The Poisoned Apple

by SeveranSnape

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

48. Chapter 48

A/N: Sorry for being late with this update for aside from working on a really bad schedule, I have been suffering from Writer's block again and couldn't write a word for almost three days.

Thanks to everyone for their follows, favourites and reviews.

This is my first time writing Quidditch. So, I am curious to know what my readers think.

Acknowledgements:

The description and information regarding Dordogne is courtesy to Wikipedia and Francevisited dot com.

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.

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 48: Play, Plot and Pray.

Dominique earned an angry scowl from Draco as soon as he asked him:

"Draco, anyone coming here to watch you play today?"

Startled, he frowned at Draco's silent reaction to his perfectly innocent query and went back to his earlier engagement of polishing his Cleansweep.

The Sorbonne Quidditch dressing room was full of players from first year team who talked amongst themselves as they got dressed for the upcoming match. Their team captain, Yohan Ménaz, a fellow classmate and the only professional player who was a Chaser in 'Lillé Lycans', was instructing the two Beaters on how to tackle the new set of Bludgers that had been purchased for the first match of the season.

"New Bludgers tend to be more attacking and I want our Seeker completely out of its way. You get that?" he demanded from them.

The said Seeker, Draco tightened the strap of his boots and straightened up before looking at the blue robe that was hanging before his locker.

'Blue robes?'

'Blue robes!' he thought bitterly.

It was strange that he longed to play in blue robes, something that he had worn grudgingly during their try-out and complained loudly to Dominique, only because Hermione liked blue colour.

Even bitterer was the thought that his son and Hermione wouldn't be attending the match to see him play in blue because they would be going out with Eva, which his aunt had been kind enough to inform him on breakfast this morning.

Everything went spirally downward afterwards.

Knowing that his mother wouldn't come even if asked her, Draco didn't dare to approach her. His aunt Audré was out of question because she will be busy with her last minute preparations for the trial that will be starting tomorrow - Monday. Even his Quidditch maniac cousin Julian excused himself for he would be attending his office on weekend to hunt down Jacques Mesrine which Draco couldn't deny was very important. That left Lillian out and fearing further rejection, Draco hadn't asked her to attend the match.

He sighed heavily to beat off the sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.

How strange that the boy who never cared whether his parents attended his Quidditch matches at Hogwarts now felt lonely when no one came from his family to see him play at Sorbonne!

'Was he being childish?'

'Was he being immature?'

'Shouldn't he just put on his 'don't care' mask and behave arrogantly?'

But something told Draco that it wasn't possible anymore; for he cares now.

Draco Malfoy cares.

He cares for his mother…his son…his wife…his aunt and his cousins.

"Everyone, attention please!" Yohan called them as Draco stood up and donned his blue robes with '07 – Malfoy' tag in the back, "I don't think I need to tell you how to play since all of you have played in your school teams and did well in try-out." He said solemnly, "Our opponent may have two years of experience than we have but…" he paused pointedly, "…we are faster, fresher and more focused than they are and in Quidditch that is what matters." He said confidently, "To victory!" he hailed.

"To victory!" everyone but Draco hailed after him.

With that the team left their dressing room, their brooms on their shoulders.

The tumult of crowd when the teams flew out of their respective sheds was enough to bring down an earthquake. Draco being the last player was at the end of the line with all his thoughts centered on two people who were surely not the part of the crowd below: Adrian and Hermione.

The match was pointless for him now and taking part in it was completely out of sense of duty, something the Malfoys rarely sported and certainly not without being selfish first.

Unlike Hogwarts, the team captains at Sorbonne met in the air instead of on the pitch and shook hands before the referee Lucas Digne, another professional who had been hired to oversee the match.

"Welcome everyone to the first match of the season!" The commentary that was being run by a senior student of fourth year – Rémy and a woman beside him, who Draco identified as Marie Bell, his fellow classmate who had once thrown herself on him, announced joyfully, "As you already well know, the first year players will be playing in blue and their opponents – the third years – will be playing in white." He informed them jauntily, "On a lighter note, Marie, who do you think looks better between the two teams? The blues or the whites?" he asked his colleague playfully.

"My year team of course." Marie replied happily, "Though I wouldn't deny that the third year Seeker is way too good looking than our arrogant foreigner Seeker." She said cheekily.

Remembering their last encounter when he had rejected her soppy offer of friendship, Draco simply couldn't snort more.

The talks between team captains finally over the referee blew his whistle and everyone flew out from the line to take their positions in the air. Draco tilted his Thunderbolt Ultra slightly upwards and raised himself high above the rest of the team before circling the pitch like a hawk while his opponent, the third year Seeker, mirrored him cautiously.

"Referee Lucas releases the Quaffle and the gameeeeeee….begins!" Rémy announced, "…it is immediately taken by the first year captain Yohan and he dodges a Bludger hit by third year Beater Adil….he is flying for the hoops…he is close to scoring….let's see what the Keeper does….he missed it….ohhh Merlin that was close….and Yohan scores!"

The crowd erupted in joy as Draco scanned the pitch and the air for any indication of the Golden Snitch.

'The sooner this blasted game is over, the better.' he thought dejectedly.

