The Poisoned Apple

by SeveranSnape

An atrocious act by Draco Malfoy in the dungeons of Malfoy Manor forced Hermione Granger to leave behind everything she ever cared for. Six years later, Draco after losing all that he cared for, comes face to face with the consequences. The once innocent Apple now poisoned is his last resort. Will he leave behind old Draco and earn Hermione's trust for a new beginning? ABANDONED.

35. Chapter 35

A/N: Thanks to everyone who has been reading my story with patience.

Thanks for all the reviews, favourites and follows. They were most rewarding.

Thanks to: nikki98, aryaaa, v-x-y-zz, Grovek26 , happyhoper, ramyfan, yourloved, surugasassa and guests for their kind reviews. I hope to answer them when my exam is over.

I/R: Thanks all for liking my last chapter. I am happy that you liked Hermione's reaction and Quidditch tryout.

Happy hoper: LOVE YOU TOO. Thanks for sitting properly. Looking forward to another marvelous review.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please don't avoid.

Strangely enough, I write my maximum when I am worried sick or when I am under heavy workload. Writing acts as a gateway of relief for me and writing this chapter had been a very emotional journey for me. I have literally put myself in the places of every single character when I wrote them from their POVs. I have been Audré, Hermione, Apolline, Draco, Adrian, Alexis and Narcissa every time I wrote each segment. I have put myself in that situation and tried to bring them out to the maximum of my human capability and during this emotional rollercoaster, somehow even forgot myself until the chapter was over. Every single word that I wrote, every single sentence that I made, is imbibed with my own feeling as that character (not for that character) and though I thought I could never write them all, I did it at last. : )

Please note that, this chapter is just the beginning of what I had been trying to write for a long time and I hope I will be able to convey a very clear message in the end of this fiction. Until then, I humbly request your support.

Also remember that this is an 'Angst + Hurt/Comfort' story. Though the characters don't exist in Real Life their Psychology exists and matches with many people whom I have met and I will try to bring it out as much as possible. I am well aware of what I am dealing with, and I also know that this is a fiction. But underrating something serious for the sake of happy ending isn't (and is never) my purpose. This may be a fiction but the emotions here are as real as it can be for any human. I am not a Dramione shipper and don't feel compelled to do anything to make this relationship come true. But this fiction is a Dramione to the core, in a very different and realistic way, I guess. I am not willing to employ my time in otherwise unrealistic story. This I promise to my kind readers. :)

Thanks for reading the long note.

This chapter is VERY LONG (21k+words) and for a reason. I would recommend that you don't read it in haste. There are clues and clarifications and I hope that I delivered them well. Also note that English is my secondary language and any mistakes were done unconsciously.

For adult themes this chapter is rated : M. There is nothing graphic but if you aren't adult enough to handle please don't read the following chapter.

Acknowledgements:

The Bliss Tea recipe was taken from '5 Calming Gifts For Mom's website.

Lupus is the Latin word for 'Wolf'. There is also a person named St. Lupus.

Draco Malfoy and his family information were taken from HP wiki. His height is according to standard European height and weight.

The rights of the Volunteers were taken from an American website called 'AIDS Research Alliance: Research Volunteers'. I would like to inform that Volunteers ARE NOT human Guinea Pigs and they enjoy full rights as any non-volunteers to be respected and treated well. They are not war prisoners and therefore no one can force them to be in any research they don't want to be. The researchers are not butchers to cut up a volunteer like a frog, so their behaviour should also be polite and sympathetic.

The idea about snakes and werewolves is my own but the name of the species of the snake was taken from another fan fiction named 'Original Sin' by RZZMG. Thanks to her.

As always, I have checked the Lunar Calendar of September 2004 and according to that the last Tuesday of that September was indeed a full moon.

The confession of Draco's thoughts regarding his father Lucius was inspired after watching an interview of Tom Felton and Jason Isaacs regarding their own characters. The interview is available in YouTube and was conducted after release of HP 7.1.

Since J. K. Rowling never implied more than just some kisses for Harry and Ron and their respective girlfriends, I am sticking to her version of intimacy in this story. Contrary to the popular belief that Draco Malfoy was some Slytherin s*x god, I find nothing supporting that theory in the books. He only once laid his head down on Pansy Parkinson's lap in HBP. Again any statement used here isn't any attempt to make his crimes look lighter.

The chess moves taken from 1988 game between Kirsten Hoi and Boris Gulko, which is also known as 'The Queen's Pawn.'

Well I guess that's all and now please enjoy.

Also please keep your reviews coming. I need to know what you are thinking about my fiction. Any constructive criticism is most welcome. I kindly ask the guest reviewers to leave a name for future reference. : )

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 35: Emotions in Motion.

"We, humans, are generally overconfident in our opinions, impressions and judgments regarding others." Audré murmured to herself and sighed, commenting absent-mindedly on a string of thoughts that had been keeping the wheels of her head overly active recently.

Two sonorous chimes issued from the Château's Grandfather clock resonated across its vast grounds and brought forth the knowledge that it was two o' clock in the morning while an insomniac Audré was in deep thought regarding her nephew's future course of actions while enjoying the moonlight night on her terrace. The silvery orb had almost grown to her zenith, blazing with the sun's rays through the night sky and bathing the surroundings with her luminance.

Audré was certain that, had she been in Apolline Delacour's place, she would have arranged for an even more severe punishment for daughter's violator. Besides, there would never be any question of negotiating with such a beast; even more so in the matter of forgiveness.

So if Apolline had agreed to work on Draco's behalf, which according to Audré was extremely suspicious, there could only be two possibilities:

'One: she doesn't realize that such a crime can't be considered to be forgiven unless the perpetrator asks it himself, no matter how much persuasion is done on his behalf.'

'Two: she is not planning to persuade Jean at all. She would simply deny any such agreement between her and Draco once his participation in that painful procedure is over.'

Audré had always believed that a woman's instincts are her best friend and if her instincts were correct than the second possibility is most likely to occur in future: that Apolline will never act against Jean, whom she loves like her own daughter.

'Draco may not admit it, but I know what is keeping him from going and asking Jean himself.'

'His bloody Malfoy ego!'

'In his ego, Draco is deluding himself into thinking that Apolline Delacour will bargain his forgiveness from Jean while chances are that she will never do so.'

'Why would she?'

'I am a mother myself and I can't blame Apolline if she doesn't care whether the perpetrator died or not.'

'But Draco will not die and he definitely will not be taking Apolline's trickery easily. In fact he will consider this as a betrayal.'

'It might make him go against Jean and he may never ask for her forgiveness.'

'And the hostility will resume and may even increase.'

'And with it, whatever small changes have taken place will be lost.'

Audré rubbed her forehead wearily.

'It is not possible to control Draco when it comes to Adrian.'

'Neither it is possible to contain Jean when Adrian is concerned.'

'None of these two stubborn people will let go of the boy and they will simply rot in this relationship for the sake of their son.'

'And what of Adrian?'

'The poor child will grow up watching his parents' turbulent relationship. And when he grows up, he surely will investigate the matter and will come to know of the truth behind their dispute and his birth.'

The thought was enough to make Audré close her eyes in horror.

'The innocent boy will be destroyed.' She shook her head sadly.

'So the only light at the end of tunnel is Draco behaving properly with his wife and asking for her forgiveness in the right way.'

"I am so sorry, Jean, that I had to put you through this. I am so sorry." Audré whispered, massaging her temple, "But there was no other way to make Draco realize his mistakes in putting his trust on Apolline for such a crucial matter. It is his responsibility to pay for his crime and there is no way he can evade it by employing someone else to act on his stead."

But woman inside her spoke up as the mother hushed down.

'Is it possible? Is it possible for Jean to forgive Draco?'

'Could you forgive your violator, Audré?'

In her mind Audré knew that the answer was a resolute 'No'.

But no one knows what the future holds for them?

'Who could have predicted that Draco would lose all his pureblood sons one by one and come across Adrian, a half-blood, whom he will take as a boon in his life?'

'Who would have thought that the crime he had buried so deep would come up like this and make him do impossible things to achieve something he once considered pointless?'

'No one. Not even Draco, who had been so confident when he justified his wrong actions.'

'So better let the future play its game while I play my part in it.'

Audré was determined that she was not going to let Apolline or Draco spoil her efforts to make things right once and for all.

'Every piece has a role to play in Chess and I will not let anyone tamper with my pieces.'

'Draco, the black King.'

'Jean, the white Queen.'

Audré rubbed her hands together in anticipation and joined them to rest her chin.

'The perfect medicine for Draco's ego is..'

A small smile curled Audré's lips.

'Jealousy in the form of a White King. Only this time in chess the Kings will compete for the Queen.'

She was considering the role of Alexis Delacour in the future chess board when the House Elf named Zilek appeared and bowed low to her.

"What is it, Zilek?" Audré asked the small creature who served as her personal Elf, "Is everything alright with Jean?"

"No, Madame Malfoy, Mistress Jean is not sleeping. She is pacing in her balcony and talking to herself." The Elf told her solemnly.

"Thank you, Zilek; I knew I could trust on you. I will attend to it immediately." she assured the Elf, "Meanwhile can you please bring some Bliss Tea for us in her quarters?" Audré offered with an appreciative smile and the elf nodded humbly before disappearing with another bow.

Ever since the day Hermione told Audré to return Narcissa's Sleeping Mixture, Audré had appointed her own personal Elf to keep an eye on Hermione with strict orders to inform her should she suffer from any kind of nightmare again. The young woman had suffered enough for three lifetimes and there was no way she would let her continue it any while she was under her care.

'Is she distressed about working with Draco?' Audré asked herself and stood up to leave the terrace where she had been sitting since her meeting with Hermione and Draco was over, 'Did I make a mistake by asking her to help me?' she thought skeptically as she started for her bed chamber, 'I simply wanted her to get rid of her fear slowly but maybe she is still not ready for it. I should have been more patient with her.' She chastised herself mentally, 'Jean is a brave woman but even she has limitations and I shouldn't have pushed the boundaries.' Audré said to herself as she walked in brisk pace and reached her Grand suite. The door opened itself as she approached and Audré went straight to her personal medicinal potion cabinet before unlocking it and taking out a large phial of Lavender Oil.

'Nothing is more important than Jean and her mental peace and I am certainly not going to jeopardize it.' she thought resolutely and left her suite.

The Fideliused quarter used by Hermione and Adrian was not very far from her Grand suite and Audré reached there in no time. Hermione's bedroom in first floor was dimly lit and the door was open allowing Audré to stand at the threshold and observe the interior.

While Adrian was sleeping on the spacious bed, Hermione was indeed pacing back and forth in the balcony, which was visible from where Audré stood on the threshold. She entered the bedroom silently and walked over to balcony, determined to discover the real cause behind her restlessness.

"Dear Jean, I didn't know that you are also an owl like me." She commented lightly and watched as Hermione whipped around, clearly startled.

"Aunt!" she exclaimed softly while Audré cast an Imperturbable Charm on the doorway to prevent Adrian from waking up from their oncoming conversation, "What are you doing here?" she asked, surprised at Audré's sudden appearance in her suite at the middle of the night.

"I am insomniac." Audré replied carelessly, "I can't sleep at night unless I take strong Sleeping potions. What about you? Are you insomniac like me or are you having nightmares again?" she asked in a carefully casual tone.

Hermione let out a deep sigh, "No, aunt. I am not having nightmares. Whatever sleeping magic you used on me that evening is working well and I assure you that I can sleep peacefully now." she confirmed, "But how did you know that I am still awake?"

"This is my Château, Jean, and I have many means to know whatever happens inside its walls." Audré replied with a shrug.

"Are you spying on me?" Hermione enquired with a slight scowl.

"No, dearest." Audré lied and moved to the balustrades to look up at the moonlit sky before deciding to answer it another way, "I was brought up in this Château, Jean and I know it's every single nook and corner. Do you know that there are several secret passageways in this Château?" she asked Hermione with a skeptic smile, "No, you don't." she replied on Hermione's puzzled look, "During an average day and night, I always know whatever is happening around this whole Château. I am the Lady of this Château and therefore I have powers over the place that no one posses. I am no some common Muggle mistress, Jean, so please don't underestimate my position." She said and turned her solemn gaze at Hermione.

