FicWad

AN: I don't own Harry Potter

Writing is hard (almost as hard as drawing), my biggest respect to anyone who tries and post stories on this or any site, i am learning a lot. Thank you to everyone who tooke time to read, reviewing and pointing out the mistakes!

Thanx to my betas AWR, Master42 and Finkaness



Chapter 08

Harry woke up at Hagrid's hut, feeling pain in his limbs, while the smell of hot bread, honey and tea filled the air around him. He could see some scratches on his arms and legs, even felt a little drained, nothing compared to his night at the hospital wing after his name came out of the Goblet, but enough to feel tired. Almost immediately, after seeing his big hairy friend, he felt guilty though. The book, he hadn't even opened it yet. Like last time, when Hagrid sat on the big chair, humbling a light happy song and preparing tea, waiting for him to wake.

"'ello lad, how ye doin today?" He laughed loud. So loud it made Harry's head hurt.

"Really funny big guy." Harry said. " Hagrid, I am sorry, I didn't have the time to read your book…" He finished looking to the floor, a little ashamed.

"Is yer book now lad." Hagrid answered. All this while he dripped some honey on a slice of bread, with an understanding smile. "I understand, with all that tournament mess. But give it a try Harry…" Harry nodded, he really wanted to read, but things just happened, as they usually did with him. Hagrid looked at him with thoughtfully. "Harry, what ya remember from last night's?" Harry looked at him confused. "Try to make an effort to remember what we did…"

Harry thought that Hagrid's suggestion was a little weird, but he had time until he would be able to move somewhat comfortably again, and he was feeling guilty about the book. He tried to concentrate, the last thing he remembered was the pain of the transformation. It felt like every bone in his body was being broken at the same time, and his skin was being ripped open from the inside, before his mind went blank. Even remembering it sent shivers down his spine. "I don't know Hagrid, I can't remember…" he sounded defeated.

"Try not to focus on the memories," Hagrid said, taking a sip of the tea. "But the sensations, that ye saw, ye ear, ye taste and especially what ya smell…" Harry tried just that. It seemed really hard at the beginning, He felt like couldn't grab the right sensations, but then he tried to use the surrounding smells to help, just like last time. He focused on the scent of the trees and the dirty, and felt a spark in his mind. Much like the feeling of remembering a dream than an actual memory, like when he saw the trees of the forbidden forest. The smell of the oaks and evergreens, the cold breeze, he wanted to run, to hunt… than he felt danger… spiders … himself… alone…

Hide…

Harry opened his eyes in awe. "How... Remus told me it was impossible to remember anything! It was far away, like a dream… but I know it's a real memory!" Hagrid smiled at him. After that they ate in silence, Harry trying to process what happened, at least the food made him feel even better.

"What are you not telling me Hagrid?" Harry finally asked, with a piercing look to his friend.

" I… Harry, I don't think you should let any of the other professors see ye, at least until lunch…" The half giant looked concern.

"Why?"

"Because, if that burger Snape see ye that well, he might do something… I shouldn't be helping ye like that. They think you're cursed, but I don't!"

"I… sure Hagrid." "Weird." Harry thought. But Hagrid's worry looked all too real for Harry to ignore. There was something happening. In theory, only the headmaster, Hagrid and Snape knew about Harry's condition. Maybe it was something about that.

"Oi Dobby!" Hagrid said out loud and the frantic house elf appeared with a pop.

"Yeas Hagrid sirs… HARRY POTTER SIR! Dobby is so happy to see the greatest wizards of them all Harry Potter!" The little Elf hushed and hugged Harry's leg with genuine happiness, scaring the wizard to death in the process.

"Dobby, what are you doing here?"

"Is works at Hogwarts now Harry Potter sir, what can Dobby do to helps you?"

"Can ya take Harry back to Gryffindor tower without anyone noticing?" Hagrid asked, with a big slice of bread in his hands.

"Of course, anything for greatest wizards of them all!"

Within a quick thought, Harry remembered his friends and his projects that needed a place and had an idea. He turned to the little elf and asked. "Dobby, is there a place in the castle where I can meet my friends without anyone noticing?"

"Yes, there is Harry Potter sir."

"Can you take me there please?"

Dobby held Harry's arm and with a pop they were inside a dark corridor in a place of the castle that harry never had been, a great tapestry hanged on the wall in front of them."This is" Dobby said pointing to the tapestry. "Is the coming and going room…"

.oOo.

Harry didn't show for potions that morning, and even knowing the reason, Daphne couldn't help but miss him. The school was getting really worked up with the tournament at this point. Most of Gryffindor house were now openly rooting for him, although most yet avoided any contact with the wizard. Sitting there with Tracy, she remembered the night at the hospital again. The same way she did all through the weekend. Was she being serious or just teasing him? The Slytherin was not sure anymore. So much for an ice queen, she thought. He was making a real effort, if not to get closer, to at least have a peaceful coexistence with the students of her house. He was serious about wanting to try to make changes. But, the things she heard when he was sleeping at his hospital bed were troublesome. The pleading, the fear, the anger. She had expected an arrogant, self entitled wannabe hero, but found only a broken young man. She didn't know if it was the healer in her, but she wanted to understand, and to offer help.

