A/N: Thanks to Grovek26, Mariel, Cordee, Nikki, Ramyfan, roni2010 for their reviews.
Thanks for the follows and favourites.
**To those who don't remember now what tree Apolline had planted when she was expecting Alexis, I would like to remind them that it was an 'olive tree' as mentioned in chapter 37 – Grape of Wrath part 1. Hermione is symbolized as 'Daisy' and Adrian as 'Peach and Honeysuckle'.
**Adrian's favourite of ice-cream is Chocolate with raspberries. Kindly take note of his reaction when he eats it in this chapter. It is a subtle hint between human mood and food habit.
Acknowledgements:
**The song that Audré sang here is originally a poem composed by world famous Persian poet Mowlana Jalaluddin Rumi (1207-1273). It is called 'When I die' and is also known as 'Ghazal 911' which was translated by Nader Khalili in 1992. Rumi's poems are full of deep meaning of life and love. For last seven hundred years, his works have inspired people around the world with their spiritual legacy and despite being a non-Persian I love Rumi's work and read his poems for I find them strangely comforting. I am therefore, using this poem (one of my favourites) in this chapter.
**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 57: No Man's Hermione.
An accomplished chess player like Audré Chombrun Malfoy knew that anything can happen in chess. She had been practicing its rules both in chessboard as well as in her real life and it has never failed her in order to achieve what she wanted so far. She was taught by her grandfather, the ex-Minister of Magic – Pierre Laval, that though the moves can be calculated, the players, who navigated their pieces, were humans and this particular species doesn't always calculate before making the next move.
So, Audré has always prepared with all kinds of backup plans to control damage should any of the unexpected situations arose.
When Draco arrived at Château with Hermione and Adrian at afternoon, the look on the young woman and her son's face told Audré that she would need one of those backup plans very soon.
Hermione and Adrian were uncharacteristically silent. Hermione's eyes were slightly red and her gaze determinedly calm, as if she was trying hard not to show her inner feelings. Adrian on the other hand was licking a chocolate and raspberry ice cream with such disinterest as if it was one of the Bogey flavoured beans from Barty Bott's. The only person who looked somewhat happy was her nephew, Draco Malfoy, who looked smug.
Audré's 'woman's instincts' told her that a dark cloud is slowly encroaching the sky and soon it will precipitate heavily.
"How was the meeting with Headmistress, Jean?" Audré chose to address Hermione instead of Draco, "I hope it went well."
"More than I expected." Was all that Hermione replied before taking Adrian's hand and leaving for her Fideliused quarter.
"What happened Draco?" Audré next turned her attention to her nephew, who was watching Hermione and Adrian's retreating form, "Why did Sorceress Marianne call you and Jean?"
Draco sigh was audible before he replied, "She called us because she noticed that Adrian was becoming increasingly reluctant to talk about his parents, especially his father. Boys his age are always trying to impress others with a grand image of their fathers and Adrian's friends, Louis and Gina they are called, aren't any different from that. I don't know why Adrian didn't tell this to his mother, but the issue could've been solved earlier. He needed not to feel embarrassed before his friends." He paused for a second, "So, we – Hermione and I – have decided to put aside our differences for the sake of our son and try to be civil from now on. She introduced me to Adrian's friends and I bought them all their favourite flavour of ice-creams."
"Just like that?" Audré snapped her finger and asked her nephew, "Jean didn't protest at all? She accepted you with open heart?"
The sour look on Draco's face told Audré that she has hit the right point, "Ahh…no, she didn't…she…" he stammered, "…I surrendered before her and asked her to be civil with me." he murmured, "I gave her a white flag."
It was Audré's turn to sigh, "A Malfoy surrendering before a Mudblood." She arched an eyebrow, "All the other Malfoys must be turning in their graves."
"Aunt, please, don't talk to me like that. I can't take it anymore." Draco stood up on his defense, "Mud…Muggleborn or not, Hermione is my wife, I love her and I surrendered before her. What's so wrong about that?" he demanded, "Did you not want me to kill the old Draco and try to prove my new self before Hermione and Adrian? Or have you forgotten it already?"
"I forgot nothing, Draco, it is you who don't remember what I told you." Audré's sibilant whisper was deadly, "I told you to watch Hermione and Alexis from a distance to understand their relationship better. I told you not to disturb her peace. I told you to build yourself first. I told you to give Jean the time and liberty she needs to heal the traumas she had been through. I told you to keep away from her until she feels that she can live better with the wounds you have inflicted upon her." With every sentence she prodded an accusing finger on Draco's chest, "Tell me which of the above mentioned criterias have you fulfilled? Tell me?" She challenged.
"Aunt, I appreciate your concern for us." Draco held out his hands in surrender, "But don't you think that I can contribute in this healing too since it was I who hurt her in the first place? Don't I deserve a second chance?" he asked desperately.
"Second chance? What second chance?" Audré was beside herself in anger, "How can you even think about that, Draco? After all you did to her? Insults, assault and what not! You even took away Jean's second chance of happiness with Alexis and now you ask for second chance? Why? Just because she is a woman and you are a man? And men are always allowed second chances no matter what they do just because they carry overlong genitalias? " she spat on the floor before her nephew, "Bloody hypocrites!"
Draco's face was becoming paler with every passing moment, "Aunt, I…" he started but Audré silenced him with a quelling look.
"Remember this Draco Malfoy." Her voice was icy and dead serious, "Jean is my daughter and if you so much as look at her in a way that disturbs her peace, I swear on my dead husband Morpheus Malfoy that I will not rest until I destroy you completely. Don't test a woman's patience and most certainly don't make her tolerate what she doesn't want to do. I am not Hermione Granger. I am not righteous like her. I am a bloody, vicious woman and I don't care about justice when it comes to punishment. This is Audré Chombrun Malfoy - Renée Chombrun and Josée Laval's daughter and this woman stops at nothing when she truly seeks revenge." Audré turned and left her thunderstruck nephew standing before her parlour.
Once inside the Fideliused quarter, she found Hermione lying on her bed, fully dressed and her son was snuggling against her.
