A/N: Thanks to Ramyfan, aryaa, Cordee, Nikki98, happyhoper, lightbabe and Grovek26 for their reviews.
'GRAPE OF WRATH PART 2' IS UP NEXT.
Acknowledgements:
The wand lore was taken from pottermore.
The Sphinx hair idea is author's but the informations were taken from Egyptian websites.
Well I guess that's all and now please enjoy and don't forget to leave a review.
An album with the pictures of OC's of this story can be found in my profile. Based on it I have created another poll and would like to see everyone vote.
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.
For Swear words and adult theme this chapter is rated M.
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 44: Inside Oneself
Hermione crossed the line for the eleventh time and looked the parchment.
The possibility of sacrifices either animals, birds or other living forms couldn't be evaluated...
There is some possibility that ritualistic sacrifices are linked with these permanent curses…
Permanent curses may be embedded with sacrificial blood and curses…
Sighing deeply, Hermione closed her notebook before standing up.
It was three o' clock in the morning and she was wide awake like an owl pondering over what happened throughout the day.
Following the afternoon's outburst during which she had screamed her throat raw and declared that she wouldn't be working in aunt Audré's project if Alexis wasn't included, Hermione hadn't appeared for lunch in the dining room. She and her son had taken their lunch in the confinement of their quarter. Later on, Lillian had turned up to inform that some kids from the neighbourhood had come to play with Adrian and the overjoyed boy had dragged his mother out from their quarter to Château gardens.
There were three girls and two boys; all of them between six to eight and Hermione had looked down at their happy faces.
Oh how innocent they were, unaware of the worry and darkness of the world that surrounded them!
Their toothy grins were hearty and honest; and their hearts were pure, just like Adrian.
As they children commenced their playing session with Adrian's rabbit running to its heart's content, Hermione settled down on a garden chair to watch over her son.
There is no way she would leave him alone when a vile snake named Draco Malfoy was still at large.
'I will never call you using that word again, Granger, it was very rude of me to do so. I apologize for it.'
'I apologize, Granger, I apologize. I apologize sincerely. I am sorry.'
The words that infuriating Slytherin had spoken to her just hours ago echoed across Hermione's mind and she fisted her hands before spitting on the ground, "Filthy bastard, as if I care for his blasted apology!" she muttered under her breath.
"Mama! Mama!" she heard Adrian calling her and pushing the unpleasant thoughts to the back of her head, Hermione smiled at her son who in fact offered her a rose.
"Mama, this is for you." Adrian piped and as soon as Hermione took the white rose from him, he ran to join his new friends.
'Friends!' Hermione sighed, 'Even I had friends one day! But where are they now?' she thought sadly.
Before long, Hermione was lost in the memories that she tried so hard to forget.
It was Shell Cottage and she was looking at the calendar on the wall which said it was 17th May 1998.
'Why am I missing my periods?'
'It has never happened before. I have never missed my periods.'
'Periods normally stop only when…' Hermione throat became dry as a horrible idea visited her, 'No…no…I can't be…no…' she shook her head.
'But my last period was in middle of March and Malfoy…'Hermione placed a trembling hand on her lower abdomen, '…it happened almost two weeks after that…possibly at the time of my ovulation…'
"I think you should run a pregnancy test, 'ermione." Fleur's voice said and startled Hermione whipped around.
The quarter Veela was standing on the threshold of the bedroom she was staying at Shell Cottage.
"Why should I do that?" Hermione asked suspiciously, her heart sinking, "I am not pregnant." She said firmly.
Fleur smiled kindly at her before walking in and closing the bedroom door behind her, " 'ermione, I am a woman too and I understand what you must be feeling." she said gently, "Please don't take me wrong. I am not telling that you are pregnant. I am just suggesting it so that you can be absolutely sure before you go to a Healer for further advice. After all, you have a boyfriend – Ron."
Hermione let out a breath of relief, "Yes…I think do need to be sure too before I go to a Healer…" she gave a strained smile.
"I can test you if you like." Fleur said as she sat on Hermione's bed, "You can lie down here, 'ermione." She patted on the bed beside her.
"How…you…" Hermione started but Fleur stopped her with a knowing look.
"I am a married woman, 'ermione, my maman taught me how to do it in case I conceived." she explained and with a few tentative steps Hermione reached her bed before lying down on her back.
"Remove your T-shirt just a bit and expose your lower abdomen." Fleur instructed and her hands almost numb, Hermione complied.
Fleur took out her wand from her apron pocket and placed the tip on Hermione's bare skin.
Hermione closed her eyes and waited patiently.
"'ermione, you can open your eyes now." she heard Fleur said and her heart beating painfully against her chest, Hermione opened her eyes just an inch.
The image that met her eyes was something that she had never seen before.
In the air just above her lower abdomen a bright blue light was shimmering where a very small baby was moving its tiny limbs inside a thick walled organ.
"That's your Uterus, 'ermione." She heard Fleur explained while pointing at the oval shaped organ which was hollow in the centre where the baby was moving, "And that' your…"
"…Baby!" Hermione cried, "Merlin! I am…" she paused before bursting into tears.
Hermione had no idea that she was capable of crying like that. With every tear that escaped her eyes, her heart shattered into million pieces.
'She was pregnant.'
'She was pregnant at eighteen.'
'She was pregnant after a violent assault.'
'She was pregnant with Draco Malfoy's child.'
She cried and cried and cried until all her tears dried up and her eyes became so puffy that she couldn't open them properly.
"What is wrong, 'ermione? Why are you crying?" Fleur asked her kindly, "Go and tell Ron. I bet he will jump in joy. You know how the Weasley's love kids." She said evenly.
Hermione opened her mouth and closed it again, 'How can I tell them that it's not Ron's? Ron and I didn't do anything more than some kisses. This baby is the product of an assault.'
