A/N: Thanks to louisethelibrarian, surugasasa, Grovek26, roni2010, Ramyfan, aryaa, happyhoper and aisling66 for their reviews.
Thanks for all the follows and favourites.
Acknowledgements:
Thanks to my dear reader aryaa for her suggestion on Draco's Boggart. It helped me to develop the scene more realistically. While I made the whole plot long ago, I take advices, suggestions and even constructive criticisms from my readers while writing TPA because it has mostly brought out better outcomes than I have ever expected. : )) Anyone with suggestions is most welcome.
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 47: Plight, Plea and Plan
If there was anything that Hermione loved about herself, it that she had strong nerves, quick-wit and power to deduce problems logically.
But when Lillian read aloud a news from the morning issue of Le Nouvelles de Sorciers – the French Wizarding newspaper - at the breakfast table on Saturday morning, her grip on coffee cup automatically slackened and it landed on the table, spilling the hot liquid on her Tartines sandwich and brichoes.
"Maman, listen to this!" Lillian had exclaimed with a horrified look on her pretty face, "Some Muggles attacked a wizard by the name of Vincent Blanchard and…." Her eyes widened as she read the rest of the news in silence, "….they cut off his both hands!" she finished.
That is when Hermione's coffee cup landed on table with a crushing sound which was muffled by Narcissa's even louder cry.
"What?" she asked looking stunned, "Muggles attacked a wizard?" she asked skeptically, "What was he doing when they attacked him? Why didn't he hex them into filthy slugs?" she enquired angrily.
Hermione was shaking from head to foot when Lillian started reading the full text.
"Ex-Château d'If Prisoner left crippled." she read the heading, "A gruesome attack on an ex-Château d'If prisoner Vincent Blanchard (52) at his home in the Parisian suburban city of Lé Pecq left him robbed while both his hands were amputated. Vincent, who had worked for fifteen years as a librarian in the renowned Wizarding library near Gare du Nord, was thrown into prison on charges of attempted ra…" she stopped and looked at Adrian, who was listening to the news with his mouth hung open, before correcting herself, "…uhmm….assault on a fellow co-worker who was pregnant at that time." Lillian paused again with a look of extreme distaste, "According to the local Muggle authority, one of the Vincent's neighbours, Édith Piaf noticed bloody footsteps leading out of his flat and called the Muggle Aurors called Police on the scene. The man was unconscious when he was rushed to the local hospital. His daughter Myléne Blanchard, who lives with her husband in Lille, informed this correspondent that the Ministry authorities have assured her to look into the matter and that her father will be soon shifted to St. Louis Hospital of Magical Maladies for further treatment. But since he sustained heavy bleeding following the amputation, chances are that he may not to be able to remember anything about the possible assaulters. Evidences retrieved from the crime scene suggest it as a case of Muggle robbery gone wrong since most of the valuable items were missing. Ministry spokesperson has informed this correspondent that further investigation on the matter will continue until the perpetrators are rounded up and brought to justice." She finished and looked up at the table for reaction.
"Pathetic!" Julian commented irritably, "Served him right for thinking he was smart enough for not taking proper precautions when living in a Muggle neighbourhood. I mean, even we live a place full of Muggles but look at our home! Not even an entire Muggle army can pass the threshold of our Château let alone think of robbing it!"
"But he is a wizard Julian. How can you talk about him like that?" Narcissa asked, taken aback.
"Being wizard doesn't mean we are above common sense, Narcissa." Audré replied in her son's stead, "Most French Wizarding families live alongside Muggles but they always make sure that their household is protected against any intrusion, be it Muggle or Magic."
The only person who was silent in the breakfast table was Draco Malfoy. He was taking languid sips from his café au lait.
Hermione was far too occupied in her thoughts to notice anything or that her son was asking questions about the news to Lillian.
"What is amput…" he stammered trying to remember the exact word, "…that thing, Aunt Lillian?"
"Why was he attacked?"
"Why was he in prison?"
The last question brought Hermione to her senses and she gave Adrian a stern look, "Finish your almond milk, Adrian." she snapped at him, "That is a news for elders not for kids like you." She said firmly.
"But I am a man, Mama!" Adrian countered desperately, "And I have finished the milk." He added sourly showing Hermione his empty glass.
"Then finish your breakfast." Hermione said curtly to put an end to the discussion.
"Okay." Adrian pouted his lips and sullen-faced returned to his breakfast.
Trying to fight off the unpleasant memories of her second almost-rape by Vincent Blanchard, Hermione reached for her brichoes and seconds later felt a sharp pain in her right index finger.
Looking down she found her finger that was oozing blood due to its contact with the sharp jagged margin of her broken coffee cup.
"MAMA, BLOOD!" Adrian was the second one to notice after Hermione, for the rest on the table was talking about the news on attack on Blanchard among themselves, "MAMA, YOU CUT YOUR FINGER!" he screamed and alerted the others.
"What?" Lillian leaped to her feet and rushed to Hermione, discarding her newspaper, "How did it happen, Jean?" she asked once she reached her and looked down at her bloodies finger, "When did you break that cup?" her eyes rested on broken shards of cup on Hermione's plate.
"It's nn…nothing." Hermione tried not to draw attention to herself and assure her sister-in-law, but to no avail.
