The Poisoned Apple Chapter 52, a harry potter fanfic

A/N: Thanks Grovek26, Nikki98, Louisethelibrarian, Mariel and AMBERJANUS for your kind reviews in last chapter.

*The sentences written in '' are thoughts and those in "" are real-time conversations.

**This chapter has been divided into two parts for better understanding of its content. Those who have visited my profile know that I love rain and I was eagerly waiting to write this part for a very long time. Rain brings out a lot of memories and meanings for me and I will be revealing it in this and its counterpart, the next chapter.

Acknowledgement:

*The concept of trauma has been taken from an article named 'Trauma release' by Dr. Lawrence Wilson, MD.

*There is a Hotel Management school in Valais of Canton, Switzerland, named Les Rochés.

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.

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 52: The October Rain (Part 1)

A sudden sprinkle of cold water jerked Draco awake from his premature slumber.

He sat up straight on the couch he had been occupying in his balcony and looked around for the possible assailant.

But no one was there.

He was alone and on his own.

As always.

As all Malfoys are brought up to be - alone.

Yawning, Draco eased his body once again on his comfortable couch and called his Elf, Angie.

"Yes, Master?" the tiny elf appeared and bowed deeply before Draco, "How can Angie help Master?" she enquired.

"I would like to have some coffee." Draco replied, wiping his eyes to clear off the last fragments of ill-timed sleep, "That will be all." With a wave of his hand he dismissed the tiny Elf who bowed again and disapparated.

He looked at the downpour, the October rain and sighed deeply.

The moment of truth was here at last; that no matter how hard he tried he could never have a normal relationship with his son and wife.

No matter what he did it would never make them believe him.

No matter how he pleaded, prayed, cried, rubbed his nose on their feet, it was almost impossible for them to accept his plea for he doesn't truly understand the extent of damage he had done to both of them, unconsciously.

And to himself too.

Ever since that fateful day in the dungeons, Draco hadn't been the same. He had tried to appear so outwardly while inside he knew he wasn't.

He knew his mother would leave him the moment she came to know about it and so has happened.

He knew that his actions were wrong and done in a fit of rage.

He knew he was a cold bastard to attack his fellow classmate like that.

He knew it all.

But he needed to survive the reality that was pressing heavily on his chest.

He needed to breathe.

And so he lied to himself.

Told and made his inner being believe that he wasn't the one who was responsible for what happened.

That Hermione was responsible for it.

That she had attacked and intended to kill the person he loved most – his mother.

That he had done right by punishing her for it.

That he, Draco Malfoy, wasn't a womanizer and would never do anything like that to a woman just because he wanted to have some guilty pleasure.

That he, the Malfoy heir, had any woman at his disposition whenever and however he wanted her.

That he, the pureblood Slytherin prince, was way above the Gryffindor Mudblood no matter how clever she was and would never touch her should it not be for punishment purposes only.

But now, all those false walls that he had made around him were broken.

And he stands fully exposed to the truth.

The truth that Hermione is innocent and he is the real criminal.

The truth that no matter what Hermione did in self-defense, he had no right to assault her in order to punish her.

The truth that a sole act of touching a woman without her consent would make him worse than a womanizer.

The truth that even if he is the last man on Earth, Hermione will never accept him as her husband.

The truth that the Gryffindor know-it-all is way above him in terms of values, pureness, innocence and virtue.

Like his aunt Audré had said, human beings don't like to accept the truth because truth always hurts.

And he is hurt now.

For the truth won't leave him – ever.

And he was alone in this.

As always.

Draco sighed deeply.

Alone…so alone…

"Who said you are alone, Draco?" a sweet voice whispered into his right ear and Draco's heart missed two consecutive beats recognizing it.

"Astoria?" he whispered back, not daring to turn and look at his wife who died just four monthes ago, "Astoria, is that you?" he asked, suddenly his throat was very dry and raw.

"Yes, dearest, it's me. Your little raven, your 'Ria." Astoria's soothing voice almost numbed Draco's senses, "Why fear? Turn around and look at me."

Like a puppet in pirouette, Draco turned his head sideways and stared.

