A/N: To everyone who has been reading my story with patience till now –the first Dramione chapter is up now.
Thanks for all the reviews, favourites and follows. They were most rewarding.
Thanks to: nikki98, louisethelibrarian, arya, Ramyfan, lightbabe, Grovek26, v-x-y-zz and 8Poisoned Kindness8 for their kind reviews.
I/R: Thanks all for liking my plot twist. I know it was a bit extreme but considering Hermione's excessive love for Adrian, I thought it was normal.
Arya: I am pleased to hear that I send shiver down your spine. *wink*. Well until you sign up, I'll answer your questions here.
Acknowledgement:
The names of the books and herbs were taken from 'Pagan heart and Medicinal and magical herbs of medieval Europe
The descriptions of brooches were taken from 'Queen's brooches – the royal exhibit'.
The description of Hotel de Brienne was taken from Wikipedia and it's official website. It's a two storied building but I modified it to a five storied one.
The lecture on Civil law was taken from "Lecture notes on introduction of private or civil law" by Gabor Peter Palasti.
The tale of Squirrel Nutkin is Beatrix Potter's property.
Vestibule means an opening, so under the vestibule means 'under an opening' which the chapter's name.
Well I guess, that's it. So enjoy and don't forget to leave a review.
My fiction 'The Poisoned Apple' has been nominated for The Hogwarts award in the category Hermione Romance. It is posted on the site and I would like you to cast your vote on the site under 'vote' tab.
The website is hogwartsawards DOT weebly DOT com **replace DOT with a . The link can also be found in my profile.
THERE IS ALSO 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 26: Under the Vestibule
'She is taking eternity.' Audré thought and eyed her sister-in-law Narcissa Malfoy.
The other blue eyed blonde woman dismissed yet another pair of beautiful diamond earrings and huffed.
"Don't you have something special?" she asked the man who was standing beside her, "I see nothing fit for common ladies in this shop, let alone queens. All these earrings are completely ordinary." She said to the man irritably.
"Would you like to see some brooches then, Madame Malfoy?" the man, who was the proprietor of the shop, offered to Narcissa.
"Yes." Narcissa replied curtly and the proprietor left immediately.
'What is wrong with her?' Audré, who was listening to the conversation, asked herself, 'Why is she taking such a long time to select a piece of jewelry?' she frowned at the thought.
The proprietor Monsieur Aurientalis returned with a salesman who was carrying a large wooden box. He placed it on the table as per his employer's instruction and left.
Monsieur Aurientalis seated himself and opened the lid of the box which revealed a collection of elegant brooches. This piece of jewelry being Audré's most favourite, she leaned forward to examine them.
Place Vendome, the famous square located to the north of the Tuileries Garden, housed almost all the famous Muggle jewelry stores in Paris – Boucheron, Chaumet, Cartier and Philippe Tournaire - to name a few. It was also home to the one and only Wizarding jewelry shop – 'Les Collections de la Reine' or 'The Queen's Collections'.
Wednesday afternoon found Audré and Narcissa Malfoy languidly sitting inside a private chamber in the old yet finely decorated gothic shop as Narcissa browsed through expensive jewelry items.
"How about this Cullinan VII Brooch, Madame?" Monsieur Aurientalis offered a diamond brooch to Narcissa, "The celebrated jeweler Cullinan used an 8.8 carat diamond as pendant and another 6.8 carat one as an oblong to form this timeless piece." He informed her proudly.
Narcissa gave it a frigid look and shook her head disapprovingly.
"Then I am sure you wouldn't say 'no' to this nice Bow Brooch, Madame Malfoy." Monsieur Aurientalis showed her another brooch studded with small diamonds, "It has five hundred and sixty pieces of finest quality diamonds." She offered it to Narcissa for a better look.
Narcissa shook her head again.
"No?" Monsieur Aurientalis looked thoroughly disappointed now, "Can you please describe what you are looking for Madame?" he asked her patiently.
Narcissa was about to reply but this time Audré interrupted her.
"Monsieur," she addressed the proprietor, "Can we be excused for a moment?" she motioned between her and Narcissa.
"Yes, of course." The aged bald man with thick spectacles nodded and left them with the box.
Audré turned to her sister-in-law with a serious expression, "Narcissa, don't mind me asking you, but you have spent the better part of this morning sitting in this shop looking through brooches, ear-rings, bracelets and every imaginable jewelry possible and still haven't reached a decision. Can you please tell me for whom you are buying it, so that I can offer you some help?" she asked barely hiding her impatience.
Narcissa rubbed her hands agitatedly in response and looked away, clearly avoiding Audré's piercing look.
"It's for Gr… Adrian's mother." She whispered after sometime as if admitting something unpleasant.
"Sorry, I did not catch that." Audré, suddenly feeling elated, asked her dryly though she had heard her sister-in-law the first time.
"It's for Adrian's mother." Narcissa repeated louder this time.
Though Audré was not surprised at her declaration, she chose to feign it, "For Adrian's mother? For Jean?" she asked Narcissa arching an eyebrow.
"How many mothers does Adrian have, Audré?" Narcissa asked back, clearly irritated.
"Well, that's a pleasant surprise, Narcissa, considering the fact that Adrian has only one mother and that same mother is someone you don't like." Audré replied leisurely, clearly enjoying the game now, "or seems that you don't like." She added.
"Well, I have my own reasons for that, Audré." Narcissa commented arrogantly.
"Can I be enlightened?" Audré offered sweetly.
"Draco doesn't like her and she also tried to kill me once." Narcissa informed her haughtily.
"So you want to give precious jewelry to your attempted murderer?" Audré taunted her with an innocent look.
Narcissa firmly closed her eyes and opened them again before answering, "She also saved Draco's life after that; so we are quits now." she said through gritted teeth.
Feeling an inexplicable urge to taunt Narcissa, Audré leaned against her chair and sighed deeply, "How remarkable!" she commented, "So, is it a token of gratitude or a symbol of surrender?" she asked her pointedly.