"Mama is hurt! Mama is hurt!" Adrian was chanting continuously under his breath as he flung his arms around Hermione's neck and embraced her tightly, "Do something, Mama is hurt! Please do something!" he pleaded.
It didn't take more than thirty seconds for the rest of the table but Draco to arrive at Hermione's aid. Audré cleaned her wound and healed it while Julian and Narcissa tried to console Adrian.
"It's only a little cut, dear nephew. And see it's healed now." Julian said kindly.
"Look at your Mama, Adrian, she is fine now." Narcissa offered with a hopeful smile.
The last person Hermione wanted to fuss about her cut finger was Malfoy and thankfully he neither left his chair nor gave more than one glance than at Hermione's direction, for which she was grateful.
"Adrian, Mama is alright. Mama is fine, little rabbit." Hermione stroked her son's silvery blonde curls fondly and cooed into his little ear, "Look, Mama's blood is gone." She offered him her healed finger.
The little boy rested his wide grey eyes at Hermione's hand and sniffed audibly.
"Don't hurt yourself, Mama." He pleaded, "It hurts me." He said almost tearfully.
"Oh my love!" Hermione cried and embraced her son tightly, "Mama didn't hurt herself on purpose, dearest. It was an accident." She tried to comfort him.
"Now, now, Adrian why don't you finish your breakfast so that you can teach Aunt Lillian how to draw carrots!" Audré offered gently, "She is awful at drawing and needs your help to improve." She gave Lillian a knowing look who immediately nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes, Adrian, I really need to learn how to draw carrots." She agreed with her mother.
"Only carrots or creepy carrots?" Adrian asked her curiously, "Uncle Alexis gave me a book on creepy carrots. I can teach you both." He assured his aunt-cum-student.
As the conversation shifted to Lillian's drawing lessons with rest of the family regaining their happy mood, Hermione reflected on the news that was the reason behind her lack of attention.
'What an irony that robbers would cut off Vincent's hands, the same hands that had touched and ravaged her body!'
'Was it Nature's justice or just a co-incidence?'
"I am sure this incident about Muggles attacking a wizard wouldn't be taken easily by most of our kind." She heard Julian commenting gravely, "But I sincerely hope that some jerks will not retaliate and attack their Muggle neighbours blaming them for it because that will cause serious breach to International Statute Secrecy."
"But don't you think he deserved it, Julian?" Malfoy asked his cousin in an almost bored voice, "According to the news, he had attacked and tried to assault his colleague who was pregnant." he pointed out coolly.
That statement was simply too much for Hermione.
She stared at him unable to believe her ears.
'Who was saying that Vincent Blanchard deserved to be punished like that for trying to assault a pregnant woman?'
'Draco Malfoy?'
'The man who himself raped his classmate at the age of seventeen and left her pregnant?'
Furious, dubious and almost unconscious from Malfoy's sense of self-righteousness, Hermione couldn't speak for a very long time.
"Jean, why aren't you taking your breakfast?" she heard Audré enquired and looking at her, she stood up suddenly.
"Excuse me." She said forcing a smile, "I will be back in a moment." She said before leaving the table abruptly.
Once outside Hermione didn't know where her feet were taking her.
'Malfoy thinks Blanchard was wrong?'
'He thinks that Vincent deserved it?'
'Malfoy of all people?'
'The pureblood bigot bastard rapist!'
'If so then, why doesn't he cut off his own genitalia?'
'How she wished to scream her throat raw and remind him that what he was!'
'And tell his cousins what his true colours were!'
'But with Adrian finally cooled down and taking his breakfast happily it wasn't possible.'
'Her little innocent son will be terrorized beyond measure if she screamed at Malfoy, more so if he came to know the truth that will surely destroy his childhood innocence.'
'And the agonizing silence was suffocating her.'
'The injustice of it all was making her want to tear down own hairs.'
Hermione walked aimlessly through the spacious corridors and tried hard to calm down her inner turmoil.
She pushed open a door and entered a room that was semi-darkened by heavy curtains that were drawn.
Frustrated, Hermione kicked hard at the nearest cupboard door several times and it swung open unceremoniously.
The next thing she saw was Vincent Blanchard crawling out of the dark cavern and straightening up with a leering look.
"Hello, Jean!" he whispered in sickening glee and Hermione shuddered, "Time to complete the task that I left behind." He said coyly.
•••••
What exactly made Draco follow Hermione out of dining room, he didn't know.
It could be due to fact that he felt guilty that he didn't react much when she cut her finger; something that wasn't intentional rather forced for he feared that his disquiet would provoke untoward response from her; like their last time when his suggestion to put on more clothes compelled Hermione to do the opposite.
Or it could be due to his concern when she walked out looking devastatingly lost.
Or it could be because he just needed to make sure that she won't hurt herself again when walking like that. It was strange enough that he was feeling something more than guilt whenever he saw her blood being shed – the same blood for which he had irrationally stigmatized her for years by calling her a Mudblood.
Or it could be just out of curiosity.
Draco certainly didn't miss the glazed look that had appeared at Hermione's face when he said that Blanchard deserved to be punished like that.
Or the way she had stared at him in disbelief.
