulsory to perform Saining, you know." She said as she approached their bed and sat on it, "Saining is a traditional ceremony where blessing and protection is offered to a new wizard or witch when he or she performs his or her first magic. Traditional Saining rites may involve oil that has been blessed in some fashion, or the smoke from burning Incense, accompanied by spoken prayers or poetry. There is also a lot of symbolism specially the parents' symbols which are regarded important for the young witch or wizard." She informed a curious looking Hermione, "The purpose of a Saining ceremony is to present the new magical individual to the community. It ensures that the child is a part of something greater, and places the child under the protection of those present." She elaborated.
"I have never heard of such tradition." Hermione confessed looking surprised.
'Obviously.' Draco thought with a smirk.
"That's not your fault, dear." Apolline said kindly to her, "It's originally a Scottish tradition but it's practiced only by those who know about it. There are very few Pureblood families that follow it nowadays." She informed her.
"But Adrian is half-blood." Hermione said as she resumed wiping her son's face with the washcloth, "It won't affect him badly, I believe." she enquired.
Apolline shook her head and took Adrian's small hand in her palms, "Blood status has nothing to do with it, Jean. He's a powerful wizard and that's what matters." She said and kissed the boy's little hands fondly. "Now, Jean, we have already arranged for the Saining ceremony at eleven this morning and I have invited Sorceress Marianne from St. Joan's to perform the blessings. You need to give Adrian a Sage bath before that and dress him in white." Apolline's face became serious as she informed the rules to Hermione and left the bed, "I am now going to check the preparations. I told Gustave to cleanse the south corner of the garden using some Sage smudging and then I 'll send you Sage for his bath too."
"But why so much Sage? Sage smudging? Sage bath?" Hermione asked pointedly.
"Because my love, Sage is a natural cleanser and it clears negativity inside and outside us, from our house, room, office, or any other type of structure. We use it to cleanse our auras, too. Sage bath is good because your physical body and aura both get cleaned up this way. It is particularly wonderful after a highly stressful time, like one Adrian is passing now." Apolline explained patiently. "Why don't you go and invite Eva and Edmound too?" she suggested as she turned to leave hurriedly.
"Of course I'll." Hermione said smiling at Apolline, "They'll be after my blood if they hear that they missed Adrian's Saining ceremony." She called after her and turned to her son.
"Wake up my little rabbit! Wake up Mama's love." Hermione whispered in Adrian's ear and kissed his little forehead tenderly.
Adrian stirred feebly and snuggled against his mother, "I want to sleep, Mama. I am tired." He said in a sleepy voice while not caring to open his eyes.
Hermione smiled and kissed her son's small nose, "Mama knows that her little rabbit is tired and sleepy but today is a big day and little rabbit needs to wake up and get ready." She offered him brightly.
Adrian wrapped a small arm around his mother's neck, "Why is today a big day?" he asked in a weak voice against his mother's chest.
Hermione stroked his chin fondly, "Because it's the day when Mama's little rabbit turns a little wizard and a powerful one too." she informed him, "Wake up my little Rabbity boo, you need to take a bath."
Adrian snuggled against his mother with more force and did not respond.
Hermione was just about to wake her son again when Gabrielle entered their room carrying a large tray containing a bowl of berries, some herb wands and a white cotton outfit. " 'ermione, Maman sent these for Adrian." she said setting down the tray on the bed, "She said to give him only berries for breakfast. It will help him gain instant energy and cleanse his system, Maman says." She indicated the bowl of mixed berries, "Here is the Sage for his bath; crinkle up the entire wand into your bathtub and fill it with warm to moderately hot water. Then, bathe him in it for about 10-15 minutes." She said as she showed Hermione the bundle of Sage, "And this is the white outfit he should be wearing for the ceremony." She pointed at the white apparel, "How is he feeling now?" Gabrielle asked eyeing Adrian's sleeping form.
Hermione examined the contents on the tray, "His temperature is still quite high and he's feeling weak. But mother says everything will be alright after Saining ceremony." She informed Gabrielle, "I can never thank you enough for all these things." She indicated at the tray and smiled gratefully.
