Categories > Books > Harry Potter > Changes
AN: I don't own Harry Potter, that is just for fun
thanks to my betas AWR and Master42, also thanx to my editor, you all have been incredibly helpful !!
Thanx for reading!
Chaopter 06
Fleur looked at herself in the full body mirror she had transfigured on the wall.
“You know you’re still drop dead gorgeous, right?” Regine said as she entered the room she was sharing with the veela in the Beauxbatons carriage. Fresh out of the bath, a towel over her head. “But it's good to know you are human like the rest of us.”
Fleur was indeed a sight to behold, dressed only in white lace panties, perfect fit on her round bum. Her breasts perfectly balanced her figure, with small pink nipples, the same color as her lips, and long legs with perfect skin.
“What do you mean by that?” She looked curiously to Regine, who grinned at her, drying her own curly black hair.
“Let me see… you meet a cute guy that is totally unaffected by your allure, said guy happens to be no less than Harry Potter, whom by the way, you came all the way from France to see… I guess you are feeling just a little insecure, like us mortals who have to put some work to look good…” a pillow hit her in the face before she finished.
“Bint” Fleur said with a smile. “He is just a friend.”
“Uhum… I wish I had a frieeeend like that.”
“He is almost two years younger than me…”
“And that is a problem because? If even half the stories are true, he has seen and lived more than most grown men ever will. There was something in his eyes… and the way you keep touching him…” Regine said with a smile.
“I didn't!”
“You didn't even realize, did you? How cute! So much for your veela heart breaker fame.”
Fleur looked thoughtful. She sat on the bed, besides Regine. “I don't know. I came here to compete, and…”
“Yes, but why can't you enjoy being with some guy who will not be hormone crazy all over you, even if just a friend? And I am not talking about only him. We had some great conversation yesterday, that other girl, Hermione I think, she is a very smart witch, and so is Harry. They talked with us without holding any prejudice. You need it, before you become a bitter old bint.” Fleur slapped her in the arm. “I am not saying to pursue romance or anything, just not to be the cold Fleur of the past but be open to it. And girl, you really seemed to enjoy that hug!”
Fleur slapped her arm again, giggling.
She really did enjoy that embrace...
…
Hermione was lying on her stomach, on her bed at Gryffindor tower, recounting the day’s events.
“We finally met Fleur” she thought, “and not only is she intelligent, educated and understood Harry, she had to be a bloody Victoria’s Secret model! And what's up with Katie, she looked happy, she even gave her seat next to Harry for her!”
She buried her face in the soft pillow. “Come on Hermione Granger, you are not like that! You are a strong independent woman, with objectives and plans!! You are going to be the founder of the first magical feminist group and change the magical world!”
“But... I am also in love and those things do not need to be mutually exclusive. Wait... Am I in love?”
No one could see, but Hermione bit her lip. “Yes, I am in love with Harry Potter, the most troubled, humble and caring guy I ever met. Man, he would love to listen to the Descendants”, she thought with a smile, imagining Harry with her, listening to muggle music, talking, drinking, far away from Dark lords, politicians and fan girls. Her hips started moving almost by themselves. “But Katie and Fleur are stunning…” her mind drifted, again imagining Harry with the other girls. Her hips moving more forcefully against the sheets. “Goodness, when did I become such horny girl?”
Images of Harry with the other girls started running through her mind. She could see Harry holding Fleur and giving her a true deep and wet French kiss, his hands running over her body while their tongues danced right in the middle of the Great Hall. Hermione's own hands traveled slowly over her body, her hips moving against the sheets. In her imagination, she pictured Harry's hands under Katie's skirt, moving in and out, the girl’s juices flowing down her thighs, making a mess on Harry’s fingers. The bushy haired witch let out a soft moan as her hands entered her sleeping shorts, touching her own center. “I am a horny and perverted little girl…” She could feel the moisture on her inner lips as she imagined Fleur taking Harry into her mouth, swallowing his manhood again and again. Harry would look across the Gryffindor table at her with lust in his eye. She gathered her own juices on her fingers and moved to make small circles against her clit, moving her hips at the same time. The images kept running in her mind, Harry taking Fleur and Katie in the great Hall. Her movements and breathing getting faster, and as she felt close to her climax did she imagine her friend taking her, bending her over the table, as the other girls watched, smiling with acceptance as Harry’s member slid inside her, making her scream in ecstasy. She had to bite her pillow to avoid screaming her best friend's name as she fell into her orgasm.
Panting, Hermione turned on her back. “Good, with that out of the way for now, I can concentrate on real problems”. With that reassuring though, she finally gets to sleep.
…
In the fifth-year boy’s dorm, on the other side of the tower, Harry couldn't sleep either. His mind was racing, trying to make sense of his feelings.
The night had been great, even magical in a sense. He along with Fleur, Hermione, Katie, Angelina and Regine, plus Alicia and the twins had stayed up talking until curfew. They talked about Hogwarts and learnt about Beauxbatons, about Victor Krum and quidditch, Hermione told about her vacations to the Riviera and spoke with the French witches in their native language, much to everyone’s surprise. For a moment Harry could forget about the lycanthropy, Voldemort, Malfoy or the Wizengamot. Hogwarts once more felt like home, like it had back in first year. Even Hermione let her usual stiffness go and accepted some of the twins’ jokes. Harry noticed that Fleur's effect over them diminished as time passed. Later, as they were walking back to the tower, Hermione told him that Fleur was probably part veela, and explained a little about the allure. Interestingly, other than feeling a slight warmth in his belly, Harry didn't feel the compulsion Hermione described as the effect of the veela magic.
But there was something else, much subtler, but powerful, even if he didn't know exactly what it was. When he felt Fleur’s lily scent in person, it was like a switch had turn on his head. Every time she touched him (and there was a lot of touching, hands, shoulders, legs, he suspected she didn't even notice it) Harry felt something strange; he couldn't put his finger on exactly what it was. The best way he could describe it was an intense sense of nostalgia, like he really missed somewhere he had never gone. Katie and Hermione noticed something, but while his best friend just bit her lip, Katie smiled wide every time Fleur touched him. He thought for a moment he would never stop blushing, and concluded that Katie was trying to embarrass him to death.
What was happening… he could understand at some level why Hermione, his best friend, first kiss, first platonic love and Katie, his partner and lover in his new life, made him feel that way. But why Fleur? Sure, they had many things in common. Was that the reason he felt like he’s known her since… forever?
“Maybe I am over thinking it; maybe I should just enjoy the ride, like Katie said.”
Thinking about it, Harry finally got to sleep.
…
Some hours later, in France, at the Delacour manor, a goblin dressed in a fancy styled suit and a briefcase arrived through the floo in the studio. Behind him was a pale man with deep blue eyes and midnight black hair. Apolline, Jacques, Sirius and Remus all got up as soon as the short dignitary entered the room.
Sirius watched the black eyes of the creature scan the room, stopping a bit longer over him. Then with a smile full of sharp teeth he said. “Good morning gentleman and milady. I am the requested Gringotts’s representative. You may call me Grimpod.”
