The Poisoned Apple

by SeveranSnape

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

70. Chapter 70

A/N: Thanks to Grovek26, SereniteRose, ramyfan, roni2010 and guest for their kind reviews on last chapter.

Thanks everyone for all the follows and favourites.

** Finally the chapter I have been planning to write for almost two and a half monthes. *sigh of relief*.The plot changes now with active participation of a new Hermione and I hope that all my efforts will be liked by my readers. Considering that I am not French, I had to read numerous articles on their Hallowe'en traditions and Masquerade Balls before writing this very long (17K+) chapter. The song, the drinks, the theme and the costumes are all original, planned and compiled by me. Here a bit of Audré's past is revealed and a new character is introduced (I know my readers are very patient and kind).

I read the chapter twice to proofread it but since I am one person and have a pair of eyes while my readers have hundred, I ask them to take any mistake as an unintended one and PM me about it so that I can correct it.

Acknowledgements:

**The description of Château de Versailles, Hall of Mirror, its history, all the locations used in this chapter were written after consulting their interactive maps and websites.

Well I guess that's all and now please enjoy and don't forget to leave a review.

**I have made a page in Pinterest, wholly dedicated to TPA, where almost all the characters as I see them (both HP and OC) as well as major and minor things are available as images. It doesn't require accounts and the link in my profile for those who'd like to visit it.

Draco and Hermione's attire and masks for the Ball have been put up there for those who are interested to see it.

**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 resemblances are co-incidental.

Chapter 70: The All Hallow's Eve (Part 2)

"Papa destroyed Rochés for you, Adrian, and today? You destroyed papa!"

Draco Malfoy's cry was almost a whisper but loud enough to reach Hermione's ears and she gaped at him, dumbfounded.

Ten hours ago:

Julian found Draco sitting silently in his bedroom floor, looking decidedly lost.

"Cousin?" he called, wondering what was wrong with him, "Are you not coming for lunch?"

In response Draco simply stared at the opposite wall.

"Draco?" a bell rang inside Julian's head and he realized that it was not the time to joke with his moody cousin, "Anything wrong?" he asked, settling down beside him.

But his cousin didn't reply.

"Draco?" Julian used his softest tone to address his cousin who seemed too shocked to even utter a single word, "Can I help you?"

"Can you make my son call me papa?" his cousin responded this time, his voice hollow as his vacant expression.

Julian calculated the question before proceeding to answer.

"I don't think you'll need anyone's help for placing an Imperius Curse on a five and a half year old boy." He said evenly, "That way you can make him call you papa."

"You know I didn't mean that, Julian." Draco said, finally looking sideways at his cousin.

"Then what was it that you meant?" Julian was careful not to upset the man who seemed too devastated already.

"I don't know how to win his heart." Draco stated openly, "Besides, his heart is attached to his mother's one and…" he sighed.

"Patience, Draco, patience." Julian said, feeling sorry for the man who was detached from his family even though lived under the same roof, "You need to be very patient with them."

"I am!" Draco cried, "I just don't know how to make them see that I have changed. That I am not the one I was before. So that they accept me: Hermione as her husband and Adrian as his father."

'That's definitely a good start considering that he previously didn't even want to call Jean by her given name.' Julian thought to himself, "Listen, cousin, true that we met just a few monthes ago but I always knew you as a clever guy. Can you please volunteer to answer a few of my questions?"

"Shoot them." Draco bid impassively.

"How long have you been married to Jean?" Julian started slow.

"Two monthes." Draco replied.

"And how long is it that you came to know about Adrian's existence?"

"Three monthes."

"How long Adrian and Jean had been together?"

"Since he was born. A little more than five and a half years."

"Now please put yourself in Adrian's place. Imagine that you are a little boy of five and half who was reared by his mother. You know that your father left you because your mother was a Muggleborn and you are a half-blood. Your mother went through many hardships to bring you up and give you all that you needed – food, shelter, clothing, medicine, everything. You were living happily with your mother until the man you have never seen but heard of turns up suddenly one night and carries you away. He claims that he is your father. Losing your mother, you are terribly scared and you don't know whom to trust. Then your mother comes to your rescue and you start to live your so called father. Can you please enlighten me as to how you can start calling that man your father in just two monthes?"

Julian knew his question was well-phrased and touched all the essential points that he knew of the incident and under his arrow of questions Draco remained silent.

"Do you think it's easy to forgive a man who left your mother just because she wasn't a pureblood?"

"Do you think you can forget the night when you were taken away from the one person you loved most – your mother?"

"Do you think you can accept the man with open arms…"

"Stop, please! I know I can never do all those things." Draco replied at last, his face gaunt, "I know I have been a tyrant. I know I have acted like a criminal. I know I can't be forgiven. I know I deserve nothing but hate but my heart…" he paused and closed his eyes.

In the silence that followed only the ticking of the clock on the mantelpiece echoed across the room.

"…my heart asks for the pleasure of being called a father…" Draco's eyes flew open and he let out a desperate cry, "I just can't tame it… I can't control it, Julian, no matter how hard I try… I love him, I love my son, Julian… and it cuts me when he calls me Monsieur openly… it kills me when I have to stay away from him… it tears me apart when I see him happy with another man like Alexis or you… and…I just can't take it… I just can't take it…" he broke down in a way Julian has never seen him before.

"I know I am not the ideal man. I know I caused him and his mother nothing but pain. I know I am a coward and should have stood up against my father to protect my love. I know my actions are unforgivable… even to me. But at the end of the day, I am a human too, Julian. I am a man who has been waiting to hear that one word from his son's lips for almost six years. But it never came. Scorpius never made it and neither did my other sons. And now that I have a son from someone I never expected, someone I humiliated, I am still suffering the same fate. My own son, my own blood, my own piece of soul doesn't like to acknowledge me as his father. He thinks that I am a stranger. And even though I know he is right, he should be calling me that, I can't make my heart to accept this terrible truth. This traitor heart of mine is starving for a bit of affection, Julian, for a bit of love, a bit of touch from the person who is everything for him. Is that so wrong of me to ask? Is that a crime for a man who has fathered four sons and yet was never once called their father?"

Julian didn't know if he had ever felt sorrier for his cousin. He knew that the man was arrogant and proud, haughty even, but somewhere inside his hard exterior lived a heart that was capable of loving so dearly that it was impossible to believe it unless seen by one's own eyes. The whole couple of Hermione and Draco was suffering badly from their damaged relationship and so was their son – Adrian, whom he had seen to be decent and yet distant from his father.

"Draco? Cousin?" he called the man as softly as he could, feeling a brotherly affection for him, "It was not my intention to vex you with my words." He confessed sincerely, "I was merely trying to make you see that time is a very big factor in repairing any form of relationship." He wrapped an arm around Draco and tried to comfort his extremely sad cousin, "I know we were never close – you and I. I grew up knowing that I have a younger brother somewhere in England and that his name is Draco. I grew up thinking that we will never meet because our fathers didn't go along well. And yet we are here now, under the same roof, on the same floor, talking as if we know each other since birth. How? It's time that brought us here, together like a big family. Like my father had always dreamt. It's the wonder of time, Draco. Muggles say that 'time is the biggest healer' and it is true. It has healed the animosity between us. It has repaired the broken relationship between our families. It will heal your and Jean's relationship too. Don't lose your hope or think that Adrian will never accept you as his father. At some point he will, he is your blood, Draco, but you just have to give him some time. Things like that can't be forgotten overnight."

"I know." Draco sighed, resting his head on Julian's shoulder; he seemed so uncharacteristically calm and soft, "I know I have to keep patience. I know nothing is impossible if you really try. I know I am not giving up. It's just that…" he paused and looked up at the ceiling.

"Your heart can't keep his heart? Hm?" Julian supplied kindly, "Listen brother. What you achieved in just two monthes isn't gained by many. You freed yourself from your bigotry; don't think that I haven't noticed that. You have started to care for a woman you left for your family. You are working, you are studying, you are trying to be an ideal man and a good father for them. That isn't something to sneeze at so lightly. Don't think that your hard work will go unpaid. No." he shook his head lightly, "Papa used to say that 'all good things to those who wait' and I belief his words, Draco. Because patience is also a great virtue. It's also part of your learning that it takes years to build a relationship and just minutes to break it."

"So you think it'll take me years to build a new relationship with Hermione and Adrian?" Draco asked, his eyes still fixed at the ceiling.

"If not years then at least monthes and definitely more than just two monthes." Julian replied solemnly, "Besides, Adrian is just a little over five and half. He's still a kid and young boys love their mothers more than their fathers. But when they grow up, Draco, they need a man to share their mind, to confide to. There are things that only a man understand about man and a father is that figure for a son. If you continue to improve your behaviour I am sure it's not going to be unnoticed by him. He will come to you when he thinks that he can trust you like he trusts his mother." he said reasonably, "Until that time, Draco, you really have no choice but to wait and work. I know it's hard but that's what you created when you left Jean with Adrian and it certainly isn't going to be an easy job to win back her trust."

"I know." His cousin admitted quietly, "But I am not giving up, Julian, I am not letting them go. I know Hermione doesn't like me and the chance that she might accept me in near future is very distant. But we share a son now and if she is given adequate time, I think she might consider letting me in their lives. So, I am not giving up, cousin, I am not giving up their hopes. They are the only family I have now."

"That's the spirit man!" Julian shook his cousin slightly, "We are men, Draco, we are born to fight for those whom we love. And finally I see the man in you to come out and try to claim what is yours in the right way, not by bullying or kidnapping. Keep it up and don't let your spirit down." He shook his again.

Draco smiled and it was a very different one from those that Julian was habituated to see. It was almost like Adrian's innocent smile when he got a new present or one of his favourite people visited him. It was so strange that under Adrian's influence his father behaved almost like Adrian himself and not like Draco Lucius Malfoy.

"So what are going to wear for tonight's ball?" he asked his now smiling cousin, "It's a masked ball." He reminded him.

"I don't know." Draco replied curtly, withdrawing his head from Julian's shoulder and sitting up straight, "I haven't planned anything."

"How about being a Draco?" Julian winked and proceeded to stand up.

