FicWad

Chapter 2: A Compromising Conversation


Harry was left alone in a small side office of Dumbledore's no doubt there for this very reason, to afford privacy temporarily during a meeting. He waited uncertain whether to sit or stand and finally started to pace. Harry did not yet know what was entailed exactly in forming the bond and what it would mean being bonded to a Veela though he had some suspicions, all of them thoroughly embarrassing.

His pacing finally found him gazing out the window at the Quidditch pitch, when his musings were interrupted by a soft lyrical voice from behind him.

"Bonjour 'arry."

Harry spun quickly in place, he had not heard her enter the room and was quite startled. More so when he finally took in her appearance. When he had last seen her she had been young, only 12 he had to guess, but now, lord, but now she was a young woman and her beauty was haunting. Harry felt his breath stolen from him. Her skin was pale white and from what he could see flawless. With a sharp chin and soft features she looked almost pixieish, and her soft curves and generous proportions in just the right places made Harry's blood boil. A strong almost unyielding longing to grab her to himself and hold her coerced through his brain and his fingers twitched with longing. Taking a moment to clear his thoughts Harry shook the urge off and wondered briefly whether or not this was just her normal allure trying to snare him or if the potential for being bonded heightened it. Harry was certainly affected more by Gabrielle than her older sister. Unable to speak at the moment he waited until Gabrielle spoke again.

"I have missed you 'arry," She cast her eyes down embarrassed, locking her gaze with the floor, her face blushing prettily.

"Um…," began Harry shakily. "Can you, can you turn your ability off for a moment?"

"No, I am, not fully trained. I will try though it will not last long."

"Ok, let's um, sit. We have a lot to talk about I imagine."

Gabrielle simply nodded and took a seat in the center of a couch, tucking her legs underneath her off the side slightly and clasping her hands daintily in her lap. She gazed expectantly at Harry, who after a stabilizing moment sat down in the chair across from the couch. He had needed a moment to collect himself when her skirt had ridden up slightly when sitting exposing a quite tantalizing length of pale smooth thigh.

She seemed slightly disappointed Harry had not sat next to her, but seemed to understand and began what sounded like a prepared speech. "I am sorry 'arry. I 'ad not meant for this to 'apnea, though I cannot say I am not unhappy about it. I'm also sorry that you were not told sooner. We, that is my muzzer and grandmuzzer were not sure it 'ad 'appened or to whom until just recently."

"It's alright, don't blame you," Harry replied distractedly. Her accent and the way she said his name were making his brain fuzzy. "How did you realize it was me?"

"Um…" she blushed prettily again. "We suspected at first, then I was shown a picture of you and I…" she tapered off.

"What?"

"J'ai atteint son apogée."

"Um…what?"

"I, I…" she refused to make eye contact. "I climaxed."

Harry was silent for a long moment. He was sure he had flushed as well, but could not look away from the girl across from him. She was achingly beautiful. Her dress was a light grey and seemed form fitting, the material taught across her chest, and he realized she was not wearing shoes, and thought dully, 'when have I ever thought feet were cute'. "wow," he finally said.

She made eye contact again, and with a sure voice said, "yes, yes it was."

Harry blushed again, never having been embarrassed so often in so short a period of time. Her eyes we're the color of the lake at dawn, light and shining, a slight iridescence, a silvery sheen that matched her pale almost white blond hair. "So, um… the bond." Harry wanted to get back on track.

"Yes, ze bond. Eet is rare, and quite an honor."

"Yeah, Dumbledore and your father explained the history and nature of it. I meant, well, what exactly does it entail. They said that it was a private conversation. Is it, um…sexual?" Harry ended feebly. He suspected it was but wanted to have his fears slash excitement confirmed.

"Yes," she said quietly looking away again.

"Why wont you look at me?" asked Harry nervously. "I'm, I'm sorry that it had to be me, I don't want to force you-"

She cut him off forcefully. "I am not making eye contact to avoid the temptation of attacking you."

"You want to attack me? I'm so sorry for doing this to you."

"No! I meant attack in a good way. Un sexuellement. Sexually."

Harry really wished he could get a handle on his blushing, but something about Gabrielle put him right on edge. "Um…ok."

After a long pause, neither looking at each other, Gabrielle finally broke the silence. "Ze bond iz mostly emotional and physical. My body and mind will become enthralled to yours, and we can never be parted. Not even in death, and you will have dominion over me."