The letter his father sent her this morning didn't help to ease her worries either. To her surprise, following Harry's move on the last week, Hermione sat down with her and Tracy, getting an evil snare from Weasley and a smiling nod from Longbottom. The lines kept been erased and redrawn between the students. Blaise also gave them an approving nod. The tall boy was proving to be an eager ally. "That is new…" Tracy said to the Gryffindor. "Won't you get in trouble?"

"If I get in trouble, then doing this is even more necessary than we thought. Besides, you two are great at potions, so I think the three of us will make a good team." Hermione said with a wink at the blond, who rolled her eyes, but smiled back. Snape entered the room, and scanned the students with his blank emotionless eyes, he held his gaze a second longer on the three girls before turning to the board and starting the day's lesson.

"How is Harry?" Daphne finally asked.

Hermione bit her lips. Daphne knew right there that Hermione knew about the curse. "He… was not feeling well, so… hum, he had to lie down. Might be better at lunch."

"Goodness Hermione, you are really a terrible liar…" Daphne shot and the other witch blushed. "Well, I will have to talk to him myself and figure it out them." She sighed.

"I am sorry Daphne. I don't know what to say."

"This will only work out if you let me in entirely. I already know about his little problem." She was now using her cold calculated tone. "I appreciate what you two are trying to do, but I don't like being worried and not being included in things. We are in this together, or I'm out"

"Are you worried about Harry?" Hermione asked with a raised eyebrow. Daphne didn't even change her expression, she just looked deep inside Hermione's eyes. "I would not worry about being included Daphne." Hermione said with a shy smile. "The feeling is mutual. Trust is something Harry hardly gives away, and you earned it. The idiot probably thinks he is protecting us, keeping certain things to himself, but he will come around, or we will make him."

"Us?" Daphne though before having to focus on the task Snape had just passed to the class.

.oOo.

Fleur didn't bother getting to the great Hall for breakfast that morning. As much as she enjoyed Gabby and Hermione's company, she was not in the mood that day. She barely had any sleep, knowing that Harry was out there alone, she even heard him howl, making her shiver in bed. At first, she believed it was fear, and kept thinking about the wards around the castle, the professors and aurores form the ministry ready to take action if needed. But later she realized this was not it. She was not afraid, not of Harry. He was out there, alone, the wolf she had been dreaming on was out there. It was frightening and exciting all at the same time. What could that mean?

The talk she had with Harry before the full moon had her feeling good, but in a weird kind way. They stood in each other's arms for a while just enjoying the proximity. At the first when she started talking, she was afraid her veela nature would take over and make her scream at him. But it didn't. She remained in control, at least until that embrace. When she felt his scent, Harry's body next to her, his hands, one on her back and the other around her shoulder, she felt herself losing control of her aura. Letting go of feelings she didn't even know she could have. Fleur stayed on Harry's arms for way more time than needed. Her allure was not affecting him, and it felt so good to know, so reassuring, he felt that way not because of some stupid magic compulsion, he stayed there because he liked her, Fleur, not the veela. Then her heart started beating even faster, her breath became quicker, drinking on his scent, and she felt her arousal growing, feeling warm in her entire body, down to her center, the moisture between her legs. At this point, Harry whispered softly in her ear, sending chills down her spine. "I wish I could stay here forever… but... the moon is about to rise Fleur, I need to go…"

Gathering all her willpower, she released him; he was blushing furiously, taking deep breaths too, but with a silly grin on his face. Fleur though he looked cute. "See you in a couple days, we are going to own this tournament together!" He left to the night.

During the morning classes, Fleur thought a lot about the tournament. The first task was a little more than a month away and would test their courage in front of the unknown. She had no idea what that meant in the contest of the tournament, but she felt the need to create a training routine. The French witch knew she needed to give special attention to her weaknesses, Fleur knew she was fast and magically powerful, but her body was a little more fragile than the average person thanks to her veela hereditary. Shields and resistance spells would be her starting point. Maybe Harry could help her. By the stories she heard, he was quite the fighter.

At lunch, Fleur was starving; the girl was so hungry she didn't even mind the food, like she normally would. She gathered Regine and Gabby at the carriage, and walked to the great Hall. This time Harry was there, at the edge of Gryffindor's table, seated alone, the other students of his house, a couple sits away. She took a deep breath to control her anger towards some of those people, they could cheer for him because of house loyalty, but cannot bother eating with him, and she sat down beside him. He gave her a brilliant smile, making her anger of his colleagues evaporated. "Hello, how are my favorite French witches today." he asked in an unusual jovial tone.

Gabby giggled furiously, and answered. "Bonjour 'Arry."

"That was a terrible pickup line 'Arry." Fleur rebuked, looking at the young wizard with curiosity. He was supposed to be drained and ragged looking, but was nothing like. He seemed reassured of something.

"Can't blame a bloke for trying." he shrugged. "And at least I am telling the truth. You are all my favorites." The girls smiled at him.

"You seem in an oddly good mood, given the situation." Fleur said, curious. "Not that I'm complaining, it suits you better…"

"Some things are starting to work out, it seems. I want to ask you three, something. I am creating a kind of defense group, with some very close friends, to help people be prepared when bad things happen. Hermione thinks this is a good idea, as I have experience with bad things. I would like to know if you want to join us. I think it will help with our tournament training too, and we could use the help of a future curse breaker." He said with a smile, remembering one of the subjects Fleur had told her in one of their letters.

