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Chapter 4:- BargainsA/N: Re-edited Thanks GML

***

Gabrielle awoke with her normal morning cheerfulness. She had always enjoyed the early mornings and whenever she was feeling upset or worried she would wake even earlier so that she could see the sun rise over the estate grounds. This morning was no different from the most of the previous months, the sun was bright, the air was clear but she felt something different.

Following her now normal routine since that incident one month ago she closed her eyes and focused inwards towards herself. She was becoming so adept at doing this it took her almost no time at all. Some morning she would swear that she could see the tendrils of her connections without even closing her eyes. Her focus quickly found the one ribbon that she was after and found that nothing had changed overnight.

Climbing slowly out of her bed she studied herself in the full length mirror. The reflection back was one so different to last year. She still had not grown much in height standing a little over five feet but the rest was different, very different. Her face no longer had any trace of babyness but was now a rather cute heart shape; her lips were full and matched in size to her face. The nose was perfectly sized, in fact her body was as perfect that she could make it, and there was not the slightest blemish on any part of her skin.

Her hands cupped her young breasts through the plain nightshirt; they were still small but not that small. She had wanted to wear one of her more “sexy” outfits to bed but knew that if either of her mother of sister caught her wearing them there would be too many questions to answer. In fact she still could not believe that she had managed to order them and get them delivered with no one noticing.

She continued looking down her body and gently lifted the night shirt over her head. The silvery blond hair fell in a cascading wave as the shirt released its hold on it, but her eyes did not even take this in. She saw that her stomach was still flat and curved nicely and suggestively at the waist. Just above herself she saw the soft curls of silver blond hair that she normally had endless fun running her fingers through.

For once forgoing her normal pleasure she finished looking the rest of her body over. As she turned sideways she saw that her bottom was nicely rounded and quivered slightly indicating its softness to all. Her thighs were beginning to show their shape as well as her calves. Raising herself up as though she was warring one of her pairs of heeled shoes she saw that her legs did indeed look very shapely. Her tiny feet were all that was left. It was the only part that she thought was wrong, she still felt that they were too small. Each toe was perfectly formed and held her weight with surprising ease but she still thought to herself that they were small.

Turning quickly away from her reflecting she stopped to pick up her nightshirt but could not help herself and glanced over her shoulder at the view in the mirror and was very pleased at the reflection she produced. She bounded across the room and threw the nightshirt into the laundry hamper before selecting the day’s clothes. Knowing that she was going nowhere the choice was easy, short summer skirt and t-shirt. Quickly brushing her hair she dressed and headed to the normal family breakfast.

**

“So what are your plans for today Fleur?” Gabrielle heard as she entered the dinning room.

The family were sitting out on the patio overlooking the grounds having breakfast. She quickly crossed the large dinning room and joined them. Her father was sitting in his favoured outdoor chair and was reading the morning paper. Fleur and her mother were sitting round the table sipping what smelt like a morning cup of coffee.

“I’m not certain mamma.” Fleur answered the question.

“Would you like to come shopping with me?” asked her mother. Gabrielle perked up her ears at this. If her mother was going shopping she might be able to tag along, and if not she would have the whole place to herself, well herself and Fleur if she didn’t go. It was a win-win situation for her. Today was turning out to be great day for her and she had not even started breakfast.

Gabrielle gently listened to the conversation as she slowly ate her breakfast and hoped that they were going to be leaving soon. As soon as she had finished she joined in the conversation.

“Mamma, could I join you shopping, please?”

“Well I don’t know abo…” started to reply her mother but she stopped in mid sentence as she noticed something in the sky. Fleur had also noted the something a few moments before hand and had already risen to get a better view.

Seconds ticked by as the three of them waited for the something. It quickly dissolved into the shape of an owl, but not any of the normal French Ministry owls, this was a large Tawny owl and by Gabrielle’s thinking it looked as if it had travelled a great distance. The owl circled the patio once, as if taking in all of those awaiting its arrival before diving and coming to land on the low wall beside Fleur.

Sebastian Delacour looked up from his place because of the silence. Breakfast time was always a time for the ladies to talk about the day coming, but at the moment it was very quiet. He liked hiding behind his paper but secretly he enjoyed listening to comings and goings of the ladies. The silence had caught him off guard, looking up he saw that it was an owl, and not one for him.

Fleur delicately removed the letter and started to read.

Dear Miss Delacour,

I am afraid that I must ask in your help. Last year you came to me with information that you had discovered about Harry Potter. Even though at that time I did not take your information as seriously as you had hopped for I did however follow through on it.

In the past months I have begun to notice many changes in Harry as you will no doubt tell me you predicted. Most of these changes can be attributed to the normal development of a teenager but some unfortunately can not.

Eventually I had to tell Harry what you had wanted me to do those many months back and so this is the reason that I’m asking for your help. You are probably the best and only person that can help him develop and harness this new power. So I am inviting you to a meeting this evening at 6pm in which I hope we will be able to discuss and find a solution to this problem.