Hermione gave her a look that conveyed a mixture of admiration and amazement, "It sounds like Hogwarts." she commented after a while, "I always wondered how Professor Dumbledore always knew what happened around Hogwarts castle. I even read Hogwarts: A History several times to find out the mystery but there was nothing written in there. Now I understand, aunt." she said with a triumphant look, "As Headmaster, he was bonded to the castle in some way that he somehow received every bit of information regarding its inhabitants. Beside the castle portraits and ghosts, who regularly conveyed him message, there must have been some other force too." she said with a knowing smile and a nod of her head, "I think that was the reason his office wouldn't open to anyone when he left the school temporarily in my fifth year after Ministry of Magic imposed a hag by the name of Dolores Umbridge in his place." Audré watched as Hermione voiced her theories, "But how do you do it here in this Château?" she asked curiously, "I see no ghosts here; though there are many talking portraits. Who lets you know about us?"

"I am afraid; Jean, but I can't answer that." Audré replied, pleasantly happy that Hermione has accepted her other explanation, "But yes, you are right." She nodded, "Any Master or Mistress of a magical establishment is magically bonded with the place. They have every power imaginable over that place and their ownership passes only after they are dead. Like Professor Dumbledore's power passed to his rightful successor the moment he died and my father passed this Château to me when he died. My ownership will pass to my son when I am dead." She elaborated, "But that is not the issue at hand, Jean." she reverted back to her original purpose of visiting Hermione, "If you are neither insomniac nor suffering from any nightmares, why are you still awake?" she asked Hermione, "Don't get me wrong, dear, for I have no intention to disturb your privacy but I happen to remember clearly that you said you were tired and wanted to sleep after the meeting was over."

She watched as Hermione walked over and stood beside her in silence. Her expression was grim and thoughtful and her earlier triumphant demeanor was gone.

"It is just that…something happened this evening….and I still can't get over it." she said her voice forced calm.

Lightly Audré took Hermione's uninjured hand in her hands and stroked it, trying to make her feel relaxed as she waited patiently for her to speak up.

Silence stretched between them and then Hermione answered, "He touched me."

Audré suppressed her shudder and her smile froze on her lips as soon as she understood who 'he' could be.

"How?" she asked the grave looking young mother sharply, her heart suddenly thumping against her chest, "Did he try to…"

"No…" Hermione shook her head, "It is not like that."

Fear clouded Audré's thought as she left Hermione's hand and grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to face her, "Jean, tell me what happened. Has he stalked you again? Has he harassed you over anything? Tell me." She shook her, urging her speak the truth.

"No, aunt. He didn't stalk or harass me this time." Hermione replied, slightly wincing in pain as her plastered arm was shaken too and Audré removed her hands from her shoulders immediately.

"I am sorry." She massaged over Hermione's shoulder blade, "I lost control of my temper. Please continue." She urged.

"He…came to talk to me last Wednesday…." Hermione resumed under Audré's gentle assurance, "…said that he was participating in some Quidditch tryout for Seeker's position at Sorbonne..."

Audré nodded, silently conveying that she was giving Hermione her fullest attention.

"…bloody Slytherin had the audacity to ask me and Adrian to attend his blasted tryout. At first I thought I wouldn't go. I know why he wanted me and Adrian go there. He wanted to show off his 'spectacular' flying skill and try to impress Adrian with it. He knows Adrian loves to fly. But I wasn't going to fall for his trap that easily." Hermione paused.

The night around them was completely silent except for Hermione's Dove, which gobbled once again in her sleep.

"…but then this ridiculous idea struck me. I thought I would go and Confound him so that he couldn't qualify…it will break his false pride…"

"Did you Confound him?" Audré asked Hermione, somehow amused at how she was following Draco's trait unconsciously.

"No… I couldn't." Hermione confessed, "I was about to Confound him unnoticed when a stray Bludger came at my direction and before I knew…. Malfoy was there…and he…snaked his arm around my….waist…and pulled me up in the air….away from the Bludger…."

Audré could see Hermione shaking lightly as she massaged over her stomach and recounted the incident, "…he shouted at me for being careless…and left me on the ground again….and went away…." She broke off.

Audré slapped her mentally for being a blatant foolish and asking Hermione to help her for the trial with Draco when it was clear that she was agitated from the incidence.

"Forgive me, Jean, but I fail to comprehend why you didn't tell me about it when I visited you this evening." Audré said evenly, "Do you not trust me enough? Have I not tried my best to protect you?"

"What has it got to do with trusting you, aunt?" Hermione asked her incredulously.

"It has got everything to do with trust." Audré countered her, "Had you told me about it earlier, Jean, I wouldn't have asked you help me, especially when Draco is there." She said firmly.

"Why? Because you think I am weak?" Hermione asked, frowning now, "You think I can't face him, aunt? You think that I should let go of the opportunity to work against Voldemort's supporters because that precious Death Eater is there to haunt my steps? No, aunt, I refuse to back out." Hermione said firmly, "I was the one who sacrificed everything for the sake of bringing Voldemort down and I won't let my fear come in my way of fighting him again." She shook her head resolutely.

"Jean," Audré gave Hermione a serene smile, "Please don't insult me like this." She said gently, "I never thought that you would back out or cower down; though initially you were a bit apprehensive and that's very natural since you are married to the man who tortured you. But I never expected that you would spend rest of your life inside this quarter. A woman such as yourself can never lay back and let others take over her. It was just a matter of time before you conquered your fear and came out. In fact I wanted you to help me on my trial because it will also help you to establish your place even more firmly in Draco's life. But I have decided it now, Jean, I wouldn't burden you with my selfish proposition. You will not work with him." Audré said sternly; adamant that she would think of another way to make Draco change his far-fetched plans.

"I am sorry aunt Audré." She watched as Hermione's eyes flashed at her in moonlight, "But I must respectfully decline. I don't care if that pureblood bastard works in this case or not but I, Hermione Jean Granger, will not back off." She said through clenched teeth, "I hate being treated as if I am made of glass. I assure you that I didn't act on moment's impulse. When you asked me whether I wanted to help you, I gave it a good thought before deciding that I wanted to do this." she said firmly.

"But Jean, forced courage is not what I want from you." Audré protested, "I know that you are a fighter and you will fight till the end: it is evident from the struggles you undertook to raise Adrian alone in a foreign country. But it is against my conscience to cause you any more pain than you are already in. I am therefore here to rectify my earlier mistakes, Jean, please don't insist me anymore." She pledged.

"What mistake, aunt? What pain?" Hermione asked, her eyes shining with tears, "Look! Look at this!" she pushed the neck of her mauve dress sideways to expose her left shoulder where Audré could see a faint pink bite mark and unbeknownst, she clapped her hand over her mouth, "This is where he bit me when he tortured me." She said fiercely, "I still carry the scar. This is the reason I never wear low-neck dresses. Had I wanted, aunt, I could have removed it years ago. But I didn't. Similarly Bellatrix engraved 'Mudblood' in my left forearm after she used Cruciatus on me. I could have shown it to you, but my arm is plastered." She tapped the cast over her left forearm, "But when it came to breaking into Gringotts with my friends Harry and Ron, I used Bellatrix's hair in Polyjuice Potion to disguise myself as her. I might be frightened, aunt, but I never let it impede my way." She said with a violent shake of her head, "I didn't keep those scars to prove that I am some brave war heroine, aunt. I kept them to remind me how close I came to death and how I survived; that I will always come back no matter what happens." She said with pride, "This is not forced courage. I am not afraid to face that bigot bastard anymore. I am tired of this hide and seek game. But enough is enough. Now I want to break free from all my fears." Hermione declared.

Audré was shaking slightly as she watched Hermione covering her shoulder again, "You gave me an opportunity to make things even, aunt. You always helped and protected me and Adrian. So don't blame yourself for asking me to help you." Hermione's tone became gentle, "While I may never feel comfortable around that pureblood monster, I refuse to chicken out." Hermione said firmly, "I have never retreated, not in the face of imminent death in the hands of Voldemort and his bloody supporters; not in the prospect of being tortured by his goons. It is not in my nature to leave things unfinished." She wiped the tears that had escaped her eyes, "I am strong, aunt Audré and I am going to prove it and give him a run for his money." She said with fierce determination.

Closing her eyes, Audré slumped against the pillars that supported the balcony; her unconvinced conscience making her heart heavy with guilt.

'What have you done, Audré? What have you done? Why did you hurry?'

"If so, Jean, why didn't you take the opportunity to curse Draco seriously this evening? No one would have known and you could have been free." She asked, feeling that she surely would have done the same.

"How could you say that?" Hermione exclaimed and looked at her incredulously, "As much as I like to punish him severely, aunt, but my conscience prevents me from harming him in any way that may culminate into his death or hurt him grievously. Even during the Battle of Hogwarts, I never used any deadly curse against the Death Eaters; mostly I stunned them. That is the basic difference between me and him." She said pointing a finger at Audré, "While he can…..violate his classmate to take revenge, I can never even think of doing so with my…" She broke off, "But I pray that he suffers…. that he suffers so much that he begs for death….and even death refuses to take him." She said fiercely.

Audré closed her eyes and felt her knees buckled under her as she slid along the pillar and slumped on the floor.

'What am I to do?'

'I know Draco doesn't deserve anything more than punishment.'

'And Jean deserves a happy life with the man she loves.'

'But Draco is slowly changing and now he is ready to go through anything to attain Jean's forgiveness.'

'And Jean is preparing to strike Draco fiercely.'

'What will be the result of this collision?'

'Is there any way I can prevent it?'

'In fact should I prevent it at all?'

'Draco has sown this. Shouldn't he be the one to reap it?'

"Maman!" Audré whispered softly to her dead mother, "Help me, please. Give me a way to guide us all away from this destruction."

"Aunt! Aunt Audré!" she heard Hermione's panic stricken voice call her as she crouched before her, "Are you alright? What happened?" she checked Audré's forehead for temperature.

"Nothing." Audré smiled feebly and lied, trying to regain her strength, "I was just overwhelmed by your courage." She confessed, "I must admit that I have never met anyone like you, Jean; so brave yet so considerate. I would have killed the man who tortured me but you saved him from death. What are you?" she asked earnestly.

Hermione gave her a shy but serene smile, "Don't think that I am some Godsend angel. I have my fair share of anger and vindictiveness but I just show it differently." She said calmly, "Now please get up and let's sit together for sometime. I feel better now that I have let it all out with you. You always imbibe negativity from me and give me strength, same as mother Apolline." She said and helped Audré to stand up before she following Hermione to the divan she conjured for them.

Audré was thankful that her elves had enough tactical knowledge to understand when to appear during a conversation, because as soon as she took her seat beside Hermione, Zilek apparated with a tray laden with two steaming mugs that was emitting most enticing smell.

Audré motioned Hermione to take a mug as the elf silently laid the tray before them, "Don't look at the mug like that, Jean." she said noticing Hermione examining her cup, "It is called Bliss Tea; it's my mother's recipe to fight anxiety and depression. She was an expert potioneer and invented many herbal concoctions. Take it and you will feel the difference." She offered.

Hermione took a tentative sip from her mug and considered the taste before swallowing as Audré waited patiently for her reaction.

"It is really good." Hermione remarked at last, "I feel so relaxed." she added.

"This tea is perfect for frazzled nerves or any mother in need of a mood boost. The skullcap and oat tops are classic nervine tonics that help support the nervous system during times of stress. Raspberry leaf is considered an important tonic herb for women's health that's a delicious source of nutrients like iron and niacin. The tasty addition of roses, vanilla, and cinnamon offer floral spiciness and inspire feelings of wellbeing. This tea can be sipped daily to maximize the pleasant effects. I recommend that you take a mug every night before going to sleep and you will wake up as fresh as a flower in the morning." she said as she moved behind Hermione and ran her fingers through those messy brown curls.

"Let me massage your head." Audré offered, as she poured some Lavender Oil on her cupped palm, rubbed them together and started circling her fingers through Hermione's curls.

"Why do you pamper me so much, aunt?" Hermione asked genially happy, leaning on the divan.

