A/N: Thanks to everyone for their follows, favourites and reviews.
This is my first time writing any type of Court proceedings. So, I am curious to know what my readers think about my writing.
Acknowledgements:
The character 'Lé Pasteur' is loosely based on one of my very favourite characters Dr. Hannibal Lecter. It has always intrigued me how this famous character plays out in books and movies and I have been waiting to bring Pasteur to this point, to flourish his character according to my assessment of him. Moreover, in him I will embed a crucial clue for the ending of this fiction.
Well I guess that's all and now please enjoy and don't forget to leave a review.
The album of OC's has been updated with new pictures of Draco, Hermione, Morpheus and a few glimpses of memories.
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 the rating for this chapter is: 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 50: The Battle of Wits.
Ten years isn't really a very long time.
Two hours before the actual trial would begin, Audré walked into the courtroom, alone and looked around the place she had spent almost twenty years.
The last time she had been here was a week before Morpheus's death.
The room where she had fought many battles of intelligence, where she had argued for the life and death of her clients, was just like she left it ten years ago - with a raised platform and seats around the periphery while a lone chair stood in the middle - the High Chair, where Morpheus used to sit during the hearings.
It was empty now; just like her life was empty without Morpheus.
Standing there now, everything came back to her as if only a week had passed since her last hearing in this very courtroom.
As if it was only yesterday that Morpheus left her for the Other World leaving this life almost meaningless and lonely for her until Adrian came into her life with Jean and gave her a new purpose, a new life.
Alone in the courtroom, where her very breathing sound was echoing around the walls, Audré conjured a small table, placed her parchments and notebook on it and started circling the room.
Knowing that she would be facing hungry reporters and journalist should she arrive on time, Audré had decided to re-schedule her appearance two hours before the actual trial so that she can become accustomed to the courtroom environment which, before Morpheus's death, was like her oxygen.
Being the daughter of Renée Chombrun, courtroom was never an intimidating place for Audré; it has always been absurdly comfortable, as if she was for this place and the room was for her.
How very strange that just one person's absence could make the same place appear almost foreign to her.
She stopped circling the room and closed her eyes.
'Morpheus… Morpheus… Morpheus…' she chanted inside her head and felt the air taking her plea to the man she had given her heart and soul to.
Minutes passed away and Audré stood still like an ice statue, deep in her thoughts.
"You came at last, my dove?" a silky voice whispered behind her ears and Audré slowly turned around, close-eyed, to face the man she had been missing for a decade.
Without opening her eyes, Audré knew that Morpheus was standing before her just as she had seen him last time.
His kind grey eyes sparkling with love for her…
And his long silvery hair arrangeded into a plain plait…
And his lips sporting the same mysterious smile that still took Audré's breath away…
"Morpheus!" Audré opened her eyes and the view of her husband met her them, "My Morpheus!" she whispered longingly.
Her man opened his arms and welcomed her into them.
It took just a step for Audré to reach and lose herself in the warmth and gentleness of Morpheus's embrace.
"My dove! My Audré!" he lowered his mouth and breathed into her right ear, "You came at last." He purred.
"My Morpheus!" Audré whispered back feeling her husband's warm breath brushing her ears, "I missed you. I miss you." She said complainingly.
"I missed you too! I still miss do." Morpheus's voice was like chocolate to her ears.
"Why don't you come to me often? When will I join you again?" Audré asked, embracing him tightly.
"Who said I am not with you, my dove?" her husband's skepticism was mild but accusing, "I am always with you, always." his smile was audible when he replied, "But we can't meet in the Other World right now. Not yet, my dove. Not yet, dearest. We have our children to look after. They need you." He comforted her.
Audré shook her head resolutely, "But I am alone without you, incomplete without you, Morpheus. I am so tired that I can hardly breathe. I am exhausted." She whispered on his chest.
"Then let me take your exhaustion away." Morpheus offered her kindly, "Look at me."
As if on trance, Audré obeyed her husband and looked into those grey orbs.
And the time stopped for her.
It was the first time they saw each other while crossing on the corridor's of Sorbonne…their eyes had met for a very brief moment…
And they first talked when Morpheus asked her for a few books on law…
And their first date at the Sorbonne library for Morpheus wouldn't dare to take her to any restaurant where they might be seen and misunderstood…
…and holding hands for the very first time under the table…
…and he giving her the silver brooch from his stipend money…
…and he coming close enough to kiss her…his breathes brushing her waiting lips…
…and their first kiss…when their lips met and explored…
…and their wedding day when Morpheus looked so unusually young and happy…
…and she telling him that they were expecting their first baby while he smiled…
"Madame Malfoy? Madame Malfoy! What are you looking at?"
Audré closed her eyes and opened them again.
There was no Morpheus onto whose eyes she was seeing their love unfold once again.
Cold to the bone, Audré turned to face the man who had called her.
It was one of her one of her junior colleagues.
"I was merely lost in my thoughts regarding this case." Audré lied to her junior who smiled nervously in return.