“Good morning mister Grimpod” Jacques said with a formal voice, “hello Anders,” he greeted the Greengrass patriarch with a soft smile. “Please everyone, have a seat.” As he gestured to the chairs in front of his big table. “Grimpod, thank you for helping us in this dangerous ordeal. May I offer you a beverage?”
“No thanks required Mr. Delacour. Actually, I should be the one thanking you for bringing some terrible irregularities to light.” You and Mr. Greengrass are expending significant capital to find those dirty files, you don't need to be thanking me.
The goblin silently placed his briefcase on the table, opened and produced some parchments and a blood quill. He aligned all of them perfectly in front of Jacques Delacour, but moved to face Sirius.
“Now… Mr. Black. Much of what you told us is true. The boy truly is in some sort of bureaucratic limbo. Most of his papers, other than his birth certificate, and his parent’s obituaries could not be found. We could not even determine who was supposed to be his legal magical representatives. By default, in this situation, this obligation falls to the school’s headmaster. It seems he has been using this unusual legal loophole to gain access, even though it is limited, to the family vaults.”
“Who was the ministry official responsible for his case at the time of the… tragedy?” Apolline asked.
“A former secretary, now director of the disciplinary department, Dolores Umbridge.”
“Now, it is only because of those irregularities and Mr. Delacour’s influence that we were willing, together with some friends at the ministry to move through with this. Understand Mr. Black, if what you are saying is not true, and you in fact are a convicted criminal, you are sending yourself back to Azkaban, and probably all the other wizards in this room with you. But, if it is true, and no trial was made, then there will be no magical records about it, and by signing this, not only will you get what you want, but will also have a legal base to reopen your case. Are you sure you want to proceed?”
“Absolutely, they stole thirteen years of my life!”
“Then, Mr. Black, please sign these papers, and all will be done.”
Sirius took the blood quill, read the documents, and with a smirk signed. Silence fell in the room, all the occupants tensed, minus the goblin, who smiled. Suddenly, a golden light flared up from Sirius's signature, then the piece of parchment floated up in the air and copied itself. One of the copies disappeared in a small burst of green flames. The other flew into Sirius's hand.
“Congratulations Lord Black” the goblin said, closing his briefcase. “You have just adopted Harry Potter.”
…
Fleur stepped out if the carriage, looking at the imposing castle in front of her. She woke feeling a lot lighter, the memories of the previous night bringing a smile to her face. She turned around and called, “come on Gabby, I want to put my name in the Goblet before breakfast.” The younger French girl came out of the carriage jumping and giggling. Regine followed along after her. Gabrielle was full of energy, looking at everything with curiosity.
“I can't wait to taste the sausages” she said with a smile, and Fleur suspect it was only to upset her, Gabby knew her sister was having a hard time with English food. “Hey Fleur, do I look good? Do you think Harry will find me pretty?”
She did look radiant in her informal school clothes. Fleur rolled her eyes. “I am sure he will find you… cute.” Regine laughed, and Gabby showed her tongue.
As they entered the great Hall, Fleur saw Harry, Hermione, Katie, and a red-haired girl she didn't know, but looked remarkable like the twins, waiting for her. Harry was in a happy conversation with the two older girls, and the younger saw the French witches approaching. “Does he even notice he is always surrounded by girls” Regine asked in a low, almost evil tone.
Harry looked at them with a radiant smile. “Good morning Fleur, Regine. We thought about accompanying you to breakfast, and maybe giving you a tour through the grounds.”
“That sounds great 'Arry, but first will you accompany me to the Goblet? I should put my name in there.”
“Sure thing, Fred and George are there putting their own in. But before that, who is this beautiful lady behind you?”
Fleur noticed Gabby almost hiding behind her. All that bravado and energy, and she gets shy now, she thought. “This is my little sister, Gabby, but be careful, she’s a dangerous fangirl!”
“Heeey, what are you telling him about me!” She asked in French. “'ello 'Arry. English zis not good”
“Don't worry, it is a pleasure! I hope we can be friends, and this is Hermione, Katie and Ginny.” Fleur notice that he talked to her like he talked to anyone, not patronizing because of her age.
“I like him!!” Gabby said in French, blushing.
At that, the strange group started moving to the Goblet, talking about breakfast. Fleur started noticing the other student’s looks, and started closing in on herself, her good mood draining away, until she realized those looks weren't exactly for her, but for Harry. Some looked in admiration, others in disgust, many looked fearful. Fleur could see Harry trying to ignore it, while he and Hermione talked with Gabby about the statues.
They arrive at the entrance to the Great Hall where the Goblet was placed. The goblet’s fire radiating a blue light on the people surrounding it that were watching the contestants present their names. In a circle on the ground, runes were inscribed, shining with magic and preventing the underage students from participating. Some Gryffindor third years were cheering as the Weasley twins put in their names.
“Wish me luck” Fleur said. She was surprised when Harry reached for her hand and confidently said. “You will get it.” For some reason she didn't want to let go of his hand.
She proudly walked to the pile of parchment and signed one with the blood quill. Then entered the runic circle and put the parchment into the fire. The flames engulfed it and launched a bright blue light, accepting her inscription.
She came back smiling, and then Regine did the same. Some other Beauxbatons students also entered their names into the Goblet, while also giving Fleur an angry look. She sighed and gave them a smirk. Typical insecure bitches, she thought.
Then she heard a high-pitched irritating voice behind her. “What an entourage Potty, a blood traitor, a mudblood and now a half-breed? If you sink any lower, you will be sleeping in the barn with your giant friend!” Fleur turned to see a slim, greasy blonde boy with a nose in bandages followed by two other bigger boys giving them a mocking look of disgust.
Fleur was angry, how could someone be so low, how can someone say such disgusting things? To her and her sister! She could feel the heat building up on her hands as the veela nature started getting the better of her. She was about to say something, when Harry walked in front of her and as she looked at him, she could see the wolf's eyes again. There was no mistake this time. Some people around then took a step back. Hermione held his hand. Appearing to be afraid.
Harry took another step forward. “Really Malfoy,” he said in a low, even tone that was even more scary than if he had shouted. “Racial slurs coming from a coward whose only company are two inbred grimlocks, who can't even cast a stunner?” Harry took some more steps towards them. “Any of these witches are miles better than you any day, so much for blood superiority.” Fleur could “see” his aura now. The wolf was there. Hermione was biting her lips. She could hear Katie whispering “control it… protect the pack…”. There was something happening that she didn't understand.
Harry was very close to them now. “I can see your nose is still in the wrong place. If you say anything to any of my friends again, I will help you fix it the same way I messed with it before”. Everyone tensed as hands were going to wands.
“You know you can't handle him blondie". Fleur and the otter students turned to see the scary professor with a fake eye approaching. “So why don’t you go run to your daddy. The rest of you, move along. You too Potter, but watch your back because that one is sneaky.”
Fleur touched Harry's hand, and his aura subsided.
