A/N: Okay guys and gals, the MOST AWAITED CHAPTER IS UP!
I guess it is or was Tom Felton's birthday today or yesterday and I took the opportunity to update today.
Thanks everyone for follow, favourite and reviews for the last chapter.
Again apologies for any unintended mistakes in English and do feel free to correct me.
Now moving to the acknowledgments:
The various ways of voice commanding the rabbits were taken from different articles.
Diabolic means devilish and Patronus in Latin means 'father'. So the diabolic Patronus means 'the devilish father' which is the chapter's name.
Well I guess that's all. Enjoy.
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 22: The Diabolic Patronus
Hermione Granger sipped her evening coffee and curiously observed the pair sitting before her on the grass: Adrian and Edmound. The day had been hectic and after helping Apolline and Gabrielle Delacour on their Friday baking sessions, she was now sitting on a garden bench, enjoying her well earned rest.
Alexis had returned from his Brussels tour this morning but Hermione hadn't been able to meet him yet. According to Apolline he was currently attending a party with the Minister of Magic at Hotel Rochés.
The news had somehow made Hermione uncomfortable. After the occurrence with the Rochés regarding Adrian, she detested anything and everything to do with them. She knew that Pierre studied on the same school as Adrian – St. Joan's, and wanted nothing more than never seeing her son bullied again. She had already informed sorceress Marianne about Pierre's bullying nature and received assurance that such things would never occur within the school premises.
Feeling relieved for Adrian, she continued looking at them as Edmound taught Adrian how to give his rabbit voice commands while the said animal ran to and fro.
"Now, Adrian," Edmound told her son who was wearing an orange coloured T-shirt and sitting cross legged on the grass, "Rabbits have very good hearing power and they quickly learn what different sounds mean." He told Adrian, "For example, if they hear you putting down his water bowl on floor, he'll come to drink water." He explained.
"Peter already does that, uncle. Don't you Peter?" his student informed and asked his pet in a squeaky voice, "He comes running to me whenever I return home after school."Adrian said his grey eyes twinkling brightly.
Edmound looked very happy about it and Hermione could not help but laughed. Her eccentric friend could be so childish sometimes.
"That's really very clever of little Peter rabbit!" Edmound praised the animal who was skulking behind a small bush, "A rabbit also gets to know it's name quickly and they react when it hears you say it." he said to Adrian, "If you want to train your rabbit, it is advisable that you always call your rabbit by the same name and avoid confusing nicknames." He informed her son, "Like Peter!" he called the rabbit in a cheerful voice.
"I always call him by his name." Adrian affirmed, "Peter." He also called after his pet.
The rabbit stopped on it's track to run under another bush and straightened it's long white ears.
"See, he hears us." Edmound showed Adrian the quivering ears of the rabbit, "When giving voice commands always say the word followed by the rabbit's name. The tone of voice you use is very important, more so than the actual words because he learns by tones than actual words." Hermione listened as his friend patiently demonstrated her son how to call his rabbit using special tone.
She would have listened more but Eva appeared and sat beside her on the garden bench carrying her own coffee mug.
"So, more lessons on rabbits?" she asked Hermione indicating her brother.
"Yes" Hermione nodded, "It actually sounds like the definition of democracy in Muggle books – democracy is a government of the people, by the people, for the people." She stated noticing the confused look on her friend's face, "Rabbit lesson is a lesson for the rabbit, to the rabbit and by the rabbit's uncle. It's rabbit all over." She pointed out the similarities.
Eva broke into a laugh and Hermione followed.
"So, how was your little chat with mother Apolline?" Hermione asked her after regaining her breath, "What was it about?"
Eva eyed his brother and took a sip from her mug, "I wanted to talk to her about Edmound and Gabrielle." She answered, "She and Monsieur Gustave had been watching them going out together for some time. It would be rude if I don't inform them that they are on a relationship now." She explained.
"Are they?" Hermione asked feeling happy, "I thought Gabrielle was still mad at him for ignoring her after Saining Ceremony." She said.
"She still is and I am happy that she is a tougher than she appears." Eva confessed, "I mean no ordinary woman can continue a healthy relationship with my eccentric brother." She said matter of factly, "But from what I have heard about Gabrielle's elder sister Fleur, she is also doing well with her husband who was bitten by a werewolf. So basically the Delacour women are talented when it comes to control their men." She said looking smug.
Hermione snorted at her comment and looked at Edmound who was now offering small pieces of carrots to Adrian.
"Whenever Peter responds to your command, Adrian, treat him with something natural, like a grape or a piece of carrot." She heard him explaining to her son, "Now let's start with simple words. The first word is 'Come'." He said to Adrian, "Use this to call Peter to you. Use a high, encouraging tone of voice and reward him when he responds by giving him a treat." He instructed Adrian.
"So, how's things between you and Alexis?" Hermione heard Eva ask her.
"How do you… did mother say you about us?" she asked her startled.
Eva gave her an incredulous look, "You think Madame Delacour is the kind of woman who goes around and talks about people's private lives behind their back?" she asked Hermione instead.
"No" Hermione felt ashamed for suggesting it, "Of course mother is not like that; but how did you know?" she enquired.
"I have a pair of eyes, my dear Jean." Eva answered and pointed at her eyes, "The way you blush when he's around, gave it all away." She said wisely.
Hermione blushed and looked away, "Of course I don't blush." She protested feebly.
Eva snorted and curled her lips, "Look at yourself at the mirror now." She conjured a mirror and offered it to Hermione, "You are looking like a tomato." She said firmly.
Hermione chose not to retort and chose to look at her son instead. Edmound was teaching him how to give negative commands to his pet.