Or how she had opened her mouth to evidently scream and remind him that he was the one who violated her first.
Or how she controlled herself at the last moment, smiled forcefully and left the room without finishing her breakfast.
Feeling that something ominous might happen if he didn't take care of her, Draco excused himself after Hermione left the dining room and kept safe distance between them as he started following her through the spacious corridors.
It seemed that Hermione didn't know where she was heading to in the first place.
She walked and walked and walked until she turned the knob of a door that led to a room Draco knew to be Château's old music room which was now mostly used as a store room.
He stood and waited for her to enter the room and then followed her until he reached the half-open door, where he halted his steps.
Draco strained his ears and tried to listen the sounds coming from inside the room.
Something was hitting against a wooden surface followed by loud creaking sound of an old door being opened.
The next sounds were a male voice and a blood curdling female scream.
"Hello, Jean! Time to complete the task that I left behind."
"Aaaarrghhhhhhhhhhh!"
Draco burst into the room and found petrified Hermione staring at…
"Vincent Blanchard!" he blurted out, looking unblinkingly at the male figure with balding head and mischievous smile.
His sudden appearance caused two things: One, Hermione and Vincent both turned at him and two, Vincent suddenly vanished and instead the fresh corpse of a little boy appeared before him.
Adrian was dead and lying on the floor motionless.
His brain in a slow-motion mode, Draco closed his eyes and opened them again praying it was a hallucination.
But Adrian was still lying on the floor; his body bloodied and mutilated; his limbs broken-angled.
Before he could do more than blink again, Hermione's eyes rolled up and she started falling.
"Hermione!" Draco exclaimed and lunged forward to catch the slowly falling body that was making half an arc.
"Riddikulus!" a voice bellowed behind him.
Draco caught Hermione's unconscious form just in time when Adrian's body vanished and a cruel faced woman with blazing eyes appeared at its stead.
"RIDDIKULUS!" Narcissa bellowed and the woman, who was advancing her in proud steps, blasted into many pieces.
Draco took his wife securely in his arms and looked up at his extremely pale and tight-lipped mother.
"Medusa." She explained in a word before the rest of the family burst into the semi-darkened music room.
"Mama!"
"Jean!"
"Draco!"
"Narcissa!"
"Boggart!"
Amongst the loud outbursts, Draco lifted Hermione's limp form in his strong arms and left the storeroom for his aunt's parlour with Adrian running beside him to keep up with his father's long strides.
"What happened to Mama?" he demanded.
"You hurt my Mama?" he was furious.
"Where are you taking my Mama?" he tugged Draco's shirt impatiently.
Draco stopped on his tracks and looked down at Adrian over the unconscious woman on his arms.
"Your Mama is unconscious, dear son, let me take her to grandma Audré's parlour." He offered as softly as he possibly could.
"No!" Adrian shouted at him and started tugging Hermione's limp left hand instead that was dangling slightly, "You won't take Mama anywhere!" he ordered firmly, "I am Mama's man and I will take her to Healer Henriette."
It was the most bizarre situation Draco had ever faced in his entire life; he was carrying his senseless wife who had fainted when she encountered him on the first place and his five and a half year old son was ordering him to put down Hermione so that he could take her to a Healer.
Draco didn't know whether to laugh or to cry.
"Healer Henriette is a child's specialist, Adrian, she doesn't treat adults." He tried to sound logical.
But Adrian didn't pay heed to his words and pulled his mother's hand insistently, "I don't care!" he retorted, "You won't take Mama anywhere. You hate her and you will hurt her." He said dismissively.
Shaking his head in resignation, Draco resumed his walk with his wife in his arms while Hermione's hand was being pulled resolutely by Adrian.
"STOP!" He tried to prevent Draco from taking Hermione to Audré's parlour.
"Adrian, I am trying to help your mother." Draco tried to explain desperately while continuing his walking in absurd ease with combined weights of Hermione and Adrian.
"Mama doesn't need your help!" Adrian countered boldly, "Stop and put my Mama down!" He demanded angrily.
Not caring to pay attention to Adrian, whom he was almost dragging with him on his way, Draco reached his aunt's parlour and entered it.
"STOP! PLEASE STOP! DON'T TAKE MY MAMA AWAY!" Adrian was crying unabashedly now and with extreme exercise of self-control Draco ignored him before reaching the divan where he intended to lay down Hermione.
With care and caution he lowered the slim body on divan and felt a peculiar scent reaching his over-sensitized nostrils.
It was a sparkly floral-woody fragrance, fresh and feminine at the same time.
And Draco identified it as the scent of freshly blooming daisies.
He placed Hermione's head on a cushion followed by rest of her body which he laid down as gently as he could.
Draco withdrew his hands and looked down at the unconscious face of Hermione Jean Granger.
A pair of arched eyebrows looked down on sweeping brown eyelashes that rested on closed eyelids, the shape of sliver-of-moon. An elegant nose overlooked her alluring lips while her delicate ears were tucked away in the glorious tresses of her unruly brown sea of curls.
'She is beautiful.'
'…And innocent.'
'…And fresh.'
'…and…' Draco's thoughts lost track when a small fist punched him hard right on his chest and distracted, he looked at the source.