"It is not my fault, Jean. You and Adrian have stolen my heart in your own unique way." She chided her and worked her way through Hermione's curls.

In her life of fifty years, Audré had met many people, assessed and weighed their personality against her own before deciding her behaviour with them. It was not for anything that Parisian women called her the greatest manipulator behind her back. But Audré didn't mind now.

Everyone has their own way of playing a game and for Audré' it had been to playing it like chess. She had maneuvered different people like different chess pieces across a chess board called life to attain what she wanted. But she had never done anything that could weigh against her conscience.

This, she had been true to herself.

No matter what happened, Audré Chombrun Malfoy never let go of the perpetrator until he or she was fully punished, with or without law.

She looked down upon Hermione who was sipping her tea with solemnly and her eyes moved to her left shoulder where she hid the signature of her survival.

Once again, this woman has stunned her with her outstanding courage and endurance: her hunger to live and with dignity nonetheless, had no equal in Audré's eyes. It seemed as if Hermione's spirit knew no bounds.

Draco had chosen a path that will ultimately bring him to destruction but if it was Hermione, then Audré would let it be happily.

'What a marvelous woman you have chosen to die for Draco.' Audré thought as she decided how to set her pieces once again on the board, 'Soon you will realize it yourself.'

•••••

The Delacour Residence may not be as large and grand as Château de la Grange-Bleanue, but it was Hermione's most favourite place in the world after her parents' home in England and Hogwarts Castle. The place had provided her with peace, protection, love, respect and to her child a loving family that Adrian deserved had he been born under normal conditions.

Her night after her conversation with Audré being extremely peaceful, Hermione had taken the opportunity to visit the Delacours early on Saturday morning along with Adrian and Gabrielle while secretly wishing that Alexis remains at home on weekends. Her dreams of living happily with the man she loved might have been shattered but Hermione was adamant to reestablish her friendship with Alexis Delacour and had been devising possible ways to engage him in a normal rather than formal conversation, which the reserve man preferred since she had been married to Draco Malfoy.

To her immense disappointment, Alexis was not present at home when she arrived there by Floo and when Apolline told her that Alexis had been attending his office even in weekends since the attack on Minister of Magic, Hermione immediately analyzed that it was all Alexis's ploy to avoid her, should she visited Delacour's home, as well as futile attempts of trying to forget the past between them. Once again, the proof that Alexis was mourning over their love made Hermione's heart heavy with guilt and pain, which she concealed with a forced bright smile on her lips. She knew Apolline too understood her son's situation and if Hermione behaved like a love-sick puppy, the elderly woman would be mortified thinking that she had destroyed two lives when she persuaded Hermione to marry Draco Malfoy.

'Well, not two exactly.' Hermione counted mentally, 'It's three if I count Adrian, me and Alexis.'

So she behaved her best and told her all about their previous night's meeting where she had been asked by Audré to help her in her trial and the incident at Malfoy's tryout.

"You should have told me the truth, Jean." Gabrielle admonished Hermione for lying to her about food poisoning, "You should have told me that you were sick because the bloody bastard touched you." She said fiercely.

"So that my son learns that his mother vomits when his father touches her?" Hermione asked back, "So that he can ask me later why I feel that way? Why I panic when that monster is around?" she shook her head in disappointment, "Honestly, Gabrielle, of all the people I know, I thought you would have understood that by yourself. You know I never lie to my son and I didn't lie to him when he asked me about his father. I could have told him that he is dead or something like that, but I never wanted him to grow up under false impression that his father was a saint. This I promised myself, Gabrielle, when I decided to keep this child that I will never lie to him regarding his true parentage and lineage no matter what happens." She said firmly.

The Delacour ladies were silent as they exchanged a grave look.

"I am sorry, Jean, I didn't mean that." Gabrielle said in a small voice and Hermione reached forward to take her hands in her uninjured hand.

"Forgive me, Gabrielle, if I have been rude." She said softly to her, "I know how much you all love me and my Adrian. I can never thank you enough for that." she squeezed Gabrielle's hand gently.

"Now, now, Jean, you are forgetting the Delacour's primary rule: no thanks between family members." Apolline warned Hermione in a low tone, "Come here and seat beside me, my dear." She patted the place beside her on her sofa, "I don't like it when you or Adrian are sitting away from me." She indicated at the sofa Hermione was currently occupying which was just opposite her.

Though the parlour they had been using for their private conversation was spacious enough to comfortably house twenty persons in it, Hermione knew that Apolline always loved to sit in tight group when conversing with her family. With a grateful smile she moved on to the seat beside Apolline and leaned sideways to place her head on the elderly woman's lap, clearly wanting her to stroke her hair.

"I don't know if there is a more fortunate woman than me, mother." She said as Apolline got her signal and lightly ran her fingers through Hermione's hair, "I have two mothers who love me with all their hearts." She said softly.

"Hey, what about me?" Gabrielle demanded and moved forward to place her head on Apolline's other half of the lap, "I am my maman's daughter too." she reminded her.

Apolline laughed heartily, clearly enjoying the playful fight between her daughters for her affection, "Well, I am lucky to have such nice daughters. Jean made me forget Fleur's absence." She said honestly as she stroked Gabrielle's silvery hair with her other hand.

"What about Fleur?" Hermione asked, suddenly remembering about Fleur's current pregnancy, "How is she and how is her baby?"

"I talked to them this morning over International Floo and Bill told me that both of them are fine." Apolline told them happily, "He told me that they are going to have another daughter." Her eyes twinkled in glee.

"Really?" Hermione asked surprised, "I know Bill named his first daughter Victorie. What are they going to name this one?"

"It's up to Fleur this time and I am pretty sure that Mrs. Weasley's idea to name her new granddaughter as Celestina would be overruled." Apolline replied with a smile.

Hermione laughed heartily, "I knew that. I still remember how Fleur disliked Celestina Warbeck's singing on Christmas day." She reminisced before suddenly falling silent.

Christmas at the Weasley's reminded her of the past life she had left behind and the beautiful moments she had shared with them and Harry. It reminded her of the person she was before her innocence was taken from her and she became Adrian's mother.

As if realizing the reason behind her sudden silence, Apolline gave her hair a gentle sweep and cupped her cheek, "Tell me Jean, why did you try to Confound Malfoy when there were so many other suitable curses out there?" she asked casually, "I think I would have distributed sweets in the whole neighbourhood if the news came out that he had ended his wretched life unceremoniously after an accidental fall from broom." She mocked.

"Mother, you know I can't kill him. In fact I can't kill anybody." Hermione replied evenly.

"I wish you could, Jean," Gabrielle said longingly, "I personally want him to be hanged before the whole Wizarding population." she said with distaste.

"Mother, what was it that he talked to you on my birthday?" Hermione asked Apolline, remembering the small conversation between Malfoy and the Delacour matriarch.

Apolline seemed to relish her question before answering, "Before I answer you Jean, let me make it very clear to you that the day you decided to call me 'mother' instead of aunt Apolline, I too accepted you as my daughter. I will never do anything that will disturb our relationship." She declared and Hermione frowned, "With that being said, I want to inform you that Draco Malfoy approached me on your birthday with the intention of knowing me and my family better. I know the kind of cunning fox he is and my assumptions came out to be correct when he offered me to join him on a lunch. I am half-Veela, Jean and I am never afraid to show men like him their proper place, so I accepted his invitation and we met last Tuesday for our lunch. There, he asked me something in return of 'anything' I want." She said with a satisfied smile.

"And you accepted it?" Hermione asked, both astonished and uncomfotable.

"Oh yes." Apolline sounded so happy as if Christmas had decided to come earlier that year, "I asked him an exceptionally rare thing in return and he agreed."

"What?" Gabrielle asked before Hermione could.

"His pureblood." Apolline answered with a smirk.

"His pureblood?" Hermione repeated, "I don't understand, mother, why would he give you that? And how can he give you his blood?" she asked incredulously.

"There are ways, Jean, and I assure you that he is willing to participate in it." Apolline answered vaguely.

"For what? What did he ask from you?" Hermione asked, alarmed.

"He asked two things from me; one from the past and one from the future." Apolline replied solemnly, her earlier smile now replaced with a serious look, "While I will give him the past, I will never ask you to give him the future." She said firmly.

Hermione sat up, her limbs tense from what she had just heard, "Please explain, mother." She begged to Apolline.

"No, Jean, this is something that I will not tell you." Apolline said calmly, "You have to trust the woman you call 'mother'. You have to trust that this mother will not sell her daughter's rights to her violator. I am not going to be used as Draco Malfoy's puppet; rather it is him, who shall be my puppet." She said fiercely.

Hermione blinked several times, trying to discern the inner meaning of Apolline's words. She knew that the half-Veela witch could be very strict when she wanted to and there was no point in arguing with her if she wasn't willing to discuss the matter any further.

She sighed and laid down on Apolline's lap again, "I trust you, mother." She said firmly.

"Thanks dear Jean." Apolline leaned down and kissed both of her daughters on their foreheads, "I knew you would. Now that I have this thing settled between us, I would like to give a piece of advice." She said smiling again.

"What?" Hermione asked, enjoying that Apolline was on her side.

"When you work with that bigot brat, give him hell." Apolline said icily, "Make him understand that he can never rule you; that you are not his traditional pureblood trophy wife and you will not lie down to take his insults like a wooden doll. Vengeance is sweet, Jean, and if it is slow it's even sweeter. Make him repent for forcing you to marry him by kidnapping Adrian like that. It is high time for a filthy snake like him to realize that Hermione Jean Granger is a lioness and she is going to squeeze the juice out of his guts." She proclaimed proudly.

Hermione's chest swelled in confidence as Apolline's words hit her and she took a deep breath to relieve her earlier uneasiness. She was about to ask her about le Pasteur when the door of the parlour burst open and a crying Adrian rushed in.

"Mama!" he exclaimed as a startled Hermione sat bolt upright and hurried forward to get her son, "Mama!" he cried again and threw himself on Hermione's outstretched arm.

"Mama! Mama! Mama!" Adrian repeated and sobbed uncontrollably against her chest while clutching her as tightly as his little arm would allow him and Hermione looked up in alarm for an explanation for his sudden outburst.

"What happened, father?" she asked the elderly man who followed Adrian inside the parlour, "He was in good mood when he went outside with you to meet his friends." She said before turning to Adrian and stroking his head gently, "Adrian! Mama's love! Mama's little rabbit! What happened?" she asked the crying boy while frantically checking him if he was physically hurt.

Gustave, slightly panting, placed the sac of gifts Adrian's friends had given him on the table and slumped on a sofa with a pitiful expression in his face, "It's Pierre Rochés." He replied.

"Pierre!" Hermione hissed as a wave of anger coursed through her veins at the mention of her son's bully, "I will kill him if he tried to bully my son this time. I swear I will father…" she said furiously but Gustave held out a hand and quieted her.

"He didn't bully Adrian, Jean, you are misunderstanding the whole situation." He said solemnly as Apolline and Gabrielle both joined her to calm down Adrian, who was still holding his mother as tightly as he could, "When we went out to meet Adrian's friends, we met Pierre who is visiting his mother. You know that the rules of Claiming strictly state that no child would be allowed to be brought up by parents who are convicted criminals. So when his father was arrested, Pierre's guardianship temporarily passed to his uncle with whom he is currently living outside Paris. But his mother is forced to live here at the Rochés Mansion and the ministry allows Pierre to meet his parents once every week. He was here to meet his mother when he came across Adrian and told him that he has been taken away from his mother. That's when Adrian suddenly became hysterical and ran for home. No matter how much I screamed to stop him, Jean, he wouldn't listen." He said before conjuring a goblet of water and offering it to Hermione.

Hermione took the goblet from his hand and offered it to Adrian who was still sniffing and wiping his sore red nose at her blouse, "Here, my love, take some water." She said softly to the little boy who looked up at her with bloodshot grey eyes.

"Mama, I love you!" he declared and buried his face in Hermione's bosom with such force that it knocked off the goblet she was holding, "I love you." He repeated breaking into fresh bouts of tears again.

