A/N: So my dear readers, the chapter that we have been waiting for has arrived.
THE TRIO MEET AT LAST!
I can't believe I finished this mammoth task of writing it. It took me a lot of analysis about numerous things to make this chapter look believable.
IMPORTANT NOTE 1: Some of the readers may ask me about Hermione's actions in this chapter and I would like to answer them beforehand. In my analysis about human behaviour, I have seen that extreme rage can make man to anything. He can pull a trigger, throw a man from roof, poison him or take any measures to let his anger out. Please consider it when you read Hermione's reaction on meeting Draco.
IMPORTANT NOTE 2: Out of fear and extreme desperation human usually chooses the desperation. The hope on the other side of desperation gives them courage to conquer the fear.
IMPORTANT NOTE 3: The idea about multiple partners is a well known practice from ancient times in human history. Nowadays people can have one spouse but they can have multiple partners while in the Middle Age men used to have multiple wives. Almost every king in the history of human civilization had numerous mistresses with whom they had children (I have checked several articles and can show proof) but the Heir to the throne was usually one. I have taken this concept for this chapter to explain some issues.
IMPORTANT NOTE 4: The idea about not being able leave one's home before seventeen came from Harry's inability to leave his aunt's house despite being abused there. I took the idea and explained it my way.
Thanks for all the reviews, favourites and follows. It was most rewarding.
Now moving on to the acknowledgements:
Please note that it took me hours to find out the exact description of High Altar of Notre Dame cathedral. I used it as a metaphor for the story. You can see the image in Google and check if I am right. And those who have visited the place, please leave a comment on my work.
I have read Hunchback of Notre Dame and used the reference here.
The story of Zeus and Hera was taken from Greek Mythology websites.
The concept of Scared Marriage was taken from there too though I twisted it a bit.
The vows of Handfasting were taken from several websites on it.
Well I guess, that's it. So enjoy and don't forget to leave a review. It took me six days to research and write and I think I deserve all the reviews.
THERE IS A POLL IN MY PROFILE. FEEL FREE TO VOTE.
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 23: Chasing a Mirage
The Delacour household had six house elves – one for cooking purpose and other five assigned for each of the five members of the family. Twinky, the she elf, who used to serve Fleur before her marriage, was reassigned to Hermione and her son Adrian after she moved to Delacour Residence. Being an outright supporter of elf rights, Hermione seldom called her for any errand. But on Apolline's insistence Twinky, the elf was allowed to clean their suite and wash their clothes. Like Hogwarts elves she also preferred not showing herself.
During her Horcrux hunts with Harry and Ron, Hermione had accepted the bitter truth that she was no genius when it came to cooking. But still she preferred preparing small food items like - juice, cookies and cakes for her son. That was the reason she left Adrian on their bed to fetch his tomato juice with his daily tonic on Saturday night.
She had almost finished on her job in the kitchen when a tired and beaten looking Alexis entered the room and slumped on a dining chair before leaning down and burying his face in his folded arms. Apolline, who was sitting on another chair and checking the laundry, looked up at her son.
"Good Evening, Alexis!" Hermione greeted the exhausted man as she added some black pepper powder in the tomato juice, "How was the day?" she asked him, making a mental note to help Apolline prepare Alexis's supper.
Alexis looked up from his arms and eyed his mother and fiancée wearily, "It couldn't be any worse." He commented gravely, "The Ministry is in complete mayhem." He confessed irritably, "The minister still hasn't recovered and the Rochés are using all their influences to wriggle free." He informed them, "But we have concrete evidence against Auguste Rochés and he's not going to get over this any sooner. All his property has been frozen and his manor is under ministry surveillance. No one can leave the place without our prior permission." He said to them confidently, "What's for supper, maman?" he asked Apolline, "I am starving."
Apolline and Hermione had already warmed Alexis's meal as he talked about the Rochés and served him steaming bowl of onion soup, stew and cheesecake for dessert. As Alexis started devouring his food hungrily Hermione made him a cup of coffee and placed it before him on the table.
"Adrian is waiting for me to read him some stories, Alexis and I have to go now." She told him and Alexis nodded, "You are exhausted too, so eat and take rest now. We'll talk about the Rochés in the morning." she suggested and Alexis smiled gently at her.
"Good night, Jean and give a kiss from me to Adrian." he called after her as Hermione left the kitchen.
However, when Hermione reached her suite carrying Adrian's tomato juice and expecting to hear her son's high pitched squeaks, she found it silent.
'Has he already fallen asleep?' she thought as she approached their bedroom and entered it, 'Did I take too long?' she asked herself and looked at the Grand clock before walking towards the bed expecting to find a sleeping Adrian.
But the bed was empty. There was no sleeping Adrian on it. Instead his story books were sprawled across it carelessly.
"Adrian!" Hermione called her son, putting down the glass on the night stand, "Adrian, Mama brought you your juice." She informed him.
But neither Adrian nor his voice came as a reply.
"Adrian, are you playing hide and seek with Mama?" Hermione asked knowing her son's favourite indoor sport and looked around the room for any sign of his crouching form; but to no avail.
'Something is not right.' Hermione's instincts told her and she proceeded to check the ensuite bathroom.
It was also unoccupied. There was no sign of Adrian being there recently.
The sense of uneasiness was growing inside Hermione now and she left the bathroom to look inside the closet expecting to find her son there.
But Adrian was not hiding there too.
"Adrian, where are you?" Hermione called her son as she checked under the bed and found it empty.
Her uneasiness was now replaced with panic and Hermione started looking through her suite.
Ten minutes later, her throats dry from fear and constantly calling Adrian, Hermione left her Wing and went downstairs to the kitchen.
"Mother, have you seen Adrian?" she asked Apolline who was talking to Alexis.
Apolline shook her head, "No!" she said, "Why, dear?" she asked back.
"He's not in our suite." Hermione informed her agitatedly.
"Maybe he is with Gabrielle." Apolline suggested her.
Hermione shook her head, "No, mother. Gabrielle is staying at Eva's place tonight." She reminded her.
Apolline smiled apologetically at Hermione, "Sorry, dear, I forgot." She confessed to her, "He usually goes to her and it automatically came to my mind." she said, "It's alright, Jean, don't worry. Where can he go? Maybe he's in Gustave's study playing with his origami animals." She suggested hopefully.
Alexis looked up from his cheesecake and noticed Hermione's discomfort, "Don't worry Jean, I am going to look for him." He assured her.
Hermione nodded absentmindedly at him before turning to Apolline again, "Where is father?" she asked her.
Apolline waved her hand in indignation, "He is off for a drink at Defour's place and talk about the Rochés." She said to her nonchalantly, "Don't worry, my dear, Alexis and I are going to help you find Adrian." she said to her in an assuring tone.
Shorty after it, the small group left the kitchen in pursuit of Adrian but after thirty minutes of careful search of the big household and looking for Adrian at every possible nook and corner, Hermione reached a dreadful conclusion that was haunting her mind – Adrian was not at home.
•••••
Draco appeared on the alleyway behind the Delacour residence. It was almost ten thirty and the seldom used alleyway was now completely deserted. There was no point in Disillusioning when he had come to take Hermione Granger on person and he breached the Delacour perimeter through the moss covered back door without any Disillusionment Charm upon him for the first time.