The Sorbonne pitch being almost as large as the Quidditch world cup pitch, it was extremely difficult to scrutinize every single object that resembled the small, winged golden ball. Draco narrowed his eyes as he flew from end to end in search of the Golden Snitch.

'That is a golden wrist watch…'

'…a golden locket…'

'…a galleon thrown in the air…'

'…a golden balloon…'

'…a golde….' Draco swiveled around mid-thought and fixed his eyes on the hands that were holding the golden balloons.

"What the hell is he doing here?" stunned, he blinked several times before his eyes moved to the woman standing beside the little boy who was holding the golden balloons.

Hermione and Adrian were standing in the crowd with Eva and Edmound, Adrian screaming joyfully at the top of his tender voice as he watched the match unfold before his innocent eyes.

"…Malfoy has stopped circling the pitch and he is scanning something in the stands intently…" Draco's frozen brain registered the commentator's words, "…could it be the snitch?"

Before Draco knew, white figure streaked past him and next thing he saw was third year Seeker Clément darting at Adrian's direction.

"Hey you moron! That's my SON NOT THE SNITCH!" Draco bellowed angrily as he followed him a moment later, "COME OFF HIM!" he called after him.

But his opponent too engrossed in his game to register his warning. Draco watched as Hermione and Adrian both frowned at the players approaching directly at them and he sped up his broom to catch up with Clément.

'They are thinking that he is after the Snitch.' He assessed from their lack of caution.

What happened next was a jumble of near accidents.

Clément was almost an arm's distance from Adrian when he evidently realized his mistake but it was too late to brake the high-speed broom. Hermione and Adrian were both wide eyed now and frozen as their companions were. It was clear that Clément was going to crush on them both the next second when Draco lunged forward and threw himself on Clément's broom which turned upward.

Clément was thrown out his broom and distracted, he crash landed on Edmound instead of Adrian while Draco was trapped between two brooms – the one he was riding and the other he just grabbed.

He was hanging from the tail of the broom to balance his dear life when the commentator's voice brought Draco to his senses.

"…is that the Snitch?"

Determined now that he wouldn't make himself a fool before his son and wife, who were attending the match for unknown reasons, Draco released his grip on Clément's broom before balancing him on his one and turning to look at the direction where the Snitch was.

But at the heat of the moment, it was gone.

"Keep your eyes open, Granger!" he rose in the air and snapped angrily at Hermione, who was looking up at him with a furious gaze, "This isn't Hogwarts, for Merlin's sake! The game is rougher here!" he warned her before leaving them while Clément apologized to Edmound before Summoning and mounting his broom hastily.

"…that was a patch of misunderstanding, I guess, where the third year Seeker mistook something else for Snitch and landed on the spectators…" Rémy jibed, "Now what would you say about your handsome Seeker, Marie? He clearly isn't as clever as his good looks!" he teased her.

"But Malfoy feigned it on purpose to distract Clément!" Marie countered furiously.

"…Okay, we will see to that…" Rémy replied, "…the score says that it is 90-80 for first year vs. third year and the Snitch still hasn't been caught." He reminded the crowd.

Meanwhile, in midair Draco was seriously looking for the Snitch now.

'I must win today.'

'I must prove that I am a better player.'

'Better than Potter.'

'Adrian is watching me.'

'Hermione is watching me.'

"Hey, Malfoy, thought you could injure and disqualify me by throwing me out of my broom?" Clément jeered at him, "That was filthy trick."

"Just because your eyes are on your arse, Clément, doesn't mean others should have it there." Draco bellowed back sensing that his opponent was trying to distract him just like he used to do with Potter at Hogwarts.

'No way am I going to lose this match!' he thought determinedly.

"…the First year Keeper Dominique makes another spectacular save and the score is 100/80…first years on the lead by twenty points…" Rémy's voice echoed across the stadium.

Looking at the commentator just at that moment, Draco saw the Snitch hovering over Marie's head.

"Time to throttle you, beautiful." He muttered triumphantly as he abruptly dropped a few feet and sped up at Marie's direction.

"…Yohan with Quaffle again and he has passed it to his fellow Chaser Mathieu…he ducked a Bludger…third year Beater Raphael caught it and sends it at Malfoy's direction who is…" Rémy's commentary stopped abruptly as soon as he spotted Draco darting at them.

The next ten seconds were the longest in Draco's Seeker life.

As the crowd gasped at him, he reached Marie whose eyes were dilated in undulating fear, dropped another few inches to duck the Bludger which hit Clément instead, nearly crushed the commentator's podium and snatched in the thin air.

Draco's broom tail brushed Marie's face as he swiveled and withdrew his broom with the Golden Snitch securely clasped in his iron fist.

"…that was…." Shocked, Rémy was fumbling for appropriate words as the crowd erupted, "…spectacular and extremely risky…" he tried to express his feelings, "…crushed our podium…but the lady, I think, is safe…so, next time be careful when you do the commentary, Marie and jibe the Seeker…" he teased a devastated looking Marie.

As his fellow players almost threw themselves at him, knocking the air out of Draco, he tried to catch a glimpse of what his wife and son's reaction could be.

The view broke his heart immediately.

Hermione was congratulating Dominique on their victory while his peer hugged and almost lifted his girl friend Eva out of her seat on his broom.

'So that's why they are here!'