The woman who had made him understand the true meaning of love, friendship and family stood before his very eyes. Her long and shiny blonde hair resting gracefully over her shoulders came running down on her bosom; her fathomless green eyes sparkling like a pair of emeralds; her lovely lips twisted into a kind smile and her body covered in a white dress that Draco didn't know what it was made of for it flowed around her like a fog yet didn't reveal the beauty that laid underneath.

Draco gaped at her, speechless, silent, at a loss of words and thoughts, at oblivion.

"Who said you are alone, my Drake?" Astoria's voice was like a magnet pulling Draco into a trance, "I am here, your 'Ria is with you. Forever and for always." Her smile broadened.

'You are?' Draco asked his dead wife inside his head, for his lips seemed permanently glued, 'You are!'

'I am, Drake, I am.' The lady in white fog replied inside Draco's head and glided forward before sitting gracefully on his lap and flinging her arms around his neck, 'Whether you think about me or not, I am with you always.' She projected her thoughts inside Draco's thought.

'But I took off our wedding ring!' Draco's grey eyes found their destiny in Astoria's enchanting pair while the weightless woman sat on his lap comfortably, 'I am sorry, I am so sorry. I couldn't keep myself true to your love…our love…our bonding…our promise…I failed you.' He silently pleaded.

'No, you didn't, Drake.' Astoria's green eyes sparkled in honest tear, 'I know you didn't. I know that you still love me and will always do so because I was, am and I will be your first love and a man can never get over his first love. I know that you can never get over our first child, our Scorpius. But I am glad that you moved forward because life is all about moving, Drake. No matter what happens we should never stop moving ahead. I am proud that you let go of us for I know that you love us with every fiber of your being.'

'But I died the day you died, 'Ria. I died with you.' Draco's tears escaped the boundary of his grey eyes, 'I am not alive…not anymore…and last night aunt Audré asked me to leave Adrian and Hermione be…I told her that it will be like my death…and she told me to die…to die to let them free…tell me how can I die when I am already dead?'

Astoria came closer and kissed the tear on Draco's left cheek away, 'You are not dead, Drake. You are not. You are far from being dead. You are that thread that keeps me want to live again. Your love is that fire that rekindles my soul, no matter that we are worlds apart.' Astoria's eyes leveled with Draco's, 'She didn't tell you to die drake, she told you kill the death that you are carrying inside your soul. She told you to be free from this anxiety that you'd lose them should they go away, should you not exercise your rights on them…your dominance on them…she told you to be free…like I am now…don't think death is the end, Drake, for it isn't…death is the ultimate freedom…the freedom that we look for when we are alive…it is the freedom that we seek from pain…from guilt…from burdens of our soul…from broken dreams…from everything that weighs our soul down and anchors us to this materialistic world…death is a gateway to that world where everyone is free…happy and light. You were carrying the heaviness of loosing me, Scorpius and our unborn sons…you are carrying the guilt and remorse of the terrible act that you did to Hermione…she told you to die to be free…free from all this.'

'Should I commit suicide then?' Draco's eyes were solemn and fixedly gazing at Astoria's, 'I wanted to do that the day Adrian rejected me. But I couldn't and aunt Audré told me that it is extreme cowardice.'

'No, Drake, I am not talking about suicide because that is cowardice.' Astoria shook her head silently, 'I am not talking about bodily death; I am talking about the death of the decayed Draco that lies within you. I am talking about the death of the insensible man that lives inside this body, the arrogant, proud, bigot self that you were trained to carry.' She intensified her gaze, 'Aunt Audré told you to kill that person and let yourself free. She told you to accept that death that will set you free. Love is never forcing one person to another. Love is the most powerful emotion in the world. It brought me back to you and it is also free just like death is. It is a like a kite that has a thin thread of hope binding it to the spool. The kite is flying in the air freely but it will come back to you when it feels like. Like I did when I wanted to, Drake, like I will always do. She told you to let Hermione and Adrian fly like a kite and be the thread of hope for them. I know, at present, it isn't possible. But if you truly care about them, your way forward is clear. Make yourself their hope, Drake. Work for it.' she smiled hopefully.