"Use 'No' when you want Peter to stop doing something, such as nibbling at the carpet." Edmound was saying, "Use a low, stern tone of voice. If he doesn't respond, pick him up and hold him for a minute before putting him down again. If he still continues then pick him up again, move him to a different area and give him something else to play with." He said to Adrian. Hermione made a mental note to remember it for future use.
"Did he propose you?" she heard Eva ask her and turned to look at her friend.
"Who?" Hermione asked feigning surprise.
"Ahh!" Eva slapped at her shoulder impatiently, "Don't be so dramatic, Jean. You know too well who am I talking about." She admonished her, "Did he propose you?" she asked again.
Hermione realized that it was vain to hide her feelings for Alexis and decided to tell her friend the truth, "He did. Right after I returned from Brussels." She admitted to her.
Eva clapped in delight, "Wonderful!" She exclaimed, "And what did you say?" she asked excitedly.
"I told him that I needed some time to think about it." Hermione said truthfully, "But then some things happened and I decided that I will accept his proposal." She informed her friend.
"What happened?" Eva asked her blue eyes almost popping out of their socket.
Hermione regretted mentioning it to her. Eva might think that she and Alexis had been sleeping together behind her son's back. She felt mortified at the thought of doing so already and turned her attention to Adrian and Edmound again. Edmound was holding Peter above a small stool that he had conjured.
"You can use 'Up' to get Peter to jump onto the sofa for petting. Just use a high, encouraging tone of voice and reward him with a treat when he jumps up." He said to an immensely interested Adrian, "You can use the opposite word 'Down' to get Peter to jump down from the sofa or bed. Use an encouraging tone of voice but with a lower tone and point him at floor level to make him understand the command. If he doesn't respond, give him a gentle push towards the edge but always let him jump down in his own time, don't force him." He said and placed Peter on the stool.
"Down, Peter" she heard Adrian command the rabbit in his innocent voice and point him to the ground. Peter immediately complied.
"Yes, Peter is a good rabbit, just like me." Adrian asserted and Hermione laughed at her son.
"So why be so shy about a kiss, Jean?" Eva threw a snide remark at Hermione and she faced her friend again.
"We are not teenagers anymore, Eva." She said to her firmly, "We can't go on discussing something like kissing Alexis, at this age." She chided Eva.
"Really?" her friend mocked her, "Then tells me how it was like?" she shrugged indignantly.
Hermione felt a small smile appear in her lips as she remembered Alexis's sudden kiss on his office.
"It was warm and very lovely." She confessed before she could stop herself and sighed, "I felt so safe in his arms. He makes me feel special. He makes me feel home." She said more to herself than to her friend.
"You are lucky, Jean, that Alexis is here to take care of you." She heard Eva said as she took her hands in hers, "He's a true gentle man." she assured Hermione, "I have seen him. He really cares for you. He'll make you happy." She said in a soothing voice, "I hope Adrian accepts him as his father." She said looking at the boy who was now practicing commands on Peter.
"I also hope so." Hermione said her, "Adrian likes Alexis as his uncle. I hope he'll like him as his father too." she said absentmindedly.
'True that her son mirrored his real father in terms of physical features but Draco Malfoy was nothing but a disgrace in the name of man and he would be so as a father too.' Hermione thought. 'He was far better off with a father who would love and care for him for who he really was and not judge him for his blood status.'
She was scared for a brief period of time when she had seen Audré Chombrun Malfoy at Gringotts looking for her, knowing that Draco Malfoy was staying at her place. But she had regained her courage afterwards. She couldn't, shouldn't and wouldn't allow herself to be weak again.
Because now she had Alexis by her side.
The father she chose to give her to son - Adrian Thomas Granger.
•••••
The Oak tall case Grandfather clock issued two bold strikes that echoed across the vast compound of Château. From the reverberating sounds, the occupants of the castle, those who were still not in bed, understood that it was two hours past midnight. Leaving her Grand Bedchamber, Audré Chombrun Malfoy gathered the skirts of her unchanged green dress robes and took the staircase that led to the Château's terrace - the only place she felt like visiting whenever she wanted to sit, stroll or rest alone. It was one of her most favourite places in Château and she had taken special care of it by planting numerous pot plants and installing a magical pond that reflected the moonlight.
Audré's head was full of thoughts about the events that occurred just a few hours ago in Rochés Hotel and she found it difficult to sleep. She needed to think clearly before she took any further initiative to contact Jean Granger.
True that she had waited a day after she returned from Beauxbatons and before she visited Gringotts in the pursuit of Chief Curse Breaker Jean, but the results were not as per her expectation. She couldn't meet her over overwhelming protests from the Head Goblin Geccemp that it was against Gringotts policy. Had she succeeded in meeting Jean, it would have made her mission much easier. But now she was left to consider other means to contact the young mother and inform her about Draco's intentions. Audré had devised a plan to reveal the information to Jean in a way that wouldn't frighten her but to do that she needed to see the person first.
Lost in her thoughts Audré reached the corridor that led to the terrace and heard a voice coming from it.
'Expecto Patronum'
"Draco?" Audré asked herself recognizing the male voice, "What's he doing on the terrace two o' clock in the morning?"
Feeling curious, Audré covered the rest of the distance in quick steps and reached the terrace only to see a tall, lean, masculine figure with his silvery blonde hair flying in the air pointing his wand at a corner and utter the incantation again.
'Expecto Patronum'
'He's trying to produce a Patronus?' Audré asked in her head, 'That's interesting.' She thought.
Audré clapped her hands twice and a house elf appeared immediately who bowed low to her. The sound however caused Draco to startle and whip around to look at her.
Audré looked down at the aged house elf and smiled gently, "I am very sorry to call you, Zilek, at such ungodly hour but can we have some hot chocolate please?" she apologized and requested to the elf.
The elf looked mortified at being offered apology by the Lady of the Château and nodded silently before disappearing instantly.
