FicWad

AN: Do not own, and don't make any money.

Thanks to AWR and Master42 for the beta reading, and to thedeaddodo for the help editing, you guys rock!

Chapter 11

While the Alpha is the central member of a pack, it isn't the most important member. He guides the other members, while he himself is guided by their necessities and need for protection.

There is a misconception about the role of the Alpha as a form of tyrannical leader, a position earned by force. We are not animals, strength is only one of the many traits an alpha must possess. More important than sheer strength is the ability to acknowledge each member of the pack as its own person, and provide what that person with his own needs. The Alpha leads the hunt, but must be able to recognize the other pack members strengths and weaknesses. He is a guide that also needs guidance, and only the other pack members can provide such thing. The Alpha is chosen by the pack, in a very subtle way, he is the one capable of connecting with all the members in different levels, so in the end all others circle around him.

But what is more important, through the Alpha, all the bonded can share the magic. He serves as a beacon and also as a hub. Through him, even the non-bitten can experience the way we see and feel magic. The Alpha shared his magic, and all other share their own with him. Many are stronger than one.

But he also shares his emotions, fears and rage; an alpha can lead his entire pack into madness, or worse. The Alpha must earn his position, to force it only leads to pain and rage. And it cannot be earned by power alone.

What most outsiders fail to understand is, the Alpha is a position not of rage or strength, but love.

The Alpha also needs an inner circle, those closest to him, to help bring him balance, without them, the Alpha is doomed to lose control.

.oOo.

"My name is Fleur Delacour, first daughter of the house Delacour, the first daughter of the minister of magic, champion of Beauxbatons, and now, I am a proud veela." Fleur thought looking at herself in the big mirror of her new champion bedroom. "If I want to change the world, first I need to change myself, accepting who I am. And I am a veela and much more." She recited the words Harry said about himself before leaving two days ago for his cycle of transformation and acceptance. Fleur felt the truth of this statement, the allure was part of her, like the wolf was now part of him, and like him, she was not to be defined by it, but should embrace it as her own. With a proud smile, she finished grooming her hair and prepared herself for the day.

She wanted to thank Harry, but she knew he wasn't going to be there this morning. But her other friends would, gathering Gabby and Regine, she directed herself to the great Hall. Fleur sat on her now usual place, at the end of Gryffindor's table, besides Hermione, soon to be joined by Neville and Ginny. People still think it was weird, especially of their own house, the lions could be as prejudiced as the snakes, the French witch discovered. That was what this tournament is about, integration, she thought.

They chatted animatedly about the last meeting, when Fleur took Harry's place as the leader. Even Ginny seemed more comfortable with her now. In this weird little group, she found acceptance. Maybe even love. With them, many of the insecurities she hid inside herself could be washed away. Fleur was happy.

The morning classes flew by, and before lunch Fleur waited besides the carriage, searching for him. "I just want to thank him, and show him the same kindness he showed me…" she tought as the young man approached. His messy hair flying with the wind, his predatory green eyes, the eyes of the wolf… and smiling. They stood in front of each other smiling. Regine and Gabby watched giggling as Fleur gave Harry a hug. "Welcome back." She whispered.

"Thank you…" he said, looking in her eyes. They found only acceptance in one another. "Fleur." He said after a while, with a triumphant smile. "I discovered it, the first task, It's dragons!"

.oOo.

After the day classes, Harry and Fleur gathered Hermione, Daphne and Katie, he was thrilled, but also feeling completely lost. He had never faced a dragon before, and somehow he doubted his new physical achievements would be of much help. Walking through the hallways, under the other students gaze, the group directed themselves to Harry's favorite spot near the lake. But before they left the castle, the young wizard suddenly stopped near the exit.

"Anything wrong 'Arry?" Asked Fleur. Harry pointed to a group of students near them. He could see Cedric Diggory and Cho Chang, surrounded by their usual entourage of Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws. The tension between the two groups had been palpable before, specifically because some of them, including Cho, insisted to use those buttons Malfoy had distributed to the school.

"Karkaroff was there last night, I could smell him, I am pretty sure Krum already knows." He turned to Fleur with a worried expression. "I think I should tell Cedric…"

"I don't know 'Arry." Fleur responded with a hard look. "Although he never said a bad thing or wear one of those disgusting buttons, he never did anything to stop his friends doing so either."

"Well, maybe I can offer this as a peace offering. He is a good guy Fleur, just caught up on the confusion of this situation. I don't think is fair the three of us knowing what we are going to face and Cedric doesn't." Harry looked at Hermione and Katie, and they nodded in approval, but Daphne had a doubtful, cold expression, she couldn't care less for Diggory.

"Then you are a more forgiving person than me, but I can understand and respect that." Fleur finished, sounding a little harsh. Harry nodded with a smile and signaled for the girls to wait. He approached Cedric and his group with heads up, he was not ashamed for being in the tournament, not anymore, angry yes, but not ashamed. Cedric looked at his approach them with curious eyes. But made no mention of going away. The tall blond young man gave a quick look at Fleur and the others, and then returned his gaze to Harry.

