A/N: Thanks to everyone who has been reading my story with patience.
IMPORTANT NOTE: In an interview J. K. Rowling told that she used Lycanthotropy as a Wizarding variant of HIV. In a research in 2003, some good anti seras or anti bodies were produced from human volunteers of West Africa which could heal the HIV infection completely. The subjects didn't die or suffer from HIV as an after effect. I used the theme here. I am not an avid fan of Twilight and it's plot line. So there are no similarities between these two stories. Mine is based on fact and pure medical science.
Thanks for all the reviews, favourites and follows. They were most rewarding.
Thanks to: nikki98, arya, v-x-y-zz, Grovek26 , happyhoper, Lisa suschenko, ramyfan, AFLover, surugasasa, louisethelibrarian and KyraThePoop and for their kind reviews.
I/R: Thanks all for liking my last chapter. I literally cried when I wrote Hermione's part. : (
Acknowledgements:
Road to perdition is a 2002 movie starring Tom Hanks.
The Chess moves were taken from Donald Bryan and Robert Fischer 1956 game.
Creepy Carrots is a story book by Aaron Reynolds.
The German dialogues were taken from websites on German language.
Dresden Green diamond is a famous 41 carat natural green diamond shown in Dresden castle.
Hôpital Lariboisière and Gare du Nord were tracked by using the Google map. I even used the 'directions' option to get there.
Hôpital Lariboisière was found in a article on French hospitals of 19th century. It was established during a cholera outbreak in Paris.
And the idea for Draco's punishment was taken from Davidson's Principles and Practice of Medicine and Wikipedia.
Well I guess, that's it. So enjoy and don't forget to leave a review.
This fiction of mine is getting fewer reviews than I expected. So if you can read it, you can surely 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 33: Road to Perdition.
The beautiful crystal ewer containing the Sleeping Mixture was almost full to the brim, indicating that it hadn't been used much.
Narcissa Malfoy gave it a hopeless look before turning her eyes to her sister-in-law, with whom she was sitting in her parlour.
"I am really sorry, Narcissa, but I didn't want to force Jean to keep something that she doesn't want to." Audré said sincerely.
Narcissa sighed, "Why Audré?" she asked dolefully, "Why did she return it to me now? She seemed to accept it on her own when I gave it to her last Saturday saying that it was a token of my gratitude."
In response, her sister-in-law simply looked away.
Feeling that Audré was trying to hide something from her, Narcissa took her hands in her and pressed them gently, "Audré, please tell me what's wrong." She begged.
"Please, don't ask me that question, Narcissa; I don't want to worsen your relationship with Draco than it already is. That boy is very lonely and if we press him any further he might backfire." She said solemnly, "You, Draco, my children, Jean and Adrian – all of you are my family. I can't destroy one relationship to improve another. Just be contented with this knowledge that Jean has made significant recovery from her sleeping problems in last few days and so she doesn't need it anymore."
Narcissa gave Audré a measured look, "You could have been a good politician, Audré. You speak with honesty and yet sometimes you willfully don't deliver the right information in order to save everyone's skin." She said evenly.
Audré gave her a skeptic smile, "Was that a compliment or a criticism, dear Narcissa?"
"Neither, it was an observation." Narcissa stated calmly.
Audré was just about to reply when the door of the parlour opened and Draco walked in looking jubilant. "Aunt, I just secured my deal with…" he stopped mid sentence noticing his mother's stony face.
Narcissa eyed his son for a fraction of second before turning her head away and heard Audré gave a loud throat clearing cough before speaking.
"Congratulations." She said pompously, "I must admit that I am pleased to find you in one piece. Why not celebrate the occasion of your safe return over some afternoon tea? I am sure both of you can wait here patiently while I go and change into a more comfortable afternoon dress." She offered and stood up, "Sit, Draco." She bid her nephew as she passed him on her way out.
From the corner of her eyes, Narcissa observed as her son occupied the chair just opposite her with an awkward air and directed his gaze to the ewer on the table before them.
"You made the Sleeping Mixture?" it was a statement rather than an actual question as Draco's pale right hand grasped around the crystal ewer and he took it closer to his eyes to examine it.
Narcissa feigned as is she hadn't heard anything at all.
"For Granger?" again it was a statement, as Draco asked her calmly.
Narcissa closed her eyes to show that she wasn't willing to answer any of the questions that might follow. Her son however, looked adamant to make her speak.
"Mother, will you not look at your son for once?" he asked softly, "Will you never speak to me? Are you not the same mother you made the Unbreakable Vow with Snape to save me from the Dark Lord's wrath? Are you not the same mother who lent me your wand during a battle and remained unprotected? Are you not the same mother, who lied to Lord Voldemort, knowing that he might kill you if he found out that Potter wasn't dead?" he asked her relentlessly.
Narcissa fisted her hands and closed her eyes, trying hard to prevent the escape of tears that were threatening to burst out.