I understand if you no longer feel that you have any responsibility towards this matter, but I do ask you to forgive an old wizard’s mistakes and help me, help Harry. In the hope that you will at least agree to a meeting I have enclosed an International Portkey to the gates of Hogwarts timed for 5:30pm.

Yours Sincerely

Albus Dumbledore

Fleur gently refolded the letter and turned around to the waiting family. Her eyes immediately found Gabrielle who was looking at her with a hopeful expression. She gave her sister the briefest of nods before addressing her parents.

“It’s from Dumbledore. He is asking to meet me in the hope that I can help him.”

“In what?” questioned Sebastian as he rose and joined his wife.

“He needs my help in training somebody.”

“Who?” Asked her mother.

“Harry Potter.”

Gabrielle could not believe in what she was hearing, Dumbledore was asking her sister, her sister to go and help him with Harry. Life was not fair, she was far better at this type of magic, he should be asking her.

“Hmmm…. Does this request have anything to do with your relationship with William?” Sebastian mused.

“It might have helped, but I don’t think that’s the right question papa. It’s whether we should be helping to solve a British problem.”

“There is no question at all my dear, you must go and help. Such prestige can only help you and the family.”

Fleur knew then that her father had really not grasped what was happening; in fact it was clear to her that he had not even grasped what was being asked. He might be a high ministry official but when it came down to this branch of magic he like most knew next to nothing. She turned to face her mother to see if she understood and the look on her face showed that she had.

Bernadette Delacour tried to piece together what was happening. She was not the brightest of witches when it came to this, she was more of a graceful social witch, but she knew more abut this magic than even her brilliant husband.

“Fleur is this to do with the feelings that I have been experiencing?” she asked in a quiet voice.

“Yes mamma and you know that you can only just feel your heritage.”

Sebastian quickly looked between the two women knowing that he was missing something here, something big.

“But the help that he wants you to give must be…” started Bernadette.

“To train him.” Finished Fleur.

“You can’t.” Raged her mother.

“Why not dear. It’s only a bit of training think of what it will do for the family.” Questioned Sebastian.

“That’s exactly it!” She continued to rage. Sebastian looked at his eldest daughter to see if he could get some clarification.

“Papa to train him I will have to be close.”

“So that means you will move back to London then, I still don’t see it?” Said her father, looking confused.

“No papa I mean I will have to get close, probably have to live in the same house for most of the time, and ….”

“And what?”

“I will most likely have to get intimate with him.” Fleur stated dryly.

Sebastian’s mouth just hung open at this. A foreign wizard was asking his daughter to sleep with a boy. His mind could not keep up what the changes that were happening and all that his mouth could do was flap up and own.

Fleur looked at her younger sister she could see her squirming in her seat, just itching to dive in and if she did Fleur knew that it would soon turn even uglier.

“It’s alright …” she started “…I will not have to sleep with him. There is a much better solution or should I say person to do this then me.”

“Who?” demanded her mother.

“Simple really I will tell Dumbledore that he needs the best person out there do this and that’s not me. It Gabrielle.” Fleur delivered her line a gently as she could but knew what was coming.

“NEVER!” bellowed Sebastian.

“YOU CAN NOT BE SERIOUS!” shouted Bernadette.

“I am, so what do you think Gabrielle?” asked Fleur

Gabrielle could not believe it. She had thought the Fleur was trying to keep him to herself, and here she was, giving her the only wish that she had ever wanted. There was only one real answer.

“I’ll do it.”

“No you won’t.” insisted Sebastian “I won’t allow it!”

Gabrielle looked at her family and knew she had to make the choice. She had been reading all of the books she could get on Veela, their history, magic, everything she cold find about there place in modern and ancient wizarding society.

“You can’t stop me!” shouted Gabrielle jumping to her feet.

“Oh yes I can!”

“For once father your wrong, very wrong, neither you nor mamma nor anybody can stop me.” She retorted back as she turned to leave them.

“We’ll se about that young lady. If you step one foot outside of this house I get the Aurors to drag you back, and if you are found with anybody I will have them arrested for kidnap!”

Fleur looked at her sister as she whirled round to face her parents again. The look on Gabrielle’s face made it clear to her what was coming. With a pleading look she tried to tell her sister not to do it, but it was futile.

“Drag me back, papa! You won’t dare!”

“Try me!”

“Alright then, if I must. This is what I have wanted since I knew about my heritage, to be with Harry. You have NEVER once listened to me, so be it. I will declare that I’m an adult and leave you, leave mamma everybody. Once I’m classed as an adult you have no threats no power over me.”

“You? An adult? How?” laughed Sebastian.

“Easily, I know enough about Veela’s and have enough Veela power in me to be classed as one. Consequently I will be classed as an adult at the age of 11, the age of maturity for Veela’s and therefore free to GO TO HARRY!” Gabrielle turned and ran as fast as she could back to her room, leaving the family in stunned silence.