"Diggory… Cedric, can I talk to you?" Harry asked, looking at the other wizard, trying to appear the most honest as possible.

"He has nothing to talk about with you Potter!" Cho said from his side, with an angry look, but Cedric squeezed her arm and looked at her with a reassuring gaze.

"Go on Potter. We always meet eye to eye in the field, and I respect you. I have yet to make my mind about all this mess, but in the end, this is just another competition, right…"

"Yes, and even if I hadn't entered it from my free will, I want it to be fair for all of us, Cedric. We don't need to be enemies. Fleur and I are not enemies as you can see." Harry said, trying to keep his voice as neutral as possible.

"Totally agreed." Cho gave the blond boy an astonished look. Cedric just smiled at her and shrugged.

"Krum already knows by now, as do Fleur and I… Cedric, the first task, it's dragons." The Hufflepuff eyes widened in disbelief. "I don't know exactly what they expect from us, but now you can at least better prepare yourself."

"Thank you, Harry; I don't know how I can repay you for that…"

Harry gave a look to the circular bottom pined on Cho's robes. "I guess you do…" And Cedric nodded. The green-eyed wizard waved his hand. "Good luck Cedric." Harry walked back to a proud fully smiling Hermione and got a pitiful smirk from Daphne. "What?"

"Noble git…" the Slytherin said with a grim and a hand wave. They walked to the tree trunk; Harry was silent, as the girls entered funny discussion about hexing Cho. Harry knew was a joke or at least he hopped when he saw both Fleur's and Daphne's evil gazes.

"Dragons." Harry finally, said looking at the lake. "What the fuck are we supposed to do? I doubt they expect us to kill them or something like that. Especially with all people looking. So it must be some other thing." He finished turning to his friends.

"The most probable." Hermione said. "Is for you to have to get past the dragons for something, testing your courage. What kind of equipment you can carry to the task?"

"For the first task, only our wands." Fleur answered.

"That looks awful dangerous for a competition between teenage students." Daphne complete, to everyone's agreement. She thought for a couple seconds. "OK, first let's think about your strengths. What are you too really good at?"

Harry and Fleur looked at each other… "I can't think of anything…"

"I am a veela, so the fire would probably not be a problem, as I can manipulate and resist a reasonable amount of it… I am also good a mental magic, and suggestion charms, we learn about this kind of magic since a young age, to both use and control the effects of the allure, but I don't think that would help. Also, my aim is quite good." She said proudly."

"Huuum, that can actually matter, I mean, the mental magic." Hermione said, adopting her lecturing tone. "Dragons are sentient creatures, although some wizards prefer to forget it. Maybe you can get to it that way. Or maybe you can get close enough to his eyes; they're the only exposed weak spot. As we imagine you don't have to kill it, just gain some time, enough to pass it."

"It might work." Fleur said thoughtfully.

"We need to train your aim, and improve your natural fire shields then, I will look for some spells you can use if you get close enough." Hermione conjured a parchment and a pen (happy that no professor was looking) and started making a list.

"Sounds like a good plan, Harry?" Daphne asked.

"As I said, I can't think of anything. My reflexes and senses have improved by a mile, but I doubt they would be any help. I am very good with runes, or so professor Bathsheda says, but even my most powerful spells wouldn't hurt the thing. And my aim is shit, so, no going for the eyes…" he said a little ashamed.

"Well, I can think of something you are really good at…" Katie said with a jump and a grin on her face.

"Katie, that is not the time for that." Hermione said with a sigh.

"Although I know you are all eager to have a taste of that..." Katie said with an evil smirk and everybody but Fleur blushed. "That is not what I am talking about."

"What do you mean them?" Harry asked curiously.

"Flying Harry, you are good at flying!"

.oOo.

Draco was angry. Not only had Potter taken Draco's rightful place as the Black family heir, now, because of their fight, they had taken his wand. They even wanted to punish him further for using the bone breaking curse, but his father's connections on the school board had ensure his permanence at Hogwarts, but under house arrest. He had already worked on how to get a new wand, one without the trace from the ministry. Then the he would show a world of pain to Potter and his bitches.

"Where the fuck is Pansy! Where is that bitch." He screamed.

.oOo.

Pansy Parkinson stopped in from of the gargoyle that stands at the headmaster's office door. She knew all too well why she had been summoned. There, standing with professor Snape, she knew it has to be with Narcisa Malfoy. "Bouncing frogs." Snape said with an even tone and the ugly statue walked aside, letting them enter the room. Narcisa Malfoy was already inside. Her expression one of beautiful hate. Pansy looked at the headmaster seated on his big chair. He had a stem, even worried look on his usually light face that scared Pansy.