"Same here." He nodded, "It's Metzner and I don't know what to do, Madame. Had it not been for you I wouldn't have dared to assist you in this case." He confessed to Audré, "You know we are under tremendous pressure."
The courtroom almost filled now with members of the Wizengamot and waiting for the Chief Warlock Monsieur Élie Decazes to appear, Audré nodded and settled on her appointed chair before looking around the room as arrogantly as possible.
The first person who met her eyes was Olivier Metzner.
Her opponent smirked confidently at her and bowed.
Audré arched an eyebrow and bowed in return.
"Please stand up for the Honourable Chief Warlock Élie Decazes." The clerk heralded and Audré stood up solemnly with others.
To avoid the controversy regarding a fair trial since the Minister of Magic himself was involved in it along with one of the most influential men in France, Augustus Rochés, the Wizengamot had chosen their most trusted and knowledgeable Chief Warlock Élie Decazes to preside over the case.
The man who entered and took his place at the center of the dias, reminded Audré of one of her beloved mentors - Albus Dumbledore.
Wearing the official purple Wizengamot robe with knee length silvery beard and twinkling blue eyes Élie looked down upon them before clearing his voice, "You may please take your seats." In his politeness too Élie Decazes rivaled Albus Dumbledore, "Let the proceeding begin." He called solemnly.
Upon his words, the man on trial, Augustus Rochés was brought inside the courtroom by two prison guards.
Audré looked straight forward and purposefully ignored the man she hated passionately while Rochés was escorted to the prisoner's chamber where he sat quietly.
"This is the 18th day of October, year 2004, Monday and in the name of truth and justice we begin our trial between the Ministry of Magic and Augustus Rochés, who had been charged with the count of attempted murder on the Minister of Magic, François Guizot." Chief Warlock Élie read out from the parchment present before him, "The Prosecutor appointed by the Ministry is Audré Chombrun Malfoy, who is the one prosecutor you wish for and the one you get. For over a score of twenty years, Madame Malfoy has served the French nation in return of a moderate pay and little gratitude from public. But in the courtroom, she is the star of Wizengamot with confidence that only true knowledge and intelligence can bring forth. She is acclaimed one of the most successful public prosecutors of this century and considered an angel to victims of rape and to the family members of a murder victim." He paused and smiled at Audré who nodded modestly, "On the other hand the legendary criminal defense lawyer Olivier Metzner is fighting for the freedom and justice of his client Monsieur Augustus Rochés. Monsieur Metzner has had a list of high-profile clients, raging from politicians, wealthy pureblood families and a long string of husband and wives accused of murdering their spouses. So, in this case if there is a better court nemesis for Madame Malfoy it is Monsieur Metzner for he fights true to the defense lawyer's ethic of proclaiming innocence of the client to the last syllable of the recorded time." Élie paused on his opening speech and looked down at Metzner who gave him a curt nod of acknowledgement, "The accused Augustus Rochés comes from one of the most influential and wealthy pureblood French families – the Rochés of Ile de la Cité. He has been charged with the count of Attempted Murder on the Minister of Magic François Guizot and he claims innocence." He finished his speech.
Knowing the rule that the prosecutor reads out the charge and the accused enters his plea, Audré stood up and faced the Wizengamot for the first time in ten years.
"This is case number Hundred Twenty Two of the year 2004, paragraph number one:" she started solemnly, "In the name and by the authority of the French Wizarding law, Wizengamot, the Grand Jury present here as well as the defense lawyer Monsieur Olivier Metzner, the accused - Monsieur Augustus Rochés heretofore in the evening of 3rd September, 2004, Friday, did then and there unlawfully, intentionally and knowingly tried to cause the death of the Minister of Magic François Guizot, hereinafter called the complainant, by poisoning his caviar with a Potion called the Suicide Salt." She finished reading the official accusation.
"I object my Lord!" Metzner as anticipated stood up in defense of his client, "I pledge to inform the Wizengamot, the Grand Jury and my esteemed colleague Madame Malfoy that this is a clear case of Misidentification, that my client was actually not present there but instead some other person under the guise of Polyjuice Potion tried to poison the Minister of Magic and it wasn't my client Monsieur Augustus Rochés."
'As predicted.' Audré thought and smirked, "I object, My Lord, Monsieur Metzner is forgetting that it happened before at least hundred eye-witnesses."
"Objection sustained." Élie called, "Monsieur Metzner, do you have any proof in favour of your claim?" he asked him.
"My clients testimony is enough as well as the waiter who says that he gave him the poisoned caviars for the Minister." Metzner replied unabashedly, "He never said that Monsieur Rochés asked him to fetch those caviars. The waiter, who was under Imperius Curse, offered it to him willfully and thus it is evident that the man who gave them to the Minister of Magic before everyone was in fact the waiter's accomplice in this conspiracy against my esteemed client."
'As predicted again.' Audré shook her head ruefully and tried to appear confused, "Can Monsieur Metzner enlighten us about the possible motive behind such an act?" she asked him.