'They came here with Eva to watch Dominique play, not me!

'And I made an Unbreakable Vow to make her trust me!'

Suddenly the Snitch in his fist felt like a piece of burning coal and Draco slackened his grip to release it, which flew out, batter-winged.

'Everything is pointless.'

'…futile…'

'…useless…'

"That was marvelous, Malfoy." Yohan was patting on his back appreciatively and Draco turned to look at him.

"Excuse moi, Yohan, but I will appreciate it if you don't pat me like a dog." He almost spat and electrified, Yohan withdrew his hand.

His mind in a whirlpool of emotions, Draco landed roughly on the pitch before starting for the dressing room.

'What can I do to make her trust me for once?'

'I saved her twice during Quidditch matches.'

'I apologized to her again and again.'

'I told her that I wouldn't even dream of taking away Adrian from her.'

'I even made an Unbreakable Vow to assure her.'

'I put my life at stake and she doesn't even care to look at me?'

His head hung, Draco returned their dressing room which was empty except for a young lady who was sitting on a bench.

"Lillian!" Draco exclaimed softly, unable to believe his eyes.

"Surprise!" his cousin grinned at him and stood up, "And congratulations!"

"When did you come here? Who told you?" Draco was still unable to believe that someone cared enough to come and see his match, "I didn't."

"So what if you didn't tell me, cousin?" Lillian shrugged, "I am Audré Chombrun's daughter and I know what goes around my home." She declared in a dignified voice, "When maman told me this morning that you have your first ever Quidditch match in France and everyone is so busy that they wouldn't be able to attend it, I decided to come. I know how it feels to be left alone when we want to share our happiness with someone."

Draco was suddenly feeling a strange feeling engulfing him. It was a mixture of affection, care, pride and gratitude for this young woman whom he never knew existed until a few monthes ago.

"I am…" he faltered on his speech, "I am happy that you came, Lillian." he said truthfully.

"I even brought small picnic basket." Lillian informed brightly, showing Draco a small vintage weave wicker basket, "I know you have never been on a French picnic." She pointed out, "And today we are going to celebrate your victory with a small picnic."

Draco didn't know how to react, "That would be lovely." He said after regaining his voice.

"Hey, Malfoy, who are you talking…" a voice came from behind him before it paused.

Then it wolf-whistled.

"I didn't know you have such a sexy girlfriend!" the voice taunted.

Before Draco knew how, he had turned, kicked the man who landed on the floor, sitting over the owner of the voice and punching him hard on his face.

"She is my sister, you bastard!" he smacked one of the beaters, Loïc on his nose and broke it mercilessly, "How dare you insult her! HOW DARE YOU CALL HER SEXY! HOW DARE YOU!" he bellowed.

"Easy, Malfoy, easy!" a voice tried to calm him while several pair of hands tried to extricate Loïc from his wrath, "He didn't know that she is your sister."

"So what?" Draco retorted as he punched again on Loïc's now bruised and bloodied face, "He has no rights to comment on my girlfriend, my sister, my wife, my daughter, my mother, my aunt or any of my female relatives who come to visit me." finished, he stood up and licked his lips, panting, "Do it again, Loïc and I will forget that you are my bloody team-mate." He spat and approached a stunned Lillian.

"Let's leave this place, Lillian." he bid her as he lifted the basket, "And these people call themselves educated while they can't even behave themselves in the presence of ladies." He said loud enough for the entire dressing room to hear before wrapping his arm around Lillian's shoulder protectively, "Everyone, this is my sister Lillian Chombrun Malfoy." He introduced her, "She will come to meet me whenever she likes and if anyone dares to even look at her, I will make sure that he never sees again." He said menacingly before leading Lillian out of their dressing room.

"You shouldn't have attacked your team-mate like that, Draco." Lillian said timidly as they walked out of the underground stadium, "What if he seeks revenge?"

"That will be last thing he will ever do." Draco declared boldly, "By the way, where do you plan to take me for picnic?" he asked her, trying to cheer her up and glancing at the picnic basket at hand.

Lillian gave him a mysterious smile.

"You will see." She said offering her hand to Draco for side-along apparition.

•••••

"Jean, are you still mad at me?" Eva asked Hermione cautiously.

Decidedly lost, Hermione was sitting on one of the green metal chairs around the giant octagonal pond and unblinkingly staring at Adrian's sailboat that he was guiding on the water with a wooden stick.

October Sundays at Tuileries garden were crowded but lovely nonetheless with hundreds of people and tourists filling the autumnal coloured walkways that were strewn with dried up leaves of lush colours - red, orange, green and yellow while crisp air stirred them occasionally.

At her friends query, Hermione forced her eyes away from her son and focused them on Eva.

"What?" she asked her absent-mindedly.

"I asked if you are still mad at me for taking you in the match." Eva enquired again, looking tense, "Listen Jean, I didn't know that Malfoy would turn up so suddenly. It wasn't supposed to happen like that." she said defensively, "What is wrong with you, Jean?" Eva asked noting Hermione's absence of response and taking her hand, "I have never seen you so lost. Is it because you are mad at me?" She asked timidly.

Hermione sighed audibly, "No, Eva. I am not mad at you." She replied, "I am lost because I am lost, Eva, I am lost. I am lost in this labyrinth that I call my life." She confessed thoughtfully.