"Yes, I am the same mother." She replied trying hard to keep her voice impassive, "I did those because I was a mother then and a mother's first priority is her children. When you were innocent, I protected you with all I ever had." she said plainly, still refusing to look at her son, "But I am a woman first. I can't bargain with my honour over my motherhood. True that some women sell their bodies to earn a living hood for their children and I assure you, even I would have done the same had you been my innocent son, Draco. But what you did in the name of punishment is simply inexcusable. You humiliated a woman for another woman - that is me, in a manner that no woman, mother or not should ever justify on behalf of her son. You humiliated my womanhood that way, Draco, because in order to become a mother one must be a woman first." She said firmly.
"Help me, mother. Please, help me." Was all her son could say in response as he left his seat, passed the table between them and knelt before her, "Please don't leave me alone." He prayed and took Narcissa's hands in his.
Narcissa winced and wriggled her hands free, finally turning to look at her son in the eyes, "Don't touch me." She warned him fiercely, "I don't want to be touched by the likes of you – a violator, a ra…" she broke off, "If there is anything I hate most in the world - it is forced sex. I may be the wife of a Death Eater but I never let your father touch me that way." She said vehemently, "That was the only liberty that I kept for myself, the right to have intimacy when I want it. Of course your father didn't like it very much; sometimes he wanted to take out his frustrations on bed with me but I told him clear and loud that any attempts to do so would make him lose me permanently. When I conceived you, Draco it was not out of some forced relationship between your father and I; it was out of love and mutual consent." She said, her tears finally escaping the confinements of the eyes, "But Adrian! That boy's birth is tainted by your forced presence in it. Where he could have been a fruit of mutual love and respect, he is a mark of hatred and torture over a woman. Do you have any idea what you have done to that innocent child? You took away his right to be born from a loving relationship! You deprived him of a loving family! You made him and his mother suffer for no reason! And you come here to ask for my help?" she spat.
Her son was also tearful when he spoke, "Mother, please don't talk to me like that. I can't take this torment anymore. Please don't go." He begged and stopped Narcissa as she stood up to leave.
Narcissa looked down at the man whose arms were wrapped around her legs in an attempt to prevent her from walking further, "Take off your hands, Draco." She warned.
"No, I won't." her son shook his head, "Tell me that you won't leave me. Tell me!" he insisted stubbornly.
Narcissa leaned back her head and took a deep breath, "What do you want?" she asked through gritted teeth, "To choose between a mother and a woman?"
"No. I just want you to assure me that no matter what happens you will never leave me." Her son pledged.
"I will never leave you physically, Draco. But in my mind, I can never accept you as my faithful son again. You too lost your innocence that day you took Granger's. You are, therefore a cursed man for the rest of his life. I know I am partly responsible for this, since it was I who brought you up with notions of pureblood supremacy and I am willing to take the responsibilities. But I'll not take responsibilities of your heinous crime." Narcissa stated firmly, "Now, let go of my legs before Audré returns and finds us in this absurd posture." She bid.
Silently her son unwrapped his arms and stood up before brushing off his tears, "Thank you, mother." He whispered.
Narcissa preferred not to answer and proceeded for the door to leave the parlour when it suddenly opened to let in her sister-in-law who was wearing a pale green afternoon dress.
"You are leaving already, Narcissa?" she asked her with an air of surprise that looked very genuine, but Narcissa had a feeling that she had left them alone on purpose.
"I am having a terrible headache." Narcissa lied smoothly, "I think I could do with a nap." She declared and left the parlour without another word.
•••••
The notice was causing Alexis Delacour a lot of agitation since he received it in the morning.
He had been assigned to keep official contacts with the attorney of the case against Rochés: Audré Chombrun Malfoy.
Official contacts meant him to visit her Château frequently, talk to her about the case and provide her with any information and assistance that she might need. And that was where he was having problem with the official notice signed by the Minister himself.
Why the Minister of Magic had chosen Alexis was beyond him. He was secretly wishing to keep as much distance as civilly possible from that place for two reasons: Jean and Lillian.
Ever since Sunday night dinner, his treacherous mind had wandered to Lillian several times and feeling like a traitor Alexis had rebuked himself for it.
He knew in his mind, he still loved Jean sincerely. He had literally worshipped her and could kiss the place she had walked over without any shame on his part. The woman had touched his heart with her courage, fighting spirit, virtue, knowledge and loving nature. She was all he ever dreamt of, a perfect balance a strong and brave exterior with a soft and compassionate heart. Jean was the love of his life, the light of his soul. After he lost her, Alexis never thought he could feel this way for any other woman in his life ever again.
Then what was this new feeling he was having for this new witch by the name of Lillian, who had suddenly walked into his life? Alexis was ashamed to admit it but his heart beat would quicken, his eyes would close while his breathing became shallow every time Lillian's image was conjured in his mind.
Was it physical attraction? Lillian certainly was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen.
Or was it his attempts get over Jean? How can he even think about getting over Jean?