"You look so sad, 'ermione." Fleur noted Hermione's grave expression, "You don't want the baby?" she asked skeptically, "I can understand your situation, dear. You are very young and a baby is a big responsibility."
Hermione gulped and looked down at her flat tummy, which will swell in future monthes to accommodate a new life inside her.
'She was young and a baby, especially a Malfoy, was very big risk for her.'
'Besides, why should she bother to carry Malfoy's child?'
'She has a life and a bright future.'
'Why should she leave her life and happiness for Malfoy's child?'
'Besides, Malfoy will kill the child as soon as he comes to know about its existence.'
'Either way, this child was unplanned and unwanted.'
'It is better both for her and for the baby that it doesn't come to this world.'
"The baby is growing well, you know and it's over two monthes now." Fleur's words brought back Hermione to her senses.
She gently rubbed her lower abdomen and tried to feel the new life inside it.
'The baby was growing well.'
'Its father doesn't want it.'
'Because he is a selfish bastard.'
'But what about its mother? Is she a selfish woman too? Is she trying to kill an innocent life to reach her happiness?'
'The baby was growing well.'
'It doesn't want to die.'
'Should I kill it?'
'Kill a baby that could be healthy, intelligent and strong?'
'Kill a baby that could be her solace instead of burden?'
'If she killed it what will be the difference between her and Malfoy?'
Hermione looked up at Fleur and took a deep breath.
It was time to tell the truth.
"Fleur, this baby is mine." She said firmly, "Only mine and no one else's, not even Ron."
Fleur shrugged and placed a comforting hand on Hermione's, "Don't worry, 'ermione, your secret is safe with me. I already guessed who the real father is." She said calmly, "It's your baby and no one can take it from you. Not even, Draco Malfoy."
"Mama!" Adrian's ear-splitting scream startled Hermione and she jumped out of her seat, "Come here!" he bid.
"What's it Adrian?" she ran to her son, who was panting, "Are you hurt?" Hermione hugged her son and checked him, "Are you hurt?"
Adrian smiled and shook his head, "No, Mama," he said, "I ran fast and I came first in race." He said proudly.
"I know my little rabbit is very strong." Feeling relieved, Hermione admired and stroked Adrian's hair fondly, "He is Mr. Strong. But take care of yourself, Adrian." she warned him, "Don't fall and break your arm again." She bid.
As her son went back to his friends, Hermione returned to her seat.
Adrian had been strong then and Adrian was strong now. Even as a baby, Adrian had remarkable resilience to his mother's poor health and mental status. He had clung to his life and given Hermione the strength to bring him to this world.
Keeping Adrian was the best decision of her life and Hermione had no regrets for it.
'But she had some regrets, didn't she?'
Hermione dumped her clothes on her trunk and tried to close the lid when the door of her bedroom at Shell Cottage opened unceremoniously.
"Hermione!" it was her friend Harry's voice, "Where are you going?" he asked as he walked in with Ginny in tow.
It was the moment Hermione had been dreading ever since she decided she would be going to France to save her child from the Malfoys. She took a deep breath and turned to face her friend with a bright smile.
"I am going to Australia." She said to them, "I am going to look for my parents."
Harry gave her an incredulous look before slumping on the bed between Hermione's books and other belongings, "What about us? What about your studies? We didn't complete our seventh year, remember? You can go after your graduation." He offered.
'I don't have time, Harry, I will be showing my bump by September and Malfoy will find out that I am pregnant.' Hermione thought and shuddered at the idea of meeting the foul villain in Hogwarts.
"I am sorry, Harry, but there are things that are more important than studies." she said firmly before opening the lid and removing some clothes to shut it properly.
Ginny shook her head while Harry simply stared at her, "Did I hear it well, Ginny?" he asked his readheaded girlfriend, "Did I hear it correct that Hermione Granger, the resident bookworm of Hogwarts, said that there are other things more important than studies?" he repeated.
"Oh shut up, Harry!" Hermione snapped, "Stop this nonsense and help me pack my things."
"But Hermione…"Ginny started but Hermione stopped her.
"No, Ginny, seriously this is not a joke." She said shaking her head, "I mean, you have lived with your parents all your life, even during the war. But I had to send mine for their safety. You must understand that I miss them; they are my parents, Ginny, and I am their only child."
Her words hung in the air before Ginny spoke again.
"I am sorry, Hermione." She said apologetically, "I really am. I didn't see it that way." She said soberly, "The thing is we are so used to you being around us that it is hard for us to let you go."
Hermione bit her lips and tried hard not to burst into tears.
'It was extremely hard for me to let them go too.' She thought 'Especially, when I am not going to Australia to my parents but to France where I have no one.'
"I will keep in touch with you lot." Hermione tried to smile as brightly as she could, "It is a long way, Australia and Britain, but I will send letters once I find my parents." She lied.
"But what are you going to tell them when you find them?" Harry asked her, "I mean, will they believe you when you will tell them that you are their daughter and they are not Wendel and Monica Wilkies?"
"You know, Harry, I don't want to plan anything until I find them." Hermione replied, "I have seen it during our Horcrux hunt that plans don't work out in the end. Look what happened at the Ministry or the Lovegood's home or the Gringotts? After that I have discarded any attempts to make plans." She said firmly.
"You sound more like my brothers Fr…" Ginny paused while Hermione and Harry exchanged nervous glances, "…Fred and George." Ginny completed, "They too didn't like to make plans."
Convinced that anything they did wouldn't stop Hermione from going to Australia, Harry and Ginny helped Hermione pack her bags and trunks.
"Ron is a bit put down these days." Ginny told Hermione, "Did you tell him that you are going to Australia?" she asked her.
Parsing her lips Hermione nodded, "He proposed me a few days ago and I turned him down." She told the truth this time, "I am not ready to get married so early. I am just eighteen." She shrugged.
Ginny nodded absent-mindedly, "You know, we met Luna yesterday at Diagon Alley. She asked about you." She said suddenly.