"None, Audré. It is tradition among the Malfoy ladies to give their new daughter….. I mean wife of their son, something and I am merely following it. So there is no need to ridicule me, Audré." Narcissa said tersely.
Audré though didn't take pleasure by jibing others, sometimes resorted to it, since it helped her to retrieve the information she wanted and school the person in return. She cleared her throat and took the Bow Brooch in her elegant hands to watch it more closely.
"You know Narcissa, I usually don't interfere in other people's business and almost never offer advice to unwilling folks," she started slowly and rotated the brooch to see the underside, "But since you are my sister-in-law and I happen to know Jean closely too, am going to offer you a piece of advice – don't try to give her anything in the name of Malfoy traditions." She said before placing the brooch over her left bosom and looking at herself into the mirror, "Jean detests anything and everything that has to do with the name 'Malfoy' and won't accept your gift. Remember, Narcissa that she is not Astoria Greengrass and doesn't give a damn to what the Malfoy's traditions dictates." Audré informed Narcissa firmly, "But if it is a gift from one mother to another mother as a statement of gratitude for saving her son, she may accept it." she said serenely.
"But Audré…" Narcissa tried to protest but Audré cut in.
"No, Narcissa" she said holding out a hand, "I am not ridiculing you. I am merely stating a fact and I am sure that after your first and last encounter on Sunday, you too figured that out. But still if you insist, please carry on." Audré offered Narcissa placidly and reached for another brooch.
Narcissa seemed to contemplate her offer and looked up at Audré, who chose to ignore it completely by placing a sapphire brooch onto her bosom.
"You sure about that?" Audré heard Narcissa asked her.
"What? This brooch?" Audré asked back feigning surprise, though thoroughly enjoying her small victory.
"No, Audré." Narcissa replied in an exasperated tone, "I mean the part about a gift from one mother to another mother." She informed Audré.
"Oh, that one." Audré tried hard not to grin and kept her face as straight as possible, "Yes, of course." She affirmed, "Motherhood is a strange relationship, Narcissa. It can make you do seemingly impossible things. Take yourself as an example – are you not spending a whole afternoon to buy an appropriate gift for someone whom you can hardly stand, just because she saved your only son's life?" she asked back, "Though you are deluding yourself by saying that it's a tradition." She added carefully.
"Well.." Narcissa started but didn't complete her sentence. Instead she sighed.
Recognizing all the signs of defeat in Narcissa, Audré addressed the proprietor and motioned him to come.
"Here, Monsieur." She showed him two brooches, "I'll be taking these two." she informed him and took up another one from the box, "Can you please describe it for Madame Malfoy?" she indicated to her brooding companion.
"An excellent piece you have chosen, Madame Chombrun Malfoy." Monsieur Aurientalis said to her enthusiastically before turning to Narcissa, "Please take a look at this splendid piece of jewelry, Madame Malfoy." He showed her the brooch Audré had offered, "This brooch has a large pearl set into the centre which is surrounded by diamonds." He explained as Narcissa took it for better inspection, "This circle of diamonds is in turn enclosed in a basket weave frame set with diamonds. A further twelve diamonds surround the frame around the edge. And from this hangs a 'U' shaped drop of diamonds which end in three pearl drops. The number of diamonds may be less than other brooches but it is a Goblin made one, Madame. It's a Geccemp." He said with flourish.
"What is a Geccemp?" Narcissa asked him, looking confused.
"Or rather who is Geccemp, Narcissa?" Audré corrected the question, "He is the Head Goblin of Gringotts France and is an exceptionally accomplished jewel crafter. His name alone is a brand because not only does his jewelries are unique but also they are imbibed with goblin magic. They repel dirt and dust and take power from what makes it stronger. They also carry good luck. Not every woman in Paris can afford a Geccemp, Narcissa." Audré said to her wisely.
Narcissa seemed convinced at her explanation and told the proprietor to pack the Diamond Pearl Brooch. Audré was tempted to inform her that Jean worked under Geccemp in Gringotts and almost toyed with such jewelries everyday but restrained herself.
'Let's keep some surprise for future, shall we, Audré?' she thought amusedly.
•••••
Hermione found Apolline in her parlour when she arrived at Delacour residence with Adrian, their left arms plastered.
Apolline, who was completely at a loss of words at the sight, rushed them to kitchen and offered them lunch before proceeding to make 'Sleeping Tea'.
Adrian was still whimpering in pain and having difficulty eating his food. Noticing it, Hermione discarded her lunch and took the fork from his small hand.
"Here, little rabbit, let Mama help you." She offered her son.
"NO!" Adrian exclaimed at her and left the chair he was sitting on, "You won't help me. YOU WON'T HELP ME!" he shouted and stomped his little feet on the ground.
Both Apolline and Hermione were surprised at Adrian's reaction.
"Why, my dear? Why can't Mama help you?" Apolline asked the angry little boy who was eyeing Hermione with anguish.
"Because Mama broke her arm for me and I …. I just watched." Adrian flared up in uncharacteristic anger, "I am her man and I failed her. I failed to take care of my Mama." He said his wide grey eyes full of misery, "I am not a good son. It's because of me that she is in pain. I slipped from broom and broke my arm and Mama broke her arm so that I don't have to suffer alone. I am a bad son and I broke my Mama's arm." He said vehemently and started crying.
Hermione was rendered speechless at her son's declaration.
"Here here, my little man, come to grandma now." Apolline offered the crying boy before her gently, "Come to me, my dear." She said spreading her arms and kneeling down.
Adrian ran into her arms and buried his face in Apolline's shoulder.
"Now, now, what is it that I am seeing?" Apolline asked Adrian, stroking his silvery blonde curls, "My little man is crying? Hm?" she rubbed his small back and kissed him on the cheek.
Adrian only sobbed harder in response.
"Now, Adrian, that's enough crying for a brave man like you!" Apolline chided him, "No more crying and please wipe your tears so that we can have a little talk about what wrong has Mama done." She offered to the little boy in her arms.