Gabrielle waved a hand at her and left their room. Hermione took the bundle of Sage from tray and proceeded to draw a bath for her son with it. She then brought a feeble and protesting Adrian to the tub and placed him gently inside it.
Adrian immediately curled up in a ball, "Mama, I am feeling cold!" he cried out.
Draco was watching the whole ordeal carefully from his place against the doorframe and felt anxious that his son might be more ill than it appeared.
Hermione meanwhile had joined her son in the tub and was embracing his small naked and trembling form to her chest with utmost care.
"It's because you are feverish, Mama's love," she whispered in his ears and poured some warm water over Adrian, who shuddered, "Your body temperature is more than water temperature and you feel cold." She said and poured more water over Adrian's flushed body that trembled like a leaf.
Draco was holding his breath as Hermione gave Adrian a gentle bath. He felt like wrapping his son in every possible way to prevent him from being cold ever again in his life.
"I am tired, Mama." He heard Adrian's sweet but weak voice after some time, "I am feeling dizzy." He said.
Hermione poured water on her son for one last time, "It's over my little rabbit, hm! Mama will take you to bed now." She said and wrapped her son in a big fluffy towel before carrying him to bed. She clothes were wet from their bath too and she dried herself using a drying spell.
Adrian was dried and dressed in the white outfit Apolline had sent for him earlier which turned out to be a long white shirt and a pair of trousers.
There was a knock on the bedroom door and both Draco and Hermione turned to see who it was.
"Oh, Alexis, it's you!" Hermione said as she dried Adrian's hair and placed the fruit bowl before him, "Please, come in." she offered the man who was standing on the doorway.
Draco watched as a man with brown hair and blue eyes marched inside his son's room and came to a halt before the mother and son duo. He the bowed elegantly at Adrian's direction.
"Hail to Lord Adrian!" he proclaimed to the weak boy who was eating some blueberries.
"What?" Hermione broke into laughter as Draco eyed the man suspiciously.
'Is he making fun of my son?' he thought incredulously.
"I, Alexis Delacour present myself at Lord Adrian's humble service." Alexis continued his pompous declarations, completely unfazed by Hermione's laughter. "Our little Lord here has had the whole neighbourhood in an uproar. Every single person is talking about his powerful ministrations." He said looking smug, "You should have seen Papa's face when he told them about Adrian's magical abilities this morning, Jean, he was almost dancing in glee and pride. I highly suspect that soon the whole neighbourhood would be prying in to know what really happened last night." He informed a surprised looking Hermione, "I left the windowpanes untouched so that they can see it themselves." He said with a mischievous smile.
"What is 'Lord' Mama?" Adrian intoned as his mother combed his curls carefully and stuffed some strawberries in his small hands.
"A Lord is a respectable man to whom everyone bows." Alexis answered before Hermione could and bowed again.
"Stop that Alexis and take a seat instead." Hermione chided him, smiling. Meanwhile Adrian was considering Alexis's answer.
"So if I am a Lord now, will Pierre bow to me?" he asked curiously after finishing the strawberries his mother had handed him.
Draco who was watching the conversation silently swelled with pride internally. 'That Pureblood prat will bow to my son very soon. Father will make sure of that, Adrian.' He thought smugly.
Hermione only laughed at her son's innocent query and stroked his small head gently before handing him some blackberries, "Now, my little rabbit is kind and he will never want anyone to bow before him, hm, will he?" she asked her son, "Besides, I have already repaired your book and it's just as it was before Pierre tore it." she informed him.
'So what Mudblood.' Draco snapped at her furiously, 'He is the reason my son cried like that.' Draco thought eying Hermione with contempt, 'And he shall pay for it dearly. No one dares to bully a Malfoy; it is a Malfoy who bullies everyone.' He thought indignantly.