"Mama, I am sorry. I am really really sorry." Audré could hear Adrian pleading his mother even from outside bedroom, "I am a good boy. I don't want to hurt you." He shook her slightly to make her talk.
But Hermione was dead silent and even from distance Audré could feel the storm the young woman was suppressing inside her.
With a quick knock she entered Hermione's bedroom and walked over to the mother-son duo lying on the bed.
"Jean! Dearest!" she sat beside Hermione's pillow and gently ran her fingers through her hair, "Will you not have lunch?"
Hermione didn't reply.
'Danger sign!' Audré thought cautiously, "Jean, my love, should I bring the lunch for you here?" she tried again.
Hermione's lips trembled but no word came out.
"Adrian, my dear little man, aren't you hungry?" Audré tried another trick to make Hermione talk, "I have been informed…" she gently ran her fingers through Hermione's brown curls when an icy voice echoed across the room.
"Don't touch me."
It was Hermione and though she was staring at distance, her indication was clear.
Audré withdrew her hand from Hermione's curls and sat quietly for the storm that will finally hit her.
"Please…leave…with Adrian." was Hermione's next command and Audré watched as Adrian sat up, his wide grey eyes fearful as he looked down at his mother.
"Jean…" Audré knew her one word was enough to bring out the downpour and her speculations became correct when Hermione suddenly sat up, her face gaunt and her eyes flashing.
"I said you to leave me alone, aunt! I SAID YOU TO LEAVE!" She screamed, "I don't want to have anything to do with Malfoys. Anything! I don't want you to touch me…call me 'dearest'…try to heal me…hide me here in this quarter…protect me from my husband Draco Malfoy…I don't want you to do anything for me…did you get me? I DON'T WANT YOU TO DO ANYTHING FOR ME!" she bellowed.
Audré shook her head and sighed.
"I am tired of this life…of everything…everyone…even myself…sometimes I wonder why I am living at all…what is there to live for?" Hermione's voice was rasping as she broke into tears, "Why didn't I die that day? Why didn't I die?" she cried out, "What difference does it make with one Mudblood gone? What difference does it make with me not being by Harry's side? I have nothing. No one. What difference does it make if I live or die?"
"Mama!" Adrian exclaimed and climbed into Hermione's lap, hugging her tightly, "You can't die. You have me. I have you." He started crying too.
"Adrian! Adrian! Adrian!" Hermione buried her face in her son's little chest, "I live just for you, my little rabbit, I live just for you. You are my everything! Everything!" she dissolved into tears.
The sight of mother and son hugging and crying together was so touching that Audré was on the brink of leaving Hermione's quarter and murdering her own nephew. She closed her eyes and tilted her head, unable to articulate a single word to comfort them.
'Maman, help me, maman, help me.' she cried desperately inside her head and called her mother, 'Show me a way to relieve her pain. Show me a way, please.' She prayed with all her heart.
'Don't worry my little Audré, maman is always here.' A honey sweet voice spoke into her ears, 'I know my little Audré will take care of her innocent doves.'
'Maman!' Audré closed her eyes more tightly to visualize the dead woman, 'Help me help her! Please! You know I can't leave her like this. Alone and crying.'
'Then sing a song for them. The one that Morpheus loved most.' Her mother's voice gentle and soothing, 'Sometimes, what words can't convey music can do effortlessly.'
Audré remembered all those sleepless nights she had spent to comfort her traumatized husband. They had sat on the window sill together while she sang to him.
"Mama loves you, Adrian, Mama loves you very much, little rabbit. Why didn't you tell me that you wanted a Papa? Mama would have done anything to give you a Papa… one just like Louis or Gina has." Hermione's pained voice reached Audré's ears, "Mama will do anything for her little rabbit. You are all that I have."
"No, Mama…no…I don't want a Papa." Adrian's voice was so constricted with emotion that it was hard separate words, "My real Papa… hurts you...I know… I see…I don't want him… I don't want a Papa at all."
Audré concentrated on her song. Its words were deeply mournful but meaningful and refreshing. She controlled her mind and steadied her voice before starting her husband's most favourite song:
When I die
when my coffin is being taken out
you must never think I am missing this world.
Don't shed any tears,
don't lament or feel sorry
I'm not falling into a monster's abyss!
She poured all her soul in her words that carried a very different meaning for her.
When you see my corpse is being carried,
Don't cry for my leaving.
I'm not leaving
I'm arriving at eternal love!
When you leave me in the grave,
Don't say goodbye.
Remember a grave is only a curtain
for the paradise behind!
She remembered the day her mother, her father and her husband's coffin were carried out of the Château and laid down on their graves. Even years later, Audré felt the same pain constrict her chest.
You'll only see me
descending into a grave.
Now watch me rise.
How can there be an end
when the sun sets or the moon goes down?
She noticed that Hermione and Adrian had stopped crying now and were listening to her mournful song intently.
It looks like the end.
It seems like a sunset.
But in reality it is a dawn.
When the grave locks you up that is when your soul is freed!
Have you ever seen
a seed fallen to earth not rise with a new life?
Why should you doubt the rise
of a seed named human?
Have you ever seen
a bucket lowered into a well coming back empty?
Why lament for a soul
when it can come back like Joseph from the well?
For when for the last time
you close your mouth
your words and your soul will belong to the world of
eternity.
Audré's voice echoed long after her song ended and she discovered Hermione and Adrian lying on her lap.
"That was beautiful." Awed, Hermione said and Audré embraced them both tightly, "I am sorry for screaming at you like that, aunt. I am so sorry." She sniffed.
"Yes, grandma, Mama is sorry." Adrian hugged both his mother and his grandmother, "Mama is upset but she is a good lady."
"I know my love, I know." Audré kissed them both on their foreheads, "I know that my daughter Jean is a good lady and ladies never scream." She smiled gently at them.
"I have never heard anything like that before. It moved my heart strangely." Hermione rested her head on Audré's bosom, "What was that? What does it mean? That we will be resurrected after we die?" she asked Audré.