Adrian calmed down and wiped his tears with his uninjured hand. Apolline carried him to the nearest chair and set him on it before kneeling down in front of him.
"Now, my little brave man, explain what really happened." She said to him.
Still sniffing and wiping his tears, Adrian told his grandma about the incident in school. Hermione, who was still at a loss of words, listened to him.
"So who told you about the 'man' thing?" she heard Apolline ask her son.
Adrian sniffed again, "Louis told me that. His father told him to be good to his sisters and his Mama because he is a man and it's a man's duty to protect his ladies." He replied proudly.
Hermione, no longer able to carry her own weight, slumped on a chair.
'Is it my innocent Adrian who is saying that? The same boy who shares blood with Draco Malfoy?' she thought incredulously.
"Who is a lady, Adrian?" she heard Apolline enquire further.
"A lady is someone who takes care of man at home." Her son stated, "They are very respectable and we men should take care of them in every way. A good son never hurts his Mama." Adrian declared firmly.
Apolline looked up at Hermione sporting pleasant surprise and satisfaction.
"Well, then say sorry to Mama and she will surely forgive you." She offered him hopefully.
Adrian sniffed audibly again, "I already told her but she still did that thing to her arm." He huffed.
"Then Mama will say sorry. Won't you Jean?" Apolline asked Hermione, who nodded and stood up.
"Of course, Adrian, my man," she said finally finding her voice, "Mama is sorry that Mama made you cry but Mama just couldn't see you in pain." She said, her eyes shining with tear.
Adrian darted a look at her and took up his fork, "Mama is forgiven and if Mama forgives me then I'll take my lunch myself." He said firmly.
"Little rabbit is forgiven." Hermione stated simply and sat on her chair again.
The lunch soon resumed and Apolline went back to her brewing of 'Sleeping Tea'.
Across the table Hermione eyed her son who was eating his lunch despite obvious difficulty.
'Can anyone ever believe that boy's father is the man who violated his mother?' she thought gravely.
•••••
Example 1.1
When Janis and Inga decided that Janis will buy Inga's watch, they both have the option to decide whether or not Janis will buy Inga's watch and Inga will sell the watch – that is to say whether to make the contract for the sale of Inga's watch. The same is true of the question of what the major conditions of the deal will be – price, time and place of performance.
Another quite different set of case is one in which this equality between parties doesn't exist. In those cases one of the parties is subordinated to the other, one of the parties can compel the other to enter into a legal relationship with it and dictate the terms. For example, when Janis has to pay taxes to the tax authority of his country, he can't say, "No, I don't want to pay tax." Or alter the terms like he can't say, "Oh I am willing to pay tax but at a later time."
Draco closed his uncle's copy of "Introduction to Civil Law" and leaned against his chair.
He had been trying to read that same paragraph for last thirty minutes now.
But somehow his brain was refusing to capture a single word. At this rate it would take him the entire night to read a single page.
Feeling tired and confused, Draco rubbed his forehead wearily and then looked at his fingers.
'Granger's blood was red. It was red, clean and warm. It was bright red, not bluish red, not greenish red or any other form of red.'
'Of course her blood is red. What did you expect it to be? Human blood is always red but that doesn't mean she can't be a Mudblood?'
'Aaahhhh! What has that got to do with her blood status? I was merely saying it is red and clean.'
'Her blood can never be clean. She is a Mudblood.'
'In fact, according to aunt Audré it is her blood that is clean. Even mine is….'
Feeling restless and irritated, Draco punched into his own palm and stood up from his table.
"I am to be damned for this." He said to himself loudly and left his suite.
The potions lab was empty as usual when he arrived there. It seemed that his aunt was right about her son and daughter never using it.
Knowing that the lab once belonged to his aunt's mother Josée Laval, who died of a potion accident, Draco looked around the place with interest now. He realized now that, it was natural for his aunt not to like to use this place since this could be where she lost her mother.
During his brewing Draco had noticed that aside from the workbenches and ingredients cupboard, the lab also sported a spacious book case which was filled with numerous volumes and he stood in front of it to examine their names.
The Canon of Potion making by Avicenna (980-1037)
Causea et Curae by Hildegard of Bingen (circa 1150)
De Viribus Herbarum by Macer Aemilius (10th century)
Analgesiocorum Medicamomentorum Experimentis by Cophon (1880)
Feeling curious Draco reached for the last book and retrieved it from the bookcase.
"Experiments on Painkillers by Cophon" he muttered, translating the name from Latin to English.
The tome though looked extremely old, was well taken care of – it's black leather cover that was gilded at the corner – still shining. Draco placed the book on the workbench and opened the cover carefully.
A beautiful feminine writing across the front page proclaimed that it was the property of Madame Josée Laval Chombrun.
"That's aunt Audré's mother." Draco commented and turned the pages.
For a book almost a century old, the pages were surprisingly crisp, not a single wrinkle on them and Draco was impressed how his aunt had taken care of her mother's prized possessions. He scanned through the index.
'Migraine Headaches'
'Nervous Tension'
'Skullcap Blend'
'Soothing bath for Tension Headache'
'Menstrual Cramps'
'Sprain and aching Muscle Treatment'
'Arthritis Treatment'
Draco muttered under his breath as he browsed through the lengthy list, translating the names.
'Pain Relieving Concoction' he read the name and came to a pause to check the page number.
"Page 874" he read running his long finger across the heading and flipped the tome to open it from backwards.
"I am doomed." He said to himself as the contents of the page 874 revealed itself - minuscule Latin writings that covered three pages.
"I'll get back to you for this, Granger." He said bitterly and sighing heavily, started reading the Latin text.
Soon he was lost in it, completely forgetting his earlier vow of vengeance.
•••••
When Hermione entered her quarter at Château de la Grange-Bleneau at seven thirty in the evening, she found it already occupied.