The place looked just as it had been when he lured Adrian into it using his rabbit Peter – deserted. But as he approached, Draco heard a female voice calling for Adrian hysterically.
'Granger knows.' Draco thought feeling relieved at the prospect of not having to inform her about Adrian's disappearance. He approached the south garden and saw Hermione searching for Adrian and pleading him to come out. She was alone.
'That's even better!' he thought feeling elated, 'I can just put her under Imperius, apparate us to Château and no one will ever know where she went. Not even her lover Alexis Delacour.' He smirked at the thought.
But the sound of her aunt's slap reverberated through his mind and Draco dismissed the idea knowing that Audré Chombrun would surely kill him if she saw him bringing Granger under Imperius.
'Then I'll put a Silencing Charm on her and then tell her to come with me willingly if she wants to see Adrian.' Draco thought 'Yes, that sounds nice." He thought smugly, "She'll come with me since she's worried about Adrian.' he thought approvingly.
Draco's grey eyes wandered lazily as Hermione browsed the other parts of the garden and then slowly approached where he was standing, completely oblivious of his presence.
'Come Mudblood, come. Adrian's real father is waiting for you.' Draco thought as he prepared his wand in his hand.
•••••
It would be an understatement to say that Hermione's heart was beating fast – it was racing inside her chest. Known widely among her friends and colleagues for her the ability to stay calm and think clearly in a difficult situation, Hermione was so shocked at Adrian's sudden disappearance that she lost her inborn ability to think properly. Every coherent speech lost, every emotion numb with extreme concern and every breath ragged, Hermione searched all the rooms of Delacour Residence thrice in a row and then proceeded to the gardens, expecting Adrian hiding there in an attempt to trick his mother.
"Adrian! Little rabbit!" Hermione's voice echoed around the garden as she called her son, "Come out now or Mama will be very angry with you." She said as she started looking around the garden frantically.
But her threat yielded no response from Adrian and feeling more and more anxious with every passing moment; Hermione placed her wand on her palm like a compass.
"Point me Adrian Granger." She commanded but the wand didn't even stir.
'How was that possible?' she thought breathlessly looking at the motionless wand on her palm, 'Adrian didn't know how to block Locating Spells? Or did he?' she thought incredulously as she restarted her search manually, 'Was he doing this unconsciously? Was he angry with me? But why would he be angry? He was perfectly normal when I left him on bed with Peter.' Hermione thought, biting her lips nervously.
'And where was Peter too? How can he vanish with Adrian? Did Adrian take Peter with him?' Hermione continued her search and tried to look through possible causes behind the rabbit's disappearance.
She had covered almost whole of the vast garden by now but there was still no sign of Adrian or his rabbit, Peter.
"Adrian, please, Mama is extremely sorry if she has hurt you!" Hermione was crying earnestly now as she browsed through the empty garden, "Please little rabbit, come out or Mama will die!" she pleaded, "Please come out rabbity boo, Mama apologizes!" Hermione said wiping her eyes as she moved towards the south garden where Adrian's Saining Ceremony was done, "Adrian, my love….."
"He won't come!" a voice drawled from behind her and Hermione froze.
She felt a peculiar eeriness hit her – as Hermione instantly recognized the unmistakable drawl, the arrogant tone and the cruel words that could only be associated with one person: Draco Malfoy.
Unwilling to believe her ears, Hermione turned on the spot as if on trance and faced the man of the haunting voice standing behind her.
Every single emotion, thought, sense and speech left Hermione at the sight of the most hated man in her life. Unable to do anything at all, she simply stared at him.
Draco Malfoy was glaring at her coldly, his sleek platinum blond hair disheveled, his lips curled in an evil smirk while his wand pointed at her.
"I took Adrian with me and if you don't want to make any fuss….." he drawled again but couldn't finish.
Hermione's Cruciatus Curse hit him straight on his chest so abruptly that Draco couldn't even produce a Shielding Charm. The force of the Curse threw him backwards and he crumpled on the ground, writhing in agony.
The first flood of emotion that overtook Hermione's blank thought upon hearing that Draco Malfoy had taken her most precious gift, her son from her was – rage, hatred and will to kill. Images of her son laying dead, his lifeless eyes staring vacantly, hit her so hard that Hermione couldn't let him complete his sentence before she aimed her wand at Draco and cast the Unforgivable for the very first time in her life.
Every cell of her body cried to avenge her son's death and every breath that escaped from her urged Hermione to suffocate the man lying on the earthly ground, shaking uncontrollably under her Cruciatus Curse.
Before she knew what she was doing, Hermione had covered the distance between them in two strides and kicked Draco Malfoy hard on his stomach who was still squirming under her Cruciatus Curse.
"You dare to touch my son?" she shrieked and kicked Draco again and again on his lean stomach, "You dare to take my son?" she kicked on his pale face thus crushing his pointed nose, "You dare to separate him from me, from his mother?" she howled in despair and kicked him harder on his groin and Draco rolled over screaming frantically, "This is the last day of your pathetic life, Malfoy. Prepare to die like an animal." She said and spat on him while continuing her violent kicks and Cruciatus Curse mercilessly.
In her wrath and thirst for revenge Hermione had not noticed how Draco's agonizing screams had attracted the other occupants of the Delacour residence to the spot where he punished Malfoy brutally.
"Jean, stop it! JEAN, STOP IT!" Hermione heard Apolline Delacour shout as she came into her view, "Jean stop it." she shouted again over Draco's painful howling, "You'll kill him."
"He deserves to die!" Hermione said through gritted teeth, feeling a rage that she never thought she possessed and continued her Cruciating and kicking as Draco rolled over the ground pathetically.
"That's Draco Malfoy." Alexis said recognizing the blond pureblood, "What is he doing here? How did he get in?" he asked Hermione sharply.
"Never mind how did he get in or what he is doing now!" Hermione said through gritted teeth continuing her assault on Draco, "He killed my Adrian and I am going to kill him right here, right now." She said before she lifted her Cruciatus and aimed her wand at Draco's chest, "Avada.."
"Adrian is alive and safe." Draco managed to utter before she finished her Killing Curse and sunk on the ground, panting heavily.
Hermione couldn't believe what she just heard. 'Her son was alive and safe? With Malfoy? The pureblood bigot?'
She wrenched Draco's wand from his hand and held it tightly between her hands ready to snap it into two, "Don't lie to me, you bastard. Tell me where he is or I'LL SNAP YOUR WAND RIGHT NOW." She bellowed at him.
Draco, still heavily panting, looked up straight into Hermione's eyes, "I am his father and I took him at my home." He growled at her.
Hermione let out a high pitched hysterical laugh, "Father? You and Adrian's father?" she said laughing derisively, "Draco Malfoy, the pureblood bigot, is my half blood son's father?" she asked, her voice dripping with venom, "Don't you have your own pureblood children? Or are you not man enough to produce a pureblood Malfoy?" she sneered him.
Draco would have retorted at Hermione but Apolline Delacour cut in at that moment.
"What do you mean by taking him where you live?" she asked him sharply.
Draco eyed the elderly woman, his vision still blurry with Cruciatus, "He's my son and I took him where he should be, at my home." He said panting.