"Aunt Audré!" Draco spoke at last, "I thought you were asleep." he said eyeing his aunt curiously.
Audré walked elegantly to the seating area beside the balustrades that surrounded the terrace and took a seat.
"Since the day Audré Chombrun became Madame Morpheus Malfoy, she started to mirror her husband's nocturnal habit of not sleeping." She commented and motioned her nephew to take the seat across her. "I was wondering what the Rochés must have done to invoke such wrath from you, Draco?" Audré enquired casually when Draco took the offered seat.
Draco gave a satisfied smirk, "The Rochés live in the same neighbourhood as Delacours and his son Pierre bullied my son Adrian and tore his favourite book." He informed her nonchalantly.
Audré raised an eyebrow at her nephew, "And you framed the whole family and destroyed their hard-earned reputation to punish them for their son's crime?" she asked though not surprised.
Draco shrugged carelessly, "So what?" he asked instead, "No one bullies a Malfoy, Aunt. No one." He said firmly.
Audré nodded her head absent-mindedly, lost in thoughts again. The elf chose to appear at that moment and left two steaming mugs of hot chocolate on the table between them. Audré now determining the course of the conversation on her benefit took her mug and offered the other to her nephew.
"There are several things I want to know about you, Draco." She confessed, "Will you answer truthfully?" she asked him.
Draco placed his wand on the table and took a sip of hot chocolate before nodding silently.
"Where did you learn the Imperius Curse?" Audré asked her nephew.
Draco shifted his long legs and eyed her aunt carefully, "I learned it when I was sixteen." He said leisurely, "My mother's sister Bellatrix Lestrange taught me how to do it." he informed her.
Audré didn't miss the contempt Draco used when he mentioned Bellatrix and decided to explore the reasons.
"Why don't you call her aunt Bellatrix like you call me aunt Audré?" she asked him, "I have heard you once before when you addressed her as your mother's sister, not your aunt." she stated.
Draco put the mug down and took his wand in his elegant hands, "I used to call her aunt Bella once." He informed her, "But that was before I came to know that she almost killed Adrian." he said looking serious.
Audré was astonished, "Bellatrix tried to kill Adrian?" she asked looking incredulous, "How?"
Draco cleared his throat as if trying to admit an unpleasant truth, "The day I….I tortured Granger in our dungeons; Bellatrix used powerful Cruciatus on her. The dark magic of her curse coursed through Granger's veins when she became pregnant with Adrian and caused her lots of pain. It was so strong that when the time for the birth arrived, the Healers said that Adrian might not survive. They even said that nothing could be done to save the unborn child." He said looking horrified at the prospect.
Audré was feeling very curious to know rest of the story, "Then how did he survive?" she asked breathlessly.
Draco hung his head and closed his eyes, "Apolline Delacour saved my son. She gave Granger some tea, made from dried leaves of raspberry and it eased her pain significantly. Later on she gave birth to Adrian." he said biting his lips.
Audré was watching her nephew's reactions with great interest. "Who told you that? Apolline Delacour or Jean Granger?" she asked to see his reaction.
Draco opened his eyes and gave his aunt a sharp look. "I overheard it when Granger was telling this to Adrian." he informed her.
Audré tilted her head absent-mindedly, 'The boy considers every single detail about Adrian very seriously.' She thought. "So Bellatrix taught you to use Imperius curse." She repeated, "What else did she teach you?" she asked.
"She taught me Occlumency and Protean Charm too." he admitted and took his mug again.
"At the age of sixteen?" Audré was surprised at her nephew's way of tutoring, "But they are very advanced and difficult magic." She said.
"Yes, they are and I learned them after I completed my O. W. L s." Draco replied, "I could do non-verbals by then and…Lestrange thought in order to improve my skills I should know how to cast the Unforgivables too. Besides, I was branded with the Mark by Dark Lord and assigned to kill Dumbledore. " he admitted rubbing his temple.
Audré leaned forward on her seat and placed a hand on her nephew's shoulder, "Tell me more, Draco." She requested him.
Draco looked at his aunt's hand and turned to face her, "Shortly after I came back for the summer holidays at Manor, the Dark Lord summoned me. He was furious at father for failing him at the Ministry. Father was in-charge of a Death Eater's assault on the Ministry of Magic and had he succeeded Harry Potter would have been dead. But he couldn't do that and was arrested with some other Death Eater's too." he said rubbing his forehead again, "The Dark Lord was exceptionally angry at him and wanted to punish him badly. So he branded me with the Dark Mark and told me to kill Dumbledore if I wanted to save my mother from his wrath." He sighed heavily, "I was desperate and had to find a way to do what he asked me. I figured that there was a pair of cabinets that could be used to transport Death Eaters to Hogwarts. One of them was in Hogwarts and the other was in a shop called Borgin and Burkes at Knockturn Alley. They dealt with dark objects and father often took me there while buying or selling things from them. But the problem was that the cabinet was damaged by a Poltergeist and if I wanted to use it, I must repair it first." He explained, "So I started repairing it, but it was way beyond my capacity. I feared that I will fail and Dark Lord will kill mother. So I resorted to other measures. I sent a bottle of poisoned mead and a cursed necklace to Dumbledore. Aunt, I had no choice on the matter." He said noticing the grave look on Audré's face, "I also put the local bar woman Madam Rosmerta under an Imperius curse for one year and communicated with her using protean charmed coins in order to know Dumbledore's whereabouts." He confessed, "But even after repairing the Vanishing Cabinet and doing so many illegal things, I couldn't kill Dumbledore when the time came. It was Severus Snape who killed him for me." He sighed and leaned against his chair looking tired.