Adrian had fallen sleep - partly from exhaustion and partly from the 'Sleeping Tea' that Apolline had whipped up for him so that he didn't have to endure fracture pain throughout the night and Hermione, her left arm fractured, was unable carry him through Floo network. Gabrielle had consented willfully to carry sleeping Adrian to her quarters on her stead and her mother had packed some of her belongings enough for a week, during which she would be staying with Hermione and Adrian to take better care of them.
Thinking that it might be Audré, Hermione motioned Gabrielle to take Adrian to bed upstairs and approached the sitting room only to find that it was her friend Eva, sitting on a sofa.
"Eva!" Hermione exclaimed, feeling surprised at her friends sudden visit, "What are you doing here? Is everything alright?" she asked her friend.
Her friend, who had already noticed Hermione's bandaged left forearm, stood up at once and rushed to her, "What happened to you, Jean?" she asked her looking shocked, "What is this?" she pointed at the cast.
Hermione smiled and waved her hand at her friend, "It's nothing." She said to her airily, "I broke my arm." She informed her looking unabashed.
"Broke your arm!" Eva exclaimed loudly, "What do you mean by broke your arm? Are you not a witch, Jean Granger? Then why didn't you heal it?" she asked Hermione incredulously.
"Because I don't want to heal it, Eva." Hermione announced firmly, "Besides Adrian broke his arm too. So we both will be suffering together for a while, I guess." She said to her stunned friend and offered her to take a seat, "I thought that the Floo is warded. How did you get in?" she asked her casually.
"I know your Floo is warded, Jean, so I went to Madame Chombrun and she brought me here." Her friend, who was still wide eyed with shock, informed her.
"Why Eva?" Hermione frowned at her friend, "Is everything alright?" she asked her.
Her friend suddenly became very pale and looked away from Hermione.
"What's it, Eva?" Hermione asked her friend again, completely sure now that something was indeed wrong, "What happened? For Merlin's sake Eva, tell me." she demanded loudly.
But instead of stating what was wrong with her, Eva simply started to cry.
"Eva!" Hermione jumped out of her chair and rushed to her side, "Why are you crying like this?" she asked her anxiously.
"It's my fault, Jean. It's….all….my….fault." Eva sobbed and suddenly embraced Hermione.
"What's your fault?" Hermione asked her friend feeling foolish.
Her friend simply sobbed.
"Listen, Eva." Hermione shook her friend firmly, "I have seen enough crying for today and I simply can't take anymore." She declared at her, "First Adrian and now you. Tell me what it is?" she asked impatiently.
"I am sorry Jean that you had to marry that man. It's completely my fault." Her friend said at last.
"How is that so, Eva?" Hermione asked her sharply.
"You remember the day before we left for Brussels, Jean? That day when you send Adrian to Tuileries with me?" Eva asked Hermione who nodded, "It was there that Draco Malfoy met Adrian. I remembered his face yesterday. Adrian was very excited that afternoon and was running around the whole garden. I couldn't keep up with him and he suddenly went to the adjoining street 'Quai de Tuileries'. There he must have run into that man because by the time I reached there he was staring at Adrian in a bewildered sort of way. You know how handsome Adrian already is and how he attracts people wherever he goes. So I thought that he must be one of those who was trying to talk to Adrian. I immediately took Adrian from him and disapparated. But look where it got you. He almost hunted you down and forced you to marry him. I am sorry, Jean. If I were a little bit more careful you wouldn't be in this situation. You would have been married to Alexis and living happily with the Delacours." Eva said through tear strained voice.
Hermione sighed and closed her eyes, "Why didn't you tell me that before, Eva?" she asked her friend.
"I hardly noticed his face that day at Tuileries, Jean." Eva informed her, "I was so worried about Adrian that I didn't pay attention to him. But that day when I saw him in the Delacour's sitting room before your marriage, it struck me that I have seen him somewhere else before. But I couldn't remember – where, until yesterday. Then I asked about him to Madame Delacour and she told me that he's the one who tortured you and now married you because he wants Adrian. I am so sorry, Jean. I should have been more careful." She said apologetically.
Hermione straightened herself to her full height and looked down at her friend.
"No, Eva." She shook her head, "It's not your fault. In fact it is no one's fault." She said to her firmly, "I am not a weak woman and I, certainly won't let him win against me once more." Her voice was strong, "If he ever tries to touch my Adrian again, I'll personally make sure that he is behind the bars and then I'll appeal to the Ministry for Adrian's full custody saying that, that bigot scares my son." Hermione informed her friend.
"But it's impossible to undo 'Claiming' once it is done." Eva said in an exasperated tone.
Hermione arched an eyebrow at her friend, "Honesty Eva, you call yourself a French and don't even know what Napoleon Bonaparte said once." She taunted her friend, "He said 'Impossible is a word to be found only in the dictionary of fools'." She quoted the famous Muggle line, "And I assure you, Eva, Hermione Jean Granger is not a fool." She said confidently.
"But what are you going to do?" Eva asked her friend, looking shocked and pleased simultaneously.
Hermione thought about the only place she resorted to when in trouble. That place had never failed her.
"I'll go to the library." She declared to her stunned friend.
•••••
Audré smiled gently at her daughter Lillian, who exclaimed loudly upon receiving her gift.
"Maman! That's really beautiful." She said examining her brooch, "It will go well with my blue dress robes." She commented noticing the sapphire.
"And it will go well with your blue eyes too." Narcissa remarked wisely.
Evening tea was over and the three Malfoy ladies were having a nice chat over their shopping today. Narcissa showed Lillian the diamond and pearl brooch she had purchased for Hermione and Lillian praised it immensely.
"That's really a marvelous piece of jewel." Lillian said looking impressed, "You said it's a Geccemp?" she asked Narcissa.
"The proprietor said so." Narcissa said looking smug, "But it's Audré who suggested it to me." She patted Audré hand appreciatively.