"Then take me to him, you bastard!" Hermione demanded, felling like burning down Malfoy's laying form to ashes but Apolline shook her head and bit her lips, "It's no use anymore, Jean. It's no use!" she said in a defeated voice.
"Why?" Hermione asked feeling anxious at her sudden proclamation.
"Because he claimed him, Jean! Draco Malfoy claimed his son!" Apolline said and collapsed on the grass beside Draco.
Hermione looked around at everyone from Gustave, who had returned home earlier, to Alexis, who stood looking horrorstruck, as they shook their head in despair.
"What do you mean he claimed Adrian?" she asked them feeling stupid, "Adrian is my son. He's my son!" Hermione screamed at them fervently.
Apolline looked up at Hermione, her eyes full of sympathy and patted the piece of grass beside her, "Sit down Jean and I'll explain to you." She said and turned her head to Draco who had managed to sit up with great difficulty, clutching his bloodied and broken nose, "And you Draco Malfoy, don't you dare to make any foul moves." She warned him before pointing her wand at his face.
"Episky." She muttered and mended Draco's nose with a casual flick of her wand.
Hermione couldn't believe her eyes. Apolline had just mended Draco Malfoy's nose knowing what he had done to her and her son Adrian. She felt like berating and charging her for it but every passing moment made her realize that Adrian was alone and frightened. She sat on the grass beside her, impatient for the conversation to be over.
"Before I start explaining about Claiming, Jean, let me ask him a simple question." Apolline said and turned to Draco, "How much can you afford to lose in order to gain Adrian as you son?" she asked him.
Draco eyed her sharply as he rubbed his aching stomach, "I am prepared to risk everything for Adrian." he replied firmly.
Hermione was rendered speechless for the second time since their meeting. Draco Malfoy, the pureblood bigot was prepared to risk everything for her half-blood son!
"Why?" she asked him simply, after regaining her voice.
Draco looked at Hermione with pure loath etched on his face, "Because he's my son and I won't let him grow up under a step father." He said through gritted teeth.
Seemingly satisfied with his answer Apolline then turned to Hermione, "And you, Jean, what are you prepared to do to get Adrian back?" she asked giving her a piercing look.
"Anything!" Hermione cried desperately, "I'll do anything to get back Adrian." she said looking bewildered.
Apolline paled at her answer and looked up at her son Alexis who stood there, ashen faced. "I am sorry, Alexis. I am so sorry." She said sadly at him.
Alexis however didn't utter a single sound. He continued looking at air and then as if some realization hit him, closed his eyes and hung his head. When he spoke moments later his voice was hoarse and his features emotionless. "Adrian is more important, maman!" he said in a strained voice, "He needs protection as soon as possible." He said and turned to leave.
"Where are you going, Alexis?" Apolline enquired after her son, alarmed.
"To get sorceress Marianne. Only she can perform their marriage at this hour." He said looking demented at the prospect.
Both Hermione and Draco moved away from each other at the word 'marriage', looking horrified.
"Mother," Hermione exclaimed, "what is he saying about marriage?" she asked Apolline breathlessly while watching Alexis's retreating form. Suddenly the true identity of the man sitting before her, hit her and her earlier fears for him returned multiplied manyfold. She grabbed Apolline's arm painfully, "No, mother, no." she shook her head violently; "I can't marry him." She said tears of despair now leaking down her cheek, "He's…he's…he's my…" she lost her speech before breaking completely into tears, unable to convey that she couldn't marry her violator.
"I can't possibly marry a Mudblood!" Draco eyed Hermione's crying form and protested vehemently looking disgusted.
"Watch your foul tongue, Malfoy!" Gustave warned him in an icy voice, from his position beside his wife, "This is not your cursed manor. This is our home and we will not tolerate any insult upon our daughter, Jean." He said through gritted teeth.
Apolline, who was feeling heartbroken seeing Hermione crying hard on her lap, gently stroked her head, "There is no other way, my dear.' She said to her gently, "Adrian is alone and unprotected. He needs his parents, especially his mother." She told her firmly, "His father has Claimed him meaning that his guardianship has passed under his father now." She said and Hermione looked up from her lap, surprised, "The tradition of Claiming goes back to the beginning of Wizarding civilization. It's one of the oldest bonds created between a father and his son which makes him his Heir." She started gently, "In the beginning most of the wizards lived in large clans and they had multiple wives or partners and numerous children from them. But not all the children they sired were Claimed by them. Usually the boy with best looks, greater magical power and good influence over his other siblings was chosen by his father and claimed to be the next Man of the House. After Claiming he and his mother moved in the house with his father while his other brothers and step mothers lived in separate houses." She elaborated.
"But I am not his wife or his partner." Hermione said trying to make Apolline understand the obvious point.
"But you are the mother of the son he just Claimed. And according to Wizarding law, once Claimed a child will only live with his parents until he turns seventeen when he comes off age." She said to her patiently, "Before that, they can't leave even if they want to. It's an irreversible bond, Jean and no one can undo it. In case of orphans, they live in the orphanage that took them or the families that accepted them until they turn seventeen. After that they are free to leave. In case of any abuse or separation between parents, the guardianship passes to the next legal guardian who may be his or her godparents or the ministry who puts them under adoption. Like Muggles there is no fighting for custody in Wizarding community. We live by traditions believing that parents are their children's best protector and thus fighting between spouses is highly discouraged." She said to Hermione in grave voice.
"But Adrian is well protected in my uncle's home." Draco said confidently, "Besides, I have never heard of such ridiculous rule like living with the woman whose son someone has Claimed." He said indignantly.
"You still don't understand it, do you Malfoy?" Gustave said looking irritated, "Your uncle's Château is not Adrian's home. His legal home is where his parents live." He said impatiently trying to make him see the point, "But Adrian's parents live separately because they are not married. So practically he has no home now. The boy is in the middle of nowhere. In this case his rights pass either to Bill and Fleur or to the Ministry. If you are not lucky enough, Malfoy, the ministry officials are already at your uncle's place and interrogating your aunt for abducting Adrian." he said gravely.
"No!" Draco exclaimed and stood up immediately, finally realizing the gravity of the situation.
Hermione stood up too, shaking from rage, "You foul evil loathsome bastard!" she swore and lunged forward to grab his collar but Apolline stopped her, "You brought us here! You made my son homeless!" she shrieked forgetting her earlier fears as Apolline tried hard to restrain her.
"How dare you try to assault me, Mudblood?" Draco screamed and charged forward to slap Hermione but Gustave held him tightly by his arms, "It is you who made me do this, Mudblood whore. I would have let him live with you had you not been so keen to raise him under a step father." He shouted at her trying to free himself from Gustave's iron grips, "Adrian is a Malfoy and Malfoys are never raised under step fathers." He proclaimed proudly.
"Protego." Apolline shouted and an invisible barrier appeared between Hermione and Draco thus making it impossible for them to hit each other. "Fighting will not stop or change anything!" she shouted over their rants, "If you really love Adrian and don't want him to pass under Bill's or Ministry guardianship, do as I say. Get married within six hours because after that the guardianship is permanently lost." She said breathlessly to them.
Both Draco and Hermione fell silent as realization dawned upon them.
"Gustave!" Apolline called her husband who removed his grip from Draco's arms, "Take Malfoy to our sitting room and keep a close eye on him." She said, "Jean will go with me." She said loosening her grip on Hermione's arm, "And Malfoy, you should better get prepared to explain your wife about Adrian and Jean since he will be your legal heir and his mother will be your official partner now." She said to him pointing at his wedding ring.