Hermione looked up from arranging her books, "What did she ask?" she asked Ginny sharply, remembering that Luna knew that she was pregnant when she said her aura has changed.
Harry shrugged and tried to force close one of Hermione's bags, "Nothing special. Just usual stuff, you know, how are you and what you plan to do next." He replied.
'Thanks Merlin.' Hermione let out a sigh of relief.
"We even saw Malfoy." Harry said as Ginny handed him some of Hermione's robes, "We was at Flourish and Blotts, buying his new books. I guess he will be going to Hogwarts to complete his graduation."
The knowledge that Draco Malfoy was buying books to return Hogwarts, the place he never cared for while she, Hermione Granger, who had worshipped the place, was forced to leave it behind made Hermione want to bang her head on the wall.
"I heard his father is under house arrest." Ginny commented, "These people…" she shook her head disapprovingly, "They always get off after doing crimes just because they have vaults full of filthy gold. Lucius Malfoy should be in Azkaban now and instead he is drinking tea in his lawn and admiring how beautiful and sunny the weather is."
Unable to bear the conversation about the Malfoys anymore, Hermione decided to do the remaining of the packing after they left.
"Harry, Ginny, I am really sorry but I am having a terrible headache and I want to lie down for some time." She lied clutching her head, "Can we talk tomorrow?' she asked.
"Why not?' Harry shrugged as he and Ginny stood up and with promises to return the following day, they left Hermione's bedroom.
Discarding all her feigns, Hermione threw her stuffs from the bed and slumped into it before bursting into tears.
How incredibly cruel life was being to her!
She was leaving behind her friends, family, Hogwarts, her home and her country to save a child that she was beginning to love while the man who was behind all these was starting his new life just as he wanted because he had vaults full of gold?
Are values like honesty, truthfulness, bravery, love and friendship worth nothing?
Is money everything in the world?
Hermione cried until she fell asleep and the last thing that she remembered was cursing Draco Malfoy from the bottom of her heart:
'May he too loose everything he cares one day and no money in the world can bring them back to him!'
•••••
To everyone's surprise Audré recovered before the Sunday dinner at the Delacours.
In her mind, Audré was curious to know the family that has loved and cared for Hermione and Adrian like one of their own. Apolline, a fellow French woman, was pleasant; her husband and son was extremely polite and her daughters – Fleur and Gabrielle, both of whom Audré had met, were extremely pretty as well as modest. All in all it was an ideal family where Hermione could have spent her life happily hadn't her nephew, Draco butted in.
The cunning yet insensible man was now falling for his virtuous wife while Hermione was trying to distance herself as much as possible.
Audré looked at her own reflection in the mirror and sighed.
Sometimes, she was tired of playing real-life chess.
Humans aren't like chess pieces and manipulating them was harder than it was in chess board.
Now that the black king would be following white king to reach the white queen, things would never be the same.
But Audré, she, wouldn't let him reach the white queen until she is absolutely sure that the black king isn't black anymore.
No! For Adrian is too precious for her. His innocence can't be harmed.
Hermione has sacrificed everything she had to bring him like that and there was no way she, as the master manipulator, would spoil Hermione's efforts.
Draco will be punished but he won't even realize it.
She, Renée Chombrun's daughter wouldn't let that happen.
She was a black hole and black hole she will be until the end.
"Maman, I hope you are ready?" her daughter, Lillian's voice echoed across her dressing room and Audré gave her reflection a last approving look before coming out.
Lillian looked marvelous in her blue dress robes which enhanced the blue of her innocent eyes. She has pinned her mother's gift, the sapphire brooch to her chest and her long silvery blonde hair was shining like a stream of molten gold.
Audré simply stared at her daughter, who gave her a shy smile.
"Morpheus would have loved to see his daughter grow up to be such a beautiful lady." She commented proudly, "You are the first female Malfoy in eight hundred years."
The invitation being for dinner, the Malfoys and the Chombrun Malfoys reached the Delacour residence by Floo around seven o' clock in the evening.
Apolline and Gustave had been waiting in their entrance hall to welcome their guests graciously.
They were taken to the Drawing room which was decorated in antiques from fifteenth and sixteenth century as well as a large rare chandelier that gave the room even more grandeur.
Everyone, including Narcissa who almost always disapproved of ordinary households, looked around the elegantly decorated room.
"My great-great-grandfather brought this chandelier from Amsterdam." Gustave informed his interested guests with a modest smile, "It has approximately hundred fifty candles."
In fact, her sister-in-law Narcissa wasn't in her usual snob mode since she entered the Delacour household. It seemed that she has realized the Delacour's importance in Hermione's life and was willing to strengthen their mutual relationship by putting aside her false pride.
"We also had several chandeliers at Malfoy manor and the House of Blacks." Narcissa told Gustave, "But I must admit none of them were as classic as this beauty." she smiled.
They were served appetizers and drinks while Adrian back in his old home and grandparents made himself comfortable by learning how to make origami bird from his grandpa Gustave.
"Alexis told me how they all found out about a family called the Delacroixes." Apolline told her guests, "I am really hopeful that you win that case against Rochés, Madame Chombrun Malfoy." She smiled at Audré.
Audré smiled back to her fellow countryman, "Call me Audré, there is no need for formality. We are all Jean's family." she said pleasantly.
"Then you must call me by my given name, Apolline." The Delacour matriarch said, "I am pleased that Jean is slowly settling in her new household."
Audré cast a sideways glance at Hermione, who was silent since she entered the Delacour residence, her face neutral, "There is no way she couldn't Apolline." Audré replied, "She made the most amazing Bouillabaisse yesterday and I am rather partial to that shellfish stew. I guess she knows that the way to Audré's heart is through her stomach."
Hermione gave a weak smile this time and it became quite clear to Audré that the young mother still hasn't overcome the shock of previous day's outburst.