The view that met him certainly was not a normal Adrian; his face was contorted in extreme rage with his eyebrows arched, eyes flashing, nostrils flaring and lips tight.
"HOW DARE YOU DON'T LISTEN TO ME WHEN I TOLD YOU NOT TO TOUCH MY MAMA!" he bellowed at Draco and placed his little hands on his hips, "SHE IS MY MAMA AND MY CARE. WHO ARE YOU TO TAKE HER AWAY FROM ME?"
Draco was speechless by son's courage and extent of possessiveness.
"Adrian," it was Audré's gentle voice who replied, "Monsieur meant no harm to your Mama." She tried to assure him.
"MAMA IS MINE AND MINE ONLY!" Adrian declared furiously and with that bold statement he climbed up on the divan and lied down on Hermione's unconscious form with his curl adorned head placed directly over her heart.
"Mama! Mama!" he cooed gently, completely opposite to the tone he had used with Draco, "Mama! Please open your eyes!" he cried, "See, I have scolded Monsieur. He won't dare to touch you and hurt you again." He said in a pleading voice.
Draco was observing the scene, mesmerized when Audré finally took over the situation.
"Draco, Adrian, move away from Jean." she instructed them in an urgent tone, "Let me see what's wrong with her." She said as Adrian moved just enough to let his mother to be examined while Draco straightened up and rubbed the place where Adrian had punched him earlier.
'What a commendable courage!'
'Just like his Gryffindor mother!'
'Does he have anything from his father's character?'
'What does Draco have that's worth Adrian?'
'Pride?'
'Arrogance?'
'Bigotry?'
'Slyness?'
'Cowardice?'
'Bullying abilities?'
'Does he have anything for a father to be passed down to his son?'
He watched the pair with a bemused look on his face, deep in his own thoughts.
"She simply fainted from extreme fear." Audré declared at the end of her inspection, "I think it was the Boggart that scared her like this." she said thoughtfully as a fearful Adrian roved his mother's form with apprehension, "Lillian, give me some water." She bid her daughter who immediately handed her a full goblet.
Audré sprinkled some water on Hermione's face who steered feebly.
"…vinc…malf…" she muttered and Draco immediately realized the real reason behind the syncopal attack for she had faced both of her assaulters – Draco Malfoy and Vincent Blanchard in that dark room as well as Adrian's mangled dead body which even scared the living soul out of Draco himself.
"MAMA!" Adrian exclaimed and embraced a lying Hermione, "Mama, are you okay?" he asked anxiously once she was fully conscious.
Hermione smiled weakly as she wrapped her hands around her son and embraced him back, "Yes, little rabbit…" he voice was shaking, "…Mama is fine." She stroked Adrian's curls fondly before kissing him on his head.
"Now, Jean you should have fined for scaring us like this in a fine Saturday morning." Julian commented lightly before his mother cast him a warning look.
"Adrian, why don't you go with Aunt Lillian and make a good cup of hot chocolate for Mama?" she offered Adrian kindly who immediately raised his head to examine his mother.
"Mama is weak." He commented thoughtfully, "She didn't take her breakfast but she tells me to take mine." He chided Hermione who cringed guiltily under her son's disappointed gaze, "Wait, Mama, I will bring you a good breakfast. I am a good at cooking. Come, Aunt Lillian!" He cried before jumping down the divan and left hurriedly almost tugging Lillian behind him.
Draco was looking at the place where his son had just stood, his heart deeply touched by the love and sensibility this little kid showered on his mother. Even as a kid, he had never shown such care for his own mother, Narcissa.
"Julian, can you please check if Healer Cloutier is available?" he heard Audré asked her son, who nodded and left immediately closing the parlour door behind him.
"Draco, sit." Audré bid him next and bracing himself for another outburst or lecture session, he took the seat opposite Hermione, who was slowly sitting up.
"I think it is high time that we sit and talk like all educated adult people do." Audré announced before turning her attention to Hermione, "Jean, I have noticed that you have been very quiet and apprehensive for several days. Is there a reason behind it?" she asked her evenly.
Hermione was looking at her lap when she spoke.
"No, aunt there isn't just one reason behind it; there are many reasons behind it. But before I start I have a few questions to ask."
"Pray continue." Audré offered solemnly.
"My first question is, does this man sitting here think that he has any rights to exercise over me?" Hermione asked sharply.
"Draco?" Audré called him.
Remembering the recent memories and ashamed to his core, Draco swallowed before replying, "No, Granger, I don't have any rights to exercise over you." He replied truthfully.
"Then why is he suddenly so concerned about my welfare? Why did he ask me to put on more clothes when we were about to leave to visit Pasteur?" was Hermione's second question.
Draco bit his lips, "I was just trying to…" he paused.
"Trying to?" Hermione enquired.
"Trying to make sure that you don't fall ill." Draco replied truthfully.
"Why? Why should you care if I live or die?" Hermione was resolutely looking at the flower vase.
Draco considered the question before answering it.
According to his aunt Audré, Hermione detested being called his wife; so that option wasn't available.
He couldn't say outright that he cared for her now, in a way that he himself didn't think was possible until he watched those memories.
Neither could he say that he was her violator for it will sound extremely ridiculous as his aunt had already pointed out kindly.