"You mean a 'Dragon'?" his cousin asked, "But I didn't get time to buy a mask."

"Don't worry, cousin." Julian assured him, "I am sure I have one. I'll send it to you. Okay?"

Draco nodded, "And you?" he asked, standing up following his cousin.

"Ever heard of the famous French story 'beauty and the beast?'" he asked him.

Draco shrugged carelessly.

"Enter the dragon and the beast." Julian declared jovially, as if he was entering the Ballroom, "I don't think the ladies are going to stand any chance against us." he winked again, "By the way, I came to ask if you are coming for lunch."

"I am not hungry." Draco rubbed his eyes wearily, "I worked late last night and can't keep my eyes open anymore. You go on." He stood up, stretched his arms and sat on the bed.

It wasn't clear to Julian as to why Draco broke down so devastatingly earlier and why he was not attending the lunch with his family if he craved to be in their presence so much. But one thing was clear: his cousin has changed a lot and was striving to do more for the sake of his family.

It was so strange that a little boy and his mother could do such wonder.

As he walked out of Draco's suite, Julian wondered when the woman of his life would arrive to do the same for him.

•••••

All Hermione's dresses, dress robes, shoes and matching jewelries have been taken out and laid down on their bed before Adrian's critical scrutinizing eyes. Apart from the four new dresses given by Audré, three were given by Apolline, two bought by Hermione herself and one from Fleur when she and Bill visited France last summer.

The moment was delicate and the air heavy with Adrian's grave silence as he tried to decide which dress his mother would be wearing for the Ball. Earlier, Hermione had received an uncharacteristic admonishing from her son (Audré supporting him) for being careless and not endeavoring to look beautiful for the Ball. As per his view, the only thing his mother knew was to 'worry' and 'read' and he wasn't going to let her look 'less beautiful than Louis's Mama'.

"My Mama is more beautiful." He had pointed out, his little hands on his hips as he stood on the bed to level his eyes with Hermione, "She has beautiful curls. I love curls."

"Point taken." Had been Audré's snide remark.

There could be no more argument after that and knowing that her own stubbornness was running in the veins of the son she has bore, Hermione took out all her evening attires, laid them on bed for her son to decide which dress he deemed fit for her. If being occupied with her dress kept the thought of babies out his young mind, Hermione was willing to comply with anything.

"Grandma, do you like this one?" Adrian asked Audré, showing her a blue dress that she had bought for Hermione, "I think Mama looks good in blue." He opined.

"Of course she does." Audré agreed, "And this pearl necklace will go well with it." she took up a string of pearls that was a Christmas gift from Gustave.

Hermione let out a sigh of relief.

The events following Adrian's revelation to the science of baby making wasn't what Hermione had expected. She knew her son and she knew that the topic was not over until a feasible explanation was given to him as to why she was unable to provide him with a sibling like Louis's mother. But the way Audré explained it to Adrian made everything sound very logical and therefore it was inevitable for any kid of his age to reach the conclusion that Adrian has reached: Hermione shouldn't take any seeds from Malfoy because he was a liar.

The little boy's mood elevated considerably afterwards and he decided to 'take care' of his poor Mama by selecting the dress for her.

"So that's that and now I think we can have lunch." Audré stood up with an air of finality, "I have a lot of things to do after lunch, Jean. You surely know that this is a Muggle neighbourhood and kids will be coming to our place for Trick or Treat. True that Muggle French don't celebrate it in large scale as British or Americans do but they do carve pumpkins and come to ask for treats."

"Yay! My friends will come too." Adrian piped, suddenly remembering that he had several Muggle playmates who had no idea that he was a wizard, "I will show them my treats." He said happily.

"I think not, little rabbit." Hermione said gently, "Remember the first rule of being a wizard?" she asked a slightly subdued looking Adrian, "You can't tell anyone that you are one and also can't do anything that make them suspect that we are not Muggles. The treats you won are magical and they jump and fly. You surely know that Muggle treats aren't like that." she said reasonably.

"Oh!" Adrian nodded and pouted his lips, "I remember. They told us at school." He looked albeit sad for not being able to show his treats to his new friends, "But Mama, when will we go to grandma's place? I want to show her my treats."

"Tomorrow, I think." Hermione replied, "Tonight you are sending your Mama to the Ball." She reminded him.

"And he is doing just the right thing." Audré supported her grandson, "Honestly, Jean you need a break and what could be better than an evening full of dance and good food?"

"Yay! Dance and good food!" Adrian repeated after her, dancing a little himself.

Hermione sighed. If it were not for Adrian she wouldn't have considered going to the Ball. She knew she would be introduced there as Draco Malfoy's wife and no matter how impassive she was to that man a part of her hated it, especially when she had a better identity.

"If you are thinking what I am thinking that you are thinking, Jean, then I'll say that take it easy." She heard Audré said calmly "That's something very natural. The same will happen to him when he goes to Gringotts." She smiled.

"What is Mama thinking?" Audré asked Audré, evidently listening to their conversation, "How do you know what she is thinking?"

Hermione shook her head in disbelief. Her son was becoming ever more observant with every passing day and sometimes it was just so difficult to keep up with him.

"Grandma knows because she is grandma, Adrian, she has a lot of experience." She replied, taking up the parts of Creepy Carrot costumes that were littering the floor and folding them, "You'll know when you become a grandma too."

"But I'll never become a grandma, Mama, I'll be grandpa. Like grandpa Gustave." Her son supplied and Hermione, knowing it was a lost battle to argue with her son, decided not to comment on it. "No more smart mouthing Mama, Adrian. Go, change your clothes and wash your face if you want to your grandma." She said and with another loud 'yay', the little boy disappeared inside his little closet.

"I know that you aren't very interested to go to the Ball, Jean." Audré said once Adrian was out of earshot, "But don't worry. I am sending Lillian with you. With her by your side you won't feel lonely at all. Besides, the Ball I heard is excellent one and a very good opportunity for my daughter to change her view of Ministry."

"I know, aunt, I know." Hermione took Audré's hands in hers and squeezed them gently, "I know how you look after every single member of your family." she said feeling a surge of genuine gratitude, "I wonder what I would've done without your support."

"You are a fighter, Jean, you would have done just fine." Audré squeezed back Hermione's hand, reassuring her, "Apolline told me just yesterday that you are a descendent of François Créquy. How is it that you never considered telling me that? Even for a Muggle that man is quite popular among the magical community. Magic or Muggle, Jean, we French are always united on the matters of our country."

"To be honest, aunt, I never told anyone about my ancestors, neither British nor French." Hermione confessed honestly, "Not even to my best friends - Harry or Ron. It's not that I don't love them or I consider them below my British ancestors. It's just that I didn't see it fit to brag about my family before a boy my age who had none; I am talking about Harry, aunt. He didn't even have grandparents." She sighed, "As for Ron, he doesn't even know how to correctly pronounce a telephone. He used to call it fellytone." She smiled remembering the train ride back to London on their third year, "I don't think it'd have made any difference to him if I am related to the legendary François Créquy or the Minister of Magic François Guizot."

"That's quite understandable considering it's you, Jean, the ever understanding woman." Audré commented as Adrian came out of his closet and rushed inside the bathroom to wash his face, "Anyways, dear, I am sure you'll do just fine at the Ball. I don't think Draco will dare to ask you for a dance, if he has grown some sense in him as he claims so firmly."

Hermione laughed, "You can never trust a Malfoy, aunt." she remarked, "He may try to show before everyone that he's an excellent husband."

"True that Malfoys can't be trusted but Chombruns can be. Can't they, Jean?" Audré said mysteriously, "Now, let's all go for lunch." She offered when Adrian, all clean and dry presented himself to the ladies.

Sunday lunch was an enjoyable affair and Hermione, to her immense relief, noticed that Draco Malfoy was absent from it. Not that it mattered to her anymore but she wasn't willing to see her son proclaim before the whole family that Malfoy was a liar and therefore he has prohibited his mother from taking his seeds for a new baby. She shuddered thinking what would be the reactions on the faces of the rest of the family, particularly Julian and Lillian, who weren't aware of the truth about her and Draco.

"Hallowe'en is so different in France. I see almost no festivities here." Narcissa said, her eyes on her son's empty chair, "In England, we have lavish banquets and parties on Hallowe'en. Even Muggles who live in Wiltshire celebrate it."

"Morpheus also told me that they used to have sumptuous Hallowe'en Feast when he was at Hogwarts." Audré commented, reminding Hermione of her old school days, "But here in France, it's different. While the magical community follows the Celtic traditions and celebrate Hallowe'en, the French Muggles don't. For them it is a relatively new thing."

"Why?' Narcissa, who was sitting beside her asked, "I heard some part of Brittany celebrate it. That's in northern France."

"Well, for them it may be important, Narcissa, but for most French Muggles it isn't. For them it's an American holiday." Audré replied, "French Muggles mostly celebrate a catholic holiday called 'lá Toussaint' which is on November the 1st. It's a rather sad celebration when families mourn for their dead ones and go to the cemetery to clean up their tombs and pray. They also bring a special flower called 'des chrysanthèmes' because they still bloom at this time of the year. There is often a family meal but no special tradition is followed for the food. But since the magical community follows the Celtic calendar for festivities, we celebrate Hallowe'en lavishly. You must be aware, Narcissa, that the Celts believed that at the time of Hallowe'en the barrier between living and the dead world was the thinnest, thus making the ghosts of the dead able to mingle with the living. So, in honor of the dead they lit bonfires and sacrificed animals, fruits, and vegetables. It was tradition to visit the graves of the near and dear ones and make soul cakes to be given to the poor and to the children who sang offering peace for the departed souls."

"I knew it was a Celt holiday, aunt, but we never observed it like that in Hogwarts; visiting graves and all that." Hermione said remembering that Harry's parents were killed on Hallowe'en, "In our Muggle neighbourhood there were costume parties and trick-or-treating. And in Hogwarts there was a Hallowe'en feast at Great Hall. There were hundreds of floating pumpkins, live bats as well as some form of entertainment in the end with the ghosts popping out and doing formation gliding. It was very different from the Hallowe'en feast I had in Beauxbatons. When I came to France, I saw mother Apolline celebrating Hallowe'en in a very different way by visiting her brother's grave and making soul cakes for the entire neighbourhood."