As soon as Pansy and Snape entered the room, Narcisa started with a hiss. "We had a deal headmaster. I kept my part of it, bringing you those evil… profane things!"

"Before we continue, my dear." The headmaster raised his hand, effectively shutting the woman down. "May I ask why Misses Parkinson is present? Isn't she a little too young for this discussion?"

"I was younger when I was sold headmaster! I was younger when my training as a lady of society started and you know it very well. Ms. Parkinson is my protégée and was supposed to be the next lady Black!" Pansy has never seen her tutor so angry.

Dumbledore looked at the woman with fascination, then looked at Pansy with a measuring gaze, and gave her a smile. He turned to Narcisa once more. "Rest assured, my dear. I'm still going to honor my part of the deal. Your son will be the bearer of the Black name."

"And how is that headmaster? Not only Sirius is still alive, he assigned another heir, right under our noses!" Narcissa's tone was now very cold.

"Sirius can still be convicted, and if so, his adoption of young Harry Potter can be overwritten. If not, there are other… ways of doing so, May I remind you, Harry Potter is just a boy, and still under my guidance. Draco is still the next in line after Harry, so don't worry about it. Now, I believe the purpose of your delightful visit was not only to vent about bloodline succession, am I right?"

Narcisa gritted her teeth. She removed a small velvet box from her robes and placed it in front of the old man with a shiver. "There is two more that I know about, but I will only tell if you assure that no matter what happens, both my son and protégée are to be kept save."

"I assure you that, my lady, as long as they remain inside the castle grounds, they are under my personal protection."

Narcisa took a deep breath and studied the man in front of her. He appeared calm and secure. Pansy hoped her tutor knew what she was doing. "One is a chalice, inside my sister's vault at Gringotts, she told me herself before going to Azkaban, the other is his goddamn snake!"

"Thank you lady Malfoy, rest assured your services to the wizardry society will not be a miss. After all is done, I will make sure you and yours will be recognized."

Narcisa sighed, looking fed up with the headmaster. "Could I have a word in private with Ms. Parkinson?"

"Of course lady Malfoy. You may use the adjunct chamber to your left." The headmaster pointed at the door.

"Thank you headmaster." Narcisa said, and entered the chamber, followed by Pansy and professor Snape. The room was circular, with four wooden chairs and a small coffee table at the center, the red carpet looked old, but clean. The imposing woman didn't even bother sitting. Pansy knew all too well that the submissive wife act was nothing more than that, an act. Narcisa was a cunning decisive woman, trying to escape not only a worthless husband, but also the grip the so called dark Lord had on her and her son. "Pansy, Draco is worthless, Yes Snape! He is! There is too much Malfoy in him, too little Black; he is too entangled by the dark Lord's lies. Listen to me; don't make the same mistake I did. Get a hold of him, control him, and break him!" Snape's eyes widened, but Pansy gave her a smirk. "I don't care as long as you give me an heir. After that you can even find another man-toy if you want, I just want my family away from that monster."

"And the Black assets?" Pansy asked.

"I will not let Lily EVANS steal another thing that is rightfully mine! That half-blood bastard will have nothing!"

Pansy smiled, amazed by the woman in front of her.

.oOo.

Hermione entered the room of requirement with a book in her hands, necktie undone, her robes thrown to the side, tired of the intense research at the library. She saw Fleur trying to move projecting a strong shield, while Daphne and Harry were sat at a table, surrounded by books working on a fire protection rune for both Fleur and himself. The concentrating mood was intoxicating, but Hermione could tell how nervous both champions were. "Dragons." She thought. "Who the hell bring dragons to a school competition? Who put that many children in danger like that? Sometimes the magical world could really be as bad, if not worse than the mundane."

She approached Fleur, who was sweating from the magical exercise, and was beautiful, even then. "So unfair." She quickly thought, before opening the book she was caring in front of her. "I think I found a spell that can be used as safeguard. It can gain you time if the primary plan doesn't work. And it plays on your strengths. Take a look."

Fleur looked at the book and instantly understood what she said. "Thank you 'Ermione, I will practice it right now." the French girl read the book with interested, moving her wand at the side, learning the movements and whispering the incantations. No doubt she was the champion of her school. Hermione admired her concentration for a while, before turning to Harry and Daphne.

"Harry, I know you want to protect Fleur…" Hermione said with a critical voice, even that professor Bathsheda saying he was a natural. "But shouldn't you be working on the summoning spell?" Without looking or even a wand, with just quick movement, Hermione's tie found its way to Harry's hand, some five feet away. He didn't say a word. He looked at the girl confused face, the other two giggling.

"I figured it out while you still at the library." Harry said with the piece of fabric in his hand. "it Is not exactly an acio spell… is more like a… calling… hunting magic..." Hermione looked at him confused, but with a hungry look, she was about to learn something new. "It's hard to explain. It's like a combination of smell, sight and memory; the three together have a... color, with a very distinct trail. I just let my magic follow that trail." Hermione could clearly see his eyes now, they were different, his gaze almost feral.