Sebastian turned towards Fleur but before he could utter a single word Fleur butted in.

“Papa there is nothing that you can do. You heard her, and she means it. I think that you need to decide if you want her still as part of the family. I’m going to try and calm her down a little and stop her acting foolishly. If you are not careful she will just leave and there is exactly nothing that you can do. I suggest you get used to the idea and send her on her way with your blessing!”

Fleur quickly left her stunned father and raced up to her sister’s room. Before she even knocked she could feel the waves of power radiating out. Gabrielle must be really upset to let her power just radiate like that without a care, thought Fleur. After a gentle knock she let herself into the room and surveyed the sight before her.

Gabrielle was rushing around the room flinging open closets and draws and pulling items of clothes and books out. On the large bed was Gabrielle’s favourite rucksack and at the foot of the bed was a large trunk. Items were being thrown into each with seemingly little thought but at closer look she realised that Gabrielle was being very, very, calculating in her packing.

Full sets of clothes were going into each and the books were obviously being sorted with the most important going into the rucksack. Fleur’s presence still had not been detected but with a small sign she registered herself. Gabrielle stopped in mid stride with her arms full of clothes. Fleur could not identify what was being carried only that it looked soft, silky, and full of lace.

“Is that new?” Fleur asked in what she hoped was a cheerful voice.

Gabriele quickly stuffed what she was carrying into her rucksack before answering.

“What do you want?”

“To talk.” Fleur responded calmly.

“You heard me. I’m leaving; I’m not letting him stop me.”

“Calm down, I’m not here to stop you. I’m here to help you, remember it was me that suggested you in the first place.”

That did indeed stop Gabrielle for a moment. She felt the tears run freely down her face as she looked at her Sister. But what else could she do, they did not know what she felt, what she needed.

“I’m going to do it!” Gabrielle stated.

“I know I’m not going to talk you out of it. I just want you to listen. If you agree to what I suggest and it fails I’ll help you leave myself, because I don’t think even you could run out of here carrying that trunk.”

“I don’t need it.” The younger girl said defiantly.

“I saw, you have every thing you desperately need in the rucksack. I bet even now you are planning on how you can get across the channel and into England.”

The look on Gabrielle face told Fleur that she had guessed right.

“Gabrielle all I’m asking is that you give me sometime. Not much, just one day. I’ll meet with Dumbledore and discuss what is going to happen. If he agrees I’ll come for you and help you in anyway I can. If it doesn’t work out with him or Papa, I’ll still help you; I’ll even carry that damn trunk. OK?”

Gabrielle thought the offer through in her head to see if she could spot the catch, with hopeful eyes she looked at her sister and nodded.

**

Dumbledore strolled into his office and surveyed the damage. He had still not cleaned up after Harry’s outburst a month ago but for this meeting the damage strewn office would not do. Slowly pulling his wand free he felt and heard the crushing of more glass smashing as he walked round the room. With a small wave the room began to reorganise itself, the debris vanished, books and papers reorganised themselves and it was not long before the room was nearly back to a pristine state. Noting sadly that some of his things were beyond magical repair, he crossed to the phoenix that had watched the whole process without moving.

“I know I may have been wrong, but we must move on and do the best we can.”

The giant bird looked thoughtfully before lowering it head and rubbed against the Headmasters hand.

“Thank you Fawkes, I hope the rest will forgive me.”

Fawkes let out a single note in response but for once Dumbledore did not feel happy to hear it. In fact it filled him with dread knowing that soon he was going to lose it all. He crossed to his desk and slowly lowered himself to the waiting seat. With a final flick of the wand he conjured a set of chairs and waited.

He did not have long to wait before the first arrival. Professor McGonagall walked slowly through the door. Her ordeal was still clear to see but she did indeed seem to be better in Dumbledore eyes from when he last saw her.

“Please sit Minerva.” Dumbledore asked, indicating one of the chairs.

“So you have decided to clean up?”

“For this meeting it’s for the best, I fear that it might be too late but I must try.”

“Too late for cleaning your office?”She asked with an arched eyebrow.

“Please Minerva keep your questions for a few moments longer, and then I will answer all.”

The two of them sate in silence waiting for the rest to join them but once again they did not have long to wait as a grinding noise indicated that the gargoyle was moving again.

Remus Lupin stepped into the office and looked round. It had been a long time since he was last here but was pleased that nothing had changed in those years.

“Ah Remus its good to see you again, please sit and take refreshment if you would like, as our last attendee will be with us shortly, Professor Sprout has been kind enough to meet them at the main gate.”

Without a sound Remus crossed the room and sat carefully down, instantly a small table appeared loaded with a pot of tea and small selection of snacks. Remus decided to keep his own council for the moment and just observe this meeting. For some reason he had yet to figure out, this meeting was important and it was not going to be about himself so why was he here.