Jean was, is and will be his love; this much he was sure of.
Alexis slammed the paper weight he was fiddling with unnecessary force and looked at the blasted piece of paper again.
'I am doomed.' Alexis thought sourly and stood up, ready to go to Château de la Grange-Bleanue to enquire about the short visit Audré Chombrun Malfoy paid to Le Pasteur in the Wizarding prison the previous evening.
With a heavy and guilty heart he donned his travelling cloak and left his office to reach the front reception from where he collected his wand. The apparition point had been shifted to one of the heavily guarded balconies where everyone apparating in and out of the ministry was constantly monitored.
The password to breach the Château's anti-apparition ward had been delivered to him along with the official notice and chanting it in his mind, Alexis turned on the spot, all the while imagining the apparition point located at the lush gardens of the official Malfoy Château.
As soon as he apparated there successfully, an extraordinary scene met his eyes.
Two pretty witches, one of them being his own sister Gabrielle, were standing on either sides of a huge chess board. A third elderly witch was sitting on a garden chair watching them play while the knee-length pieces moved by themselves as the two chess players directed their respective pieces to attack and defend each other across the black and white square. The only man in the scene was a five and half year old blonde who was sitting on the table beside the female audience; his legs crossed and his hands stroking a fidgeting rabbit.
It was Adrian who noticed him first.
"Uncle Alexis!" he squealed happily and was about to jump from his table but Audré caught him on the right moment.
"Easy, dear." She advised him, "You still have a plaster." She reminded the overjoyed boy.
Alexis rapidly crossed the distance between them and took Adrian in his strong arms. "Never do that again, Adrian." he warned him gently, "Uncle will be very upset if you get hurt for uncle." He said stroking his silvery curls.
"Okay." Adrian agreed happily, "What did you bring for me uncle?" he enquired like he always did when they used to live under the same roof in Delacour Residence. Alexis had never failed him on those occasions, neither had Gustave, Apolline or anyone who knew that Adrian liked small gifts from his family.
Alexis fumbled inside his robe and took out a book that he had bought with this visit on his mind.
"Uncle bought you a new book." He said before handing it over the happy kid, "It's called 'Creepy Carrots'." He read out the title.
By the looks of him, there was no doubt that Adrian was happy beyond he could express. Alexis had noticed that the small boy had inherited his mother's natural love for books and already had a huge collection of his own considering his small age.
"Creepy Carrots!" Adrian gave his a toothy grin, "I love carrots. Mama says they are good for your eyes." He said excitedly.
Feeling relieved that Adrian was happy with his gift of a new book; Alexis next turned his attention to the Lady of the Château, Audré Chombrun Malfoy.
"Bonsoir, Madame Malfoy." He bowed at her courteously, "I hope I find you all well."
"Bonsoir, Monsieur Delacour." Audré too greeted back most courteously, "We are fine, thank you. Please make yourself comfortable." She offered him a seat beside her.
As Adrian turned the pages of his new book, Alexis took the offered chair and discussed about the issue at hand – le Pasteur. He was surprised when Audré informed him that Pasteur had asked for better food and accommodation.
"It is essential that we keep this man in our hand, Delacour." Audré told him a low voice, "He can be a very important piece in the days to come." She said nodding her chin at the massive chess board.
Alexis understood what she meant by 'piece'. "Okay, Madame Delacour, I'll try my best to convince the minister about Pasteur." He said sincerely, all the keeping his eyes off the chess board and especially Lillian, who was laughing in amusement.
"Gabrielle, I think you should quit now." she advised Alexis's sister who was clearly irritated when her King was smashed by Lillian's Knight.
"Brother." She called him, "Come forward and save your sister's honour." Gabrielle demanded, "Show your chivalry." She said loftily.
"I have works to attend at the ministry." Alexis replied, though his works for the day was already over, "I need to return immediately." he said and stood up to leave.
"What's the use of having a chess player as a brother when he can't help me win?" Gabrielle pouted her lips in anger and Alexis knew he was defeated. He would never let his sisters thinking that he preferred his work over them.
"Very well." He agreed reluctantly, "But just one game on my sister's behalf." He added before walking over to the giant board where Lillian was standing confidently.
"Mademoiselle Lillian," he bowed respectfully to his opponent who bowed back graciously. "Please choose your piece." She appealed.
"White, please." Alexis chose the pieces Gabrielle had chosen previously, "Knight to f3" he said knowing the white always moved first and the King's Knight moved forward before the Bishop's pawn.
"Knight to f6" Lillian commanded her black pieces and it obliged.
"Pawn to c4." Alexis commanded his white pieces.
"Pawn to g6." Lillian ordered.
"Pawn to c3."
"Bishop to g7."
They played across the board and soon Alexis was completely lost in the game.
His opponent was a brilliant player and directed her pieces with ease and confidence. She attacked him mercilessly and Alexis attacked back, but had to undergo substantial losses as most of his crucial pieces were taken one by one.