Audré eyed his nephew in a different light. He was powerful and as she had already rightfully assessed, could use his power and intelligence by any means to reach his goal. He had used an Unforgivable for one year at the tender age of sixteen, he knew Occlumency and he was a stubborn man who would not regret to use extreme measures to get what he wanted or when he was desperate. The way he had used 'Suicide Salt' to punish the Rochés had unnerved Audré slightly but she had eased her conscience thinking that they deserved it. But Adrian and his mother were innocent and they needed protection even if Draco was under Wizard's Oath. He could be devious if needed and only Audré knew how to manipulate him not to take any tricky measures.
"Why are you trying to produce a Patronus, Draco?" she asked him casually while leaving her seat and standing behind his sitting form.
"That day during Saining Ceremony, Sorceress Marianne asked Adrian's mother about my Patronus and I realized that I couldn't do it." he said wearily, "I am Adrian's father and if his mother can produce Patronus then it's a shame that I can't do it." he said bitterly.
Audré took the moment to place her hands on her nephew's sleek blonde hair. She needed to know what her nephew was upto. He was a skilled Occlumens and therefore she couldn't use Leglimency on him. The only way left open was hypnotism.
"I don't think you'll be able to produce a corporeal Patronus when you are tired to death, Draco." She said gently and stroked his hair, "Let me help you sleep." She offered.
Her nephew leaned on her touch and slumped on the seat.
"Close your eyes, Draco and breathe." Audré instructed him and he followed. She kept her touch warm and assuring so that he could feel safe with it and not suspect her real motive.
They remained silent as Draco breathed deeply closing his eyes.
Audré could tell that Draco was drifting into a sleep and she focused her force on his mind. He couldn't fall asleep at this stage and she changed the force of pressure on his scalp. After five minutes of gentle stroking she felt a strange sensation engulf her nephew. He seemed extremely relaxed and more awake than he ever was.
"What's your name, dear?" Audré's asked her nephew.
"Draco Lucius Malfoy." he replied immediately.
"How long have you been in your aunt's home?" Audré asked him again.
"One and a half monthes." Draco replied confidently.
"Do you know Hermione Jean Granger?" Audré asked him gently.
"Yes I do" Draco answered.
"What are your plans regarding her marriage?" Lady Audré asked him the crucial question.
"I won't let it happen." Draco informed her.
"How?" Audré enquired. She made sure that Draco felt extremely comfortable so that she could divulge the truth out of him.
"I will bring my son to me." Draco answered and Audré bit her lips.
"But you took an Oath not to harm him or his mother. Then how are you going to do that? Audré probed him.
Draco remained silent for a moment, "I'll not harm them. But I'll not let her marry Alexis Delacour too." he stated in a calm voice.
"How are you planning to bring him to you, Draco?" Audré asked trying to keep calm.
"I still don't know but I'll do it very soon." He admitted.
"When?" Audré asked him as gently as possible.
"Soon, very soon." Draco told her and drifted into a deep sleep.
Audré kept the pressure on his scalp till she was certain that he was in deep slumber. She then left his sleeping for on terrace and started for her bed chamber.
Draco had already proved what he could do anything do in order to get his hands on his son. He had arranged a drawing competition in a foreign country to lure his son out. He had used Polyjuice and Imperius Curse willingly on unsuspecting people to stalk his son. He had even brewed an illegal potion to punish his son's bully. He had taken the Oath and had taken it very seriously. Audré was now dreading for Hermione Granger and her son.
They needed to be warned about Draco's intentions.
That would be the first thing she would do in the morning – go after Hermione Granger.
•••••
Saturday morning started with loud poundings on Hermione's door. "Wake up, Jean!" someone exclaimed, "Wake up!"
The witch in question was sleeping peacefully holding her son in her arms when the sound suddenly woke her up. Alarmed, Hermione threw her dressing gown on her and almost ran to get the door while Adrian stirred on the bed sleepily.
It was Gabrielle. She looked extremely excited.
"Come Jean!" she urged her, "The Aurors have flooded the whole neighbourhood." She informed her and left almost immediately.
Hermione looked at the giant clock on the sitting room of her East Wing. It said that the time was half past five in the morning.
"Why are the Aurors here at such an hour?" she asked herself and went to her son.
"Adrian" she called him who was again drifting into sleep again, "If you wake up and need Mama, go to kitchen. Okay little rabbit?" she asked for assurance.
It was hard to tell whether he heard anything his mother said or not but Adrian nodded sleepily and Hermione left her wing closing the door silently behind her.
Every single inhabitant of the Delacour Residence was wide awake and standing on the garden while looking out through the front door curiously. Apolline, Gustave and Gabrielle were in their dressing gowns too. Hermione noticed that Alexis was not present among them.
"What has happened?" she asked after reaching the small group, "Why is everyone standing here?" she indicated them, "Where is Alexis?" she looked around for him.
Apolline shook her head in disbelief, "There is a raid going on at the Rochés Residence." She said looking shocked, "Alexis is there." She informed Hermione.
"You mean Alexis is conducting a raid at the Rochés house?" Hermione repeated looking bewildered, "Why?" she asked her.
Gustave peeped into the darkened street before answering her, "As far as I have heard the Ministry has arrested Auguste Rochés for some serious offence and is now raiding his family home." he looked at the large number of Aurors patrolling the street, "I woke up hearing the commotion outside and woke Apolline. We still don't know the reason why they are raiding their home but one of the Aurors told us that Alexis is at the Rochés. Only he might be able to tell us but he hasn't returned home since last night." He added gravely.
Hermione felt surprised that Alexis hadn't returned home yet. She had gone to bed after waiting for him till ten o' clock when Adrian declared that he was sleepy.
She waited with them for any news while the Aurors made raid on Rochés house. Then their next door neighbour Madame Defour appeared on their garden looking frantic.
"You won't believe what I have just heard!" she said to them looking positively alarmed, "Auguste Rochés tried to kill the Minister last night." She said in a shaky voice.