"Papa and Maman will be talking to Pierre's parents this afternoon about that incident." He heard Alexis Delacour inform Hermione, "We are not going to take it lying down, Jean. We are Pureblood too and Adrian is under our care." He said firmly, "On another note, I heard that the headmistress of St. Joan's - Sorceress Marianne herself is coming for the Saining ceremony. Normally, they send one of their teachers for it but when she was informed about our little lord's abilities this morning she expressed great interest to see him." He said to a surprised looking Hermione.
"Really?" Hermione asked Alexis and Draco rolled his eyes.
'What's so startling about that, Mudblood?' he sneered at her in his head, 'He's a Malfoy and Malfoy's are bound to be powerful.' He thought arrogantly.
The conversation continued for some time and then Alexis left. He informed Hermione that the Saining ceremony would be held in the south corner of the front garden. Hermione after informing her friends –Eva and Edmound- to attend the Saining ceremony of her son through the Floo, proceeded to take a bath afterwards to ready herself for the ceremony while Draco sat on the nearest window sill to watch his son who devoured the berries and examined his newly restored book with caution.
He observed how carefully he turned the pages and caressed them as if they were made of eggshell.
'I'll buy him some new books on drawing.' He decided smiling gently at his son's careful treatment of his favourite book. 'And I need to check who this Monsieur Monette is?' he made a mental note.
"How is little rabbit feeling now?" Draco heard Hermione ask the little boy as she checked him for temperature. She was wearing a white dress robe for the occasion.
"I feel better Mama." Adrian answered wiping his mouth, "Grandma's berries did me good." He said and took bite of another strawberry.
"That's like my little rabbit." Hermione kissed her son gently on forehead and stood up with a flourish.
"Here comes a bunny, hippity, hop." she said in a singsong voice and suddenly squatted and hopped.
Adrian gasped and gaped at his mother from bed.
"With ears so funny, floppity, flop." She put her index fingers on the side of her head and wiggled them with the rhyme.
Adrian was laughing hard now while watching his mother's small act.
"When in danger he sniffty, sniffs." Hermione wiggled her button nose and Adrian rolled over the bed, laughing.
"Then hides in his hole, jiffity jiff." she placed her hands over her head and made a hiding gesture before standing up and moving onto the bed to join her violently shaking and laughing son.
Draco did not know how to describe the sound that issued when Adrian laughed. It was soothing like a lullaby, colourful like a rainbow, bright like the morning sun, deep like a thousand rambling clouds and contagious like flu.
They laughed hard and Draco, completely oblivious, joined them too. He was grateful that he had cast a silencing spell earlier; otherwise the sound of his laughter would have made his presence known.
The show could not last any longer as Apolline came to take the mother and son down to the place of the ceremony. Draco followed them as Hermione carried their still weak son in her arms and soon reached a clearing in a beautiful garden. Draco identified Apolline, Alexis, Gabrielle, Eva, and Edmound standing there among some unfamiliar elderly people who were already gathered there. The clearing was unfurnished except for a table and a small white couch. The air was still perfumed with smoked incense and the light was ambient. Hermione settled on the couch with Adrian on her lap. The boy though weak, looked around, his innocent grey eyes wide with surprise and his angelic features full of curiosity while the light and air played gently with his small silvery blonde curls. Draco could not take his eyes of him.
A witch in elegant white robes separated from the crowd and walked towards Hermione and Adrian. She had an unmistakable aura of power around her which almost reverberated to everyone attending the ceremony. Draco eyed her cautiously as her sharp green eyes roamed the place he was standing a little across Adrian's couch but her features showed no signs of sensing him there, Disillusioned.
Sorceress Marianne smiled at Adrian and his mother, "I am Marianne from St. Joan's Institute and I have come to perform this Saining." She introduced herself to them, "I have been notified that you are English and thus I will be using your mother tongue throughout the ceremony." She informed them. "The ceremony must be conducted in the language that the mother of the magical child speaks." She explained them.
"Thank you very much for that." Hermione expressed her gratitude towards the elderly witch who nodded.
"I was informed that this charming young boy" Marianne indicated at Adrian's direction, "performed his first magic last night in the kitchen of this residence and upon inspection of the site this morning I must admit that it is a rare feat to be able to perform such strong magic at such an early age." She said looking impressed, "His name please?" she asked Hermione.