Her nephew was on the other hand completely silent and watchful. His grey eyes were fixed on the goblet of orange juice but Audré noticed how they occasionally darted between Hermione and Alexis.
The dinner that followed was perhaps one of most delicious Audré had tasted and she has tasted food from around the world. Bypassing the usual French custom to serve rich and extravagant dishes to their dinner guests, Apolline served them with uncommon dishes from different French provinces.
"I have never had Baeckeoffe that tasted this good." Julian praised Apolline's superb cooking and Audré couldn't agree more, "It simply melts in your mouth." He noted the delicate taste of meat with potatoes, "I bet even in Alsace, from where this dish hails from, they don't make it this good."
Apolline simply beamed and in return Julian was awarded another serving of Baeckeoffe.
But even more than delicious food, for Audré the most interesting part of the evening was the strange interaction between Lillian and Alexis.
Her daughter had been engaged in a deep conversation with Gabrielle when Apolline joined them.
"I must say that your daughter is very pretty, Audré." Apolline commented on Lillian's appearance, "Even my Fleur would envy her and she is quarter Veela while I am half Veela. My mother was a Veela." She said pleasantly.
Lillian almost choked on her post-dinner coffee.
"Excuse moi, Madame Apolline," she said as soon as she regained her breath, "I didn't know that you have Veela inheritance. Gabrielle never told me." She cast a reproachful look at the young lady beside her.
"Why, dear, does it make in difference for you that we are related to the Veelas?" Apolline asked Lillian who shook her in a manner that Audré knew too well.
Lillian was lying and that was something very rare.
"No. Of course not." Lillian told Apolline with a gentle smile, "The truth is, I have never come across one." She confessed.
"My son though not Veela, has Veela blood in his veins." Apolline said as she looked over her shoulder to her son who was conversing with Hermione and Julian while Draco sat motionless, "Alexis, dear, can you please come over to the ladies?" she called him.
The man excused himself from his company and Audré noticed how Hermione immediately left Julian and Draco's presence to join her son Adrian and Gustave.
Audré sighed internally; it will take some time for Hermione to even look at Draco's direction.
"Yes, maman?" Alexis asked his mother as he came over and stood beside Apolline, "Should I bring more coffee?" he enquired from his guests.
"No, dear. Sit here." Apolline shook her head and patted on the empty seat beside her on her sofa, "Lillian, Audré's daughter, tells me that she hasn't met a Veela and I thought I would show her all my children who carry Veela blood." She told Alexis whose eyes were now resting on Lillian.
"I am sorry that we never had much opportunity to converse." He said as he settled down beside his mother, "Though we have played chess twice." He added.
Lillian for some strange reason was extremely reserved, in Audré's opinion, when she replied.
"It is alright Monsieur Delacour." she said to Alexis, "I guess your esteemed post at the Ministry keeps you too busy for your own good."
Audré didn't miss the slight frown that appeared on Alexis's face which disappeared immediately, "No, Mademoiselle, I am not as esteemed as you think." He said evenly, "We are only servants who serve our people."
Lillian gave him a forced smile that even Audré frowned this time.
'What's wrong with Lillian?' she thought, 'She is always pleasant with her guests or as a guest.'
"Yes, of course."Lillian said, "I can understand that sometimes people say modest words to hide their true feelings." She commented.
"Like what?" Alexis asked Lillian, his eyes narrowed slightly.
Lillian took a sip from her coffee before replying, "Since you asked me, Monsieur, I am telling you what I think about Ministry people. They are in my opinion, devoid of creative powers. After all it doesn't take two brains to write reports on cauldron bottom leaks or increased number of fake wands."
"Really?" Alexis asked, "Most intriguing idea, considering that your elder brother works at the Ministry." He commented.
"That brings me to another question, Lillian, what do you do if you consider Ministry job so tiresome?" Apolline asked her.
"Me? I am studying Wandlore." Lillian replied, "I am currently doing my apprenticeship under renowned wand maker Monsieur Antoine Curtius."
"That's pretty interesting." Apolline commented before she turned to her son, "Alexis, can you please give me your wand? I would like see what Lillian says about it."
Remembering what her daughter had told her about Alexis's rare wand, Audré watched as Alexis drew out his wand and handed it to Lillian.
Her daughter's expression changed immediately. Discarding her earlier cool composure she examined the wand closely and ran her finger over it several times.
"Interesting! Very interesting!" she commented as the rest of the inhabitants of the room joined them, "It is the rarest combination I have ever seen." She said breathlessly, "Almost like mine, Rowan and…" she paused and glanced at Apolline, "The wood is Elder wood and the core is Sphinx hair; both incredibly rare and powerful. Elder is the rarest wand wood of all and it is trickier to master than any other. Elder wands contain powerful magic and they scorn to remain with any owner who is not the superior of his or her company. Only a remarkable wizard can keep an Elder wand for any length of time. The sphinx on the other hand is a symbol of abundance, power, wisdom, truth, unity and riddles. Since its form combines human and animal parts into one body, the Sphinx usually symbolizes the union of mind and body or intellectual, spiritual and physical strengths of varying degree." Lillian explained to an awed audience, "The Length is also something very unique. It is precisely 9 and ¾ inches long, quite small regarding its powerful heritage. But 9 is considered the number of fire element, recognition, fame and energy. ¾ indicates powerful unfolding of inner strength, like Jean's wand is 10 and ¾ inches." She shook her head and returned the wand to Alexis who was gaping at her, "It isn't store bought because the wand makers these days don't make wands with Elder wood. They are afraid of an old superstition called 'wand of elder, never prosper'. I am guessing that the wand belonged to someone in your family and it chose you when it came across you for there is a universal law in Wandlore that says 'the wizard doesn't choose the wand but it is the wand that chooses the wizard'." Lillian finished.
A round of applause followed her proclamation where Audré was the hardest to clap.