He looked at her with a guilty look. “I am sorry, I know none of you need my clumsy protection, but I couldn't stand it”
“It’s OK 'Arry. He's just a li’ee boy. Let's go eat something.” She smiled at him. Fleur looked at Hermione's relieved face and realized she was not afraid of the blond boy, she was afraid of what Harry could do to him.
…
Daphne watched the scene that unfolded in front of her with fascination and excitement. She saw Harry intimidating the monster that tried to attack both her and her sister with ease. She saw the fear in Malfoy's eyes. And rejoiced in it.
Thinking coldly though, it was not a smart move on Harry's part, unless he wanted to exert power through fear, and she firmly believed he didn't, that was not him. That was the reason she wanted to help him, he was different from the pureblood animals like Malfoy.
But looking at the fear in Malfoy's eyes, she saw an opportunity to leverage the situation, and protect her and Astoria, and she was going to grab it. She waited until Malfoy entered the Great Hall followed by Harry and his group a couple minutes later.
As her sister passed by her, she grabbed her arm and whispered, “Tory, you are going to enter the hall and sit next to Tracy, as close as possible. Sit on the opposite side of Malfoy and wait for me.”
Astoria nodded and did just that. Daphne waited a couple more minutes, took a deep breath, straightened her hair and walk into the great Hall alone. She stopped at the big open doors and wait until some of the Slytherin eyes were on her, specifically Draco Malfoy.
When she was sure he was looking, Daphne walked straight toward the Gryffindor table and touched Harry on the shoulder. She noticed that the boy seemed to be waiting for her, as she saw no surprise in his eyes, at least until she kissed him. A quick, chaste kiss, but enough to send the great Hall into silence.
Before she lifted her head, she whispered in his ear. “Walk with me to the Slytherin table” Harry seemed to promptly understand and did as he was asked. Daphne could see the looks of surprise on the faces of the other witches around the table, and let out a smile.
Harry walked with her to the Slytherin table to the place saved by Astoria in front of Draco Malfoy. Daphne’s face remained cold as ice the entire time. She sat down as Harry stood behind her with a hand on her shoulder looking directly at Malfoy. The message was clear. She was under his protection.
After a couple seconds, he came back to Gryffindor's table looked at the girls and left the Hall.
“I should have really kissed him …” Daphne thought as she watched him leave.
…
“'Ermione, what just happened?” Fleur asked in French. “Is that 'Arry’s girlfriend? Why did he leave?”
Hermione sighed. So typical of Harry to leave and let her do the explaining. “That was someone who is helping us, and no, she is not his girlfriend at least as far as I know, he doesn't have one. Daphne is a friend who is in a dangerous situation.” Hermione then explained about the attack on Daphne's sister and how Harry save her and the plans to help Daphne gain control of Slytherin house while she helps Harry learn how to use any political power he may have. “Malfoy is getting ever bolder and dangerous; I can't even imagine what he would have done to Astoria. There is a divide in Slytherin, and today Daphne made him publicly take a side. I figure that if you want to be his friend, you need to know he has a talent to paint himself into some pretty dangerous corners.”
“Why does 'Arry need someone to teach him that, why doesn't his magical guardian do that?” Fleur asked, a little shocked by situation.
“Fleur, he didn't even know about the magical world until he was eleven.” Fleur looked at her with a shocked expression.
“Mon dieu, that explains so much…” the French witch whispered.
“And every year at Hogwarts since the first one was terrible for him… he really thought that with the tournament, he could have some time to learn this year.”
Hermione studied Fleur's expression. She saw some genuine concern there.
“So, why did he run away?”
Hermione bit her lip. “That is the question; Harry is not one to run. Sorry, I need to go look for him.” she said as she got up. She quickly ran to the Gryffindor tower, and after making sure no one was paying attention to her, entered the fifth-year boy’s dorm and secured the marauder's map. It was a good thing that Harry let her know where he kept both the map and his cloak. Hermione scanned the map for a minute, before finding him outside at the edge of the forest. He was not moving, good.
“Why do you always do this Harry” she thought to herself as she got after him. “Keep the feelings inside for yourself.”
She walked quickly through the grounds, passing Hagrid's hut, and saw him sitting on a tree trunk with his back to her.
“Hi Hermione” he said without looking at her. “Funny how now I always know who is coming behind me…” he turned to her with a sad smile. “Before you ask, I know the full moon is a couple weeks away, but I can smell you…”
She sat down on his side.
“You smell good Mione…” he whispered.
They stayed there, in silence, just enjoying each other's presence for a time.
“Harry, why did you leave like that? Fleur was confused… and you got me worried.”
He buried his face on his hands.
“Bloody hell, one day in, and she must already think I’m a freak. She wouldn't be too far off anyway…”
Hermione got closer to Harry and wrapped her arms around his shoulder. “You are not a freak Harry… you are my… best friend…” she whispered.
“I am a monster Mione… you were right, that day in the field… everything you said. I am dangerous.” he looked at her, ashamed. “I saw the way you looked at me when Malfoy started talking shit…”
“Oh Harry, I am sorry, I…”
“Don't be, you are right, you have no idea what was going on in my mind that time… and again at the table… when I remembered what he was doing to Astoria… I wanted… I wanted… to break… him… and not as figure of speech… I wanted to rip his body apart, and I was ready to do it, that is why I had to leave.”
“But you didn't, you controlled yourself, and you did it to protect us.”
“Only because you and Fleur were there.” He blushed. “You two… pulled me back, but what will happen the day you are not there with me? I can't even get help from the bloody professors, and Remus is somewhere in France!”
Hermione put both hands on his shoulder and turned him to herself. Harry’s eyes were full of guilt, anger, and... Something else…
“Harry, I will never leave you. We are going to get past this together, as always! This is not a hundred dementors!!”
“I don't know if that is true anymore! No, not because of you! Hermione, the other things you said are also happening, and I am feeling awful, I am feeling dirty!” He moved away from her a little. He was blushing furiously now. Hermione looked at him confused, but understood a second later. “The way I feel when I look at you, when I smell your scent” now it was Hermione’s turn to blush. She wanted to say something, but let him finish instead. He needed to vent. “I thought it would take years, damn, maybe this is just the beginning, what if it gets worse. Will I become more dangerous? It’s not even all the girls! Damn, I am not like that!” At this point, he had stood up and was breathing rapidly. “Sorry.”
“Please don't, Daphne is right, stop apologizing.” He blushed again, like a little boy. “I am also alarmed by the speed things are happening Harry. But when were you ever normal? Maybe your magical ability is too strong, maybe it’s all the emotions you keep locked inside feeding it. Maybe it’s your connection with Voldemort…”
“You think…"
“I don't know Harry, I am just conjecturing. You know I just pretend, right? That I don't really know it all.”
He gave her a smile.
“What does Katie say?” Hermione asked. “I believe she lived with it for some time.”
“How did…” Hermione raised an eyebrow. “Of course, you know... she is trying to help me. She said I should not fight against it, but to use it to protect the pack or something…”
“You said it’s not all the girls? What do you mean by that?” Harry blushed furiously again and remained silence. “Harry, you can trust me… please”
“I… I… I notice the other girls of course” he said in no more than a whisper. “But I discovered that what really messes with me is … the scent… and only a few scents really got me…” he couldn't finish.