"Like in Bell's book?" She asked.

"Exactly. When you use different senses to do magic, you can make different magic... I think…" he finished, somewhat disappointed and embarrassed for not being able to explain. Hermione saw how Daphne was also confused, but Fleur had an understanding smile. "Anyways." He shrugged and continued. "Katie will make sure my firebolt is not tied or trapped in a broom closet at the quidditch dressing room, so I figured out I needed to do more…" the girl could see he was really worried.

They stayed there until both the rune work and the spell were perfected to the max of their capabilities. It was around two in the morning when they finished. All of them felt tired, and fearful. Hermione saw Harry take Fleur aside and talk to her. He seemed almost reassuring. Fleur was trying to hide her fear, but the English could see she was afraid. Just like them.

Harry called for Dobby to take both Fleur and Daphne to their rooms, after they were gone, the boy took his invisible cloak and gestured to Hermione join him. "Just like old times." He said.

"When we were smaller." She finished with a smile, passing her arm around his waist. They exited the room and walked in silence. Hermione strongly holding Harry with her arms, afraid to let go, drinking in his proximity. His own arms around her shoulders. In the back of her mind, Hermione noticed that her body was just a little taller. They walked like that, silently, until they reach the tower's staircase. Hermione abruptly stopped.

"Harry..." She said in a whisper. "I am afraid… I… I… can't lose you." Harry removed the cloak from them, and lifted her head with his fingers in her chin, so she could look on those eyes, they were definitely different, but just as deep, Hermione liked it.

"I am afraid too Mione. I am sorry for putting you through this kind of mess, again… but I have no plans to leave you anytime soon." Harry tried to reassure her.

"But what if the person who placed your name in the Goblet somehow rigged the task?" She grabbed his shirt with her fists. "Harry, we need you here, you hear." Now the witch was looking angry. "Don't you dare leaving us!"

"I can't…" he looked deep into her eyes, his thumb moving light over her lips. "Not until I figure out what to do about you…"

They hugged each other, and Hermione noticed they were both shaking.

"Harry, can I have Christofer Bell's book? I want to understand it better…" Hermione finally asked.

HPHPHP

Daphne woke with an uneasy feeling as she looked around the Slytherin fifth year's dorm. Five big four post beds occupy the room, of those only one was unused this year. Each bed had a trunk on its foot, and a bedside small table. To her left, there was bathroom door, with a green curtain over it. But what with really upset her was Pansy Parkinson, sitting on her bed, dressed in her nightgown and looking at her. Daphne reached for her wand and pointed it to the girl.

"Easy Ice Queen." Pansy said in a low voice. "I am not stupid. After I saw what happened with the idiot that is my betrothed, I know is not a good idea to mess with any of you "golden girls."

"What do you want Parkinson?" Daphne asked without lowering her wand.

"Peace, you have won, Draco is done. But I can still salvage the situation. Keep Potter away from him, and I will keep Draco at bay."

"Why now? What happened?" Daphne asked after a brief silence, evaluating the situation.

"Potter is the Black and Potter family's heir, and I was educated on the pureblood traditions. What happens when Draco crosses the ultimate line? If Potter doesn't kill him, he can strip everything we have. Money, political power. Draco may be an imbecile, but I am not. I can't escape that contract, but I refuse to live in poverty. That's it." Pansy got up. "We will never be friends, I am just asking for us to be civil." Daphne didn't know what kind of game Pansy was playing, but she was also no fool. She nodded, and prepared herself for the treason to come. She decided to tell Harry, but only after the task. "By the way," Pansy said removing her nightgown. "Good luck to Potter today, I hope he survives…" the girl finished with an evil grin. After Pansy left, Daphne waited for Tracy, and after the blond girl got ready, they headed for breakfast in silence.

The great hall was packed, practically all of Hogwarts students and also the foreign delegations were eating at the same time today, no one wanted to get late to watch the task. Daphne had to sit on the Slytherin table, besides Tracy, Blaise and Astoria. From her seat she watched Harry, who did not seem like eating anything, at the Gryffindor table, with Katie and Hermione, and then Fleur, with Gabby and Regine with the Ravenclaws, in silence. Even Krum, sat a few places away from her, seemed nervous. The hall itself was noisy, about what the first task was to be and Daphne could barely hear her friends.

She then saw a ministry deputy came to each of the champions, taking then, so they could get prepared for the task. Fleur hugged Gabby and Regine, Cedric hugged Cho, and Harry Hermione and Katie, and a handshake from Neville. Daphne got up, she wanted to hug him so badly, he looked so scared, but before she could, he was gone. She sat back down. Tracy put her hand over her's and said to her ear. "Don't worry; your little lion will be fine"

"Wolf," Daphne thought, "he is a wolf…" but she just smiled Tracy.