"I bet no Ministry official can ever be this much creative." She said proudly, "Not even my son Julian."
It was perhaps one of the best moments of her life when Audré saw how heartily Apolline and Gustave praised her daughter.
'The first female Malfoy is eight hundred years is undoubtedly better than eight hundred Malfoys put together.' She thought contentedly.
•••••
Draco looked at the brass plate on the door with his name engraved on it.
Draco Malfoy
Potions Researcher (Innovation section)
Department of Magical Law Enforcement
"Do you like it?" he heard his cousin Julian asked him and absent mindedly Draco nodded, his grey eyes fixed unblinkingly at the name plate that was fixed on the door of his new office.
"Let's go inside." Julian offered him and he slowly pushed open the door.
Draco simply stared, speechless.
His new office was nothing like any room he had ever seen before. With a built-in exclusive potions lab in a corner and a large table with bookcase on the other, it was decorated in the most unexpected way for a Malfoy and Slytherin like him, who had spent nearly eight years in their dungeon common room.
The walls were covered in green silk while the curtains covering the only window were of palest of silver. A large chandelier overhead was casting silvery green light around the room while a huge snake skin carpet was adorning the floor.
"Are you afraid to go inside?" Julian nudged him and Draco entered his office that could beat down even the Slytherin common room in Hogwarts.
"Did you furnish it for me?" he asked Julian, looking around the office, awestruck, "I had no idea that you were such an avid fan of my old school house."
"Who said I am fan of sly Slytherins?" Julian asked back as he settled on a chair before Draco's desk, "I just thought that you might like it and asked the Ministry's management department to decorate it according to Slytherin colours." He said carelessly, "But that snake skin carpet…" he indicated at the large carpet on the floor, "…that's exclusively my idea. I found it while raiding an illegal animal trader's shop last month and was planning to give it to you for Christmas until you suddenly decided to join the Ministry."
Draco didn't know if he was surprised or astonished or grateful or something else. That his cousin could be thoughtful was not unknown to him but he had never expected Julian to be expressive about it. The man has helped him to buy a new dress for Hermione as well as take her and Adrian for a dinner but it had been Draco's idea. But this office was something he had neither expected nor requested yet Julian has endeavored to decorate it to his liking.
"Slytherins don't usually thank, Julian, but if they ever do, it is one the occasions like this. So, thank you." Draco said as he settled down behind his desk, "Can I bring my mother here?" he asked considering the idea.
"Aunt Narcissa? Why not." Julian replied, "You can bring your wife and son as well if you like." He said casually.
Remembering what Hermione had said regarding not even letting his shadow to fall upon Adrian, Draco sighed deeply.
He was about to reply when a peculiar sensation ran down his spine and moments later Draco felt his left leg became heavy.
Draco frowned and looked down at his leg that was becoming heavier with each passing moment.
"Anything wrong Draco?" he heard Julian asked him.
Realizing that the new moon was on the next day - that is Tuesday, Draco looked up and shook his head, "Everything is fine with the Slytherins." He lied coolly, "Now, if you could excuse me, I would like to start looking around my potions lab." He said evenly.
Julian shrugged and left Draco alone in his office.
As soon as the door closed behind Julian, Draco tried to stand up but found that his left leg was completely paralyzed.
"I need to get to St. Lupus." he muttered and dragging his left leg Draco came out from behind the desk and reached for his door.
The journey to Floo network was the longest one he had ever made because his right leg was slowly becoming unresponsive too.
Feeling like a crippled man, Draco walked with as much dignity as he could muster and after quarter of an hour's endeavor he reached the Ministry Floo fireplace.
Heavily panting and realizing that his right leg was almost paralyzed like its left counterpart, Draco grabbed some glittery Floo powder and threw it on the fire before dragging him in.
"St. Lupus's Facility for the Lycanthropes." He slumped on the fireplace floor and declared.
As the green fire rose and engulfed him to transport him to his intended destination, Draco felt the last vestiges of senses leave of his right leg and moments later when he appeared in the werewolf facility, he was unable to stand and come out of fireplace.
Forgetting all his dignity, Draco crawled out of fireplace and called for the staffs.
By the time he was lifted in a stretcher and taken to the researchers, Draco's hands were becoming numb too.
"When did it all start?" Descartes asked him urgently as Draco was placed on the bed inside the glass chamber, "How do you feel?"
"I feel nothing." Draco snapped, "My legs are lifeless and now my hands are going the same way. I was at my office when I felt a peculiar sensation ran down my spine. Moments later my left leg became heavy and numb."
"It means that Lupus venom has targeted your nervous system this time." Descartes said thoughtfully, "It attacked your spinal cord which is the largest nerve station in the body and now you will become paralyzed until your body fights back the venom."
Draco remained still as the gravity of Descartes's words hit him.
"Will I become paralyzed permanently?" he asked the Chief Researcher, trying not to sound scared about it.
"No," Descartes shook his head firmly, "But you will be paralyzed until the effect of Lupus venom is over. I really hope that you don't suffer more than that."
Remembering his mother's concerned face if he didn't appear at dinner and spent the night outside Château, Draco asked for a roll of parchment and a quill before his hand became too weak to write a letter.
Dear mother,
Today is the first day at my office…
Draco stopped and looked down at his slanting handwriting which was barely readable now.
…I am planning to stay at my potions lab overnight to whip up Veritaserum. Don't worry.
Your son,
Draco
He sealed the letter with his personal ring that bore Malfoy coat of arms and asked Descartes to owl it to Narcissa Malfoy.
As soon as the issue with his mother was dealt a sharp pain shoot upward from his abdomen and Draco yelped in pain.
"What's it this time?" Descartes, who hadn't left Draco's side for a single moment, "Pain? Paralysis? What?"
The agonizing pain now spreading across his chest, Draco struggled to reply, "Pain in…my…chest…" he gasped, "I can't breathe." He said realizing his sudden shortness of breath.