Everyone including Hermione gasped at her proclamation.
"Kill the Minister? But why?" Gustave was the first to regain his voice and asked the question everyone was thinking.
Madame Defour shook her head, "I don't know. I just heard that he has been arrested red handed and that's why they are conducting the raid at his home." She informed them.
The three Delacours and Hermione remained silent contemplating her words while their neighbour left in pursuit of more information.
"Should I go and see?" Gustave asked but Apolline shook her head, "No, Alexis is there." She said to her husband, "If the allegations are true, then he must the one conducting the raid as the Junior Undersecretary. You are his father and if you go there looking for news he'll be embarrassed because such information are classified and are not to be disclosed in public." She explained.
Hermione was about to ask why Auguste Rochés would dare to do such a thing when Alexis suddenly appeared in the doorway looking extremely tired. His black dress robe was wrinkled at places and his brown hair was ruffled as he entered his house.
"Alexis!" Apolline, Gabrielle and Hermione exclaimed in unison.
"I can't stay for long." He said in a apologetic manner, "I just need a cup of strong coffee before I can manage to return to the Ministry." He said wearily and settled on a garden bench.
"I'll bring it for you." Hermione offered before the others could even move and ran into the house. She entered the kitchen, whipped up a mug of strong coffee and arranged some madeleines with it on a tray before carrying them to Alexis who was now surrounded by his family.
"Thank you very much, Jean." He gave Hermione a tired smile as took he the tray from her hand and sipped his coffee.
Hermione conjured a chair and sat with rest of the Delacours waiting to hear what had happened. Alexis ate two madeleines and finished his coffee silently before looking up at them.
"Last night there was a party at the Rochés Hotel arranged by Draco Malfoy's mother Narcissa Malfoy." He started and Hermione tensed, "The minister as well as half of the ministry was invited to it. They had also invited me and I had no choice but to attend it since the Senior Undersecretary is still in Bulgaria." He informed them, "Everything went well until the dinner was served when Auguste Rochés suddenly appeared and offered the minister some caviar as appetizers. The Minister took them and after sometime left saying that he needed some fresh air." He said looking grave, "He went to the balcony. Luckily Julian Malfoy and his Head of the Department Monsieur Sergeant also followed him there as a part of security protocol because they prevented him from committing suicide." He informed his family.
"Suicide?" everyone gasped in surprise.
"But everyone said Auguste Rochés tried to kill him?" Gabrielle asked her brother looking confused.
"He did." Alexis affirmed his sister, "Apparently he added something called 'Suicide Salt' in Minister's caviar and fed it to him. It causes intense desire to commit suicide upon consumption." He explained to her, "We found a small box of the salt in his office drawer. He denied the charges of course but everyone saw him feeding the caviars to the Minister. One of the waiters even attested that he had seen him adding something in Minister's caviar before he offered it to him." Alexis shook his head wearily, "That man took very high risks in order to kill Minister. Thought he wouldn't be caught but he was wrong in his assumptions. The moment Minister was invited by the Draco Malfoy to the Rochés hotel, he planned an extensive security protocol for the party." He said and stifled a yawn.
Hermione was surprised at the level of cunningness Auguste Rochés had employed to kill the Minister of Magic. She herself had read about the 'Suicide Salt' in her second year in 'Moste Potente Potions' at Hogwarts. She knew that despite taking only three days to brew, this potion was as difficult as brewing the Veritaserum due to rarity of ingredients and use of some difficult spells. Besides it has hard to detect once it mixed in the body systems. The only way to identify that someone has been poisoned with it was to look for the sign and symptoms in the victim.
"Where is the Minister now?" Gustave asked his son gravely.
"He's been admitted to St. Louis Hospital and is under constant supervision. Auguste Rochés is under our custody at the ministry. He's being questioned as we talk." Alexis replied.
"What about the Narcissa Malfoy and her son?" Hermione asked unable bear any longer, "What is their reaction on it?"
"Well, Narcissa looked extremely furious for spoiling her party but her son Draco was calm and composed. So was Audré Chombrun. I guess they'll be issuing an official statement today." Alexis informed her evenly.
They talked about the bizarre event for another fifteen minutes and then Alexis left for his office.
Everyone shook their heads in disbelief and left the garden before locking the main door.
For the first time in her life Hermione felt no sympathy on her neighbour's distress. The Rochés were rude, proud and their son Pierre was a bully. Adrian was far better off without him haunting the neighbourhood and his school for she was certain that the Rochés would soon leave this part of Paris to hide their ashamed faces.
She climbed the stairs to reach her side of residence, eager to resume her sleep.
Now she felt truly relieved that Adrian would not be bullied in school or elsewhere anymore.
•••••
The golden snitch was fluttering before them – fast, very fast.
Draco put on an extra spurt of speed and gave a steep dive to reach the evading winged golden ball.
"Father, it's very fast! I'll fall!" Adrian exclaimed frightfully as Draco held his petit form and directed his Thunderbolt Ultra to the snitch.
"No, you won't, my son." Draco assured his son sitting before him on the broom, "Father won't let you fall." He told him firmly, "Try to catch the snitch, Adrian. I am taking you there. Concentrate on the snitch." He instructed his son.
His son Adrian turned his grey eyes at the snitch and extended his small arm to catch it.
"Catch it, Adrian." Draco urged him reducing the distance between them, "Catch it NOW!" he bellowed.
Adrian was reaching out; he was inches away from the snitch –
"Draco, why are you sleeping on terrace?" a voice said out of nothingness and Draco woke up, cursing it internally. He opened his grey eyes and noticed his mother standing beside him, looking concerned.
"You have a perfect timing, mother." He said bitterly, remembering the dream he was having just moments ago.
"Something that you still need to learn from your mother, Draco." She commented irritably, "Now listen, the ministry officials are coming to Château in half an hour." She informed him.