"We do that too." Lillian said conversationally, "We always visit grandpa and grandma's graves in the morning and now that papa is…" she paused and cleared her throat, "Jean, what are you planning to wear in the Ball?" she asked Hermione suddenly.

"I chose a blue dress for Mama." Adrian, who was silent up to this point, piped enthusiastically, "It's the blue one Grandma Audré gave her."

"He did." Audré affirmed, "And we visit Morpheus's grave too." she added solemnly, "It's here in Courpalay, in a small Muggle cemetery near the Lagrange castle called 'Cimetière de Courpalay'."

"Muggle cemetery?" Narcissa asked incredulously, "I am sure there are Wizarding cemeteries in France."

"Of course there are, aunt." Julian replied evenly, giving Narcissa a warning look and glancing at his somber mother, "But papa wanted to be buried in a Muggle cemetery."

"That's very noble of him." Narcissa smiled, overcoming her discomfort and placed a hand on Audré's, "I am so sorry, Audré, I never got the chance to know him."

"That's not your fault, Narcissa." Audré smiled at her sister-in-law, "Not many people did. He was a very quiet man."

"Whatever maman says, aunt, things are changing in France now." Julian resumed the earlier topic and informed Narcissa, "Many French Muggles now celebrate Hallowe'en like the rest of the Europe. The kids of our neighbourhood celebrate it too. But most French households will be furious if their houses got toilet papered." he added with a short laugh, seemingly very reluctant to let the conversation on his deceased father to continue, "So, Adrian, are we going for a Trick-or Treat in the neighbourhood?" he turned his attention to the little boy who was listening to them, wide eyed, "I know, I know, Jean, what you are thinking." He held up his hands to stop Hermione, "But there is no chance anyone will even dare to look at my nephew when the Second-in-Command of Magical Law Enforcement department is with him. Besides, I don't think my brave nephew would like to coop up just because a bunch of cowards attacked him and maman last time."

"But he has collected enough treats for an entire year!" Hermione cried, "I don't think he needs more." She said sternly.

"Treats are never enough." Julian dismissed her objection, "Hallowe'en is for children, Jean. It's their time of the year. I'll take Adrian to visit his friend's homes while you ladies apply all the make-ups for the Ball. But be careful, don't apply too much." he gave Hermione a comical look, "Or otherwise the layer will fall off like an extra mask if you cough a little too louder."

"At least we'll not be considered a rustic like you, brother." Lillian supplied immediately, "I don't think he even knows when he had his last haircut."

"As a matter of fact, dear sister, I do know when I had my last haircut." Julian said with a simper, "I had it the day you visited your Veela in-laws."

"Julian!" Audré warned her son, sensing a battle was about to begin between her children.

"No, maman, seriously, I had my haircut the day we went for that dinner at Delacours." Julian said looking too truthful.

"Maman, I think, I am done with my lunch." Lillian said suddenly, wiping her mouth, "I'll go now and take a bath. After that I'll get ready for the Ball with a gang of babbling baboons." She left the table casting an angry glare at Julian.

The rest of the lunch was uneventful and Hermione didn't endeavor to know where Draco was until Julian informed her that the man was sleeping in his bedchamber.

"He said he couldn't sleep last night and will doze off and tread his partner's feet while dancing if he didn't take a nap." He said, good-naturedly, "Jean, I hope you didn't mind it when I made fun of Lillian saying Delacours were her in-laws. After all, we are families now and this was just a joke."

"I didn't." Hermione replied honestly, "Though I can't say the same about Lillian. But how do you know that she doesn't like Veelas? I never saw you exchange decent words with her except for bantering purpose."

"Of course, I don't." Julian shrugged, "It's true that we fight all the time, Jean, but I know my sister very well. I know Lillian thinks Veelas are temperamental. One of her classmates was a half Veela. They were good friends until one day they had a terrible row over something very trivial and broke up. It wasn't Lillian's fault, her Veela friend had swinging moods - was happy one second and angry on the next and Lillian just couldn't keep up with it any longer. That's the reason behind her dislike for Veelas. But no matter how hard we fight, Jean, Lillian knows that my shoulders and my hankies are always there when she wants to cry. She knows I care for her and she shares almost everything with me that she can't share with maman."

Hermione wondered if Julian knew anything of the incident between Lillian and Alexis while she was visiting the Delacour Residence. But judging from the way he made fun of Alexis and his sister to irritate her, he seemed oblivious of it.

She left a happy Adrian with his uncle and returned to her quarter for a shower deeply in thought on what happened that morning.

It so seemed that time has finally come to tell her son some truths about his parents' nature of relationship and his own role and expectations from it so that the little boy's dreams didn't suffer like hers and break even before they were born. The way Adrian was suffering for want of a father and a sibling, the way he was keeping it secret from her, the way his restraints sometimes broke off and he threw tantrums in public, it was very clear to Hermione that he would become suspicious of his mode of conception once he grew up and came to know how babies were really conceived.

Hermione shuddered thinking that day.

It must never come and if it required her to take extreme measures to prevent it, she would do it without any hesitation.

So lost was she in her thoughts that when Lillian walked into her bedroom, Hermione was still clad in chemise and petticoat under her bathrobe, her hair dripping wet and sitting absentmindedly on the bed.

"You haven't dried you hair, Jean?" her question brought Hermione out of her unpleasant musings, "What's wrong, dear?" she sat beside her and took her hands, "Are you still worried that Draco will be in the Ball?"

In reality Hermione was worried but for a very different reason that she couldn't share with Lillian.

"No." she smiled and lied, "I was just thinking about my last time at the Ball. It was quite fun. I danced with Viktor Krum."

"Really?" Lillian took up the towel lying beside Hermione and started drying her hair, "Tell me all about it."

Hermione was in the middle of her story about how Krum used to follow her to the library when a silvery dove flew in through the balcony door.

"Jean! Lillian!" the Patronus bird spoke in Audré's voice, hovering in midair, "What are you two doing loitering around? It's almost four o'clock now and the Ball starts at six thirty. You still have hairs to do, makeup to apply and dresses to don. Come to my Boudoir at once. All your things have been brought up here and I am waiting." She commanded and the Patronus dissolved into thin air.

"Nostradamus!" Lillian cried softly, looking slightly nervous, "I was so lost in your story that I forgot to tell you that I came to take you there. Let's go, Jean." she left the bed, "By the way, the story was quite romantic." She smiled and winked, "Who did Draco took with him? Did he propose you at the Ball?"

Hermione was reminded of Pansy Parkinson in a very frilly pink dress robe accompanying a green clad Slytherin rapist with his pals, all waiting to throw insults at her when she walked in with the one of the Triwizard Champions and closed their foul mouths.

"Where are they holding the Ball?" she decided not to answer and asked Lillian about the venue of the upcoming Masquerade Ball, "Is is an open Ball or a private one?"

"My idiot brother told me that they are holding it in the Château de Versailles." Lillian replied, as they left bedroom and went downstairs, "But the actual Ball will be held in Galerie des Glaces."

"The Hall of Mirrors?" Hermione asked, impressed by the Ministry's choice of a better venue, "That is where the masked ball for the wedding of Marie-Antoinette and Louis XVI was held."

"Precisely." Lillian on the other hand seemed subdued by the fact, "You know what, Jean? I don't like all these extravagant and posh parties." She grimaced slightly, "In fact, I don't like anything that is extravagant. They are so…" she paused for want of a proper word, "…so…"

"Materialistic?" Hermione supplied, astonished that the only daughter of one of the wealthiest families in France was saying this, "Artificial?"

"Both." Lillian affirmed as they left Hermione's Fideliused quarter and started for Audré's chamber, "Hell, I don't even want a rich husband. You may think that I am trying to show off considering the fact that my family is very rich, Jean. But that money isn't mine. I never earned them. My parents and grandparents did. As for me, I am very contended with the salary I receive from my apprenticeship. Maybe isn't a lot of money like Julian or Draco or most Ministry high officials earned but it's enough for me."

Hermione was fascinated by her sister-in-law's words, "I think you are saying that because you never faced any hardships, Lillian, and the concept of modesty still allures you." she remarked, "Otherwise, you would've known how hard it is to run even a small family with a little money."

"And I think you are saying that because you had to face a lot of hardships when you came to France with Adrian." Lillian was unfazed by Hermione's somewhat harsh words, "I am not denying that money isn't essential. It is, Jean, of course it is. But I don't think its presence is anyway related to ones happiness."

"So what is your concept of happiness? Little money and lots of love?" Hermione was curious to know more.

"Not little money." Lillian was amused, "Moderate amount will do and as for love, I don't think I'll compromise with that if it's moderate. It should be aaaa lottttttt." She spread her arms as wide as she could, "And from a man who is very sensitive and caring."

"And certainly not arrogant and proud." Hermione added with a sigh, remembering what she has got for a husband and what she could've gotten, "Will you mind if I ask you a personal question?"

"If I have a boyfriend or not?" Lillian asked before Hermione could, "The answer is - no." she replied, "Not that I don't get offers. I do, Jean, quite a good few. I am a Chombrun and a Malfoy. Maman says I am quite handsome too. But I know that all those men are either temporarily enchanted by my youth or after my family money. They aren't interested in me, Jean, the real me; the person I am, inside and I don't think I can tolerate to live with a man who doesn't even know me properly. So, I didn't accept any of those offers." She said as they reached her mother's Grand Chamber.

Audré's chamber, as Hermione have noticed before, was very plain considering it was the master suite of the entire Château, a place that was expected to be furnished in grandeur. The furniture was of simple wood. The bed was made in white sheets. The curtains were white too. The only contrast was a grand portrait of a young girl clad in a green, holding her dress artfully and smiling at the painter.

"That's maman when she was ten." Lillian replied, noticing Hermione observing the portrait of her mother, "That green dress was given by her maman, my grandma, for Christmas and they finished the portrait just a few weeks before her death."

"This family has seen so many deaths." Hermione couldn't hold back her sadness, "Especially aunt Audré. First her mother, then her father and husband. I wonder how she can manage to appear so calm and composed."

