HPWW441-450

Chapter 441

As the witch slowly walked towards the door, Harry

slipped into her seat at the desk.

Croaker saw Griselda walk out and turned back. As

soon as he saw Harry sitting at the desk, he grinned.

"Bravo; Lord Potter!"

Harry just smirked back.

Croaker gave a nod and said, "Before I get into why

I'm here, do you mind if I throw up Unspeakable level

privacy charms?"

Harry thought about it only for a moment before he

replied, "No. So long as you do not cast any magic at

me."

"Only at the room," said Croaker.

Harry gave a nod as Croaker drew his wand once

more.

Less than two seconds later, he grinned at Harry and

said, "Since I've given you my oath I have no intention

of harming you, do you mind sending your house elf,

Dobby, away?"

Harry gave a snort of amusement and said, "Dobby.

Thank you. You've done your duty and you may go. I'll

call you if I need you."

Croaker waited a moment, staring into the corner to

where Snape's 'stool' used to sit. Then he gave a nod

and started casting again.

Harry watched and felt as the magics took effect. He

noticed as all the portraits of past Headmasters and -

mistresses either left their frames or simply froze in

place, the air became quite still and he believed he felt

a slight change in air pressure in his ears as well.

Once he was done, Croaker took a quick look around

before giving a single nod of satisfaction.

Resheathing his wand, he said, "No sound will leave

this room. No recording charms or similar will be in

effect; nor will any spying charms. We are secure."

"Alright," said Harry. "That's a great deal of security

for what I thought was going to be a chat. I take it

you're going to want an oath or similar at the end of

this?"

Cocking an eyebrow back, Harry thought the man was

showing surprise. "Good guess, but no. I'll be casting

a modified Fidelius on the knowledge with me as

Secret Keeper and you being given the knowledge."

"Hunh!" said Harry. "Clever. That way I'll have the

knowledge, but won't be able to speak about it."

"Nor can it be taken from you," said Croaker. "We're

more worried about that, than you giving it freely."

"How do you know I'm not immune to it?"

"We don't," replied Croaker. "However, when better to

test it than now?"

Harry chuckled.

Croaker gave that a moment before he said, "Now for

why I'm here." He donned a glove covered in runes

embroidered in with silk and drew a murky grey orb

out of his robes, together with a little wooden stand

for it.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

A little over an hour later, Harry left the

Headmistress's office.

After his 'chat' with Croaker and the Unspeakable had

cast his Fidelius, Croaker cast a messenger Patronus

that brought Marchbanks back to the office. When she

arrived he asked Harry to try to tell her about 'the ball'

he'd shown him.

When Harry couldn't, Croaker seemed satisfied. "As I

thought," he said. "That's because the secret is in

your soul; not your mind."

After saying goodbye, Croaker left via the floo and

Harry left via the door.

He wandered towards the Lords' Quarters, completely

not bothered about attending the last class of Muggle

Studies. He had a lot on his mind and needed to

mentally work through it.

Croaker had started the discussion by playing the

recording of the prophecy direct from the prophecy

orb. And told him the prophecy was, in effect,

complete. Then told him what the Department of

Mysteries had analysed it to mean.

He then told Harry about how the Unspeakables had

Dumbledore - that it was them, who kidnapped him

from the hospital - and how they were pumping him

for all the information the man held. He did not say the

old man was already dead.

"What do you plan to do with him once you've got

every piece of information out of him?" he'd asked.

"You do not need to worry about it, Lord Potter,"

replied Croaker. "The man will never bother you again.

You have my word."

The confidence of the answer was enough for Harry to

know the old man would be killed, or had been. So, he

didn't push it.

It wasn't learning the contents of the prophecy that

had him worried, either. It was finding out what

Dumbledore believed would happen during the Third

Task.

"The old man firmly believed that, irrespective of the

prophecy, Riddle sees you as his greatest failure. You,

or your mother, was the cause of his initial downfall.

For someone like Riddle, that cannot be allowed to

stand. Therefore, he will keep after you until either he

kills you, you kill him or someone else kills either of

you.

"That's where we, the Unspeakables, come in. Riddle

represents a true threat to the security of the

wizarding world. As such, handling him falls under the

purview of the DoM."

Then Croaker went on to explain Dumbledore's belief

Riddle would strike on the night of the Third Task. And

how that was the true reason Crouch had put his

name in the Goblet and confunded it to spit out his,

Harry's, name.

While that might not be the case, the Unspeakables

would still be ready for it.

Some time very shortly before the Third Task he

would be taken aside and a tracker embedded into his

skin. That tracker would have both apparation and

portkey co-ordinates, so the Unspeakables could get

to him within moments of anything out of the ordinary

happening.

That, at least, gave Harry some comfort.

"Once we're there, Lord Potter," explained Croaker.