"King to f1" he said realizing that Lillian was closing a net around his pieces. If he couldn't win, he wouldn't lose either.
"Knight to g3." Lillian commanded.
"King to e1." Alexis urged.
"Bishop to b4." Lillian ordered.
"King to d1."
"Bishop to b3." Lillian followed Alexis's King.
"King to c1."
"Knight to e2."
"King to b1."
"Knight to c3." Lillian's smile was truimphant.
"King to c1." Alexis sighed but smiled internally for preventing Lillian's victory.
"Rook to c2." Lillian declared with a flourish and the game ended.
"Excellent game." Alexis heard Audré clapped and praised them, "It is a draw." She announced, "I must admit, Monsieur Delacour, you are a fine player. Not every player can prevent my daughter from winning her game." She said with a satisfied smile.
"I am please to be of assistance." Alexis said before bowing at his pretty and witty opponent, "But I am afraid, I can't stay any longer." He added.
"Thanks for participating, Monsieur Delacour." Lillian told him with a shiny smile and something inside Alexis' gut clenched tightly.
"You are most welcome for another game, Delacour." Audré said pleasantly, "I would like to see more games such as these."
"Who won uncle?" Adrian asked Alexis curiously as he proceeded to bid him goodbye and kissed him on his cheek.
"We both won." Lillian replied on his stead, "Tell me Adrian, how about you teach me how to draw and I teach you how to play chess?" she offered the boy, who was standing on the table now to reach Alexis's height.
Adrian's grey lit up and he nodded enthusiastically, "It's a good idea. What do you think, Peter?" he asked his pet's opinion who wiggled his nose in response.
"Peter says 'yes'." Adrian declared, correctly interpreting the sign, "Good bye, Uncle Alexis. Give my kiss to grandma and grandpa." He bid.
His heart considerably lighter than it was when he arrived here two hours ago; Alexis nodded and approached the apparition to leave the Château with a thought in his mind:
This witch, whose name was Lillian Chombrun Malfoy was certainly not an ordinary pretty witch.
•••••
"I am really tired of wealthy witches!" Hermione exclaimed in irritation and her German partner Günther Amadeus raised an eyebrow at her, "All they know is how to dig up the famous cursed gems and buy them." She explained at his quizzical look.
Amadeus gave her an amused chuckle, "So you mean you don't like jewelries?" he asked curiously.
"No." Hermione replied, examining the gem that had caused her such annoyance, a purple amethyst, "I detest expensive jewelry and I especially hate rare ones. I have no fascination for such petty things."
"Petty?" Amadeus repeated, looking serious now, "This is petty?" he asked indicating at the gorgeous necklace that lay between them on the table in Hermione's lab.
"Of course it is!" Hermione replied indignantly, "It is not the value of a jewelry that fascinates me, Amadeus, it is the intent with which it was given. You can give me a Knut with your blessings in it and I will prize it like a diamond; whereas you can give me a diamond for some selfish reason of yours and I'll consider it no better than a Knut." She said disdainfully.
"You are a very unusual woman, Madame Granger, you know that?" Amadeus remarked with his characteristic smirk.
Hermione shrugged, "Of course I am. Otherwise I couldn't have ended up here." She pointed at her Chief Curse Breaker's robe.
"What about your arm?" Amadeus asked her, looking at the plaster in Hermione's left forearm, "How did you get hurt like that? Did something happen to you here in Gringotts or someone hurt you at you home?" he asked boldly.
Hermione had been dreading that question from her colleague ever since they met with Draco Malfoy at restaurant. She knew the German man was curious to know why she had been all jumpy in the presence of her husband, something he definitely noticed during the half an hour lunch. If she was correct on her assessment, Amadeus was thinking that Malfoy had beaten the hell out of her and she detested to keep him under such misconception.
"This." Hermione looked down at her plastered arm carelessly, "Well, I broke my arm on purpose." She replied knowing full well the German didn't believe her at all.
"Care to explain, why, Madame?" Amadeus asked sharply, "I hope I am not interfering in your family matters." He added cautiously.
"Of course not." Hermione replied smoothly, "Actually my son broke his arm falling from a broom he was riding at school. He was in a lot of pain when the Mediwitch was making a plaster for him and cried so much that I couldn't tolerate it anymore." She said looking directly at Amadeus's fathomless black eyes to ensure that she was telling the truth, "I broke my arm too so that he doesn't have to suffer alone."
Amadeus sucked in a breath and whistled, "That's just….. I have no words to describe it." He said looking astonished, "Well if I didn't know the kind of woman you are, Madame, I would have said ' das kannst du deiner Oma erzählen!'." He said in fluent German.
"Meaning?" Hermione asked incredulously.