"No, my love, it means that even the most awful events can have a positive outcome on our lives." Audré replied solemnly, "It tells us not to lose hope even after death, which is considered as the most horrible fate for any living being. It tells us that we don't know what future holds for us and that we shouldn't be resentful about anything because it may hold the key to a new horizon. It tells us that nothing is truly the end until you let it go." She laid her cheek on Hermione's curls, "Your uncle loved this song very much and I used to sing it to him whenever he was depressed."
"I never thought it like the way you explained it to me." Hermione's voice was calm and strangely tranquil, "I was pretty depressed about the Wizarding surrender and Malfoy's wish to be civil with him."
"But I don't want him as Papa." Adrian protested stubbornly, "He hurts you, Mama, I know."
"Now, now, Adrian, don't jump into conclusions so rapidly. Monsieur may be cold but he truly cares for you." Audré nuzzled Adrian's soft curls, "You are a good little man. Why not give him a chance to prove himself? Maybe he isn't as awful as he appears."
"But aunt, he is Draco Malfoy." Hermione looked up at her and pleaded silently.
"I assure, you, Jean that I am well aware of my nephew's full name and character." Audré smiled kindly at her, "But remember this, dearest, that I am always here. Always…to look after my new daughter Jean and grandson, Adrian and nothing can harm you as long as I live. Remember the song that I sang for you, that the sky is always the darkest when it approaches the dawn. And maybe…maybe…your dawn is coming soon…and maybe my esteemed nephew is the key to it. Who knows what the future holds?"
Hermione sighed and smiled for the first time since she returned home.
"You know, aunt, sometimes I wonder what staff you are made of. I mean, how can you always manage to stay so cool and composed?" she asked honestly.
'I am made of pain, Jean, and that's why it has no effects on me.' Audré thought and stroked Hermione's curls, "Let's leave that topic for another time, Jean. For now, I am having a curious piece of difficulty because Lillian seems very reluctant to visit the Delacour residence. She is packing, unpacking and repacking, a way to show that she is agitated by something. Can you help me calm her down?" she offered Hermione.
"Yes, of course." Hermione replied, "I think it can be because of her fears for a new place. Even I felt that when I first came to France. But I will assure her that Delacours are very charming with their guests and extremely well mannered too."
"I bet our savior here will do anything to help his aunt. After all, she is a lady and ladies always need gentlemen's help." Audré knew that Adrian took his chivalry very seriously.
"I will." Adrian sat up and kissed Audré, "I am a gentleman." he declared proudly.
Hermione burst into a laugh and shook her head, "Aunt, you really know how to make people feel better." she commented.
Audré tilted her head and looked up at the ceiling, 'Maybe, Jean, maybe.' She thought.
•••••
Dear Monsieur Malfoy,
We are very pleased to inform you that our second batch of potions with your blood sample had been successful.
We look forward to your voluntary participation for further advancement in our research. We highly recommend that you let us know of a suitable time before 28th of this month when a total Lunar Eclipse is supposed to take place. We are eager to find the effects of Lupus Venom on humans during that special phase of the moon.
Please let us know when we can inject the next test dose.
Yours sincerely
Henri Descartes
Chief Researcher,
St. Lupus's Facility for Lycanthropes
"Bloody researchers!" Draco muttered and crumpled the letter that has just been delivered to him through the owl post, "We are eager to find the effects of Lupus Venom on humans during that special phase of the moon." He quoted the letter mockingly, "Are they taking me, Draco Malfoy, as some common Muggle rat for experiment?"
Spending the entire morning in his son's school to get himself acquainted with Adrian's friends, Draco had returned to his office to work on his potion and studies for the rest of the afternoon and evening. He couldn't deny that he had felt elated and proud when Hermione introduced him as 'Adrian's father' to his son's friends Louis and Gina as well as a tinge of guilt for making her to accept his wish. He knew that she flinched at his sight, that she needed some relief as his aunt had rightfully pointed out, that he should let them flow and fly like a kite in the sky but he couldn't help it.
Draco couldn't help asking for a bit of civility in their strained relationship.
Besides, how is Hermione supposed to know that he feels differently about her now if he keeps away?
That he truly loves her and doesn't covet her like the way she thinks.
Draco transformed his water goblet into a mirror and looked at his eyes.
They were grey and calm now, intently looking at their mirrored pair.
'What was that Hermione told me I do to her with my eyes?' he tried to recollect all those awful words.
'You covet me.'
'You know what covet is?
'It is the desire to have something wrongfully, inordinately, or without due regard for the rights of others.'
'That is what you do, Malfoy. You covet me.'
'I have felt your eyes moving down my body.'
'I have felt your desire to touch me once again…feel my inside once again…exploit me once again.'
'Have you ever looked at your eyes?'
'Do you know what is act of looking is?'
'No, you don't.'
'Do you know how those cold grey eyes looming over my face have kept me sleepless? No, you don't.'
'Do you know what I see when I look at them?'
Draco intensifies his looks and tried to find out what Hermione had claimed that she sees in them.
'I see a moral vacuum.'
'There is limitless darkness in them and with your eyes you covet me, Malfoy.'
'You covet me and you call this love?'
'Love is what is in Alexis's eyes.'
'So genteel that I feel safe when I look at them…'
'So deep in emotion that I feel like drowning in them…'
'So cool and comfortable that I find myself once again in them…'
'You delude yourself with this notion that you understand everything, while in reality you don't.'
"I understand love, Hermione, I understand love." Frustrated, Draco threw the mirror and it smashed, "I have been in love. I loved Astoria with all my heart. I still love her. But she wants me to move ahead and I am doing so. Don't think that I covet you with my eyes. I respect your body and your innocence. If this isn't love, Hermione, then what is?" he asked an imaginary Hermione.
But she didn't reply and he needed to know the truth.
He needed to know what was in Alexis's eyes that Hermione found so compelling.
He needed to know the true nature of their relationship.
He needed to die and rebuild himself for her.
For her son…for their son…Adrian.
For Hermione's little rabbit.
He wanted to prove that he can be a wonderful father for his son.
He wanted to give Hermione what she wanted: comfort, relief and love.
He wanted to fulfill her dreams.
He wanted to make a home, where he will live happily with family: his mother, wife and son.
Even his aunt had implied so when she asked him to let Hermione be in peace. Her threat was still ringing in his ears.