"It is no secret that with his wealth and family influence Monsieur Rochés poses great threat to those who wish to run the next election for the post of Minister of Magic." Metzner replied with a triumphant look, "It must be a ploy of those who wish to defame him so that he can't run for the contest. It is therefore a case of spite based on political animosity. Knowing this, no lawyer had come forward to fight against my client for they know that Monsieur Rochés is innocent. I suppose, had it not been for the family rivalry between the Rochés and the Chombrun Malfoys, even Madame Malfoy wouldn't have considered to take this case as her comeback in this courtroom."
"I object, Monsieur Metzner is attacking my intent to fight this case personally." Audré called heatedly, though internally she felt cool.
'Old man, Metzner! You are becoming extremely predictable.' She thought.
"Objection sustained. Monsieur Metzner, please stay on your topic." Élie ordered him.
As Metzner opened his mouth to resume his argument, Audré tilted her head and rested her eyes on the man sitting behind the prisoner's chamber.
'Enjoy your freedom as long as you can Augustus for I am just bidding my time.' she thought, though outwardly she was completely straight-faced waiting to be thrashed by Olivier Metzner.
•••••
Had Draco known that the repercussions of his new challenge would cost him so much, he would have thought twice before being carried away by Hermione's accusation that he wasn't Adrian's father but a sperm donor.
His son himself said that 'Monsieur is' his 'parent' meaning nothing but his father.
But he had made the deal before his aunt and mother and now there was no way he could persuade Hermione to be less severe on terms and conditions she had set for him.
Starting from this morning Draco was missing his home, the Malfoy Manor terribly. The prospect that he has bound himself in a twelve year long self-imposed prison in France was making him furious with himself.
'Why didn't I see this coming?' he asked himself for the thousandth of time since morning as he arrived in his office and peered into the cauldron of 'specialized Polyjuice Potion' that was under Stasis Charm before he left it on Friday, 'She dragged me into it because she wants me to be punished and I followed her like a dog after his bone.' He chided himself.
He had to admit grudgingly that Hermione had shown almost Slytherin cunningness by asking his mother and aunt to stay as an alibi of the deal she had struck with him.
As soon as Draco was sure that his Potion was going the way he had planned it to modify its duration of action and lengthen it from one hour to at least six hours, he sat down to write two letters: one for the Chief Goblin to close down his vault at Gringotts and another to Hermione to inform that he had been true to his words.
But most troubling aspect was buying a home for Adrian just beside the Delacour residence.
'Why should I endeavor to buy one when my son has an entire palace at his disposition in his own country?' he thought ruefully though he knew the answer already.
It made sense that Hermione wouldn't want to go back to the place where Draco tortured her but he couldn't deny that it was making him feel resentful and on self-exile.
The Delacour residence being situated in Ile de la Cité, at the heart of Paris on river Seine, was a prestigious location and a rare place where one couldn't easily find a house to buy. Except for the outrageous amount of money it would require to do so, which would have been nothing had his vault been open, the chance that Draco might find an establishment worthy enough for his son was next to his chances in going to the moon on his broom.
'She did it on purpose.' he slammed on his desk, 'How am I supposed to even find one in that neighbourhood? Couldn't she ask me to buy a home for Adrian at some other place? Like beside my uncle's Château?'
Now the most important issue apart from his job, studies, the blasted experiment he had agreed to take part in exchange of Apolline's memories was - money.
"Money? Money!" Draco let out an exasperated cry, "Has anyone ever heard of a Malfoy who had to worry for money? Malfoys are born on money, roll on money, live on money and die on money."
But Hermione's one deal had robbed him of his birth right on Malfoy money and he was virtually a Knut-less wizard now, with nothing but his name and determination to take him forward.
But he was adamant now.
No matter what happened; no matter what he had to go through, Draco Malfoy would never let his Claim on his only son Adrian.
The boy was brought to this world by his mother, Hermione, but Draco has some contribution in it, however small and heinous, but he wasn't going to let that go so easily.
'She wants me to burn in the fire that she burnt?' Draco asked himself, 'Fine, I will and I will prove that I am Adrian's father. That I and only I can be his father, no one else.' He thought determinedly before leaving his office for the apparition point that will take him to Sorbonne for the day's lecture class.
To make matters even worse, his peer Dominique was sporting a cold-face on him.
"Dominique, will you please spit out what's your problem?" Draco asked him irritably; somehow he wasn't quite accustomed to be ignored by his compatriots.
But the man simply left the seat beside him and went to sit beside Marie.
"Fine!" Draco muttered detestably, "I will get back to you for that, filthy half-blood."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Adrian's blood status popped into his head and Draco bit his tongue.
'Draco, cool down. Don't be so agitated. You need to think. Remember what father used to say? That Malfoys never lose head.' he took a deep calming breath and tried to get back his Malfoy brain, 'Don't make Hermione think that she has defeated you. Take it as a challenge and try to win.'
The lecture class that followed dealt with some of the topics Draco had been studying recently, so he paid attention to his teacher. It was almost at the end of the lecture that an insane idea hit him.