Draco eyed his ring too and smiled sadly, "You need not worry about that, Mrs. Delacour since my wife is already dead." He said with unmistakable melancholy in his voice before he followed Gustave inside the house.
Hermione didn't have enough emotion left to show her surprise at the news that Draco Malfoy's first wife was already dead. Disappearance of Adrian, reappearance of her arch enemy, the fact that Adrian was alone and unprotected and the news that she would soon be getting married to the man who tortured her leaving behind the man who loves her; was enough to make her senses numb. She didn't protest anymore when Apolline steered her inside the house behind Draco and Gustave; looking too lost to be found ever again.
•••••
Alexis had never felt so miserable in his life. He had lost the woman and child he loved deeply to the man he despised and now their future was in jeopardy.
He could have apparated right in front of St. Joan's but he had chosen to walk there. Though his body was tired from lack of sleep, his mind was alert and walking gave him something to do with his body to keep it awake.
'Give me something to do or I shall run mad!' he thought desperately to keep his emotions at bay.
Yet he had been assigned to do the hardest thing of his life – arrange the marriage of his beloved with another man - the man who was cause of all her miseries. He couldn't believe that he didn't see it coming.
'Malfoy must have seen Adrian in the hotel at Brussels and followed him here to France.' He thought as he rounded a corner and approached the school where sorceress Marianne lived, 'Had I made the connections earlier, I could have saved both Jean and Adrian.' he thought guiltily.
'It is entirely my fault. It's because of me that they are now forced to live with that bigot.' Alexis blamed himself and reached the iron-worked gate of St. Joan's. He knocked and moments later a small window opened to reveal the face of a crooked nosed old man.
"State you name and purpose." he said grumpily at Alexis.
"My name is Alexis Delacour and I have urgent business with Headmistress Marianne." Alexis replied in a grave tone.
The guard opened the door without further protest and Alexis deposited his wand before entering the school premises. The guard, then took a hammer and a heavy brass plate and struck it thrice in a peculiar musical tone.
"The Headmistress will appear at that gate." He informed Alexis and showed him a small gate at the corner of the four sided school building.
Alexis, realizing that the bell chime was a way to communicate with the Headmistress that she had a visitor, proceeded to the small gate where Marianne was supposed to appear. He reached and waited there patiently and moments later Marianne arrived wearing a formal green robe.
"Good evening, Headmistress!" Alexis greeted her as normally as possible, "Sorry to disturb you at such an hour but an emergency has come upon." He said in an apologetic tone.
"It's alright Alexis Delacour." The headmistress assured him smiling gently, "People never visit me at this hour unless it is an emergency. What is it?" she asked him curiously.
Alexis took a deep breath and tried to calm his inner turmoil, "I came here to ask you to perform a marriage." He said in a forced normal voice.
"Marriage? At this hour? Between whom?" Marianne asked him looking grave instead of cheerful.
"Between Adrian's father and mother – Hermione Jean Granger and Draco Malfoy!" Alexis informed her heavy heartedly.
"Draco Malfoy." Marianne muttered narrowing her eyes, "The Dragon…I see…" she said thoughtfully, "Very well. Bring them to Notre Dame as soon as possible and I'll perform their marriage." She told Alexis motioning him to leave.
But Alexis didn't move, "Headmistress, there is another thing I need to tell you. Jean and Malfoy are not in good terms and are being forced to this marriage for the sake of Adrian's protection." He informed her, "While I think Malfoy may not harm Adrian physically, I fear that Jean is in risk of being tortured by him. Is there any way a marriage vow can protect her by incapacitating Malfoy should he try to attack her?" he asked the Headmistress anxiously.
Marianne's face hardened at his query, "Well in that case, I can perform a 'Sacred Marriage' with Handfasting. That way Jean will be twice protected." She replied thoughtfully, "But if her future husband is a very violent person than I advice her not to marry him."
"That's not an option anymore, Headmistress." Alexis assured her gravely and turned to leave.
As he walked back to Delacour residence, his legs feeling like heavy lids, Alexis couldn't help but feel extreme sorrow engulf him.
'Why is it always the women who are forced to make sacrifices?' he thought with a melancholic smile in his lips.
•••••
In her tender age of twenty five years Hermione Granger had faced many things. She had faced a black fire while searching for Philosopher's Stone in her first year. She had been petrified by a basilisk in her second year. She had used a Time Turner in the face of saving innocent lives of Sirius Black and Buckbeak in her third year. She had fought Death Eaters in the bowels of Ministry in her fifth year and in Hogwarts in her sixth year. She had obliviated her parents before taking part in Horcrux hunt with her friends in her seventh year and most importantly in her final year she gave birth to child which had resulted from her violation.
But never had Hermione felt such sense of hopelessness engulf her. She felt like entering a dark tunnel with no light at the other end as she dressed in white robes.
"Dressing accordingly in a wedding is imperative, no matter how dire the situation might be." Apolline had told her before insisting that she wore traditional white colour for bride.
'Bride!' Hermione thought ruefully, looking at her reflection in the mirror, 'And think whose bride I am? Draco Malfoy's.' she looked away from her reflection in disgust.
Alexis had already returned from Sorceress Marianne and informed them that she would be executing their wedding at Notre Dame Cathedral that was just adjacent to the St. Joan's. He had avoided Hermione artfully but told her through his mother that Marianne would be performing a 'Sacred Marriage with Handfasting' to ensure that Draco couldn't harm her without breaking the vows which would bring upon terrible consequences on him.
The knowledge had relieved Apolline immensely and upon asking what was a 'Sacred Marriage' Hermione had been briefed by her.
"The rite of 'Scared Marriage' has originated from the Greek mythology." Apolline said to her as she braided her hair, "According to it, Hera is Zeus's wife and sister. She is the supreme goddess, goddess of marriage and childbirth and takes special care of married woman. Hera's marriage was founded in strife with Zeus and it continued in strife. Falling in love with her, Zeus courted her unsuccessfully. When she declined his offer for marriage, Zeus turned to trickery and changed himself into disheveled cuckoo. Hera feeling sorry for the bird held it to her breast to warm it. Zeus then resumed his normal form and taking advantage of the surprise he gained and assaulted her. Then, he grabbed Hera and brought her to the mountain of Cithaeron to make her his legal wife, so that she could cover her shame." She finished her story and turned Hermione to her, "It is said that Zeus and Hera were the first to perform a 'Sacred Marriage' and since then the custom is being followed whenever marriage is obligatory but there chance that the husband would abuse his wife." She hugged Hermione gently, "Don't worry Jean. If Draco Malfoy puts a toe out of the line, he will turn into a squib. That ritual is unbelievably powerful." She informed and released her, "We will get Adrian and we'll straighten that bigot too." she said to her firmly.
"Sacred Marriage or not, mother, Draco Malfoy is insane like his aunt Bellatrix Lestrange." Hermione said, sounding not convinced at all, "I am scared for Adrian's future. I don't want him to grow up like an arrogant brat." She said anxiously.
Apolline shook her head and gave her an assuring smile, "He won't be like that, Jean. He has enough innocence in him to drive away every kind of insanity." She said firmly.