"That sounds like slavery."

"Some would say. I do not. Eet iz like falling in love. One cannot control ze 'eart, it wants what it will want. I want you, and my magic will not allow eet to be ozerwiswe. That iz zee only distinction. A fully 'uman person can move on from ze breaking of ze 'eart. A Veela cannot."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be, yet for I 'ave not been rejected yet. It sounds cruel to say it zhat way, but love is often cruel."

"The bond, can you explain what it would mean for you and me a bit more plainly? I can appreciate metaphor but this doesn't really seem like the right time."

"Of course 'arry. We will be able to sense ze ozers emotions from great distances, stronger the closer we are togezer. I will be able so sense your needs, physical, emotional, personal and will be driven to aid you, zough, I would want to do ze same for any I loved. You will have literal control over certain aspects of my body, mostly related to pleasure (Harry shuddered at the word, Gabrielle's delight almost palpable). Zhere is a skill involved wiz zhat, it will develop with time and practice. My abilities will work immediately. We will also be able to feel what ze ozher feels, zhough only when we are…together."

"Would I be controlling your actions?"

"No," she paused thinking. "Zhough I would want to. Ze bond rewards both of us for actions that support ze bond."

"How?"

"I do not know. Magic."

Harry laughed once. Wow, ok, this is a lot to think about-"

"Not for me."

"Ok, well, for me it is. And I'd like to think about this before doing anything." She looked downcast. "Look, it's not that I'm, well look, I'm actually very, very tempted to do this," she looked up excitedly, "but I still need to think about it, and by think I mean discuss this with my best friend. I, really value her opinion, and she'll put everything into perspective for me. I'm…already thinking that we're going to do this, beyond that fact that you are beautiful and well, I'm a guy, I would still do it to save you even if you were a right troll."

"Thank you 'arry!" she exclaimed launching herself from the couch and into Harry's lap wrapping her arms around his middle, legs on either side of his, and her head burring into his chest. "Thank you, thank you, Vous êtes incroyable!"

Harry's reaction was immediate. Her body was so soft, and so giving it seemed to melt into his. His arms wrapped around her as well and crushed her to him. Harry closed his eyes and breathed deeply the flowery scent of her, light and intoxicating, he felt himself start to swell at the feel of her. Realizing his soon to be quite compromising condition he lifted her from him with a sad groan and set her on her feet standing up as well. "I haven't said yes yet. Still…need to… yeah, talk to Hermione." He sidestepped to her right and moved a few steps away. "Where will you be when I've decided?"

"Your 'eadmaster has given me a private room. He will tell you where eet iz, I 'ave not been zhere yet."

Harry left quickly and after a few kind words and a serious commitment to Mr. Delacour to spend the rest of his waking hours contemplating the situation finally left the room after Dumbledore kindly said, "either way Harry, you will have my support and the support of this castle." Not quite understanding how the castle could support him Harry left quickly and with out needing the map found Hermione in the library. She had started to question Harry but he begged for privacy so they made their way to the seventh floor and into the room of requirement, rising to the occasion of Harry's request for a room where they could talk in total privacy without fear or interruption or eavesdroppers.

The room was small and intimate. Two chairs, a fire, and a lovely view of the forest, Harry and Hermione quickly settled into the comfortable armchairs and Harry quickly went through a recap of the meeting.

Hermione was stunned into silence.

Finally after taking a great deal of time to consider the situation finally asked, "what do you want to do?"

"I'm not sure. Dumbledore said I could have a few days to think about it, and really for me, like it or not, thinking about something usually means talking about with you."

Hermione, who had been flushed for most of the conversation flushed again. "That's very flattering Harry, thank you."

"Hermione you're the smartest witch I know beyond being my best friend, how could I not want your advice?"

"I'm your best friend?" she asked incredulously.

Harry smirked, "You're my best friend, and Ron is my best mate."

Hermione laughed, "I see, very diplomatic of you."

"Hermione," Harry said seriously. "What am I going to do? I mean, I'm," he flushed AGAIN (Merlin when will it stop),
"I'm VERY tempted Hermione, she is, god I don't even know how to describe it, but it's… no matter how you look at it's a bit to close to slavery for my liking. She used the word dominion! I mean, I would have a great deal of control over the rest of her life, and whether or not I would treat her right doesn't make a difference to what it is, and god, what would everyone else think? I know those close to me would understand, but can you imagine the shit that the Prophet would write about me if, no when they find out?"