"Sounds too fun to pass up for me." Said Regine with a grin.

"What is he saying?" Gabby asked in French. Fleur gave her a quick explanation. "Oui, oui, s'il vous plaît, Fleur." The young witch gave her sister her best puppy eyes. Fleur rolled her eyes and nodded.

"Cool, meet us tonight at…" Harry started saying, looking excited.

"'Arry, we can't leave the carriage after curfew. How are we going to make it?" Fleur interrupted.

"Don't worry, I will send someone to your room. No, not myself, although, it's not a bad...…" Fleur hit him in the arm and Regine laughed. It seems that the strangeness of the days before had finally gone, much for Fleur's relief.

"Not yet 'Arry, maybe if you behave." Fleur said playfully.

At this point Hermione arrived with the chubby boy. "Why can't I never remember his name?" Fleur thought. They joined the conversation and Fleur noticed the red haired girl from the other day coming to sit with them, but the younger witch seemed to change her mind when she saw the French girls. Fleur even felt a little guilty.

.oOo.

The headmaster watched his boy from the staff table. Harry had been in Hagrid's hut all morning, seemingly drained. Perhaps the new dosage will do, for now at least.

But now the old wizard had a new concern, Harry was getting too close to the Delacour girls, specifically the older one. How much she knew of her parent's doings and aspirations were a mystery for him, and the headmaster didn't like those kinds of mysteries. Being a foreign student and daughter of an important politician, she was somewhat out of his reach, he came to like that even less. Perhaps Dolores's idea had its merits.

There must be something in the magic of those families that attracted each other, something dark and dangerous. It was happening just like sixteen years ago. He needed to check if the Delacours had been in contact with the Greengrasses too, that would be disastrous. For now, Albus Dumbledore had decided to wait and see on the kids. His plans seemed to be working, the impostor was being under constant surveillance, and the order had even discovered some of its contacts, getting ever closer to Tom's hideout. In the right time they would be ready to act.

Now he needed to find Sirius Black.

.oOo.

At the edge of woods that surrounded the Bell family state, Katie Bell took a deep breath. Her hands caressing the old oak trees that kept her safe for so many years. She couldn't help, but feel a little sad about the decision she had finally made. But her inner wolf knew this was the right choice, and denying it would bring only more suffering, to much more people than herself.

"Want to tell me what's happening, little cub." Her grandfather, Benjamin Bell asked her with a voice full of concern. As he approached, Benjamin was a tower of a man. Even missing his right arm on shoulder high, with a tall strong build. His grey hair was cut just above the shoulders, and his almost totally white beard was short but full. His eyes were of a very light brownish color, almost yellow, shining with an almost predatory gaze.

"I haven't been a little cub for a while, grandpa." She answered with a smile to the man that had always been her rock.

"Indeed…" He placed his one hand over her's on the tree, covering it entirely; Katie could feel his warm, and also the calluses of years of hunting and caring for his pack. "But that doesn't mean I can't be worried about you." He looked deep into her eyes. "You hunted with us this night, but you were not truly there; I could feel that your heart was elsewhere."

"Grandpa… I found an alpha… and I decided to follow him…" She looked him in the eyes, almost defiant.

"The boy you told me about? Potter?"

"Yes… I can't let him go; I can't leave him alone anymore. My heart keeps calling, and my howls try to reach him."

Benjamin stayed silent, looking at the big tree. Katie tried to read his eyes, but her emotions got in the way. "I heard the boy is quite powerful. I need to ask, it is his power that is bringing you to him?"

"No… he is powerful, that is true, but he is also much more. He is kind, passionate and protective. There is also darkness in him, it is true, as if he has been through hell and back, and yet he always tries to do what is right…not for him, but for the otters. But I can see it is taking a tough on him. I want to help him fight this darkness, and I don't want him to be alone anymore."

Benjamin sighed. "You must do what you think is right. Your resolve and your instincts had always being your forte. But please remember, we will always be your family and you will always have a place with us. I just ask you, run with us one more time before joining him. For me and your mother."

She hugged him tight, with tears in her eyes.

"Of course grandpa…"

HPHPHP

My name is Christopher Bell,

"I wonder if he is Katie's relative…"

As I write those words, I complete 254 years of life, 206 of those as the Alpha of the most powerful pack oh the entire England. I have been bitten by my own mother at age five, and took the role as the Alpha after my grandmother passed away. Now I prepare the groundwork for my son to take the role after me, as even our kind can't live forever. My objective with this tome is to shed a light over myself and my kind, and what it means to be on a pack. Through all my years, I had seen many people came and go from the pack, both wolves and non wolves. Some of our cubs had gone to create packs of their own, but so strong are our bound that most only leave us at time of their death.

Harry was astonished. Seated in the tree trunk where he had talked with Hermione, he turned the page. A book written by a werewolf. One that seemed an important one. How could Hagrid had come in possession of this?