After the breakfast, people from outside the school began filing the grounds, parents, politicians, Aurors, the press. Astoria stormed out when she saw Artus and Sarah Greengrass. She hugged her parents before Daphne did the same. Daphne noticed Gabby and Regine were next to her. The little veela also running to someone. "Daphne my dear, I missed you." Sarah said giving her daughter a strong hug and a kiss on the check. Artus gave her another hug as soon as her mother released her.

"Daphne, Astoria, let me reintroduce you to the Delacours.". Her father said pointing at the couple behind them. Daphne finally understood the surrounding press. "This is Jacques, the minister of magic and his wife Apolline." Daphne made polite a measure in front of them, the woman was an almost exact copy of Fleur, only slightly older and with a channel haircut.

"Nice to meet you. I am aquatinted with your daughters and dare to say Fleur was the right choice as a champion." Daphne spoke in almost flawless French.

"No need to be so formal dear." Apolline smiled at her. "We've know you since you were a baby. We are here to reform old alliances and friendships, and celebrate new ones. You grew up to be a remarkable young woman if we can go by what Fleur said in her letters."

"She is mama." Gabby said. "She is almost as evil as Fleur." the adults laughed at the statement, and Gabby gave Daphne her pup eyes. The older girl rolled her eyes.

Daphne watched as Jacques and Apolline complemented dignitary after dignitary, presenting her parents as personal friends, cementing her own family power before other pureblood families. Shortly after the headmaster himself came to acknowledge the French minister. "What a perfect act." She thought studying the old wizard warm smile. Daphne played her part, as the perfect educated pureblood daughter, but her mind was far away from there. The group of reporters circling around them called her attention.

"Oh yes, I am impressed by Hogwarts's hospitality." Jacques said for all the press to hear, both Britain and French. "Putting out an event of this magnitude is no easy task. Yes, of course I am here to cheer for my oldest daughter, but I confess I am also rooting for young Harry Potter. The wizardry society, specifically some articles of the British press, had not been treating the boy fairly, I hope that any mistake that lead to his unwilling participation got solved and it's responsible punished."

After a while minister Fudge himself showed up, and Daphne could not be more aware of the differences between the two men. The English minister looked dwarfed next to the French. Jacques and Apolline were magnetic and outspoken. She thought on how fudge looked like a relic from a different time.

They walked to the quidditch field, amazingly adapted for the task, extra bench rolls and a VIP box areas were added. A big dome covered half of it, and two big tends stand outside. Daphne saw people cheering, wearing Hufflepuff colors and those terrible buttons. Daphne saw Hermione and the rest of the defense club walking to the benches.

"You can go with them if you prefer." Her mother said, realizing where she was looking. "I understand you would prefer to cheer for Harry next to your friends."

"Thank you mother." She took Astoria's hand but before she leaved, Jacques said.

"And please tell mademoiselle Granger we are thankful to both of you."

.oOo.

Ron walked to the bleachers with Seamus and Dean, the other two boys betting on the scores, together with other students. They didn't even know yet what the task was about, but rumors had run wild. Ron actually had an idea of what it was, having seen his brother Charlie on the grounds. But his eyes were locked on something else. Hermione was a few rows under them, with those new friends of her. He clutched his fists. The word forming on his mind again and again.

"You can do better, Weasley." Ron recognized the voice and turned around. Pansy was sat with Millicent, dressed in dark blue trousers and a laced blouse, with a Slytherin colors scarf around her neck. Crabbe and Goyle were in the row right behind her, but no sign of Malfoy.

"Where is your fiancé, Parkinson?" Ron asked. "Did he let you go out alone?"

"Draco is under house arrest, that idiot. And not he or anyone else decides what I can or cannot do, Ronald…" she dragged the last word. Ron raised his eyebrow. "As I said, you can do better than the bossy know it all mudblood. Besides, we both know who is shagging her out. You can be more than his sidekick, eating his leftovers, just saying…"

"I can do better, like you?" He said, his voice filled with sarcasm.

"If you say so… Ronald." She smiled at him, an evil spiteful smile, but there was something more there, something he couldn't identify.

.oOo.

Fleur and Harry were sat in chairs at the corner of the champion's tent. Fleur was wearing a version of her blue duelist robes, designed to provide some protection while permitting maximum freedom of movement. Harry was dressed in his quidditch uniform, with the tournament jersey over it. Fleur had Harry's hand on her own, attracting looks from both Cedric and Krum. She noticed Harry's legs shaking up and down on a quick pace. "Too many smells… so much noise" she heard the young wizard whispering to himself.

"Try focusing on me 'Arry" she said also in a whisper. His green eyes meet her deep blue ones, and he took some deep breaths, the way she knew he did when absorbing her scent. Far from being offended, she relinquished in the effect it had on him. His leg stopped, and his breath slowed down. "Killed a giant basilisk, but afraid of dragons?"