'But I don't have money!' Draco pleaded helplessly, 'How can I buy Adrian his home? How can I be their hope?'

Astoria rolled her eyes and smiled at Draco as if he was a five year old, 'Money isn't hope, Drake and hope isn't money. We live with hope in the darkest of times. It is like a beacon in the sea of darkness. You have a sound body and a clever mind. All you need is the will to move forward and grab the first opportunity to prove yourself. But for that you need to die first and be free. The old Draco Malfoy must die to accommodate the new Draco Malfoy. That is what your aunt asked you to do.'

Draco didn't know how to express the streams of emotions that were circulating through him; he was grateful, hopeful, remorseful and sad all at once.

'You care for her, don't you, Drake?' Astoria asked him playfully through her eyes, 'I know you do.' She winked.

Draco averted looking at his wife and bit his lips, 'I don't know who you are talking about.'

'Really?' Astoria grabbed Draco's chin and forced him to face her, 'Hermione Granger.'

'What about her?' Draco frowned at his wife.

'You tell me what it is about her that you care for her now when you never did before.' Astoria challenged him.

'Well she is Adrian's mother.' Draco thought firmly.

'And?' Astoria's lips twisted into a naughty smile.

'And she is pure and innocent.' Draco supplied.

'And?' Astoria was enjoying the conversation immensely.

'And…and…' Draco fumbled for words, '…and she is fresh like a daisy…like her scent that I get when she is around me…she is beautiful too…especially her eyes…they are brilliant…I never noticed that before.'

Astoria arched an eyebrow, 'And you asked me 'what about her'?' she quoted her husband, 'You are starting to fall for her, aren't you?'

'Jealous, are we?' Draco arched his eyebrows cheekily.

'No.' Astoria gave him a mysterious smile and leaned closer, 'For I was the first person who tasted your lovely lips as your wife.' She said before closing the small gap between their lips.

Draco didn't know the glory of a single kiss could make him feel like this.

Like he was in free from his body and in the air…

Like he was lying on warm sand and basking under a mid-summer sun…

Like he was listening to the most beautiful song in the world…

Like he was drowned in the green ocean of Astoria's eyes…

Like he was a drunken who just couldn't have enough of this wine called love…

Like time stopped…

Like there is only he…

…and Astoria…

…and the eternal kiss between them…

It was the most fulfilling kiss that he had ever received from his wife, whom he has kissed many times when she lived…

It was a timeless and priceless experience…

And it was his and Astoria's.

"Master you coffee has turned cold. Should I bring you another?" a tiny voice brought Draco to the world he was living and he opened his eyes.

Angie, the house elf, was giving him an innocent look while his coffee mug stood on the table beside him.

Unconsciously, Draco touched his lips that had been kissed by Astoria just moments ago.

Her soft touch was still there.

He shook his head and dismissed the elf with a wave of his other hand.

He needs to live this moment alone.

He looked at the curtain of rain that was pouring relentlessly since he returned from his office. They were foggy just like Astoria's dress; with steam arising from ground.

Draco stared at the rain absentmindedly, remembering the words Astoria had spoken to his mind without ever opening her lips.

'I am not talking about bodily death; I am talking about the death of the decayed Draco that lies within you. I am talking about the death of the insensible man that lives inside this body, the arrogant, proud, bigot self that you were trained to carry.'

'Aunt Audré told you to kill that person and let yourself free. She told you to accept that death that will set you free. Love is never forcing one person with another. Love is the most powerful emotion in the world. It brought me back to you and it is free just like death is. It is a like a kite that has a thin thread of hope which binds it to the spool. The kite is flying in the air freely but it will come back to you when it feels like.'

'She didn't tell you to die Drake, she told you kill the death that you are carrying inside your soul. She told you to be free from this anxiety that you'd lose them should they go away, should you not exercise your rights on them…your dominance on them…she told you to be free…like I am now…don't think death is the end, Drake, for it isn't…death is the ultimate freedom…the freedom that we look for when we are alive…it is the freedom that we seek from pain…from guilt…from burdens of our soul…from broken dreams…from everything that weighs our soul down and anchors us to this materialistic world…death is a gateway to that world where everyone is free…happy and light. You were carrying the heaviness of loosing me, Scorpius and our unborn sons…you are carrying the guilt and remorse of the terrible act that you did to Hermione…she told you to die to be free…free from all this.'