"Literally it means 'tell it to your grandmother!' but it is used as a response to unbelievable claims. Like if you say 'I am studying German three hours a day. I'll be fluent in a week. Oh yeah? 'Das kannst du deiner Oma erzählen' – tell it to your grandmother, someone who will believe this cock and bull story!" Amadeus explained and Hermione broke into a laugh, "But you have raised a son on your own for five years. I have no doubt that a mother like you can do that." he said genuinely.
"How do you know that I raised Adrian alone?" Hermione asked, her laugh gone, "Who told you?"
"Well, Madame, everyone takes you as an example when they talk about motherhood. Geccemp was very proud when he told me how you have managed your job perfectly while raising a child single handedly and I must admit that I agree with him. You are a wonderful mother, Madame Granger and I have very high respects for ladies like you. I really do." Amadeus replied honestly.
Hermione scratched her neck; feeling very embarrassed suddenly, "Herr Amadeus, I am so sorry I can't continue this discussion anymore. I have an appointment with my son's Healer this afternoon. I must leave now." she informed him, "I hope you won't mind analyzing this amethyst," she pointed at the necklace they had been working previously, "I'll send Claudia or one of the other curse breakers for your assistance." She offered.
Amadeus waved her off, "Don't worry, Madame, Amadeus will be fine." He assured and Hermione bade him goodbye to leave for her office where the Floo to her quarters in Château was situated.
When she arrived there ten minutes later her son was lying on a sofa, flipping through the pages of one of his story books and looking sour.
"Get ready, little rabbit." Hermione called her son, dusting off the soot of the Floo, "We are going to your Healer in fifteen minutes." she announced.
"Mama I am bored." Was her son's dejected response.
"Well then Mama will buy you an ice cream on our way back." Hermione offered hopefully and took off her Gringotts robes, "Come Adrian, let's get changed." She offered her hand to the lying boy.
"Only on one condition." Adrian said mischievously, "You'll let me fly with Uncle Julian." He proposed.
Hermione was surprised at how her son sometimes behaved like his Slytherin father, "Well, Uncle Julian is not at home now. He will not return until evening and I will not allow flying in the evening because visibility is very poor at that time. Now get your little lazy bottom up from that sofa and let's get changed." She said sternly.
"No! I won't! I am bored and I want to fly with uncle! He is at home now." Adrian said stubbornly as he sat up, "I am not lazy and my bottom is also not lazy." He added.
"You come with me young man or Mama will never talk to you again." Hermione warned her son, knowing that this particular threat worked very well on him.
Her son didn't say anything as he followed him upstairs where she changed him into his favourite yellow and red T-shirt and combed his messy silvery blonde curls. His eyes were watery and he looked away all the time Hermione groomed him.
By this time Hermione was feeling sorry for her rough handling and stroked her son on his cheek gently, "Adrian, are you angry with Mama?" she asked him softly.
"No." Adrian replied, pouting his pink lips, though his attitude said otherwise.
"Okay, you'll fly after we come back." Hermione offered, knowing full well that this will melt the ice between them.
Her speculations came out correct as her son exclaimed, "I love you Mama!" and wrapped his non-plastered arm around her neck.
Feeling considerably happy and light, Hermione took her son for his monthly check-up. She was relieved when Henriette, the Paedi-Healer told her that Adrian's bone was mending well and he could take off his plaster in two weeks. As promised she bought her son his favourite Chocolate and Raspberry ice cream on their way back to Château.
The first thing upon their arrival was them looking for Julian who was indeed in the Château at this odd hours and feeling curious Hermione enquired the reason.
"Well, I took leave early today because I'll be leaving with cousin Draco and my friends to watch the League match between France and Bulgaria." He said excitedly as he welcomed them into his suite, "You can come if you like." He offered.
"I am not interested in Quidditch," Hermione politely denied his offer, "And Adrian too needs to rest his arm." She added when she noticed Adrian fidgeting to ask for permission to go with his uncle.
"Uncle I want to fly with you." Her son appealed at last to his tall broad uncle who was thrice his height, "You told me you will take me for a ride." He reminded the man.
"Of course I did." Julian said brightly and knelt down before Adrian, "Why don't you come and choose your broom?" he offered.
Hermione followed her happy son to a large closet that evidently served the purpose of Julian's broom closet. Sure enough when he opened the door, there were rows and rows of shiny brooms that were neatly stacked on shelves.
"Wow!" Adrian gasped as his grey eyes scanned the magnificent collection of brooms, "They are so beautiful." He commented.
Julian gave his nephew a satisfied grin and reached for a dark green broom that was placed on the highest shelf, "I think I will take this for my ride with my dear little Adrian." he said with a flourish and offered it to Adrian, who touched it with careful eagerness, "This is called Dresden Green - an excellent German broom for smooth rides with children." He showed it to Hermione next who took the broom and felt it's feather light weight and sleek body, "The Germans are best when it comes it to precision and perfection in brooms and they always name their brooms after their most prized possessions. In this case 'Dresden' is a large green diamond." He informed her.
Knowing her colleague Amadeus, Hermione couldn't agree more about their perfectionist nature.