"I know…" he smiled. "At that occasion I was trying to save a friend, it seemed worth the risk, now… I don't know, I really don't care for glory and stuff… I wish I could be just cheering for you." He rested his head at back of the chair and looked up. "I know you're afraid too…"

"Yes. I am, terrified." She giggled. "But what can I say, I am friends with a werewolf … I like the danger!" Harry smirked at her.

The entrance of the tent opened, and Cedric Diggory's parents entered and greeted his son, the Hogwarts champion seemed happy and somewhat relieved by their reassurance words. Fleur notice a sad smile at Harry's face, before her own parents entered the tent, Krum's mother right behind. She quickly got up and hugged her mother, letting out a sob she didn't even know was there. "Mama, papa! I did, I did…" She said in French.

"Yes little dove." Her mother said also in French. "You did. And we are so proud!" She got both hands on Fleur's cheeks and watery blue eyes. "Proud and afraid! This madness seems so dangerous! How could all the headmasters agree with it?"

"Yes mon cheri." Her father embraced her them. "It is dangerous, but I know you can do it, you have always been a stubborn little bird, if you put something in your head you can do it. And I know this is no different. We believe in you Fleur!"

"Thank you mama, papa, I missed you, so much had happened, so many things are different! I need to talk with you so bad, but now I have to face this…"

"And you will, and we will fix everything little dove." Her mother gave her a sound kiss, like when she was a small kid, and she felt cared for just like that.

"Mama, papa, I need you to know…" she looked at Harry and it dawned on her. All the other champions had their families there, getting encouragement and reassurance, happy in each other arms, smiles and tears. Even herself, feeling secure and proud on her mother's arms, feeling a little like home, giving her courage. And there he was, sat down, looking so small, alone in the corner of the tent, trying to look to the wall. Almost like he wanted to disappear. Fleur felt a heavy weight on her chest, and when she looked back, saw a tear at her mother eyes. She held her hand and walked towards him.

"Harry?" Fleur called in a low voice, almost afraid of breaking him. He turned to look at her, his emerald eyes as deep as never, with a smile on his face. "I want to present you my mama and papa…"

Apolline step forward with determination and knelled in front of the boy, holding both his hands in a strong embrace. Hi seemed a little scared at the sudden affection demonstration.

"Hello Harry, I have waited for so long to see you again..." Tears were running down her cheeks. "My name is Apolline, and I am your godmother…"

HPHPHP

The improvised stadium was in turmoil; people were screaming, chanting and cheering. It reminded Hermione of the quidditch world cup, or the soccer world cup her father liked so much. The Hogwarts students were thrilled, not only had they discovered the dragons, they had just watched Cedric brilliantly blind the Swedish Short-Snout and quickly distract it with sounds at the other side of the arena in order to recover the golden egg. Bagman exaggerated narration of the events helped the overall festive event climate. But Hermione was still nervous, she knew anything could happen.

She heard Bagman announcing the next competitor, Fleur would be the next to face the dragon, and her objective was the same as Cedric. The girl watched as the dragon keepers prepared the arena after removing Cedric's Short-Snout and with a bang of fire and light sparkles, Fleur walked through the entrance tunnel. She looked like a warrior goddess on her light dueling armor. Her movements were fluid, and as always she appeared to be floating as she walked with determination inside the arena. The rune Harry had drawn on her armor almost invisible at the chest. Her hair done in a series of braids and held together on the back of her head. Her smile was proud and beautiful, and without noticing, Hermione's hand held Daphne's.

With the sound of a trumpet, her time started running and the Chinese Fireball was released. The long, snake like best moved ever so slow looking at her, his beards trembling with a growl, studying the little creature in front of her, trying to steal one of her eggs. Hermione could see Fleur smiling, that was exactly what she needed, for the dragon to look her in the eye. They looked like having a silent conversation, as ever slowly, Fleur moved her wand and pronounced an enchantment in a low voice, her movements contained and precise. A chunk of wood from the dragon's nest came slowly flying into the air, being transfigured along the way. When it finally reached Fleur, it was a violin like instrument, but without the strings. The dragon looked intrigued, but was still standing his ground, Hermione watched Fleur assume the position and starting playing the instrument with her wand.

Music flooded the arena, not wizard music, Hermione noticed, Chopin's Nocturne, the witch recognized. All the time Fleur kept her eyes locked at the dragon's own, people watched mesmerized as she took a step forward, still playing, beautifully. She took another step and the dragon's head started slowly shaking in the music's rhythm. With her third resolute step the beast laid his head slowly on the ground and closed its eyes. Fleur kept playing, the arena spectators in awe as she reached the nest and grabbed the egg.