"No, you are not." Eva countered her firmly, "You are here. With me, with Adrian, with all of us." She squeezed Hermione's hand gently in assurance.

"And with the biggest bastard of all time – Malfoy." Hermione added bitterly and resumed watching Adrian and Edmound who were laughing as their boats turned upside down.

"What are you talking about, Jean?" Eva asked her sharply, "Explain." She bid.

Hermione didn't know where to begin, how to explain what she had been going through.

"Sometimes, I feel like a prisoner, Eva." She started after a while, "A prisoner inside my own body while my mind is somewhere else…with my parents…with Harry, Ginny, the Weasley's…" she sighed defeatedly, "…try as I might I still can't get over the feeling of losing them…of never being able to return to them…" she stopped when a lump formed in her throat, "…I was planning to invite my friends at my wedding should it be with Alexis…to tell them the truth…that I survived Malfoy…that I have a adorable son who isn't a Malfoy…" she emphasized,"…who will have a wonderful man like Alexis as his father…but…" she paused to gather her thoughts, "…Malfoy came out of blue and like a storm, he destroyed the world that I had built for us with hard work and dedication…and now I am stuck with him…until Adrian turns seventeen. No matter where I go, what I do, how hard I try to get along with my life somehow Malfoy always butts in. Why doesn't he leave me be? Why, Eva? Why?" she asked her friend, almost on the verge of tears, "Why does it always happen with me? Why can't I be granted some happiness in my life?"

"Oh, dear!" Eva whispered softly, "I can understand what it feels like." She said sympathetically.

Hermione shook her head, "No, you can't Eva." She said, "I am sorry if I have hurt you by saying this but you can never understand what you I feel like and I pray sincerely that you never have to understand it either; I pray that you can marry the man you love – Dominique, be he poorer than what your parents expect and I pray that you live your life happily with him." She bit her lips and closed her eyes to beat off the tear that was blurring her vision.

"You know I can't take it when you cry, Jean." Eva said as she wiped the lone tear that had escaped the confinements of Hermione's lashes, "You know I am always here, always." She assured her firmly.

Hermione opened her eyes and tried to smile but it was nothing more than a tired grimace, "I know Eva. I know." She squeezed back Eva's hand, "It is just that I can't…take it anymore…" she paused, "…after all, I am a human being, Eva …like everyone else, I too look forward to some comfort…some ease. How can someone fight with the world all the time?" she asked exasperatedly, "I have been doing that since I set my foot on Hogwarts…since I was eleven…fighting Voldemort…fighting Death Eaters…fighting Malfoy and is gang of Slytherin thugs…his taunts…defending my non-magical blood…defending what's good and beautiful in this world…for the truth…for Adrian who is my life…my everything…but how long? Can I not have a life without conflicts? Without pain? Without constant sacrifice? With Adrian and him only? Is that something very big to ask for?" she asked with a pained expression.

"Of course not, Jean." Eva replied solemnly, "It is your right." She affirmed kindly.

"Then why wasn't I given that right?" Hermione asked fervently, "Why was it taken away from me? If not, then why everyone expects me to sing and laugh all the time? Why they lecture me to be logical? What has this blasted logic given me?" she asked with distaste, "I am tired now and I don't want to be logical anymore. I just want to scream my throat raw…do what I never did…because I want my life back." She said firmly, "Did you get me, Eva? I. Want. My. Life. Back." She declared firmly.

The silence that followed was punctured by loud cries of excited children who were playing with their sailboats.

"How are you going to do that?" Eva asked after sometime.

"I don't know." Hermione replied honestly, "I just know that I am not standing Malfoy and his ways anymore. You have no idea how I feel when I see him. And recently he is acting like he is the nicest man in the world. As if he cares about me and that simply makes my skin crawl." She said bitterly, "You know what he did the other day? We were going to meet a prisoner in Château d'If and he noticed that I wasn't wearing enough warm clothes for Marseilles. So the bastard asked me to put on some more. I could swear at that moment I just wanted to throttle him to death for daring to talk to me…as if he cares! Since I couldn't do that, I did the most illogical thing that popped up in my head. I took off the one jumper I was wearing and went out plain."

"Oh Jean!" Eva gasped as she shook her head in disbelief, "Please don't do that again. He will be using it against you to hurt you even more if he notices you behaving so emotionally." She pledged.

"I know, Eva." Hermione sighed, "I just hate him so much…that it is difficult to keep my head with him around me." She said heatedly, "It becomes even tougher when he tries to behave like Alexis. He is Malfoy and Malfoy he will be till he dies."

"What about Alexis? Has he come out of his sanctuary?" Eva asked her cautiously.

Hermione rubbed her forehead wearily, "That is another problem that I am dealing with apart from Malfoy." She replied, "Alexis, I know, will do anything for me and Adrian. He is the only man I trust after father Gustave. I know he still couldn't get over me like I couldn't get over him." She said sadly, "He will even wait for me till the end and that is exactly what I don't want him to do." She shook her head, "It took him six years to tell me that he loves me, that he respects me and cares for Adrian. He is mother Apolline's only son and I don't want him to pine for me for the rest of his life. I am just waiting for this trial to be over and then I will ask Alexis to move on with his life, to forget about us and…" she paused to control the overwhelming emotion that was numbing her senses, "…and to be friends. After all, my friends are my strength, they always had been." She smiled weakly at Eva.