"Mama also loves his little rabbit, my love," Hermione said as tears threatened to burst through her own eyes and hugged Adrian as tightly as possible without hurting his plastered arm, "Mama will fight the world for her Adrian, Mama will kill and die for her little lovely son." she said, now crying unabashed with her son.

"Mama, I love you. Don't leave me." Adrian's plea resonated against her chest, "That night when he took me and Peter away from you, I thought I will never see you again. I was so scared that I ran and ran and ran." He recounted and everyone listened to him intently while realizing what 'he' might be, "I ran with Peter and I told them that I won't come out from under the bush until Mama comes and takes me out." He said controlling his sobs, "You know Mama that I hate Pierre for insulting you and tearing my favourite book but they shouldn't have taken him away from his Mama. He is scared just like I was. I feel so sorry for him." He said against Hermione's chest, "I forgive him."

Hermione was rendered speechless at her son's honest declaration.

"I have never seen a finer boy." Apolline announced proudly and Hermione simply nodded, unsure how to express her astonishment, "Adrian is the son any mother would be proud to have." she praised him, running her fingers through the silvery blonde curls while Adrian's face lay buried in Hermione's chest.

"Yes, he is the perfect little angel." Gabrielle said fondly, "He is just like his mother - loving, caring and forgiving."

Hermione shook her head, "No, Gabrielle, I am not half as good as my little rabbit." She countered her proudly, "Mama's little rabbit is million times better than her." She declared.

"No," Adrian protested, his voice resonated against Hermione's chest, "You are the best Mama in the world." He said firmly.

"Okay, okay." Gustave held out his hands in surrender to end the dispute over who is the best, "Jean and Adrian are the best Mama and little rabbit in the world. Fine now?" he asked the mother and son for their approval.

"Yes, it's fine." Hermione replied, wiping her tears, "But father, what will happen to Pierre? Will he always live with his uncle?" she asked Gustave.

Gustave conjured another goblet of water and handed it to Hermione, "Well it depends, Jean. If Augustus Rochés is found guilty of his crimes then the ministry will pass the guardianship to Pierre's uncle permanently whereas his mother will be his second guardian. In that case she cannot take any decision related to Pierre on her own. She will have to consult his uncle first and if his uncle is found unfit for the duty then the Ministry will appoint a family counselor who will look over Pierre's guardianship until he turns seventeen and comes of age." He said calmly, "The Ministry of Magic takes the upbringing of magical children very seriously and if they suspect that the any magical child is not receiving proper care by his or her parents, they would handle the matter strictly. This law also ensures that any wizard or witch doesn't participate in criminal activities voluntarily because the Ministry will change their children's guardianship and they would have to share it with someone else. Who would want his or her child to be shared by his relatives?" Gustave explained, "It is not as barbaric as you think it is, Jean. Most of the times, the children who are taken into Ministry's custody receive better treatment than their parents ever provided them and they grow up well. Take Pierre for example, his attitude has changed completely. He looked humble and he even shook hands with our little Adrian. It is clear that his uncle's family is knocking some sense into him and if it continues he may grow up to be a good Wizarding citizen." Gustave said with a hopeful smile.

"He was good with me Mama" Adrian agreed with his grandfather, "He told me to go to his home to play with him." He added.

Casting a downward glance at her innocent and forgiving son Hermione sighed when a realization dawned upon her.

'Somehow the French Ministry has prevented the creation of another Draco Malfoy.'

•••••

St. Lupus's Facility for Lycanthropes

Department of Research for Cure of Magical Maladies

Ministry of Magic

Republic of France

Biographical information of the Volunteer:

Name: Draco Lucius Malfoy.

Born: 5th June 1980, Great Britain.

Blood status: Pureblood.

Marital status: Married.

Physical Information:

Species: Human

Gender: Male

Age: 24 years 3 monthes and 23 days.

Height: 183 cm/ 72 inches

Weight: 160 lbs

Hair colour: Silvery Blond

Eye colour: Grey

Skin colour: Pale

Family Information:

Father: Lucius Abraxas Malfoy (1954 - 2002)

Mother: Narcissa Malfoy

Spouse(s):

Astoria Malfoy (nee Greengrass) (1998 – 2004)

Hermione Jean Granger (2004 - )

Children: 4

Adrian Thomas Granger-Malfoy – son (1999 - )

Scorpius Malfoy - son (2000 - 2002)

Unnamed male (Deceased)

Unnamed male (Deceased)

Other relatives in France:

Morpheus Malfoy – paternal uncle (1952 – 1995)

Audré Chombrun Malfoy – paternal aunt

Julian Malfoy – cousin

Lillian Malfoy –cousin

Draco's cold grey sleepless eyes moved over the 'Informed Consent' form and they lingered for a fraction of moment over Adrian and Scorpius's names before moving downwards as he scanned the document that covered three roles of parchment.

I, Draco Lucius Malfoy, have read the foregoing information, or it has been read to me. I have had the opportunity to ask questions about it and any questions that I have asked have been answered to my satisfaction. I consent voluntarily to participate as a participant in this research for a new cure of Lycanthropes with full information about the possible outcomes.

Signature of the participant…

He took the quill from ink stand with steady hands and signed his name at the bottom before handing it back to the Ministry official who had been attending to him since the morning.

"The formalities are over, Monsieur Malfoy." the official, whose name Draco didn't pay much care to remember, called him, "Please follow me." He bid.

Still preoccupied, Draco stood up to follow the man who took him to a fireplace. He tossed a handful of glittery silver powder into the Floo fireplace and they walked into the heatless emerald green fire.

"St. Lupus's Facility for Lycanthropes." The ministry official declared.

The green fire sprung into life and Draco felt an immediate pull, as the magical network transported them to the underground secret facility zooming past other fireplaces and hearths.

Last night had been the longest night of his miserable existence on earth; longer than the night in May when Astoria died, the night in April when Scorpius died and longer and darker than the night in June when he was sent to kill Professor Dumbledore in Astronomy Tower.

He had returned from his meeting with his aunt and Hermione and taken a late night shower to cleanse himself after tryout. The long bath elevated his mood considerably and feeling fresh after shower Draco had taken out his sketch copy and a piece of charcoal before settling on his balcony to draw a sketch of his sleeping son Adrian.

The image of the innocent and handsome boy in his peaceful slumber that been occupying his mind since the day he had brought him in his room and Draco had been planning to make the memory permanent in his sketch so as to examine it at leisure.

With expert hands he sketched out the basic shape of Adrian's face. He drew a line straight down the middle and another at the eye level, deciding where his son's beautiful eyes, small pointed nose and delicate lips would be before drawing a simple hairline.

Next he added the eyes that had always mesmerized him and he took special care to draw the small fractional opening that revealed Adrian's grey iris when he slept. His lips curled in smile as he drew his eyebrows, ears, noses and with every stroke Adrian's innocent sleeping features materialized in the paper.

So lost was he in his work that Draco didn't notice that two sonorous chimes echoed across the Château grounds.

Two o' clock in the morning.

Draco stifled a yawn and looked at Adrian's sketch which was almost finished.

"My beautiful, innocent son. My Adrian." he murmured to the sketch, praising his son's perfect features in celestial moonlight.

The boy looked almost alive in his sketch and Draco lightly kissed his forehead, just as he had done on day before yesterday.

Draco drew for another half hour and when the sketch was finished, left his balcony to lie down on his bed. He placed his head on the pillow where Adrian had slept, feeling him in his senses before lightly caressing the now finished sketch and then covered his heart with it.

"Soon, very soon, son, father will be with you." He whispered to the sketch, "Father won't back off, son and he would do anything to make your mother forgive him."

Suddenly he was visited by bizarre wish: 'I want to listen Adrian's breathing when he sleeps.'

The magical listening device that his cousin had lent him had exceptional quality to convey even the tiniest bit of sound with crystal clear clarity. He had passed many a evening just listening to the idle chit chat Hermione and Adrian exchanged and was amazed at how it seemed to come from just beside him, as if they were sitting before him instead of their Fideliused quarter.

He reached out and turned on the knob of the old fashioned radio, clearly imagining his son asleep and waiting to hear his breathing sound.

What came instead made him freeze on the spot.

"What mistake, aunt? What pain?" Hermione's voice asked, "Look! Look at this! This is where he bit me when he tortured me." She said fiercely, "I still carry the scar. This is the reason I never wear low-neck dresses. Had I wanted I could have removed it many years ago. But I didn't. Similarly Bellatrix engraved 'Mudblood' in my left forearm after she used Cruciatus on me. I could have shown it to you, but my arm is plastered." There was a tapping sound over cast plaster, "But when it came to breaking into Gringotts with my friends Harry and Ron, I used Bellatrix's hair in Polyjuice Potion to disguise myself as her. I might be frightened, aunt, but I have never let it impede my way. I didn't keep those scars to prove that I am some brave war heroine, aunt. I kept them to remind me how close I came to death and how I survived; that I will always come back no matter what happens." There was pride in her voice, "This is not forced courage, aunt. I am not afraid to face that bigot bastard anymore. I am tired of this hide and seek game. But enough is enough. Now I want to break free from all my fears." Hermione's voice declared.

Paralyzed with what he was hearing, Draco couldn't move his arm an inch to turn off the radio knob. Instead his mind travelled back to the events in the dungeons more than six years ago.

He had bitten her that day. He had bitten her like an animal to calm the anger that had been coursing through his veins.

In his reverie Draco missed some part of the conversation Hermione was having with his aunt Audré. When he regained his hearing senses, some broken lines entered into his already frozen brain cells.

"If so, Jean, why didn't you take the opportunity to curse Draco this evening? No one would have known and you could have been free." His aunt Audré was asking.

"How could you say that?" Hermione's voice exclaimed "As much as I like to punish him severely, aunt, but my conscience prevents me from harming him in any way that may culminate into his death or hurt him grievously. Even during the Battle of Hogwarts, I never used any deadly curse against the Death Eaters; mostly I stunned them. That is the basic difference between me and him. While he can…..violate his classmate to take revenge, I can never even think of doing so with my…" She broke off, "But I pray that he suffers…. that he suffers so much that he begs for death….and death refuses to take him." She said fiercely.

Draco had laid down silently for hours after that sentence had hit him, his senses completely cut off from the conversation that was conveyed to him. Eventually it died out and what remained was death like silence.

During all these years Draco had shut off his mind to the memories of that particular day and even used Occlumency to impede their return. But the mention of the biting brought them back and as if a flood gate had been opened, it engulfed all his senses.

She had squirmed under him, writhed under him, screamed under him and pleaded him to release her.

Yet he had continued assaulting her until it was over.

Until he was spent.

Until he was satisfied that he had punished her well.

He had bitten her.

He had bitten her left shoulder- just at her pulse point.

"This is where he bit me when he tortured me."

"I still carry the scar. This is the reason I never wear low-neck dresses.

"I didn't keep those scars to prove that I am some brave war heroine, aunt. I kept them to remind me how close I came to death and how I survived; that I will always come back no matter what happens."

"While he can…..violate his classmate to take revenge, I can never even think of doing so with my…"

"But I pray that he suffers…. that he suffers so much that he begs for death….and death refuses to take him."

When first rays of morning appeared through the window and bathed Draco's lying form, he was pale as ghost and his eyes were blank.

How he got up, got dressed and left his suite, Draco didn't know, neither could he recall.

As if in trance, he had apparated in the Ministry of Magic and after enquiring from the reception where the Department for research on lycanthropes was, Draco had presented himself as a volunteer there.

What had happened after wards had been all blur; he vaguely remembered being asked a lot of questions – how he had answered them he didn't know. He only knew that somehow he had satisfied the ministry officials with his answers and afterwards he had been taken for a physical examination.

He had waited silently for the results to appear and then an informed written consent form was given to him. He had checked it, signed it and sealed his fate for guaranteed suffering for next few monthes.

When seconds later Draco stepped out of the Floo with the ministry official, who had been escorting him to the high security facility for the werewolves, he was fully prepared for what was to come.

The facility, though underground, was decorated elegantly. It didn't appear as if it was underground at all. The floors were tiles with rich Italian white marble, the walls were paneled in Oak and the whole place had a clean feel about it: so unlike for creatures it behold - Werewolves.