'I told you to watch Hermione and Alexis from a distance to understand their relationship better. I told you not to disturb her peace. I told you to build yourself first. I told you to give Jean the time and liberty she needs to heal the traumas she had been through. I told you to keep away from her until she feels that she can live better with the wounds you have inflicted upon her.'
'Remember this Draco Malfoy. Jean is my daughter and if you so much as look at her in a way that disturbs her peace, I swear on my dead husband Morpheus Malfoy that I will not rest until I destroy you completely. Don't test a woman's patience and most certainly don't make her tolerate what she doesn't want to do. I am not Hermione Granger. I am not righteous like her. I am a bloody, vicious woman and I don't care about justice when it comes to punishment. This is Audré Chombrun Malfoy - Renée Chombrun and Josée Laval's daughter and this woman stops at nothing when she truly seeks revenge.'
Revenge or not, punishment or not, Draco was adamant now.
He will get Hermione no matter what happens.
He will turn the world upside down to get to her love.
And if achieving that love required him to go through all the pain in the world, he will do it.
He needed her to forgive him.
He needed to prove himself before her.
And he will prove that Draco Malfoy doesn't covet Hermione Granger.
"I love you, Hermione, I love you." Draco took up his quill and started composing a letter for his mother, "I am going to fight for you and I am going to get you in the end. I will not force you to love me. I will give you all that you asked for. I am going to be a good man. I am going to explore your relationship with Alexis. I will let you heal so that you can accept my love. I love you, Hermione, I love you." He finished his letter telling his mother that he will be staying at his office to work on the Potion project while in reality he will be going to St. Lupus.
He tied the letter to his eagle owl and donned his robe with a new determination in his mind.
"I am coming Hermione. Draco Malfoy is coming for you." He smirked with supreme confidence and left his office.
•••••
"Tell me, dear, who named you as Lillian?" Alexis cast a side glance at his mother's direction when she asked the question to the pretty blonde witch during lunch on Saturday.
He suppressed an internal sigh. 'Maman is not going to leave any stones unturned until she unearths the mystery behind Lillian's wand core.' He went back to his fried Salmon with Vierge sauce.
In honour to their guest's arrival, Apolline had put on her best cooking and the food at the table was more delicious than regular days. As per his promise to his mother, Alexis had been present when Lillian arrived after breakfast, been courteous to her all along and preferred to speak to her only when spoken to, which to his immense relief had been, minimum. It was evident from Lillian's outward forced politeness that she also wasn't feeling very comfortable with him around her and Alexis was going to take that as an opportunity to slip out after lunch to work on the gift he was planning to give Hermione and Adrian for Christmas.
"It was originally my Papa's idea, Madame Delacour." Lillian replied, "He wanted to name us after our maternal Grandmother, Josée Laval. She died in a Potions accident when maman was only ten years old." Apolline's made a sympathetic sound through her lips, "Her name initials are 'J' and 'L'. So, in honour of her name we, my brother and I, were named 'J for Julian' and 'L for Lillian'."
"That's a very subtle way to express one's love for his wife. And very touching too." Gustave commented, "I knew your father, Lillian, for we worked in the Order of fleur d'Lis. But Monsieur Morpheus Malfoy never appeared as a person who could feel so deeply for his family. Not that I take it as a point against him, quite the contrary." He said defensively, "The thing is that he was always very reserved. He hardly ever spoke about his family and it made me wonder sometimes whether he was happy in France while his entire Malfoy family lived in Britain."
"I know that my Papa was misunderstood by many." Lillian's voice had a tinge of sadness in it, "But he was a good and kind man."
"Of course, he was, dear." Apolline said kindly and cast a warning look at Gustave to forbid him to talk more on the subject with a mere motion of her eyes, "Tell me dearest, when is your birthday?" she asked the somber looking young woman.
"It's on 17th June, twelve days after my cousin Draco Malfoy's birthday which is on 5th June." Lillian replied, "I was born in the year 1981, a year after Draco and three years after Julian."
"It seems that birth month has had profound effects on you cousins – Draco and you, I mean." Alexis tried his best to participate in the conversation, "Both of you were born in June and somehow you both have the characteristic Malfoy feature of blonde hair and grey eyes. Your brother, Julian is the only Malfoy with dark hairs."
"You are mistaken in your assessment of my eye colours, Monsieur Alexis, for my eyes aren't grey. They are blue like my mother." Was Lillian's polite yet sharp protest.
Annoyed, Alexis closed his eyes, 'I should never have commented on that topic.' He thought and opened them, "I am sorry, Mademoiselle Lillian, but I usually don't stare at ladies to remember all their physical features." He gave her a smile and watched as Lillian's blue pairs lit up.
"Alexis, my son, is very respectable towards ladies, Lillian. He considers it rudeness to stare at them." Apolline was trying to control the damage her son had done, "Ask Gabrielle. She will testify how her friends tease her for her brother's attitude."
"Yes, they do." Gabrielle, sitting beside Lillian, attested with a bright smile, "You see, Lillian, since Alexis is the Junior Undersecretary to the Minister of Magic many of my friends have their keen eyes on him." She winked at Alexis and he bit his lips in embarrassment, "Not to mention that my brother is very handsome too." she winked again.
Alexis was on the verge of admonishing his sister when Apolline served the next course.
"Tell me, dearest, have you ever been to Britain?" Apolline gave both of her children a glare and asked, "To Malfoy manor?"
Lillian shook her head, "No, Madame. We have never been there. Papa wanted to take us all and visit his home but he couldn't manage to persuade my uncle Lucius when he was alive. It is no secret that he and my grandparents loathed Papa for breaking the family tradition. We didn't even know that he passed away until aunt Narcissa sent maman a letter and asked her if she could visit our home over the summer with cousin Draco. We were pretty curious to know why aunt was suddenly so interested in visiting us. So, maman sent a reply with an invitation to spend the summer in France. Before that we didn't even know how Draco or aunt Narcissa looked like."
"What was your first impression when you first saw your cousin?" Alexis was interested to know more about the detested arrogant man's reaction to his new cousins, "Did he behave well with you?"