"But mother…" Hermione tried to protest but Apolline cut in, "No, Jean, listen. I know this is extremely difficult to marry the person who once tortured you but we women are braver than what men take us for. We have stood up for our rights throughout centuries despite being tortured by them." She said in an igniting voice and Hermione felt as if her real mother was talking to her, "We may appear weak physically but we are stronger than steel and harder than diamond. Don't be scared of that vermin, Jean, you just Crucioed the hell out of him. Just maintain your courage and you'll be fine. Besides we'll be here and any foul play on his part and I'll personally make sure that all hell breaks loose on him." Apolline said with such force that Hermione suddenly felt her strength return.
She embraced Apolline tightly and felt thankful to Fleur for suggesting to stay with her family in France.
"I don't know what I would have done without you, mother?" she said closing her eyes as tears of gratitude blurred her vision.
Apolline hugged her tightly and patted her back, "You would have been fine, Jean. You are a born fighter and fighters never lose courage even when they are alone." She said in a fierce voice.
•••••
'If there's a more helpless feeling than trying to reach someone you love, who's trapped underground, I don't know it.'
It was a Muggle quote that Audré had once read somewhere and she felt that nothing could be more appropriate than it to express what she felt at the moment.
She looked helplessly at the small shadowy form of the boy who was crouching under a hibiscus bush. He was still holding his white rabbit protectively in his arms.
"Don't fidget, Peter," she heard Adrian admonish his rabbit, "I am trying to protect us from that bad man who brought us here." He said to the animal an assuring tone.
Audré sighed, knowing it was no use trying to make the boy leave his shelter willingly. After Draco had left to bring Jean, she sent Lillian to catch the boy who was still running feverishly around the garden. But between Lillian and Adrian, the child was faster and dodged her young daughter successfully several times. Defeated, Audré had then called off her daughter thinking that any further chasing might scare the already panicked child and after running another ten minutes with no one pursuing him, Adrian had finally stopped and taken refuge under a hibiscus bush.
Audré sat down on bare grass covered ground cautiously, carefully keeping enough distance to not scare Adrian and smiled gently at him,
"Adrian, it's going to rain, my dear." She said to him kindly, "Why don't you and your rabbit come out from there?"She offered him encouragingly.
As if to make her predictions true, heavy rumbling issued from the rain clouds that swirled overhead and wind blew ghastly.
Adrian shook his head firmly, "No, we won't come out! We want our Mama!" he said sniffing and rubbing his eyes.
Audré's heart melted at the sight. She felt like strangling Draco for bringing this distress upon this innocent child.
"Listen, Adrian, my name is Audré and I am your grandmother." She started again in her most gentle voice, "I will not hurt you or scare your or let any harm befall upon you. I swear." She said pinching her neck, "Please trust me and come out from under that bush." She pleaded to the boy.
Adrian shook his small head violently this time, "No, you are not my grandmother." He objected in a high pitched squeal, "My grandma's name is Apolline." He told her firmly.
Audré held her hands in surrender at Adrian, "Yes, yes, you are right." She said apologetically, "Apolline Delacour is your grandma but I am also your grandma, Adrian." She said to him warmly, "You have three grandmas, Adrian and I am one of them. The other one is over there, see that lady?" she pointed at the standing form of Narcissa Malfoy who was two feet away from her while curiously observing them, "She is your third grandma, Adrian." she informed him in an encouraging tone, "And this is my daughter, Lillian." She indicated at the young lady standing beside her, "She's your aunt Lillian. We all love you Adrian and we will never hurt you. I promise. Don't be scared of us, dear and please come out." She prayed to the scared child.
But Adrian simply refused to acknowledge that he had two new grandmothers and a new aunt. He shook his head stubbornly and retreated deeper under the bush.
Audré was at her wits end now and decided to whip up a friendly conversation in order to make the boy feel comfortable at their presence. "That's a really beautiful rabbit, you have got, Adrian." she complemented his pet in his arms, "What's his name?" she asked him in a friendly tone.
"His name is Peter and he doesn't talk to strangers. Mama forbids us to talk to strangers." Adrian stated firmly.
Audré looked around in desperation to find another new device to lure the boy out and finally found one, "Adrian" she called him after some time, "You must be hungry, my dear child. Do you want to eat something?" she offered him in a tempting voice.
"No, Mama says not to take food from any stranger too." again came Adrian's firm answer.
Audré resigned and stood up cursing Draco under her breath. She looked at the small shadowy crouching form under the bush and then looked up at the sky as a large raindrop hit her face.
The boy was not going to come out easily. Adrian would rather get drenched in rain but leave his shelter. She pointed her wand at the hibiscus bush and moments later a large bubble appeared that covered it, protecting Adrian from oncoming rain.
The rain started to fall in earnest now and Audré just stood there stoically.
The innocent boy who was supposed to sleep peacefully cuddling his rabbit and his mother was now crouching under a bush – scared, hungry and thirsty. She felt like it was her fault that she couldn't foresee that it was coming; that Draco was going out of her control. She had been basking under the glory of her manipulative powers; too blind to notice any subtle changes in his behaviour.
Audré closed her eyes and looked up into the sky. Hot tears of guilt and failure started to flow down her cheek.
'Let the rain come down and wash away my tears.' She thought as tears and raindrops mingled and flowed down her face.
'How did this turn out like this? How?' she asked herself crying shamelessly now, 'I was trying to help Draco come out of his depression and instead I led him to an innocent child.' She thought shaking from heavy sobs, 'This was not supposed to end like this, Adrian. I vowed to myself that I would protect you and your mother the moment I came to know what Draco had done to your mother. I swore that I would keep you separate until Draco is reformed. But I failed you, Adrian. I failed you.' She thought as tears of anguish escaped her eyes.
Lillian, who had rarely seen her mother crying like this, came forward, "Maman, don't cry!" she said embracing her, "Everything will be alright. Don't worry, Maman." She said stroking her hair.
"You don't understand, Lillian." Audré said between her heavy sobs as she embraced her daughter, "Draco has scared the child so much that he would not be able to trust any of us for a very long time." she said sniffing like a child herself, "A child's trust is a very fragile thing. Once broken, it leaves a marred impression on them." She said in a pained voice.
The rain poured upon the embracing form of mother and daughter as Audré cried her helplessness out. The tears that left her eyes made her feel lighter and then a fuel that she never knew she possessed ignited inside her. Her blue eyes flew open, blazing as a new determination brought her to her senses.
'Draco Malfoy will pay for this!' she said fisting her hands and gritting her teeth. She left Lillian's embrace and straightened herself to her full height.
"You are right Lillian, my dear," she said to her daughter, "I am Audré Chombrun Malfoy and I will make sure that everything ends the way it should be." She said firmly and walked them back under the portico where Narcissa was standing already to avoid the rain.
"What is it, Audré?" she asked her, "Won't he come out?"
Audré shook her head and cast a drying spell on Lillian and her soaked clothes and hair before conjuring a towel to dry themselves, "He's very scared, Narcissa. I have tried my best but thanks to Draco, he doesn't trust us at all." She said to her bitterly.
Narcissa eyes the hibiscus bush through the downpour and turned to Audré, "I really don't understand it, Audré." She told her, "What might the boy have that made Draco do such an irrational act?" she asked her skeptically.