"Maman was always been like that." Lillian commented, "She never shows her feelings. The only person who understood her well was papa and he also died when I was twelve. Maman never fully recovered the shock. You must have noticed, Jean, that we – me and Julian – don't mention papa before maman if we can help it. It's not that we don't miss him, Jean, we do. We miss him so much." she said passionately, "But mentioning him before maman upsets her and we just can't see her like that."

"That's not entirely true, dearest." it was Audré who spoke this time and turning, Hermione found her standing at a door that led to another chamber, "Mentioning Morpheus doesn't always make me sad, Lillian. It used to. Once. But not anymore. Not when I know that he is always with me." She said calmly, "Come now." She ushered them in. "Let me tell you a story about us."

Audré's Boudoir was just as plain as the rest of her chamber. The floor was covered with a pearl-grey carpet with the design of roses and from the centre of the ceiling hung a small lustre with a few candles. There was a large window on one side, its ground-glass panes adorned with pretty floral designs on them and a white double curtain of silk and tulle draping it voluminously. As Hermione walked in, she saw her dress, shoes and all her attires for the evening as well as Lillian's ones displayed on two manikins, which unlike Muggle ones, moved gracefully and showed them the specialty of the dresses.

"My mother never liked excess luxury, Jean and neither do I. Saying that, one might wonder what I keep in all those closets." Audré said showing Hermione the wall length mirror that reflected the other two walls with rows and rows of ceiling high closets and cupboards, "They are mostly filled Morpheus's and my parents' old clothes which I couldn't make myself to part with. All my clothes fit into those two cupboards that you see over there. Maman used to believe in Muggle dictum of 'simple living and high thinking.'" She said gesturing Hermione and Lillian to sit on a centrally placed divan that was large enough for three people to sleep comfortably, "But as Chombruns we have certain standards to maintain and can't just go out looking too plain. Now sit properly, Lillian and let me do your hair. And while I do that, Jean, please comb your hair dry so that I can do yours next."

"Oh no, aunt, I can do mine." Hermione protested, taken aback, "All I need to do is a simple French twist. That's all."

"No. that's not all." Audré gave Hermione a very solemn yet warning glare, "I consider you as my other daughter, Jean and you are not going to the Ministry Ball on a plain French twist. Besides, Adrian wants his mother to look her very best and so shall she. If you are going to the Ball to only keep his heart, Jean, please do it properly. I'll do a Herringbone honey braid for Lillian and a Crown French braid for you. I am not taking another word on it." she said dismissively.

There was no way Hermione could counter Audré after that and defeated, she took up one of the ornate hair brushes to comb her hair.

"You said you want to tell us a story about papa and you." Lillian reminded her mother as Audré started brushing her hair with a paddle brush and slightly back combed the top crown area. Watching them together - Lillian sitting cross legged on the divan and Audré standing behind her daughter, combing her hair - Hermione remembered her own want for a daughter when she was pregnant with Adrian. Though her son was her life and she would do anything for him, the sight in which a mother was brushing her daughter's hair affectionately made her feel strangely lonely.

Audré inhaled deeply, created a soft parting in the fringe area and taking three voluminous strands from Lillian's sea of silvery blonde hair she starting doing the braid. She picked up small sections occasionally and added them to the braid as she worked her way along from the side to the back.

"Your papa and I met at Sorbonne while we were studying Law there." She started solemnly, "He was one of the few foreign students and a Malfoy, both earning him a reputation not very pleasant. No one liked to talk to him and he also didn't like to talk to anyone. He mostly kept to himself and though we, as his classmates, were quite curious about him no one had the courage to go and ask him where he lived in Paris."

"I was fresh out of Beauxbatons and like my father I wanted to be a lawyer too. In those days, I am talking about 1970's, female lawyers weren't as common as they are now. I still remember my first day at Sorbonne. It's still fresh in my memory, Lillian, as if it was just yesterday. I remember, when I walked into the giant amphitheatre where Draco has his lecture classes now as a first year student, most of my male classmates looked at me as if I have grown three heads. I knew this was bound to happen considering we were only five ladies in the class full of men and I ignored them before walking to the front row and taking a seat there."

"I soon found out that it wasn't my gender that was causing all those stirs among the students. It was actually due to the fact that I was Minister of Magic's granddaughter and my previous reputation in Beauxbatons as Iron Maiden was adding more fuel to the fire. Being the Minister's granddaughter I never had friends. My classmates thought I was arrogant and proud and I never did anything to make them think otherwise." Audré paused and finished the first braid, securing it with a small rubber band.

"Morpheus and I never talked until our second year. We used to cross each other in the corridor but never exchanged anything more than glances. It was during an assignment that our Criminal Law professor gave us to work in pairs that we ended up together. Most boys made their own pairs. The girls made their own without bothering to include me with them and I was left out. No one liked Morpheus very much for his brooding nature and the teacher told us to work together."

"Wow, maman!" Lillian exclaimed, her eyes lit up, "That's so romantic." She smiled shyly.

"Not as much you think, dear." Audré shook her head and finished the second braid she was working on, "I was furious when I ended up with him because Morpheus was a very quiet guy and even when he talked he used a low voice. It made me think that I'll have to do all the work myself while he just sits and watches. But I soon found out that he wasn't like that at all. He was a hard worker and we used to sit in the library to work on our assignment which was on 'analyzing the psychology of witnesses and interrogating them accordingly'."

Her hair brushing lay forgotten, Hermione was listening to Audré's story in rapt attention.

"It was during one of those afternoons when we were working on our project that Morpheus rolled up his sleeves forgetting that I was sitting just opposite him. I was writing something; I looked up to ask him about a point and saw it for the first time."

"What?" Lillian was breathless from all the suspense, "What did you see maman?" she asked but Hermione already had an idea what it could be.

"His Dark Mark." Audré replied simply, "It was very ugly and prominent because Voldemort was at his peak at that time. I remember staring at it, open mouthed until he noticed that I was too quiet, looked up from his work and saw me gaping at his Dark Mark."

"What happened next? What was his reaction?" Hermione was on the edge of the divan now.

"He unrolled his sleeve, arranged his things, put them on his bag and left without another word." Audré replied finishing all four braids and taking up hair pins to arrange them.

"So rude!" Lillian cried, visibly shocked, "Papa wasn't like that. He was very kind and he loved you."

"That was before we fell in love, dearest." Audré said kindly, twisting all four braids and fixing them elegantly, "So he left and I sat there, furious and humiliated." She sighed.

"Then how did you end up together?" Lillian was more interested to her mother's story than her hairdo, "Did he come back and said sorry to you?"

"He did." Audré said simply, "He sent me a little note two days after that incident and asked me to wait for him in the library. I wasn't in mood to continue working with a temperamental guy like him and I went there only to tell him that on his face, when I noticed that he looked very ill."

"Ill?" Hermione repeated, "Why? Was the Mark poisonous or something?"

"No." Audré shook her head solemnly, "While in England, Morpheus had some very traumatic experiences, some of which I told you the night I asked you to help me for the trial." She reminded Hermione, "It was the reason he left Malfoy Manor and came here. When he saw me staring at his Dark Mark, Jean, it brought all those memories back. Later he explained it to me why he left like that."

"Why?" Lillian asked, wide eyed.

"He thought I'll judge him for his association with Voldemort." Audré replied and finished Lillian's braid before moving on to Hermione, "We knew the Malfoys were Voldemort's close allies, his followers but there was no physical evidence that suggested it. The Malfoys later on cleared their name by claiming that they were under Imperius Curse and that put an end to the debate as to whether they joined willingly or were forced to do so."

"But everyone knew that Draco's father joined willingly!" Lillian cried.

"But Draco didn't." Audré supplied, "He was forced to take it when he was just sixteen. Have you ever seen him rolling up his sleeve, Lillian?" she asked her daughter and Hermione frowned, "No. Why? Because he's ashamed and afraid that people will judge him for his past liaison that was actually thrust upon him. The same thing happened to Morpheus too. He thought I'll judge him and since I was the Minister's granddaughter, Lillian, I could turn him in, accusing him as an undercover Death Eater or whatever."

Listening to her, Hermione wondered how Draco was continuing his job at the Ministry when it was widely known that Malfoys were Death Eaters. Was it because he lived with Chombruns now or was it something else?

"So when we met in the library, Jean, Morpheus looked very ill." Audré resumed her story, "He apologized to me and though I wanted to snap at him, looking at his state of health, I couldn't. I accepted it and he told me that we'll be as distant as possible until the assignment was over. In return he asked me not to tell anyone about his Dark Mark."

"It was during that work that I slowly started to discover the man who was hiding behind that gaunt mask." Audré brushed Hermione's hair and started making braids on it, "I discovered that he was kind, compassionate and very sensitive. For our work, we had to prepare a few questionnaires and interview some people who appeared as witnesses at Wizengamot. Sometimes, we had to go to their homes. Sometimes, we met them at cafes. But no matter what, Morpheus always very supportive. Not because I was a woman and as most men thought, I was bound to be dim witted than them; but because he respected my intelligence. He was older than me and yet he always listened to what I had to offer on any point, argued sometimes and accepted them if I was right. He took me as his equal, Jean, not his inferior just because I was a woman."

"Our assignment ended quite successfully. We received very good marks for it and we parted as promised. It was then that I felt something very strange here." Audré placed a hand on her heart, "And I never thought I was capable of feeling something like that. The memories of our working together started bringing occasional smiles on my lips; I started drifting into the dreams I didn't know where they were coming from and whenever I looked at Morpheus, I felt that my heart has finally found its home."

Though Hermione couldn't see Audré's face, she could feel the tears and smiles that were making her voice heavy.

"One afternoon, I was working late in the library when he suddenly came. I don't know why but I always liked to sit on the chair he used to take when he worked there; maybe it was mental connection and so when he came and sat on the chair that I used to sit, I felt quite embarrassed."

"Morpheus was very strange that afternoon. Very calm and solemn and though he is a quiet guy, I have never seen him like that before. He greeted me politely and I greeted back. We sat in quiet for a while, he was looking at my books and I was looking at my quill, my heart beating in my throat when he suddenly said that he wanted to make me happy."