Oh how he too wants to be free from all this…

Free from everything…

But he can't let go of his only son, his Adrian.

That boy is his last hope for living.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have cared to continue the wretched life he was leading now.

Feminine figures were moving in the garden and Draco narrowed his eyes to identify them.

Even the thick layer of rain couldn't obscure his better than ever vision.

It was Hermione, Lillian accompanied by their protector Knight – Adrian and they were…

"Bathing in the rain?" skeptic, Draco stood up and leaned over the balustrades for a better view.

The women – Hermione and Lillian were indeed enjoying the rain with their hands spread out and faces looking up at the grey sky where clouds swirled and outpoured themselves. Their Knight however was jumping and running like a drenched sparrow.

"Mama! Mama! I love rain!" Adrian's tender and sweet voice echoed across the garden as he encircled the two women who stood stationary, like two Greek goddesses looking up close-eyed at the sky, "It tastes sweet."

The only times Draco ever got drenched was when he had to play Quidditch in rain and he had hated it. His mother had warned him not to go out in rain should he catch cold and being the only Malfoy heir on whose heavy shoulders laid the future continuation of his pureblood line, Draco had obeyed her.

But now that his son proclaimed that he loved rain while his wife and sister welcomed it like a blessing, Draco felt curious to test their theory.

It didn't take Draco more than two seconds to Disillusion himself and another two minutes to leave his suite for the patch of garden where half of his family was enjoying the rain.

The first splash of rain on his tired body and exhausted mind was numbingly cold.

But the beauty of it was that it awakened him more than he was ever awake.

He approached Hermione and Lillian in steady steps, Lillian now playing Escargot, the Muggle hopping game, with Adrian in the rain while Hermione watched them closely.

"Mama! Come and play with us!" his son offered Hermione, who shook her head and Draco stood in safe distance so that water didn't outline his form and reveal his presence, "It's fun." He emphasized.

"I am fine, little rabbit. Enjoy yourselves." Hermione said, smiling broadly.

Draco spread his hand and touched the rain.

The globules that ran through his fingers were just like any water. Then why was it so special for them?

He didn't know but he wanted the answer.

As Draco stood in the rain and watched Lillian and Adrian play while Hermione walking around the rain-bathed garden, Julian appeared from inside the Château.

"Hey, what are you lot doing outside?" he yelled at the small group, "It is raining."

"Thanks Nostradamus, Julian, that you noticed it at last." Lillian yelled back, lifting her long dress and hopping on the squares elegantly, "I thought you wouldn't know that until tomorrow when it will appear on newspapers."

"Come back this instant!" Julian waved an angry fist at the ladies, "You will catch cold!"

"So what?" Hermione shrugged and yelled this time, "Why don't you join us too? The rain is so good."

'The rain is good?' Draco blinked twice to get off his surprise, 'The rain is so good! What's so good about it?'

"It will purify you, Julian." Hermione told his brother-in-law, "Come and join us." She offered.

"Thank you sister-in-law." Julian simpered, "But I just had a bath and don't wish to be purified…" he couldn't finish because both Hermione and Lillian came forward and grabbing the tall gentleman by his elbows, dragged him outside in the rain.

Draco was laughing now; he didn't even know what was so funny about the scene that played before his eyes; it could be the fact that Julian admonished the ladies sternly which they shrugged away or it could be when he joined them in Escargot, all three adults now behaving like the kid that was with them – Adrian.

And Draco stood there to watch them silently.

How pure, innocent and lively they all looked.

Hermione laughing once again, the sound of which reverberated up to his very soul. Her blue dress lifted to reveal her bare feet - she looked so young and careless.

As if nothing has happened to her.

As if it she was at home and Julian and Lillian were her friends - Harry and Ron.

And Adrian was her fruit of love, not her violation.

In the rain, Hermione seemed so happy, alive and full of life.

'You are starting to fall for her, aren't you?' Astoria's light taunt came back again.