Their professor asked a question regarding the Right of a Wizarding citizen to Yohan, their Quidditch team captain and Draco suddenly felt the wheels of his brain working at last.
'Why didn't I see him before?' he asked himself incredulously, 'The Seekers are paid way more than I am paid for my job.'
With his plan now formulating, Draco felt eyes watching him and found that they were none other than Dominique's.
Elated, Draco winked at him and his peer simply stared.
"What's the new plan?" he asked Draco casually once the class was over and they were handed back their homeworks which to Draco's pleasure again received an 'O', "Planning to kill Yohan?" he slumped on the bench beside Draco.
"Are you his boyfriend?" Draco asked back coolly, "Besides, why should I tell you?" he shrugged, "You ignored me when I asked you what's wrong with you?"
"And you ignored me yesterday when I asked you about anyone coming from your family." Dominique supplied, "I guess Malfoys were never ignored and that too by a filthy half-blood like me." he said carelessly, "We are quits now."
Draco didn't know how to jibe someone who was always ready to be jibed; so he discarded any further attempts and heaved his bag on his shoulder before following Yohan out.
His team captain was in deep a snog with his girlfriend when Draco finally approached him.
"Yohan!" he called him solemnly and watched as the couple slowly untangled themselves before Yohan turned to him with a cold demeanor.
"The training won't start until the next match is scheduled." He informed Draco icily before attempting to return to his earlier occupation but Draco stopped him.
"I am sorry for my misconduct, captain." He said calmly, internally biting his teeth and strangling his Malfoy pride, "I was feeling very bitter at that moment and took it off on you which was very wrong of me to do."
Yohan cast him a cool glare before nodding and resuming his snogging session.
"Never heard of a Malfoy apologizing publicly." Dominique said cheekily as he joined him, evidently he had been eavesdropping to their little conversation, "Are you really Malfoy or someone else under the fine skin of Draco Malfoy?" he asked comically.
'To hell with you, Yohan.' Draco thought before returning his gaze to Dominique, "Who said I apologized?" he asked lightly, "Malfoys never apologize." He said proudly to Dominique's skeptic look, "But they can say sorry sometimes when it appears that the person holds some key to their goals." He added.
"I knew it, Draco. Thanks for confirming it." Dominique attested, "Now, tell me what was the reason behind that selfish sorry?"
Draco's Potion waiting in his office, he walked faster to reach the apparition point.
"Lillé Lycans." He replied mysteriously before leaving his peer on the foot of the stairs.
•••••
Hermione was looking at the small box that she had taken the precious night from none other than Draco Malfoy on his aunt's request.
She had been too mad to pay any attention to it at that time.
At first glance, she hadn't paid notice to the ring inside it; it was like a ring of slavery from her rapist who was plotting to be her husband, a role she would never truly allow Malfoy as long as she breathed on this planet.
But now, after receiving a letter from the same man, who had knelt down before her to in order to give that ring to her, which said that he has closed down his vaults this very morning, Hermione felt curious to know what lay inside the box that Draco Malfoy was so adamant to give her.
So after many attempts which mostly culminated into her throwing the box again and again inside the drawer she had kept it last night, Hermione opened the lid at last.
The ring was a gold one and very simple.
Daisies were engraved on the outside surface of the ring and thankfully there were no precious stones.
At first glance, it appeared very simple and Hermione had to admit grudgingly that the ring was beautiful.
She closed the lid and was about to throw the box back inside the drawer to lock it for the rest of her life when a gentle hand stopped her.
"Don't do that." Audré's voice bid gently, "The ring's place in on your finger, Jean, not inside the drawer." She said calmly.
Hermione couldn't believe her ears that Audré was actually saying her to put on the ring that her violator had given her for reasons unknown.
"Aunt, I took it last night just because you told me to." she said solemnly, "Please don't test my patience and trust." She pledged.
To her surprise, Audré smiled and took out the ring before putting it on Hermione's left middle finger.
"My father Renée Chombrun used to say that it is essential sometimes to lose in order to win bigger games." She said adjusting the ring on Hermione's finger, "I didn't tell you to take it without thinking about it beforehand, Jean." she said patiently.
"I am not going to wear this ring." Hermione said fiercely, "No matter what happens."
"Even if it irritated Draco to the extreme?" Audré asked evenly and Hermione frowned, "Listen, Jean, Draco gave you this ring with all his dignity and honour. He worked and bought this ring for you and in return…" she paused and smiled mysteriously, "…you are going to make him regret it…regret that he forced you to take this ring."
"Regret?" Hermione asked mockingly, "Malfoy never regrets."
"That is a statement well suited for Draco, not you, Jean." Audré said, looking highly amused, "He will regret and I will tell you how. When I was at Beauxbatons, there was a boy a year older than me, who suddenly started following me around the castle. In my school, I was mostly known as iron maiden and all the boys in my class as well as those above and below knew that it was very hard to please me. So, they would give me a wide berth except for this boy who seemed to be very interested in giving me a bracelet. No matter how hard I explained him – that I wasn't interested in him or his bracelet the more desperate he became. Then, one fine day, extremely irritated I took it and you know what I did with it?" she asked Hermione.