Taking the broom in one hand and Adrian in other, Julian led them to the private Quidditch pitch that was almost beside the dovecote that Hermione visited often.
Julian was true to his promise when he said we would take care of Adrian's safety. First he placed Adrian on a perfectly balanced Dresden Green and mounted after him before securely binding the small boy's form to his much larger body so that he doesn't fall off due to lack of one arm. Next he kicked off with expert precision and with a happy yell from Adrian they were off.
Hermione was silently grateful that the man had enough sense in him to never speed up the broom than it was recommended for kids. She watched as they flew in a moderately high speed across the pitch and through the six giant hoops. After a minute or so when she was relaxing and watching them, Julian let out something from his pocket.
Hermione watched in half horror and half amazement as a silvery walnut sized ball, very similar like the Golden Snitch spread it's wings and zoomed onto the opposite direction of Adrian.
"Catch it, Adrian." Julian urged his nephew.
"Julian, you said there will be no snitch!" Hermione yelled at him angrily, her earlier gratitude completely gone, "I told you I don't want Adrian to get hurt." She shouted at the pair.
"It's not a Golden Snitch, Granger. It's a Silver Snitch and it's perfectly safe for Adrian." someone drawled from behind her and recognizing the voice, Hermione whipped around, her wand ready at her hand.
Draco Malfoy, sporting a green shirt and black slacks was looking up at the flying pair as they flew at the direction of the Silver Snitch.
"No one asked your opinion you filthy horrible pureblood." Hermione spat at Draco, who simply arched an eyebrow.
"You still remember that encounter between us in second year, Granger?" he asked lazily.
His cool manner was infuriating Hermione from the root of her hair to the tip of her toes, "If you come one more step, Malfoy, I swear I'll blast you into so many pieces that your mother will tire from counting them." She said savagely.
"Charming." The pureblood remarked simply still observing the couple on the broom, "Please keep my mother away from this, Granger." He added.
"Sod off, Malfoy." Hermione was trembling from head to foot as uncontrollable rage grasped her and she shot a warning hex at Draco which flew inches past his left ear.
Draco jerked his head off and finally looked down at her, uncharacteristically calm and composed.
"I am unarmed, Granger." He lifted his hands to show that his wand was not there, "I came here to tell two very important things." He said lining his cold grey eyes with her brown pair, "But before I go to the issues at hand, I would to inform the ex-resident Gryffindor know-it-all that Silver Snitches are used for children age five to ten who want to play Quidditch from an early age. The best Quidditch clubs in the world use it without any risk of causing injury to the kids they train from a very early age." He said evenly, "Now to the reasons I endeavored to came here and listen to all your death threats; listen to the first one carefully because I am not going to utter it again." He warned her subtly, "I am sorry for disturbing your lunch with your foreign delegate that day on Les Halles." He said solemnly.
Hermione gaped at the man before her, her grip a bit slackened.
'Malfoy is sorry?'
"I know what you are thinking and you are thinking it right because Malfoys never apologize, but Malfoys never stalk their women too. So you heard me right." Draco explained calmly, "The second reason for which I came here is that I have a Quidditch try out this Friday at Sorbonne. I will be trying for the post of Seeker in our team. I would like you and Adrian to come."
Hermione's brain was having difficulty in extracting the meaning of the words that were spoken to her. Even more unnatural was the calm and composed manner in which they were spoken to her. Malfoy was talking to her as if they were in a loving relationship and they have just had a small disagreement between them.
The thought brought back her earlier anger and she gripped her wand tightly again, "Want a whole troop of spectators to be present when you try out, Malfoy?" she jibed him.
"You and Adrian hardly make a troop, Granger." Draco replied in his infuriatingly calm way, "I will really appreciate it if you two come." He said before shifting his gaze to Adrian who had just caught the snitch.
"Mama!" he called across the pitch, "I caught the snitch." He shouted and showed Hermione the tiny silver ball tightly grasped in his small fists.
Not wanting to dispirit her son for his first ever victory Hermione momentarily withdrew her wand from Malfoy and clapped with difficulty as one of her arms was plastered, "VERY GOOD, ADRIAN !" she shouted back.
"Ever gave it a thought from where he inherited his flying skills Granger?" she heard Draco asked her quietly.
"Adrian is my son and any child of mine will be excellent at anything he tries." Hermione replied proudly, "That doesn't need any particular heritage from anyone."
"Curious explanation." Draco smirked and turned to leave, "Remember, Granger Friday evening at Sorbonne." He added before finally leaving her.
It took Hermione several deep breaths to calm down the horses that were galloping inside her chest. Then a sudden idea visited her and she looked at Adrian who was again chasing the silver snitch in moderate speed. It really wasn't that impossibly fast as the Golden variant.
What she did to Cormac McLaggan in her sixth year was really a good example of what she could do to her opponents.
•••••
If there was anything about him that Draco was completely sure of, it was the fact that he was never popular for being a patient man among his fellow Slytherins.