Lillian's demeanor was thoughtful when she replied, "Draco was sick when he came. He has recently lost his wife and third son and was very depressed. He mostly kept to his suite and no matter what we did, how hard we tried to make him feel better, he was always lost in his own thoughts. The only time I have ever seen really break down was when he returned to Château one afternoon and claimed that he had seen his dead son Scorpius in Tuileries garden. I was walking in our garden when he suddenly apparated, looking all shocked and bewildered. I asked him what happened but didn't answer me and instead locked himself up in his suite. We couldn't enter it no matter what and maman had to bring the enchanted keys to unlock his door. Later on, we found out that it was Adrian that he had seen in Tuileries garden."
"How?" Alexis was breathless with curiosity.
"Maman brought in our Pensieve and examined Draco's memory in it." Lillian's blue eyes were fixed on Alexis's, "At first, Aunt Narcissa had thought that her son was hallucinating but maman said that it was a real memory and not a hallucination. She advised to Draco to make a sketch of Adrian and show it to the vendors in Tuileries Garden to know who the boy is. Draco is really good at drawing and made Adrian's sketch himself overnight. He visited Tuileries the next day and found out that Adrian was visiting Brussels with his mother, Jean."
For Alexis that solved the mystery of how Draco Malfoy discovered Adrian and why he followed Hermione and Adrian to Brussels.
"Very interesting." Gustave commented, "Monsieur Draco is cleverer than I thought he was."
"Clever or not, Monsieur, Draco did all those things because he truly loves his son though many people love to think otherwise." Lillian remarked, "But I know that Draco isn't the man the world sees him as one. True that he is proud, cold and arrogant but he can be very gentle and caring when he wants to. He is like the soft flesh of oyster under the hard shell. I have seen his reactions when Adrian got hurt. I have seen in his eyes his love and longing for his son and his wife. Just a week ago, he took me to the jewelers' shop to help him buy a wedding ring for Jean. It was a simple but beautiful one with daisies engraved on a plain gold ring. He was sad that he couldn't buy her a diamond one but I assured him that Jean will like it simple and he gave it to her after dinner as a surprise. He isn't as awful as he appears." She shook her head, "He just doesn't know how to behave more politely. But inside, he isn't that bad."
Alexis was wondering if she truly knew about the crime her cousin had committed for Lillian's face was truthful and her eyes honest.
But it wasn't the proclamation that Draco Malfoy 'wasn't awful' that stirred something inside Alexis; it was this new piece of information that Hermione had accepted Draco Malfoy's wedding ring.
For the first time in Alexis's life, he was feeling resentful and extremely sad. Sadder than the day Hermione rejected his marriage proposal; sadder than the night he arranged Hermione's marriage with Draco Malfoy.
He remembered what Hermione had told him in his office.
'I know, Alexis, that you love me…that you care for me and Adrian and are, therefore, worried for us… and I thank you for this…but I want you…I beg you, please me leave my thoughts out of your mind and move forward with your life. I love you and I don't want to see you suffer, please…I beg you, please, move ahead and let us just be friends…because I have nothing to give you in this life…nothing…except for pain and sorrow…'
It was clear to Alexis now.
Why Hermione accepted Draco's ring?
Why Hermione was making this self sacrifice?
Why she was telling him to move forward?
She truly loves him and wants him to see happy even at the expense of her own suffering.
How much more sufferings were entitled to the fate of this innocent woman?
Suddenly Alexis's mouth tasted bitter and his appetite was gone.
"Maman, I just remembered that I have to make an urgent call to Senior Undersecretary." He stood up abruptly and left the table without finishing his food.
To make his excuse believable, he made a Floo call to the receptionist at the Ministry and left for Hermione's suite – the East wing, where he lived. Politeness or not, he wasn't feeling like talking to anyone at all.
Alexis was lying on Hermione's bed when a gentle hand was placed on his forehead.
"I am sorry, dear, I upset you." Apolline's voice was sad.
Starving for a bit of affection, Alexis curled up into a ball and placed his head on his mother's lap.
"She wants me to move on, maman, she wants me to move on. She loves me and wants to see me happy…so, Jean is sacrificing her happiness again and trying to appear normal with her violator…she is doing all these to set me free…because she truly loves me, maman, she told me that she loves me…still now…" he broke off and started crying.
"I am so sorry, Alexis…I am so sorry…" Apolline's voice was heavy with emotion, "I am sorry…"
Alexis didn't know how to convey the helplessness and anger he felt inside. It was suffocating him and unable to take anymore he went for a simple confession, "All my life, I have studied and worked…and worked and worked…never looked at girls…never…they were so materialistic and self centered…the ones that I met at school and at work…but Jean was different…she caught my attention the moment I first saw her at Gare du Nord… the day we went to receive her at the station…she looked tired, pale and frightened…but her eyes, maman…her eyes were so innocent that I felt something move inside me…like she was the one I was waiting for all this time…I just couldn't take my eyes off her…and she was pregnant at that time…but I had no doubts that the child will be just as innocent as she is…Adrian…I fell in love with the child when you showed him to me…after he was born…felt like he is my own…my blood and soul…but I couldn't tell Jean…what if she thinks that I have indecent thoughts for her and leaves…she has already suffered a lot, maman…I don't want her to suffer any more…I wanted to make her happy…give her that love and comfort that she deserves…but Malfoy took away that chance from us…and now…he is giving her wedding ring and she is accepting it…because she thinks that by doing so…she can set me free…she thinks that I can move forward…and be happy…but she doesn't understand that I can never be happy without her and Adrian…I love them, maman, I love them…"
He felt his mother's lips touch his forehead and a gentle kiss was planted on it, "You, me, your Papa, Fleur and Gabrielle - we all love them, Alexis. No matter what Malfoy does or says, Jean and Adrian belong to us. You have no idea how happy I was when you told me that you proposed to Jean and she said she will consider it. I have always dreamt of a daughter-in-law just like her – intelligent, brave and righteous. Not to mention she should be slightly bossy to dominate you because sometimes you are too good to people and they take advantage of it; just like your father and I." she smiled lightly, "Jean is still my first choice for you, Alexis, but if she has chosen to move forward with her life, we, as her family must respect it."