"Threw it away?" Hermione supplied.
Audré shook her head, "No, dear, I placed it around my cat's neck and made sure that the whole school saw that. The boy who was hailed by his classmates for finally being able to pass something to the 'iron maiden' Audré was, jeered by them. He couldn't even ask me why I did that because the bracelet was my property and I could use it as I please." She explained, "I know it was most cruel of me but if anyone disturbs me on purpose, I punish him or her like that."
And then it dawned on Hermione.
"You want me to toy with it?" she almost whispered and Audré nodded.
"I told you dear, sometime in order win a big game we must lose a small piece." She said serenely, "Draco is a typical stubborn Malfoy and he needs to learn that he can't have everything his way all the time. The nobility of a wedding ring is that it is most exclusively worn at left ring finger and nowhere else. You, my dear, will wear it anywhere but your ring finger, preferably on different finger on different days and sometimes even take it off for days." She said with a charming smile, "And then, enjoy Draco's reaction." She winked.
Hermione snorted, "Aunt, sometimes I wonder who is the better plotter you or Salazar Slytherin?" she commented and removed her ring from the middle finger before putting it back on her left thumb.
"I guess, it is you, my dear for you have taken away Draco's freedom with just one concept – sperm donor." Audré complimented Hermione, "And with that ring, he is now imprisoned into his own trap by the name of marriage that he had set for you. I know you did it on purpose and I applaud you for that. Draco needs to understand that a marriage isn't carried out of obligation but out of mutual love and respect, which is not present in this case." She said soberly.
Hermione sighed for inside she knew no matter how she devised, she was stuck in this trap too.
"I just thought that if I am to be in this so called marriage and leave behind those I love, aunt, why not just turn the table and make Malfoy face the same." She said dejectedly, "That if I am to lose, he is not to win over me. To make him feel what it means to be stuck with almost next to no hope. I just wanted to give him the taste of bitter angst he gave me six years ago."
"And you did well." Audré patted Hermione's shoulder approvingly, "Light it might appear at first glance, Jean, but for Draco living in a country that he doesn't call his own and earning for the first time in his life when he had been brought up in the luxuries of Malfoy Manor, isn't going to be easy as you think. You are a hard working woman and can cope up with the work load but Draco is new in this field and with the added expectation of buying a house for his son Adrian with his honest money, this challenge is going to cost him more than he thought he could possibly give." She said contentedly, "Where is my little man, by the way?" she looked around casually for Adrian.
It was at that moment that Hermione noticed Audré was wearing her official uniform for Wizengamot lawyers.
"I am sorry, aunt, I forgot to ask you about the trial." She said earnestly, "I have been so lost these days with Malfoy and his devious means that I hardly paid attention to anything." She tried to explain, "What happened? Did your plan work out?" she asked curiously.
Audré nodded with a gentle smile, "Metzner was very satisfied at the end of first day of trial. I let him win the argument. The case has been adjourned for another week." She informed Hermione airily, "Now where is my little grandson for I will go mad unless I hear his sweet voice." She demanded.
"Adrian was playing with his friends so I decided to leave him in Lillian's care and sneaked back here to see what the hell Malfoy was so adamant to give me." Hermione replied, "I didn't want to open the box before him because he will bombard me with his questions which I assure, aunt, I am not willing to answer at all. You now I don't lie to him." She said seriously.
Audré was about to comment when Lillian walked into Hermione's bedroom without Adrian.
"Monsieur Delacour has come and your son is at his care." She explained to Hermione's questioning look, "He says he has urgent news." She informed her mother.
Feeling the usual surge of pleasant guilt circulate through her veins whenever Alexis came, Hermione followed an interested Audré out.
'If I won't get the chance to live my life happily Malfoy won't too.' she thought resolutely, 'Let him run behind this mirage that he will have my son once he buys him a house while I sit back and relax.' She thought contentedly.
Surely enough Adrian was having a sword fight with his beloved uncle who, hadn't Malfoy butted in, could have been his loving father. The little boy is now forced to live in a home that he can't call entirely his while his mother will be facing a lonely life for the remaining part of it.
"Mama, see uncle Alexis brought me a pair of swords." Adrian ran to Hermione and showed her the wooden swords, "He says I am the savi…" he stammered and Alexis supplied kindly, "Savior, Adrian, savior."
"Yes, savior of Paris." Adrian intoned, "I will fight for my lady. My Mama." He lifted the sword in the air proudly, "And I will fight Monsieur if he hurts you." He said dismissively.
Malfoy, unfortunately, chose to walk into aunt Audré's parlour at that moment and didn't fail to miss Adrian's last words.
He gave Adrian the most intrigued look before walking over to him, where he stood beside Hermione.
Hermione was amazed how her five and a half year old son stood on his ground before the six feet tall lean man who kneeled down before her son and leveled their eyes.
"Why does Mama's little rabbit think that Monsieur will hurt his Mama?" Malfoy asked Adrian in a barely audible whisper.