"Geccemp brooches are really rare." Lillian said laying the brooch in it's box, "I have heard that that goblin doesn't make women's jewelry very often and he is also very selective about clients. Maman has two Geccemps – a necklace that Papa gave her when Julian was born and a tiara that my grandpa gave her for her marriage. I have already asked for that tiara for my wedding." She said and eyed her mother affectionately.
"You are really rich, Audré." Narcissa teased her sister-in-law.
"Am I, Narcissa? Just because I own two Geccemps?" Audré asked her, deciding to do justice on the topic, "But I think you are even richer than me." She commented, "You have something that no Geccemp can ever make."
"What?" Narcissa asked her looking confused.
"Adrian." Audré proclaimed with pride, "That little boy is worth dying for, Narcissa, he's such an innocent and unique boy. Even Julian was not like him when he was five." She confessed casting a sideway look at Lillian, "Jean has done an excellent job in raising him. In my opinion, Narcissa, there could be no finer mother." Audré said confidently.
Narcissa seemed to consider her words and leaned back on her chair.
Deciding to let her stew in her own thoughts, Audré stood up, motioned her daughter to follow her and left the parlour.
They were passing by the Potions lab when Audré noticed light coming from under the door.
"Lillian, go and keep that brooch in your iron safe." She instructed her daughter, "I have some talking to do with Draco." She informed her.
Lillian nodded and left Audré in the corridor.
Audré gently pushed the door open and peeped inside.
Draco was standing by his usual workbench and stirring the contents of a silver cauldron.
Feeling curious, Audré proceeded to her nephew, who she noticed was following the instructions of a Latin book.
"So who is going to be poisoned this time, Draco?" she asked him casually.
Her nephew snorted, "Apparently no one, aunt Audré." He replied and added some chopped chickweed in the cauldron.
"Then what is it 'apparently' for, Draco?" Audré jibed him.
"It's a 'Pain relieving concoction'." Draco informed her, "I found it in your mother's book, aunt. I remember my Potions teacher once saying in the class that it is one of the most effective pain relievers out there." He said smugly.
"I never knew that you were planning to switch your career from a lawyer to a potioneer." Audré commented wisely, "Tell me how was your class today. Did it go well?" she asked him.
Draco's face immediately hardened.
"The class was well but what happened afterwards was not well at all." He said gravely, "In fact I was about to go to you, aunt. I want to see Adrian." he demanded.
Audré arched an eyebrow, "Why may I ask?" she enquired.
"Adrian broke his arm today in the school. Apparently he took his father's traits on flying and decided to rise twelve feet while the recommended height is four feet. He slipped and broke his arm." Draco informed her bitterly.
An inexplicable fear gripped Audré's chest.
"What happened next? Was he treated well?" she asked feeling panic rise with every syllable she uttered.
"The school mediwitch plastered his hand saying it's not good to use magic to heal small children. Then…." Draco replied and trailed off suddenly.
"Then what?" Audré almost screamed.
Draco seemed lost in his own thoughts when he answered, "Then Granger broke her own arm." He said vaguely.
"She did what?" Audré asked her nephew, unsure of what she just heard.
"She used a Severing Charm, aunt and broke her own hand. Because she couldn't see Adrian suffering in pain alone." Draco answered looking deeply disturbed.
Audré simply stared at her nephew.
"I think I'll go and see them both." She said suddenly and left for the door.
"Aunt." Audré heard Draco call her from behind and she turned to face him.
"I have rights to see my son." her nephew said to him firmly.
Audré nodded and gave him a small smile, "Of course, you have Draco." She agreed with him, "But you seem to forget that 'rights can't be obtained by force; they are to be achieved with patience'." She commented confidently.
"I am patient, aunt." Draco said fervently.
"Then try to be more patient, Draco, because it was you who misused your last chance with Adrian by forcefully bringing him here." Audré said to him sternly and left his deeply disappointed nephew.
'Jean broke her own arm?'
'So that Adrian doesn't have to be in pain alone?'
'What kind of mother-son relationship is that?'
Audré was deeply immersed in her thoughts when she entered Hermione's quarters. She heard Hermione and Eva's voice from sitting room.
"I'll go to the library." Audré heard Jean announce to her friend.
"Good evening ladies," Audré greeted them and immediately noticed the Muggle plaster in Hermione's left arm.
"I am so sorry that I didn't come earlier." She said pointing at it, "Your friend came to me this evening and she wanted to talk to you. So I thought I would better leave you in private. Draco told me about Adrian just minutes ago and I am worried for him. Is he alright now?" she asked Hermione.
"Better, aunt Audré. He's upstairs – sleeping." Hermione informed her, "Mother Apolline gave him some herbal sleeping tea so that he could sleep without feeling the pain." She explained.
"Then I'll come tomorrow morning to see him." Audré said, feeling relieved, "Now tell me how did you break your arm too? And why didn't you mend it instantly?" she asked Hermione, "Adults don't need Muggle plasters, I guess you know that."
Hermione nodded and gave Audré a grave smile, "I broke my arm on purpose so that Adrian doesn't have to suffer alone." She replied to Audré.
Audré didn't know what to say in response. Should she admonish her for her carelessness or praise her for her admirable love and courage?
"I have never seen or heard of such a thing." She commented after sometime.
"Well, if you ask me Madame, I'll say that it is completely normal for Jean." Audré heard Eva lip her opinion, "We were at Beauxbatons when she was pregnant and we saw how hard she struggled in order to complete both her terms and her studies. Apart from the usual discomforts of pregnancy she had to go through intolerable pain almost every night, Madame, because someone called Bellatrix had Cruciated her." Eva's face was sad as she reminisced, "I was her roommate and I saw how she lied down, bit her lips and endured it all because there is no cure to it. I even thought that Adrian wouldn't survive up to term but it was Jean's determination kept them both alive for nine monthes." She confessed to Audré.
"Now, Eva you are talking too much." Hermione admonished her friend.
Audré however felt that Eva was being completely modest about Hermione. She was not the kind of woman who would brag about her pain tolerance power. She remembered Draco mentioning about Bellatrix's curse almost killing Adrian and decided to enquire about it later.
