Screwing up his features, he peered over his wife's shoulder.
"What is that you're reading?"
"EEG mapping including patients with normal and altered states of hypnotic consciousness under the parameter of posthypnosis, Bick-Institute and Hospital, Dahn W. Germany," she replied with a curt nod, watching him out the corner of her eye.
Draco gave her a disparaging look. "In English?"
She smiled as she turned the page. "Brain scans, darling."
"I see," he replied, not really seeing at all why she was reading about brain scans, "and you are reading this because?..."
"I was intrigued."
Yes, that sounded about right.
She closed the journal, turning in her seat, watching as Draco gripped the armrests slightly.
"I don't know why you always insist on travelling like this," he hissed. "Don't you think it's a little ironic, given that you hate flying?"
Glaring back at him she retorted, "It's not the same, and stop being such a child about it."
He pursed his lips. "I am not being a child. I just do not like how it feels when these things take off"
"So distract yourself then."
"Fine," he hissed, nodding to her copy of 'The International Journal of Neuroscience'. "So what has you so intrigued?"
"You," she stated with a grin as his eyes snapped round at her. "Yesterday's shower incident. I think in that 'moment' your brain went into Theta waves, unlocking repressed memories for you. Just like deep meditation or hypnosis," she theorised. "Mystics spend years trying to achieve what you achieved without even trying."
"I'm not sure I know how to respond to that," he replied, his brow creased with confusion. He closed his eyes as he felt the turbulence of take off rumble through him as his chest tightened. Hermione reached across and took her hand in his, squeezing it gently. Despite the earlier bickering she comforted her husband knowing his irrational fear could not be helped. She ghosted a kiss over his white knuckles before turning to look out of the window with a sigh. She really hoped that they would find some answers in France.
.
Hermione felt the gravel of the driveway crunch under their feet as they walked up to the Chateau. The ancient wards were rusty but had let them apparate into the grounds without issue as they were both Malfoys. They both drew their wands as they entered the building, which had seen better days. With a flick of his wand, Draco lit the atrium, hearing Hermione gasp next to him. It was no more or less opulent than the Manor, and the lone house elf had clearly continued to maintain it as best as he could but it was stunning as far as Hermione was concerned. A pair of crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, the polished marble floor reflecting their light. A magnificent stained glass window above the entry-way allowed natural light in, shining the Fleur de Lis and Malfoy Crest down onto the centre of the atrium. It really was beautiful. Draco took her hand and lead her through the Chateau as they checked each room to ensure nothing was amiss. He took this opportunity to explain a little about the history of the property which had been in the Malfoy family for generations.
Entering the Master Suite, she grinned, "Typical."
Draco frowned. "What is?"
"Every property your family owns, the Master Suite is always decorated the same," she chuckled. "Slytherin Green"
His eyes widened. "You know, I never noticed"
.
Taking her hand again, he lead her out of the Chateau and across the grounds. Hermione gasped in awe of the gardens which rivalled those at Blaise's villa. They strode through the tree lined parterres which Draco explained had been designed in 1700 and were modelled after Chateau de Versailles. As they came round past the central fountain, it sprung to life, feeling the magic of the couple that passed by. They hurried down the steps at the end of the path, striding down the carefully manicured lawn into which the largest wizard made lake Hermione had ever seen had been cut out of the middle. Passing into the forest, Draco explained how it had been used by his ancestors for hunting. Finally, they reached the orchard, and in the distance, she could see the wild cottage garden that surrounded the little crumbling villa. Despite having found no trace of dark magic in the Chateau, they drew their wands as they approached, their highly trained senses alert to any possible danger.
Stepping into the villa, Draco checked it was safe to proceed before motioning for Hermione to follow.
"Lumos," he murmured, glancing around, a scowl forming on his face. Something was amiss, but he couldn't quite place it. Pulling a door open to what he presumed was the drawing room, he moved his wand about and in the half light, he noticed white lines on the floor reflecting the flicker of light back at him. Suddenly, the fireplace roared to life and the candles all lit up around the room, and in the small crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
He hadn't realised he was gripping Hermione's hand until she whimpered slightly next to him as his grip tightened. Turning to her, his eyes were wide with shock as he stumbled back allowing her to see into the room.
Painted on the floor was a large pentacle and against the far wall was a stone altar, upon which sat a silver knife, a book, a pewter cauldron, various candles, and a silver chalice. She turned to Draco who was visibly pale- a hard feat considering his natural complexion- and she squeezed his hand before entering the room. Tentatively she made her way over to the altar to inspect the items, her fingers reaching out, almost touching the blade. Furrowing her brow, she lifted her wand and murmured the incantations to a number of spells before spinning round to face her husband.
"This blade, is covered in blood; Pansy's blood."