"Because you fought Mama." Adrian replied earnestly, his grey eyes wide but truthful, "She came here because of you."
Hermione didn't know how to bring the situation under control.
'What if Malfoy tried to brainwash my son?' she thought apprehensively, 'Oh Adrian, why do you always have to show chivalry?'
"Did I?" Malfoy asked Adrian looking up at Hermione this time, "Did I fight you, Hermione?" he asked her.
Every nerve in Hermione's body went taut at the mention of the name by which Malfoy called her. She glared at him, trying to burn him on the floor.
"I prefer not to comment Malfoy." She said loftily, trying hard to ignore the fact that he used her given name to address her, "Adrian, why don't you go and show your sword to aunt Lillian." she offered him.
"But I am not done with my son." Malfoy gave a infuriating smirk and turned his head to Adrian, "Your Mama is right, Adrian, I did fight her." He confessed and Hermione gripped her wand tightly, ready to curse should the insensible bastard breathed a word about Adrian's conception, "But I promised last night that I won't fight her ever again." He said solemnly.
Adrian looked up at Hermione, "Mama is it true?" he asked innocently.
Hermione was about to reply when Malfoy replied on her stead.
"It is." He said fixing his gaze on Hermione's thumb with a scowl, "I gave your Mama a ring as a truce and she accepted it." He said through gritted teeth, "Look at your Mama's left hand." He offered Adrian.
As Adrian's eyes moved to Hermione's left hand, an impossibly good idea struck her.
"This ring?" Hermione showed the ring to Adrian with an air of supreme confidence, "This ring is nothing but part of a deal that I made with Monsieur." She told her son.
"What deal?" Adrian asked just the question Hermione had been waiting for and she noticed how Malfoy's grey eyes lit up.
"I asked Monsieur to buy my little rabbit a house just beside grandma Apolline's so that he can go to school and play with his old friends like Louis, Gina and others." Hermione replied playfully.
"You did?" Adrian asked her before turning his eyes to Malfoy, "And you will buy me a house?" he asked him curiously.
Malfoy was staring at Hermione like a statue, loath etched on each line of his face when he replied, "Yes, father will, Adrian." he almost growled.
"When?" was Adrian's next query and Hermione couldn't be more delighted.
"Very soon, Adrian, very soon." Malfoy replied fervently and Hermione smirked.
"Yes, Adrian, it will be ready around next decade." She added teasingly and nudged her son forward, "Now if you will please excuse us, Malfoy." She arched an eyebrow and Malfoy stood up before moving aside.
Fortunately, the rest of the occupants of Audré's parlour – Alexis and Audré both were in a deep conversation and acting as if they hadn't heard a word while Lillian left with Adrian promising to him a game of sword fighting.
"Jean, I need you to hear this." Audré called Hermione urgently, "I asked Delacour to inform Pasteur about the outcome of today's proceedings to see his reaction. You know what he did?" she asked, looking highly annoyed.
Hermione shook her head and looked at Alexis for the answer while Malfoy joined their group.
"He said that after last his last meeting with Madame Malfoy, he won't help any purebloods." Alexis replied, "Now Madame Malfoy, me, Malfoy, Julian…" he counted on his finger, "…all of us here are purebloods and Pasteur said he wouldn't even talk to purebloods because they treat others like dirt."
"But wasn't Pasteur the one who worked for the pureblood Rochés?" Malfoys asked Alexis sharply, "Isn't he a pureblood himself?"
"We don't know." Audré shook her head pensively, "We don't know anything about Pasteur except for the rumours that surround his like a fog, Draco. But why did he say that? It can't be because he hates pureblood?" she asked Alexis.
"No idea, Madame." Alexis confessed, "I was planning to ask you."
"He is trying to delay us again." Hermione replied suddenly, "He knows that we are being extremely confidential and not everyone can be allowed in this." she tried to explain, "Besides, no Muggleborn or half-blood would like tread his shadow for he is a well-known non-pureblood hater. He is doing this thinking that there isn't a Muggleborn among us to approach him." She said firmly.
"NO!" both Alexis and Malfoy blurted out realizing Hermione's plan.
"Granger, I forbid you." Malfoy demanded while Alexis shook his head, "Please, don't even think about it, Jean. It's dangerous." He pledged.
"Why not?" Hermione asked scowling at Malfoy, "I am old enough to understand what is dangerous and what isn't for me, Alexis. I am the only Muggleborn witch in this entire household who is related with this confidential matter. Except for me, I guess only the Minister of Magic is eligible to fit Pasteur's criteria because he is a Muggleborn wizard too. We need to know what he is planning and we need to know it fast to avoid any foul playing."
"But…" Malfoy started again.
"Thank you, nephew, for your kind and heartfelt concern in Jean's welfare." Audré overruled Malfoy's protests, "But I am with Jean. She isn't a child and if you two escort her to Pasteur maybe we will be able to learn what's his intention or reluctance or both." She supported Hermione, "Jean, I know I am asking a lot from you but know this that your aunt trusts your abilities. Not for anything you are the Chief Curse Breaker in Gringotts at the tender age of twenty five." She placed a confident hand on Hermione's shoulder.