'Well she is Adrian's mother.'

'And she is pure and innocent.'

'And…and…and she is fresh like a daisy…like her scent that I get when she is around me…she is beautiful too…especially her eyes…they are brilliant…I never noticed that before.'

'You are starting to fall for her, aren't you?'

'Am I really falling for Hermione?' Draco asked himself, unsure, 'Am I?' he watched the woman more closely now, 'I thought I loved Astoria and cared for Hermione.'

Then what was this feeling that he felt when Hermione talked to Alexis?

Where did all those jealousy come from when she smiled at that man?

Why he felt awful when Hermione was somber and sad?

And why did his heart lightened when she smiled?

Was it love for this woman that he violated?

Or was it pity?

Or care?

What was it?

'Love is a like a kite that has a thin thread of hope which binds it to the spool. The kite is flying in the air freely but it will come back to you when it feels like.' Astoria replied inside his head.

'Let her go, Draco and let her flow. She is a like a stream and Adrian is a like a fish on it.' Audré's last statement echoed across his mind. 'Stand on the bank and watch them. Don't disturb the water. Watch them play, laugh, grow up but stay away. Watch them silently and seek your true path to flow beside them.'

'Love is a like a kite.'

'She is a like a stream and Adrian is a like a fish on it.

'Love is a like a kite.'

'She is a like a stream and Adrian is a like a fish on it.'

'The rain is good, it will purify you…'

'Death is the ultimate freedom…'

'Die Draco, die and let them live happily…'

Having received his answer, Draco looked up at the sky and spread his arms wide around him before closing his eyes.

'Purify me…'

'Let me die…'

'Let them live happily…'

'For love is like a kite…'

•••••

Hermione tried to towel dry Adrian's silvery blonde curls.

"Don't move your head so much, Adrian." she chastised the little boy who was talking to his rabbit and jerking his head every other minute.

"But I am telling Peter a story!" her little son protested looking up at his mother, "How can I tell a story and not move my head?" he demanded from her.

Hermione straightened Adrian's head again and gently rubbed the curls around his left ear followed by pulling it once which caused a loud 'Ah!' from her son, "That happens Adrian when you don't listen to Mama." She reminded him impassively.

"But I listen to you." Adrian countered and pouted his small lips, "And you forget." He complained resentfully.

"Oh…oh… looks like my little rabbit is angry." Hermione teased her son and bent forward to kiss the same ear that she had pulled earlier, "Are you still angry with Mama?" she cooed into his ear.

"I am…" Adrian held his speech, suddenly turned and toppled his mother on their bed before pulling her ear, "…not." He said and kissed his mother's ear gently.

Hermione and Adrian's rich laughter echoed across their room when Audré's laugh joined it too.

"I am so sorry to disturb this little game of ear-pulling between mother and son." she entered their room as Hermione looked at the elegant figure of Audré Chombrun Malfoy from her bed, "But I couldn't help myself from watching it from outside your door. No offense meant." She held out her hands defensively.

"It is alright, aunt." Hermione assured the elderly woman who walked across the room and came over to them, "I know you meant no offense. I was just towel drying Adrian's hair. He is still very young to use Drying Spells and this naughty…" she stroked the still wet curls of her son affectionately, "…savior of Paris pushed his Mama into the bed and pulled her poor ear." She sniffed mockingly.

"But you pulled my ear first, Mama." Adrian protested vigorously, "And you kissed it too." he added somehow reluctantly.

"It is not my fault that little rabbits have long ears that sprout out like carrots from the side of their heads." Hermione curled her lips arrogantly, "How can anyone control oneself when tempting ears like those are asking to be pulled?"

"But…" Adrian tried to counter when Audré offered a hand to Hermione which she took to sit up, "I have an idea!" he said excitedly, "I want a creepy carrots costume for Hallowe'en." He pledged, "They are creepy." He pointed out.

Hermione snorted while Audré broke into another bout of laughter.

"Imagine, Jean, the savior of Paris dressed as 'Creepy Carrot'!" she commented, controlling the initial attack of laughter, "That will be a sight to behold. Not even the mightiest of warriors would dare to tread his path."