In steady steps Draco had followed the ministry official to the office of the Chief Researcher, a middle aged man by the name of Henri Descartes.

"Monsieur Malfoy," he addressed as Draco settled before his desk, "You are a pureblood!" he exclaimed, checking the Consent Form.

Silently Draco arched an eyebrow at him, challenging his proclamation.

"I meant no offense, Monsieur." Descartes said solemnly, "It is just that Purebloods never participate in this kind of research." He explained himself.

"I am willing to take the risks." Draco said coolly.

"I believe that everything has been explained to you?" Descartes enquired.

"Yes, I know that there will be seven doses of this venom which will be pushed into my blood." Draco replied, "I have been told that your researches will take every bit of precaution to protect me from any untoward harm; that no toxic substances will be used upon me and that the venom that is being used is purified prior to injecting."

"But even with all precautions, Monsieur Malfoy, we can't rule out the possibility of unexpected side effects." Descartes warned him, "We therefore require you to go undergo regular physical examination and blood tests so that we can look for and identify unusual symptoms or side effects. You will receive compensations..." he broke off as Draco held out a hand to silence him.

"I don't need compensation." He said evenly, "Please continue."

Descartes blinked twice before continuing again, "Very well." He said, "But should you experience any medical problem, which I assure you will face," he emphasized, "You will receive free medical care until the problem is solved. I believe you know that the details of this experiment are not for public ears?" he asked sharply.

Draco nodded.

"Since you are a volunteer we will not ask you take Unbreakable Vow. But you can't talk about this to anyone outside your family." Descartes bid.

Draco nodded again.

"Please follow me then." the Head researcher said as he stood up and walked over to the door of his office to hold it open for Draco.

They left the office and walked side-by-side as Descartes took Draco to the heart of the facility. The room he was taken to was a giant chamber with more researchers like Descartes who were wearing white apron and looked at them with interest.

"This is Monsieur Draco Malfoy." Descartes introduced Draco to the group, "Our new volunteer."

Draco was silent and digested the astonished looks and gasps that escaped the group's members: clearly they hadn't imagined a healthy young man to appear as a volunteer suddenly.

"I can't believe this!" one of them exclaimed, "He came at the perfect moment. It's full moon in just three days and we could test the potency of 'Lupus Venom' at full moon."

"Monsieur, I am asking you again, are you sure you want to do this?" Descartes asked Draco earnestly, "It is full moon on Tuesday and you know werewolves transform during full moon. So the potency of the venom will be at its peak at that time. There will be excruciating pain as the venom will attack every cell of your body; it is enough to make anyone want to die. You can still walk away and we have no right to hold you back. Are you sure you want to proceed?"

"But I pray that he suffers…. that he suffers so much that he begs for death….and death refuses to take him." Hermione's voice resonated across Draco's mind.

"I am cent percent certain about what I am doing, Monsieur Descartes. I am ready for everything." Draco proclaimed solemnly.

The group cast him a weird look before guiding him to another glass covered chamber where a lone white bed and a nightstand were the only furniture. As soon as Draco sat on the bed and aligned himself in a propped up position, one of the female researchers came forward to check his blood pressure.

"I am fine. Don't fuss." Draco warned her, trying to pull away his left arm.

"Monsieur, you may be a volunteer, but we have strict protocol for such researches. We must check your blood pressure before and after the Lupus Venom is injected." She told him sternly and directed the tip of her wand at Draco's left arm.

Remembering that he had the Dark Mark there, Draco pulled it away again and offered her his right arm instead.

"Here, whatever you want to do, do it with my right limb. I won't allow you to touch my left arm." He hissed.

With a resigned look on her face, the woman moved her wand to Draco's right arm to cast a medical spell.

"How are they going to inject the venom in me?" Draco asked her, noticing that there was no Muggle syringe or any such device in the glass bound chamber.

"They have gone to bring Igor." she answered him curtly, clearly affronted by Draco's earlier behaviour.

"Who is Igor?" Draco frowned, his mind now reconsidering his decision, "Is it some werewolf they want to bite me?" he asked her.

"No, it's not a werewolf." The female researcher replied calmly, "It's a snake."

"Snake?" Draco repeated after her, "Why Snake? I thought the research is being conducted for werewolves?" he asked skeptically.

"It is being conducted for Werewolves Monsieur." The woman affirmed, now cheching Draco's pulse, "We use snakes because werewolves, vampires and snakes have the same way of injecting venom on their prey." She said, "They use their sharp canine teeth to puncture the skin and instill the poison through the saliva that runs down through those sharp canine teeth. While the werewolf venom makes it prey to transform, vampire venom makes its victim a blood sucking beast like them, the snakes simply bite to kill. They are therefore the safest creatures to be used to inoculate the venom on our volunteers." She explained, "Don't worry." Her tone turned soft as she noticed Draco's ashen face, "Though these snakes are highly venomous, we have milked out their venom before injecting them with werewolf venom. They are just test snakes used to keep the werewolf venom alive outside their body magically. Rest assured that we are not going to kill you with snake bite." She shook her head.

Draco didn't care now. If he was to endure the presence of werewolf venom inside him, what difference did it make with a snake too?

He watched dejectedly as the other researchers filed in his chamber, holding a large glass jar, inside which a spiky white snake was curled up.

The presence of his house emblematic animal suddenly amused Draco immensely.

'A Slithering snake for a Slytherin.' He thought and observed as Descartes approached him with caution.

"Though your courage so far had been very commendable, Monsieur Malfoy, I suggest that you let us use Anesthetic Spell on you. Their bite is very painful." He said grimly indicating the snake inside the jar.

A voice echoed inside Draco's head followed by a flood of sentences:

"This is where he bit me when he tortured me."

"I still carry the scar. This is the reason I never wear low-neck dresses.

"I didn't keep those scars to prove that I am some brave war heroine, aunt. I kept them to remind me how close I came to death and how I survived; that I will always come back no matter what happens."

Draco moved the collar of the crisp white shirt he was wearing and exposed his left pulse point.

"Bring Igor." He said solemnly, "and no spells." He added as Descartes moved his wand to cast the Anesthetic Spell on him.

Descartes was giving him a disbelieving look, "Are you sure?" he asked Draco sharply.

"This is where he bit me when he tortured me." Hermione's voice said inside Draco's head.

"This is where Igor should bite me if you want to proceed with the research, Monsieur Descartes." Draco replied unflinchingly and pointed at his left shoulder.

Silently Descartes waved his wand and the mouth of the glass jar flew opened. Draco watched as the snake was levitated and brought to him before it was laid cautiously over his chest.

The snake hissed and uncoiled himself. The black forked tongue of the reptile zipped several times out of its mouth to taste the air as his eye slits narrowed.

Draco closed his eyes and turned his face sideways as he felt the snake slithered towards his exposed neck. He felt it crouched into a tight advantageous striking position before flickering it's tongue again to scent the air.

Next moment his senses were ripped away from him as a sharp pain shoot from his left neck where Igor burrowed his poisoned fangs into his pale skin.

"Father, I love you!" Adrian's tender voice was the last thing Draco remembered before he lost his consciousness.

•••••

Audré's concerned eyes were following the restless figure of Narcissa Malfoy as she paced back and forth in front of the Apparition point.

"I just can't believe this boy?" she said for the tenth time in last one hour and checked her watch.

"It's only eight thirty, Narcissa," Audré informed her sister-in-law, "Don't worry, dear. Draco must be practicing for his team in Sorbonne. He told me yesterday that he had qualified as Seeker for his year team." She said though she felt the same apprehension inside her as Narcissa.

"Are you sure, Audré?" Narcissa asked her skeptically, "I guess he is not participating in Quidditch World Cup for France because he is has been absent throughout the whole day."

Audré was about to reply but a figure materialized at the moment at the Apparition point.

It was her nephew Draco Malfoy.

Noticing that her son had arrived at last Narcissa walked over to him and grabbed the collar of his shirt; Audré immediately left the garden seat she was occupying previously and approached the mother-son duo with caution.

"Do you have any idea….any idea, Draco Lucius Malfoy, that how much worried I was?" Narcissa was shaking her son, who stood his ground still, "I almost had a heart attack! Bed empty….no breakfast….no note…. Are you out of your bloody mind?" she hissed, "Where the hell have you been anyway?" she asked furiously.

"Patience, Narcissa." Audré placed a comforting hand over her sister-in-law, "Draco has just arrived. Let him take some breath, I am sure he can explain later on. Can't you Draco?" she asked her nephew.

"No, I don't want to hear any explanations, Audré." Narcissa objected, "I am sick and tired of this man and his lawless ways." Narcissa said and shook her silent son, "I am a human being. How long should I carry all this?" she asked before letting go of Draco's collar finally.

"Mother, I am extremely sorry and I apologize for troubling you." Audré heard Draco said as he straightened his collar with a slight wince, "I went to meet an old friend of mine this morning and lost track of time." he said solemnly.

"Old friend…Rubbish…who is he?" Narcissa asked furiously, "Or she?" she added.

"His name is Igor and…he is an old Slytherin mate of mine." Draco replied.

"You mean Karkaroff?" Narcissa asked incredulously, "But the Dark Lord killed him." She stated.

"No, mother, that's not Igor Karkaroff. It's a different Igor." Draco said calmly.

Narcissa snorted, "Whatever," she waved her hand indignantly, "I am warning you, boy," she prodded her son's chest in a threatening manner, "If you ever leave the Château like this again, Draco, I will immediately go back to Malfoy manor and never come back." She said haughtily and left without another word.

Audré looked at her nephew. He was uncharacteristically silent as he watched his mother's retreating form.

"You are tired Draco." She said noticing her nephew's slumped shoulder, "Go back to your suite. I will tell the elves to send your dinner there." She said gently and nudged Draco's immobile form.

Instead Draco took her hand between his larger ones and simply looked at Audré's eyes. As the blue pair met the grey, even in the darkness of night, Audré recognized the blank and pained expression in them.

"What is it Draco?" she whispered, "What is it my dear?" she asked, a cold shiver running down her spine.

"Can we talk?" Draco asked her in an expressionless tone.

Audré nodded automatically and holding her nephew's hands she guided him to the nearest fountain, which was playing serenely, before conjuring two chairs and offering one to Draco.

She watched him expectantly as he sat quietly for some time; his head tilted sideways, his lips parted slightly: clearly lost in his own thoughts.

"When I was a kid," he started abruptly, "I never knew what pain is. I was my parents' only child, heir to the Malfoy family and they always protected me from every kind of trouble. I never paid much attention to anything or anybody; except for perhaps the things that I wanted – shiny new broomsticks, expensive clothes and shoes, fascinating magical objects – that too was brought to me by my father. I never knew what it was to be deprived…to be away from the thing I cherished….to want to hold it, aunt, I had everything. Everything a boy or a teenager can ever imagine." He said solemnly.

Audré remained silent, waiting for Draco to speak again.

"I used to idolize the Dark Lord, thinking that he is the key to a pureblood society that my father stated. I dreamt to be his follower when I grew up, proud to be at his service like my father… I even bragged about it when he branded me with his mark – the Dark Mark, thinking that I was the youngest person to become a Death Eater. But that was before I was told to assassinate my Headmaster and warned that should I fail, my whole family will be executed in the most painful way. Needless to say that I was scared but I hid it behind a false pride and started my mission. I told myself again and again that 'Draco, you need to do this…you have to do this…you can do this…' but no matter how hard I tried, aunt, I couldn't make myself kill that frail old man who was stood solemnly at the top of the Astronomy Tower that night. All I could do was Disarm Dumbledore. My fears increased later on when the Dark Lord started using our manor as his base; I was petrified to sit with him in the same table during our meetings. He had this huge snake named Nagini and he once killed our Muggle Studies teacher Charity Barbage and fed her body to his snake. I swear I almost vomited on the spot."

Audré watched as gentle air blew and played his nephew's sleek silvery blond hair, making him look strangely distant.

"I still don't know why I violated my classmate. I was never a womanizer, aunt. I never craved woman like the way common men did. True that I had several girl friends at school but that was nothing out of ordinary. I always had Pansy; sometimes I even indulged myself with those who tempted me. But it was never seriously physical; I never culminated any relationship to bed – not that I was unable to do so – I just didn't feel like it. Pansy was always ready but she wasn't too big a challenge for me and all I did…. is just shared some kisses with her…but nothing more. The fact is that I never touched a woman without her prior consent."