Being the only son and heir to the House of Malfoy, he had been brought up in a manner befitting a prince by his parents. Except for very specific reasons which might endanger his life, his parents had never used the forbidden word of 'no' towards him. He had always got what he wanted; his wishes being almost silent commands to Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy.
A man thus brought up was Draco Malfoy, who was currently sitting patiently on a bench in arrival lounge of 'Paris Gare du Nord' – the 19th century railway station that's served between Northern France, UK, Belgium, Germany and Netherlands - as thousands of Muggle passengers walked past him.
By the looks of it Apolline Delacour was playing an exceptionally tough game with him and was setting her pawns in a manner that would either make Draco to back out from his previous announcement or accept his defeat.
In her last short note sent by an owl, Apolline had asked him to meet her in this Muggle railway station on Thursday afternoon. Upon reading it, Draco's first thought was that he might be travelling with Apolline to someplace by means of Muggle train; though there was no indication of such kind in her letter.
'I'll go where ever she takes me.' Was Draco's resolution since he refused to back out now. The previous man in him, who would have cowered down at the prospect of journeying to a nameless place with an adversary, was long dead. He had laid him down in his wife Astoria's grave and this man, who was sitting uncharacteristically patiently, was adamant to achieve what he wanted.
There was no force in this world that could stop him from knowing how his son was brought to this world.
Draco checked his wristwatch and found that the witch he was going to meet was almost late.
'Late on your first day with me Apolline Delacour!' he smirked at the thought, 'I hope you didn't back off at the last moment.'
"Don't be so confident of your success Monsieur Draco Malfoy." A voice spoke from behind him and recognizing the owner Draco whirled around.
Apolline Delacour was standing with a very satisfied smile etched across her face, "Thought I was running late on purpose, didn't you?" she asked wickedly, "I arrived here even before you came, Malfoy. I was just standing over there, by that counter" she pointed at the Muggle ticket counter, "and watching you from distance." She said smugly.
"Any conclusions upon your careful observation?" Draco asked back with equal wickedness, "Did I look like someone who would flee like a cowered dog with my tail waggling between my feet?" he challenged.
"Have you had a tail, Malfoy, I could have tested that theory too." Apolline jibed back, "But as it happens that I am in a very serious mood today and thus have no intention of playing word games with you." She shrugged, "Before we proceed to our next destination, I think I should inform you why I asked you come here. This place…" she waved her hand at the station in general, "…is from where Jean started her journey in France more than six years ago and should you succeed in your appointed task, Malfoy, you will start your journey from here too." she said loftily, "Now, let's go." She indicated him towards the exit.
A little surprised that they would be leaving instead of boarding a Muggle train as he speculated earlier, Draco stood up and followed Apolline Delacour as she walked them out of the station and directed her pace towards the opposite direction.
Draco walked briskly beside Apolline and for once looked at the road sign which read 'Napoleon III Square'. Apolline was confident as they passed the station building, crossed the road with him silently and soon they appeared on 'Rue Ambrose Paré' towards an impressive bone white building that seemed to be their current destination.
"Hôpital Lariboisière" Apolline announced evenly, pointing at the handsome building before them, "Your task in exchange of memories."
Draco eyed the 19th century building that seemed almost deserted from outside, "This is your task?" he asked Apolline mockingly, "Am I to buy the whole building and erect another one in it's place?" he teased.
In response Apolline shook her head in a manner that reminded Draco of his deceased father. Lucius Malfoy used to shake his head similarly when his son Draco was unable to comprehend the graveness of any matter.
"This hospital is a specialized Wizarding facility for Lycanthrop patients." She said with a flourish.
Draco raised an eyebrow at her declaration, ignoring the chill that ran down his spine.
"You mean werewolves?" he asked her calmly. The notion that Apolline Delacour was playing a dangerous game was slowly proving to be true and he simply refused to give her the satisfaction of defeating him.
"Yes, the very same Werewolves." Apolline replied casually, "This facility is under tight regulation of French Ministry of Magic and thus heavily guarded. The real place is under the building that you are watching now - in the dungeons where all the patients are kept in individual cells. The healers that work here are almost like Unspeakables, no one knows who they really are." She informed him, "The reason I brought you here is, if you want those memories, Draco Malfoy, you have to work here as a volunteer." She said evenly.
"Volunteer for what?" Draco asked, waiting to hear the worse news.
"A volunteer for the anti-sera that the Healers are researching on to cure the werewolves." Apolline replied, "I am a certified midwife and though I don't work in this field, word is in the air that the Healers are desperately looking for healthy human volunteers for it. Previously they used to test their drugs on terminally ill patients but the results were not very promising. The Healers are now thinking that a healthy subject can do the job for them but obviously no one is coming forward. Who will? Though person who would volunteer will not die or become werewolf it will cause him excruciating pain – much like Cruciatus Curse. So now is your chance for redemption, Draco Malfoy. If you are really determined to get those memories, if they are really as precious as you think, go and pollute your pureblood and succeed throughout the ordeal. Only then can I give you the memories." She said dismissively.