Hermione couldn't deny that her own 'Sir Cadogan' would look extremely cute not to mention creepy in orange carrot costumes.

"Okay, Adrian, Mama also agrees with grandma Audré that you will look extremely frightening in Creepy Carrots costume." She nodded her head seriously, "You will scare the living daylight out of anyone who will see you that day." She tried to look horrified by the prospect which brought out a loud and joyful 'Yay!' from her son.

"Adrian, my dear little man, the ladies want to talk. Can you please excuse the ladies?" Audré asked a happy Adrian courteously.

"Of course, my lady." Adrian bowed elegantly like a little prince and jumped down the bed before taking his rabbit and disappearing from Hermione's bedroom.

"Monsieur Gustave did well by planting courtesy in Adrian's mind when he is young." Audré commented thoughtfully as she seated herself beside Hermione on the bed, "It will be hard for him to let go of his good habits when he grows up. I guess, it is for him – Monsieur Gustave, Jean, that Alexis is such a gentleman."

Hermione tried to repress the sigh that came up whenever Alexis's topic came up.

Thanks to Draco Malfoy, they have no future together.

Then why pine over something that she could never have?

That brought her to her next query, "How is Mrs. Malfoy?" she asked Audré, "Is she feeling better today?" she enquired.

Audré shook her head somberly, "A heart that was broken like that would take some time to mend, Jean." she replied, "Draco was the only hope left to her when Lucius died. Why do you think she would visit me out of all people? Someone she barely knows and only mentioned only to slander?" she asked Hermione, "Narcissa wanted her son to live and breathe again like a normal man after Astoria died. But she lost him the day she came to know that her son had committed an unforgivable crime. She values her own chastity, Jean, so she just couldn't let it go. Since that day, she had tried to look around the matter to cope up with the guilt that was suffocating her. She even succeeded in beating it down to some extent. But when you said that Draco was plotting against you and later on struck the deal with him before her to buy Adrian a home, she realized that no matter what she did, that guilt of building her son to be a violator would leave her. So she surrendered to her inevitable fate."

"I feel sorry for her now." Hermione confessed sadly, "I am a mother too and I understand what she must be going through. But try as I might, aunt, I can never accept her as mother-in-law. No. I can accept anyone but her. She…" she paused, "I couldn't concentrate on anything after what happened last night at her room. I just couldn't let go of the words that she had spoken to her son. They kept coming back again and again and again. So, I returned home early today and when I saw that it was raining, decided to ease my mind from the burden. That's when I asked Lillian for a rain-bath."

"Do you feel better now?" Audré asked her kindly, "I saw you and Adrian from my balcony. I thought I would call off Adrian because he is so young. But then I thought he must be feeling bad after what he saw so the rain and fun would act as a diversion." She explained.

"That's the very reason I took him out there with me, aunt." Hermione professed, "Adrian had been sad all day, asking me about Mrs. Malfoy and her son like 'what he did to hurt his Mama' and you know I can't tell him the truth this time. So, I tried the safest route. I said I don't know. Now, after the rain bath, he has forgotten all about it and I want it to stay that way. That Creepy Carrot costume will keep his mind employed elsewhere." She hoped sincerely.

"And that brings me to my next most important reason to visit you, Jean." Audré said solemnly.

"I know it is about Pasteur and I was waiting to tell you about him but I…" Hermione stopped when Audré held out a silent hand.

"We will talk about that but not now." she said in a calm voice that touched Hermione's heart, "But I want you to give me permission for something."

"What?" Hermione asked, half-curious half-apprehensive, "Is it about Mrs. Malfoy?"

"Yes and no." Audré replied gently, "It is about Mrs. Malfoy but not Mrs. Narcissa Lucius Malfoy. It is about Mrs. Draco Malfoy."

Hermione stared at Audré.

"I know you don't like to be addressed as such and I am not planning to ask you to use that title should you not feel comfortable with it which I doubt will ever happen under this sun and moon." Audré said evenly, "The thing is, I want you to give me permission so that I can help you to let go of this extreme discomfort that you are holding inside you. I want you to give me permission to help you live better." she offered solemnly.