Audré couldn't deny that she was feeling a bit embarrassed as her nephew was discussing his private life with her so openly.

"But that day, when I saw Granger attacking my mother, I just don't know what happened to me…. I was mad with rage…. I never liked her very much…. always bossing around… she even hit me once in my third year…. but that was not the reason I … I attacked her… before I knew what was happening I was engulfed in this mad rage… the kind of rage I have never felt before…I felt like killing her but I can't kill anyone no matter how much I try…. So I took her to our dungeons and…" Draco broke off and covered his face with shaking hands.

"Her friends came and freed her eventually… Harry Potter and Ron Weasley they were… but I kept asking myself why I did it….why I tortured her…. Because I have never touched a woman like that before….only one answer came to me was…that she had provoked me into doing it… and I made myself believe that. I told myself - 'Yes Draco, it is true. Granger attacked your mother and infuriated you; so you punished her.' I told this to myself thousand times and eventually started to believe in those words. I believed them…until that night when I found out that she was still having hallucinations about that occurrence…and when you said that the greatest lies are the lies that we tell ourselves….I realized that I had lied to myself in order to justify my actions….in order to cleanse myself of the crime I committed, not her…"he paused.

"Why are telling this to me, Draco?" Audré sighed and finally asked her nephew, "Why after such a long time? And why to me? And why not to Jean?"

"Because she won't listen to me, aunt. Because she will spit on my face and walk away." Draco replied resolutely.

"But still you should start." Audré said evenly, "If you don't start walking on a road, Draco, you can never reach the end. If you truly feel what you just said to me, go and tell them to her. Save yourself the horror of pursuing another woman for Jean's forgiveness."

Draco shook his head, "I can't aunt…I just can't…at least not now." he said firmly and Audré sighed again in resignation, "I went to that Lycanthrope facility this morning, aunt" he said suddenly… "And they have injected me with the first dose." He said solemnly.

Audré watched in disbelief as his nephew removed the collar over his left shoulder and revealed a deep bite mark which was red and swollen.

"What is it? Werewolf bite?" she clapped her hand on her mouth and asked, examining the wound more closely.

"No, snake bite." Draco replied, "They have instilled some snakes with werewolf venoms magically and are using it to inject the venom into my veins. Igor is a small snake of Atheris hispida – a viper, who bit me here." He said and covered his wound again.

Audré was speechless as the information was delivered to her.

"How are you feeling now? Why did they let you come back? Shouldn't you be staying there? What if something happened to you?" she suddenly blurted out.

"I was knocked out cold for an hour after Igor bit me. But I am fine now, they have checked me and given me some potions to take before allowing me to return home." Draco informed Audré, who was still unconvinced, "But the real challenge is coming in three days when it will be full moon. The werewolves transform at full moon and this venom will be most potent on that night. It will be on Tuesday and they have asked me to stay at the facility on that night."

Audré didn't know what to say in response.

"Do you think you can join us in dinner, Draco?" she asked after some time, "I have asked Adrian and Jean to join us and I am pretty sure they would be coming." She said sincerely.

Draco nodded silently and stood up before turning to her, "Remember aunt, not a soul apart from us should know what happened today." He said urgently.

Audré smiled in assurance to her nephew who finally left for his suite.

She sighed heavily watching Draco's retreating form.

'I am so sorry Draco, but you have left me with no choice.' She thought, 'You have created a mess of epic proportions and if I am to guide you out of this…there is no other way open forward. It must be done and you must come out of your hiding.'

Audré closed her eyes and took a deep breath before leaning against her chair.

"Help me, maman. Help me. Help your daughter." She prayed again silently with all her heart.

•••••

Narcissa Malfoy would bet her right arm that her sister-in-law Audré Chombrun Malfoy was more than she ever revealed herself. The woman was exceptionally proficient at conversation, could turn any situation for her benefit and would make a raging bull calm down within two minutes.

With that conclusion, she reflected upon the incident that took place during their dinner earlier that evening.

Hermione had been invited to join the weekend dinners by Audré in order to increase her participation in the family and she arrived there with Adrian. Narcissa knew that she had spent the day with the Delacours at their residence and when Hermione arrived at the dinner without her usual companion Gabrielle, she assumed that the young woman must have stayed back at her parents home.

Narcissa had been secretly wishing to watch her grandson while he took dinner with the rest of the family (Draco included) and wanted to ask Hermione about their fractured arms' condition; when she noticed that Adrian was quieter than usual. The boy looked gloomy and he occasionally sniffed, making it very clear that he had been crying. Beside him, his mother was stroking Adrian's hairs gently and trying to comfort him.

Narcissa's first thought was that Hermione had rebuked her son severely for some reason and she couldn't deny that she felt a bit of annoyance towards the woman who sometimes behaved more strictly than it was for her liking. Her grandson was a perfect little gentleman and Narcissa would think thrice before using a harsh word to berate the angelic boy.

But there was no way to convey her opinions to Hermione since the ice between them was still prevailing and though Narcissa wanted it to melt by some miraculous occurrence, she didn't know how it could be done.

It was evident that everyone present at dinner had also noticed Adrian's uncharacteristic silence as there was no talking about any rabbits, carrots, drawing, chess or any such childish matters on his part and thankfully Audré took the initiative to ask the reason behind the little boy's listlessness.

What Hermione explained afterwards made Narcissa's heart miss two consecutive beats.

"He is sad for Pierre," the young mother had told the table, "When we were at Delacours, this boy Pierre Rochés used to bully Adrian because he was not a pureblood. He taunted him fiercely and about a month ago he tore Adrian's most favourite drawing book that his drawing teacher Monsieur Monette had given him when he won the Drawing competition at Brussels. I will never forget that evening, aunt Audré, for Adrian was so distressed that he cried himself dry and screamed in anguish over his destroyed book. No matter what I or mother Apolline or Gabrielle said or did, he wouldn't calm down. Then he had a sudden surge of rage which released in inner magic for the first time." she had stroked Adrian's hair fondly at this point, "It was so powerful that it shattered all the windowpanes of the kitchen and as an after effect he collapsed in my arms. I was shocked but mother took charge rapidly; she fed him some milk mixed with honey and then we massaged oil all over Adrian's body to make him warm because he was very cold. Since Adrian was ill, the very next day his Saining ceremony was done so that recovers and he was declared a new member of the Wizarding society." she kissed Adrian's temple, "This morning when we went at mother's, I sent Adrian to meet his old friends with father Gustave. We were talking in mother's parlour when Adrian suddenly burst in shaking and crying all over, crushed into my arms and said that he loves me." Hermione gave a proud smile, "I was alarmed thinking what might have happened; why was he sobbing so uncontrollably when father Gustave said that they had met Pierre on their way and ….." she paused, "Adrian why don't you tell grandma Audré what happened next?" she had offered her son.

Adrian looked up from his French bean soup, which he was spooning idly and sniffed again, "We met Pierre." He said, his tender voice dripped with sadness, "He told me that he came to meet his Mama. I didn't understand why he wanted to meet his Mama, so asked him about it. He said…" the boy stopped and gulped, "…he said he had been taken away from his Mama by the Magic Minister and…" he sniffed and wiped his red nose with a napkin, "…he is living his uncle outside Paris. He was very gentle when he talked to me and even asked me to go to his home to play with him during the weekend." Adrian said rapidly blinking his grey eyes that were threatening burst into tears, "That is when I remembered that I can't live without my Mama and I ran home…and I hugged Mama…" he wiped his nose again, "…and I told her that I love her and never to leave me." He said looking up at Hermione who wrapped an arm around her son protectively, "I forgive Pierre, grandma Audré. I am really sorry that he is living without his Mama." He said sadly.

Adrian's simple yet honest confession had filled Narcissa's chest with such a strong emotions that she wanted to take small boy in her arms and kiss him and tell him that he was most wonderful little boy in the world. Even she couldn't have forgiven her bully and she was sure Draco would never do such a thing in his life. In fact, he would have made fun of the distressed boy's situation had he been in Adrian's place. Yet this small boy had the maturity to be brave and forgive someone who had caused him pain in his past.

'Granger is an excellent mother.' She thought in her head, her earlier disappointment completely gone, 'She raised a wonderful boy.'

"Bravo, my dear grandson," Audré clapped and soon the rest of the table joined her (Draco included), "It takes courage to take revenge but it takes even more courage to forgive someone." She stated, "What shall we do to award such bravery?" she asked the table and Adrian, shy from all the complement hid his face in his mother's chest, "How about an outdoor picnic tomorrow? She offered them, "There will be food, games and music." She said enthusiastically.

Everyone murmured in agreement and Narcissa was happy that she would get an opportunity to spend some time with her grandson when suddenly the whole situation changed.

"I will die if Magic Minister takes me away from Mama." Adrian said as soon as the talk about upcoming picnic was over.

Draco's cold drawl sliced their cheerful mood when it echoed across the table.

"Don't ever talk about dying, Adrian." he warned his son in a dangerous tone, "Father forbids you."

Hermione was on her feet in an instant, her wand drawn and pointed at Narcissa's son as Adrian yelped and hid himself behind his mother.

"Don't you dare talk my son in that tone, Malfoy." She hissed at Draco, "I will personally remove your forked Slytherin tongue if you do so." Her eyes flashed dangerously at him.

Narcissa brain was completely frozen at the sudden turn of events. She looked from Hermione, who was ready to strike to Draco, who was calm and composed to Audré, who had finally stood up, her hands raised in to call surrender.

"One moment, Jean," she said a gentle tone, "Please lower your wand." She waved her hand at Hermione before walking over to her and taking out Adrian from behind his mother.

"Come with me Adrian," she asked him with an assuring smile, "I am grandma Audré and no one in whole France can harm you as long I am there." She said to the boy and grabbed his little hand, "Let me take care of the matter, Jean." she put a hand on Hermione's shoulder and motioned her to take her seat.

Everyone watched in silent apprehension as Audré wrapped her arm around Adrian and nudged him forward to pursue her. Narcissa's eyes followed the pair as they walked around the table and reached where Draco was sitting beside his cousin Julian.

There was something in Audré's demeanor that made Draco to stand up and he pushed aside his chair to face his aunt and son.

"Draco, what was the valuable piece of advice you were delivering to this boy?" Audré asked him calmly, "Please say it again. Surely you realize that he didn't mean what he said. Then why not explain it to him?" She offered solemnly.

Everyone watched as Draco knelt before his son and cleared his throat, "Adrian," he addressed him tenderly, "When I was young like you, my son, well not as young as you – a bit older, I used to talk about death very lightly. I even wished people to die – people whom I didn't like much. But when I grew up, I realized that that death is no topic for jokes – no one should wish it for himself or for anyone. So, please, I beg you to never talk about death again – not until you understand it's true meaning, like I do now." he said calmly before grasping his earlobes and looking directly at Adrian's eyes, "I am very sorry if I have frightened you in any manner. Can father be forgiven? Like you forgave Pierre?" he asked the little boy gently.

Adrian's innocent grey eyes were fixed into Draco's earnest ones when he replied.

"Okay. I forgive you." he squealed and tilted his head.

Narcissa watched in admiration as Draco offered his right hand to the little boy.

"Can father shake hands with Adrian?" he asked evenly.

Adrian looked up at his mother, who was thunderstruck as the scene raveled before her, and looked back at Draco again.

"You won't hurt me or take me away from my Mama?" he enquired cautiously.

Draco shook his head and pinched his throat, "I promise, dear son, I will never do that." she declared solemnly.

"Then it's okay." Adrian agreed and took Draco's hand.

They shook hands before the whole family and then the boy let go of his father's hand.

"Thank you, Adrian." Draco said his hand still in the air.

"Thank you, Monsieur." Adrian returned the courtesy in dignified manner.

"Let's go back to dinner." Audré announced lightly and guided the boy to his seat beside his mother.

After another five minutes, the dinner resumed with everyone, except for Draco taking, their food in peacefully.