With that being settled, Hermione returned to her quarters to get dressed adequately for the cold weather of Marseilles.
As promised Lillian was putting on a good defense under Adrian's attacking attitude and Hermione paused briefly to watch them play.
"I am the Knight…yay…come fight…" her son was challenging Lillian excitedly and it somehow reminded Hermione of Sir Cadogan's portrait.
Hermione's amusement evaporated the following moment when Sir Cadogan's memory took her to the most inevitable place related to it: Hogwarts and her friends, of the life she had left behind.
Somberly, Hermione climbed the stairs back to her bedroom.
It won't do her any good to pine over the life she willingly left behind. Her future was Adrian and Merlin forbid that day she would let Malfoy win over her again.
•••••
Though Draco was looking forward to the visit to Château d'If for it will help him assess Alexis-Hermione relationship from up close, the moment his eyes caught the glimpse of a gold band around Hermione's left thumb, he gritted his teeth again.
'How dare she?' he thought furiously 'That's a wedding ring for Merlin's sake!'
His wife however was completely oblivious to his anger and resentment encircling the improper placement of the ring that he had given her. She chatted animatedly with Alexis about trivial matters like how Apolline was, when was Fleur's expected date of delivery and whether Apolline wished to visit her daughter in Britain.
"Maman, still hasn't given it a thought, Jean." Alexis informed Hermione as they walked for the apparition point, "She is tense about the trial too because it concerns both family's safety."
Draco was silent as a grave as he followed the pair and reached the apparition point. He was expecting Hermione to take Alexis's hand for the co-apparition but she denied the offer.
"I know where to apparate, Alexis, thank you." She said with a mild smile, "I will follow you."
Draco didn't miss the use of 'you' instead of 'you two'. It was evident Hermione wasn't acknowledging his presence.
'That's better than taking Alexis's hand.' He thought contentedly while his earlier fury was replaced by a pride he didn't know where it originated, 'She is…' he paused in his stream of thoughts.
'She is what?'
'What is Hermione?'
'She is innocent and pure, that much I am sure of but she is also…'
With Alexis apparating first, Draco tried hard to concentrate on the patch of shoreline where they usually apparated for their visits to Château d'If and turned on the spot following Hermione's apparition.
The next thing he knew was that he was lying on the ground and a soft body was lying over him.
"Ouch! What the…" Hermione's voice came from above his before it froze realizing that they had both apparated on the same spot and collided with each other.
"Careful, Grang…" Draco started but Hermione scurried away from over his body.
A hand was offered to him and looking up, Draco saw that it was Alexis's.
Feeling a strange warmth had touched and left his body the moment Hermione slipped away, Draco took it and stood up steadily.
Hermione was looking at anyplace but he and Draco noticed she was slightly trembling while embracing herself tightly.
Alexis took off his traveling cloak and placed lightly over Hermione's shoulder, "Here, Jean, it will keep you warm." He said gently.
Realizing that the trembling wasn't anyway related to cold air of Marseilles for Hermione was wearing a thick jumper under her travelling cloak, Draco sighed internally.
It was he that she was trembling from…contact with him that made her shiver like that.
Even after all these years, with Wizard's Oath, Sacred Marriage rite and an Unbreakable Vow, Hermione shivers and trembles from an accidental contact with him.
How deep must the wound run to make her feel that way?
The rest of the journey by boat to Château d'If was uneventful and to Draco's dismay, Hermione was once again silent.
She didn't speak when they reached the foreboding Wizarding prison, climbed out of the boat, climbed up the cliff on which it was standing and entered the perimeter of the prison guarded by watch towers that were under control of Dementors.
Noting Hermione's lost look, Draco, who was now on two minds for he felt pretty annoyed that Hermione had accepted Alexis's cloak and a sole penance for making her uncomfortable, was suddenly visited by an idea when he saw the dominating figures of the Dementors.
Before the guards who would escort them inside the prison could so much as whip their wands, he withdrew his own and remembering the happiest memory of his life that he acquired just the previous night, whispered the incantation.
"Expecto Patronum."
His Osprey burst out from the end of his wand and with its bright luminescence almost blinded them all.
He watched in contentment as Hermione stared at the Patronus, her brilliant brown pair shining in its light and amazed.
"I didn't know your Patronus is so beautiful, Alexis." She said, awe-struck, "When did you conjure it?" she asked.
"It isn't mine, Jean. It is Malfoy's." Alexis replied evenly and Draco watched how immediately Hermione's face fell.
"I think we should go inside." She said in an undertone and followed the guards hurriedly inside, leaving Draco alone with his Patronus.
Shaking his head in defeat and annoyance, Draco followed suit.
•••••
"Mudblood, eh?" the man behind the bars asked Hermione and she lifted her chin proudly in response.
With his long tangled hair, lean body and maniac eyes Pasteur was reminding Hermione of a male version of Bellatrix Lestrange.