Most of the "normal" wizardry society has labeled our kind as dark creatures, little more than monsters to be suspected on a daily basis and feared at the high of the moon. The big bad wolf of their kid's tales. Although it is true we possess an undying rage Inside us that can easily drive us to violent behavior (but isn't that true about any normal wizards and non magical humans too?) And the sins some of our kind committed are amongst the most terrible imaginable (I will delve more on that later) I honestly don't believe that is the reason they had ostracized and hunted us. The real reason is more subtle, and because of that, way more dangerous.

We see magic differently.

Normal wizards often see magic in black and white, light and dark. Champion of the light, dark Lord. They rely on their limited vision and the sense of the magic around to do it.

Magic speaks to us differently, it speaks to us through colors that only we can understand, it flow through us in scents so unique that the average wizard would go crazy just to imagine, we can hear magic singing, we can taste it and we can relinquish when it kills. To us, magic is not black or white, not some shades of grey or light and darkness. To us, magic is that and much more, magic is vibrant, creator of life and harvester of death. Magic is alive (and I am pretty sure it is female.)

"Hermione will like that" Harry thought. Still mesmerized by what the book on his hands were saying.

That is the reason I think they really fear us and label us as dark creatures. Haven't they done the same with all other magical sentient creatures? They had done the same to the veela, the fey, the goblins; they almost exterminated the dragons, the most ancient of us all. They fear the different.

Now, for one to understand us, first he needs to understand the most important thing to our kind. The reason to our world.

The pack.

.oOo.

"HEY Potty!" Hermione turned around to see Draco Malfoy with a cardboard box in his hands. He walked towards Harry and her with a slick, evil grin. "Look what the owl brought me this morning, do you want one?" He shoved his hand inside it and took one a bottom just like the one pinned on his robe. The circular bottom was in blue and yellow, almost twice the size of a galleon. Printed on it was the smiling face of Cedric Diggory, and the words qritten with shining magical letters read, "support Cedric, the true Hogwarts champion"! Hermione saw that Crablee, Goilee, Parkinson and Millicent were all wearing one like that, just like some other Slytherin students too, but for the witch's relief, less people than she expected. "I did those to show my support to the true Hogwarts champion, and look that is not all!" Draco touched the bottom he was wearing, it made a swirling move and a whistle sound as the colors changed to red and gold, with an image of Harry's angry head in it, and the shining words "Potter sux!". "Cool isn't it, here, you can have one for each of your lesser blood friends!"

Hermione looked at Harry. The girl was fuming, her cheeks red, but the young wizard only shook his head. He was not biting the bait. She knew he didn't want risk detention today. "Hey Greengrass!" Draco theatrically called turning to the black haired girl leaving the classroom with Tracey and Blaise. "Want one? Show some house and school loyalty here" Draco smirked and moved to place the bottom on her chest. Hermione could feel Harry tensing besides her, the warm emanating from his body was almost like standing close to a flame. That was the line it should not be crossed anymore, she could see his protective instincts kicking in. Katie was right. Harry gave a step closer to them, and Hermione herself tensed.

But Daphne was faster, with a quick movement she pointed her wand at Malfoy's manhood, making the boy stand cold, and hissed at him. "If you ever try to touch me again," her voice sounded cold and controlled, making it even more scary, "I will curse your little balls so bad that your mother will have to endure your joke of a father one more time just to ensure that your weak bloodline don't die…"

Draco was flushed red with rage, Parkinson, Crablee and Goyle drawn their wands, as did Tracy and Zabini, Hermione saw Harry moving even closer, and so did Draco. The look on the blond boy's eyes a mixture of rage and fear.

"Enough of this!" Minerva Mcgonagall's voice echoed through the corridor. "Malfoy, remove yourself and your stuff from here before I vanish it. I will not tolerate any more conflict between students." Hermione noticed that all bottoms reverted to support Cedric as soon as the professor walked in, Daphne collected her wand, and Draco moved to the great hall with a furious gaze both to Harry and the Ice Queen.

After making certain Daphne, Tracy and Blaise were not been ambushed, Hermione and Harry continued their path to Gryffindor's common room. "We need a training plan for our little defense project." Harry said on the way. "And a training schedule. Maybe you can work that out?" He asked her with a knowing smile. He really knew her, Hermione though, she loved scheduling things.

"Of course I will, but before we need to know at which level each one of us are, then we can divide ourselves into training tiers, each tier learning from the above and teaching the below. I believe you and Fleur will be the top tier. We go from there."

"Sounds good! You are brilliant, I am lucky to have you!" Hermione waited for the "but I am not that good line" from Harry, but it never came. "About Ron…" he asked instead.

She bit her lip, making Harry blush. Interesting….

"I don't think is the right time Harry, especially after that hideous piece at the Prophet. He needs to come around on his own." She was secretly relieved for not having to deal with the red haired boy anymore. Harry was doing better in classes, and she got to expend time with him by herself, without been constantly reminded of what a bastard Ron was. But she knew it hurt Harry. "I will talk to Katie." She's tough. "Maybe she can help me tell him what happened in a way that will not make Harry go after Ron and hurt him."

Harry then started talking about Christopher Bell's book and how it was changing his views, how he could feel what he was writing about, and it was fascinating, almost as fascinating as hearing him talk. "Dammit Hermione." She mentally hit herself in the back. "There you go, acting like a little girl in love again, get a hold of yourself!"