"That's so…" Eva smiled sadly, "I am so sorry, Jean, I am so sorry."

"Don't be, Eva, because that won't help any of us." Hermione said dolefully, "I am not going to have Malfoy have his way. No." she said determinedly, "Aunt Audré told me to punish him with this marriage and I have figured out a way to do that."

"How?" Eva asked curiously.

"Malfoy is the filthiest charmeleon I have ever seen." Hermione replied with extreme distaste, "At first he tried to take away Adrian from me by force. When he failed, he tried to get his hold on my son my marrying me. Even that plan backfired when Adrian rejected to accept him as father on his face. Then he tried to prove that I am having affair with Alexis but this time his mother and aunt defended me and Narcissa Malfoy forced him to take an Unbreakable Vow so that he can never plot against me. I know what he will do next. He will continue acting like a gentleman and try to persuade me to take us back to Malfoy Manor. Merlin forbid if I set my foot on that cursed place." She said with a disgusted look, "He thinks he can fool me with a Vow?" she asked Eva, "As if I care whether he lives or dies. All I care now is that Adrian is only mine. I don't have to fear that he will try to take him away from me. Besides, I am sure that Vow was nothing but a stunt to persuade me to trust him which I assure you, Eva, isn't going to happen until my last breath. I have nothing to do with him and his filthy Vow." She declared.

"But you said you have figured out a way to punish him?" Eva reminded her of the current issue.

"Yes, I will." Hermione confirmed her, "Malfoy is obsessed with my son and the most funny part is that he is deluding himself by telling me that it is his love for Adrian!" she grimaced as a nauseating sensation encroached up her throat at the idea, "But I know it is nothing but deep obsession for it can never be love; he doesn't know what love is. I even saw the proof yesterday when he faced a Boggart and it turned into Adrian's dead body. I mean, I love Adrian with all my heart, Eva, but my Boggart never turned into my son's dead body while his did. It is because I know my son will live no matter what happens while Malfoy's greatest fear is losing Adrian. He lost all three of his pureblood sons from his first marriage and he was practically heirless when he found out Adrian in this very place – Tuileries garden." She waved her hand at the garden in general, "For him, Adrian isn't a son, Eva, Adrian is his last heir and he is obsessed with his heir – the Malfoy heir and his safety. Adrian looks like him, flies like him and draws like him. But no matter what happens Adrian is my son and my son only." She proclaimed firmly, "And after yesterday's Vow he handed me a weapon that he himself didn't realize at that time and I am going to use it against him now."

"What weapon?" Eva asked, her eyes wide in curiosity and surprise.

"Adrian will never be his heir." Hermione declared firmly, "I am going to make sure that my son never becomes his heir. He made the Vow saying that he will not plot to take away Adrian from me and now, I take vow that he will never get the chance to make my son his heir. No." she shook her head, "The Malfoys have three pillars that make them almost invincible. One…" she counted in her fingers,"…their money; two, their freedom and three, their family backing. One by one, I am going to take away all his pillars, Eva and leave Draco Malfoy alone and without his precious heir." She said in a determined tone, "That will be his ultimate punishment and then only can I have some peace." She declared solemnly.

"I never thought you could be such a cold-headed plotter like Audré Malfoy was." Eva commented, awe-struck, "You almost sound like she did last night when she said she would lose on purpose to win in the end."

Her friend's assessment about her, made Hermione smile genuinely for the first time since this conversation started, "I am not like aunt Audré, Eva." She countered her friend, "And I can never be like her." She shook her head firmly. "Aunt Audré is very cool-headed planner and almost never driven by emotions like I do sometimes."

"And that brings me to my next question, Jean." Eva reminded her, "What kind of a woman is your aunt Audré?"

Hermione considered the question before answering it.

"To tell you the truth, Eva, I don't know." She admitted honestly, "For me, Aunt Audré is an enigma. I have never come across anyone like her. She is a superb planner, very calculative in her steps, driven by an energy that makes her almost like a Muggle machine. She is insomniac and sometimes visits me at night to see if I am having nightmares or if I am depressed. She is…" Hermione paused, "…she once called herself a Black Hole…you know what a Black Hole is?" she asked and Eva nodded looking perplexed, "Somehow she can take away pain and fear…she took mine…healed my nightmares about Malfoy…and I don't suffer from them anymore." She away my bad memories…and filled me with good ones…" she tried to explain to a quizzical Eva, "While aunt Audré is very loving and caring, she is also very fierce. She killed three men for attacking Adrian and has no remorse for it. Even her own daughter, Lillian says that the only person who ever understood her mother was Uncle Morpheus. But, no matter how mysterious she is, Eva, I trust her." She said firmly.

"That's really spooky." Eva commented earnestly, "But the way she told you to punish Malfoy, her own nephew, there is no way I can doubt her words." She said openly, "Tell me Jean, can I have a word with her today?"

"Today?" Hermione asked, surprised, "Why?"