"Nostradamus!" Descartes exclaimed loudly, "Bring the ventilation devices!" he ordered one of his subordinate, "The respiratory muscles of his ribcage are paralyzing! Go!" he yelled.
The world before Draco's eyes were slowly becoming blurry as he realized he had very few breathes left.
'Mother…' he thought as he took one laboured breath.
'Adrian…' he thought as he exhaled with extreme difficulty.
'Grang…' Draco couldn't finish his thought and this breathing abruptly ceased.
It was the worst possible feeling in the world – stuck inside a body that cried for a single burst of oxygen, where every cell of his body screamed in pain, where he felt like he was being smothered ruthlessly by some monster and yet his body wouldn't comply. Stars were appearing before his eyes, he was feeling light headed and dizzy. Then suddenly Draco's mouth was opened forcefully and a thick tube was pushed in.
"…are you insane?" Descartes's screams seemed to be coming from a long distance, "…he isn't properly anaesthetized…he will die in pain…"
"…shut up…" another voice tuned in as the thick tube was pushed inside Draco's windpipe, "…look how blue he is…" Draco gagged trying hard to pull out the pipe but all four limbs of his body were lifeless, "…he is completely cyanosed…pain or not he needs air…or he will definitely die within next two minutes…"
And then Draco felt someone pumped air inside his lungs.
Wonderful…cold…clear air…
It was being pumped into his chest.
Breathing had never felt so amazingly good…so refreshing…so relaxing.
Like he was born again…like he has a new life…like he was drowned and someone dragged him outside…like he was flying in the air…
"…check his vital signs…"
"…pulse 120 per minute…"
"…blood pressure is very low, 80/40…"
"…pump air…"
"Monsieur Malfoy…can you hear me… we have artificially intubated you… we will be pumping air inside your lungs…stay will us…are you listening…stay with us…don't slip away…stay with us…" someone patted his cheeks.
Draco looked at the blurry faces around him.
'Stay with us…'
'Draco, stay with them…'
'Stay with your mother…'
'Stay with your Adrian…'
'Stay with your aunt Audré…'
'Stay with your sister Lillian…'
'And stay with Hermione Granger…'
Draco closed his eyes and tried to concentrate on the faces of those who mattered in his life.
"NO…don't slip away…don't slip away…" someone shook him roughly and Draco opened his eyes.
He was kneeling before the Dark Lord, his skin crawling as the formidable pet snake Nagini curled itself on Lord Voldemort's feet.
"Mmmmy lorrrdddd….." Draco stammered, "Dddrrraco Mal..foy is at your service." He tried hard to control his fear.
"Rise, Draco Malfoy." The Dark Lord asked him and he stood up shaking from head to foot.
"Let me have a good look at Lucius's precious son." Voldemort said pompously as he too stood up and started walking in a circle around Draco, "Pale pointed face…grey eyes…silvery blonde hair…lean body…" He continues describing Draco's physical features, "…so much like his father Lucius… aren't you, Draco?" He stopped just behind Draco and whispered into his left ear, "Aren't you like your father?" Voldemort asked him.
Draco bit his lips and tried hard to control the immense fear that has paralyzed his body, "Yessss mmmyy Lorrddd. I am." He nodded.
"You are scared…scared of me…aren't you, Draco?" Voldemort's voice was playful as he whispered into Draco's left ear.
Draco tried to shake his head but it automatically nodded, "Nnnooo, mmyyy Lorrddd." He tried hard to use his little skill in Occlumency and lied.
"But you are." Voldemort commented mockingly, "Then why deny it?" he whispered, "Lord Voldemort always knows, Draco, he always knows when someone lies to him and he punishes them severely. But I won't punish you." He cackled, "In fact, I will honour you." He said in a silky voice.
"Thank you, my lord." Draco's voice was shaking, "You are most merciful." He said as politely as he could.
"Show me your left arm." The Dark Lord bid him.
Confused, Draco turned his head on the left and his grey eyes met Voldemort's livid scarlet pair.
"Show me your left arm, Draco." Voldemort asked him in a voice not more than a whisper.
Mesmerized, Draco lifted his left hand, him palm facing up and offered it to Lord Voldemort.
Cold…very cold hands took his hand and rolled up his sleeve to expose Draco's left forearm while he stood there like a statue with his eyes fixed on Voldemort's red pair.
"What a marvelous and tender hand!" Voldemort commented as he caressed Draco's skin with a cold finger and Draco felt like jumping out of his skin, "How soft! How smooth!" The Dark Lord noted before he suddenly scratched the skin with his sharp nail and Draco gasped, "Wonder how my special mark will look like on this soft and smooth skin?"
Horrified…petrified…scared out of his wits, Draco stood there transfixed as Voldemort withdrew his wand and in the next second a searing pain hit his left forearm.
It was nothing like any pain he had felt before; like someone was cutting his flesh with a white hot knife; like someone was piercing his skin with thousands of red and flaming needles; like someone has put hundreds of burning coal on his forearm.
"There…there…now Draco that couldn't have hurt much." Voldemort said as he let Draco's hand go while he whimpered in pain, "You said you are like your father, Draco, but I clearly remember Lucius didn't even flinch when I gave him the Dark Mark." He said casually before taking his seat again.
His eyes tearing in pain now, Draco looked down at his once perfect porcelain skin which now proudly sported a skull with a snake for a tongue – the Dark Mark.
"Now, Draco, I can give you another chance to prove that you are worthy of that mark that you just received." Voldemort said in a velvety soft voice, "I know you can be great. I know you can uplift your family name. I want you to do a little job for me. Won't you Draco?" he asked silkily.
Not knowing if there was another response than 'yes', Draco nodded, "Yes, My Lord, I will." He replied.