"But I am living better now. I am not scared of Malfoy and I am not going to let him have his ways." Hermione flared up at once.

"I agree that you are much better than you were when you first came here." Audré smiled kindly at Hermione, "But have you noticed that you keep losing in thoughts and keep forgetting when as far as I know you are a very bright witch. Why do you think that is happening?" she asked Hermione.

Hermione was caught off guard this time because she indeed was suffering from extremely frayed nerve since she discovered Malfoy was plotting behind her back.

"I…I am…"she stammered for an accurate excuse, "I am fine, aunt Audré." She said dismissively when she couldn't find any.

"Listen, Jean, I am not forcing you into anything that you don't feel like doing. But it won't hurt you if you just listen to me first." Audré offered her, "I have worked in cases where extreme trauma was involved." She started and Hermione listened silently, "My husband, Morpheus was extremely traumatized when we got married. I didn't know it before because he hardly spoke of his past in Malfoy Manor. All I knew was that he had certain disagreements with his parents and as a result he left their home. What and why, I didn't know." She shook her head, "I first learned about it when I noticed that he doesn't sleep at night. In fact, when night approached he used to fear it like small children do when they see darkness. I asked him about it but he didn't tell me anything until I decided to join him in his night solitude and almost stopped sleeping. I have been insomniac since then and am still now." she paused.

Hermione didn't know that her curiosity regarding Morpheus would be quelled like that, from Audré's own lips. She waited patiently for more.

"Soon I learned that Morpheus had been through some very violent and traumatic incidents when he was at Malfoy Manor." Audré started again, "While it didn't harm his body, it kind of destroyed his mind, his conscience, his better judgment. These traumas were so deep that he decided to leave his family and come to a country that he hardly knew." She said thoughtfully, "After he confessed it to me, I decided to help him and even learned some techniques to help him live better. Do you know why, Jean?" she asked Hermione.

"No." Hermione, now intrigued by the enigmatic past of Audré Chombrun Malfoy, shook her head.

"Because traumas are painful incidents or events that place a special type of stress on the mind." Audré replied, "As a result, a person decides that he or she must never revisit the incident, as it would be too painful. Instead, the person feels compelled to "wall off" the event or incident so that one will not "accidentally" or haphazardly revisit the trauma, which would be extremely painful. This can mean intentionally or unconsciously forgetting that it ever happened, or altering one's memory of it to make it seem less painful, or even concocting a lie to explain the situation." She paused to take some breath, "As a result of this process, however, the person stops functioning at full brain capacity. The reason is that part of the brain processing mechanism has been "walled off" or subtly altered in some way, and is no longer available for full use by the person. This, in a way, cripples the person, often for life. Morpheus was crippled for life, Jean. He hardly spoke and he could never let go of those horrible incidents that happened to or by his own hands. He lived and died with this remorse that he couldn't do anything to stop or prevent it."

"Prevent what?" Hermione asked breathlessly.

"That's another long story, Jean and certainly not for today." Audré sighed, "All I want to say is that, traumas are like blocks that get into the way of one's thinking, feeling, perception, memory, and perhaps other brain functions. Also, many traumas affect physical functioning as well, such as digestion, sleep, movement if the structure is affected, heart function, immune response and many others. Traumas often cause people to lie to themselves and others, or intentionally block out or forget painful incidents or accidents. This sets up severe conflicts inside the mind that can lead to many other mental and physical dysfunctions. Traumas also severely lower one's energy and self esteem, and can have many other effects upon the personality. They have diminished mental acuity, extreme nervousness in certain situations, bad habits to avoid feelings of panic and anxiety such as cigarette smoking, using potions like Dreamless Sleep or Forgetfulness Potion, misusing alcohol, biting the fingernails, eating disorders where they lose appetite or eat more to get over the grief, stuttering, and many other symptoms." She paused and took Hermione's hands, "What you are suffering from is originating from this extreme trauma that you went through when you were tortured and had to leave your country and loved ones when you discovered that you are pregnant. I guess you tried to wall it off because you were in the middle of a war and had no one to share it with. And you were successful because you are very strong minded and willed too. But remember, even the hardest of iron gets rusty and the strongest of woods attracts moth. So, no matter how hard you try, dearest, your mind needs this release that you experienced this afternoon when you went out for rain bath. You need relief so that you can live better. It is just for you, Jean, for you only. Please let me help you." Audré pledged solemnly.