Draco eyed the elegant building and turned his gaze to Apolline again, "You think I will back out?" he asked in a sibilant whisper.
Apolline scoffed, "You will pollute your blood for a Muggleborn witch and a Half-blood boy?" She sneered.
Draco narrowed his grey eyes at her, "Tell me something Madame Delacour, have you ever lost your child?
"Meaning?" Apolline too narrowed her eyes at him.
"That means you never lost one." He said intensely looking into Apolline's eyes, "You have never lost a son or daughter. All three of your children are healthy and safe." He said smoothly, "But I have all three of my sons from my wife Astoria. Hasn't Granger told you that?" he arched a questioning eyebrow, "I think not." He answered to Apolline's silence, "She must have told you what a coward bully I was at school, but I assure you, Madame, that Draco Malfoy is long dead. Half of him died when his firstborn son Scorpius Malfoy died, the rest of him died when the day his beloved wife Astoria breathed her last. This man you are seeing now is a mere living corpse who is not afraid to die."
"Trying to manipulate me with your sad story, Malfoy?" Apolline asked impassively, "But there is no way I'll give up into your dirty plot."
"There is no dirty plot." Draco spat, clearly on the verge of losing his patience with the difficult woman, "I hope you still remember asking me, why I was suddenly so interested to make acquaintance with your esteemed family? I told you that I have my own reasons which I will elaborate over a lunch. That day on lunch, I let you strike your end of the bargain without even laying a single condition on my part. Why? Because I was almost sure that you wouldn't agree to give me those memories easily. But now that I have secured my claims on those memories, I want to strike my end of the bargain which is: apart from memories of Granger's pregnancy, I want another thing and that will be the ultimate price of the sufferings that you will inflict upon me."
"I have no wish to taint my soul by 'inflicting suffering upon you wretched soul' Malfoy." Apolline flared up at once, "I am not forcing you to do this; you said you would do anything to get those memories. So I thought I should raise the price of the stake."
"Oh yes, you wish." Draco said maliciously, "You may deny it but I know your fingers flex to strangle me every time you see me. You want to see me suffer badly for my crime against Granger and our child. So I give you a free rein, Madame Delacour. I'll suffer the way you want me; possibly even more than that but…" he raised an index at Apolline, "…in return you'll obtain me Hermione Granger's forgiveness." He said firmly as Apolline raised an astonished eyebrow at him, "I can't ask it by myself because I know she won't give in to me at this stage. But she loves and respects you, you saved her and our son; she'll listen to you if you ask her on my behalf."
Apolline snorted, "I'll never ask her such a thing, Draco Malfoy. Stop your delusional thoughts." She spat.
Draco shook his head, "Madame Delacour, no one can deny pain forever. Everyone has to endure some at a point of his life. If I am to endure this excruciating pain, give me a proper reason to do so." He said solemnly, "I love Adrian with all my heart, with every fiber of my being and I want him to love me as a father. And in order to get that, I have two very clear strategies: first, I need Granger's forgiveness and second, I need to know them from the very beginning. Only then can I become someone more than just a stranger; more than a 'Monsieur' to my son Adrian." he said firmly, "Knowing Hermione Granger, I am certain that she won't forgive me easily. So I am willing to go through any kind of suffering that will make her think otherwise. I have nothing to lose, nothing to live for, Madame Delacour. It's hard to wait around for something you know might never happen; but it is harder to give up when you know it's everything you want."
Apolline was silent as the contemplated his words, the only sound being the Muggle traffic and pedestrians who walked past them. "You are very desperate." She said finally.
Draco sighed, "Thanks for noticing that." he said, "Now tell me, will you help me?" he asked directly looking into Apolline's eyes.
"In return for Jean's forgiveness?" Apolline asked, looking back intensely into Draco's grey orbs, "Oh, yes. If you are willing to take this memorable experience in return of those memories that you think contain very pleasant moments than I will be more than happy to break your heart. They use seven test doses on their subjects." She said motioning at the hospital, "As far as I know, no one endured more than two doses. So I am offering you one dose for each month's of Jean's seven month pregnancy in France. Seven doses for seven monthes. I sincerely hope that you don't make it past the first dose." She said coolly.
"Thank you for those encouraging words." Draco said icily, "When will I get the first batch of memories?"
"As soon as you survive your first anti-sera infusion." Apolline smirked, "Just send me a note that you are not in a grave and I'll send the memories. Until then…."
"Until then, au revoir." Draco finished her sentence and waved at her before crossing the street.
The heavily guarded facility had only one guard who was snoozing on his chair as Draco passed him. Clearly the Wizarding part needed authorization which he would have to obtain from the ministry. But first he needed to see the place where he would be doomed.
'Only death do us part Adrian and Hermione Granger-Malfoy.' he thought as he stepped into the premises.