"But maman, she isn't moving forward on her own will. She is doing this so that I can be free." Alexis countered, "I will respect all her decisions regarding her life. I always did. I respected it when she first refused my proposal on the grounds that I was using Adrian to get closer to her. I will never force myself on her, maman, but I just can't take it when I see her make sacrifice after sacrifice after sacrifice…it is scarring her heart, maman, and Malfoy is making her do so. He knows that it will hurt her and he is hurting her on purpose…Jean was right when she said that I don't know the Malfoys…she was right when she said that Voldemort and Draco Malfoy are almost same…they are so ignorant…so selfish…so cruel…" he fisted his hands and sat up, wiping his tears, "I have made up my mind, maman, no matter what happens…whether Jean wishes or not…whether she likes it or not…I will be there by her side…always…I can't let Malfoy hurt her…I will fight for her…maybe I will not get her for my own…but that is immaterial now…she needs to be freed from all this sufferings…she needs to breathe again…and live happily…and Malfoy?" he lifted his chin in supreme confidence, "I will make sure he can never hurt my Jean again." He proclaimed.
"But, Alexis…" Apolline was appalled at her son's reaction when Alexis silenced her.
"Don't try to stop me, maman, because I won't. Not this time. Not anymore." Alexis shook his head determinedly, "I couldn't protect her last time. So, I had to let her go. It is all my fault that she had to marry Draco Malfoy. It is all my fault that she is unhappy. It is all my fault that she is trying to make me move forward. But if Malfoy is a monster than Alexis Delacour knows how to deal with such rubbish. I will not stop until Malfoy lets Jean go. I know divorce isn't possible since Adrian is underage and he has been Claimed by his father. But that doesn't mean that Jean is entitled to lifetime of slavery under Malfoy. She is a free woman and Malfoy needs to understand that he has no power over Jean just because they said 'I do'."
Apolline sighed, "As you wish, Alexis, as you wish." She said defeatedly and left her son.
Renewed with determination Alexis left Hermione's suite and went to his workshop.
His work shop, beside his study, was small but spacious enough to move around freely and was the place where he truly found his only solace: wood crafting. From an early age, Alexis had taken a liking for carving woods and making different models – flowers, vines, birds, fishes and all that inspired him – from them. Whenever he was angry, sad, depressed, frustrated Alexis came here to work and release his tension. And he liked to do them without magic for it helped him take off his mind from pressing issues for a while.
Alexis took up the 12 inches by 8 inches piece of wood that he was currently working on. It showed the wonderful bond between a mother and her child. The unfinished faces of young and beautiful, Hermione was embracing her little rabbit – Adrian, laying her cheek gently on his soft curls. To bring out the true nature of this tender love, Alexis had chosen cedar wood and opted a place for a hook on the back for easy hanging.
He ran his fingers over the rough piece that needed to be smoothed and polished.
Hermione and Adrian.
What a true example of maternal love!
He ran his fingers on Adrian's curls, the feel of its smooth texture still on his hands. He ran his fingers on Hermione's eyes- the brilliant brown pair that has captivated him with its innocence and love. He ran his fingers on her lips; the wet and succulent pair that he had kissed. It had been the best moment of his life – that kiss when Hermione participated in it eagerly.
He missed them.
How terribly he missed them!
Alexis placed the wooden piece on the worktable and started working on it with his chisel and hammer. He shaped their faces, smoothed the edges and brought out more life to the image of two of his most loved people in the world. Lost in his thoughts he worked until his hands could carve no more and he slumped on his couch.
When he fell asleep, Alexis didn't know.
In the land of dreams he saw a young Hermione, the eighteen year old one that he had first seen. She was sitting under an olive tree in a meadow full of wild daisies, her back rested on the trunk while Adrian played with his rabbit nearby. With a pleasant surprise, Alexis discovered that she was pregnant again, a small bump protruding through her loose clothes.
"Papa, come here! Come here!" Adrian's tender sweet voice was like a bliss and Alexis walked towards them, "Mama and I are waiting for you."
"How is my wife doing?" Alexis asked Hermione, once he reached her, "Are you taking good care of my wife, Jean?" he settled down beside her and Adrian immediately landed on his lap.
"Your wife is fine and your daughter is fine too." Hermione placed a gentle hand on her bump, "Mother Apolline told me that we are going to have a daughter soon."
"And I will be a big brother! Yay!" Adrian exclaimed happily, "I will take care of her. My little sister."
Alexis kissed on Adrian's head fondly and placed his hand over Hermione's on the bump, "I love you, Jean, for all that you have given me. This son and that little daughter inside you." He leaned and gently took her lips on his.
They were kissing again, under the olive tree and on a meadow full of daisies while the air was scented with honeysuckle.
Alexis was just starting to appreciate the scene when a loud banging sound broke his dream.
Startled, he blinked several times and tried to get rid of the sleep. Yawning, he looked around for the source of that hellish noise that had intruded in his peace.
The sight that met his eyes sent his temper shooting to the many starts of Jupiter.
Lillian was holding and looking down at the piece that Alexis had been carving before he fell asleep. Her brows were furrowed and she looked deeply moved.
Alexis leapt to his feet immediately and snatched the piece from her hand.
"May I enquire what are you doing in my workshop, Mademoiselle Lillian?" he asked her icily.
"Why are you carving Jean and Adrian?" Lillian asked back, perplexed.
"That is none of your business." Alexis snapped with uncharacteristic anger, "You didn't answer my question." He reminded her.
Lillian's blue eyes were full of suspicion and detest when she replied, "I forgot the way into my room and entered here by mistake. Now I think it is the door just beside this one."
"Liar!" Alexis didn't know from where all this anger was coming from, "You came here to spy on me. Didn't you?" he demanded.
"Spy on you? Why would I do that?" Lillian was stunned.
"If you really want to know, ask your dear brother, Draco Malfoy." Alexis gripped the wooden piece tightly, "Now get out of my sight. I don't like strangers touching my things." He pointed a firm finger at the door.
Lillian's eyes portrayed the hurt and humiliation that she felt before she turned abruptly and left.