"I just…" Eva gave Hermione an extra bright smile, "It's nothing, Jean. I just wanted to ask her about a family matter - about one of my uncles, who is trying to sell our family home forcefully. She is the best lawyer in the business and who wouldn't want to take her advice?" she offered cheerfully, "Now, Jean, don't hang your face like that." she chided Hermione, "Except for that small Malfoy mishap, we enjoyed a wonderful Quidditch match and I am pretty sure it must have burnt him to his filthy gut when he saw that you went there with us. Like your aunt Audré predicted, he was just trying to show off before you two and ignoring him was the best way to deal with it." she said smiling contentedly.

Hermione couldn't deny that Eva's words were true, for she too felt relieved of her past few days' tensions after watching the match. True that Malfoy caught the Snitch in the end, but that was not worth missing it. Besides, it was a universal truth that Harry was way better Seeker than Malfoy was and he ever could be.

She leaned against the chair she was occupying and smirked as she fine tuned the new battle plan against Draco Malfoy.

•••••

Draco had to admit that it was one of those few occasions when he was speechless by beauty of nature.

It was just like those paintings he had seen many times in museums but never valued their beauty and the painter's inspiration behind drawing them.

The endless valley and meadow that lay before his eyes stretched and blended perfectly with the horizon while a few little green hills folded into each other. A small village with stone houses that looked almost golden glittered under the midday October sun; their neighbourhood was quite with roads and paths that winded down into the foot of valleys and only sound was of the streams that were running under bridges with old mill wheels.

It was a breathtaking view and Draco couldn't regret more for not being able to be here before.

To be in the tranquil to calm down the inner disappointment and turmoil that has raging through his senses.

'How can Hermione do that with me?' he asked himself for the thousandth time since he found that his wife and son came to the match not to see him but to be with her wretched friends, 'I took an Unbreakable Vow for her, to assure her, to satisfy her. Couldn't she just come to see me with Adrian in return of putting my life at stake?'

"Your silence says that you have never been to such a place before, brother?" it wasn't a question that Lillian asked him, it was a statement.

Draco looked down at his sister who was arranging the sandwiches and pastries she had brought in her basket on a red and white checkered cloth under a tree. She looked almost like a goddess when she smiled at him as he shook his head.

"No." He admitted to her, "Father used to say that it doesn't fit a Malfoy to have picnics in open fields and under scorching sun, like common Muggle shepherds do. So, we used to have picnics inside manor grounds and hardly anyone other than ourselves was invited." he said settling on the grass beside Lillian, "And in summer holidays father used to take us to Italy. I have been to Rome, Venice, Florence and Milan but never been to a place like this – under the sky and on the grass." He said looking up at the enchanting blue sky above, "What is this place and why have you brought me here?" he asked curiously.

"It doesn't have any definite name but at home we call it Papa's place. It is the hills and meadows in Dordogne." Lillian replied arranging the Butterbeer cans on the cloth, "Dordogne is a department in south-western France, between the Loire Valley and the Pyrenees and is named after the great Dordogne River that runs through it. Unlike you father, Papa used to bring us here for picnic because he liked this valley and the village below for its proximity to nature and life."

Draco, who had been living in his uncle's Château for over four monthes now, felt a pang of shame for not being more inquisitive about the man who shared the same blood as he.

"What was uncle Morpheus like, Lillian?" he asked her with genuine curiosity and looking down at the village below, "I mean, I heard that he defiled our blood by marrying aunt Audré and that he was disinherited for it." He said noticing Lillian's face turned grave at once "But I am studying his old Law books now and I have seen aunt Audré. I see no problem in marrying her; in fact I am happy that he married someone as strong as aunt Audré." He confessed, "Now, I realize that those awful things that father told us were lies and based on nothing but personal grudge against them." He said firmly.

Lillian silently offered Draco a baguette sandwich, "Papa was a very simple man." she started plainly as she took another for her own, "He never used to speak much but he observed his surroundings a lot. He was a busy man but whenever he could spare some time he played with us – me and Julian." Draco took a bite from his sandwich and listened intently about the man he hardly knew, "He used be my horse when I played the role of a Knight with Julian. He even rode me on his back when I was five or six." Lillian smiled as she reminisced her childhood, "Papa loved me more than Julian, something that my brother still resents." Her voice had a tinge of pride in it, "He used to say that I am the only girl in Malfoy household because Malfoys always have sons and no daughters."

Draco feeling hungry after the high-voltage game reached for another sandwich and silently waited for Lillian to continue.

"But no matter how simple my Papa was, his life in France wasn't simple." Lillian looked up at the sky and sighed audibly, "He was ill. He couldn't sleep at night and maman used to give him company at that time. Also their marriage is a topic of endless gossip." She said sadly.

"Is?" Draco noted the use of present tense instead of past, "You mean still now?" he asked incredulously, "But uncle passed away almost ten years ago."