The three of them continued to wait each to there own, the clock gently struck 6 pm its noise filling the room. It was as though the final person was waiting for the exact time for at that instant the chimes died the sound of the gargoyle could be heard. Fawkes let out a quiet note of song before dipping her head towards her master and disappeared with a single flash.

A door opened and in glided a woman. Dumbledore knew what to expect but still was surprised at his reaction to the woman crossing the room. He could feel a slight tug as she crossed and took the last seat without even being asked.

“I’m so glad that you have joined up Miss Delacour.”

“Your letter came at a convenient time Professor Dumbledore.” Fluer said in English, she hated that her sister spoke perfect English, while she could not seem to master it.

“Please call me Albus?”

“Fine and I think that it would be for ze best if you called me Fleur.”

“Thank you Fleur, may I introduce to you Professor McGonagall and Mr Lupin.”

“Charmed.” Fleur greeted to the pair of them.

“Minerva.” Replied the stern looking witch

“Remus.” Remus replied slightly shaking his head, his wolf instincts telling him that something about this lady was affecting him.

“So Albus you have asked me ‘ere for help, what do you want?”

“Fleur perhaps it would be better, at least for the others if I start at the beginning.”

Fleur nodded her head in acceptance of this and slowly withdrew a notepad and quill. She was going to make sure she had notes of this to check in case he was trying to lie again.

“Well to begin let me explain why first you are all here. A month ago I told Harry a little about himself and Voldermort. This information has and will cause problems in the future if it is not dealt with soon. I have asked the three of you to help me for varying reasons. Remus you are here on Harry’s behalf, I believe that within Sirius’s will he has made you the legal guardian of Harry. He does not know this at the moment but he will soon. You have always done what you thought was best with no concern for you own welfare and I feel that Harry will trust you and any decision that you make.”

Remus nodded through this speech but at the end he opened his mouth to respond, however he was stopped by the up reached hand of Dumbledore.

“Yes I know that Harry should be here instead of you but at the moment he cannot, so please do your best as if Harry was here.”

Remus nodded again now realising some of the problems that Dumbledore had faced through his many years.

“Minerva you are here to understand the ramifications to the school and more importantly you’re House. What has transpired will have consequences for both.”

“And finally there is Miss Delacour, she is here because of her specialist knowledge in the area and also her knowledge of Harry.” Dumbledore finished.

Fleur just nodded at this. Dumbledore was setting a fine stage but to her he was just stalling for time. She could feel the emotions in the room and they were increasing even within herself but she need to know the truth, or the truth according to Dumbledore.

“So as I said let’s me take you back to the beginning. We know of Harry’s past, that fatal night his parents were murdered. Lilly, Harry’s mother, gave her life in his protection. That we all know or we do now. I arrived with Hagrid not much after the incident. From what I have found about it, it was not much more the half an hour later. The house was a mess and I had fears that there could be further attacks. I came across Harry straight away in the nursery. It was then I made what some would call the first of many wrong decisions regarding Harry. I checked him over a quick as I could with Hagrid guarding the house and found the answer that I thought I was looking for. Love, Harry had or should I say has the power of Love. It was simple to detect in him and was even then beginning to affect both Hagrid and myself.”

Dumbledore stopped and took a quick sip of tea to study his guests. It was clear that both Minerva and Remus had no idea what he was talking about but Fleur just sat there taking notes and showing no emotion.

“So this power was beginning to affect the pair of us. I quickly fought against it but having little skill in this area of magic it was difficult. In fact as I look at my recent decisions I only now realise how affected I was. So there I was holding this baby whose power was affecting all those who came close. The power of Love was not new to me but it should not be showing it at such a young age, it was dangerous to all and especially Harry. Knowing that I could not stop the effect on Hagrid I bid him to take Harry away to safety until I could decide what was best.”

Dumbledore paused once more to let the information sink in.

“I then spent the next day looking for the answer. Minerva if you remember I sent you to the muggles for the day. They were going to be the answer to my, our problem.”

Fleur knew most of this but could not stop herself from questioning the Professors actions “Yes Albus, you reacted as ze best way you saw fit. You didn’t know how to control zis power, yet you could not destroy the child, so you tried to destroy ze power.”

Dumbledore felt the sting in the words more than if she had had gotten up and hit him. Truly that was not what he had wanted, had he?

“Fleur please I did what I thought was right.”

“What do you think now?” She asked him.

“I still can not think of any other solution I’m sorry.”

Minerva knew of these events, she was even part of them but most of this was not making sense so decided to ask the question that she was sure that Remus wanted answered as well.

“Albus you have mentioned the power of Love. What is that power you are talking about?”

He closed his eyes seeking the answer. In truth he did not know, very few did indeed. Opening his eyes he indicated to Fleur.

“I think you had better answer that one.” Dumbledore said, with a gesture to Fleur.