"It was nothing personal Granger," Draco preferred not to use the given name should it agitate Hermione more, "I was there and I saw you with inadequate protection against cold…so I just tried to suggest you…I never ordered or commanded you." He replied as neutrally as possible.
"Have you forgotten the past that we shared at Hogwarts? Have you forgotten what you did to me in your dungeons? Then how come you even think that you can suggest me anything, Malfoy?" Hermione asked vehemently, "Even this morning when Lillian read out that news about a wizard called Vincent being attacked by Muggles, didn't you comment that he deserved it, that he deserved his hands being cut off because he tried to assault a pregnant woman? Who are you to decide it what he deserved when you yourself completed the same act even more brutally? According to your statement, don't you deserve the same treatment and even more?"
Draco had no answer for this question. The guilt that had ebbed away since he avenged Hermione's near assault returned full bloom and hit him with all its might. His stomach dropped a few inches, the heaviness over his heart increased and he felt a bitter taste in his mouth.
"I knew that even a shameless criminal such as yourself wouldn't be able to answer that question before your mother and aunt, Draco Malfoy." Hermione said fiercely, "Because no matter how you try to explain it, Malfoy, deep down you know that you are a filthy violator and thus you have no place in my or Adrian's life." she declared proudly, "My next question is what are you plotting against me?" she asked suddenly and Draco frowned deeply.
"Meaning?" he asked taken aback.
"Don't think you are the only clever person who walked on this earth." Hermione spat, "You are behaving as if you don't know anything, hm?" she gave a mirthless laugh and asked, "Let me explain it to you then. You are trying to prove that I am having an illegal affair with Alexis who was my fiancée; you are trying to prove that I am cheating on you, who is a loving and caring husband. Am I wrong, Malfoy?" she asked him mockingly.
Draco stared at Hermione.
"Draco?" he heard Narcissa called him sharply, "Is it true? Is it true that you are plotting against Jean?" she enquired icily.
Unable to talk, Draco shook his head feebly.
"Liar! He is lying like he always does!" Hermione lashed out furiously, "Just last Saturday I caught him red-handed when he was trying to brainwash aunt Audré against me. Aunt Audré is present here and she can testify if he is lying or not."
"Audré, is it true?" Draco heard his mother asked his aunt severely.
"Narcissa, I wouldn't deny that Draco was irritated about Alexis Delacour's involvement in this case and he expressed his concern over it to me." Audré replied solemnly, "However, I didn't get my chance to explain my views on the matter to him because Jean burst into my room at that moment and they had their first quarrel as a married couple right there."
"Why would I plot against you Granger?" Draco asked, desperately feeling that it was his last chance to save his remaining honour before his mother, "By all means you are Adrian's mother."
"Because you are a bastard who raped me for being a Mudblood and you want to take away my son from me for the same reason! Because Malfoys never associate with filthy creatures like us let alone have their sons brought up by me! Because you want to make him just like you!" Hermione shrieked, "That is the reason why you want to take away my son…my child…my little rabbit that I carried inside my body for nine monthes…that I gave birth against all obstacles…all odds…all objections…away from the Malfoys…for I feared for his life…and now you are after my son…the half-blood son whose value has multiplied because all the pureblood Malfoy heirs are dead…because it's this rapist's last resort to continue his filthy bloodline…" she paused breathing heavily from loud outburst, "But your dreams will never come true, Malfoy. Never. Not until I am dead and…I assure you that if I am to die, I will kill my son with my own hands first so that he never passes into your guardianship."
Draco was suddenly visited by an image of the corpse-Boggart-Adrian and fearful, he hid his face in his hands, "Please, stop, Granger, I beg you please stop. Don't talk about death like that." he pleaded her.
"No need to be overly emotional Jean." Audré spoke up again, "No one is going to die here. We are talking about life, not death." she reminded her.
"If that's what we are talking about, aunt, then I want my life back." Hermione retorted, "I don't want Draco Malfoy to do anything with me or Adrian. This is my life and therefore my way to live it. If he feels he wants to exercise his rights over his obedient wife and son, he can go and drown himself in frustration and I can't care less." She declared firmly.
Behind his hands, Draco finally found his voice, "Granger, I never plotted or even dreamt of plotting against you to take Adrian away from you." He said defensively, "True that I assaulted you, insulted you for your blood status but I assure you that I don't think that way anymore. Don't you think that I also see that Adrian can't live a second without you?" he asked her and Hermione snorted, "He is safe with you…pure with you…and I will never do anything to undo it." he declared solemnly.
"Prove it." Narcissa supplied this time, "Prove it that you are sincere to your words, Draco. Take an Unbreakable Vow." She demanded.
Draco looked at Hermione who was resolutely looking away to his aunt who was giving him a calculating look to his mother who was arching a challenging eyebrow at him.
"I will." He stated solemnly before kneeling down before her and holding out his right hand at Hermione.
"Jean?" Audré called Hermione, her voice had an edge to it, "Kneel down and take Draco's hand." She bid her.
At her words, Hermione left her place on divan before kneeling down to face Draco and grasping his hand with a determined look on her face.
"Narcissa, I hope you are well aware of the consequences of this Vow." Audré reminded her sister-in-law as Draco and Hermione locked their gazed on their joined hands, "If so, then please do the honours." She pledged.