"You don't know people, Draco, and their endless interest in matters that aren't their own." Lillian commented sourly, "Maman's family, I mean the Chombrun's were considered one of the most well known and influential families in France. I guess that you know by now that my great-grandfather Pierre Laval was the Minister of Magic and my grandfather Renée Chombrun was a very famous and accomplished criminal lawyer." She asked and Draco nodded, "They brought up maman more like a son than like a daughter. Though most families didn't approve of her upbringing to be an independent woman, when maman came of age, many of their sons asked for her hand in marriage. But they were mostly after the Chombrun's family influence and vast wealth; maman and her career as a lawyer wasn't their concern. Grandpa knew about their true motives and told maman's suitors that it was completely up to her to select her husband." She paused and took a sip from her Butterbeer, "Maman met papa at Sorbonne when they studies Law there. According to maman, Papa was very different from most of their classmates. While he was very serious about his studies, he never spoke much and hardly showed any interest in maman. She never told me how they fell in love with each other and why papa proposed her." Lillian smiled shyly, "But maman accepted it and told my grandpa about him. At first grandpa was doubtful because papa is a Malfoy and their reputation in France isn't good considering their association with the Dark Lord but maman convinced him that she would be happy with him. They got married in the end."

Draco was intently listening to his cousin's story as if it was a fairy tale.

"Their wedding was boycotted by many pureblood families because they were furious on grandpa for turning down their son's proposals and marrying off maman to man who was associated with a Death Eater family – the Malfoys." Lillian started again, "They took it as an personal insult and started spreading words like 'it served grandpa right for rejecting their proposals for now he is in-laws with a Death Eater family' or 'maman must have became pregnant and grandpa had no choice but to accept Papa for he was the father of the child.'" She said and Draco almost bit his lips remembering how chastity is regarded highly among traditional purebloods, "But it was Rochés, who crossed all limits in spreading rumours and maman is still mad at them for such filthy lies."

"Rochés?" Draco asked, amazed why he never guessed the real reason behind his aunt's passionate hatred for that particular family, "Why? What did they say?" he asked hungry to know more.

Lillian's innocent pretty face was dark when she replied, "They said that Papa was…was a disinherited by his family because he toyed with young ladies and…discarded them once he…he had them." she finished with a grimace, "That was a death-blow on Papa's reputation because that practically made him an outlaw in Parisian upper class society. No honourable family with young daughters would invite him at their homes. The situation got worse when most of Papa's female colleagues started avoiding him and spreading false rumours like he leers at them and they don't feel safe with him around. Papa became a social outcast and maman had to suffer with him too. No one would invite them in their Christmas Ball or party, Saining or anything. These gossips still prevail among many families and they use it against us when they can't find an excuse to insult us; they say that we – Julian and I - are children of 'a characterless father and a manipulator mother'. They say that some spots never come off." She bit her lips painfully, "Even now, thirty years after their marriage and with Papa dead, maman hardly attends any party. She only visits her close friends and our neighbours."

Draco didn't know which one he felt more – anger for Rochés or sympathy for his uncle's family. Being Lucius Malfoy's son he knew how rumours circulated among pureblood families and it affected their social status. After Lord Voldemort's downfall and his father in house arrest, no one would look at them and had it not been for the Greengrasses, Draco doubted whether he would have found a suitable witch to get married.

"Bloody gossipmongers." He commented irritably, "But why would the Rochés try to destroy uncle's reputation? Did they have any animosity?" he asked.

Lillian didn't reply. Instead she finished her sandwich and Butterbeer slowly.

His patience running thin, Draco was about to repeat his question when Lillian stood up abruptly.

"There are things that I can't tell you, cousin." She replied firmly, "And what you asked me is one of those few questions that need to be answered my maman. I told you as much as I could and with time, you will find out the rest of the truth." She took out her wand and waved it which repacked the rest of their left-over foods in the basket, "Let's call it a day and go back to Château. The trial starts tomorrow and maman will be worried if we don't return for the lunch thinking that those Knights might have attacked us." She said evenly.

Realizing that his curiosity had spoiled his cousin's earlier good mood, something that Lillian wouldn't admit before her, Draco got up on his feet and a sudden idea hit him.

"Lillian, can you do me a favour?" he asked her cautiously, noting her grim face.

Lillian shrugged and reached for the basket but Draco almost snatched it from her petit hands, "No, I will take that." he waved away her protests, "I want you to help me buy a wedding ring for my wife." He offered solemnly.

To Draco's relief, Lillian almost jumped at the idea.

"For Jean?" she asked brightly, "You naughty cousin. You care for her, don't you?" she asked slyly and Draco decided not to comment on it, "And why wouldn't you. Jean is a wonderful lady and you two share an adorable son. Why didn't you tell me that before? We could have gone to buy her ring instead of coming here. We just wasted…" she paused when Draco wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

"I may appear as a cold-hearted, insensitive, selfish brat and I assure you that I am like that but that image is reserved only for those whom I can hardly tolerate." He smirked at his confused cousin, "You, on the other hand, are a very special person, someone whom I don't like to see sad and every moment spent in your presence is precious for me, not a waste." He shook his head firmly.

"Are you okay, Draco?" Lillian asked looking half-amused half-confused as she checked his forehead for temperature, "I mean that speech was completely out of character for the great brute Draco Malfoy."

"And this cruel taunting is completely out of character for the great and kind - hearted Lillian Chombrun Malfoy." Draco winked playfully as he grasped his sister firmly and turned on the spot to take them into his uncle's Château.

•••••

It was around afternoon when Audré received the most unexpected visitor.

One of Hermione's closest friends – Eva Bellamy.

"Good afternoon, Madame Chombrun Malfoy." The young lady greeted her politely and smiling, Audré greeted her back before offering her a seat across her.