“Well I’m not ze real expert but in present company I’m ze closest there is. Simply put Harry has some unusual abilities one of which is ze ability to affect what people love. It is similar to what a Veela can do but is much different in places. I imagine at that time ze uncontrolled power was making all those close to him love him. So much so, that zey would do anything for him. Harry’s power would only just grow and grow as those people around him loved him more.” She finished.

“Exactly Fleur!” Dumbledore make a triumphant gesture towards her. “That was the problem that I had. Wherever I placed him he wold be loved and so increase his power causing more people to love him, etc. He would simply become the most powerful wizard, ever. In history there have been other wizards and witches with this power but all of them were full adults before it came out, they were able to handle the responsibilities and demands that it gave them.”

“So Albus you did what you saw was right. To protect everyone from Harry, Harry or should I say Harry’s power ‘ad to die. You placed Harry in a household that he would not receive any love at all and zat would kill his power you hoped.” Said Fleur.

Remus could not believe in what he was hearing. He was not a simple minded wizard, in fact he prided himself on the fact that he was very knowledgeable but this was so unbelievable it was almost laughable.

“So …” questioned Remus “… let me get this straight. Harry has the power of Love, which will allow him to become the most powerful wizard ever. And to stop this you placed him in a home with no love.”

“Yes.” Dumbledore replied.

“You know that I am forever grateful for all that you have done for me, but this does sound strange, even unbelievable.”

“It true Remus, but perhaps if the story moves on a little and then I or rather Fleur will be able to show you the error in your knowledge.”

Remus just nodded at this rebut and sat back to hear more of this fairytale.

“So you now know the reasons that I placed Harry at the Dursley’s. I kept an eye on him thought the years and was secretly pleased that my plan was working. Yes I felt sorry for Harry but I did not know how much of that was truly me or was Harry doing from that first night. So Harry started here at the age of 11, apparently none the worse for his ordeal, yes a little underfed, poorly clothed but otherwise a normal young boy his power of love diminished too far to be dangerous. Once more his first year is well known to us and all of it can be attributed to the fun of youth. He returns to his home and once again left unloved for some months, suppressing what may have surfaced during his first year.”

“The second year arrives and once more he is in the middle of the happenings. A young boy, no more than twelve takes on, with the help of his young friends, the king of serpents and wins. It was now that I began to look more closely at him. A simple house elf alerted me to the fact that Harry’s power might be slowly returning. The small amount of love he received from the Weasleys was beginning to show. I was afraid for poor Ginny Wesley after the ordeal, and was Harry responsible for all that had happened to Ginny?”

“Never!” shouted Remus in Harry’s defence.

“Calm yourself I know that now, but then I was not sure. Was this infatuation she had something of her own? Or something of Harry’s making? So we now move onto the third year, all seemed fine in this year until the end. Harry had found someone to love him, Sirius. I sensed that this was causing him to show his true power. Whether he knew it or not the love from Sirius was causing him to display more and more power. No person at such an age should have been able to produce a Patronus, but he could. In the end I managed to separate them and send Harry back to the Dursley’s. I had hopped this was going to be the last time. Soon I could tell Harry and with training it would be fine, just one more year I kept telling myself.”

Taking another sip of his tea he continued the story.

“We are now onto year four of Harry’s schooling. The tri-wizard tournament was a fine distraction for Harry. That and the Moody’s impostor caused Harry just to live from one moment to another. He started to show the normal signs of someone beginning to look at girls, but the death of Cedric and return of Voldermort at the end chased any thoughts of love away from Harry. These events distracted me as I sought to fight the coming war and I chose not to act upon the visit that I had from Fleur.”

Fleur took the slight pause in the monologue to add her side of this story.

“I visited Albus just before ze return trip. I had felt something was different with Harry when I had first meet him but it took me until ze last task until I fully understood. I had sensed that he had the power to control emotions very much like me. At first I thought that he was part Veela and so looked into his family history. It was not long before I discovered zat Harry was not related to a Veela, even remotely. So I searched again various tomes and eventually found about ze power of Love in non-Veela. Not much was or has been written but I knew zat this was what I must have sensed. As I got closer and closer to him physically I could begin to feel a pull on my emotions.” She paused here as the memory washed over her.

“Not knowing exactly what I could do, I sought out Professor Dumbledore to warn him and to offer my help. I instinctively knew zat if Harry was not trained correctly zat it could become dangerous. The meeting was brief and I was turned down, so I left Hogwarts knowing that I had tried and it was no longer my problem.” She finished with an intent look at the Headmaster.

“Thank you Fleur for that, it’s best if I quickly finish this history lesson so I can answer the questions you all want answered. So this last year, I had hopped that with the events of the tournament still in his mind and the months that he was back at the Dursley’s he would return back to being normal. During the summer I had asked his friends to stop writing, I tried everything that I could but eventually I had him brought to Sirius, the Wesley’s and his friends, unfortunately probably the most loving environment that he had ever experienced. Due to these factors his power began to grow, gently at first but then faster and faster. He managed to form a group around him to train and learn when they found one Professor limiting. Then he leads this group to the Ministry to rescue someone that loves him.