At that moment however, Hermione saw something that froze her heart. A bolt of electricity rushed through the dragon's chain awaking the beast with a roar of pain. Many in the benches screamed, including Astoria at Daphne's side. The big creature looked at the French witch at his nest, and with a Hiss of warning inhaled deep. Fleur barely had time to make a shielding spell before the flames engulfed her. The stadium screamed and Hermione pressed her hand at Daphne with strength. But they all silenced when Fleur walked to the side of the flames. Waving her wand at the beast, seemingly unharmed except by some burned fabric of her robes. Her natural protection, shields and Harry's rune work protecting her for enough time to cast the spell she had practice with Hermione. The dragon kept blasting the spot where she was, and when he moved to her new spot, she was already a couple feet away, waving her wand. Bagman screamed like a madman, without understanding what was happening. Hermione remembered the spell; it made the censorial communication of the brain slow down, while Fleur kept eye contact and made the incantation, the dragon would perceive her where she was a couple seconds before. It was hard to keep concentration with the flames exploding at her side, but Fleur managed to keep going, sweat both from the heat and her fear dripping on her face, creating the illusion of a shining skin. Hermione and Daphne held their breaths with her, as she got ever close to the tunnel. On the last few feet, she stopped her wand movements and jumped to safety with a gracious movement, smoke coming out of her vests. The public maniacally screamed, cheering and applauding, Hermione sighed in relief.

But the feeling was not long-lasting. Hermione knew someone had purposely awakened that dragon.

.oOo.

Harry heard the beautiful music from Fleur, then the cheering, the roar and smelled the fire. His heart was racing, but also confident on her skills. As he tried to figure out what was happening, he looked at Viktor Krum at his side. They exchanged nervous looks before Viktor said, with a heavy accent. "Is almost like the world cup finals, only safer." He smiled and Harry smiled back. "I have being watching you Potter. How you act with people and with the French champion."

"I know we didn't start with the right footing Krum…"

"Call me Viktor, Potter. Before I go face the beast, I just want you to know that I believe in you. I believe you didn't choose to enter this tournament"

"Thank you, Kru… Viktor, it means a lot. And please call me Harry." A ministry official entered the tent and called for Viktor. "Good luck."

"Thank you." Harry watched the young man walking to the tunnel and stayed behind alone. He listened to the sounds of the battle, and the cheering for Krum. His palms were sweating. The ministry official came after fifteen minutes and asked for him to get ready. He stood up, walked to the tunnel entrance and took a deep breath.

"My name is Harry James Potter." he whispered, "son of James and Lily Potter, and I am not the boy who lived. I am my own man, a wizard and a werewolf. My magic speaks to me in a strong way only I can understand, I am a wolf, and I am proud. I will live for those I need to protect. I am the Alpha…" he finished, a little unsure of the last part, but feeling a little more confident none the least. He placed his wand on the holder, put on his ever clean goggles, and waited for his time. He remembered, one minute and twenty seconds. It was the time Hermione calculated his broom would take from the closet to the arena. He only needed to survive that much.

The official called for him, and he walked through the tunnel. The light of the bright day waiting for him on the other side. Cheers and boos filled his ears as he stepped in the arena, rolls and rolls of benches and VIP boxes. Thousands of eyes looking at him. All the sounds and smells overwhelming his senses. But not for long.

All his senses screamed "danger" at the same time, add the enormous dragon head, full of horns appeared from the dome in front of him. The reddish purple color of its scales contrasting with the yellow of his fangs, and the dark grey of his horns. "So many horns, of so many sizes." Harry though. A long serpentine neck was connected to a muscular body with long wings, a black fin run across his back all the way to its tail, full of sharp spikes. The creature looked at him with cunning on his big yellow eyes. "How interesting…" that dragon hissed in parseltongue to Harry's surprise. "It has been many years since I last saw a little wolf. "

"Well." Harry answered and the benches had gone silent from hearing the boy speak the snake language. "I am full of surprises." Harry raised his hand and watched the colors in the air, silently calling for his broom. Although, he was sure the dragon could sense it someway.

"How delightful, not only you are a powerful little wolf, you also speak the ancient language, is a pity I have to finish you…" the arena still in silence, watching the scary exchange between the boy and the giant beast. Even Bagman was quiet.

"So don't finish me, all I need is the fake egg, no one needs to be harm."

"Poor little wolf. That can't be. You will learn, perhaps too late, that you can't trust wizards." The dragon heavily stepped forward. "Do you believe those humans are your friends? Your peers? No, they have a sight so narrow that they can't see beyond their own kind. No little wolf, they are afraid of you and me… what do you think awaits you when they found out what you really are? Understanding, friendship? All you are going to have is a leash and a chain, just like those I am wearing!" She finished with a roar. "They promised to kill my babies it I didn't kill you little wolf… blame the scared little wizards, but you are not leaving this place!"

"Not if I have a say!"

With a roar the dragon moved forward with unbelievable speed.

.oOo.