"What?" Lillian, who was donning her green dress over her green corset and listening to her mother, asked, "He wanted to make you happy?" she repeated.

"Yes." Audré affirmed, "He said he has noticed how I am not what I appear as, how everyone thinks that I am proud and arrogant while in reality I was a very lonely woman. He said that while working with me, he found another side of me that was caring and nurturing, loving and sacrificing and for everything that I really am, he respects me, most ardently."

"He said he wants to change my view of most men as I always regarded them as ignorant and dominant for no reason at all. He said he wants to become my friend, my partner and make me happy. He wants to be with me for the rest of his life, if I accept him and his gruesome Dark Mark."

In the silence that followed, Audré finished Hermione's braid, fixed it over her crown and moved over to take a seat on the divan.

"Accepting Morpheus's offer was the best decision of my life." she looked dreamy, "I knew it would be hard considering he was almost penniless with nothing but his stipend and his small income from a job but the moment he asked for my hand, I looked into his eyes and in those grey pairs I saw my dreams of happiness come true." Audré's own blue pairs were shining with tear now, "I knew I was born to be with him, there can never be any other way. I was never impulsive, Jean, and it was the matter of my life; and yet I didn't waste another moment to say 'yes'. I knew in my heart he was there for me, not for my money that I'll inherit from papa."

"Our first date was in the library. He was too shy to take me to any café. We sat in our usual table and talked for a long time, mostly on what we wanted to do with our lives. He told me that he wanted to pursue his career as a judge and I said I wanted to become a lawyer. He gave me a silver brooch and said he has bought it from his stipend money."

"The one that I see you wear most of the times?" Hermione asked, donning her blue dress over her white corset, "I never knew uncle gave it to you. I thought it belonged to your mother. A keepsake maybe." She confessed remembering her own.

"No. It was Morpheus's keepsake." Audré smiled serenely, "Our relationship was very quiet. We never told anyone about it and knowing us, most of our classmates thought we were reading partners, not affair mates. I certainly have no complaints about it, for I was never interested in drawing unnecessary attention than I already had as Minister's granddaughter and we continued it until Morpheus proposed me one fine day."

"How?" Lillian's eyes were shining bright and she was almost bursting with excitement, "Where?"

"In Dordogne valley. The same place he used to take us for picnics." Audré replied, "It was his most favourite. I remember him taking me there, blindfolded and when I asked him where he was taking me, he replied that he was taking me to paradise."

"It's a paradise!" Lillian exclaimed, "Oh maman, papa was so romantic! And the ring? What was the ring? Was it the diamond one that you used to wear or was it something else?"

"Morpheus didn't have enough money to buy me a diamond ring at that time." Audré replied, "He gave me that one on our fifth marriage anniversary. Instead, he opened the blindfold and gave me a gold Claddagh ring that day. It was so touching, Lillian, the endless valley below and the promise of endless love standing before me and I wonder if anyone can say no to such a proposal." She smiled, reminiscing their good times, "The Claddagh ring, Morpheus told me, was a traditional Irish ring used as an engagement or wedding ring in medieval and Renaissance period and that it represents love, loyalty, and friendship. The ring is peculiar, not like usual ones you see at shop. The band is actually two hands holding a heart and a crown is placed on it. Morpheus said that the hands represent friendship, the heart represents love, and the crown represents loyalty."

"How very thoughtful of him!" Hermione was deeply touched by Audré's words, "It's just… wonderful. Where is the ring now?" she asked noticing Audré's fingers were empty except for the blue diamond ring she had curse broken for her.

"I took them off…" Audré said plainly, her features impassive, "…the day he died and kept them in my safe. I am not going to wear them until I fulfill his last wish." She said solemnly.

Hermione wondered if it would be appropriate to ask what that last wish was but restrained herself. Issues like these were very sensitive in nature and she wasn't willing to be the one to stir it unnecessarily.

"I think you should start with the makeup." Audré's voice brought her out of the musings, "It's almost quarter past five and Julian told me that the carriage will arrive at six." She said checking the clock.

"Carriage?" Lillian asked, she was already halfway through her makeup, applying green eye-shadow consistent with her green dress, "Why? Aren't we apparating there?"

"Of course, not." Audré replied, "We are Chombruns and Malfoys, Lillian and your brother, not matter how horrible his sense of humour might be, is a high official in the ministry. So, naturally they'll be sending carriages for his family."

Hermione was too engrossed in her own thoughts to care for carriages or Balls. The letter from Draco, the waking up of her undaunted spirit, the incident at the Trick and Treat party followed by Adrian's dream and declaration concerning babies and Audré's story was enough to keep anyone's mind occupied. As always she applied a light makeup keeping in mind her wish to appear as simple as possible. There were times when things like Balls, dances and partners charmed her like they did to any teenager of her age. But six years after the darkest incident of her life, those things didn't hold much value to her, especially when she was going there as her rapist's wife.

It was not until Audré showed her a large box of masks that she remembered she hasn't chosen any.

"I think this one will go well with your dress." Lillian examined the collection and handed Hermione a baroque style silver filigree lace masquerade mask with small pearl on it. Hermione covered her upper face with it and looked at her reflection on the ceiling high mirror. In her simple light blue bow-knot multi layered dress with a baroque mask to adject it, she looked perfect. Neither too plain nor too extravagant that most masked Ball goers strive to achieve.

"I am sure my little man will be happy to see his very pretty mother." Audré complimented Hermione as she slipped in the elbow length white gloves next, "Here, Jean, take this one. It'll go well with your dress." She said and took off her blue diamond ring.

"No, aunt, that's yours!" Hermione cried, surprised.

"And you curse broke it." Audré said matter-of-factly, "Without your help I could never have worn it." she said slipping the ring on Hermione's finger.

"I think my sapphire brooch will go well with her dress too." Lillian said, her mask a dark shade of green with small purple decorative feathers on the left, "I'll tell Zilek to bring it for you."

"Please, Lillian, I have my jewelries!" Hermione tried to restrain her sister-in-law and adjusted her pearl necklace, "I am done now." she declared.

But when she looked at reflection again Hermione realized that she missed one piece of jewelry that could have gone very well with her dress tonight: the locket her mother had given her on her tenth birthday, the locket with sapphire which she had to sell to a man named Clopin when she was in desperate need of money.

She sighed deeply. Like many other beautiful things of her life, that locket has perished too in the wrath of Draco Malfoy. Her friends, her homeland and her love. But there was still Adrian and she wasn't going to let Malfoy destroy him too.

"My dear Malfoy ladies!" Julian's voice announced and Hermione whipped around, alarmed at how the man entered the ladies dressing room without even bothering to knock, "I know your makeup won't be over even if your are given another twelve hours for it but for whoever's sake you believe in, please have mercy on these poor men and come down now. The carriage is at the door." She looked around and found a leopard Patronus conveying the message to them before vanishing.

"Leopard?" she asked, "Julian's Patronus is a leopard?"

"Bad choice, if you ask me." Lillian commented darkly, "It should be a donkey."

Hermione laughed and felt the heaviness of her heart lift up considerably.

With a last glace at their reflections they left Audré's Boudoir and proceeded for the main entrance. Adrian was waiting there with his uncle Julian, a small heap of Muggle treats laying on the ground beside him.

"MAMA!" he exclaimed and ran to Hermione, crashing in her arms and hugging her tightly, "YOU LOOK BEEEAAUUUTIFUUULLLL!" he said happily.

"Do I?" Hermione was pleased to hear that her son approved of her looks since the whole purpose of attending the Ball was to make him happy, "I thought I looked awful." She said somberly.

"WHO SAID THAT?" Adrian asked looking around for the offender, as if he'd strangle him, "You look very very very very very beautiful, Mama." he said firmly.

"Okay. If my handsome son says so then his Mama must be looking very good." Hermione smiled and kissed her son deliberately leaving a little pink imprint of her lipstick on it, "Now promise me that you'll be a good boy."

"I am." Adrian supplied, "I am a very good boy." He said proudly.

"You'll take dinner with grandmas." Hermione reminded him.

"I will." Her son piped.

"You'll not disturb them."

"I never do."

"And you'll not forget to take your tonic before going to bed." Hermione instructed, "Mama will try not to be too late. I have office and you have school tomorrow and there will be no more school skipping." She warned him.

"Okay." Adrian tilted his head positively, "Now you promise me." he said solemnly, "You'll dance."

"I'll." Hermione was amused.

"You'll eat good food."

"I'll try."

"You'll keep away from Monsieur and laugh a lot."

Hermione cleared her throat, "I'll also try that."

"And you'll be happy." Was her son's last condition.

"I already am." Hermione replied and kissed on his other cheek before straightening up, "Now don't forget to put your toys on the box and wash your hands after you pee."

"MAMA!" Adrian exclaimed, looked highly affronted as Julian sniggered and then coughed loudly to mask it, "I am a man now!" he reminded her.

"Yeah. A little man." Hermione added and handed her son to Audré.

Her other partners, Hermione noticed were already waiting for her to finish her farewell ordeal. Julian was wearing a knee length black jacket with intricate stitches on the front and a matching mask. Draco on the other hand was donning a black and grey silk dress robe. The Slytherin was standing near the carriage, far away from the small group, as if he was trying to avoid being with them.

Adrian, Hermione noted, didn't even look at Draco. His whole attention was allotted to his mother and Hermione couldn't be more pleased.

"Mama, why the carri…" he paused trying to remember the word, "…carriage has no horses? How will it fly?" he asked Hermione and it was then that she noticed that the large black and golden carriage was being drawn by Thestrals.

"They have a special kind of horse, little rabbit, but not everyone can see them." Hermione replied with a smile.

Adrian rubbed his grey eyes and stared wide eyed at the front of the carriage, "But my eyes are good. Why can't I see them?" he asked, crestfallen.

"I pray that you never have to see them." Hermione said solemnly, "Now, au revoir."

"Ae revoir!" Adrian piped happily and with a smile Hermione climbed into the spacious carriage behind Lillian. She waved at her son one last time as the carriage took flight and within seconds, they disappeared in the clouds.