Whether he used his power subconsciously or not is beside the point, he managed to lead, quite successfully, a group of students into a battle against adult wizards. After that battle I knew that I had to tell him, and I did in this office four weeks ago. He wrecked the office and I could feel the power of his magic. For a second I was afraid of what he was going to do, but in the end he kept it in check. Unfortunately some the damage is beyond even my ability to repair with magic. That brings us to now. You all know the history and have assumed that I have asked Fleur here because of her special knowledge which is true. I have also asked her to teach Harry. That is why the rest of you are here. To help work out what is the best for Harry and what would work for the school. So Fleur would you like to start the questions?” He said with a hand gesture, indicating the floor was hers.

Fleur looked up from her notes and was pleased that Dumbledore had not really left anything out, well anything that her research had found.

“Perhaps it would be best for you to ask your questions first, zis way when I make my proposal you will zen be able to understand it fully.” Stated Fleur.

Remus looked over at Professor McGonagall and was glad that her face matched his own.

“Minerva would you like to start?”

“Thank you Remus. Well that’s some story Headmaster but there are great many things I do not understand. First off what is this power of Love and how will it affect the school and Harry?”

Dumbledore looked at Fleur hopping that she would answer. Fleur took a steadying breath and nodded back at the headmaster before starting.

“As I said he has ze power to effect people and what they love. That is a very simple way of looking at it. I’m not ze best at zis but from what I know Harry’s power is directly effected by the amount people Love him. The more people zat Love him ze greater ze power he has. His magic power will increase, I suspect zat it will increase to an enormous amount, but until zat starts we will not know how far it will go.”

“How can he affect people?” Said the Transfiguration Professor, still confused.

“It is not as Albus describes. He can not force someone to love him, it is much like ze Veela’s power if people are near him zey may feel attracted to him but that’s all. What he can do is affect people who DO love him or just need to be loved.”

“Is that all?” questioned McGonagall.

“Basically yes, any person zat loves Harry will feel ze need to be closer to him as his power increases and as his power increases he will be able to affect those who just want to be loved.”

“That does not sound too bad, so what’s the catch?” Chimed Remus

Fleur looked at the adults and realised that she was probably leaving out far too much information but was afraid of being asked questions that she could not easily answer.

“He will need to be close to those he loves and love him or it will cause he, and zey, distress.”

McGonagall now suddenly understood why she was here, she just hopped she was wrong and so asked the question.

“What do you mean close?”

“He will need to see and probably be physically close to zem at least for some time each day?”

The silence that followed this statement did not last for long but was complete; eventually Remus asked the next question.

“Fleur please don’t get upset but what makes you the expert on this.”

“Actually I’m not ze expert, however I know ze person who is, but ze reason that I know zs is because of my Veela heritage. Harry’s powers are very similar but also much different. Veela’s can reach almost ze same stage when zey love a person zey will need to be in almost constant contact with zem but there magical power will increase because of it. Veela zat do not find zeir love will not become powerless, ze power will just diminish over time zat is one of the reasons why you don’t see elderly Veela’s.” smiled Fleur at the last statement

“So just to make clear, Harry has a power very similar to this. The more people that love him the more power he has, this power has the ability to affect what those people will do?” Remus summarized.

“Basically yes.” Responded Fleur knowing this to be a lie but knew she could not go into detail of what she suspected might be the whole truth.

“Any more questions?” asked Dumbledore

Remus just shook his head.

“Not for the moment.” McGonagall replied still looking closely at the young witch.

Nodding once Dumbledore continued.

“So you can see if Harry is not trained in how to control this new power it could be dangerous for the school, if he was not careful it would not be long before a large proportion of the school would gladly follow Harry wherever he would lead. So the discussion is how is he going to be trained and what changes are we going to have make here?”

“What will happen if we don’t do anything?” asked Remus

“Zat would most likely be bad for Harry. He already is feeling and using this new power, if we do nothing not only will zose around him be affected but without zose people he needs being near him it will cause him distress.” Answered Fleur

Dumbledore thought back to the last year and saw patterns that he had refused to acknowledge then. Every time he was away from Sirius and the Weasleys Harry’s mood had worsened until he almost exploded on that night he had returned from the Ministry.

“So that means that he will have to be trained and it needs to start soon.” Dumbledore said, somewhat defeated.

“That is correct.” Replied Fleur

“And when he returns back here he will need to be in close contact to all of those that love him.” Stated the Deputy Headmistress, almost choking over the word love.

“Correct again.”

“But how will we know who those people are?” McGonagall asked, somewhat flustered.

“We won’t but Harry will.” Was the simple reply.

McGonagall thought through this and did not like where it was going but what choice did she have. Remus was having similar thoughts but realised no matter what Dumbledore wanted, it was not his decision to make, it was Harry’s and Harry’s alone.

Fleur continued to sit in the char, she could feel the emotions changing as both McGonagall and Remus came to a decision but Dumbledore was still a mystery to her.