"If you need any help, Jean, I can stay here or send in Lillian for the night." Audré offered Hermione.
Hermione smiled and shook her head, "Thanks, aunt Audré but there is no need." She said to her, "Gabrielle is already here for a week and I am sure Eva will stay tonight." She said casting her friend an affectionate look.
'This woman must be really special for being able to make her friends love her like that.' Audré thought eyeing Hermione with interest.
•••••
Draco was looking at the pale blue potion in his silver cauldron triumphantly.
The clock chimed five times and he finally slumped on his wooden stool, his back aching due to prolonged standing.
It was five o' clock in the morning and he had worked nearly eleven hours to complete 'Pain Relieving Concoction' according to 'Experiments with painkillers by Cophon'. It was his first time with this potion so he took extra care while brewing it since the instructions were very demanding.
'Add two and half drops of wormwood essence and stir five times clockwise.'
'Take five poppy seeds and burn them separately in one pinch of Henbane. Then wave the smoke to the concoction.'
'Damn you, Cophon. At least you didn't ask me to add one-tenth of a drop of Hemlock.' Draco thought bitterly as he massaged his aching hands and looked at the bucket full of empty phials across the room.
'Accio.' He thought waving his wand at them and summoned two empty crystal phials.
'You think you can hide forever behind my aunt Audré's Fidelius Charm, Granger.' He thought as he bottled the pale blue potion, 'Delude yourself with that notion but I still have means to reach you whenever I want.' Draco smirked arrogantly and placed the stopper on the phial.
'Let's see if I can still catch an old friend.' He said as he swirled the simmering pale blue potion in the phial and pocketed it before leaving the lab.
•••••
Lillian Malfoy looked up at the elegant neo-classical building and snorted irritably.
The building in question, Hotel de Brienne, an 18th century mansion tucked away in the 7th district of Paris, had been the home to French Ministry of Magic since 1817. It also housed the French Muggle Ministry of Defense.
Co-exiting with a Muggle ministry might sound tricky to those who had never visited the place before but Lillian was not one of them. She had been to this place since her childhood - being the great grand - daughter of 101st Minister of Magic, Pierre Laval, had it's own advantages.
Although all her family members – her parents and sibling – had started their career in the ministry and she was familiar with the place from a very early age; Lillian never felt like following his family traditions. She liked to work in a more open environment rather than spend her time in a bureaucratic organization.
Entering the spacious and crowded lobby, designed like a model of a nineteenth century ship, Lillian preceded to the Muggle lifts that would take her straight to the parallel world of French Ministry of Magic.
The Muggle lift she took was pristine and fitted with all modern amenities. There were a few Muggle Ministry workers too and avoiding them carefully, Lillian presses the small circular 'M' button that she knew was invisible to them.
'How dare he forgets about today?' she asked furiously as the lift ascended rapidly, 'Julian will pay for his carelessness.' She thought and looked up at the electronic screen that denoted '4' now.
'Fifth floor' a female voice announced and the lift door opened automatically.
Knowing that there were no higher floors and Ministry of Magic was the next stop, Lillian waited impatiently as the ministry workers filed out.
The door closed again and almost immediately opened once more – revealing a reception lobby, that wasn't there moments ago.
'Welcome to Ministry of Magic' the female voice droned as Lillian left the lift.
The large and spacious lobby of 'French Ministry of Magic' was filled with ostentatious furnishings that were the hallmark of French nobility. Gold trimmed walls were adorned with paintings and a heavy chandelier hung regally, giving the lobby an impressive look.
A red-haired wizard was standing behind highly polished reception table and Lillian advanced to him.
"Bonjour, Mademoiselle," the man greeted her, "How may I help you?" he asked.
Realizing that the man must have joined the Ministry recently, since the previous receptionists knew her by her face, she introduced herself, "My name is Lillian Malfoy." She said, "And I wish to visit my brother Julian Malfoy." Lillian informed him, "Please make a visitor's pass for me." She requested.
The officer nodded at her, "Very well, Mademoiselle. Your wand please?" He asked holding out his right hand.
Lillian was already accustomed with the rule of wand inspection and took out her wand without any protests before placing it on his hand. She watched as the man checked it but then instead of returning her wand to her, he fixed a sticker to it and placed it inside a glass cupboard.
"What is it? Why did you keep my wand away?" Lillian asked the man incredulously.
"We are sorry for the inconvenience, Mademoiselle," the man said apologetically, "But as per new ministry rules following the attack on the Minister of Magic, no wizard or witch is allowed to take their wands inside. Not even the Ministry workers." He informed Lillian.
Lillian was still unconvinced at the explanation but chose not to argue, "Aha... I see." she nodded feebly, suddenly feeling barren without her wand.
She waited as the receptionist made a visitor's pass and handed it to her.
Lillian was fixing it to her chest manually when a man appeared beside her.
Hardly giving him any notice, her gaze followed the receptionist absentmindedly as he took out a wand from the cupboard, removed the sticker and gave it to the man who left immediately.
Lillian, who was staring blankly at the place the man stood beside her moments ago, whipped to the receptionist when realization hit her.
"That wand….th..at…wa…nd." she stammered pointing at an invisible wand, "Whose wand is that?" she asked him frantically.
The receptionist blinked at her twice and went back to the cupboard to check something. He took out Lillian's wand seconds later and showed it to her.
"Your wand is here, Mademoiselle. I didn't give him your wand." He informed her firmly.
"No!" Lillian exclaimed in anguish, "I didn't mean that. You don't understand." She said feeling helpless, "Listen Monsieur, Just tell me whose wand that was?" she asked him sternly.
The receptionist was still giving Lillian a skeptical look when he answered her.
"He is the Junior undersecretary to the Minister of Magic, Monsieur Alexis Delacour."
•••••
At her work, Hermione always complained why she didn't have another pair of arms attached to her body so that she could work faster.