Hermione didn't know if she could say no after such an in-depth explanation. She remembered all those awful experiences that she had tried to shut off. They were resurfacing again and the more she came across Malfoy, the more they became alive.

She needs this relief.

She deserves it.

And she won't take Malfoy take her sanity away from her.

It was but the last thought that Hermione nodded firmly to Audré's offer.

"I will, aunt." she replied curtly, "I will let you help me. I trust you."

"I will defend that trust with my life, Jean." Audré smiled in assurance, "Can you come to Morpheus's study tonight?" she asked her.

"Tonight?" Hermione repeated after her.

"Why not? The earlier we start, the better the chances that you will recover from this stress." Audré supplied, "Besides, you suffered from it for more than six years. We shouldn't really waste more time in this."

"Very well." Hermione made up her mind and nodded affirmative, "What time should I be there?"

"At midnight." Audré stood up and started to leave.

"Aunt!" Hermione called after her, "You didn't ask me what Pasteur told me about Rochés." she reminded her.

"I think I know what he must have told but let's listen to it." Audré folded her arms and waited on the doorway.

"He said Rochés has a special accent when he talks." Hermione told her, "Their family originally hails from Switzerland, a place called Canton of Valais in the southwestern part of the country around the valley of Rhône where they have another hotel by the name of Les Rochés run by the other wing of their family. The French Rochés, especially Augustus Rochés has very subtle Swiss accent that can only be noticed when you listen to him closely. Pasteur told me to analyze the memory of that party and listen to his accent because Polyjuice can only change outer appearance not a person's voice or manners." She explained to her.

"As I had expected." Audré shrugged, "I have been suspecting it when I noticed that Rochés was mostly silent throughout the hearing and only answered any question either in 'yes' or 'no'." she smirked and Hermione gaped, amazed, "But now that Pasteur affirms me, I will be definitely using it against him when time comes. Meanwhile, we have other things to attend to." She said before leaving her room.

Hermione was at a loss of what to think about this extremely clever lady who called herself 'poor and old woman'.

Now, she was confident that if anyone could help her, it will be none other than Audré Chombrun Malfoy.

•••••

Two phials full of memories were waiting for Draco when he came out from his bath.

A small piece of parchment was tucked under one and throwing his towel carelessly, Draco took it before unrolling it.

A note written in elegant cursive writing followed:

Draco,

I am done with the memories that you gave me last night.

So, it was you who cut Blanchard's hands for trying to assault Jean!

I know you wouldn't tell me about it but nothing is hidden from my eyes for I look beyond common eyes.

Be at your uncle's study at half past midnight tonight.

Time to see how remorseful you really are.

Your Aunt Audré.

Draco read and reread the note three times before he decided to roll it again.

What the hell is his aunt planning now?

•••••

Hermione tucked her precious sleeping son under the thin blanket and kissed his forehead gently.

The little boy's angelic features accentuated even more when he slept peacefully.

Even if it was to see him sleep like that, Hermione would do anything to make that happen.

She straightened up and called one of the elves who served at her quarter.

"Ticky, can you please look after my Adrian when I am gone and inform me if he wakes up by any incident?" she asked the she-elf who bowed low to her, "I am extremely sorry to disturb your sleep." She apologized.

"Please don't apologize, Mistress Jean, for it is my honour and pleasure to be looking over the little Master." The elf piped earnestly, "We love him. He is very kind." Her lips twitched into a smile, "Rest assured that he will be fine and sleeping until you return."

Under the elf's assuring words, Hermione left her bed and straightened her nightdress.

Ever since her violation, she doesn't feel like wearing anything that isn't full sleeved and high-necked be it even her night dress.

Giving a last look at her son and tucking a stray curl behind her ear, Hermione left her bedroom for Morpheus's study.

TO BE CONTINUED IN NEXT CHAPTER…