Without another word, Narcissa took out her wand and placed the tip onto the linked hands.
"Do you, Draco Malfoy, take vow to never plot against Hermione Granger to take away her son or distance the said boy from her?" she asked.
"I do." Draco replied solemnly.
A thin tongue of brilliant flame issued from Narcissa's wand and wound its way around their hands like a snake.
"Will you vow not to speak ill of your wife or conspire against her?"
"I will."
A second flame issued from Narcissa's wand and wrapped their hands.
"And do you pledge never to disrespect her in any manner, be it physical, mental or verbal?"
"I will." Draco declared truthfully.
The last tongue of flame issued from Narcissa's wand and wound its way around their hands before glowing brightly.
Hermione quickly let go off Draco's hand as soon the thin flaming rods disappeared and she slumped on her earlier seat, looking tired.
Draco was wondering if the Vow will be sufficient enough to make Hermione trust him when the parlour door opened with Lillian carrying a large breakfast tray and Adrian in tow.
"I made hot chocolate for Mama!" the little boy declared to the room in general, "I helped butter the toasts too. I also drew flowers on Mama's sandwich with tomato sauce; they look better now." he described as he settled down beside Hermione and Lillian handed her the plate, "Now, clear your plate, Mama." He said in unmistakable bossy tone of the old Hermione that Draco disliked when they were at Hogwarts.
"Looks like the little boy…oops, man explored the entire French gastronomy to make his Mama take her breakfast." Julian walked in and Draco was certain he hadn't been in pursuit of any Healers at all and in fact left them to give them some privacy to talk, "I wonder if there is a finer sandwich than these that Jean will be eating soon." he indicated at floral patterned sandwiches on a large plate.
The only other person who didn't laugh that followed this comment was Draco and he noticed that his mother didn't join it either.
She looked exceptionally sad and lost.
•••••
It was not until after dinner that Audré finally decided to call it a day and retire.
The day following the Unbreakable Vow had been even more eventful.
Being the official public prosecutor for the Minister of Magic against the Rochés, Audré had to face relentless streams of Ministry officials as well as the press, who seemed to want to ask her only one question.
'Why she chose to come back in Rochés case when in she had turned down many offers in the past?'
Audré knew that the press was particularly interested in the juicy gossips that encircled around the families of Chombrun Malfoys and Rochés and she would be damned if she admitted it to them first hand.
So she had replied to their question in a professional manner.
"It isn't everyday that the Minister of Magic asks an ordinary lawyer like me to look onto his case." She said modestly.
Another annoying aspect was some reporters trying to call it 'the trial of the century' for Audré couldn't disagree more.
"I am a very simple person and this is a very simple case." She had responded to such outrageous remarks coolly, "You are giving this case more attention than it actually deserves."
But even with that, the press had tried to trick her to speak against the Rochés.
Audré smirked as she started for Hermione's quarter.
'No mother has borne any man who could trick Audré Chombrun Malfoy.'
Chattering sounds issuing from Hermione's sitting room indicated that she had guests which turned out to be her friend Eva.
Audré gave them a tired smile as she settled down opposite them.
"How was the press conference, aunt?" Hermione enquired as she handed Audré a cup of coffee, "I heard from Lillian that they tried to make you speak against Rochés."
Audré shrugged as she took a sip from the hot and refreshing drink, "It is in the nature of fools to try to trick others without knowing how to do so." She commented lightly, "But don't worry, Jean, like my esteemed lawyer Olivier Metzner who taps on his head and says that he has everything set there…" she tapped on her head in mimicry of Metzner, "…I also have everything set here."
"You mean you have a plan other than the ones that you told us?" Hermione asked looking interested, "What is it, aunt that you are spinning inside your head?" her eyes narrowed in curiosity.
Audré glanced at Eva meaningfully and Hermione immediately raised her hands in surrender.
"No, aunt, there is nothing to worry about Eva. She is my friend from day one in Beauxbatons. We were even roommates when I was pregnant and I can assure you that you can trust her as much as you can trust me." She said firmly.
As if a heavy fist has punched on Audré's stomach and knocked her air out, she suddenly felt breathless.
For she could see Hermione's friend in a completely new light now.
"You were Jean's roommate when she was pregnant?" Audré asked Eva and she nodded.
"Yes, I was. I can still remember every single incident that happened with Jean when she was my roommate." She affirmed with a bright smile while taking Hermione's hand.
'Nostradamus! How is it possible that I missed such a crucial pawn for my game of chess?'
'Why didn't I deduce her importance before?'
'She can be extremely useful; her memories can be extremely useful.'
'She has Jean's pregnancy memories when she was at Beauxbatons.'
'Something that Apolline doesn't have.'
'If I can just…' Audré was completely lost in her thoughts when Adrian landed on her lap unceremoniously.
"Grandma, look! I made a new drawing for you." The little boy offered her a sheet of paper happily and smiling, Audré looked down at it.
It was beautiful beyond any kind of description.
She, twenty one year old and on her bridal dress was standing beside a black dress robe clad Morpheus on their wedding day.