The Ministry carriage was large enough to carry a small football team and they were only four, giving them plenty of space to sit with ease. Hermione took care not to be exactly opposite Draco though it wasn't needed for the silent Slytherin had opted to sit on the furthest corner from her.

"What's that horrid mask you are wearing?" Lillian jibed her brother as soon as she seated herself comfortably beside Hermione, "Are you planning to frighten all the ladies."

"Shouldn't I be doing that considering I am the Beast?" Julian arched his eyebrow, "Pray that I don't bite your head off, little sister, for you over talkative manners."

"As if you can." Lillian said proudly.

"As if I care." Julian supplied.

The journey to Château de Versailles was silent except for occasion fights between Julian and Lillian. It was the brother and sister who talked on the background of Hermione and Draco's uncomfortable silence and when they finally arrived at the Château, Hermione felt relieved to come out of the carriage.

Château de Versailles was a royal palace with immense grounds in a wealthy suburb of Paris called Versailles. From extensive gardens to Grand Trianon to the palace itself or the Marie Antoinette's estate, the place was the epitome of French monarchy, famous for its grandeur and parks. As Hermione accompanied the small group led by Julian into the main palace building, she looked around to see what additions the Ministry had made for the Hallowe'en.

Her curiosity was quelled as soon as he entered the Ballroom - the famous Hall of Mirrors.

The Hall got its name from the seventeen mirror-clad arches that reflected the seventeen arcaded windows which overlooked the gardens beyond. Each arch again contained twenty-one mirrors with a total complement of more than three fifty mirrors to decorate the entire hall. The symbol of France, Fleur-de-lys was engraved on the pillars supporting the arches with the light from the chandeliers reflecting and illuminating the Ball room. But it wasn't the Muggle extravagance that enthralled Hermione; it was endeavor the French Ministry has given to commemorate the Hallowe'en Ball.

Not less than a hundred Jack o' lanterns were hovering in the air with little sparkling green fairies sitting and flying around them mischievously. Live bats were hanging upside down from the painted ceiling while masked skeleton acrobats jumped from rope to rope for the entertainment of the guests. Flocks of ghosts in Renaissance and medieval costumes chatted animatedly and clanking suit of armours offered drinks to the masked guests. Three large orchestras were stationed at different points, their instruments playing on itself.

The Ball room was already half filled with masked guests on all imaginable lavish costumes and Hermione's eyes swept on them for the familiar face of Alexis Delacour before she found him standing beside a man, both clad in French Muggle military attire of seventeenth century.

"That must be Minister and his beloved Junior Undersecretary." Julian commented looking around and spotting them like Hermione, "But where is our special guest?" he asked, albeit thoughtfully, "The other Minister."

"The other Minister?" Hermione repeated, suddenly fearful that the British Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt might have been invited, "Who is he, Julian, who is he?" her tone barely hiding her horror as she considered to leave the Ball at once.

"The Swiss Minister." Julian blinked, astonished at Hermione's sudden alarm, "Why? Are you allergic to the Swiss?"

"No." Hermione's whole being was never more relieved, "No, no. I thought…okay, never mind. Let's go and meet them."

The Minister it appeared was in a very good mood for he greeted Julian and his companions most graciously.

"Malfoys!" he cried, his mask unable to fully conceal his zeal, "Julian! Draco! How nice of you to come!"

'The Minister is at first name terms with Malfoy?' Hermione couldn't be more surprised but when Julian introduced her as Chief Curse Breaker of Gringotts, the Minister François Guizot, left everything and gave her his fullest attention.

"Gracious Nostradamus! The Chief Curse Breaker!" he exclaimed and took Hermione's hand in his, "I can't express my feelings well enough for finally having the opportunity to meet you in person, Madame Malfoy."

"It's Granger." Hermione corrected him politely, "I haven't changed my maiden name."

"So horrible of Draco for not telling me that his wife was the celebrated Chief Curse Breaker of Gringotts." Guizot admonished the silent Slytherin lightly, "I bet he didn't want your fame to overshadow his glory as a Malfoy. You jealous husband!" he glared at Draco who merely cleared his throat, "But I assure you, Madame Granger…" he didn't make the same mistake in addressing Hermione again, "…every single Ministry worker know that the Gringotts Chief Curse Breaker is a lady and a very competent one."

Hermione couldn't be more pleased and satisfied. The fact that she was well known for her work rather than Draco Malfoy's wife was such a relief, that her mood elevated considerably.

"Gringotts expects us to maintain our anonymity, Monsieur Guizot." She told him, "It's one of their policies to make us safe for there are many people out there who may target us for trying to break the curses they have cast upon."

"An unfortunate situation, I should say." Guizot shook his head in disbelief, "I heard from Sergeant, the Head of Magical Law Enforcement, that you were sent a threat letter just a few days ago. But after what Draco did at the party and what you are doing now, Madame, by keeping in touch with that notorious psycho, Pasteur, I'll say that it was unavoidable. I am so sorry to have caused you so much distress."

"Not at all, Minister." Hermione said amiably, her instincts waking up suddenly, "Pardon me, Monsieur, but what did ma…" she cleared her throat, "…pardon…Draco do at the party?" she tried hard to appear perfectly calm as the Slytherin jerked and looked straight at her, astonished that she addressed him using his given name.

"He didn't tell you?" Guizot's eyebrows behind the mask almost threatened to disappear in his hairline, "Draco, you didn't tell your wife that you saved my life?" he asked the stunned man standing next to him instead.

Hermione blinked thrice before the whole meaning of Guizot's question landed on her.

'Draco Malfoy…the Draco Malfoy…saved Guizot's life?'

'At the party?'

'He actually saved Guizot's life?'

"No, I never got the time." Malfoy's clever grey eyes were roving on Hermione's face as he replied with a calculative smile, "Hermione and I got married the day after the party and I never got the chance to tell her that."

"So modest of you, Draco." Guizot it seemed to dote on Draco for saving his life, "He did, Madame." He turned to Hermione and affirmed, "In fact it was him who first noticed that I was behaving oddly and informed his cousin, Julian, who called Sergeant and checked on me when I went to balcony to commit suicide. Had it not been for him I wouldn't be standing here today to tell the tale."

"Indeed." Hermione commented with a grimace, feeling a bitter taste in her mouth.

'So that's how Malfoy got his precious job in the Ministry! As a favour for saving the Minister's life.' she thought ruefully.

But all in all it sounded so strange that Malfoy would keep an eye on the Minister only when it was his mother's party and he was the host with hundreds of guests to look after. Hermione knew that the Slytherins never did anything without gaining something from it and it struck her very odd that Malfoy saved the Minister purely out of goodness of heart.

When the minister moved over to welcome his special guest for the evening – the Swiss Minister of Magic, who was accompanied by a pleasant looking young man, she took the opportunity to ask Alexis the one question that was spinning in her head.

"Why the Swiss minister, Alexis?" she asked him quietly, watching the Ministers shaking hands with the Malfoys and the rest of the high officials, "Is there any special reason?"

Alexis sighed and gave Hermione a mysterious smile, "Can't tell you now, Jean. Top secret. But you'll know everything after tomorrow's hearing is over." he said.

The dance started soon afterwards and Hermione, to her surprise noticed that Lillian has accepted the offer to dance with the young man who was with Swiss Minister. She kept a safe distance from Malfoy, who was talking to Sergeant and occasionally giving her curious glances.

"Who is that man?" Hermione asked Julian, as he offered her a list of drinks that were being served for the evening.

"His name is Nicolas." Julian replied, "He is the Swiss Minister of Magic's one and only precious son and now he's dancing with my one and only precious sister." He said irritably.

"What's wrong with that? It's a Ball after all." Hermione was taken aback by Julian's possessive remark and started to read the list Julian has given her, "Apple Ale, Butterbeer, Firewhisky…Champion Champagne?" she snorted and looked up, "Goblet of Goblins? Pirate Rum? Shocking Sherbet? What are these, Julian? Drinks or diseases?"

"You missed the last one." Julian commented, "Volcano Vodka."

"What Vodka?" Hermione spluttered, dwindling between amusement and amazement, "What's that?" she asked, laughing now.

"Wanna try one?" Julian asked back, evidently having the time of his life, "I heard that the Russian wizards like it a lot."

"No, thanks." Hermione was slowly starting to enjoy the party she thought would be boring, "I'll take an Apple Ale." She said and Julian motioned one of the suits of armours to them.

"Do you think I should slip some Volcano Vodka to Nicolas and see the effects?" he asked, handing Hermione a goblet of Apple Ale and taking the Champion Champagne for himself, "He's holding Lillian way to close for a decent dance." He remarked disapprovingly, looking at the pair who waltzed happily, "Jean, can we have the next dance?" he asked her suddenly.

Hermione choked on her drink before nodding, "Okay."

The next dance was called Polka, an energetic variety of waltz where the gentlemen twirled their dance partners rather vigorously and Hermione soon discovered that Julian was a very pleasant dancer. He never grabbed her too tightly or threw her on the floor which some of the inept dancers did, causing a roar of laughter from the crowd and in his arms she felt young and careless once again - like she was dancing with Ron at Bill and Fleur's wedding.

"You are a good dancer, Jean." Julian complimented her after another round of vigorous twirl, "Who would have thought that the Chief Curse Breaker will have such power in her bones?"

That remark caused Hermione to remember her earlier conversation with the French Minister.

"Is it true, Julian, that Malfoy saved Guizot's life?" she asked him, keeping perfect balance of her body.

"I know it sounds ridiculous." Julian replied evenly, "But he did. He was the one who notified me that something was wrong with Guizot."

"I see." A bell rang inside Hermione's head, "But did he know that Rochés was going to poison Guizot?"

"No." Julian replied and twirled Hermione once again, "I think it was a lucky co-incidence." He added once Hermione was stationary again.

'Way too lucky.' Hermione thought when Julian suddenly slowed the tempo of the dance.

"Listen, Jean." his voice was deep and filled with an emotion that Hermione couldn't place, "I know there is no reason why you should believe Draco. He is a selfish man. But…" he paused, "…over the past two monthes, you and Adrian have changed him considerably."

"Julian…" Hermione started but her brother-in-law stopped her.