“So Fleur you have a proposal for us to consider, I take it that you will not train Harry?” Softly spoke Dumbledore looking at the witch over the top of his glasses.

“That is correct.”

“But why?” question Remus.

“Simple really. I’m not the best, but on a more personal note I love William. If I spent the time with Harry that he will need I may lose that and that is something that I am not going to do. Normally a Veela is trained by a close member of the family someone that they know, trust and love. ”

“So who do you suggest then?” continued Remus.

“Gabrielle.”

“No! That is impossible.” Immediately broke in McGonagall.

Remus was suddenly surprised at the venom in the stern witch’s voice. Obviously he was missing something here.

“I have to agree with Minerva.” Said Dumbledore.

“Both of you I don’t think you have much of a choice. She is clearly the best; her age will make it less conspicuous around here.”

“What has age got to do with it?” Asked Remus, as he still did not know who this Gabrielle was.

“Zat is probably ze reason that ze others don’t agree.”

“Absolutely!” huffed McGonagall. How could anybody think about bringing someone of that age into a position where they would have to be intimate.

“So how old is she? Eighteen, nineteen?”

“Eleven soon to be twelve.” Replied Fleur waiting for the explosion and she was not disappointed.

“Eleven, you think that an ELEVEN year old is going to be able teach Harry anything?” Remus said, anger and disbelief on his face.

“Yes I do, her age has nothing to do with her knowledge. She is one of the few non full Veela’s zat has studied and trained in zis power. I would easily guess zat her knowledge in zis area far exceeds ze sum total of ze knowledge in this room.”

“But eleven!” Remus said, somewhat less violently.

“That is my proposal, Gabrielle will teach Harry, I will assist her in getting settled but after zat she would be best left alone.” Said Fleur stating the last part.

Remus jumped up and started to pace around the back of the office. He was supposed to here to look out for Harry, but this was imposable. Harry had a new power that could be dangerous to him, but that girl wanted to use an eleven year old, an eleven year old to train him. What is more they would have to be close, probably physically as well? What did physically close actually mean? If it meant that, how could any adult even consider this?

McGonagall quickly ordered her thoughts. She had always had a soft space in her heart for Harry but was begin to fear that it was only due to this new power she was hearing about. What would happen if he was let lose on the school untrained, but an eleven year old?

Dumbledore sipped the last of his tea considering everything that he had been told. He had honestly thought the Fleur would jump at the chance. As much as she tried to protest he did in fact know quite a lot about this branch of magic but what she was proposing would be totally unacceptable in modern society. Looking at the other confidants in the room he saw that they had all reached the same conclusion. Gently replacing his tea cup he answered for them.

“Miss Delacour much of what you say may be true but we can not be a party to the notion of placing one of such young age into this situation. Wizarding society would just not allow it, I’m sorry all that I can ask is that you reconsider to teach Harry yourself.”

Fleur calmed her racing mind and closed her eyes. She could easily understand the others objections but what alternative did she have? If she undertook the teaching of Harry not only would it affect her relationship but it would destroy her family, Gabrielle would never forgive her, in fact she was bound to do something reckless. The thought of Gabrielle made Fleur run through the techniques that she had been shown. Letting the calm wash over her she tried to centre herself and focus inwards. Her sister was so good at this she felt a slight embarrassment at trying this in unusual company.

Dumbledore studied Fleur as she just sat there with her eyes closed. Grasping his wand lightly he just hoped that she was not going to try and influence the decision with her power.

Opening her eyes Fleur studied the room in front, they were faint but she could just make out the flowing ribbons. Smiling to herself the answer floated in front of her, with a smile she straightened up in the chair.

“Ok I understand but if I can prove zat she is ze best person and zat Harry will except her would you agree?” Fluer asked with a small smile.

“How do you propose you accomplish that?” queried Dumbledore.

“Simple, well simple for Gabrielle, she will find him and talk to him.”

“Find him?” Dumbledore asked, somewhat amused.

“Yes Dumbledore, I imagine, in fact I know zat Harry is at ze moment protected. You have him living with his family, to protect him. He or more possibly ze house is hidden using ze most powerful concealment charms zat you know. In fact I would imagine zat you performed the spells yourself Dumbledore and zat you are his secret keeper.”

“That may be.” Dumbledore allowed.

“So I will have to imagine zat it is impossible to find Harry at ze moment unless you tell me.”

Dumbledore just nodded.

“Then I will propose zat Gabrielle can find Harry before ze end of tomorrow.”

Dumbledore continued to look at the witch. The proposal was interesting but he could not see the catch. He had indeed performed the spells that both had hidden and protected Harry. The spells were fallible he knew but not in only one day. A small smile came to his lips as a counter proposal sprang to mind.

“I will only except on the condition that when she fails you will train Harry instead.”

“Done.” replied Fleur quickly knowing it was the best she was going to get for her sister. Rising to her feet she bid them all good night, turned and left the office.