"Harry, Hermione!" Katie entered the common room; she was finally back from home. The young woman gave Hermione a kiss in the check, making the girl blush in surprise, and a hug on Harry pressing her entire body on him, so they could feel each other in a not only friendly way. People around the room looked at them, but Katie didn't seem to care. Harry blushed furiously, trying to hide his erection from the hug, but smiled, Hermione thought the embarrassment made him even cuter.

Instantly, images of the two persons in front of her bombarded Hermione's brain, and she felt the already familiar warm of her arousal between her legs. They both looked at her at the same time. Harry seemed confused; Katie just gave her an evil smile. Hermione realized they smelled it. They knew.

.oOo.

Bellatrix rested her head at the wall of the dark cell, there was no windows, so she couldn't tell what time was it, or even if it was day or night. It was part of their punishment at this hell hole to let them go slowly insane. "Good", she thought, it helped with her act of playing the insane woman. Bellatrix Lestrange was far from insane. She was mischievous, calculating, and intelligent. She found out her act helped her not only to survive, but to thrive amidst some of the wickets men she ever knew. Because of this she could work with no boundaries, killing, torturing, raping… and she liked it. She felt empowered, and excited, seem all those men and women trembling at her name. But now it ended, she was stuck here, abandoned. Alone.

"Why did you follow Voldemort?" Bellatrix didn't know what scared her the most, the casual mention of the Dark Lord's name, or the deep feral voice saying it with so much easy, in a tone much more calm than she even believed possible coming from a monster like him. But her trained mind quickly put the surprise aside and got a hold of the situation.

"Why you want to know, beast!" She said angrily to the wall behind her. The low laughter at the other side was even scarier than before, when did Fenrir got so controlled?

"Because I am bored, bitch!" The last world resonated through the wall, making her tremble, how that animal dare call her that. Even so, there was something on his voice, something deep and unsettling, that she only had felt on the dark lord's voice before, something almost compelling. "Don't even try to fool me bitch." There was that word again, she was fuming now. "I can see right through your act."

She stayed in silence for a while. She felt angry, but also lonely. Something was compelling her to answer, she was not sure if it was the monster's voice, or her own will to talk to another person. Even if he was not entirely a person at all. "Some… people need to be put in their places." she started. "There is an order on this world, and some are born to serve the others. He was powerful enough to impose that order."

"Bullshit…" his deep voice simple echoed through the wall, hitting her like a punch. "I didn't ask for his bloody stupid pureblood propaganda pamphlets. I can smell your lies, I am asking about the murders, the torture, I am asking about Bellatrix!."

She closed her eyes; this was not the Greyback she knew. This one was way more frightening, but also more interesting. She kept going. "At first I think it was about getting revenge on the world. I was a woman, a pureblood, I was taught pride, but was sold like a milking cow by my sister…"

"And then…"

"And then I discovered that I liked." Bellatrix smiled, an evil and lively smile, and she almost felt the grim coming from the other side of the wall. "And you, beast, why did you serve the dark lord?

"There is where you are wrong, bitch… I never served the little Voldemort." Bellatrix was both scared and intrigued as how could someone treat the dark lord so lightly. "I approached him when he was young and you were just a child. I had a deal with him." Shivers gone down her spine…

"Why?"

He laughed a bestial laugh. "I like them young…"

.oOo.

Fleur, Regine and Gabby were waiting at the older girl's room. They had conjectured how Harry was going to take then to the castle's seventh floor. Invisible cloak? Aparating? All seem so unbelievable, but the truth was going to show itself even weirder. About forty five minutes after curfew, Gabby was getting impatient when they heard a pop in the room. The most weirdly dressed house elf they had ever seen appeared in front of them. He was wearing one sock of each color, and a jersey with Harry's name and number over him, tied by a rope on his waist. But his attitude jumpy was even weirder.

"My name's is Dobby," the weird elf presented himself with an exaggerated bow to the girls, "mister Harry Potter sir asked me to take his flower and her friends to him." Gabby was ecstatic, jumping with an enormous smile.

Regine couldn't handle herself and started laughing. "This guy is really full of surprises all right! Let's go, flooowwer." She dragged the last word looking directly a Fleur, who seemed torn between disgust and amusement at the little creature in front of her. Fleur gave Regine an evil look and sighed, accepting the hand the weird elf was offering. In a blink of an eye and a pop they found themselves at a dark corridor with a big tapestry on the wall. Gathered there were Harry, Hermione, Katie, the chubby boy (how is his name?) and Daphne. There were also three more Slytherin students she didn't know and the red haired angry girl.

Harry gave Fleur a smile that she earnestly returned. It was weird how she felt like they could almost communicate without exchanging a single word. Gabby ran and gave Harry a hug, storming him with a barrage of words both in English and French.

"Hum, Potter, why are we here in front of a wall?" The tall and dark Slytherin boy suddenly asked.

"Allow me…" Harry said, and walked over the tapestry three times, when suddenly, without a sound, a big double door appeared behind it. Everyone looked astonished. Harry opened the door and invited they in. "Harry, what is this place?" Hermione asked as they entered a big room with some chairs, many training dummies and a big duel ring at the corner.