“Who?” Hermione asked and immediately though. “Why am I asking this?”
“Katie, Daphne, Fleur, I could feel her scent even in the letters, and… you…”
She blushed. They stayed in silence for some time. Harry couldn't see to look at her.
She got up. “Harry, look at me…Harry, I… I don't mind it. I think… I even like it… and I know for a fact Katie likes it… Harry, we will get through this, together.” She said and hugged him, trying to convey as much feeling as she could to him. The girl felt relieved and happy when he returned the affection.
“Thank you, I am feeling better…”
“Do you want to stay here a little more?”
“Yeah, the forest's smells help me to calm down…” They both leaned back against the tree trunk, holding hands.
Hermione's mind started running, making mental notes and calculations…
…
Apolline Delacour poured the Dom Perignon champagne into the six crystal glasses. The half veela and her husband where sitting in the living room, accompanied by Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Anders and Sarah Greengrass. Each one of them picked up one of the glasses.
“To the new generation, may they achieve what we could not” as she raised her glass in a toast. “May they set the world on fire!”
The other raised their glasses. “To the new father!” Jacques congratulated.
“To the new ministry of magic!” Remus and Sirius finished, and they all drank the champagne.
“Exquisite taste, my dear Jacques” complimented Anders. “Once we start the process to give Sirius a new trial, I will move to block Narcisa’s access to the Black assets on the Wizengamot. If Harry is correct, and I believe he is, when Voldemort indeed returns, that will be a great blow on his finances.”
“I can't believe Harry doesn't know anything about his family or us…” Sarah Greengrass said sadly.
“That is in part my fault.” Remus sighed. “No Sirius, it is. I was so devastated when the things happened, Michel had died only a week before, I was so desperate that I believed everything Dumbledore said. I believed when he said Harry was safe with the Delacours. When I discovered he was not here, I broke…”
“We all did Remus…” Apolline said, holding his hand.
“I just hope our kids understand” said Sirius. “Ultimately, we are doing the same thing as the old fart, deciding part of their destinies for them, removing their choices… I just hope they don't hate us in the end…”
...
“And the champion for Beauxbatons” headmaster Dumbledore announced with his voice magically amplified. “Is Fleur Delacour!”
Fleur proudly stood up. Applause and cheering all around her, even the girls who usually hate her got caught up in the celebration. “Fake bitches.” She thought with a smile. She knew half of them would be cheering for the pretty Hogwarts's champion tomorrow. Regine gave her a hug and, as Fleur moved to the champions room, she could hear the cat calls of some male students. She stood even prouder.
Then, amongst the students she saw Harry's face. He was calm and smiling a reassuring smile. She hoped his eyes could see her, not the veela, not the champion, but Fleur, as she could see only Harry. “Come on Fleur, you have been chosen. He is your young friend now, concentrate on the tournament ahead!”
She entered the room to see the other two champions. Victor Krum stood in the corner; arms crossed over his chest, and only gave her a nod. She answered in kind. “Is he so insecure that he has to keep this facade all the time?” She thought and smiled, “men can be so fragile.”
“Congratulations Ms Delacour” Cedric Diggory said, extending his hand. She admired his will power fighting the allure so close to her. His girlfriend was a luck girl.
“Likewise, mizer Diggory, I see ‘ogwarts is well represented.”
“Here I am with a chance to prove to myself that I am capable. The school, the purebloods, all that people that doubt me will see! What a bravado, I am terrified!!” she tough to herself.
Fleur then noticed that the noise outside stopped. Something was wrong. She barely could hear the headmaster. Cedric and Victor noticed it too. Fleur tensed.
The door opened, and Harry Potter walked into the room looking at the floor.
“'Arry? It's everything alright? They need us?” Harry looked at her, and she saw fear and anger in his eyes.
“I am so sorry Fleur…” he whispered, but she could hear.
“Non…”
...
The door slammed open, Dumbledore, Madam Maxine, Karkaroff and the ministry officials entered the room. With intensity in his eyes, Albus Dumbledore holds Harry's shoulders with both hands and asked.
“Did you put your name on the Goblet of Fire?
“No sir!!”
“What zis ze meaning of zis…
“Cheated of course. The boy…”
“Let’s all calm down. If Harry…
“Hogwarts is going to have an unfair…”
“Is not legally of age…”
“How did you manage boy…”
“Let me see your wand boy!!”
“Cheaters, both of you!!”
“Give it to me, let's see the last spells…
“He must compete; it is a magic contract…”
“Go stand over there Harry…”
“How could he!!!”
“... The magical wards…”
“Just a li’ee boy!”
“Zis is unacceptable!!”
“Could not stand to not be the center of attention, Potter?”
“I should have imagined…”
Fleur's eyes hurt him the most; it was her silence that brought Harry to the edge.
“SHUT UP!! SHUT UP! He screamed almost in pain. “I didn't put my name in it! I didn't even want to compete! I just wanted to be left alone, someone is trying to kill me, and no one cares!”
Harry stormed to the door, but Dumbledore held his arm. “Harry please listen…”
“Dangerous…” the voice on Harry's mind whispered.
“Let go off me Sir…” the last was more of a growling than a word, Harry saw the spark of fear in his eyes, and the headmaster released him.
Harry got out of the room, the other students looking at him in confusion and disapproval. Harry passed through them, trying to get out of there as fast as he could. People moved out of the way for him; he barely registered Hermione's and Katie's voice calling for him. Until Ron appeared in front of him.
“Couldn't keep to yourself Harry?” Ron said with gritted teeth, anger and jealousy in his eyes. “You must have everything? Can't you just step aside, “mate”?”
Harry was shocked. He couldn't believe his friend was saying that.
“Prey…”
Harry snapped, his hands flew to Ron's neck and shoved him into the wall. Ron lost his breath with the impact. His feet were not touching the ground.
“Aaaargh!! How could you!”
“HARRY!” Hermione's voice called him back, he saw the fear on Ron's eyes and let him go.
He turned and looked at Hermione and Katie, before turning and running. The wolf was too close now. He could feel it lurking, wanting out.
Harry ran out of the great Hall, through the doors, he could feel the tears starting to burn his eyes. He kept running, maybe he could outrun everything…
He ran until he reached the edge of the lake. His feet went into the water and he screamed.
“AAAARGH!!! WHY!!!
He turned to the castle, his heart was heavy, he felt like his head was about to explode.
“WHY IS THIS HAPPENING!! WHY DO YOU WANT TO KILL ME!!! WHY!” The water started boiling and swirling around his feet as he turned and cursed the castle.
“WHY DO YOU HATE ME SO MUCH!” The surrounding water started splashing in a swirl, the stones being pushed away from him. “I HATE YOU, I HATE YOU! He dropped to his knees. “I hate you… why …” he started sobbing violently, the tears flowing now.