Audré was about to answer when she heard her son Julian call her from the corridors.
"Maman? Maman?" his voice echoed through the long corridor and Audré closed her eyes realizing what was coming.
"I am here, Julian, under the portico." She called from her place and Julian appeared minutes later followed by two ministry officials.
He reached his mother, confusion etched in his face and stopped before her.
"What is this, mother?" he asked her looking startled, "I thought you ladies were in bed in such a weather." He said with a hint of annoyance in his voice, "What are you doing here?" he asked them.
"We are waiting for Draco." Audré replied to her son evenly.
"Why?" Julian asked looking even more surprised, "And where is he?"
"He went to fetch Adrian's mother." Audré answered him simply.
Julian would have enquired further but the ministry officials chose to interrupt their enigmatic conversation at that moment and Julian was forced to stop.
"Good Evening, Madame Malfoy!" one of them, a portly man with grey hair, addressed Audré, "We have been informed that a boy named Adrian Granger, who was enlisted under the ministry in the custody of H.J. Granger has been brought here by force." He told her in a serious voice, "Is it true?" he asked Audré.
Audré nodded and sighed deeply, "Yes, it is true, Monsieur." She affirmed them, "Adrian's father Draco Lucius Malfoy himself brought him here, though unfortunately the child still doesn't know that Draco is his father." She explained to them.
"Where is Monsieur Draco Malfoy?" the other employee asked this time.
"He left to bring Adrian's mother Jean Granger." Audré replied calmly.
"But we have no document suggesting that they are a married couple." The first employee informed Audré. "Draco Malfoy's name was not mentioned in Adrian Granger's magical birth certificate." He told her.
"Obviously, Monsieur since they are not married." Audré confessed, "And I know that the child may pass under minister's guardianship in that case." Audré confirmed them, "But I am hopeful that they'll return as a married couple and the child will be safe with them." She said to them in assuring manner, "In any case, we still have six hours before Adrian is passed under the ministry and if you have any doubts regarding his safety in my Château, please feel free to be our guest for the night." She offered them confidently.
The ministry officials looked at each other and communicated silently before turning to Audré again.
"We thank you for the offer, Madame, but we must respectfully decline." Said the first employee, "Your family is a reputed one and you, yourself were one of the best Public Prosecutors in France. We don't doubt your intentions, Madame. For now, we will leave the child under your protection but we will return in the morning to see how the matter has progressed." He informed her.
Audré nodded in acknowledgement at them, "Thank you very much, Monsieur." She said giving them an elegant smile, "I will try my best not to disappoint you." She said humbly.
The officials bade her goodbye and left immediately. Julian eyed his mother and aunt.
"Will somebody explain me what's going on here?" he said irritably at them.
Audré looked at the sky and noticed that the rain was over. The sky was clear now, sporting a slice of white moon overshadowed by thin misty clouds. She then turned her gaze to the bubble covered hibiscus bush.
"Come and see yourself." She said to her son and left the portico.
The small group followed her silently and reached the bush under which Adrian had taken shelter. With a silent sweep of her wand, Audré removed the bubble and the most exquisite scene hit their eyes.
There laid Adrian - sleeping while still clutching his rabbit to his chest, his small form curled, his curly silver hairs gently waving in cool breeze, his innocent angelic face looking unearthly in moonlight. He looked like a divine child, as if made by the gods and goddesses and placed there under the bush as an epitome of pure innocence. Everyone looked at his sleeping form enchanted, not daring to make a single sound lest it should awake and scare Adrian, as he breathed lightly in sleep.
Narcissa bent down and crouched forward to get a good glimpse of her alleged grandson. After several minutes of scrutiny, when she carefully stood up, her eyes were full of tear and she uttered a single sentence in whisper,
"Now I understand completely, why Draco brought him here." She said to them, her voice full of emotion, "He is Draco in miniature."
Audré eyed her sister in law and looked again at sleeping Adrian.
"He might look like Draco, Narcissa; but I assure you he is his mother through and through." She commented firmly before conjuring a small white pillow and blanket to place it magically over Adrian.
"Precious baby, sweetly sleep
Sleep in peace
Sleep in comfort, slumber deep
I will rock you, rock you, rock you
I will rock you, rock you, rock you"
She whispered at him and ushered the others to go inside so that Adrian could sleep peacefully.
"Will you not come, Maman?" her Julian asked her in surprise while Lillian waited by him.
"No" Audré shook her head, "Your Mama is going to watch over this boy until his Mama arrives." She said to him gently, "Go inside, son. You are tired and we have much to deal with tomorrow morning." she said patting gently on his shoulder.
Julian left without another word though Audré knew he and Lillian would be sleeping on the sitting room sofas instead of their bedrooms just to make sure she found them whenever she needed.
'Children can be so amazing sometimes.' Audré smiled and commented to herself eyeing her offspring and Adrian respectively.
•••••
Draco looked around the Delacour sitting room lazily feeling his despair leave him and a sense of triumph emerge at it's place.
'Finally I succeeded in my mission.' He thought smugly eyeing the fifteen century antique vases adorning the mantelpiece, 'I have Claimed Adrian and stopped the Mudblood's marriage in the process. Now she will have to live with me and I'll punish her accordingly for using Cruciatus on me.' He smirked at the thought.
'Oh, Draco, you are just genius!' he praised himself upon discovery.
Alexis and Gustave Delacour, who were standing a few feet away and talking, suddenly stopped and looked at the door. Draco followed their gaze and saw Hermione in white dress robes accompanied by Apolline.
'My dear Mudblood bride!' he sneered at Hermione and stood up. She looked nothing compared to Astoria who was graceful on her wedding day. Draco curled his lips in disgust at the sight of a plain looking Hermione.
He would have continued on his scrutiny of her but Gabrielle accompanied by Eva and Edmound appeared at that moment through the door.
The grandfather clock issued twelve chimes and it was officially Sunday now.
"Won't she need any rings or flowers for the wedding?" Gabrielle asked her mother noticing Hermione's empty hands.
"Rings are not necessary for the couple in 'Sacred Marriage', Gabrielle." Her mother informed her evenly, "Besides, we don't have time for such luxuries as wedding rings when Adrian's guardianship is in jeopardy."
Gabrielle gave Draco a dirty look and he scoffed.
'The Delacours think that they are outsmarting me by making me do some ridiculous 'Sacred Marriage'.' Draco thought raising an eyebrow at Gabrielle's direction, 'The fools don't even realize that I am not after that Mudblood. I am marrying her in order to get my son permanently and no foolish vow or nonsense ritual can prevent me from punishing her. I'll simply brainwash Adrian to leave his mother's ridiculous beliefs and turn him on my side. And the Mudblood will be left alone to witness the great transformation. That will be her ultimate punishment.' Draco felt immensely proud imagining his victory.
He eyed Hermione who looked so pale as if she was on her death bed.
'Let's get married, Mudblood!' he thought triumphantly.