"Why?" Draco asked with a slight frown. Surely they weren't suspecting him. He had made sure there were no loopholes in framing Rochés. His puppet waiter had already placed a small box of 'Suicide Salt' in Auguste Rochés's office and would be attesting that he had seen his employer mixing something on the caviars.
"They want to talk about the party at Rochés last night. As if it's us who planned to kill the Minister!" Narcissa said darkly, "Those Rochés! They dare to spoil my party? Narcissa Malfoy's party?" she flared, "I would have hexed him into oblivion had the ministry not interfered!" she gritted her teeth.
Draco stood up and stretched his sore limbs, "Don't worry, mother, I'll sue them so that they become bankrupt in just a few days for their despicable conduct." He said contentedly, "But, I guess they won't have enough money to pay since their caviar business will be done for." He said smugly.
Narcissa looked at him sharply and Draco realized that his mother was curious as to why he was happy instead of being furious. He chose not to comment on the matter anymore and decided to visit his son to complete his victory over the Rochés.
"I am going for a shower, mother." He said to her already leaving for his suite, "I hope I am not late for the breakfast?" he enquired.
Narcissa shook her head and followed her son, "No, though I am done with mine. Audré and Lillian are still there, reading the morning newspapers. And Julian still hasn't returned from the ministry." She said to her son.
"Very well!" Draco remarked, "Then I'll join them shortly." he said and left his mother on the corridor.
After a refreshing hot bath, Draco took extra care to dress himself for the day as he took out his best black shirt and trousers. Afterwards he back combed his platinum blonde hair to give himself a polished finish.
"Father is coming, Adrian." he said to his reflection in the mirror with a flourish and left for breakfast.
The dining table had an aura of graveness about it when Draco reached there. He noticed his silent aunt look up from her newspaper, her eyes sporting something between concern and anticipation.
"Good morning, aunt. Good morning, Lillian." He addressed them both and settled down on his usual seat.
"Good morning, cousin." Lillian greeted back, "Would you like to see the newspapers?" she offered him one.
"Why not?" Draco asked back and took the paper from her hand, eager to see the level of damage he had caused.
"You look well dressed for the morning, Draco." His aunt commented, "Any special occasions?" she asked him.
Draco gave her a proud smile, "I am going to visit Adrian." he informed him, "Besides I heard that some ministry officials will be arriving for questioning." He said nonchalantly.
Audré smiled gently at him and took her teacup, "It will be only Julian and his boss Monsieur Sergeant." She said to him, "They are not coming here to question you or Narcissa. They are coming to thank you since it was your suggestion to send Julian after the minister that saved his life." she told him.
'Now that's called killing two birds with one stone!' Draco thought pleasantly surprised, 'the Rochés are done and the minister is indebted to me for his life. Draco Malfoy, you really are something!' he complimented himself.
Surely enough his cousin and his boss Monsieur Sergeant arrived in fifteen minutes and his aunt invited them to join the breakfast.
"How is the minister now, Monsieur Sergeant?" Draco asked the severe looking man who helped himself with some coffee.
"He's been admitted to St. Louis's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries and from what I have heard before I came here, the Healers are trying to flush the poison out of his system." He informed Draco, "He is on restraints, since he tried to commit suicide two more times after he woke up this morning. But the Healers are expecting a full recovery." He said to them hopefully.
Draco nodded knowing that the salt took three days to entirely clear out from the system.
The gentlemen finished their breakfast, thanked Draco and his aunt and left. Draco made a mental note to visit the minister once he had recovered fully. It was not in the nature of a Malfoy to let go of such golden opportunities to create intimacy with influential people.
Draco looked at his watch. Eleven o' clock. He should be off to see Adrian now.
Informing his aunt that he's off to see his son and would deal with the official statement once he returned, Draco left the Château and went to the apparition point located on the west end of the garden.
The next moment he was standing before the moss-covered back door in Delacour perimeter.
Draco cast his usual Disillusionment Charm before entering into the grounds and set off for the staircase leading to the East Wing only to pause briefly beside the kitchen window.
The unmistakable voice of Apolline Delacour discussing about the Rochés with her family reached his ears.
"So the neighbourhood is buzzing with the news!" Draco thought smugly. He saw Adrian running around the large kitchen as his rabbit chased him.
"One rabbit following the other!" he thought amused at the idea.
He was lost in watching them when Hermione's voice echoed across the kitchen and broke his reverie.
"Okay, my rabbits – Adrian and Peter, enough playing for the morning!" she called after them, "Mama asks you both to do your home works now." she said as she left her chair on the dining table, "Adrian, you need to complete your home works." She said him sternly.
"But I want to play with Peter!" her son protested and pouted his delicate lips.
"Peter needs to his home works too, little rabbit." His mother explained him patiently.
"What's his homework?" Adrian asked his mother, surprised.
"Well he needs to take his bath first. Then he needs his weekly health check up and vaccination pellets, Adrian, like the way you have yours with Healer Henriette." His mother told him, "Grandma is being kind enough to do that for her grandson. Now say goodbye to Peter and off to room to do your homework." She instructed him.
Adrian sighed looking resigned and lifted his rabbit in his arms.
"Goodbye Peter." He squealed, "Behave yourself and be good with grandma, okay?"He said and kissed his rabbit before placing him gently on Apolline's lap.
'Trust the bookworm Mudblood to spoil my son's weekend morning with some boring homework.' Draco muttered darkly under his breath and followed his son.
Once inside their suite Hermione instructed Adrian to take out his books and settled him a chair high enough so that he could reach the top of the table.
"So they asked you to write down names of ten birds, ten animals and read a story from your story book." She said inspecting his home work copy, "Now Adrian take out your pencil quill and parchment." She said.