Harry felt an embrace around him, he cried out loud, letting himself go with the smell of lilies and vanilla. He let himself go into the embrace. “I am sorry Fleur, I am so sorry…”
thanks to my betas AWR and Master42, also thanx to my editor, you all have been incredibly helpful !!
Thanx for reading!
Chaopter 06
Fleur looked at herself in the full body mirror she had transfigured on the wall.
“You know you’re still drop dead gorgeous, right?” Regine said as she entered the room she was sharing with the veela in the Beauxbatons carriage. Fresh out of the bath, a towel over her head. “But it's good to know you are human like the rest of us.”
Fleur was indeed a sight to behold, dressed only in white lace panties, perfect fit on her round bum. Her breasts perfectly balanced her figure, with small pink nipples, the same color as her lips, and long legs with perfect skin.
“What do you mean by that?” She looked curiously to Regine, who grinned at her, drying her own curly black hair.
“Let me see… you meet a cute guy that is totally unaffected by your allure, said guy happens to be no less than Harry Potter, whom by the way, you came all the way from France to see… I guess you are feeling just a little insecure, like us mortals who have to put some work to look good…” a pillow hit her in the face before she finished.
“Bint” Fleur said with a smile. “He is just a friend.”
“Uhum… I wish I had a frieeeend like that.”
“He is almost two years younger than me…”
“And that is a problem because? If even half the stories are true, he has seen and lived more than most grown men ever will. There was something in his eyes… and the way you keep touching him…” Regine said with a smile.
“I didn't!”
“You didn't even realize, did you? How cute! So much for your veela heart breaker fame.”
Fleur looked thoughtful. She sat on the bed, besides Regine. “I don't know. I came here to compete, and…”
“Yes, but why can't you enjoy being with some guy who will not be hormone crazy all over you, even if just a friend? And I am not talking about only him. We had some great conversation yesterday, that other girl, Hermione I think, she is a very smart witch, and so is Harry. They talked with us without holding any prejudice. You need it, before you become a bitter old bint.” Fleur slapped her in the arm. “I am not saying to pursue romance or anything, just not to be the cold Fleur of the past but be open to it. And girl, you really seemed to enjoy that hug!”
Fleur slapped her arm again, giggling.
She really did enjoy that embrace...
…
Hermione was lying on her stomach, on her bed at Gryffindor tower, recounting the day’s events.
“We finally met Fleur” she thought, “and not only is she intelligent, educated and understood Harry, she had to be a bloody Victoria’s Secret model! And what's up with Katie, she looked happy, she even gave her seat next to Harry for her!”
She buried her face in the soft pillow. “Come on Hermione Granger, you are not like that! You are a strong independent woman, with objectives and plans!! You are going to be the founder of the first magical feminist group and change the magical world!”
“But... I am also in love and those things do not need to be mutually exclusive. Wait... Am I in love?”
No one could see, but Hermione bit her lip. “Yes, I am in love with Harry Potter, the most troubled, humble and caring guy I ever met. Man, he would love to listen to the Descendants”, she thought with a smile, imagining Harry with her, listening to muggle music, talking, drinking, far away from Dark lords, politicians and fan girls. Her hips started moving almost by themselves. “But Katie and Fleur are stunning…” her mind drifted, again imagining Harry with the other girls. Her hips moving more forcefully against the sheets. “Goodness, when did I become such horny girl?”
Images of Harry with the other girls started running through her mind. She could see Harry holding Fleur and giving her a true deep and wet French kiss, his hands running over her body while their tongues danced right in the middle of the Great Hall. Hermione's own hands traveled slowly over her body, her hips moving against the sheets. In her imagination, she pictured Harry's hands under Katie's skirt, moving in and out, the girl’s juices flowing down her thighs, making a mess on Harry’s fingers. The bushy haired witch let out a soft moan as her hands entered her sleeping shorts, touching her own center. “I am a horny and perverted little girl…” She could feel the moisture on her inner lips as she imagined Fleur taking Harry into her mouth, swallowing his manhood again and again. Harry would look across the Gryffindor table at her with lust in his eye. She gathered her own juices on her fingers and moved to make small circles against her clit, moving her hips at the same time. The images kept running in her mind, Harry taking Fleur and Katie in the great Hall. Her movements and breathing getting faster, and as she felt close to her climax did she imagine her friend taking her, bending her over the table, as the other girls watched, smiling with acceptance as Harry’s member slid inside her, making her scream in ecstasy. She had to bite her pillow to avoid screaming her best friend's name as she fell into her orgasm.
Panting, Hermione turned on her back. “Good, with that out of the way for now, I can concentrate on real problems”. With that reassuring though, she finally gets to sleep.
…
In the fifth-year boy’s dorm, on the other side of the tower, Harry couldn't sleep either. His mind was racing, trying to make sense of his feelings.
The night had been great, even magical in a sense. He along with Fleur, Hermione, Katie, Angelina and Regine, plus Alicia and the twins had stayed up talking until curfew. They talked about Hogwarts and learnt about Beauxbatons, about Victor Krum and quidditch, Hermione told about her vacations to the Riviera and spoke with the French witches in their native language, much to everyone’s surprise. For a moment Harry could forget about the lycanthropy, Voldemort, Malfoy or the Wizengamot. Hogwarts once more felt like home, like it had back in first year. Even Hermione let her usual stiffness go and accepted some of the twins’ jokes. Harry noticed that Fleur's effect over them diminished as time passed. Later, as they were walking back to the tower, Hermione told him that Fleur was probably part veela, and explained a little about the allure. Interestingly, other than feeling a slight warmth in his belly, Harry didn't feel the compulsion Hermione described as the effect of the veela magic.
But there was something else, much subtler, but powerful, even if he didn't know exactly what it was. When he felt Fleur’s lily scent in person, it was like a switch had turn on his head. Every time she touched him (and there was a lot of touching, hands, shoulders, legs, he suspected she didn't even notice it) Harry felt something strange; he couldn't put his finger on exactly what it was. The best way he could describe it was an intense sense of nostalgia, like he really missed somewhere he had never gone. Katie and Hermione noticed something, but while his best friend just bit her lip, Katie smiled wide every time Fleur touched him. He thought for a moment he would never stop blushing, and concluded that Katie was trying to embarrass him to death.
What was happening… he could understand at some level why Hermione, his best friend, first kiss, first platonic love and Katie, his partner and lover in his new life, made him feel that way. But why Fleur? Sure, they had many things in common. Was that the reason he felt like he’s known her since… forever?
“Maybe I am over thinking it; maybe I should just enjoy the ride, like Katie said.”
Thinking about it, Harry finally got to sleep.
…
Some hours later, in France, at the Delacour manor, a goblin dressed in a fancy styled suit and a briefcase arrived through the floo in the studio. Behind him was a pale man with deep blue eyes and midnight black hair. Apolline, Jacques, Sirius and Remus all got up as soon as the short dignitary entered the room.
Sirius watched the black eyes of the creature scan the room, stopping a bit longer over him. Then with a smile full of sharp teeth he said. “Good morning gentleman and milady. I am the requested Gringotts’s representative. You may call me Grimpod.”
