Mr. Delacour's Guidance

Mr. Delacour looked at his wife and nodded, "Arry can we talk?" He put his hand on Harry's shoulder and led him back toward Madam Pomfrey's office. "Madam Pomfrey may we borrow your office for a few minutes for a private conversation?"

"Certainly," Poppy Pomfrey replied. "I would like to check on the girls anyway," She gave a nod to Mr. Delacour and swept out of her office.

Mr. Delacour turned to Harry and smiled. "You do not need to be nervous around Apolline and me 'Arry," He started. "If anything eet is we who owe you."

"Uh, you don't owe me anything sir," Harry stammered.

"Yes, we do," Suddenly the man was serious. "We owe you our daughters. We know what 'appened. I was zere and saw eet. We also know what would 'appen to our daughters if...well if you weren't willing to give of yourself. For zeir lives, we are thankful."

"I...I couldn't just..." Harry started but stopped.

"Many, many men would 'ave," Mr. Delacour replied. "Or not have taken it as seriously as you obviously 'ave. Fleur told us of your method of agreeing to be bonded to zem."

Harry didn't reply but only gave a small nod as the blush crept over his face.

"So it is we who are thankful, we who owe you. Apolline and I 'ave spoken to ze 'eadmaster, and to your father's friend, Monsieur Brown," Harry smiled as he thought that must be Sirius. "We've also talked to your other professors. Professor McGonagall, Flitwick and 'agrid. All of zem think very 'ighly of you. Of course Fleur 'as been gushing like a young–, like a very much in love girl ever since we came zis morning."

"Thank you sir," Was all Harry could think to say.

"Of course we know about your parents, but I 'ope you know zat from zis time on we consider you part of our family," Alain Delacour said. "Just take care of our girls. One day when you are older," then looking at Harry thoughtfully, "much much older, you might have a daughter of your own. At zat time you will know what I feel in my 'eart right now."

"I would never let anything happen to either of them sir. I just hope I don't disappoint them," Harry replied.

Mr. Delacour looked at Harry in wonder. "You're basically forced into a relationship you didn't ask for and you are concerned about disappointing zem?"

"Uh, yes sir. I, well, I don't want them to regret–" his voice trailed off as Harry was confused as to why a smile had come across Mr. Delacour's face.

"Well I can't fault my daughters in zeir choice. It seems like zey did find someone worthwhile. Good luck 'Arry."

"Sir, should...should I talk to Mrs. Delacour?" Harry asked nervously.

"You are more zan welcome to, but she knows everything we just discussed."

"What? How–?" but the answer came immediately. "You're bonded?"

"Yes we are. But Apolline initiated ze bond after we 'ad been dating and with my consent so I can't say I know what you are feeling now."

"What's it like sir, I mean to be bonded?" Harry asked.

"Zere is nothing like it. Nothing in ze world," Mr. Delacour replied with an enthusiastic smile. "I knew I loved Apolline, and I presumed she loved me, but once we bonded and I was able to know and feel ze love from 'er as well, as I said zere is nothing like it 'Arry. Nothing in ze world," He repeated.

"Uh, yes sir," Harry said.

"Look at me," Alain continued. "I know I'm not ze 'andsomest man around but my wife, she is so gorgeous," When he said that he paused for a second and then continued. "Over time in a typical relationship I might have wondered why Apolline loved me, being as beautiful as she is. I might have doubted her, been suspicious of her, but 'Arry, I know, I can feel 'ow much she loves me."

"But what if I don't love them as much as they love me?" Harry asked as he gave a glance out the window at his future bondmates and then back to Alain. "What if I never really love them?"

"Of course you don't love zem yet," Alain said. "Ow could you? Fleur and Gabrielle know zat. But obviously you must care some for zem? Like zem?"

"They…yes they are both very nice," Harry stammered.

"Zen I think it will 'appen," Alain replied confidently. "I think you three will find yourselves becoming closer. Inevitable I believe."

"What do you mean inevitable?" Harry asked. "I thought I wasn't going to lose myself in this."

"Oh you're not, but zey will 'ave a serious advantage 'Arry," Mr. Delacour said with a chuckle. "As long as you give zem a chance, with you being able to feel zeir love, and zeir ability to figure out what you like and dislike, I doubt it will take long before zey 'ave you wrapped around zeir fingers as much as I am."

Harry felt a fond feeling for Mr. Delacour. He had made Harry's anxieties lessen a great deal. "Yes sir. Uh sir, what is left of the bonding, I mean what else do we do?"

"Normally it would have all happened already, but since the power of ze bond initiation overwhelmed you," Mr. Delacour replied, "ze final piece did not 'appen."

"What is that sir?" Harry asked.

"You accepting it 'Arry. Zat is all zat is left."

"How do I do that sir? That's what I guess I am asking."

"Ah yes, well when everyone is ready," Mr. Delacour replied, "Fleur and Gabrielle will allow zeir magic to flow again, and you should find yourself somewhere wiz your 'eart."

"What do you mean sir?"

"Zis is a difficult part to explain, but when you experience it, you will know what to do," Mr. Delacour said. "You are going to be wiz your 'eart, and you will let Fleur and Gabrielle's magic in."

"But what does it mean that I'll be with my heart?" Harry asked envisioning himself in his chest with his heart beating beside him.

"It is all going to 'appen in your mind 'Arry," Mr. Delacour explained. "You will find yourself somewhere where you feel safe. Your 'eart will be represented by something you feel safe storing your love in. It's 'ard to explain. But for me, when Apolline started ze bonding, I found 'er and me au grenier, eh I mean in ze attic of my 'ome. Zat is where I used to go in my youth when things were wrong. I always felt safe zere. And in ze attic during my bonding, zere was a trunk. I recognized ze trunk; it was where I stored all of my treasures of my youth. But during ze bonding, ze trunk represented my 'eart. I knew all I 'ad to do was open ze trunk and 'ave Apolline reach into it, or enter my 'eart as you might say. Zat completed ze bonding," Mr. Delacour got another faraway look. "Eet seems Professor Dumbledore is 'ere along wiz your dog. Are you ready 'Arry?"

"Uh, not really, but might as well get it over with," Harry replied with a nervous shrug.

"Not over 'Arry," Mr. Delacour said looking Harry in the eyes. "Eet is just beginning for you," With that he turned and walked out of Madame Pomfrey's office with Harry following a couple of steps behind.

As they re-entered the bed-lined hospital wing, Professor Dumbledore noticed them. "Ah Harry, how are you this morning?"

"A little nervous sir."

"That would be expected. Is there anything else you want or need to do before we begin the final part of this?" Professor Dumbledore asked. "I think the ladies would not like to wait until the last minute."

"Uh, no sir," Harry replied. His eyes found Fleur's and Gabrielle's who were both looking back at him with hopeful nervousness. He forced a smile toward them as he crossed the room to stand with the two girls he'd be permanently connecting his life to. As he took each of their hands he turned back to Dumbledore. "I'm ready."

"Then I think we should begin."

....

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