"Adrian Thomas Granger." Hermione answered immediately.
"Your name, my dear?" Marianne asked, taking out a long roll of parchment and unrolling it before waving her wand to record the answers.
"Hermione Jean Granger." she offered.
"Name of the father of the child?" Marianne asked calmly.
Though Draco knew that that question would be asked he startled and looked expectedly at Hermione waiting to hear her answer as the whole place suddenly became very quiet.
"I am sorry but he can't be named for some very important and private reasons." Hermione replied firmly, "But I hope that it will not hamper the ceremony." She enquired and Draco's hands fisted involuntarily. Not that he had expected her to answer but it was the careless way she mentioned him that infuriated him.
"Of course not, dear, though having his name would be better." Marianne assured her, "We need to know the name of the legal guardian and as it happens that you are the boy's only guardian, your name will suffice." She explained Hermione, "His date of birth and year?" she asked.
"4th January 1999." Hermione stated
"Now please take out you wand and place it with the other magical objects on the table." Marianne instructed her and Hermione complied silently.
"Madam Apolline Delacour" Marianne addressed the Delacour matriarch and she came forward immediately, "Please tell everyone the nine objects and their meanings that you placed on the table." She requested her.
Apolline cleared her throat and indicated the magical objects placed on the table beside Hermione and her son, who craned his neck for a better look.
"A wand for directing the energy during the ritual; a chalice to signify the womb in which the magical life began; a knife for manipulation of power; a pentacle as a protective talisman; a broom as a purifier of negative energy; a censer of burning incense to cleanse; a bell to drive away evil forces; white candles for purity and truth; and the book of magic as a symbol of knowledge to be passed to the newest member." She informed the gathering pointing at every object one by one as she described their meanings.
"Thank you very much, Madame Delacour. You have done a wonderful job." Marianne thanked Apolline who immediately backed away smiling, "Symbology is an important aspect of Wizards life though most of us are completely oblivious to it. The most common example is the form of the one's Patronus. A Corporal Patronus signifies what a witch or Wizard is truly inside. It also gives them a real sense of security and guides them when in danger." She said serenely.
"What's a Patronus, Mama?" Adrian asked his mother, unable to control as his curiosity got better of him.
Hermione placed a finger on his son's lips to quiet him, "I will explain about that later, little rabbit." She said and felt his temperature again.
"Little rabbit?" Marianne repeated, "Pray tell my dear, why do you call this charming boy a 'little rabbit'?" she asked Hermione looking interested.
Hermione gave a small smile and stroked Adrian's hair, "To tell the truth the name came in my mind when I was going to have him. At that time I did not know whether the baby was a boy or a girl and it felt very bad to call a baby - 'it' - since they are not objects. So I started calling the baby as the little rabbit. It made me love my baby even more." She explained and kissed her son on his forehead.
"But why rabbit? Why not a bird or a bee or anything else?" Marianne pressed the point.
Hermione closed her eyes and sighed, "Adrian was conceived during war just before Easter and I wanted to… relate it to something… innocent and pure." She stated, "Rabbits are tied to Easter from ancient times and it all made sense, since an Easter rabbit signifies a new life, sacrifice and resurrection – all of which happened to me." She elaborated in a somewhat strained voice.
A deep silence followed her confession and then Marianne spoke in a gentle voice, "Then we shall proceed to symbolize this little wizard with the rabbit. But before that, I need to know his parents symbols too." She offered, "Can you perform a Patronus Charm dear?" she asked Hermione.
"Yes I can. It is an Otter." Hermione answered immediately.
"You can perform a par..to..nus.. Mama?" Adrian asked his already wide eyes, wider.
"Yes, Mama can, love. Now don't interrupt the ceremony, dear. Hm?" Hermione instructed him.
"What of the father? Can he perform it too?" Marianne asked and Draco frowned in irritation. He had heard that Granger could perform a Patronus Charm and he on the other hand never cared to learn it. Now he felt like it was wrong on his part to never want to learn it.