“Good morning mister Grimpod” Jacques said with a formal voice, “hello Anders,” he greeted the Greengrass patriarch with a soft smile. “Please everyone, have a seat.” As he gestured to the chairs in front of his big table. “Grimpod, thank you for helping us in this dangerous ordeal. May I offer you a beverage?”
“No thanks required Mr. Delacour. Actually, I should be the one thanking you for bringing some terrible irregularities to light.” You and Mr. Greengrass are expending significant capital to find those dirty files, you don't need to be thanking me.
The goblin silently placed his briefcase on the table, opened and produced some parchments and a blood quill. He aligned all of them perfectly in front of Jacques Delacour, but moved to face Sirius.
“Now… Mr. Black. Much of what you told us is true. The boy truly is in some sort of bureaucratic limbo. Most of his papers, other than his birth certificate, and his parent’s obituaries could not be found. We could not even determine who was supposed to be his legal magical representatives. By default, in this situation, this obligation falls to the school’s headmaster. It seems he has been using this unusual legal loophole to gain access, even though it is limited, to the family vaults.”
“Who was the ministry official responsible for his case at the time of the… tragedy?” Apolline asked.
“A former secretary, now director of the disciplinary department, Dolores Umbridge.”
“Now, it is only because of those irregularities and Mr. Delacour’s influence that we were willing, together with some friends at the ministry to move through with this. Understand Mr. Black, if what you are saying is not true, and you in fact are a convicted criminal, you are sending yourself back to Azkaban, and probably all the other wizards in this room with you. But, if it is true, and no trial was made, then there will be no magical records about it, and by signing this, not only will you get what you want, but will also have a legal base to reopen your case. Are you sure you want to proceed?”
“Absolutely, they stole thirteen years of my life!”
“Then, Mr. Black, please sign these papers, and all will be done.”
Sirius took the blood quill, read the documents, and with a smirk signed. Silence fell in the room, all the occupants tensed, minus the goblin, who smiled. Suddenly, a golden light flared up from Sirius's signature, then the piece of parchment floated up in the air and copied itself. One of the copies disappeared in a small burst of green flames. The other flew into Sirius's hand.
“Congratulations Lord Black” the goblin said, closing his briefcase. “You have just adopted Harry Potter.”
…
Fleur stepped out if the carriage, looking at the imposing castle in front of her. She woke feeling a lot lighter, the memories of the previous night bringing a smile to her face. She turned around and called, “come on Gabby, I want to put my name in the Goblet before breakfast.” The younger French girl came out of the carriage jumping and giggling. Regine followed along after her. Gabrielle was full of energy, looking at everything with curiosity.
“I can't wait to taste the sausages” she said with a smile, and Fleur suspect it was only to upset her, Gabby knew her sister was having a hard time with English food. “Hey Fleur, do I look good? Do you think Harry will find me pretty?”
She did look radiant in her informal school clothes. Fleur rolled her eyes. “I am sure he will find you… cute.” Regine laughed, and Gabby showed her tongue.
As they entered the great Hall, Fleur saw Harry, Hermione, Katie, and a red-haired girl she didn't know, but looked remarkable like the twins, waiting for her. Harry was in a happy conversation with the two older girls, and the younger saw the French witches approaching. “Does he even notice he is always surrounded by girls” Regine asked in a low, almost evil tone.
Harry looked at them with a radiant smile. “Good morning Fleur, Regine. We thought about accompanying you to breakfast, and maybe giving you a tour through the grounds.”
“That sounds great 'Arry, but first will you accompany me to the Goblet? I should put my name in there.”
“Sure thing, Fred and George are there putting their own in. But before that, who is this beautiful lady behind you?”
Fleur noticed Gabby almost hiding behind her. All that bravado and energy, and she gets shy now, she thought. “This is my little sister, Gabby, but be careful, she’s a dangerous fangirl!”
“Heeey, what are you telling him about me!” She asked in French. “'ello 'Arry. English zis not good”
“Don't worry, it is a pleasure! I hope we can be friends, and this is Hermione, Katie and Ginny.” Fleur notice that he talked to her like he talked to anyone, not patronizing because of her age.
“I like him!!” Gabby said in French, blushing.
At that, the strange group started moving to the Goblet, talking about breakfast. Fleur started noticing the other student’s looks, and started closing in on herself, her good mood draining away, until she realized those looks weren't exactly for her, but for Harry. Some looked in admiration, others in disgust, many looked fearful. Fleur could see Harry trying to ignore it, while he and Hermione talked with Gabby about the statues.
They arrive at the entrance to the Great Hall where the Goblet was placed. The goblet’s fire radiating a blue light on the people surrounding it that were watching the contestants present their names. In a circle on the ground, runes were inscribed, shining with magic and preventing the underage students from participating. Some Gryffindor third years were cheering as the Weasley twins put in their names.
“Wish me luck” Fleur said. She was surprised when Harry reached for her hand and confidently said. “You will get it.” For some reason she didn't want to let go of his hand.
She proudly walked to the pile of parchment and signed one with the blood quill. Then entered the runic circle and put the parchment into the fire. The flames engulfed it and launched a bright blue light, accepting her inscription.
She came back smiling, and then Regine did the same. Some other Beauxbatons students also entered their names into the Goblet, while also giving Fleur an angry look. She sighed and gave them a smirk. Typical insecure bitches, she thought.
Then she heard a high-pitched irritating voice behind her. “What an entourage Potty, a blood traitor, a mudblood and now a half-breed? If you sink any lower, you will be sleeping in the barn with your giant friend!” Fleur turned to see a slim, greasy blonde boy with a nose in bandages followed by two other bigger boys giving them a mocking look of disgust.
Fleur was angry, how could someone be so low, how can someone say such disgusting things? To her and her sister! She could feel the heat building up on her hands as the veela nature started getting the better of her. She was about to say something, when Harry walked in front of her and as she looked at him, she could see the wolf's eyes again. There was no mistake this time. Some people around then took a step back. Hermione held his hand. Appearing to be afraid.
Harry took another step forward. “Really Malfoy,” he said in a low, even tone that was even more scary than if he had shouted. “Racial slurs coming from a coward whose only company are two inbred grimlocks, who can't even cast a stunner?” Harry took some more steps towards them. “Any of these witches are miles better than you any day, so much for blood superiority.” Fleur could “see” his aura now. The wolf was there. Hermione was biting her lips. She could hear Katie whispering “control it… protect the pack…”. There was something happening that she didn't understand.
Harry was very close to them now. “I can see your nose is still in the wrong place. If you say anything to any of my friends again, I will help you fix it the same way I messed with it before”. Everyone tensed as hands were going to wands.
“You know you can't handle him blondie". Fleur and the otter students turned to see the scary professor with a fake eye approaching. “So why don’t you go run to your daddy. The rest of you, move along. You too Potter, but watch your back because that one is sneaky.”
Fleur touched Harry's hand, and his aura subsided.
He looked at her with a guilty look. “I am sorry, I know none of you need my clumsy protection, but I couldn't stand it”
“It’s OK 'Arry. He's just a li’ee boy. Let's go eat something.” She smiled at him. Fleur looked at Hermione's relieved face and realized she was not afraid of the blond boy, she was afraid of what Harry could do to him.