"Dobby called it the coming and go room. As he explained me, the room adjusts itself accordingly to what the person in front of it needs. Once the door is closed, no one else can enter until we leave. I tested it a couple times, and got a replica of the Gryffindor common room, the burrow and even a small pool!" He said excited to the amazed little student group.

"But there is nothing about it in Hogwarts a history…" the bushy haired girl whispered. Fleur was astonished. Gabby didn't leave Harry's side, holding his left hand and Fleur approached then both to the right.

"Ok, I am not very good with this. But…" Harry started, talking a little louder so everyone could listen to him and pay attention to his words, Fleur could see a subtle change on his posture. "Well, You were all called here because I trust and care about you, and we are here to learn, not only how to defend ourselves, but most importantly, how to defend those we care for. Saving last year under professor Lupin, the defense classes here were all a joke at best. I know many people don't believe me, but Voldemort isn't finished…" Fleur noticed some of the people flinching at the name, interestingly, Hermione, Katie and Daphne kept their cool. "He will be back and I want to be prepared this time, and I need you to be prepared as well" Fleur watched Harry, and it was amazing. His aura changed, emanating a sense of leadership and strength, the other people couldn't help but listen. Even her. "Even if for some reason any of you here don't believe me, you all need to learn how to defend yourselves, and those you care for. The staff of this school don't care half of the time, or even cover some dangerous entitle individuals. The people on this room are friends and people I trust and I hope to bring more with time… we need to prepare and better ourselves, screw house rivalries, or blood status, we are the change we be waiting for. We need to be more for those we love. We are pieces being playing by others, we are not stories to be told, we are our own selves, we must show that we are awake and we are in control! I will not let Voldemort or anyone for that matter take anyone from me anymore, and I hope you are ready for that too." Silently nods, Fleur saw Hermione and Katie smiling. Daphne looked could, but her eyes were shining at the wizard in front of her Here were the Harry they loved. "Before we start any questions?"

"Hum… why is French Blondie and her friends here? This doesn't concern then, we are your friends!" The red haired girl asked, with a voice full of venom and, Fleur noticed, a little of jealousy. Fleur gave her a fierce look, even if her own reaction had been exaggerated the other day, the little girl was starting to push it. She was about to speak, but Harry was faster.

"Her name is Fleur and you know it Ginny. She is a friend, and you are naive if you think this fight don't affect her as much as us. She is also the top duelist of her school, and I believe she can help us a lot. I know she can help me a lot." Harry smiled to Fleur and looked back to Ginny. "If we start with this kind of attitude between ourselves, we are doomed to fail." the red haired girl, Ginny looked embarrassed under Harry's hard look. Fleur also felt a little ashamed of her previous attitude and made a mental note of apologizing later. "Any other questions before we start?"

"It is true you can perform a corporeal patronus?" Tracy asked.

"Well… yes… is no big deal…"

"Shut the fuck up Harry, of course it is! Show us!"

Harry drew his wand, Fleur saw the concentration on his eyes for a moment, and he looked at her. Was he using her as a happy feeling? He waved his wand and said the incantation. "Expecto patronum."

A burst of light came out from his wand and ran around them, as the powerful form of a great dire wolf started to form. It was beautiful and powerful, he encircle the group a couple times then stopped and touch his enormous head to Harry's forehead, before dissolving in a silent howl. Fleur looked at Harry in awe; even now he was full of surprises. What an intriguing person. But he looked confused.

.oOo.

Harry proceeds to separate them by pairs in order to test their skills in a friendly duel. As they get prepared, Fleur approached him and lightly touched his hand. "Are you OK 'Arry? You look a li'ee confused."

"I'm ok," He answered, sound a less confident than he wished for, "just a little weird. Did you ever read about a patronus changing form before?"

"Yours changed?"

"Yes, it used to be a stag, today it was a wolf…" He sounded a little ashamed, but he didn't even know why, he felt strange talking about something so intimate with Fleur, yet he felt the French witch could understand.

"Well, I think you, Harry, changed, and your patronus is reflecting that, don't? The wolf is incredibly fitting to the Harry I know…" She gave him a predatory smile that sent shivers down his neck.

"You probably right, but I think I will miss Prongs" Harry looked at her confused face with a little sadness. "The stag was my father's animagus form… it was somewhat of a connection I had with him… I know it sounds silly..." Fleur gave him a nice, caring hug, Harry let himself drawn in her scent, letting it make him calmer. When they finally parted, she said.

"Maybe it happened because you are ready to move out of their shadows. I am not saying to forget them or not to honor their memory, but maybe is time for you to be your own man. To make them proud by being 'Arry Potter, not le survivant."

Harry took it to the heart, and after a deep breath finally said, with a smile of his own "Thank you, that actually… helped."

"Are you sure it was not all a plan for me to hug you again?" She said with a mischievous grin 'You could had just asked…".

"I cannot deny nor confirm such statement," Harry said proudly, "but that hug helped me a lot too…" This time he was the one with a grin.

"Cretin…" she said softly.

Harry blushed and moved to the front. "Ok, let's start. Neville and Tracy first. Remember, minor hexes and shields, this is a friendly duel to determine where each person stands only."