"I don't think he could. I have never heard of it." He heard Hermione reply looking extremely uneasy and gritted his teeth as she stated the obvious truth.
"Is there any way we can proceed without his Patronus?" Apolline asked Marianne noticing Hermione's uneasiness, "Not every wizard or witch can perform a Patronus. Surely there are other ways." She offered.
"Of course there are, Madame Delacour. Like if his name signified any animal or bird or if he had any favourite kind of pet." She looked at Hermione again, "Is there any information you can provide?" she asked a confused looking Hermione.
Draco ground his teeth in anger, 'It's in my name you idiot Mudblood.' He glared at Hermione who was biting her lower lips.
"I think it might be a Dragon." He heard as she offered in a small voice, looking extremely tense.
"What a marvelous pairing!" Marianne exclaimed in delight, "An Otter and a Dragon" she declared as Draco and Hermione both stared at her.
"The Otters symbolize the primal feminine energies of life - Earth and Water, without which life in this planet was impossible. They are very powerful witches who are bestowed with woman's healing wisdom, sensibility, guidance, psychic awareness and faithfulness." Marianne proclaimed proudly, "While the qualities for dragons are utmost masculine with their elements being Fire and Air. They represent immense power, vitality, longevity and provide their loved ones with fierce protection – an ideal candidate for a father." She explained looking impressed, "Any child born from such union is bound to be powerful and just as the mother rightfully says – like a rabbit who is creative, artistic, sensitive, energetic and unpredictable." She smiled brightly at Adrian.
Draco had never felt so proud in his whole life. 'My son is just as powerful and special as he could be.' He felt like reaching out and kissing his son for being so extraordinary.
Meanwhile Marianne flourished her wand and another parchment appeared which unrolled itself in the thin air. "Let's begin the ceremony." she announced.
"We gather today to bless this magical child,
This union of dragon and otter that has become part of our world.
We gather today to acknowledge his power
We will welcome him into our hearts and lives."
She chanted and a jet of red stars shot from her wand that landed upon them.
"We gather to signify him as a rabbit to give it meaning,
To be artistic and sensitive
For quick thinking and strong intuition
To be energetic and unpredictable
And as a guide to stir him in the right direction."
Another shower of red stars landed upon them and Marianne blessed an awestruck Adrian by tracing a pentagram on his forehead.
"We welcome our newest wizard Adrian Thomas Granger" she proclaimed.
"Adrian Thomas Granger Malfoy" Draco mouthed the words silently and proudly.
•••••
Edmound Bellamy always took pride in his obsession over animals. His fellow colleagues in 'Department for Exploration of Rare and Extinct Magical Animals and Birds 'in French Ministry of Magic never missed a chance to call him, 'eccentric' but he never cared.
But now he felt he ought to have cared. His feet ached and he felt a pounding headache as he dragged back towards the Delacour Residence.
Something had happened when he was there. He was in the middle of a lovely and romantic conversation with Gabrielle when he felt a peculiar sensation engulf him. He had felt light headed as if he had no care in the world. It was the most wonderful feeling as every thought and worry was gently wiped away leaving him with an untraceable happiness. The feeling was overwhelming and soon he found a drawling voice commanding him to leave the place and he had complied. He had no choice on the matter since his body was already under someone else's control.
He was asked to visit every single Menagerie he knew in search of an appropriate white rabbit and he had searched relentlessly. While he felt ashamed to admit that he felt exhausted on the process of searching, he also felt surprised that the voice in his head seemed strangely happy and energetic in his pursuit. They had spent the whole day in streets of Paris and found what the owner of the voice had been looking for in a Muggle menagerie just an hour ago.
It was a Netherland Dwarf - a popular breed of domestic rabbit originating in the Netherlands. Smaller than most rabbit breeds, Netherland Dwarf rabbits weighed 500 g to 1.6 kgs and were usually kept as pets or exhibition animals. They were not typically used as sources of meat or fur because of their small size. Despite being smaller than other breeds Netherland Dwarfs were very active and needed a good amount of space to move around and exercise.