…
Daphne watched the scene that unfolded in front of her with fascination and excitement. She saw Harry intimidating the monster that tried to attack both her and her sister with ease. She saw the fear in Malfoy's eyes. And rejoiced in it.
Thinking coldly though, it was not a smart move on Harry's part, unless he wanted to exert power through fear, and she firmly believed he didn't, that was not him. That was the reason she wanted to help him, he was different from the pureblood animals like Malfoy.
But looking at the fear in Malfoy's eyes, she saw an opportunity to leverage the situation, and protect her and Astoria, and she was going to grab it. She waited until Malfoy entered the Great Hall followed by Harry and his group a couple minutes later.
As her sister passed by her, she grabbed her arm and whispered, “Tory, you are going to enter the hall and sit next to Tracy, as close as possible. Sit on the opposite side of Malfoy and wait for me.”
Astoria nodded and did just that. Daphne waited a couple more minutes, took a deep breath, straightened her hair and walk into the great Hall alone. She stopped at the big open doors and wait until some of the Slytherin eyes were on her, specifically Draco Malfoy.
When she was sure he was looking, Daphne walked straight toward the Gryffindor table and touched Harry on the shoulder. She noticed that the boy seemed to be waiting for her, as she saw no surprise in his eyes, at least until she kissed him. A quick, chaste kiss, but enough to send the great Hall into silence.
Before she lifted her head, she whispered in his ear. “Walk with me to the Slytherin table” Harry seemed to promptly understand and did as he was asked. Daphne could see the looks of surprise on the faces of the other witches around the table, and let out a smile.
Harry walked with her to the Slytherin table to the place saved by Astoria in front of Draco Malfoy. Daphne’s face remained cold as ice the entire time. She sat down as Harry stood behind her with a hand on her shoulder looking directly at Malfoy. The message was clear. She was under his protection.
After a couple seconds, he came back to Gryffindor's table looked at the girls and left the Hall.
“I should have really kissed him …” Daphne thought as she watched him leave.
…
“'Ermione, what just happened?” Fleur asked in French. “Is that 'Arry’s girlfriend? Why did he leave?”
Hermione sighed. So typical of Harry to leave and let her do the explaining. “That was someone who is helping us, and no, she is not his girlfriend at least as far as I know, he doesn't have one. Daphne is a friend who is in a dangerous situation.” Hermione then explained about the attack on Daphne's sister and how Harry save her and the plans to help Daphne gain control of Slytherin house while she helps Harry learn how to use any political power he may have. “Malfoy is getting ever bolder and dangerous; I can't even imagine what he would have done to Astoria. There is a divide in Slytherin, and today Daphne made him publicly take a side. I figure that if you want to be his friend, you need to know he has a talent to paint himself into some pretty dangerous corners.”
“Why does 'Arry need someone to teach him that, why doesn't his magical guardian do that?” Fleur asked, a little shocked by situation.
“Fleur, he didn't even know about the magical world until he was eleven.” Fleur looked at her with a shocked expression.
“Mon dieu, that explains so much…” the French witch whispered.
“And every year at Hogwarts since the first one was terrible for him… he really thought that with the tournament, he could have some time to learn this year.”
Hermione studied Fleur's expression. She saw some genuine concern there.
“So, why did he run away?”
Hermione bit her lip. “That is the question; Harry is not one to run. Sorry, I need to go look for him.” she said as she got up. She quickly ran to the Gryffindor tower, and after making sure no one was paying attention to her, entered the fifth-year boy’s dorm and secured the marauder's map. It was a good thing that Harry let her know where he kept both the map and his cloak. Hermione scanned the map for a minute, before finding him outside at the edge of the forest. He was not moving, good.
“Why do you always do this Harry” she thought to herself as she got after him. “Keep the feelings inside for yourself.”
She walked quickly through the grounds, passing Hagrid's hut, and saw him sitting on a tree trunk with his back to her.
“Hi Hermione” he said without looking at her. “Funny how now I always know who is coming behind me…” he turned to her with a sad smile. “Before you ask, I know the full moon is a couple weeks away, but I can smell you…”
She sat down on his side.
“You smell good Mione…” he whispered.
They stayed there, in silence, just enjoying each other's presence for a time.
“Harry, why did you leave like that? Fleur was confused… and you got me worried.”
He buried his face on his hands.
“Bloody hell, one day in, and she must already think I’m a freak. She wouldn't be too far off anyway…”
Hermione got closer to Harry and wrapped her arms around his shoulder. “You are not a freak Harry… you are my… best friend…” she whispered.
“I am a monster Mione… you were right, that day in the field… everything you said. I am dangerous.” he looked at her, ashamed. “I saw the way you looked at me when Malfoy started talking shit…”
“Oh Harry, I am sorry, I…”
“Don't be, you are right, you have no idea what was going on in my mind that time… and again at the table… when I remembered what he was doing to Astoria… I wanted… I wanted… to break… him… and not as figure of speech… I wanted to rip his body apart, and I was ready to do it, that is why I had to leave.”
“But you didn't, you controlled yourself, and you did it to protect us.”
“Only because you and Fleur were there.” He blushed. “You two… pulled me back, but what will happen the day you are not there with me? I can't even get help from the bloody professors, and Remus is somewhere in France!”
Hermione put both hands on his shoulder and turned him to herself. Harry’s eyes were full of guilt, anger, and... Something else…
“Harry, I will never leave you. We are going to get past this together, as always! This is not a hundred dementors!!”
“I don't know if that is true anymore! No, not because of you! Hermione, the other things you said are also happening, and I am feeling awful, I am feeling dirty!” He moved away from her a little. He was blushing furiously now. Hermione looked at him confused, but understood a second later. “The way I feel when I look at you, when I smell your scent” now it was Hermione’s turn to blush. She wanted to say something, but let him finish instead. He needed to vent. “I thought it would take years, damn, maybe this is just the beginning, what if it gets worse. Will I become more dangerous? It’s not even all the girls! Damn, I am not like that!” At this point, he had stood up and was breathing rapidly. “Sorry.”
“Please don't, Daphne is right, stop apologizing.” He blushed again, like a little boy. “I am also alarmed by the speed things are happening Harry. But when were you ever normal? Maybe your magical ability is too strong, maybe it’s all the emotions you keep locked inside feeding it. Maybe it’s your connection with Voldemort…”
“You think…"
“I don't know Harry, I am just conjecturing. You know I just pretend, right? That I don't really know it all.”
He gave her a smile.
“What does Katie say?” Hermione asked. “I believe she lived with it for some time.”
“How did…” Hermione raised an eyebrow. “Of course, you know... she is trying to help me. She said I should not fight against it, but to use it to protect the pack or something…”
“You said it’s not all the girls? What do you mean by that?” Harry blushed furiously again and remained silence. “Harry, you can trust me… please”
“I… I… I notice the other girls of course” he said in no more than a whisper. “But I discovered that what really messes with me is … the scent… and only a few scents really got me…” he couldn't finish.