Harry had based his pairings in accordance with what he have seen from his friends in defense classes, and he knew from the letters they exchanged, that Fleur was Beauxbatons duel champion. Regine and Gabby were mysteries to him. Harry watched as Tracy quickly defeated Neville, thought he could see that the boy really held back because of his shyness. It was something he would have to work on. Then he moved to Gabby and Astoria. Harry was actually happily surprised with Gabby, who won against the older girl and showed great knowledge of duel techniques. Fleur explained that they parents trained both of them since very early age.

Ginny defeated Blaise, even if barely, Daphne won against Katie, her shield work and her legendary stingers doing had being put to work. Hermione had a hard time with Regine, the older girl clearly had knowledge of more advanced duel techniques, but managed to defend herself with proficiency as Hermione probably had more practical experiences in fighting than any other there, save himself. All the time Harry took notes. As they finished, Harry had a list of all of them, listing their strengths and what he think they need to work on, he was dividing them in groups when Fleur touched his shoulders. He turned to see a predatory fire in his eyes, that made her even more beautiful to him.

"We are not done yet 'boy'." She said with an evil grin. "Don't you think you will escape me?" She pointed at the ring. Everyone else is watching them. "I am dying to see the true 'Arry, after all those stories… we can really learn about someone in a duel, don't you think? And I really want to learn about you 'Arry." She said on his ear now, sending shivers down his spine, awaking the wolf.

Harry responded kindly. "Why do I feel you witches are trying to literally kill me?" They walked onto the ring, all eyes on them; Fleur tied her platinum hair in a ponytail, moving with grace and speed. She gracefully assumed the dueling position, looking right at his eyes."Shit," Harry thought. "She looks beautiful and dangerous…" He looked at her almost perfect stance, perfectly balanced, ready to attack or block, even now he couldn't find a breach. Her wand slightly pointed down. He felt a little ashamed of his own slope position, but that too was an act. She probably knew it. Harry realized he felt excited about this.

It was also the first time he dueled after being bitten. The wolf was eager to prove himself. He could also smell her excitement, hear her breath. "Maybe this will even things out for me, otherwise I am pretty sure I didn't stand a chance." he thought, feeling a smile on the corner of his mouth.

They bowed at each other, as Remus had taught him, with moving his eyes from the opponent. It proved to be the right thing to do, less than a second later Harry dodged to the right, feeling the air movement produced by the ropes of her non verbal incarcerous spell, Harry promptly respond with an Impediment Jinx of his own, moving to the left as Fleur conjured a shield. A stunner hit the ground where he was not a second before, his reflexes starting running at full speed. To the watchers, it was almost like a dance, as they move around and with each other. Harry looked like he was flying through the ring, relying more on dodging with his newfound reaction speed hovering up and down, left and right, as Fleur looked like a fey or a goddess at the centre of a worship ritual, surrounded by the light of her shields, and the repealed spell's sparks flying around her as she gracefully rotate to accompany her partners fast movements around her. Even with the speed and the lights, Harry looked at her in awe, with the movement of her hair accompanying her own, flying behind her, shining like silver reflecting the light of the spells, and he could see she was smiling, and realized he too was smiling. Then he saw a breach on her defenses and quickly stepped closer to her, only to realize it was a trap.

"Expelliarmus!" They both said at the same time. Their breath was fast, both their hearts pounding, at mere inches of each other, their bodies almost meeting when they stopped. They laughed, and each hand back the wand they got to its owner.

"I guess it's a tie…did you learned what you think you would?" he asked.

"For now… and got even more questions..." she answered, getting closer.

They were disturbed by Gabby happy cheering and babbling in French. Harry looked at the others students, breathing fast.

"That was amazing!" Blaise said in awe. "You were both so fast, and silent… wow…"

"It was actually … beautiful!" Daphne complemented.

Harry and Fleur both blushed. Gabby hugged both of them. "Well…" Harry said, still a little ashamed. "I think that, based on what I had seen, we can work on the strengths and weaknesses of each one. We meet again in two days; if you have some other people in mind, let me know so we can discuss bringing them in. Dobby." The elf popped into the room. "Please help everyone back; I need to go to the hospital wing with Daphne."

.oOo.

Daphne and Harry came back to the hospital wing under the wizard invisibility cloak. They walked side By side, their shoulders and arms touching. Harry still a little worked up from the amazing duel with Fleur, and Daphne couldn't miss the opportunity seeing the silly smile on his face, He was one the fell she felt like losing up, along with Tracy and maybe Hermione. "Enjoying yourself Potter?" she asked in a teasingly tone, rubbing her fingers on his hand.

"Hey," He said, blushing a little, "in my defense, any bloke would, been this close of a beautiful witch. Last I remember I am a guy." He laughed at his own cheekiness. "I am awful at this…"

"If you behave I may let you hold my hand…"

"Tease!" He rolled his eyes.

"Am I?" She thought. She couldn't deny, she was enjoying herself, but her mind keep coming back to their kisses… she brought herself even closer to him, feeling his warm nest to her, feeling protected. As they reach the hospital wing, Daphne checked to see that madam Ponphey had already gone to bed. There were no patients in serious conditions right, only a Durmstrang student who got too close of the screaming bulbs sleeping soundly, and the wards would let her know if something happened. She then casted a quick tempus, checking the hour. "We still have five minutes, let's get to the fire place and I will set the wards."