Adrian wrinkled his nose before taking out his parchment and quills. Draco noticed that kids were not provided with inks to dip their quill. Instead they were given pencil quills for writing.
Over the next hour Draco sat on the window sill and watched as his son learned, spelled and wrote the names of ten animals and birds. He noticed that he was a quick learner too.
"Little rabbit, how do you feel about uncle Alexis helping you to do your home works?" he heard Hermione ask Adrian suddenly.
'Why is she asking him that?' he frowned at her irritably.
"He has helped me already with my French alphabets when Aunt Gaby was at shop." Adrian answered looking up from his writing.
"Do you like him little rabbit?" Hermione asked and Draco immediately realizing what she implied, fisted his hands.
"I like him a lot." Adrian told his mother, "He took me to Monsieur Monette! He knows that I love drawing!" he said brightly.
Draco's blood was boiling now. 'His son liked Alexis Delacour for taking him to drawing teacher while he inherited his drawing ability from him – his real father Draco Malfoy.' He seethed.
"Do you think he can be a good Papa for you, Adrian?" Hermione asked her son and Draco left his seat, yelping. 'How dare she ask my son about his step father?' he asked shaking from head to foot with rage.
"Papa?" Adrian asked back his mother looking excited, "He'll be my Papa?" he asked again, "Like a real Papa? Like Louis's Papa?" he asked breathlessly.
'You Mudblood bitch!' Draco screamed inside his head, 'You are trying to brainwash my son to accept your lover as his father?' he pointed his wand at her ready to strike.
"Yes, like a real Papa." Hermione assured her son.
"He wants to be my Papa? He wants to be Adrian's Papa?" Adrian asked his mother, his grey eyes wide.
Draco's skin was crawling at the very thought that his son was calling someone else 'Papa'. He felt like cursing Hermione into oblivion for suggesting it to his son.
"Yes, he wants to be Adrian's Papa." Hermione affirmed, "He said so." She added.
"When will he become my Papa?" Adrian asked Hermione his grey eyes shining.
"A…. very soon, little rabbit." Hermione blushed slightly before answering his son.
Draco straightened himself to his full height and lifted his chin.
'You are terribly wrong, Mudblood.' He thought his eyes grey blazing with rage, 'My son call only me as 'father'; not that Alexis Delacour.' He raised an eyebrow and looked at his happy son.
'It is time to take drastic action' he thought determinedly.
•••••
Audré pinned her silver brooch on her chest and looked at her reflection in the mirror. She looked reasonably good in her salmon pink dress and Morpheus's silver brooch.
She was about to leave for the Delacour apothecary in pursuit of Jean Granger. Draco had told her how he had found the Delacour residence and she had kept this as a last resort to meet the young mother. She knew Draco was currently at the Delacour residence with Adrian and today being Saturday morning she was certain that at least Gustave Delacour would be in his shop.
She took her wand and purse from the table and proceeded to leave when a knock was on her dressing room door.
"Come in!" she called and Lillian entered her mother's private Boudoir.
"Are you going somewhere, maman?" she asked noticing her mother's attire.
"Yes" Audré replied, "Why?" she asked her daughter.
Lillian came forward and offered her some papers, "These arrived a few minutes ago." She said handing her mother the letters, "By the looks of it the almost all of the Parisian ladies will be visiting our Château in next fifteen minutes." She said her.
"The gossip mongers!" Audré commented darkly shifting through the letters, "I am certain they are coming here to know more about last night's party." She said bitterly.
"What should I do? There will be at least twenty of them." Lillian said looking nervous, "I haven't entertained more than five ladies before and those who are coming are highly aristocratic too." she said to her mother.
Audré snorted and placed the letters on the vanity table, "No one more aristocratic than the Chombrun Malfoy's, my dear." She said proudly, "I guess I can't go out now. Go and inform your aunt Narcissa about the guests so that she can prepare herself before they arrive." She instructed her daughter, "I am coming in a minute." Audré added.
Apparently her plan to meet Jean Granger could not be executed today. The ladies would be staying late to listen to the whole story and she was sure she would have to invite them for lunch too.
Sighing irritably Audré put her purse in vanity drawer and left her Boudoir to welcome her guests.
•••••
Draco looked at his watch which said it was half past nine. His son Adrian had dined and been bathed by his mother who had left minutes ago to bring him his tonic. Adrian was currently sitting on his bed and looking through his favourite story books with his pet on his small lap.
"What will you like, Peter?" he asked his rabbit showing him three books, " 'The Tale of Benjamin bunny' or 'The Tale of squirrel Nutkin' or 'The tale of Tom Kitten'." He read the names and placed the books side by side in front of the rabbit, "Just put your paw on one you want to listen and I'll tell Mama to read it to us." He explained to his pet excitedly.
'Time to come to father, Adrian.' Draco thought as he left his place on the window sill. He pointed his wand at his target.
Peter rabbit was snuggling against Adrian when Draco's Imperius Curse hit it.
As instructed, it jumped down from the bed and exited the suite promptly leaving behind a dumbfounded Adrian on bed.
"Hey, Peter." Adrian called after his pet and jumped from his bed too, "Where are you going? It is time for story." He said as he followed the rabbit and went for the stairs.
Draco immediately followed his son and appeared moments later in the garden behind him, taking three stairs at a time. He saw Adrian frantically searching for Adrian among the bushes.
"Peter, Come" Adrian said in a high pitched encouraging voice as he looked under a bench for his rabbit.
"Come out, Peter and show yourself to Adrian." Draco instructed the animal under his Imperius curse and the rabbit peeped from under a bench.
"There you are, Peter." Adrian said looking relieved as he reached for his pet, "Why did you run away suddenly like that? Hm?" he asked as he retrieved the rabbit from it's hiding place and lifted him in his arms.
"Jump and run." Draco instructed to the rabbit again and it immediately complied.