•••••
Always being the bookworm she was famous for, Hermione Granger had read almost all the classic story books by the time she was ten. One of them was 'Hunchback of Notre Dame', a tragic gothic novel by Victor Hugo which was centered on Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
In the story a beautiful gypsy dancer, Esmeralda, captured the heart of many men including the archdeacon of Notre dame - Claude Frollo. Torn between his obsessive lust and rules of the church, Frollo tried to kidnap Esmeralda using his adopted son Quasimodo, a hunchback. But when Esmeralda rejected his offer to lie with him, Frollo - blind with his mad attraction and jealous rage, framed Esmeralda for attempted murder on a captain of king's army, which eventually led to Esmeralda's execution by hanging.
With some minor exceptions almost every major event in the novel took place within, atop, and around the outside of the cathedral, and also could be witnessed by a character standing within, atop, and around the outside of the cathedral.
'Ironically there could be no more appropriate place than the Notre dame Cathedral for the most tragic event of her life – marriage to Draco Malfoy, her violator.' Hermione thought ruefully as she faced the magnificent High Altar inside Notre Dame de Paris.
'This is not the altar of marriage. This is the altar of sacrifice.' She thought eyeing the High Altar. The Altar was adorned with a towering statue of the Virgin holding in her arms her dead son – the Christ while figures of Emperor Louis XIII knelt on her left - offering his crown and scepter, and his descendent Emperor Louis XIV on her right, in identical pose without the crown and scepter. It was made of Egyptian marble, cut in the form of an antique sarcophagus, decorated on all sides by cherubim and other rich ornaments in gilded bronze. Three circular steps of Languedoc marble preceded the altar, and the sanctuary itself was approached by four steps in similar, material, bordered by a superb balustrade in marble and gilded bronze, magnificently chiseled.
No gold, diamond, crown or empire could replace for Adrian in her life. Adrian would die without her and Hermione without him. She would not be holding her son's dead body in her arms like the Virgin was holding the Christ, portrayed in the sculptures placed on the High Altar.
'My son is worth everything.' Hermione said to herself determinedly as the sorceress Marianne approached her and Draco Malfoy – standing side by side before the Altar.
"Well, since the cathedral is no longer a parish for Muggles, so baptisms, marriages and funerals are not held here – except for very rare occasions." She informed them and looked around the small group which consisted of the Delacours and Hermione's friends – Eva and Edmound, "However, since I have to perform both Sacred Marriage and Handfasting, I considered that Notre Dame Cathedral was the best option." She explained to them.
An eerie silence followed her proclamation. The church usually closed down at seven thirty in the evening and there were no visitors inside. Besides the small number of guests gathered for Hermione and Draco's marriage were uncharacteristically silent and grave.
"Madame Delacour" Marianne addressed Apolline who was standing next to Hermione holding her hand tightly, "Please light the candles manually. No wand please." She instructed her.
Apolline left Hermione's hand and lighted five red and one white candle placed between the couple and Sorceress.
"The red ones are called God candles and the white one is called Goddess candle, named upon the mythological God Zeus and Goddess Hera. These are an essential part of performing sacred marriage." She informed them.
Hermione remained silent while her partner Draco snorted, both showing no interest in the meaning of the oncoming rituals.
"Draco Malfoy." Marianne addressed the groom in front of her, "Please ask for your bride's hand." She told him.
Hermione, her head turned on the opposite direction, saw from the corner of her eyes that Draco fisted his hand once and then held it straight to her, asking her silently to hold it. She sighed and placed her trembling hand on his one.
Draco's hand was cold and Hermione felt a shiver run down her spine as their skin came in contact.
'Adrian! I will do anything for Adrian!' she repeated the mantra in her head and tried to dissociate her body from her hand that was now gripped tightly by Draco Malfoy.
"Hermione Jean Granger and Draco Lucius Malfoy" Hermione heard Marianne address them both, "Know now before you go further, that since your lives have crossed in this life, you are about to form eternal and sacred bonds." She said to them solemnly, "As you seek to enter this state of matrimony, know that, you should strive to give meaning to this ceremony and the sacred institution of marriage. With full awareness, know that within this circle you are not only declaring your intent to be hand fasted before your friends and family; but you speak that intent to your creative higher powers. The promises made here today, if broken will take away your magical abilities. Do you still seek to enter this ceremony?" she asked them.
"Yes" Draco Malfoy drawled lazily from her side gripping Hermione's hand tighter.
"Yes" Hermione said closing her eyes and picturing Adrian.
"Hermione and Draco" Marianne called them again, "I bid you to turn and look into each other's eyes." She instructed them.
Eyes still closed, Hermione turned slowly to face Draco Malfoy and opened them.
Her partner was looking at her directly, his cold grey eyes full of malice and evil. She felt like looking into the eyes of a cold blooded serpent and the lioness inside her roared in defense. Fired with new determination Hermione faced her adversary with flame of rage and defiance in her brown blazing eyes.
"Will you honour and respect one another and seek to never break that honour?" Hermione heard Marianne asking them.
"We will" Hermione and Draco replied in unison trying to crush each other's hand and Marianne draped a silk cord over the couples' joined hand.
"And so the first binding is made." She declared before preceding to the next vow, "Will you share each other's pain and seek to ease it?" she asked them.
"We will." The couple replied.
"And so the second binding is made."Marianne declared draping their hands with a second cord, "Will you share the burdens of each other so that your spirits may grow in unison?
"We will" the reply echoed across the empty cathedral.
"And the third binding is made." Marianne draped the third cord over their hands, "will you share each other's laughter and look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other?"
"We will" Hermione and Draco replied boring into each other's eyes.
"And so the final binding is made." Marianne proclaimed and tied the four cords together which glowed immediately and wrapped their united hands like strings of light.
"Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy, as your hands are bound together now, so your lives and spirits are joined in a union of love and trust. Above you are the Stars and below you is the Earth. Like the stars your love should be a constant source of light and like the earth, a firm foundation from which to grow. By the laws imposed upon me, I sorceress Marianne Chevalier officially announce you - man and wife." She declared to the group.
No one except Apolline and Gustave clapped and the wedding was over.
Hermione looked at her newly married husband, her heart full of fear, rage, desperation and sadness. "Take me to my son, Malfoy." She ordered him in a defiant voice.
He smirked at her evilly, "The correct term will be 'our', Granger. Adrian is our son." he said and wrapped his arm around her waist before turning on the spot, disapparating them to Château.
•••••
Draco appeared in the lush gardens of his uncle's Château moments later. He was feeling elated at the prospect of being introduced to his son for the first time.
Granger was struggling against him to let go of her and he withdrew his arms immediately. That woman was not even worthy of his looking at her, let alone his embrace. He had held her blasted hand enough for a life time and had no intention of touching her again.
"Where is Adrian?" Draco heard Hermione demand at him and he pointed at the direction where Adrian had ran earlier, "He ran that way." He snapped at her.
Hermione immediately started running along the path and Draco followed her triumphantly. He was close to his goal.
'Soon Granger will explain that I am Adrian's real father and he'll come running at me.' Draco thought, his heart already swelling in pride and pleasure.
'I have done what no Pureblood father could have done.' He thought smugly as they reached the portico leading to the Château, 'I have married a Mudblood to get my Half-blood son. Not even my father would have done that!' he thought proudly.
"Where is he?" Hermione's question brought Draco back from his reverie and he looked around. His son was nowhere to be seen but his aunt was sitting on grass a few feet away, looking intently at a particular bush.