Feeling confused Alexis slumped on his couch.
He looked down at the unfinished piece of wood
Hermione and Adrian.
And where did Lillian come from?
What was this extremely uncomfortable feeling that he was having?
Like something went terribly wrong…
Like it was not supposed to happen…
As if he has betrayed his own self…
What was this?
What was this?
Alexis rubbed his head wearily.
What was this?
Unable to comprehend, he stood up, placed the woodcraft on the work table before leaving his study.
After a hot bath when Alexis entered the kitchen to apologize to Lillian for his rude behaviour he found only three occupants sitting around the table.
"…don't know why she left so abruptly…" Gabrielle was telling her mother, Apolline, "…I was sleeping late when she suddenly came and said good bye…"
"Told me that she received an urgent owl from her boss to go to work…apparently Monsieur Antoine Curtius is having some important customers and wants his apprentice to be by his side…" Apolline replied and Alexis stared at her.
He has insulted their guest for no reason at all and she has left their home without explaining the real reason.
How could he be so thick?
Lillian had been invited to their home by his mother. She didn't come here on her own.
"What are you looking at, Alexis?" he heard his mother asked him, "Sit down and have your breakfast." She bid.
But Alexis has made up his mind.
"Breakfast can wait, maman." He said before leaving the kitchen for Château de la Grange-Bléneau.
•••••
Hermione had always resented her conduct with her pets.
Being serious about her studies from the early years of her life, Hermione had never been able to give her pets much time. When she was young, she used to leave her pet dove Gwyn to her mother's care when she went to school. Then came Hogwarts where she couldn't take her pet bird because only Owls were allowed. Her next pet, a half-Kneazle ginger cat with squashy face – Crookshanks – always casted her reproachful looks since she spent most of her day running between her classes and in library. When she decided to leave with her friends to search and destroy the Horcruxes, she again left her cat on her mother's care. After the war, her life changed so much with a child, a demanding job and a foreign country that Hermione couldn't afford to spare enough thoughts or time for a new pet. That was until a new Gwyn came into her life.
Early morning on Sunday found Hermione walking down the garden paths with her pet dove, Gwyn, perched on her shoulder. With the comfort of not being forced to face Draco, who she learnt was at work even on weekends, she felt considerably lighter and was planning to recover more of her inner strength before the detested man returned home asking for her to be civil with him.
Hermione looked down at the ring Draco had given her. Today it was on her right middle finger. To her surprise, over the few days she has developed a faint liking for it. There was no denying that the ring was beautiful – just the kind she liked – simple and meaningful.
What an irony that the most meaningful things in her life were somehow related to Draco Malfoy.
First her son, Adrian.
And now the wedding ring.
The most intriguing part was the flower that was curved on it: daisies.
For both she and Adrian had something that has daisies engraved on them – Adrian's silver locket that Geccemp had given him and her wedding ring.
Walking slowly, Hermione watched as Gwyn flew out and joined the other doves that were circling the morning sky in a large flock.
As the large pack of white doves flew together like a dazzling cloud, swirling, pulsating, drawing together to the thinnest of waists and then wildly twisting in pulses of enlargement and diminution, they looked so beautiful from the ground.
How she wanted to fly away to her own land and join her own flock!
Hermione was brought back to her senses when she suddenly bumped into someone.
Looking distractedly she found that it was her sister-in-law, Lillian.
She looked flustered and pale.
"Je…Jean!" she stammered and backed away, "I am sor…what are you doing in the garden?"
"What are you doing in the garden?" Hermione asked back, "Aren't you supposed to be at Delacour residence this weekend?"
Lillian gulped and tried to smile, "I was…I mean…ahh…uummm…the…the thing is…I found…" she paused, "…I received a letter from Monsieur Antoine Curtius telling me that he will be having some really important customers and that I must be at my office by nine thirty…no excuse…so…so I came back…" she replied and Hermione frowned at her nervousness, "If you will excuse me now, Jean, I need to get ready." She smiled again and walked past Hermione.
Confused at the manner in which Lillian had described the events, Hermione was looking at her retreating form when Gwyn suddenly landed on her shoulder.
"Good girl! Had a nice flight, didn't you?" she stroked Gwyn's plumage fondly, "Here take some seeds." She opened her hand and offered the bird some safflower seeds that she had brought with her.
Gwyn was picking at her seeds when Hermione noticed a male figure materialize in apparition point.
It was Alexis Delacour this time.
Hermione frowned.
What was Alexis doing at Château at early morning of Sunday?
She watched as the man looked around before his eyes found her standing there with her dove.
"Jean!" he called her and Hermione walked over to him, "Bonjour." He greeted her.
"Bonjour, Alexis." Hermione greeted back but didn't fail to miss Alexis's anxious look, "Has aunt Audré called you or you came on your own?" she asked him.
Alexis's considerably paled at the question, "Where is Mademoiselle Lillian, Jean?" he asked, "She left our home abruptly so I…I came to enquire if something was…wrong?"
Something inside Hermione told her that Alexis wasn't being entirely truthful and she decided to figure it out.
"She returned home just half an hour ago." she replied, "I met her here, in the garden. She told me that her boss has sent her an owl and ordered her to help him with some important customers." She supplied.
Alexis tensed and tried to smile which appeared more like a grimace, "…uh…did she…tell…can I meet her, Jean?"
"Now?" Hermione frowned at Alexis's sudden desire to talk to Lillian, "Why? Has something happened Alexis?" she gave him a stern look.
Alexis looked like he would be anywhere but here as he replied, "Jean, I…I am so…" he stopped and bit his lips.
Hermione was feeling a strange sense of apprehension engulf her.
The anxious look on Lillian's face and the guilty look on Alexis's face seemed to try to tell her a horrible incident has occurred.
Without knowing why, she grabbed Alexis's collars and shook him violently.
"Alexis, did you assault Lillian?" Hermione didn't know why she went for that conclusion, "DID YOU ASSAULT HER?"
"WHAT?" the look of extreme distaste on Alexis's face somehow relieved Hermione, "HOW DARE YOU EVEN THINK THAT, JEAN? HOW COULD YOU EVEN SUGGEST THAT?" he looked horror struck at the idea.