"Hey, Peter!" Adrian exclaimed as his rabbit suddenly jumped down and ran away again, "Where are you going?" he ran after it too.
Meanwhile Draco reached the apparition point at the West corner of the garden and saw the rabbit running towards him at top speed.
'Come, Adrian!' he thought triumphantly, 'Come to your real father.' He said to his son as a frantic looking Adrian followed his rabbit and approached him standing on the apparition point.
The rabbit hit the apparition point first and moments later Adrian reached there. Excitation, anticipation, joy and triumph coursing through Draco's veins, he felt his son's petit delicate form hit him, not knowing that his father was standing there under Disillusionment Charm.
Draco closed his eyes and embraced his son tightly along with his rabbit.
The smell of Peach and Honeysuckle invaded his senses and he felt his son shake slightly as he turned on the spot with only destination in his mind – his uncle's Château.
He wrapped Adrian tightly in his arms as he apparated them away from Delacour Residence and moments later when he felt solid ground under his feet, he opened his eyes to see himself standing on the vast gardens of Château.
Adrian was struggling under his grasp and he loosened his embrace before placing his son on the ground before him.
His son clutching his rabbit protectively in his arms was staring at thin air wide eyed. Realizing that he was still under Disillusionment charm, Draco pointed his wand at himself and lifted the charm.
'Finally, father is before his son.' he thought as he appeared in front of Adrian with a flourish.
His sudden appearance caused Adrian to stumble and fall on the grass behind him. His innocent grey eyes were at their widest limit as he stared at the man who suddenly appeared out of thin air.
Draco gave him an assuring smile as he sat down to reach his level. His son flinched slightly and backed away at his movement.
"Adrian" Draco called his son in a soothing tone, "Don't be afraid, my son. Father won't hurt you." He said as he reached out to take him in his arms.
Adrian's wide eyes mirrored horror and disbelief as he finally lifted himself from the ground and turned before running away as fast as his small legs permitted him.
"Mama! Mama!" Draco heard Adrian scream, looking horrified, "Mama! Save me!" he called after his mother as he scampered away.
Draco was on his feet in an instant and he pursued his son, "Adrian! Stop!" he called after his son, "Father will not hurt you! Adrian, listen to your father!" he said as he dashed behind him.
Adrian didn't seem to notice or listen anything at all. He was running frantically clutching his rabbit as if his life depended on it and evaded his pursuer by taking a zigzag course. Draco would have caught his son easily but Adrian used his small height for his advantage and kept going under small bushes while screaming at the top of his voice.
"Mama! Mama!" he howled and darted away from Draco, "Mama, where are you? Come and save me from his man!" he squealed tearfully.
Draco stopped on his track feeling breathless and looked at his wailing son.
He hadn't expected this to happen!
•••••
Audré was about to leave her parlour to change into some comfortable casual dress when a cry hit her ear.
It was a child's voice and it was coming from the gardens.
"Mama! Mama!" it cried, "Mama, where are you? Come and save me from this man!" the voice pleaded.
"Oh my Nostradamus!" Audré exclaimed and ran instantly at the direction of the garden, all the while hoping it was not the person she thought it could be.
As she ran at the direction of the garden through the corridor, Lillian and Narcissa came down stairs and stopped her on her track.
"Who is it, Maman?" Lillian asked her mother as she reached the ground floor, "Who is screaming like that?"
"Just pray that it's not Adrian." her mother replied as she regained her course to reach the garden as fast as possible.
'You are damned Draco, if you have brought Adrian here by force.' She thought furiously as she reached the opening to the garden and stopped dead at the sight.
It was indeed Adrian. He was running around the garden frantically while clutching a rabbit in his arms and screaming for his mother.
'No' Audré clapped her hand on her mouth as realization hit her. Narcissa and Lillian appeared behind her moments later, panting.
"Who is he?" Narcissa asked pointing the crying and rushing kid, clutching her chest for breath.
"He's your grandson, mother and his name is Adrian Thomas Granger-Malfoy." A voice drawled from behind them.
Audré whipped around to face her nephew, uncontrollable rage coursing through her vein. Before she could stop herself her right palm struck neatly against Draco's left cheek as she slapped him hard.
"How dare you!" she screamed, "How dare you, Draco?" she asked him shaking from head to foot in rage, "I told you not to bring him by force. I warned you against it and still you didn't listen." She shrieked at her nephew.
Draco rubbed the spot Audré had slapped him and gave her a piercing look, "And I told you I won't let him be raised under a step father, aunt." he shot back at her, "Malfoys are never raised under step fathers!" he growled.
"Fine!" Audré nodded her head and tilted it to a frightful Adrian who was still running around the garden, "Go, father, raise your son!" she offered him sarcastically.
Draco eyed Adrian and looked at his aunt with eyes full of determination, "I will, aunt! I will raise my son." he said and looked at his mother.
"Mother, take care of your grandson while I go and bring his mother." He said and left for the apparition point.
Audré looked at the retreating form of her nephew and closed her eyes.
'She had failed to save the young boy and his mother.' She thought shaking her head, 'There is no way Draco would let go of Adrian and she can't harm her nephew in order to save them.'
"What are you upto, Draco?" she asked herself and directed her gaze to Lillian.
"Lillian, go and try to calm down the boy." She said to her daughter who nodded and pursued after Adrian immediately.
"Is he really my grandson?" Audré heard Narcissa asking her from behind.
"You'll understand once you see him yourself, Narcissa." Audré answered looking extremely grave.
According to Wizarding rules, the moment a father claimed his child as his own, an inseparable bond is created between them. It gave his child protection until he or she came of age at seventeen. Draco had finally claimed his son and brought him to the place he lived. There was no turning back now. They way led only forward.
Audré sincerely hoped that the way forward wouldn't be dark.