'It is a huge mistake to think that smaller rabbits need less space.' – The shopkeeper had told him knowledgably.
In fact that last piece of information was what had attracted the attention of the drawling voice that controlled him all day. It seemed like he was looking for a small rabbit that would be very active and would prove to be a good pet. He had asked Edmound to enquire the shop keeper about its diet and behaviour and after being completely assured that Netherland Dwarf was safe as a pet for young children the drawling voice had commanded him to go back to Delacour Residence once again.
"It's time that you convey some messages to Jean Granger, moron! Even in Imperiused state, you are not as useless as you seem." The voice had sneered in his head and then made him come back to Delacour Residence.
•••••
Hermione was feeling a strange elation as she poured some tonic in a glass of tomato juice. The Saining ceremony had been a success and she was pleased that Adrian was perfectly healthy once again. He had run around the house in his usual manner and played 'hide and seek' with his favourite playmate – Grandpa Gustave. Together they had made so much racket that Hermione was forced to give Adrian an early bath and supper after which she had come downstairs to take the tonic Paedi-Healer Henriette had advised. She was just about to turn away and leave when she felt someone standing behind her.
"You gave me a fright, Edmound!" Hermione exclaimed and placed the glass of tomato juice on the kitchen counter to prevent dropping it.
Her friend looked strange but he smiled as if he enjoyed startling her. "Where is Adrian?" he demanded.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "I just put him on bed." She answered and grabbed the glass again. "You know Edmound you should do something about your eccentric behaviour. Gabrielle was furious when you left suddenly this morning. You'll have a hard time pursuing her this time." she commented.
Edmound did not respond at her warning. Rather he eyed the glass of tomato juice.
"What's that for, Jean?" he asked abruptly.
"This," Hermione indicated at the glass in her hand, "It's tomato juice for Adrian. He likes it. Besides I can mix his daily tonic in it too." She said fondly.
"Tonic for what?" Edmound asked her looking serious, "He is not ill anymore, I believe." He enquired.
"Oh no, quite the opposite" Hermione smiled at her serious friend, "In fact he made so much noise when he played 'Hide and seek' that I had to put him on bed early." She patted her friends shoulder gently. "This tonic was given by Adrian's Paedi-healer Henriette so that he does not fell ill easily." She assured Edmound.
Edmound seemed relaxed at her answer, "What is her full name? Is she good?" he enquired.
"Oh, Edmound! You ask so many questions." Hermione admonished her friendly fondly, "Of course she is. She is Henriette de la Fontaine and she's the best Paedi-Healer out there. Adrian loves her and once you have your own kids, Edmound, you'll take them to her too." She laughed at her friend, "Now tell me why you are here? If it's Gabrielle then you can forget about that right now. She's too furious at the moment." She warned him.
"I came to talk to you, Jean." Edmound seemed unfazed by Gabrielle's fury, "I want to take Adrian out tomorrow. I promised him to buy him a rabbit while I was in Brussels." He reminded Hermione.
Hermione shook her head in protest, "And I told you not to spoil him more than he already is, Edmound." She said with her hands in her hips, "Besides what if the animal hurts or scratches him?" she looked scared at the idea.
"It won't. I have already enquired and the shopkeeper said the Netherland Dwarfs are ideal for pet and easy to maintain. They can be litter-trained too so there is no risk of unhygienic condition. They eat rabbit pellets and timothy hay which is easily available." Edmound said looking happy, "You know I won't buy Adrian anything harmful and I am an expert in this field." He declared confidently.
Hermione still looked unsure, "Edmound I just…" she started but Edmound cut in.
"Oh Jean, you worry too much. It's just a rabbit." He said looking annoyed.
"Okay, okay, Edmound. You can buy it for Adrian but only on one condition." Hermione resigned, "I'll go and see it first. I hope you have no problem taking me with you too." She offered.
Edmound remained silent for a moment and the sighed, "Very well, Jean. But I am confident that my choice is perfect for Adrian. Be ready tomorrow at eleven o' clock. I'll come to fetch you two." He informed Hermione.