Remus followed her out of the office and called out before she had taken more than a few strides.

“Fleur is this really for the best for Harry.”

“Yes.” she replied without turning round

“I want to believe but I can not.”

“You don’t have, only Harry has too.”

“But how will you find him?” Remus asked.

“I won’t, Gabrielle will, using Love.”

“Love?”

“People say love is blind, but true love is anything but.” Answered Fleur, leaving the mystified ex-professor behind.

**

Back in the Headmasters office Dumbledore continued to sit in silence suddenly realising that for the first time in a long while he had been tricked. He consoled himself in the fact that he was not really trick just bluffed into making a bad proposal.

“Has she really got any chance?” asked McGonagall

“I don’t know. That house is protected with the best that I know of yet…” he stopped in mid sentence thinking.

“Yet?” McGonagall asked her old friend.

“She seems very confident.”

“But if she can find him then?” She asked with a slight pleading tone.

“Yes that thought has occurred to me as well. All we can do is wait the day. Whatever transpires will determine our next move.”

“Next move Albus! How can you say such a thing, this is Harry we are talking about.”

“I know we just have to be prepared.” He answered noncommittally.

“Would you like me to stand watch?”

A small smile crept across the old wizards face.

“If you would I would be grateful. If they find him I suppose we have to give them the chance to convince him.”

“That won’t be easy.” She said.

“I thought the finding him would be impossible, but if they manage to do that I would not bet against them convincing Harry.”

**

Fleur continued her steady pace down the main drive towards the mansion. Her mind was still lost in thought. The trip back had been quick and efficient, once again Professor Sprout had escorted her to the main gates but they did not indulge in conversation only as she passed through them had the Professor bid her a good evening. The portkey activated almost immediately depositing her at the outside of the family grounds.

She entered the house through the main doors into the spacious hall, her mind registered that the house was quiet. It was unusual for the house to be so quiet at this hour but she suspected that everybody was awaiting her return and so the normal activities were placed on hold. Entering the main reception room confirmed all of this to her. Her parents were sitting in separate chairs both reading; unusually they were both reading books.

As she glided across the room she deliberately made as small sound to inform the occupants that she had returned. Her parents immediately looked up to see where the sound was coming from and finding their eldest daughter they both quickly closed their books and awaited the news. Fleur sank into one of the remaining chairs and spoke first.

“Is Gabrielle not here?”

“We think she is still here but she has not left her room since you left.” Said her father.

“I think its best then to discuss the situation before she ventures down here.” commented Fleur.

Her father just nodded at this.

“I spoke to Professor Dumbledore and it is what I said. They wish me to train Harry Potter.”

“But you said no.” huffed Sebastian.

“That is correct.”

“Then what?” asked her mother in a more gentle tone.

“I explained that Gabrielle would be best, but they did like the idea because of her age.”

“To right!” said Sebastian.

Bernadette looked at her husband as if to say that he should be letting her handle this but he failed to notice or refused to comply.

“Go on then, what did you do to convince them?” she prompted trying to bring the conversation back towards the here and now.

“I asked them to test her, they reluctantly agreed, so we leave in the morning.”

“No you will not!” shouted Sebastian again.

“Will you please be quiet?” Spat Bernadette.

“No mother I think you have both got to understand this. Gabrielle will be leaving whether you like it or not.”

“I won’t allow it!” said Sebastian.

Fleur looked at her father and let out a slow breath. She could feel his emotions running through the room but it would not change any of the facts, something that she had better remind him.

“Papa you have got to come to terms with this and now. You have been reading about Veela for the whole day, you must know that Gabrielle is right. The old laws are still there; she could declare herself Veela and then be an adult. With that right she is free there is nothing you can do about it.”

“But she’s my little girl.” Sebastian pleaded.

Before Fleur could even reply, her mother jumped in.

“Dear you might not have noticed but she is no longer a little girl. She has all the style and grace of Fleur and she looks far older than she did at that age. It is as though she has changed herself. If you stop and look at her you will see in the past year she has grown in many ways.”

“That is right Papa but not only just that, she is going to go. Even if you tried to stop her, her magic is forcing it upon her if it is not tomorrow it would be the next day or the next. When I went to her this morning she was already packed, you would have lost her already if I had not promised to help her. She has grown with her magic and has chosen to follow it.”

Sebastian deflated before the pair of them. What both of them were telling him confirmed everything that he had read. His little girl was going, and going soon. He felt his insides churn as this realisation came upon him. Almost without warning the tears started from his eyes.

“But she is my baby girl...” He whispered to himself, as the tears wet his cheeks.

“Fleur you had better go and tell Gabrielle before she runs away tonight. I will stay here, he needs me.” Bernadette whispered.

Fleur rose to her weary feet and gave her mother a peck on the cheek before leaving the room. The mansion fell silent once more for the night, except for the quiet sound of sobbing coming from the reception room.