"If the Ministry has already claimed him, Malfoy, I swear upon my son Adrian that you'll regret the day you were born." Hermione said to him through gritted teeth and Draco fisted his hands. The Wizard's Oath and the Sacred Marriage Vows both prevented him from hitting her straight on her face; otherwise he would have slapped her hard. The memories of her Cruciatus and kicks were still fresh on his mind and he wanted to return them to her with interest.
Draco was about to retort when he noticed his aunt wave at their direction. "Follow me, Mudblood!" he spat at Hermione and left at his aunt's direction.
They reached there in a moment and Audré, who had stood up in the meantime motioned them to stay quiet. She then pointed them at the direction of the bush she was previously staring at and turning his head at it, Draco gasped.
Adrian was sleeping beneath the bush holding his sleeping rabbit.
"My son, Adrian!" he heard Hermione exclaim loudly and run at his direction instantly. He watched as she reached the hibiscus bush and picked up Adrian in her arms, crying and laughing at the same moment.
"Adrian! My little rabbit! Wake up my love! Wake up! Mama is here!" she cried and kissed him feverishly, "Mama's little rabbit, wake up!" she shook her sleeping son.
"Mama!" Adrian was awake in an instant and exclaimed noticing his mother, "Mama you are here." He said breathlessly, "I was scared, Mama. I was scared! And Peter was scared too." he said hugging his mother tightly.
"There is nothing to be scared of anymore, my love." Hermione cooed to her son and continued kissing him on his cheek, "Mama is here and you are safe now." she said hugging him even tighter.
"How did you bring her, Draco?" Draco heard his aunt ask him while observing the reunion of mother with her son.
"I married her." Draco told her simply, "Happy now?" he asked her tilting his head.
Audré turned to Draco and looked straight into his grey eyes, "Happiness is a subjective term Draco. What may be the source of one's happiness can be the cause of another's sorrow." She commented before turning her gaze to Hermione again, "The ministry officials came after you left, Draco. I guess you two had no choice than to marry each other."
Draco nodded silently at her and went to the hibiscus bush, feeling impatient to be introduced to his son.
"Will you not introduce us, Granger?" he asked Hermione as she stood up holding Adrian in her arms protectively.
Hermione eyed him with indifference, "Now?" she asked him nonchalantly.
"Yes, Now!" Draco snapped at her.
Hermione turned her gaze at Adrian who was looking at Draco with immense dislike, "Adrian, do you want to know who this man is?" she asked him.
Adrian nodded his head, "He's the man who brought me and Peter here!" he said holding his rabbit tightly in his arms, "He scared us both." He complained to his mother.
"Well, that's his nature, little rabbit." Hermione commented eyeing Draco, "He bullies and scares people. He loves doing it." she informed him sarcastically.
"Granger!" Draco growled at Hermione feeling his blood boil, "Tell him who I am." He ordered her impatiently.
Hermione narrowed her eyes at him and turned to her son, "Adrian, do you know who he really is?" she asked him again.
Adrian shook his little head this time and grasped his mother tighter.
Hermione sighed and gave her son a small smile, "His name is Draco Malfoy." She said pointing at Draco's direction, "And he is your father." She told him evenly.
This was the moment Draco had been waiting for ever since found out Adrian was his son. He gave Adrian a genuine smile before extending his hand at him, "I am your father, Adrian." he introduced himself with a flourish, "Come to me, I won't hurt you." He assured him in a gentle tone.
But the look Adrian was giving him made him feel unnerved.
The innocent grey eyes that met his identical pair sported no joy or excitement at the revelation. They displayed fear, dislike and something close to hatred.
"You are my father?" Draco heard Adrian ask him, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"Yes, I am your father." Draco answered feeling jubilant at his victory.
"Are you Pureblood?" came Adrian's next question and Draco was taken aback, not expecting questions about his blood status.
'Well, probably he wants to check whether his father is powerful enough or not.' The possibility hit him and Draco felt relieved, 'Boys always picture their fathers as their heroes and who can be a better hero than a pureblood father?' he thought smugly as his earlier confidence returned to him.
"Yes, I am a pureblood, dear son." he declared with a confident smile, "In fact I am one of the very few real purebloods that still exits!" he informed Adrian proudly.
Adrian however looked completely unabashed at the knowledge that his father was one of the elite purebloods. His innocent gaze hardened considerably and he leaned against his mother.
"Do you hate half-bloods and Muggleborns?" came his next question and Draco was rendered speechless.
'How does he know that?' he looked at Adrian incredulously.
"Do you hate Mama because she is not pureblood?" Adrian's next question tore straight through Draco's heart and he felt horrified for the first time at the accurateness of his son's assumption.
Draco tried to shake his head in denial but it automatically nodded, hypnotized under Adrian's innocent but hard gaze.
"Do you hate me because I am not Pureblood?" Adrian asked his father the fatal question and Draco closed his eyes in horror.
'This is not happening to me.' He told himself, 'This is just a nightmare and Adrian is not asking me these harrowing questions!' he thought firmly and opened his eyes again.
But everything that was happening to him was real and Adrian was staring at him, waiting for his answer.
"Listen Adrian, there has been some misunderstanding." Draco started in a persuasive gentle tone, "It is true that I am Pureblood but I don't hate you, my son." he confessed, his voice full of emotion, "I am your father and I love you. Please believe me, my son, I love you." He pleaded to him.
"No, you don't." Adrian's proclamation was so strong for a five year old boy that Draco became speechless again, "You hate Mama and you hate me because we are not purebloods!" he said heatedly, "You don't care about me or Mama and so you married a pureblood woman." He said accusingly, "You are the reason Mama doesn't have a marriage anniversary. You are the reason Pierre talks bad thinks about Mama. You are the reason Mama came to France to raise me with grandma, grandpa, Aunt Gaby and uncle Alexis." He said in an uncharacteristically violent tone, "You don't love me or Mama like Louis's Papa loves him and his Mama." Adrian admonished him vehemently.
Draco did not know what to say in his defense. His senses had left his body long ago. All that was left was darkness in his heart.
"Adrian, listen to me." He appealed as a last attempt to clean his tarnished image and extended his arms to embrace him, "I don't hate…."
"No, don't touch me!" Adrian exclaimed and flinched in his mother's arm, "Mama, I am scared! Don't let him touch me and Peter!" he pleaded to his mother.
Hermione need not be told twice and she backed away instantly while raising her wand at Draco, "Don't even dare to touch my son ever again!" she warned him through gritted teeth and wrapped her arms more protectively around Adrian.
Draco was gaping foolishly at the mother and son duo; his earlier triumph now turned to a spectacular defeat.
"Come with me, Jean." He heard his aunt's gentle voice from his side, "My name is Audré Chombrun Malfoy and I am Draco's aunt." she introduced herself, "Though I am a Malfoy by marriage, I swear upon my children that no harm will befall you or Adrian as long as I am alive." She said to them in an assuring tone, "Please give me a chance to prove myself and come with me inside the Château. I have already prepared a suite for you two. I know that both of you had been through a lot already and you need to rest." She offered them gently.
Hermione nodded at her direction and followed Audré silently not withdrawing her wand from him for a second.
They left Draco there, staring blankly at the thin air.
'So I have been chasing after a mirage; just like a thirsty man does in pursuit of illusion of nearby water in the desert.' Was Draco's last thought before he collapsed on ground, finally defeated.