"I hope I am not disturbing in your work." Eva glanced at the sheaf of parchments on the table that Audré had prepared for the trial next day, "I know you have a very important hearing tomorrow and I will not take your time longer than it is needed."

"Not at all, dear lady, not at all. Take as much time as you like." Audré smiled pleasantly as she tried to decipher the reason behind Eva's abrupt visit, "Pray continue." She bid.

Eva glanced cautiously at the closed parlour door before proceeding further, "Madame, before I elaborate the reason behind my visit, please tell me that you won't tell Jean that I came here to talk to you about her." She pledged, "Even from her friends she hates being pitied and if she finds out about our topic of discussion, I am sure she will be very angry with me."

Audré frowned slightly as she nodded, "If you don't want it, Eva, then I won't tell her." She assured her.

Eva bit her lip nervously, "Jean…Jean is very depressed, Madame." She said abruptly, "She may not show it but I assure you that she is. She has been through a lot and it took her extreme determination and courage to build a new life in a foreign country all alone." She paused.

Audré waited solemnly for Eva to continue.

"This morning, when we visited the Tuileries garden after the Quidditch match was over, she broke down before me finally." Eva started again, "She cried and said that she still couldn't get over the loses she suffered…that she still missed her family and friends…and it is killing her…suffocating her…eating her from inside…she may not show it…she may try to appear brave before everyone for she is brave but I assure you Madame that if this continues, she will go mad. This marriage with Malfoy has cost her to sacrifice the man she loved and inside her, Jean is very lonely and unhappy." She said sadly.

"That is quite understandable." Audré commented suddenly feeling her intuition sharpening, "Have you come here to ask me to help Jean in any way?" she asked Eva.

Eva nodded, "Madame, I know that you are very busy with this trial that involves the Minister of Magic but I request you to help Jean…to help her heal…please Madame, please." She almost pleaded, "Jean told me how you helped her get over those awful nightmares and some of her unpleasant memories. She told me how you always supported her…stood by her side…and I couldn't think of a better person to help her…to heal her. She needs it Madame…she may not show it but she needs it badly." She said tearfully.

Audré reached out and took Eva's hand, squeezing them gently, "No need to cry, my dear, for I am happy that you came to aid your friend." She said kindly, "My family is always my first preference and I consider Jean as my other daughter, the daughter that I didn't give birth but met nonetheless. I have also noticed how she has suddenly become very silent and yesterday she fainted. It is high time that I start working in her case because it is evident from her recent behaviour that she needs help." She said earnestly, "But for that my dear, I need your help too."

"My help?" Eva asked curiously, "I will do anything for Jean." she affirmed.

Audré wondered how sometimes hidden pieces came forward and offered themselves to be part of a big game; like Eva was being now for she held crucial information that no one could provide. Not even Apolline.

She considered before phrasing her words carefully, "Eva, I need you to give me your memories of Jean's pregnancy." She offered evenly.

"Memory? Memories of Jean's pregnancy?" Eva asked, taken aback.

Audré nodded silently, "It may sound very strange to you, Eva but Jean's problem, her rage, frustration, helplessness – everything originated when she was forced to face this cruel world alone and pregnant. Motherhood is a very special experience and every woman dreams of it as a time when she will be loved, cared and pampered; when she and her child will be valued. But from what I learned about Jean, her pregnancy wasn't like that. She was tortured by my nephew and the pregnancy that resulted from it wasn't a pleasant one. While I can't ask for the memories of her violation which is the root of the problem, I can at least look into what followed next. In order to treat her properly, Eva, I need to know exactly what happened to her, how she felt and what she went through. Without it I am blind." She explained.

"But most of those memories are awful." Eva countered, "Though Beauxbatons is open to students from most European countries we had no British student before Jean arrived there. Besides, she was pregnant and would never talk about it which made her target to unhealthy curiosity."

"I don't care how unpleasant those memories are for I have the capability to face the damage that my nephew did to Jean." Audré said firmly, "All I need to know is the extent of that damage to heal her properly, Eva, and your memories are invaluable for me in that regard."

Eva gulped before nodding feebly, "Very well, I will give them to you, Madame." She accepted Audré's offer, "Though I have never heard of any method like this which asks for memories about the patient but I have faith on you because you have already helped my friend a lot."

Audré wasn't sure she had been more relieved in her life before.

"I am really glad that Jean has such great friends like you and your brother, Eva." She said genuinely, "Without Delacours and you two as her army, she couldn't have come this far." She commented.

"When will you need the memories? Now?" Eva asked curiously, "Also can I stay during those sessions?"

"No, my dear, I am really sorry but it is completely private." She replied, "I know the memories will be yours but I want to hear what Jean's interpretation of them which I am sure for an introvert girl like her, she wouldn't want to share even with me unless I motivate her first." She explained, "As for your memories, I will inform you once I am done with tomorrow's hearing and you can visit me at a convenient time. Is that okay with you?"

"Yes, Madame." Eva nodded affirmative before standing up hastily, "With your permission." She said before leaving Audré's parlour.

As the door closed behind Eva, Audré joined her hands and rested her forehead on them.

'Help me maman, for this is the second Morpheus I will be dealing with. Don't fail me and don't fail her.' She prayed earnestly inside her head.