Ironically she was forced to work with one hand now.
Feeling helpless she waved her wand at a particularly large crystal vase; thus marking it as 'not cursed' and proceeded to open another bottle of 'Pain relieving potion'.
"That's my second bottle and it is only eleven o' clock." Hermione muttered as she took a mouthful, "How am I to pass the whole day with this pain?" she said wincing slightly.
Upon waking up Thursday morning Hermione discovered that the pain in her forearm had somehow increased overnight. She didn't know how it was possible since she was taking her medications properly. Fearing that Adrian was also suffering as badly as her, Hermione had enquired of her son whether he was feeling the same but Adrian denied any such phenomenon.
"You sure you are feeling okay?" Hermione heard a female voice ask her.
"Claudia, please come in." she said noticing her intern was waiting at the door for her permission, "You know you don't need permission to enter my lab, Claudia." She reminded her.
"I know but I think it's better that I follow proper code of conduct, Jean." Claudia commented looking cast down.
Hermione bit her lips in regret. She had been exceptionally severe to her intern yesterday without considering the fact that it was the most normal reaction for a young woman like Claudia who was famous among her colleagues for her happy-go-lucky attitude towards life.
"Listen, Claudia" she addressed her intern motioning her to take a seat, "I am really sorry for yesterday's rudeness." She said in an apologetic tone, "I forgot that it's normal among young ladies like you to ask their newly married friends about their husbands. Besides I wasn't intending to inform about my marriage to anyone except for Geccemp. So, I hope you understand why I suddenly became angry." Hermione explained with a smile.
"It's alright." Claudia said giving Hermione a small smile in return, "I guess I was a bit more enthusiastic than it was needed and acted unprofessionally too." she confessed, "I mean I should have known better since you never talk about your private life. All I know about you is that - you are from Britain, you completed your education from Beauxbatons and you have a five year old son whose name is Adrian. You have always been kind to me, Jean and I really appreciate it. I do." She said firmly and suddenly gave a mischievous smile at her, "Now that the misunderstanding is over Jean, can I ask you a question?" she asked curiously.
Knowing what was coming next, Hermione sighed deeply.
'Some things never change.' She thought with exasperation and nodded to her intern whose smile turned to a grin.
"How does he look like and what is his name?" Claudia asked Hermione, her eyes glinting with pleasure.
Hermione gulped and looked away.
How was she supposed to describe how Malfoy looked like?
She opened her mouth and closed it again.
"Well…ah…he…he is…he is a blonde guy with pale skin and grey eyes." She summarized with difficulty, "And his name is Draco Malfoy." She said trying hard to sound normal.
"Malfoy? You mean 'the Malfoy'?" Claudia asked her incredulously.
Feeling her irritation rise again Hermione gritted her teeth and tried hard not to shout at her intern. "Yes, he is that…what you say, Malfoy." She admitted bitterly.
"I have heard that the Malfoy's are very rich. They even have their own Château." Claudia said brightly, "How did you two meet? Here or somewhere else?" she asked forgetting her condition about only one question.
Hermione wished that the floor would split into two so that she could bury herself there.
"Mal… Draco" she corrected herself forcefully, "and I knew each other from school." She said sporting a sickly sweet smile, "I don't know if they are rich or not because I don't give it a damn." She said to Claudia indignantly.
Claudia looked deeply impressed; though Hermione was not sure whether it was because Malfoys were rich or she didn't give it a damn.
"So you are Madame Malfoy now?" Claudia asked with a tinge of pride.
Hermione cleared her throat and lifted her chin defiantly, "Claudia, I was Hermione Jean Granger before, I am Hermione Jean Granger now and I will be Hermione Jean Granger for the rest of my life." she proclaimed proudly at her.
Her intern looked confused but thankfully didn't protest. Not wanting to discuss about Draco Malfoy anymore Hermione pointed at a silver candelabra, "Claudia, take that candelabra and see if you can find out anything." She ordered her.
"Should I check it for advanced curses too?" Claudia asked as she summoned and examined the candelabra from close.
Hermione nodded and Claudia left without another word.
Feeling relieved, Hermione looked down at her painful plastered left forearm.
'I am lucky that this plaster covered up to my knuckles.' She thought moving her swollen fingers, 'Or else she would have asked me about my wedding ring too.' She commented darkly and looked up.
'I will be dead before I ever wear anything that bears his blasted wretched name.' Hermione thought determinedly and fisted her hands.
•••••
"Grandma Audré, can you please read this story for me?" Adrian asked her tenderly and Audré felt an inexplicable surge of affection towards the little boy who was sitting on her lap.
"Of course, I will." Audré kissed him gently on forehead and took the story book Adrian offered her carefully avoiding his plastered left arm.
It was Thursday evening and after spending a busy day helping some junior lawyers on a fraud case, Audré had decided to visit her little grandson in his quarter. The boy had enchanted her with his brilliance and innocence and Audré felt any day spent without Adrian in it was a complete waste.
" 'The tale of Squirrel Nutkin' by Beatrix Potter." Audré read the name written across the book cover.
"You know grandma, I can draw squirrels." She heard Adrian inform her brightly, "Monsieur Monette gave me a book and it has all kinds of animal's pictures in it." Adrian said his grey eyes wide and shining as Audré stared at him with fascination, "It has cat, rat, bat, monkey, donkey, rabbit, squirrel, deer, tiger, lion, giraffe…" Adrian continued his description of the book and Audré simply listened, Adrian's sweet voice acting like a soothing balm on her tainted soul.
'How can any child be so innocent?' she asked herself, nodding occasionally at Adrian's enthusiastic speech, 'He is like a beautiful white flower waiting to be touched by the first ray of sun.' she thought and caressed Adrian's pale flawless cheek.
"Grandma! Grandma?" Audré startled and looked down at Adrian who was giving her a curious look, "Where are you?" he asked her, "Won't you read the story for me and Peter?" he enquired and stroked his rabbit.