“Who?” Hermione asked and immediately though. “Why am I asking this?”
“Katie, Daphne, Fleur, I could feel her scent even in the letters, and… you…”
She blushed. They stayed in silence for some time. Harry couldn't see to look at her.
She got up. “Harry, look at me…Harry, I… I don't mind it. I think… I even like it… and I know for a fact Katie likes it… Harry, we will get through this, together.” She said and hugged him, trying to convey as much feeling as she could to him. The girl felt relieved and happy when he returned the affection.
“Thank you, I am feeling better…”
“Do you want to stay here a little more?”
“Yeah, the forest's smells help me to calm down…” They both leaned back against the tree trunk, holding hands.
Hermione's mind started running, making mental notes and calculations…
…
Apolline Delacour poured the Dom Perignon champagne into the six crystal glasses. The half veela and her husband where sitting in the living room, accompanied by Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Anders and Sarah Greengrass. Each one of them picked up one of the glasses.
“To the new generation, may they achieve what we could not” as she raised her glass in a toast. “May they set the world on fire!”
The other raised their glasses. “To the new father!” Jacques congratulated.
“To the new ministry of magic!” Remus and Sirius finished, and they all drank the champagne.
“Exquisite taste, my dear Jacques” complimented Anders. “Once we start the process to give Sirius a new trial, I will move to block Narcisa’s access to the Black assets on the Wizengamot. If Harry is correct, and I believe he is, when Voldemort indeed returns, that will be a great blow on his finances.”
“I can't believe Harry doesn't know anything about his family or us…” Sarah Greengrass said sadly.
“That is in part my fault.” Remus sighed. “No Sirius, it is. I was so devastated when the things happened, Michel had died only a week before, I was so desperate that I believed everything Dumbledore said. I believed when he said Harry was safe with the Delacours. When I discovered he was not here, I broke…”
“We all did Remus…” Apolline said, holding his hand.
“I just hope our kids understand” said Sirius. “Ultimately, we are doing the same thing as the old fart, deciding part of their destinies for them, removing their choices… I just hope they don't hate us in the end…”
...
“And the champion for Beauxbatons” headmaster Dumbledore announced with his voice magically amplified. “Is Fleur Delacour!”
Fleur proudly stood up. Applause and cheering all around her, even the girls who usually hate her got caught up in the celebration. “Fake bitches.” She thought with a smile. She knew half of them would be cheering for the pretty Hogwarts's champion tomorrow. Regine gave her a hug and, as Fleur moved to the champions room, she could hear the cat calls of some male students. She stood even prouder.
Then, amongst the students she saw Harry's face. He was calm and smiling a reassuring smile. She hoped his eyes could see her, not the veela, not the champion, but Fleur, as she could see only Harry. “Come on Fleur, you have been chosen. He is your young friend now, concentrate on the tournament ahead!”
She entered the room to see the other two champions. Victor Krum stood in the corner; arms crossed over his chest, and only gave her a nod. She answered in kind. “Is he so insecure that he has to keep this facade all the time?” She thought and smiled, “men can be so fragile.”
“Congratulations Ms Delacour” Cedric Diggory said, extending his hand. She admired his will power fighting the allure so close to her. His girlfriend was a luck girl.
“Likewise, mizer Diggory, I see ‘ogwarts is well represented.”
“Here I am with a chance to prove to myself that I am capable. The school, the purebloods, all that people that doubt me will see! What a bravado, I am terrified!!” she tough to herself.
Fleur then noticed that the noise outside stopped. Something was wrong. She barely could hear the headmaster. Cedric and Victor noticed it too. Fleur tensed.
The door opened, and Harry Potter walked into the room looking at the floor.
“'Arry? It's everything alright? They need us?” Harry looked at her, and she saw fear and anger in his eyes.
“I am so sorry Fleur…” he whispered, but she could hear.
“Non…”
...
The door slammed open, Dumbledore, Madam Maxine, Karkaroff and the ministry officials entered the room. With intensity in his eyes, Albus Dumbledore holds Harry's shoulders with both hands and asked.
“Did you put your name on the Goblet of Fire?
“No sir!!”
“What zis ze meaning of zis…
“Cheated of course. The boy…”
“Let’s all calm down. If Harry…
“Hogwarts is going to have an unfair…”
“Is not legally of age…”
“How did you manage boy…”
“Let me see your wand boy!!”
“Cheaters, both of you!!”
“Give it to me, let's see the last spells…
“He must compete; it is a magic contract…”
“Go stand over there Harry…”
“How could he!!!”
“... The magical wards…”
“Just a li’ee boy!”
“Zis is unacceptable!!”
“Could not stand to not be the center of attention, Potter?”
“I should have imagined…”
Fleur's eyes hurt him the most; it was her silence that brought Harry to the edge.
“SHUT UP!! SHUT UP! He screamed almost in pain. “I didn't put my name in it! I didn't even want to compete! I just wanted to be left alone, someone is trying to kill me, and no one cares!”
Harry stormed to the door, but Dumbledore held his arm. “Harry please listen…”
“Dangerous…” the voice on Harry's mind whispered.
“Let go off me Sir…” the last was more of a growling than a word, Harry saw the spark of fear in his eyes, and the headmaster released him.
Harry got out of the room, the other students looking at him in confusion and disapproval. Harry passed through them, trying to get out of there as fast as he could. People moved out of the way for him; he barely registered Hermione's and Katie's voice calling for him. Until Ron appeared in front of him.
“Couldn't keep to yourself Harry?” Ron said with gritted teeth, anger and jealousy in his eyes. “You must have everything? Can't you just step aside, “mate”?”
Harry was shocked. He couldn't believe his friend was saying that.
“Prey…”
Harry snapped, his hands flew to Ron's neck and shoved him into the wall. Ron lost his breath with the impact. His feet were not touching the ground.
“Aaaargh!! How could you!”
“HARRY!” Hermione's voice called him back, he saw the fear on Ron's eyes and let him go.
He turned and looked at Hermione and Katie, before turning and running. The wolf was too close now. He could feel it lurking, wanting out.
Harry ran out of the great Hall, through the doors, he could feel the tears starting to burn his eyes. He kept running, maybe he could outrun everything…
He ran until he reached the edge of the lake. His feet went into the water and he screamed.
“AAAARGH!!! WHY!!!
He turned to the castle, his heart was heavy, he felt like his head was about to explode.
“WHY IS THIS HAPPENING!! WHY DO YOU WANT TO KILL ME!!! WHY!” The water started boiling and swirling around his feet as he turned and cursed the castle.
“WHY DO YOU HATE ME SO MUCH!” The surrounding water started splashing in a swirl, the stones being pushed away from him. “I HATE YOU, I HATE YOU! He dropped to his knees. “I hate you… why …” he started sobbing violently, the tears flowing now.
Harry felt an embrace around him, he cried out loud, letting himself go with the smell of lilies and vanilla. He let himself go into the embrace. “I am sorry Fleur, I am so sorry…”
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