Voldemort tilted his head sideways and grimaced, "I am so sorry that you have to do this while you are so young. Bellatrix told me that you just turned sixteen, is that true?" he asked.
"Yes, my lord." Draco replied unable to take his eyes off Voldemort's red pair, "I turned sixteen last month, on 5th June."
"You must have felt terrible on your birthday with your father being in Azkaban?" The Dark Lord simpered.
Draco gritted his teeth remembering how his father was stuck in a cell in Azkaban, "It was terrible, my Lord, most terrible." He affirmed.
"Now is a chance to bring him out of that place." Voldemort said and Draco gulped, "Now you, as Lucius's son, hold the key to bring him back to your family. To your mother, Narcissa" he offered, "All you have to do is…" he paused and his snakelike face twisted into an ugly smile, "…kill the old fool Dumbledore."
Draco blinked twice before he realized the true meaning of Voldemort's words.
"Kill? Dumbledore?" he repeated incredulously, "Kill Dumbledore!"
"You heard me right, Draco, you have to kill Dumbledore for me." Voldemort affirmed, "That old has lived long enough for his own good and now I would like to send him to meet Uriel." His ugly smile broadened, "And you, Draco, are going to do that for me. You are going to send him to his last journey. You are going get me rid of him or…" he paused.
Draco waited anxiously for the sentence to complete.
"Or I am going to get you rid of your mother." Voldemort stated plainly.
Draco's feet shook so violently that he almost fell, the pain in his left forearm nothing compared to the words that hit him like a blow in his heart.
"Mother?" he echoed.
"Yes, your mother, Draco, Narcissa Malfoy." Voldemort said, his face now becoming cruel, "Either it's Dumbledore or it's Narcissa. Now choose your fate Draco. Prove to me which side you are really on. Prove that you are better than your father, bolder than Lucius and capable of doing what he couldn't do."
The image of his dead mother - her lifeless body lying still, appeared before Draco and for the first time during this whole conversation, Draco's fear left him and it was replaced by determination and anger.
"I will do it, my Lord." He said firmly as Voldemort smirked, "I will get you rid of that pathetic old fool, Dumbledore."
Someone was shaking him and Draco tried to focus his vision on the faces above.
"Draco Malfoy…" the voice said, "…Malfoy…Draco…do you hear me?" he asked.
Realizing that he can still blink, Draco blinked twice to convey that he was listening to them.
"…he blinked twice…he remembered me telling him to blink twice…Malfoy, listen carefully… whatever happens…don't fall asleep or lose your consciousness…just stay with us…okay…we are here till this is over…it's almost midnight now…stay with us…"
Draco blinked twice before he lost himself into another realm.
He was standing before the wrought iron gate of the Malfoy manor, his left forearm almost senseless from pain.
The gate opened for its master and Draco walked in purposeful strides.
He could see the lights in his mother's bedroom were lit indicating that the woman was waiting for her son to return after his meeting with Voldemort.
The front door opened by itself and Draco entered his home – Malfoy Manor. He took the stairs two at a time and went directly to meet his mother.
Narcissa almost jumped when Draco pushed the door of her bedroom open, "Mother, I am back." He said solemnly.
"Draco!" Narcissa exclaimed and came running to him, "Draco! My son!" she engulfed him into a tight embrace, "What took you so long? I was so worried. Your father is in Azkaban and I have no one but Bellatrix for company." She sobbed and embraced Draco more tightly.
"I am fine, mother." Draco said calmly, "I came back to you."
"Yes, you came back." Narcissa released her son and examined him from head to toe, "He didn't hurt you, did he?" she asked anxiously.
Draco shook his head, trying hard not to wince in pain as his mother took his hands and kissed them gently, "You are my good son, Draco. You are my good son." she stroked his hair fondly, "I will do anything to save you from him. You can't be spoiled; you are my son, my only child!" Narcissa cried.
"I will do anything to save you, mother." Draco said firmly, "I will do anything to save you." He winced as his mother pulled his hand to take him inside the room.
"What's it, Draco?" Narcissa asked anxiously, "Why did you wince? You said that he didn't hurt you!" Her blue eyes roved Draco's form again before fixing on his left forearm.
"No…" she gasped and shook her head, "NO…NO…NO…NO…" she screamed in despair and pain as she realized why Voldemort had wanted to meet Draco.
"Mother…calm down…mother…please calm down…" Draco hugged the woman who was crying hysterically, "…it is nothing…it is an honour for me…it is not what you think…I am the youngest Death Eater there is…I have been chosen to do something special…"
But his mother wouldn't calm down, "No…no…no…no…he spoiled you…he spoiled my innocent son…he spoiled my Draco…" Narcissa was sobbing uncontrollably, "He destroyed you…I never wanted you to become a Death Eater…Lucius and Bellatrix are Death Eaters but I begged to Lucius…I begged him not to insist that you become one…you are my only son…" she sobbed before looking up suddenly, "You said he chose you for something special. What is it?" she asked sharply.
"That I can't tell you, mother." Draco replied solemnly, "I have been forbidden to speak about it to anybody, even to you." He explained to his mother's pleading look.
"Who is crying at night?" a cold cackling voice enquired and Draco looked around to find his aunt Bellatrix standing on the threshold, "Draco." She noted, "You are back."
"I am." Draco said as coolly as he could, "Now can you please excuse us? I was talking to my mother."
"Looks like my dear nephew is feeling a bit upbit tonight." Bellatrix commented as she entered Narcissa's bedroom, "Did the Dark Lord treat you well?" she asked coolly.
"He marked him." Narcissa said, still crying, "He marked my only son."
"Did he?" Bellatrix clutched her heart and gave Draco's left forearm a hungry look, "Merlin! Draco, you should be proud!" Her heavy-lidded eyes glinted.