Narcissa rolled over the bed she was lying and sat up, unable to sleep.

'If there was anyone who could change Draco's way of dealing with matters more humanely it was certainly Adrian and Audré.' She thought.

•••••

In the light of events that had taken place at the dinner between Adrian and Draco, Hermione couldn't be more furious.

But the problem was who to be furious with?

Audré – who had taken Adrian to Draco?

Draco Malfoy – the Slytherin serpent who that audacity to actually try to command Hermione's son?

Or Adrian, who had shaken hands with that pureblood bigot and forgiven him for scaring him?

Hermione didn't know.

She looked at her son who was sitting on their table and counting his new presents happily. It seemed that he had recovered from the initial sadness he had been carrying for Pierre and he was absorbed in admiring his three new books, two large box of Chocolate Frog, one bag each of Barty Bott's Every Flavour Beans and Cauldron Cakes.

Hermione was bursting to ask her son how could he forgive the man, who had causing them both so much trouble? But at the same time she didn't want to look it like she was angry on her son. She knew that her boy had a very tender heart and rebuking him for showing some gallantry would simply ruin his current good mood.

She watched as Adrian unpacked the bag of Cauldron Cakes and selected one, intending to eat it.

"Adrian, you just brushed your teeth." She reminded him slowly from their bed, "I think you should keep those cakes for the morning." she advised.

Clearly her son knew how to pursue his mother because he pouted his small rosy lips and gave Hermione such a pleading look that she was certain even Voldemort would have had hard time denying him, "Just one cake, Mama." He said, "Please!" he pleaded.

Shaking her head in disbelief and wondering what her dentist parents would have said had they found out that their grandson indulged his sweet tooth after brushing his teeth, Hermione nodded and with a happy squeal, Adrian took a large bite from his cake.

"Little rabbit," she called the happy boy, who offered some cake to his Peter rabbit and was rejected spectacularly, "Mama wants to ask you something." She said cautiously.

Her son's grey eyes moved from his rabbit to his mother as he prepared to answer her question and he nodded, taking another bite.

"Why did you forgive Monsieur?" Hermione asked him plainly.

Even for a young boy, Hermione noticed that her son's features darkened considerably at the mention of father's name.

"Because Grandpa said so." He replied, putting aside the half-eaten cake.

Hermione mentally slapped herself for making Adrian loose his appetite, "I am sorry, my love," she said tenderly before getting up and walking over to join her son on their reading table, "Eat your cake and tell me what Grandpa Gustave said. Hmm." She offered him.

Adrian, however, didn't take another bite, "Something happened this morning, Mama, when I went to meet Louis and my friends." He said with sober expression, "Grandpa and I were coming back from Gina's home when we saw Pierre. He called me. You know I don't like him, Mama; he talks bad things about you and he tore my favourite book. So I told Grandpa that I don't want to talk to him and we should leave." Hermione was listening as her son recounted the events of that morning, "But Grandpa stopped me. He said that well brought up men never behaves like that. He said that we, men take care of our families and ladies; we should be brave and good mannered to do that. A gentle man always behaves properly with everyone, even with those whom he doesn't like. So I should go and talk to Pierre like a gentleman and don't be scared or shy. He took me to Pierre and we talked. Then he said sorry to me. I was still angry with him for tearing my book and I didn't want to forgive him." Hermione was marveled by how honestly Adrian explained his feelings, "But Grandpa told me it's rude to be angry with someone who has apologized. Then Pierre told me that he has been taken away from his Mama and I really felt sorry for him. So I forgave him." He explained.

Hermione need no telling now why Adrian had behaved that way with Draco Malfoy. He had followed Gustave Delacour's advice about gentleman's manners and carried himself in the way befitting his upbringing.

There was no doubt in Hermione's mind that why Alexis was so polite even with those he didn't like; he too had been taught the same pragmatic approach by his father.

'Like father, like son.' she thought, silently thankful that Alexis was like Gustave and Adrian hopefully wasn't like Draco Malfoy.

She still remembered her first meeting with Lucius Malfoy back in her second year at Flourish and Blotts. He had insulted Hermione's parents openly as common Muggles. What could a man like him teach his son? Hadn't he also provoked Mr. Weasley to a fist fight?

'Barbarian! He must have taught his precious son to bully others and be a bystander.' she thought morosely about Lucius Malfoy .

Clearly, so called purity of blood isn't everything.

Hermione could see Gustave, Apolline and Audré in a new light now. They were the Elders of their respective families and needless to say dutiful Elders never encouraged dispute amongst their family members or between neighbours. They would try to solve it in a peaceful way; like Gustave did in the morning and Audré did in the evening.

Determined that she wouldn't pursue the matter anymore than it was needed, Hermione took the opportunity of her son's momentary destruction and snatched his half-eaten Cauldron cake from his hand and shoved it into her mouth.

"Hey! Mama!" her son exclaimed, astonished by his mother's sudden hawk-like attack, "I was eating that!" he complained.

Hermione shrugged, her cheeks swollen like chipmunk as she chewed and finally with a audible gulp, swallowed the cake before her son's incredulous eyes.

"That was really good." she commented lightly, "Can I take another?" she reached forward for the small bag full of Cauldron cakes.

It was Adrian's turn to outsmart his mother as he shoved the bag away from Hermione's reach, "Mama, you are very…" he said vehemently,

"Mama is what?" Hermione as her son struggled for an appropriate word, "Mama is very nice." She offered with a bright smile.

"No," Adrian protested, "Mama is very clever sometimes." He said finally, "And greedy too." he added.

Deciding that she could spend some time playing with her son, Hermione snatched Adrian's largest box of Chocolate Frogs and hid it behind her back before moving away at a safe distance, "Let's see who is greedy, little rabbit?" she challenged Adrian who left the table top to chase his mother around the bed room, "Mama will only give this to her little rabbit if he gives Mama something very valuable."

"I don't have money, Mama." Adrian said as he chased Hermione on their bed, "I have this locket that your Goblin boss gave me. Take it if you think it's valuable and give me my Frogs." He demanded as Hermione got on their bed and jumped down to evade her son.

"Uhum!" Hermione shook her head, "Mama doesn't want lockets. She wants something really precious, little rabbit. What else have you got?" she asked, circling the reading table as Adrian chased her.

"Believe me, Mama," Adrian cried in desperation, "I have nothing like that."

Hermione stopped and stood her ground, "Well you have, my sweet adorable little rabbit." She affirmed an incredulous looking Adrian, "For Mama, your kiss is the most precious thing in the world. Give me two big, soppy kisses and take you box of Chocolate Frogs." She offered.

Adrian sighed and approached his mother, who crouched to accept her son in her arm, "You could have asked that directly, Mama." He complained and gave Hermione a soppy kiss on her right cheek, "You always play with me." He added with his second kiss on her left kiss.

As Hermione gave back her son his box of Chocolate Frogs, she could have sworn that being a mother was the best experience of her life and she was happy that she chose not to abort her son.

•••••

The windowsill was bathed with moonlight and Alexis tried to grasp it.

But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't catch it; the beams passed right through his hands unhindered.

'Just like Jean.' Alexis sighed as he compared the moonlight with the woman he loved most ardently, 'She passes through me, flows through me and yet I can never fully grasp her.'

Closing his eyes, Alexis rubbed his forehead wearily.

"Are you planning to sleep here tonight, son?" his mother's voice asked him and too tired to startle Alexis simply turned around.

"These is where Jean used to sit when she was pregnant." He replied instead, patting the windowsill beside Hermione's old bed, "I used to watch her from that seat behind those bushes." He reminisced.

"I know." Apolline affirmed, "She used sit here and look outside. Sometimes she even talked about her old life, her friends, parents and her uncertainty for her baby, their future." Apolline sat beside her son on the windowsill, "Those were some times, Alexis, those were some times!" she sighed, "You still love her, son, don't you?" she asked lightly.

"I will always love her, maman, always." Alexis confesses openly, "I will love Adrian and I will love Jean. I will keep them in my heart till it stops to beat." He said, his eyes shining in moonlight, "No matter what happens, whom ever I get married to, how many children I sire, maman, Jean and Adrian will always be Alexis Delacour's first love." He said heavily.

"Jean and Adrian came here this morning." Apolline informed her son evenly, "They even waited for you to return from your work until afternoon tea."

"I knew they would and that's why I left." Alexis said grimly, "I don't want to face them, maman, I don't deserve to meet them." He shook his head in despair.

"Why, son?" Apolline asked, "What have you done?"

Alexis pressed his forehead against the cool glass of the window, "I failed them both. I failed to save them from Malfoy's evil grasp, maman." He stated, "I knew that he had followed them to Brussels; he even stayed at the same hotel as Jean and Adrian. But I didn't tell all these to Jean, I was afraid that she might get scared. And look what happened? That monster took the opportunity and kidnapped Adrian, which ended with Jean being forced to marry her torturer." He grimaced and looked back at his mother, "I failed Jean and Adrian, maman. I don't deserve them." He said sadly.

"And you think Malfoy deserves them?" Apolline asked him sharply, "He doesn't own them, Alexis. Marrying someone doesn't make him or her yours; that bond is completely useless unless there is love in that relationship. And there is no love and will never be any kind of love between Jean and her violator." She said firmly, "I know that Jean still loves you, son, I have seen her eyes and I am sure she will always love you just as you'll love her." She said gently, "So stop blaming yourself for something that wasn't in your hands. Don't avoid them anymore, dear, go and meet them with a pure heart. May be you will never get the chance to be together in matrimony but that way at least Jean will have her old friend back."

Alexis shook his head, "I can't do that, maman." He said resolutely, "Not now. I am corrupted now, my soul is tarnished. " he said sadly.

"Malfoy tortured Jean and you say your soul is tarnished. Are you out of your mind, son?" Apolline asked angrily.

"No, maman, it's not that. It's complicated…. I don't know what it is…" he said in desperation, "I am so ashamed of myself for doing this…feeling this way…"

"Doing what?" Apolline frowned.

"I am…feeling this…thing…." Alexis said as if confessing a very uncomfortable truth, "…..for…Lillian Malfoy…" he blurted out.

"Lillian Malfoy?" Apolline repeated after her son, incredulous, "You mean Audré's daughter?"

"How many other Lillians do you know, maman?" Alexis asked irritably, "I just don't understand…why my eyes keep moving at her direction whenever she is around me." He said forcibly and punched over his thigh in frustration, "I am ashamed, maman, I am extremely ashamed of myself. Had I truly loved Jean, I couldn't have even considered looking at any other woman, let one think about her!" He said looking mortified.

"That's why you don't want to go the Château and meet Jean?" Apolline asked her son evenly, "Because last time you went there you came across Lillian and If you go there again, you will have to face her too?" she tried to clarify.

Alexis looked extremely uncomfortable as he nodded his head, waiting for his mother to reprimand him for such disloyal attitude towards Hermione.

To his great surprise his mother broke into a mad laugh.

"What is it, maman?" he asked Apolline, who could hardly breathe now, "Why are you laughing like that? What is so funny?" he asked her incredulously.

"It is funny that you haven't learnt a thing from your younger sisters." Apolline replied, her eyes tearful from laughter, "And I thought you were sensible." She commented.

Silently Alexis waited for his mother, who wiped her tears away, to explain.

"You are a young and handsome man, Alexis and I daresay pretty qualified too." he heard Apolline as she started, "At the mere age of twenty nine you are the Junior Undersecretary to the Minister of Magic. Though you have always been very reserve and respectful towards ladies, Alexis, it is not a crime to be attracted to pretty witch who are comes from good background. It doesn't necessarily mean that you have fallen for her or that you love her." Apolline said, her expression solemn.

"But maman, I love Jean… I love her. How could I even look at someone when I love Jean?" Alexis asked, looking aghast.

"Did you look at Lillian in any way that was indecent?" Apolline asked him patiently.

"No! Never!" Alexis replied violently shaking his head.

"Do you have any sort of feelings for that pretty girl?" Apolline asked, "Be honest with yourself, Alexis. Do you have any feelings for Lillian Malfoy?" she asked sharply.

Alexis frowned as he considered his mother's question.

"No, I have no feeling except for being ashamed for looking at her." He replied honestly.