"I saw this photo in your room, grandma, the day you became blue." Adrian explained as tears welled at Audré's eyes, "Aunt Lillian told me that it was Grandpa Morpheus and you love him very much; just like I love Mama. So I tried to make a drawing for you…" he couldn't finish the rest of the sentence because Audré engulfed him in a tight embrace.
No one…not even Morpheus had touched Audré's heart the way Adrian did with that tiny act of deep thoughtfulness. She wouldn't require any Unbreakable Vow for at that moment Audré could lay down her life for this little boy with a smile on her face.
For a woman who had been a criminal lawyer for most parts of her life, words failed her and she simply hugged her little grandson realizing for the first time why Hermione was so possessive when it came to sharing Adrian with others.
"But I didn't make it all by myself, grandma." Adrian's voice was muffled pressed against Audré's bosom, "Monsieur Monette taught me how to do it properly." He explained.
That didn't decrease original appeal of the drawing one jot.
"He is going to his drawing lessons again." Hermione informed Audré, who finally let go of her grandson, "And Monsieur Monette is happy to have his youngest pupil back." She said casting an affectionate look on Adrian, "He says Adrian is very talented and if trained properly, he could be a famous painter one day."
"I will frame his drawing and hang it in my parlour." Audré said, examining the black and white drawing with care, "And I will tell everyone that my grandson drew it for his grandma." She stroked Adrian's head fondly.
"You like it. Then tell me a story grandma." Her grandson pledged.
Audré was about to reply but Hermione cut in.
"Little rabbit, grandma had a long day and she is very tired." She explained and Audré smiled kindly when Adrian looked up at her with wide grey eyes, "Why don't you go and put Peter on his bed. He is tired too." she offered.
"Okay, Mama, time to put Peter on his bed." Adrian kissed Audré and left them with an air of supreme importance.
"I wonder what I would have done without him." Audré remarked watching Adrian's little retreating form, "I always tell Julian to get married but he wouldn't listen." She sighed.
"Aunt, if you aren't too tired can you please tell me what is your plan regarding this case against Rochés?" she heard Hermione asked her, "Besides, I was planning to ask you about Jacques Mesrine. Can he be caught before the trial starts on Monday?
Audré gave Hermione a gentle smile when she shook her head, "No, Jean, I am afraid that will not be possible." She replied, "Besides, what is there to hurry about?" she shrugged.
Hermione gave her a nonplussed look, "The trial starts this Monday aunt and you are saying that what is there to hurry about?" she asked Audré.
Deciding to answer her question differently Audré finished her coffee, "Have you ever caught fish with a spear, Jean?" she asked her casually.
Both Eva and Jean exchanged confused looks before shaking their heads.
"When I was a young girl, my father, Renée Chombrun, used to take me on fishing like most fathers did with their sons." Audré started in a carefree tone, "He liked fishing the Muggle way and used to say that it is more exciting. We used fishing rods but sometimes, when he felt energetic enough he used spears – common Muggle spears." She said, "He taught me that if I want to catch fishes with spears I must be very patient and never disturb the water for it will scare the fishes away." She said and her audiences listened with rapt attention, "Also that I must plunge the spear deeper than my intended target because according to Muggle Physics, water acts as a refractive media which makes anything on water appear more superficial that it actually is. That day he taught me an important lesson for my life, Jean, that nothing is as it always seems. There are many factors that make it look like the way we see it." she said and Hermione frowned deeply, "This case against the Rochés is just like spearfishing for me, Jean. A veteran and clever lawyer like Metzner knows that I am as capable as he is and he is waiting to thrash me before Wizengamot. And I, Jean, am going to let him do so." She declared.
"What? Why?" Hermione gasped, "You want to lose on purpose?" he asked incredulously.
"Uhum…" Audré shook her head, "I am going to bid my time and watch my fish – Metzner carefully. I am not going to disturb his confidence. I will let him win several arguments so that he becomes even more proud of his ability and then, Jean…" she paused dramatically, "…just when he thinks he is going to win this case, I will strike him with my evidences – my spear and he will be caught off guarded." She said and Hermione blinked, "This game plan will give me another advantage too. Rochés and his Knights are after any witnesses that they think may testify against him. If I reveal them early, they will be even more desperate and hunt them down to stop them. So, I will feign that Pasteur isn't helping me and my plan isn't going well while underneath that mask all his men, like Jacques Mesrine and others, will be rounded up and when they will assume that I am no longer a harm to them, I will present my witnesses to the Wizengamot." She smirked, "And that will be the end of Augustus Rochés." she said smugly.
"Aunt you are too good of a plotter." Hermione let out a loud snort while clapping in admiration, "And I thought only Slytherins could plot." She commented.
"Speaking of Slytherins, brings me to my real reason to visit you, Jean." Audré remarked lightly and Hermione's smile faltered, "My Slytherin nephew has asked me to tell you that his team has a match against the third years in Sorbonne tomorrow and he had kindly requested for your and Adrian's humble presence there." She stated.
Hermione's mood shifted palpably at the mention of Draco.
"Didn't he get it when I said I don't want him to do anything with me or Adrian?" she asked crossly, "How dare he sent you to advocate me on his behalf? How dare he thinks that he can…"
Audré held out a hand to quieten Hermione.
"Jean, please calm down." She said gently, "Eva, please give your friend a glass of water because I think she needs it direly." She said and Eva left her seat to fetch water for Hermione.