Hermione nodded and proceeded to leave. "If you are done with this rabbit issue, Edmound and don't want to be blown away by Gabrielle if she comes in the kitchen, I guess you should leave now." She offered her friend.
Edmound turned away to leave but turned back again as if he remembered something suddenly.
"Don't forget to kiss Adrian good night from me, Jean." He said and left without another word.
•••••
Audré was eyeing Draco's empty seat in the dining table with a worried expression when he arrived there. He had been absent even since the breakfast and though he looked tired Audré noticed that the strange gleam in his eyes was now accompanied with a tinge of pride. She noticed him as he took his seat beside his mother and smiled at everybody present at the table.
"You look pleased, Draco," Audré heard Narcissa comment at her son's cheerful mood.
"I am pleased, mother." Draco said giving his mother his characteristic smirk.
"May I enquire why, dear?" Narcissa asked her son.
Draco looked around the table proudly, "I attended my son's Saining ceremony today. He's is a very powerful wizard for his age." He smiled at the thought, "And I plan to spend a lovely day tomorrow with him." He informed them looking cheerful.
An alarm rang inside Audré's head but she kept calm. The time to start executing her plans regarding Adrian and Jean's safety had arrived. She would start doing it from tomorrow after Draco came back from his little excursion.
"Really? You were at Adrian's Saining ceremony and his mother said nothing to you? She welcomed you graciously inside?" Narcissa asked looking mildly irritated.
Draco looked even more pleased, "Fortunately she had no idea that I was there." He smirked again.
"Who is she, Draco?" Audré heard Narcissa ask her son sharply. She seemed to have forgotten that there were other people on the table who were listening their conversation eagerly.
"The last person I expected to mother my child." Draco gave her a vague answer.
"Will you not tell your own mother?" Narcissa asked looking angry.
"In due time, mother." Draco overruled her anger and looked around the table with interest. "Ah, Caviar!" He exclaimed noticing the fresh roe in front, "Who brought it?" he asked them.
Audré chose to answer her nephew now, "Julian brought them Draco." She informed him, "Narcissa told me this morning that you like them as appetizers so I told Julian to bring some. I hope you'll like them, Draco." She smiled at him.
Draco looked extremely pleased now, "Thank you very much, aunt Audré and thanks to Julian too." He said as he took a cracker garnished with Caviar and examined it, "I believe they are from sturgeon, Julian?" he enquired.
"The finest quality out there, Draco." Julian assured him, "The Roches are the sole suppliers in whole France." He informed his cousin.
Audré smiled inwardly as her first aim hit the target.
"The Roches?" Draco exclaimed eying the caviar with great interest, "You mean the Pureblood Roches, Julian?" he enquired looking extremely amused.
"There is but one Pureblood Roches Draco. They have their farm on caviar." Julian confirmed his cousin, "And they own one of the best hotels of Paris too." He informed him.
Draco looked extremely smug and turned to his mother, "You look marvelous, mother." He suddenly commented, "I must admit that the Muggle salon truly did wonders with your looks." He smiled pleasantly at his mother.
"Thank you, Draco." Narcissa said with a confused expression.
Audré was beginning to understand her nephew's next move and admired at his quick power of deduction. She however chose not to interrupt.
"I was thinking it's been quite some time since you last hosted any parties mother." Draco said to Narcissa, "Feel like hosting one?" he asked her.
Narcissa's expression softened immediately as she smiled brightly at her son, "Why not? It's a wonderful idea!" she exclaimed delightfully.
Draco ate the cracker he was holding and savoured it, "Truly remarkable Caviar, Julian." He commented, "Make sure that you keep it in the menu, mother, since we will be arranging it in one of the best hotels." He said smiling gently.
"Why go to hotel when we can arrange it here in the château, Draco?" Julian asked his cousin, surprised.
"Because it's time to meet the Pureblood Roches, cousin." Draco answered smiling mischievously and helping himself with another cracker.
Across the table Audré leaned against her chair and looked at her happy nephew.
'Oh yes! She loves challenges.' she thought smiling serenely.