"Don't you dare call her that!" the most unexpected of men came forward on Hermione's defense – Draco Malfoy.
With extreme self discipline Hermione controlled her intense desire to spit on Malfoy's face.
'Hypocrite bastard!' she gritted her teeth, 'He spent his entire life calling me that.'
"Really?" Pasteur jeered him, "I see that I touched a nerve."
"Pasteur." Alexis warned him in a low growl, "You said you wanted to talk to someone who wasn't a pureblood and this lady volunteered. So, if you have anything valuable in your stock she is here for another five minutes otherwise we live."
"Leave us." Pasteur rested his eyes on Hermione and commanded her male companions.
"Impossible!" Malfoy exclaimed, "I won't leave my wife alone here for the whole world."
That was enough for Hermione who turned to Malfoy at last.
"Malfoy, if you open your mouth once again, I will make sure that you receive a Tongue Tying Curse for calling me your wife." She said icily, "It doesn't suit you to be compassionate about me."
Malfoy, on the other, hand advanced her until he invaded her private space.
He leaned forward and lowered his mouth at Hermione's ears with a deliberate look.
"Granger, I have tolerated your insolence for long and been very lenient until now." he whispered into her ears and Hermione fisted her hands to control the sudden rush of fear, "If you insult me in public once again, I will forget that we are on a truce." He hissed.
"Try me." Hermione hissed back, proudly.
But the universal bastard simply smirked and left her standing before Pasteur's cell.
"Your husband is a charming man." she heard Pasteur commented in a bored voice, "How come a pureblood like him ended up with a Mudblood like you?" he asked gleefully.
"That's none of your business." Hermione replied firmly, "Alexis, it's okay." She turned to the man waiting for her approval cautiously, "I am fine." She assured him.
"Is he your boyfriend?" Pasteur taunted her as Alexis left, "The way he looks at you says that you have a very colourful life." he smirked.
"Your five minutes are over." Hermione checked her watch and turned to leave, "I knew you are nothing but a dumpster, Pasteur, and visiting you was a stunt to prove that."
"Wait, Mudblood." She heard Pasteur calling her from behind, "I may be a dumpster but is there any proof that you are a Mudblood too?"
Hermione silently turned, "Why would you care? That isn't anyway related to my colourful life." she shrugged.
Even in the low light of the dungeon prison, Hermione saw Pasteur's smirk broadened.
"You know what, Mudblood, I like you." He said, "Not because in your veins run the filthiest blood ever possible, no. I like the courage you are desperately trying to display. It isn't an easy task to stand before Lé Pasteur feigning as a Mudblood." He sneered.
Hermione slowly walked to Pasteur, rolled the sleeve of her left forearm and lifted it high enough for him to see.
"I am a Mudblood." She confirmed him proudly showing the writing engraved on her skin, "And I am no way scared of you, Pasteur, for I faced worse than you can even imagine."
Pasteur looked solemnly at Hermione's forearm until she covered it again, "Whom did you face, Mudblood?" he asked her.
"My name is Jean Granger and I prefer that name over your insistent using of the popular word 'Mudblood'." Hermione said icily, "I am not interested in sharing my life history with the kinds of you." She shook her head, "You are doing this for your own benefit so the more you talk the better you live." She reminded Pasteur.
"How about a quid pro quo?" Pasteur offered her evenly, "Something in exchange of something."
Hermione stared at the man.
"Quid pro quo with a Mudblood?" Hermione asked Pasteur with a skeptic smile, "That isn't very befitting to your image as a hardcore Mudblood hater."
"Sometimes the most expected things come from the most unexpected people, Madame Granger." Pasteur commented lightly, "You will see soon enough. So, what do you say? Deal or no deal?"
Hermione considered the offer before turning it down.
Pasteur surely knew some vital informations regarding the Knights and was willing to share it with her for some mysterious reasons.
But will she put her own safety in jeopardy if she accepted his deal?
Why was he suddenly so interested in her?
What was his plan?
Numerous questions popped up in her head but the answer was only one: she was a Gryffindor.
"I am still waiting." She heard Pasteur remind her, "Not to mention that, this is once in a life opportunity for you to know one of the most infamous criminal minds of all time."
"Deal." Hermione made up her mind, "But do not delude yourself in thinking that I am interested in you. No." she shook her head, "I am only curious to know how you play out this game; find out if you are really as smart as you claim you are." She challenged him.
"Then, by implication, you think you are smarter than me since I am interested in you?" Pasteur winked at Hermione.
"No. You have other reasons." Hermione replied, ignoring the taunt.
"What reasons?" Pasteur asked comically.
"You are insane." Hermione stated.
"Most Enthralled by your acumen." Pasteur commented lightly, "Let's come to business, shall we? Tell me who engraved that word on your skin?" he asked Hermione.
"What do you offer in exchange?" Hermione sounded more like Draco Malfoy to her own ears.
"Let's see." Pasteur tapped on his lips and feigned thoughtfulness, "What about how to undo Metzner's claim that Rochés wasn't the one who poisoned Guizot?" he arched an eyebrow at Hermione.