Audré gave her a mental slap for losing herself in Adrian's thoughts and opened the book with an encouraging smile.
"The tale of Squirrel Nutkin." She read the title again, "This is a Tale about a tail - a tail that belonged to a little red squirrel, and his name was Nutkin." She started reading the story, "He had a brother called Twinkleberry, and a great many cousins; they lived in a wood at the edge of a the middle of the lake there is an island covered with trees and nut bushes; and amongst those trees stands a hollow oak-tree, which is the house of an owl who is called Old Brown."
"Look Peter, this is Old Brown." Audré was interrupted as Adrian showed the illustration of the owl to his rabbit, "He is brown and he is old. That's why he is called 'Old Brown'." He explained to his rabbit who looked remotely interested to be introduced to an old brown owl.
'So that's how Adrian listens to stories. He likes to share them with his pet.' Audré smiled at the thought and decided to see the whole ordeal.
"One autumn when the nuts were ripe, and the leaves on the hazel bushes were golden and green - Nutkin and Twinkleberry and all the other little squirrels came out of the wood, and down to the edge of the lake." She started to read again, "They made little rafts out of twigs, and they paddled away over the water to Owl Island to gather nuts.Each squirrel had a little sack and a large oar, and spread out his tail for a sail.They also took with them an offering of three fat mice as a present for Old Brown, and put them down upon his door-step.Then Twinkleberry and the other little squirrels each made a low bow, and said politely-"Old Mr. Brown, will you favour us with permission to gather nuts upon your island?"But Nutkin was excessively impertinent in his manners. He bobbed up and down like a little red cherry, singing -"Riddle me, riddle me, rot-tot-tote!
A little wee man in a red, red coat!
A staff in his hand, and a stone in his throat;
If you'll tell me this riddle, I'll give you a groat."
Now this riddle is as old as the hills; Mr. Brown paid no attention whatever to Nutkin.
He shut his eyes obstinately and went to sleep."
"Grandma, how does an owl go to sleep?" Adrian asked her.
"Ah…. They usually sleep during morning.." Audré fumbled for an appropriate answer, thinking hard about the post owls.
"Can I explain that?" she heard Edmound Bellamy offer them as he entered the sitting room.
"Uncle Edmound!" Adrian squealed happily, "When did you come?"
"Five minutes ago when your aunt Gaby opened the Floo for me." Edmound replied and took a seat, "Holy Nostradamus, Madame Malfoy, this place has even tighter security than Wizarding prisons." He commented seriously, "Where is Jean, by the way?" he asked them looking around.
"Mama is upstairs." Adrian replied, "You didn't ask me about my arm?" he said pouting his lips.
"I was about to ask about your arm, my dear Adrian." Edmound consoled the little boy, "But I have an important thing to give your Mama, so I asked about her first." He explained, "Now tell me how is your arm? Does it ache now?" he asked Adrian.
"Not much and if Mama can endure pain, I also can." Adrian replied swelling his small chest bravely.
"That's like a real man." Edmound admired the boy, "We men are brave." He said proudly, punching in the air.
"Who is brave here?" Gabrielle asked them as she and Hermione entered their sitting room and Edmound suddenly cowered against his sofa.
Audré bit back a laugh and decided to listen to their conversation intently.
"Aunt Gaby, we men are brave." Adrian, the only man brave enough to tell the truth admitted it to his aunt who snorted loudly.
"Yeah, I can see that." Gabrielle commented mockingly and cast a dark look at Edmound who offered her an encouraging smile.
"Before I forget, Jean, I have something for you." Edmound avoided his girl friend's narrowed eyes and addressed her friend instead, "Here, I brought you and Adrian a 'Pain relieving Concoction'." He said and took out two phials from inside his robe before placing them on the table before him.
Audré frowned at the phials full of pale blue simmering liquid.
"Where did you get those?" she heard Hermione ask her friend, examining one phial closely.
"I have a friend who is a very good potion maker. His name is Dorceus von Malowitz and he brewed them for you on my request." Edmound informed her proudly.
"Dorceus von Malowitz?" Audré asked Edmound sharply.
"Yes, I know the name is peculiar but he is a Greek fellow." He admitted to them, "He told me this potion is very good for relieving pain and can be used by all age groups." Edmound said confidently.
Audré was looking straightly into Edmound's blue eyes now.
'He wrinkled his brow every time he spoke of the potion.'
'There is a bemused smile in his lips that doesn't match his expression of confidence.'
Audré looked at the phial and then looked at the man who brought them.
"It's a 'Pain relieving concoction'. I found it in your mother's book, aunt. I remember my Potions teacher once saying in the class that it is one of the most effective pain relievers out there." A drawling voice echoed across Audré's mind.
'Bravo nephew, bravo.' Audré smiled as she deduced the true identity of the Greek potion maker, 'That's really impressive. You confounded Edmound into believing that you are Dorceus von Malowitz? And send your concoction through him?' she thought feeling elated now, 'Had I not been accustomed of taking confessions of Confounded Victims for nearly fifteen years now, Draco, I wouldn't have known that you could do that.' she thought smugly and turned to Hermione who was still eyeing the potion skeptically.
"I have heard of this potion. Our potions teacher Professor Snape once told about it in his class. He said it is desperately tricky to make. Are you sure, Edmound, this guy is reliable?" Hermione asked her friend.
"Don't worry, Jean." it was Audré who replied, "I know this potion maker. He whips 'Headache Relieving potion' for me and they are very effective. He won't poison you or Adrian." she assured Hermione.
"Should I taste it then?" Hermione asked her and Audré nodded.
Hermione unstoppered the phial and took a mouthful while Audré waited expectantly.
"It tastes of Menthol. But it's good." She heard Hermione opine, "Give your friend thanks from me, Edmound." She said offering a genuine smile.
Audré turned away from Hermione and looked down at Adrian who was listening to the conversation with interest.
'Thank you Draco Malfoy. You are 'under the vestibule' now.' Audré thought smugly.