Draco stood on his ground as Bellatrix approached him and without warning she suddenly took his left hand before rolling the sleeve to reveal the new Dark Mark, "Beautiful!" she said as if it was her newborn child, "I still remember the taste of my fresh Dark Mark." She lowered her head and flickered her tongue across the mark, "It tasted exactly like it tastes now – salty for blood and slightly sour for burning skin."
"Leave his hand!" Narcissa jumped and removed Bellatrix's hands from Draco's, "Now, please leave my bedroom." She showed her sister the door, "My son is tired and he needs rest." She said firmly.
In response Bellatrix gave her sister a dismayed look and left.
"Mother, please go to sleep now." Draco said gently, "I will go back to my room."
"No, son." Narcissa shook her head, "I don't think I can sleep tonight. It's better that you sleep on my bed and I watch you fall asleep." she pleaded.
As Draco lied down on his parent's bed, his head on his mother's lap, he felt a strange sense of tranquil engulf him.
"I am sixteen now, mother and you behave as if I am three." He complained as Narcissa stroked his hair gently.
"No matter how old you become, Draco, for me you are my child." Narcissa said softly as she kissed his forehead, "Children never grow up for their mothers. You will understand it when you become a father one day."
Losing himself in his mother's gentle touch, Draco closed his eyes.
"…we are nearly there…his transformations were mild but they are over now…I bet it will have positive outcome on him…Malfoy, can you hear me…can you hear me, Malfoy…"
Draco opened his eyes and closed them immediately.
"…I think the light is irritating him…turn off the lights…Malfoy, you can open your eyes now…"
Draco complied and opened his eyes again but this time his view was eerily clear.
He looked around in darkness and noticed that everything was too clear for his vision.
He can even see the grey hairs that were hidden underneath Descartes's fringe.
"…the worst is over…he can breathe all by himself now…take out the ventilation tubes…"
Draco felt something slid out of his mouth and minutes later he discovered he could breathe like he always did.
"…I think he needs to sleep now… give him some Dreamless Sleep…"
A cold liquid was poured into his mouth and then it was all darkness.
Draco inhaled deeply and felt a strange smell hit his nostrils.
'Cigarette and sweat.' He analyzed and opened his eyes to find Descartes sitting beside him.
"Good morning, Monsieur Malfoy." He greeted Draco with a genuine smile, "Welcome back to our world."
Draco tried to move his fingers and found a sense of vigour running through his whole body.
It felt amazingly good.
Astonished, Draco sat up cautiously and looked down at his hands.
"Don't worry, Malfoy we have checked you and our team of Healers have checked you." Descartes assured him, "You are absolutely fine."
"My vision is too clear for me." Draco blinked several times at the renewed eyesight, "I mean my eyesight was always good but they were never this clear." He told Descartes, "Now they are abnormally clear." He commented.
Descartes was beaming when he replied, "Something happened last night that we didn't expect would happen. As you know, Werewolves don't transform unless it is full moon and last night almost new moon." He told Draco, "You had your attack one night prior to the actual new moon. That's something completely new and very remarkable." He smiled and Draco frowned, "Last time your attack was on a full moon and this time it was earlier. It means that your body is strongly fighting back against the Lupus venom; it is creating its own defense against the venom. The most intriguing part is, we have discovered that last night when your nervous system was attacked by the venom, it incorporated some of its own traits in them; especially in the sensory nerves: like your vision, hearing, touch, taste and smell – they were renewed and invigorated. Now you can see and hear better than any human being can. Besides, you will be able to identify humans from their smells for your sense of smell has sharpened. In a nutshell, you are carrying some amazing werewolf traits inside you now: the first of its kind. Even werewolves aren't like you; they are like normal humans until they transform when their senses heighten." He said excitedly, "But you, Malfoy, your senses have heightened without even transforming and it is absolutely wonderful."
"You mean I am a half-breed now?" Draco almost vomited at the idea of being like one of them.
"Half-breed?" Descartes asked incredulously, "Are you mad? Who said you are a half-breed? I just said that your senses have sharpened because your body is stronger than the venom was; it accepted what was powerful and beneficial for it and destroyed the rest. You are still a human but with some special powers. I never met a half-breed who was totally human like you; they are half human and half of what else they come from."
Draco pondered over the matter and realized that he had no way to go back even if he became half-breed. He wanted all those memories desperately which was the reason he was here on the first place and human or not, there was no denying that he was, is and will be Adrian's father.
"Monsieur Descartes." He addressed the man solemnly as he left the bed with a renewed and stronger body, "I remember you told me that I would receive compensation money for participating as a volunteer." Draco reached for his white shirt that he had been wearing in his first day at office, "Though, I told you that I don't need it." he said and Descartes nodded conveying that he remembered Draco's words, "But I…" Draco paused thinking how to put together the words, "…but I thought it be better if I spend it for a good cause. After all, we Malfoys patronize a lot of charity organizations." He said proudly.
"Very well, we will send it to your address." Descartes said plainly and Draco noticed his eyes were darting to his Dark Mark occasionally.
Scowling at him Draco donned his shirt, "How much you will be sending me?" he asked the Chief researcher.
"That's two sessions you have participated and for each session we give five hundred galleons." Descartes said and Draco frowned even deeply, "I know it's nothing considering that you are a Malfoy," the man said, "But this is a research facility, Monsieur and we have a limited budget for everything. The French government allotted us a few thousand galleons for they don't think we will succeed. Who cares for werewolves and their cure?" he sighed.
'Good thinking. Neither do I.' Draco thought as he considered what kind of a ring he can buy with one thousand galleons, 'Probably a plain gold ring but there will be no gemstones on it.'
It took him another fifteen minutes to receive his papers regarding his participation and remembering Apolline's warning to owl her before he went to obtain the memories, Draco stepped into the Floo.
An hour later, bathed, fed and fresh to face the world with a renewed energy Draco sat down on his reading table to send an owl to Apolline.
He was just one step away from Hermione Granger's fourth month of pregnancy.