Chapter 132: Zat Creature!

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"Thank you," I say, blushing again at the praise. I do wonder exactly why nobody else had apparently moved to save her. Did they really not have some contingency plan for potential injuries? I know in the Third Task they watch for red sparks, but...

Mr. Delacour says something to Fleur in French, startling her and turning her cheeks pink as she saunters her way over. Idly I think that must be the only way she knows how to walk.

"I'm sorry about the Ball," I blurt out before she can get a word in.

Her eyes widen and her cheeks go from pink to red as her eyes flicker toward her parents. "Non, monsieur, it iz I who must apologize, and thank you for saving me. After our previous encounters, I would not 'ave expected you to do such a thing."

Her mother says something in French, which embarrasses Fleur further and she gives a short reply. I wave it off with a shaky arm. "We started off on the wrong foot is all, and that was my fault," I say. My throat still hurts, but it's getting easier to speak. 

"As for that, well, Harry is the one with the 'saving people' thing, I think he just rubbed off on me a bit."

Harry blushes under the sudden attention, and then Fleur looks back to me. "M. Lerner..."

"I would like it if you would call me William," I say, then more quietly, "and if we could be friends."

She gives me a small smile and sits on the side of my bed. I try not to react to the fact that my hand is touching a very pleasantly firm part of her body. 

"I would like zat as well, William, and I insist you call me Fleur. Zey told me what you did, and that you 'ave been unconscious in here since. I owe you my life." 

She leans over and gives me a hug and a kiss on both cheeks – both alarmingly close to my lips – sending the heat back to my cheeks. Just like with her mother, I realize I feel very little pull from her Veela aura.

"My daughter owes you a Life Debt, M. Lerner, and I would do my part in helping her discharge it," Mr. Delacour says formally. "If there is anything I can do for you, I insist you allow me to do so."

I choke on my saliva and start coughing; I had not realized the whole Life Debt thing was actually a real thing in canon. I thought that was just in fanfiction, taken from Star Wars or something. "Mr. Delacour, I'm sure that's not..." I trail off, then realize how stupid it would be to throw away an opportunity like this. 

"...Actually, I would like it if we could have a private discussion, you and I, plus Harry and Hermione. I need a week or so to prepare for it."

He looks surprised by and slightly suspicious of this request, but he quickly schools his expression back to a smile. "Of course, M. Lerner. Would you like Fleur to accompany me?"

I consider that. She will be indisposed during the Third Task, although after she is rescued she might be available. If the plan still percolating in my head goes forward, it could be quite useful to have someone around that owes me a Life Debt. 

But I quickly dismiss that idea and shake my head. "No, that will not be necessary."

Both Fleur and her father frown and look like they want to say something. I wait a few moments, but apparently no explanation is forthcoming.

"What is it?"

"Well, it would be best...for the Debt...if she did," her father explains uncertainly.

I look at Harry, but he only shrugs. "What does the Debt entail, anyway?" They both look very uncomfortable at this, so I switch tactics. 

"Scratch that. Harry, can the four of us have some privacy? No offense, Mrs. and Ms. Delacour the younger."

"Muffliato," Harry says, making Fleur and her father jump since they hadn't notice Harry draw his wand, and then both of them look around to determine the source of the buzzing.

"Thanks," I say, nodding to him then turning to the Delacours and observe them for a moment. "If we have secrets that can't get out or we will be in grave danger, is keeping those secrets within the purview of the Life Debt?"

They both look frightened now, and Mr. Delacour gives a nod. "It is," he says slowly and uncertainly. 

I have to wonder at that, because now that I know Life Debts actually exist, didn't Snape owe James Potter a Life Debt? 

But then again, I remember reading that Snape did not realize that the prophecy referred to the Potters until after he had shared the information. Damn it, which pieces of this are actually canon?

"Don't worry, Mr. Delacour," Harry says comfortingly. That emotion doesn't carry too well with my voice at the moment. "Unless I miss my guess, your family is not too fond of Voldemort, right?"

A flinch at the name is followed by a tinge of anger. "But of course not!" Fleur says heatedly, cursing in French both before and after.

Harry smiles. "Then, unless you want to help that creature, our goals align quite nicely."

"What do you mean, zat creature? He is dead, non?" Fleur asks.

Harry holds up his hands. "No more talk right now, William just wanted to make sure you will keep our secrets."

"We will," Fleur says immediately.

"My wife would as well," her father says. "She feels as much indebted to you as I am, and she has as much a reason to dislike that man's – or creature's, as you say – views as anybody."

"A half-Veela would, at that," I say with a smile.

"How did you know that?" Fleur asks, taken aback.

Harry snorts. "Good luck with that question," he mutters to himself, then, louder, "I think she'll be fine to join us, William, but not Gabrielle."

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