"I was thinking." Harry said as he watch her, waving her wand around the fireplace, again stunned by how beautiful she looked, just like he did in that second year train encounter. "Maybe we can use that room for you to teach me to."

"That sounds good." She answered in her analytical tone.

"What you think I need to learn?" There was a real curiosity in his voice.

"Next year, you can apply for emancipation." She started, sitting at his side. "The usual age is seventeen, but under unusual circumstances like yours it can be lowered to sixteen. Although a lot of people will not be happy by seen the Potters's wizengamot sit occupied again"

"You are saying that after this summer I would never need to come back to the Durlleys again?" His face was so hopeful, Daphne though it looked like a child desperate to run away, her heart felt heavy, how can the prideful young man she just witness revert like that? His self esteem really was destroyed.

"You need to learn how to present yourself to the Wizengamot first to present your case. The actual structure is not like the books you read, not since the last war. Some families lost too much, others gained too much power, You need to learn the pureblood costumes, even if you don't like it, actually, most of the wizards costumes so you can navigate around them without been crushed. It won't hurt to learn how to drink and how to dance too…"

"Dance? I can't dance!"

"After what I saw tonight I really doubt it." She smiled at him.

"Why do I have to dance, what it has to do with politics?" He looked sincerely confused.

"Harry, you are the heir of two ancient noble houses… you will need to learn how to behave with the ladies, there are other forms of politics beyond the Wizengamot. More subtle, but maybe even more powerful, making alliances and supporting other families, remember that our political system is two hundred years behind, and wizards gave a lot of importance to bloodlines and magical power, and you have both.."

"You are talking about marriage…"

"You might even consider more than one."

"Why would I get married, divorced and married again? Isn't better to make the first one work?"

"I mean at the same time Harry." She chuckle at him.

"What is that even legal?" Now he was scarred, and she tough he looked cute like that. "Well, it doesn't matter now, I am much too young… also," he leaned closer to Daphne. "I know how to behave with the ladies, especially when they are not teasing me."

Daphne leaned even closer, her deep blue eyes fixed on his.

"You wish Potter…"

As if a hint had happened, the fireplace lifted by itself with green flames, catching both teens attention, a man's head appeared through it. "Hello father." Daphne said after recovering from the scare. "Harry, this is my father Artus Greengrass."

"Hello Mr. Greengrass, is a pleasure meeting you."

"It is my pleasure seen you again Harry, you became quite the notable young man. I know you must heard it all the time, and it must not be pleasant, but for a second I felt like I was seen James again. But now I see much of Lily in you… but I digress, just a second, they are almost ready."

"They?" Harry looked confused.

With another green flash, the head of Sirius Black appeared aside from Artus's. "Really complex this untraceable double floo don't? Hello pup!"

"Sirius!" Daphne could hear the warm of Harry's voice. "Are you ok? Where are you? It's so good to see you!"

"It's good to see you too pup. I needed to check on you after this tournament bullshit. How are you holding on?"

"Well, apart from someone sabotaging the tournament, probably to see me dead, things are getting… better, I think."

"Are you preparing yourself? I will not lie pup, you have potential, but you do need some damn good training! Sometimes you are sloppy as hell."

"I know, Remus told me that last year. The Beauxbatons champion, Fleur will train with me." Sirius and Artus looked at each other through the flames; Sirius looked like looking to someone behind him.

"Maybe i can help with that too." Daphne could feel the innuendo on Sirius's voice and rolled her eyes.

"Harry, who do you think it put your name in the Goblet?" Artus asked.

"I have no idea. Maybe a follower of Voldemort, someone like Lucius Malfoy. He had interfered at the school before on the third year."

"It is possible…"

"Harry." Sirius said after a couple seconds, sounding worried. "I believe you received a notice from the ministry of what I did… first I would like to say I am sorry."

"Why are you sorry for adopting me?" There was real concern in his voice, Daphne noticed.

"Don't think for a second I don't want you both as an heir and as a soon, pup! I am sorry because I did it behind your back. Because with this I became just another grown up bastard trying to control your destiny, I will understand if you got mad…"

"No Sirius, I am not mad at all. Please don't think like that… for once I am happy someone did it. Bit how did you manage it?"

"There was never a trial. I survived that hell hole without being convicted. That meant, for the magical records and Gringotts that I retain some of my rights as house head."

"Sirius adopting you," Artus continued, "creates a cabal magical prove that he was never convicted. With that, the new minister of France, Jacques Delacour, can start an political asylum process, and I will move a petition to his case to be reopen in the next Wizengamot meeting. It will not be easy, quick or pretty, the persons who wanted Sirius looked up in the first place will fight against it"

"And also important." Sirius said. "With that, having an able, but not of age heir, the Black family accounts became blocked. Narcisa and that trash of a husband of hers cannot touch the Black family assets to promote their pureblood agenda, or to help Voldemort."

Harry took a moment to soak things in. He may be able to help freeing his godfather and became free of Vernon Durlley at the same time. "Does Dumbledore know about all of this?" He finally asked.

Sirius looked deep into his eyes through the floo, with a severe expression. "Harry, Dumbledore is the reason why I am hiding…"