Hermione let go of Alexis's collars, "I…I don't know…I saw Lillian…she was so anxious to hide something from me…and then you suddenly turned up…at early morning and asked me to talk to her…so I jumped to the wrong conclusion…I am sorry…I am really really sorry…I know you will never do such a thing…but my inner fears…about man…and their intentions…they just wouldn't go…no matter how hard I try…I am so sorry, Alexis, I am so sorry…" she shook her head apologetically.
Alexis's tense posture eased considerably and he looked sad, "It is I, who should be sorry, Jean, not you. I should have realized that you still don't trust men. It is our fault that you can't trust our kind anymore."
Hermione sighed, "I am sorry, Alexis, please forgive me." she said with all her sincerity.
Alexis smiled gently at her, "You don't need to ask for forgiveness, Jean, I told you it's not your fault. I am the wrong-doer here. You see, something happened this morning that shouldn't have happened. You know that I love wood crafting in my spare times?" He asked and Hermione nodded remembering the man's hobby, "I made those swords for Adrian that he plays with." He paused, "I was planning to carve something for you and Adrian to give you on Christmas and I was working on it till late last night. I don't know when I fell asleep on my couch. I was having a dream…" he paused again, "…when I suddenly woke up and found Mademoiselle Lillian…in my workshop…and she was examining that piece that I had meant to give you…I don't know why…I just lost control of my temper and…and told her that I don't like strangers touching my things…and asked her to leave…" Hermione felt her embarrassment heighten with every word that escaped Alexis's mouth, "…she left our home immediately afterwards…I didn't know it until I came down for breakfast…I was meaning to apologize to her…but found that she has left already…so, I came here to apologize for my rude conduct."
Hermione didn't know how to express the mortification she felt inside.
"Why did you do that, Alexis? Why did you do that?" she asked him after a while, unable to believe that the always-composed and reserved man could behave like Draco Malfoy, "That rashness suits Malfoy, not you."
"I am sorry, Jean, I just don't know…what happened…I was dreaming you and Adrian…we were having a good time together when she kind of broke my dream and…I lost control…" Alexis's agitation was evident from his words.
"You were dreaming about me?" Hermione didn't know how to articulate her feelings. It was strange mixture of longing, love and loss that numbed her senses, "What did you dream, Alexis, what did you dream?" she asked desperately.
"It was…" Alexis's eyes were silently pleading to her, "Please don't take me wrong…I was standing on a meadow full daisies…and you were there…sitting under an olive tree…Adrian was playing with his rabbit and the air scented of honeysuckle…Adrian called me… 'Papa, come here'… he called me 'Papa'…he said he was waiting for me…and I walked over to you…you…" he gulped, "…you were…preg…pregnant…and I sat beside you…you said that maman told that we are going to have a daughter…and Adrian exclaimed happily…he was becoming a big brother…and I leaned forward and…we…kiss…" he couldn't continue anymore.
Hermione eyes filled with tears immediately, "Alexis, oh, Alexis…why do you love me so much…why do you dream about me…why can't you just let me…go?" she rasped.
"I tried…Jean…believe me…I tried…hard…" Alexis's voice was constricted in pain, "I tried to avoid meeting you…I tried to appear distant…but I can't take it anymore…I don't know why I can't let you go…I know that you are someone else's wife now…and this is wrong…this love…it shouldn't be let to continue…I can control my brain…but not my heart…it always was…and always will be yours…"
"But what was Lillian's fault in this? She doesn't know that we…" Hermione failed to describe their relationship, "In fact, she wasn't very willing to go to Delacour residence." She said and Alexis frowned, "She doesn't like Veelas at all. She thinks that they are very temperamental. Besides, she noticed that you hardly speak to her when you are at Château. So, she was trying to avoid the invitation, Alexis. I was there when mother asked her to stay at her home this weekend. I saw her reaction on it. She tried hard to avoid accepting it but aunt Audré thought that it will be rude and made Lillian accept the invitation."
"I am sorry, Jean, I am terribly sorry." The look on Alexis's face was genuine, "But I just can't take it when someone touches something that I intended for you."
Hermione was about to reply when another male figure materialized in apparition point.
And it was none other than Draco Malfoy.
Hermione immediately noticed that he looked ill. His eyes were puffy and his face was paler than usual. He winced slightly as he walked over to join them.
"Hermione…" he called her by her given name and she gritted her teeth, "…Delacour…" his eyes moved between them, "What happened, Hermione? Why are you crying?" he noticed her tear stricken face.
"I assure you, Malfoy, I am not having a love chat with Alexis." Hermione tried hard not to lose control of her temper at such a foul display of fake concern, "It is quite the contrary. Alexis just came to tell me that he wishes me a happy…life and a bright future… and I became emotional…" She lied with difficulty.
It was something that she had learned over the years of hardship in France that desperate times called for desperate measures. That she has to lay aside her righteousness for the sake of betterment and relief, no matter how hard it appeared. It was clear now that her thoughts were an obstacle for Alexis's future happiness and Hermione, being the prisoner she was in her loveless marriage, wished nothing more than to set him free.
She watched as Draco's eyes softened considerably and he gave her what looked like a genuine smile, "That's wonderful. I hope we can be more receptive of each other from now on." he tried to wrap a comforting hand around her shoulder.
And that was too much for Hermione.
She shoved aside the arm and whipped out her wand, facing Draco boldly.
"Don't try to touch me ever again." She said in a deadly whisper, "Consider yourself lucky that I am being civil with you, Malfoy but that doesn't mean I will tolerate everything." She spat.
"But Hermione, I am your husband and we agreed…" Draco started in a calm voice when Hermione silenced him.
"I AM NO MAN'S HERMIONE, MALFOY, I AM NO MAN'S HERMIONE!" she bellowed, "I AM MINE AND MINE ONLY." She turned to Alexis, who was gaping at her and let out a heavy breath to calm her inner turmoil, "Thanks for coming, Alexis and a very good day to you." Hermione tucked in her wand and bade him goodbye with supreme confidence.
Behind her, the two men watched at her retreating form, dumbfounded.