"I am not finished yet, Jean." he said solemnly as they danced even more slowly, "I can understand your insecurities regarding Draco and I don't blame you for it at all. He left you, he kidnapped Adrian and he kind of forced you into a marriage that you weren't willing. Don't think I don't see it; don't think I don't understand your fear and distrust for him. I do, Jean, I do. I have a sister and you are like my sister too. I will never like my sister to get married to a man who left her pregnant with thousands of hardships and miseries to face alone. No. Never." He shook his head, "Have you ever seen me asking you about what happened between you two?" he asked Hermione who gulped, "No. I never did and nor will I ever do. Why? Because I believe in comfort in any kind of relationship; be it with my future wife, my siblings, my mother or you and Adrian. I believe in comfort, Jean. So if you are comfortable with me, I will not need to ask you anything; you'll tell me about it yourself. And if you are not, my insistent questions will only irritate you and make you to lie to me. Eventually we'll become distant and that is what Draco lacks, Jean, he no longer enjoys your comfort. He is not trusted by you. His efforts don't touch you and he is very upset about it."

"What are you suggesting then?" Hermione asked coolly, "I should accept him with open arms?"

"Of course, not." Julian replied patiently, "Not now at least, when you are unsure of his true loyalty. It's been only two monthes since your marriage and I know trusting someone who broke it once before requires more time than that. It might take years for you accept him. All I am suggesting as an elder brother, if you consider me one, Jean, is please give him one last chance to prove himself and if he can't redeem himself enough even with that, you have the means to know that you were not mistaken the first time."

Hermione sighed, "Julian, I know, you are trying to make up between us…"

"No, I am not." Julian cut in, "I am not a referee, Jean and this is not a Quidditch match. This is life and in here, there is no clear cut rule for any foul that has been committed." He said and twirled her again, slowly and gracefully this time, "Draco committed his foul and is being punished. Now it's your time to take this forward. You can't be stuck here forever."

The dance ended and Hermione returned to her previous station, deep in thought.

It so seemed that the whole family was trying their best to make her and Malfoy's couple work for the sake of their son. Not that it vexed Hermione. It simply made her realize that her inability to move on even though she had said she would be observing Malfoy, if continued for too long would simply raise a few eyebrows. Everyone from Adrian's headmistress to Draco's cousins, those who weren't aware of the true situation expected them to work on their relationship for Adrian and Hermione couldn't blame them for that. For all the other couples who have broken up on bad terms, that was the most reasonable solution.

So lost was she in her thoughts that when Lillian slumped on the seat beside her with a heavy sigh, Hermione was staring at the dancers blankly.

"I never thought a day will come when I'll accept Delacour's offer of dance!" Lillian's irritated remark brought Hermione out of her musings and she looked at her, astonished.

"You did?" it was more a statement than a question, "Alexis asked you for a dance?"

"He did and I was…" Lillian blushed furiously over her disappointment for her new dance partner, "…so absorbed in Nick that I didn't get its meaning before I said 'yes'."

"Nick?" Hermione repeated, raising an eyebrow.

"Sorry, Nicolas." Lillian's blush was actually radiating heat, "He is a very pleasant guy." She added.

"A rich, handsome and pleasant guy." Hermione corrected her, "Someone whom you said that you don't like."

"I never said I don't like rich and handsome man, Jean." Lillian protested, "I just said I don't like men who are interested in my looks or my inheritance as a rich heiress. Nick is already very handsome and he's rich enough not to be attracted to me for those two reasons only."

"Indeed." Hermione was amused but was certain that Lillian was already starting to fall for Nicolas.

"He's very polite, soft spoken and suave." Lillian continued, evidently trying to explain her partiality for her dance partner, "He is also interested in me, Jean, the person 'me' and we were talking about our matching interests when…" she pursed her lips, "…Delacour asked me for a dance. I was too distracted and I said 'yes'."

"Don't dance if you don't like him." Hermione supplied, "No one will kill you."

"Of course no one will, Jean, but it's considered bad manners to reject the offer of dance once it's been accepted." Lillian said, looking helpless, "I am sorry, Jean, I know he's your family and I shouldn't be talking about him like this. It's just that…" she faltered.

"There is no need to explain." Hermione stopped her, "Listen Lillian, never try to explain yourself because those who know you, don't need it and those who don't, won't believe it. I have already seen how you have made it up with mother and I am not taking your distaste for Alexis against you. Even I don't like everyone in your family but that doesn't mean we should be fighting."

By 'not everyone' Hermione clearly meant Draco and his mother though she felt that the latter was broken now, paying the price of her crimes of bigotry and pride, and therefore not fit to be on her list of grudge. Lillian seemed to get her point and when Alexis came to escort her to the next dance which was Mr. Beveridge's Maggot, a slow English reel dance, she smiled at the man as courteously as she could before leaving her seat.

Hermione watched them join the long row of couples, bow to each other before the actual dance began and was wondering why Edmound still hasn't turned up with her girlfriend Gabrielle when a cold drawl jerked her back to reality.

"May I take the seat?" it was Draco Malfoy asking her solemnly and Hermione looked up at the Slytherin, her confidence and determination back on place.

"If you are planning to ask me for the next dance, Malfoy, then know it beforehand that the answer will be a 'no'." she replied with supreme normalcy in her tone.

"I wasn't." Draco said and took the seat beside Hermione, "Though I can, if you like." He added.

Hermione scoffed, "I was rather enjoying the evening until you butted in, Malfoy." She looked around, feigning that they were having a perfectly normal conversation as most married couples usually did, "What now? Dropped in to say that you love me?"

Draco, Hermione noted, let out a sigh, "I already apologized for it, Granger." he said calmly, "I didn't come here to vex you."

"You can't vex or frighten me anymore." Hermione said, remembering her inner voice, "In fact, you can't anything me anymore. I am above that approach now."

"I am glad to hear that." Draco commented, his tone even, "I just came to ask about Adrian. Has he recovered?"

Hermione closed her eyes and opened them, trying to be as impassive as she felt inside, "Listen Malfoy, this is a Ball, not our drawing room where we can discuss private matters."

"Fine." Draco said and stood up, "I'll send you a letter then." he left without another word.

Hermione exhaled deeply and returned to her observation of Alexis and Lillian. They seemed to be talking as they danced slowly, Alexis's face sincere and Lillian's forced calm. She wondered if he was apologizing to her again for that wasn't very unnatural of Alexis. But remembering her own dislike for Draco, she was doubtful of Lillian's acceptance of it.

The reel ended with the announcement of sumptuous dinner that has been arranged in the Galerie des Batailles or Gallery of Battles - a gallery occupying the first floor of the Palace of Versailles and intended to glorify French military history from the Battle of Tolbiac to the Battle of Wagram. There were rows and rows of large paintings depicting the battle scenes from the minuscule details to the tiny medals on the horsemen's uniforms. Aside from the three long tables that have been placed side by side decorated in rich purple and golden silk with candelabras and flowers, a large stage with the background of an enchanted waterfall have been erected at one end. Hermione saw several costumed singers standing on it, tuning their instruments and sighed thinking how many elves have been working day and night to arrange the grand occasion to their master's expectations.

She took care not to be just next to Malfoy though the man ended up opposite her. Julian was sitting beside his sister, casting occasional narrow glances at Lillian who was listening to Nicolas when Alexis took the empty seat beside Hermione.

"Edmound took Gabrielle for a romantic dinner by the Seine." he informed her once they were all comfortable and Hermione tried to ignore Draco looking at them, "You know your ecstatic friend better than I do, Jean. I also saw how you were watching me and your sister-in-law while we danced. I assure you I wasn't proposing to her." he smiled.

"I wouldn't have minded, Alexis, had you proposed her though with your eyes fixed on me, you honestly couldn't." Hermione replied calmly. It was a relief to find that they could talk about themselves without feeling overly sad about it, a sign that Hermione indeed has overcome her grief of losing him.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Madames and Monsieurs." A voice announced as the appetizers were served, "May I have your attention please?"

"What did she say?" Hermione asked, letting the announcement to mask their quiet conversation, "I know why you took her for a dance." She stated.

"Then you must have understood that she refused it politely." Alexis replied solemnly, "She said she isn't interested in my apology." he said with a slight frown on the pair of Lillian and Nicolas, sitting side by side, before turning his attention to the announcer.

"Today, we have among us the two most celebrated French singers of this time." the wizard in a venetian masked said with a flourish, indicating a pair of costumed witch and wizard standing beside him, "Please put your hands together for the Insane Orpheus and Bandit Banshee."

Hermione groaned as a roar of applause followed the announcement. It was evident that like most of the British Wizarding bands, French ones also preferred weird names to make them sound catchy.

"Merci, Monsieur." It was the witch who spoke next, her white gown artfully frayed and draped to make her look like a banshee, "Orpheus and I composed a special song for the Ministry's annual Ball and we let it for you to judge how we well have done." She said with a smile, "Often we overlook what we have in our lives; we pretend that we are too occupied and busy with our works. But sometimes - in a time like this Ball, we need to appreciate that we have them in our lives. We need to be aware of their importance and sing this song to say it. It's a perfect way to tell him or her that they are the most important persons of your life."

"And don't forget to close your eyes and let it fill you." Insane Orpheus added before starting.

Hermione was never interested in Wizarding songs for their lack of depth and overzealous use of words like 'charm' or 'cauldron' or 'potion' which diluted the feelings. But the song that Bandit Banshee and Insane Orpheus performed seemed very different from it. At first glance, it was ordinary but as it proceeded, it filled her up like a slow poison and she listened to it, mesmerized.

•••••

Draco eyes couldn't leave Hermione as soon as he sat opposite her.

The woman looked so beautiful in her blue dress with a pearl necklace that anyone in his right mind would be willing to spend the rest of the evening just staring at her. But since he had been titled of coveting her, he took care not to let her realize that he was watching her in one of the many mirrors of Hall of Mirrors.