After being tended in the medical tent by madam Pomphrey, and released after just some minor burns, Fleur rushed to watch the remaining of the competition. Like everyone else, the witch watched in amazement as Harry looked like he was communicating with the giant beast. Fleur covered her mouth as she watched in horror as the dragon stomp forward trying to swallow the wizard whole. But their plan was in effect, Harry's firebolt flew right into his hands, and with a swift move he was mounted on if, escaping the deadly jaws by a fraction of a second.

Fleur watched as he flew around the dragon's head with precision and speed, the beast trying to accompany his movements. The French witch saw how the broom was like an extension to his body. No unnecessary moves, no more distance than needed. Harry got closer, testing the creature's reflexes, passing over claws, under wings and head, trying to get closer to the nest. Harry tried to get the beast's attention, escaping another quickly bite only to perform a loop and approach upside down to the nest. The dragon however noticed the faint and with a deep breath released a barrage of fire at the small flier. People screamed as enough fire to engulf a small room exploded in Harry's direction. With a quick turn to the left, the wizard rolled in the air and escaped the fire. But the bottom of his broom started smoking. Fleur could hear her own heart pounding. "Come on Harry, you can do this. Please, you need, you can't leave me again…" she thought without even notice.

Harry turned around flying right into the dragon's face, "What is he doing? Is he trying to annoy this monster even more?" It seemed he was flying closer, escaping the jaws only to gain some distance. The monster roared, enraged. With another deep breath a barrage of fire left her mouth, only for Harry to gain altitude. His broom smoking even more. Another jet of fire, another quick dodge, circling around the beast's head. The dragon hissed in frustration and extended her enormous wings. Fleur finally understood what he was doing. The dragon flapped her wings, producing a great wind, as first her arms, and then her legs left the ground. The public could not believe what they were seeing. The dragon launched fly, pursuing Harry, the young wizard taking care to keep the right distance. With a roar, the dragon released another breath of fire, following his circular movements, creating an incredible fire twister in the air. They were getting higher and higher. Fleur almost could not see the small dot maneuvering over her head, leaving a trail of smoke. The veela held her breath as she saw Harry letting himself free fall for a couple seconds, passing through a wall of fire, faster than the dragon could turn around, he gained speed, going down fast, too fast. The dragon following just a second behind, with her wings closed like a bird of prey. But Harry was no prey. He kept descending, a shower of fire behind him, until he was close to the ground he made a perfect turn around, close to the nest and Fleur could breathe again. He grabbed the golden egg only to be engulfed in a wall of dust and smoke produced by the dragon's landing. Harry tried to gain a little altitude again, directing himself to the tunnel. But Fleur knew he couldn't see the tail. But she could, fast with all the sharp spikes. It swapped like a whip hitting Harry and sending him to the ground. His momentum launching him forward rolling. Fleur screamed. The arena was silent, as the boy rolled in the ground in a cloud of smoke and dust. " Non, non non. You can't take him from me. I finally found him again, he is mine… don't take my Harry…" She watched as he rolled, almost in slow motion, to the entrance of the tunnel. She barely noticed the dragon keepers containing the beast, or madam Ponphey running to the boy, all his focus was on her wolf. Her Harry. He stopped rolling, and unbelievable, slowly stood up, a number of spikes coming out of his shoulder, piercing his flesh, a mess of blood and smoke. And he lifted the golden egg over his head. The arena exploded in cheers. Fleur smiled.

"My Harry!" She thought. "My Harry? What am I saying! He is my wolf?" She looked at him with tears in her eyes. "Yes… he is my Harry, and I am his…"

Harry collapsed to the ground. Fleur let out a silent scream and rushed to the hospital tent.

"Please let me pass, excuse me. GET OUTTA MY WAY!" She screamed, so many people in front of her, she needed to get to him. People let her pass. Someone called her name, but she ignored it. There was only one thing she needed now. Panting, Fleur reached the medical tent, tears on her eyes.

She found him sat on bed, his back to the entrance, without the upper half of his vests. The matron was attending to him. Bandages and blood, the spikes painfully coming out of his shoulder and arm.

"Hello Fleur…" he said without looking at her, sounding ashamed. His body was slim but strong, and Fleur found herself looking at the scars. Back, shoulders, arms, cuts, burns, she got closer, and her fingers traced Remus's bite scar. Pomphrey looked at her and got up with a nod. "I am sorry you have to see me like this… but there you go, that is the whole me…"

Finally, in front of him, Fleur took both her hands to his face and made him look directly at her. Pain, courage, desire despair, all there in the infinite green. "I wouldn't want you any other way, but yourself." She whispered, and her lips touched his. Time stopped, for a moment only the two of them existed. When they moved and her tongue wandered over his, was like a fire burning inside her. She explored his mouth, his lips and teeth, one hand kept on his face as the other turned through his hair, Harry's own hands found their way to her neck. They let the kiss linger until both could not breathe anymore. They parted smiling at each other, their foreheads touching…

"He is my Harry, and I am his Fleur…" she finally thought.