Once the glass was brought and handed to Hermione, Audré gave her a solemn look, "Jean, I have a question to ask you. Can you please answer truthfully?"
Hermione finished her water in one go and nodded.
"Thank you." Audré smiled at Hermione, "What is your future plan about this relationship with Draco that is simply termed as 'marriage'?" she asked evenly.
"There is no future for us. I was forced to marry him, aunt; I married him to save my son." Hermione replied coolly, "Otherwise, I wouldn't have married him for all the money and happiness in the world. This marriage, therefore, is nothing for me except for an act of defense."
"Fine." Audré nodded patiently, "Then have you considered that you can indeed make it a way to punish your perpetrator?" she asked her.
Hermione frowned, "Punish him?" she asked sharply, "What are you talking about aunt? Malfoy can never be punished because thanks to this blasted Claiming Law, the moment I report him at the ministry as a rapist, they will take away Adrian from me like they did to Pierre and he will be put under Bill's or Julian's guardianship." She said hotly.
"I am well aware of that law, Jean, I have been a lawyer for nearly thirty years." Audré reminded her, "But don't think that law can punish a person for all the crimes he ever committed. No." she shook her head, "That isn't possible. So when it isn't possible, Jean, we should take the matter in our hands. We should punish the perpetrator ourselves."
Hermione's frown deepened.
"Punish Draco with this marriage, Jean. Make him regret it." Audré stated calmly.
Hermione stared at Audré.
"How?" she asked in a sibilant whisper.
"First, take away his biggest ally." Audré replied solemnly.
"Who?"
"Who is your biggest ally in France?" Audré asked back.
"Mother Apolline…" Hermione replied and her eyes unfocused, "Narcissa?"
"Well done!" Audré winked playfully at her, "Take her in your side, Jean." she advised Hermione, "You saw yourself how she defended you before Draco this morning. She told her son to take an Unbreakable Vow knowing well that Draco may die if he broke it. That is extreme courage and it certainly proves that her loyalty lies with you and Adrian."
Hermione was in deep thought when she spoke, "But that's…mean…I mean I can't play with her trust, aunt. Malfoy has hurt her enough when he assaulted me." She said dejectedly.
"Is that concern for Narcissa that I note in your voice?" Audré asked Hermione carelessly, "Besides, who says you will be playing with her emotions? It will be an opportunity to know her from up close and see if she is really what she says she is. Narcissa is your mother-in-law, Jean and as I pointed out once before that she isn't horrible like my one was. She sent you Sleeping Mixture on her own and she can be your biggest ally against Draco. With her by your side he wouldn't dare to cross your path." She said confidently, "I am not telling you to be overly friendly and joyful with Narcissa or let her take decisions about Adrian. No." she shook her head, "Do simple things like ask her to help you prepare Sunday breakfast or have evening tea with her or talk to her about something that matches your interest. Take it slowly but steadily. Make Draco alone."
Hermione was giving Audré a penetrating look while Eva looked perplexed.
"You are Draco Malfoy's aunt and you are asking Jean to punish him?" she asked Audré incredulously.
"Be it as it may, Eva." Audré replied, "My nephew or not, Jean has every right to punish Draco and that is the reason I would ask you, Jean, not to miss tomorrow's match. Go there with Adrian and Eva."
"What a co-incidence!" Eva exclaimed, "I also came to ask Jean to accompany me to Sorbonne tomorrow because my boyfriend Dominique will be playing as Keeper in his team."
"That's even better." Audré commented elatedly.
"And how is that going to punish Malfoy?" Hermione asked sharply, "Shall I try to Confound him again?"
Audré smirked, "No, there is no need because he will be Confounded when I will tell him that you can't go because you have plans with Eva. Meanwhile, you will have your share of fun." She said airily, "I didn't like it the day when you took off your jumper just because Draco asked you to put on some more. That is insensibility and in your hatred you are doing irrational things to yourself which aren't acceptable from a grown-up woman like you." She chided Hermione who looked down, "Your presence with Eva at the match will simply prove that you went there at your friend's request and not at Draco's; that you don't care whether he plays there or not which is humiliation to the extreme because he wants to show himself. And not going there will be like not wearing that jumper in bitter cold of Marseilles. Why should you suffer and spoil your fun for Draco?" she shrugged.
"Hey, Jean, Madame Malfoy is right. Why should we spoil our fun for that monster?" Eva twisted Hermione's hand pleadingly, "Come and let's all spend a good day. I have also asked Edmound to come with us. We haven't been out since we came back from Brussels. Who cares about bloody Draco Malfoy? Let him go to hell." She said dismissively.
Hermione gave Audré an unsure look.
"Okay if you want to make your life miserable just because it is linked to Draco, Jean, then that's your choice." Audré said and stood up to leave.
She was almost on threshold when Hermione's voice came from behind.
"I won't let him take away what I care, aunt. I will go to the match for my friends tomorrow."
Audré turned her face sideways and nodded before leaving Hermione's quarter.
'Come and claim your queen, Draco, because I am patiently waiting to spearfish you like l will do with Rochés and Metzner.' She invited her nephew smugly as she walked back to her own grand-chamber.