She looked elegant like a queen, light like a swan and fresh like a newly blooming flower. She drank a goblet of Apple Ale with Julian, danced with him and then returned to her seat to observe Alexis and Lillian as they danced. Draco's heart ached to ask her for one dance but he suppressed it with all the self control he had as a Slytherin. Even approaching her was merely out of his wish to tell her that she looked beautiful. But the way Hermione dismissed him by telling that he came to pronounce his love, he thought better of it.

Hermione, Draco noticed, had a tiny black mole on her dainty neck just above her collarbone. It was almost hidden by the string of pearls but Draco's sharp eyes didn't miss it. He smiled, thinking how it made her even more delicate and cute.

He wasn't much listening to the song until the music brought him to his senses and he looked up at the singing duo.

It was a slow and rhythmic flow of tunes followed by words Draco could never imagine express his feelings better.

Often, I wonder how you came by me.

Where you always there?

Or it was just my luck?

You came softly and elegantly,

Like that moon that drifts over the lake,

Its light mirroring itself on the other mirror.

You came like a dawn,

Making a melody in the air

That fiddled my heartstrings.

You are my solace,

You are my passion,

You are my ecstasy,

Why did I not see you before?

Really.

Why hadn't Draco noticed Hermione before?

Why hasn't he seen how beautiful she was, how brave and good her heart was.

What had blinded him all these time?

His pride? Prejudice? Arrogance? Jealousy?

Or was it his demon?

And how could he have hurt a woman like her?

A woman like Hermione Granger when men like Viktor Krum and Alexis Delacour were there to fight the for her.

How could he be so stupid?

•••••

It was the second part of the song that appealed Hermione most.

She knew she had been oblivious of a man who could have been her dream: Alexis sitting right beside her. He also came to her life slowly, his presence never overbearing or disturbing but his eyes ever watchful as he took care of her from distance.

But now that their chance to being together was virtually gone it was Bandit Banshee's words that made her smile:

Streams or rivers may change course…

Waves on sand may obliterate…

Life may take me to another road…

My youth may be robbed by time.

But I remain here, my dear,

My hands for you…

My eyes on yours…

My heart beating with yours.

For every second that I live,

And every breath that I take, I remain yours.

Hermione felt a lump in her throat, amazed how her own words were spoken through that wonderful song. She knew she could never love anyone other than Alexis again but this time, her love wasn't suffocating her. It felt strangely free of that burden.

As if she was a bird flying in the sky of his love.

As if she was boat slowly drifting on a river named Alexis.

As if the very air that she breathed in was his breath but it didn't strange her; she bloomed in it, lost and found herself in it.

•••••

Alexis was listening to the song with rapt attention, his mind on the gorgeous yet simple woman sitting beside him.

Hermione, he had noticed her when she walked into the Ballroom with Julian and his family, looked just as he had imagined her as his bride: in blue dress and pearl necklace.

He knew she liked being simple and it suited her beauty too. He just didn't know how very much it accentuated her inner radiance.

He maintained a civil distance with her, remembering her earlier words and watched as she danced happily with Julian. The man knew how to take care of his ladies and Hermione seemed young and careless in his arms. His heart ached to ask her for a dance but considering that she might think it otherwise, he refrained himself with difficulty.

It was the last part of Orpheus and Banshee's song that caught his attention and he wondered if there was any better way to put them together:

Let our love be a star

That shines through darkness and survives time,

And sings the song of our eternal love.

Alexis applauded the hardest when the song ended, speechless at its delicacy.

•••••

Hermione was having difficulty in concentrating on the firework show that was being held above the Apollo Fountain on the vast grounds of Château de Versailles.

She stared at it absentmindedly, her heart still filled with the words of that song as the crowd around her 'ooh'ed and 'aah'ed in amazement. The glittering showers of fireworks danced before her but she felt that her heart was someplace else.

Someone tapped her on the shoulder and turning, she found a solemn Alexis looking at her.

"You hardly ate anything at the dinner." He commented, handing her a glass of fruit punch, "Come. Let's spread our legs." He bid her.

Hermione followed him, sipping her fruit punch slowly. She knew the man would never take advantage of the night and try to approach her. She knew she could trust him with her life.

"You know, Jean…" Alexis started after a while, his voice not more than a whisper as they started for a less crowded place, "I never thought someone like you will come into my life. I was never very interested in women. They were never interested in me, though my sister Gabrielle says otherwise, but…" he sighed, "You said that day in the garden to set you free, Jean, and I said that I wasn't trying to imprison you. Remember?"

Hermione nodded.

Alexis took a deep breath as if preparing himself, "So here it is, Jean, I set you free today."

Hermione stared at him, speechless.

"I set you free, Jean, and from now on you can move on with your life and I can with mine." There was no indication on Alexis's features that he was being impulsive, "Love is never a burden. It's always your salvation, your freedom. But remember this, Jean, life is long and full of unexpected twists. I will love you no matter what and if you are bound to be mine, Jean, I'll get you back; you'll come back to me. And if you are not mine, Jean, if we are not meant to be together, I can never have you."

"So like that song, Jean, let our love be like a star in the darkness of sky." Alexis looked up at the sky full of fireworks, "Let it endure the time and space. Go back to your life, Jean, go back to your son. Know this that I love you both."

Hermione was crying and smiling now, her heart filled with a strange sense of release.

It was so amazing…so wonderful…so…

She had no words to describe it and she stood there, long after Alexis had left with a courteous bow.

•••••

Draco saw Alexis handing Hermione a glass of fruit punch and steering her to a private corner for some talks.

He kept an eye on them, mostly on Hermione as he listened to her companion. He noticed how she became tearful and smiled. He saw Alexis left with a bow.

A part of him wanted to go and ask Hermione what they had been talking about.

But another part of him wanted to stay back and watch her.

Hermione, it seemed, has lost her interest in the Ball. She bid goodbye to Lillian who said she'll return home with one last dance with Nicolas. After that, the witch in blue started for the Floo fireplaces inside the palace.

Draco wandered in the grounds for a while before deciding to return to his uncle's Chateau. He bade farewell to the Minister and his company before proceeding for a Floo fireplace. The Ballroom was still full of dancers as he took off his mask and left.

Draco came out of Grand Floo and intending to talk to his aunt for the next day's hearing he started for her parlour.

But it wasn't Audré whom he met there.

It was Adrian, sleeping on the divan, clad in his favourite red pajama. His eyelids were half-open, revealing the grey iris below and his hands were softly encircled around his rabbit Peter that was sleeping on his chest.

Both the little rabbits were sleeping.

It was a pitiful sight and Draco walked over to his sleeping son before slumping on the ground next to his divan.

Waves after waves of emotion hit him mercilessly; Adrian calling him Monsieur, telling that he wasn't his papa and Alexis could have been had he not butted in; announcing that his mother should never take his father's seed because he was creepy and a liar and Draco broke down beside him, crying silently.

It was so painful.

Painful than those snake bites he endured every time the Lupus Venom was injected in his body; painful than those nights he spent in that werewolf facility fighting for his life; painful than watching Hermione dance with another man; painful than the guilty secret he harboured in his heart.

Why? Why was he suffering like this?

Why? Because he loved them, truly loved them and would go through anything to have them love him back.

Why? Because he was a father and wanted to hold his only living child at least once in his life.

Why? Because he was helpless before his crimes that were preventing their union.

Why? Because he was Draco Malfoy.

Sobbing, he gently took Adrian's right foot in his hand and kissed it softly, taking care not to wake his son.

His son.

His only son.

•••••

Hermione came out of her personal Floo at the Fideliused quarter and dusted the soot before proceeding for her bedroom. It was almost eleven o' clock and she expected Audré to put Adrian on bed.

Instead she found it empty.

'Strange.' She thought before remembering that the little boy might be in Audré's parlour for he wasn't accustomed to sleep alone. She decided to change her dress before pursuing for her son.

Half an hour later, her makeup washed and cleaned, her dress taken off, Hermione came out of the quarter for Audré and her son when she met the elderly woman on her way to her parlour.

"Your son is safe and sound, Jean." She assured her with a smile, "I wanted to put him on bed but he said he wants to wait for his Mama and tell her that he was a good boy. He eventually fell asleep there and I was coming to see if you have returned or not when we met."

"Thank you, aunt, I know you have a hearing tomorrow." Hermione smiled, "I'll take care of him. By the way, aunt?" she remembered the Swiss Minister, "I saw the Swiss Minister of Magic at the Ball and asked Alexis about it. He said it is top secret. Does it have any connection with Rochés?"

"It does." Audré affirmed, "I am sorry but I don't want to spoil your fun." She said mysteriously before bidding her goodnight.

Hermione was wondering what her fun could be when she found Adrian sleeping on Audré's divan and his Slytherin father sitting at his feet, sobbing silently.

She gaped.

The man seemed completely oblivious of her presence in the same room. He was talking to himself or more appropriately whispering to Adrian's right foot that he was holding lightly as he cried and Hermione concentrated on his seemingly incoherent words.

"…papa is so sorry, Adrian, that he hurt you…"

"…he is so sorry…"

"…what should he do to make you believe?"

" …kill himself?"

"…take out his heart and lay it on your feet?"

"Papa destroyed Rochés for you, Adrian, and today? You destroyed papa!"

It was the last sentence that froze Hermione.

She stood there still like a statue, her head unable to take the declaration:

Malfoy destroyed Rochés for Adrian and now Adrian destroyed Malfoy!

What did he mean by that?

What did he mean by 'he destroyed' Rochés?

Hermione didn't know.

It was not until several minutes later that Draco overcame his emotions, wiped his tears and scrambled to stand up that he discovered Hermione standing just a foot away.

"Granger?" he cleared his throat, "I was wondering where you were. Adrian is sleeping here." He glanced at the sleeping petit figure.

"I…" Hermione said solemnly, "…just came." She deliberately avoided her overhearing of the gruesome words, "And found you…" she paused.

Draco looked around, trying to hide his discomfort for being discovered while crying like a child, "You should…take him to bed…he has school tomorrow." He said after a while.

"Yeah, I should." Hermione nodded and took Adrian in her arms who grunted in sleep.

She left Draco standing by the divan and was at the door when her mind made itself.

"Malfoy?" Hermione turned and looked at the tall figure of the man watching their retreating forms, "We need to talk." She declared, "After I put Adrian to bed."