Hermione considered for a moment. "First of all, the prophet and 'everyone else' shouldn't factor into this. It's really only you and Gabrielle who should have a say."

"And you! I want to know what you think about this."

"Yes, but I can't nor should I decide for you."

"Also…"

"What?"

"Ginny…"

"Well Harry, as telling as it is that you just came from the presence of a Veela, who was most likely using her allure at full strength, and still think about Ginny, the reality is that though you may have feelings for her and she might still have feelings for you doesn't make this her matter either."

"Might still-"

"No Harry, I either don't know or can't say so don't ask. That is something you can only ask Ginny about."

"Hermione," Harry started with a placading tone.

"No Harry!" she said sharply. "Back to the matter at hand. Harry, I know you want to talk about this, but I know you. You can't willingly let someone suffer, even those who have wronged you if you have a means of preventing their suffering. I think you've already decided and just wanted to make sure I didn't disagree. I can imagine you might think that given me views on house elves, but you have to admit this is quite a different situation. No elf will die of freedom, though I realize now many may become emotionally destroyed by it."

"It's, it's not really death," Harry began.

"Harry how would you feel if you lost your magic, saying you wouldn't go back to the Dursley's, and wouldn't have to worry about defending yourself from a magical madman, just on an emotional level, how would you feel?"

After a short pause Harry replied solemnly, "absolutely devastated. It is the single most defining part of my life apart from you and Ron, and my obvious… destiny," he finished distastefully.

"Actually Harry," she said sadly, "I think you'll have to tell Gabrielle about that, not necessarily all the details, but at the very least that, well, associating with you may put her in danger."

"Oh god! How could I have not thought about that!?"

"Well," said Hermione softly with a bit of a giggle. "I don't think you've been thinking with the big brain for the last hour or so."

Harry's face burned still not used to the near constant blushing he was enduring today, "I suppose not."

"So."

"So."

"You're going to go see her, tell her you agree, warn her against the dangers, and then well…do it I suppose. Did she say what the actual bond process was?

"No, we never talked about that."

"Are you going to go now?"

"No, I think I'm going to sleep on it and make a decision tomorrow. It's Sunday so if the ritual or whatever takes a while we'll have time. Also I'm sure Dumbledore will have to make arrangements, it doesn't sound like we can be apart for very long with out suffering some kind of punishment from the bond."

"Oh, Harry, I'm so sorry. Everything does seem to happen to you doesn't it. Lord, I hope Ron doesn't blow off the handle about this."

"Oh, right."

"Harry, don't worry about Ron, either he supports his friend or he doesn't, there's nothing else to be done about it," she said with finality. "Harry," she said tentatively after a moment of silence. "Will you, tell me about it?"

"I don't know. I'm…I'm pretty sure it's, uh…sexual. And we've never really talked about that stuff. Hell, I've barely talked about that stuff with Ron. I mean I suppose I could have talked to him about Cho, but nothing ever happened, and lately all I could think about was Ginny, and I DEFINITELY can't talk to Ron about that can I?"

Hermione blushed, "Well Harry, I guess I don't mind talking about that stuff with you. I would be quite difficult to speak to Ron about any of that as you can well imagine, and I'd like a sounding board. I trust you. I don't mind sharing my…experiences with you, not that there are that many to share."

Harry considered a moment, and decided now was not the time to start not talking to Hermione about, well, anything. "Alright. I think it would be nice to have someone to talk about these things with, and well, as a girl it will probably give me a better alternate perspective, and I trust you as well. Now come on, I already told you about Cho way back when and you know everything that's happened with Gabrielle so far, so out with it, I've been dying to know for ages, what's with you and Krum?"

Hermione's face fell and her cheeks tinged, "oh, well I suppose that's in the spirit of things." She looked into Harry's intrigued face and said, "we kissed after the second task as you know, and well, we visited the next summer. Nothing really happened beyond a bit of nice snogging, and then I went home and we've been pen pals ever since. He's dating someone he knows from Quidditch now."

"Damn. I was hoping-"

"Honestly Harry! What kind of a girl do you take me for!?"

Laughing Harry replied, "I was just kidding Hermione!"