"Then why are you torturing yourself over such a trivial matter?" his mother arched an eyebrow, "You don't have any feelings for her, you didn't look at her in any indecent way; so that clearly means that you have done nothing that could betray your loyalty and love for Jean." she said gently, "I still remember how you reacted when you first saw Jean in railway platform when she came to France six years ago. You were shy and reserved yet interested to know her more. That is real attraction, Alexis. Looking at a face just because it is pretty isn't love, neither is it attraction." She explained patiently, "Your sister Fleur had many admirers when she was young, so did I and so does Gabrielle. But Fleur married none of those men; she married the man she loved – Bill Weasley, even after he was bitten by a werewolf. Fleur never went for the looks when she chose her life partner. I am half-Veela, five times good looking than your father Gustave Delacour. But I married him because he has a kind heart and is courageous. Now Gabrielle is in a relationship with Edmound. That man is almost maniac when it comes to animals but Gabrielle likes him because he is easy-going. That is what matters in a relationship, Alexis – mutual comfort. Looks seldom matter in true love, dear and if you are not comfortable in Lillian's presence, there is surely nothing to be so ashamed of. If you are certain that you are still committed to Jean, though you'll never get her for your own; then I don't think you have anything to fear when it comes to Lillian or somebody else." She said reasonably.

Alexis was in deep thought following his mother's words.

'It is true that he hadn't looked or thought of Lillian in any indecent way.'

'Neither was his feeling for her deep like it is for Jean.'

'She was just a distraction and maybe a reminder that he should be careful when dealing with other women.'

'Jean was, is and will be my love. I have loved her since I first met her and will continue to do so for the rest of my life.'

As if a heavy stone had been removed from over his heart, Alexis sighed and smiled in relief.

"Thank you, maman," he said smiling gently, "I don't know what I would have done without you?"

"Boy, you may be twenty nine but you are still very young in the matters of heart. Take it easy and relax." Apolline offered gently, "I guess you will sleep here at Jean's quarters tonight?"

Alexis nodded looking around the suite once inhabited by Hermione and Adrian, "I will stay here tonight."

"What about tomorrow? Going to office again?" she asked him skeptically.

Alexis shook his head this time, "No maman." He replied, "Tomorrow I am going to meet Jean and Adrian in their Château." He said making up his mind, "Besides, Madame Audré Malfoy has invited me to play chess with her family."

"Very good decision." Apolline agreed, "You need some break from your work. Go and spend some time with Jean and Adrian and I am sure you will feel great."

Alexis nodded in agreement and after another few minutes of idle chat, his mother left him on the windowsill.

'Tomorrow will be a great opportunity to prove that Lillian Malfoy, no matter how pretty and well skilled she might be, was nothing more than a whim of my mind.' he thought looking outside at the garden.

'Because Alexis Delacour belongs to Jean and Jean only.' He thought with pride.

•••••

For Draco Malfoy infuriation now had a new name: Alexis Delacour.

The insolent man had dared to visit the Château on Sunday morning suddenly while the pre-arranged picnic was taking place and to Draco's immense displeasure had been invited by his aunt Audré to join the small family gathering.

He didn't know what was infuriating him most: the fact that Adrian had ran to Alexis as soon as he had apparated with a loud cry of joy, or the fact that his wife seemed happy to chat with him over a cup of tea or the way Alexis was making himself comfortable with the Malfoys even in the presence of he, Draco.

He slammed his fist on the garden table - situated at a corner with a good view of the whole patch of land, where the family was scattered.

His mother and aunt were laughing over some joke Julian had shared, Lillian was talking to Adrian about his rabbit's nose movements and Hermione was having a pleasant conversation with Alexis Delacour.

Draco eyed the pair and strained his ears to catch a few words of their deep discussion, which was causing Hermione to ignore the fact that a butterfly was fluttering over her head.

But not a single word reached his ears and he sighed in frustration.

There was no way he could go and interrupt their conversation in the presence of his mother and aunt.

There was no way he could go and charge Apolline Delacour about what was her son doing with his wife. She would be furious and Draco desperately needed those memories from her.

There was absolutely no way he could go and engage in a conversation with Hermione or do something to drag her out of her trance like manner.

The whole situation was making his blood boil and heart throb in jealousy.

'Well, Draco I thought people were jealous of Malfoys.' A voice remarked snidely, 'Since when did Malfoys become jealous of others? Especially for a Mud…'

'Shut up!' he snapped and stopped the voice inside his head.

He frowned at the couple; Hermione was smiling serenely at Alexis while he was showing her some newspaper article.

'I have never been jealous.' He told himself firmly.

'Wrong, Draco.' The voice inside his countered him, 'You have been angry and jealous when famous Potty chose Weasel king over you for friendship.'

'Well he rejected my offer! Draco Malfoy's offer! What the hell did he think he was?' he asked the voice.

'You have been jealous when Potty was awarded Nimbus Two thousand from Hogwarts.' the voice mocked Draco.

'That is because I couldn't smuggle my Nimbus due to that moronic rule that first years are not allowed any brooms. Besides I outsmarted him the next year; I bought better broom than his one – Nimbus Two thousand and one.' He supplied.

The voice laughed maliciously inside his head, 'You have been jealous when Mudblood Granger beat you in every subject in the class.' He said.

'Don't you ever use that word again!' Draco warned the voice, 'Now get out!' he almost shouted.

"Anything wrong, Draco?" he heard his aunt asked him suddenly and he blinked twice to bring himself back to present, "Are you alright?" she sounded concerned.

"I am absolutely fine." Draco lied smoothly, "I was just thinking about my project against the Rochés." He supplied some more lies.

While Audré nodded and went back to her conversation with Narcissa, Draco shifted his legs and winced as a sharp pain shot across his back and left neck.

The reality was that he was far from fine, let alone absolutely fine. His head was pounding with headache, his mouth was becoming dry every fifteen minutes and no matter how much water he drank, it would remain like sand paper. His sleep had been uneven with full of unpleasant dreams about snakes and werewolves. His breathing was laboured and he felt absolutely wrung out.

Draco had been planning to spend the day in his suite to take some rest whilst watching his son from his sitting room balcony. He knew that the discord between him and Adrian was far from being over; the boy had been polite only because he had been trained like that. But inside, he was still scared and insecure about his father and that was where Draco had been defeated. His presence would simply mean discomfort for Adrian and his mother and for a strange reason, Draco was not willing to put them through that. But then Alexis appeared and Draco had decided against his earlier decision.

He would stay and watch his son and wife during the whole picnic.

Draco reached for another goblet of water.

'This whole thirst thing was going to make me mad.' He thought looking at Adrian and Hermione.

•••••

The man before her was being so polite that Hermione could hardly resist her old feelings for Alexis Delacour.

She had always dreamt of being with a man like him: sensible, caring and courageous. Alexis was everything she had ever cherished in a man who could be her life partner. And yet she was doomed for the rest of her life with a man she couldn't hate more: Draco Malfoy.

That name was enough to put her nerves on fire but Hermione was adamant that she wouldn't back off or lie down to take his insults or empty threats anymore. Life had been tough on her but it had somehow always done some justice too. She had her son, a family she could call her own and a man, whom she couldn't marry but could surely trust her life as a friend.

For the time being that was enough for Hermione Granger.

She smiled at Alexis serenely; the man had surprised her by visiting her and Adrian on Sunday morning and Hermione was grateful that Alexis was being his older self: reserved but honest.

They talked over latest issue regarding the trial against Rochés and Hermione enquired him about Le Pasteur.

"He is a nasty man, Pasteur." Alexis remarked, "His manipulation techniques are unequal in whole France. He could make you do anything just with his words, Jean." he said seriously.

Hermione had wanted to tell Alexis that she would be working with Draco Malfoy to help Audré on her case but stopped herself on the last moment. It would simply alarm Alexis and since it was her problem, Hermione was determined to solve it her way.

She looked over to her son, who was explaining to a very interested Lillian how he communicated with his rabbit.

"You have to look at Peter's nose when you ask him anything." He said, his eyes wide and expression serious, "If Peter likes something, he will wiggle his nose slowly." He said and pointed at his pet's red nose, "And if he doesn't like something, he will wiggle it rapidly. Simple." He squeaked and Lillian laughed before patting both Adrian and his rabbit gently.

Hermione didn't know which one was funnier: her son or her son's rabbit. In the end she decided that they both complemented each other.

For Hermione the picnic had been going on well until the pureblood bigot had decided to pollute it with his presence; but she was happy that Draco Malfoy had kept his distance from her and her son and was sitting in a corner table, drinking water very often. His presence was always irksome for Hermione but this morning he looked strained, something that made Hermione wonder why he was sitting there if he wasn't feeling very well. The man had always made a single episode of nosebleed to look like as if it was Spattergroit.

She and Alexis had finished taking their tea when Lillian invited them for a game of chess. The giant chess board was already laid down and pieces were moving across it on their own, taking their appointed positions.

"I am not good at chess, Lillian. I will make you lose your match." Hermione tried to deny her request but the young woman simply dragged her to the chess board, "You won't Jean. Trust me; I am not that bad in teaching chess." She said with a smile, "I have already taught Adrian some basic moves and if he can be a good learner at such a young age, so can be you."

Across the chess board two opponents were readying themselves for the upcoming battle: Alexis and Adrian.

Hermione was seriously amused now, playing against her five and half year old son! It certainly would be a good way to spend their weekend.

Alexis chose the black pieces this time and Hermione watched as Adrian danced around him in excitation and shouted, "We will win! We will win!"

The whole scenario was attracting a lot of laugh from Audré who was sitting on bare grass with Narcissa and Julian.

"Play the 'Queen's Pawn', Lillian." She advised her daughter, "Let's see who is the better? Adrian or Jean?" She challenged them.

Hermione would happily lose to her son anytime but when it came to Alexis, she was willing to put on some fight. The game started with Lillian's white pieces as she masterfully explained Hermione where to direct her pieces.

"Pawn to d4." she instructed her white pawn who moved accordingly.

Alexis whispered something in Adrian's ears and he shouted, "Pawn to e6!"

Soon the game between Lillian – Hermione and Adrian – Alexis became so exciting that Hermione could hardly think anything else.

It was after some time when Alexis moved his black king at a corner when Lillian gave Hermione a bright smile and her mother a thumbs-up.

"Now Jean, move your castle in g1." She advised and Hermione complied, deducing the next moves.

"Ladies, you are devious plotters." Alexis shook his head as Adrian gave him a wide eyed concerned look, "Look at this young innocent boy, here. Would you like to break his heart?" he supplicated.

"Well, everything is fair in love and chess, Alexis." Hermione replied with mock pride.

"Well said, Jean." she heard as Audré applauded at her comment, "Never lose a game just because the opponent is your offspring."

"Maman, is extremely fierce when she plays with me, Jean." Lillian said as she analyzed the game before her, "She has a distinctive way of playing chess. She never keeps her King behind any piece; she keeps it just in front of your eyes and silently invites you to take her King. But as you approach it, she will ruthlessly take all your pieces until there is nothing left for you to lose. I have never won with her." She commented, "Take your Queen at e3." She instructed Hermione.

As the game resumed, Hermione considered Lillian's words about Audré's chess strategy. It was strange and yet it somehow suited her.

It was when Lillian asked Hermione to move her Queen to h7, just behind the black King in h6; that Hermione understood what the young woman had done. She had effectively trapped the black King with her pieces. There was no way the black King could escape his fate of being check-mated.

•••••

Across the ground, Audré looked at the chess board and gave a satisfied smirk before shifting her gaze to her nephew.

If Draco had looked furious until the chess had started between Hermione and Alexis, it was nothing to what he looked now.

'Black King check mated, nephew. Soon you will be check mated by Apolline too.' she thought, noticing the twitch in Draco's facial muscles which meant he was grinding his teeth, 'Unless you leave your foul ego, Draco, and come forward you are in very big trouble. And I promise that I will destroy every single piece you send to take my Queen – Jean, until there is nothing you have to lose.'

'Come forward, Draco, come forward.'

'Because nothing else will do for Audré Chombrun Malfoy.' She thought and shifted her gaze back on chess board.