"You just need to get the hell out of our way. We'll deal

with Riddle. Alright?"

Harry just nodded. He was too relieved to even voice

his affirmation.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Once classes let out, all the Heirs were quick to go up

to the Lords' Quarters and see Harry.

He was sitting on one of the sofas and still mentally

going through everything when Hermione came

running inside.

"Harry!" she exclaimed, throwing herself at him in a

Hermi-Hug of old.

After the hug she began to babble through her

multitude of questions, which Harry calmly waited out.

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Chapter 442

Finally she wound down and glared at him. "Well? Are

you going to answer my questions?"

"Are you going to give me time to, or are you just

going to ask one question after the other without a

pause between, just as you used to do before the First

Task?"

That was when Daphne walked in, much more calmly.

She didn't look happy.

"Hermione Jean Granger," she firmly said. "I know

you were anxious to return to see Harry, but that does

not excuse you running through the corridors of the

school like a small child loaded up on sugar!"

Hermione immediately blushed.

"Your conduct was completely unbecoming of a future

Lady of a Noble and Most Ancient House," Daphne

continued. "Have you not been told your behaviour

reflects on Harry?"

Harry looked to her and asked, "Is this true?"

"Yes," she quietly replied, looking down and ashamed.

Harry sighed and dropped his head into his hands,

"Hermione..." he whined, before lifting his head again.

"Look. I understand. But this... impetuousness, you

must get control of. Alright?"

Still not looking up she sadly nodded.

With a sigh he patted the seat on the sofa next to him

and said, "Come here."

As Hermione moved to obey, he turned to Daphne,

patted to cushion on the other side and said, "You,

too."

And Daphne moved to obey.

When he turned back he was just in time to wrap

Hermione in a hug as the girl sniffled in sorrow. "I

don't expect miracles," he said. "I just expect effort."

Releasing her, he sat back and said, "Now. I expect

both of you are very interested in what my meeting in

the Headmistress's office was all about, right?"

"Yes," both replied. But Daphne added, "If you're

willing to inform us, of course."

He replied, "I can't give you specific details because

the person who I met with, not Lady Marchbanks, has

locked it all within a modified Fidelius charm acting as

a secrecy charm. Think about it, I cannot speak about

them."

When he saw both understood he continued,

"However, in general terms, what we spoke about had

to do with the prophecy I was told about, my part in it,

Dumbledore and his part in it and even Tom Riddle's

part in it. Yes, he's involved.

"Issues like this are almost always handled by... those

people. It's one of their mandates. However,

Dumbledore got in the way of that and interfered. If

Dumbledore had done the right thing from the get-go,

there's a decent chance my parents would never have

been killed and Neville's parents would never have

ended up in Saint Mungo's."

As Harry explained what he could, Hermione settled

again. By the time he was finished, she was almost

back to being her usual self, just a tad bit less chipper.

"Oooohh... when I get my hands on that old man..."

she grumped.

"Errr... I want you to forget all about the old man,

Love," he said. "I do not believe we'll ever have to

worry about him again."

When she gave him a very direct, demanding look, he

sighed and said, "I... cannot tell you why I know that. I

just do."

"Then," she said. "We can tell Madam Bones that."

"No, we really can't," he said. "For two reasons. One:

we have no proof he'll never be seen or heard from

again. And, two: supposedly, Dumbledore is the only

wizard Riddle has ever feared. Just knowing

Dumbledore could turn up at any moment to deal with

him has, in the past, been enough to send Riddle and

his lickspittles running away as soon as people start

showing up to fight him."

"Ah!" said Daphne. "Of course. And, if it is learned

Dumbledore is gone for good, then, if Riddle does

come back as it appears he may, he won't have to

worry about Dumbledore showing up."

He nodded and said, "Which will lead to even more

people dying and, possibly, the Statute of Secrecy

being broken."

Once he finished, he suggested both girls go and

change before dinner. "I'll be doing the same," he

said, rising.

And they did precisely that.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Late that evening, Pettigrew was in a grungy pub in

Knockturn Alley called the Warlock's Curse and was

under a rune-based glamour. He was sitting in a

'discussion' stall at the back. It was the place where

dodgy deals were made. On his lapel he wore a small

gold pin of a snake wrapped around and through a

skull. It was not the same as the dark mark, but it held

the same components.

He'd been sitting there for almost an hour when

Lucius Malfoy walked in, looked for him and walked

over.

Barely acknowledging the once politically powerful

man, Pettigrew quietly said, "Lucius, take a seat." And

indicated the seat opposite.

Malfoy sneered and said, "I'll take your seat. Switch to

the other side."

Pettigrew gave a snort of amusement and moved to

take the seat he'd directed Malfoy to take.

Then, before he sat down, Malfoy cast detection

charms across the whole area.

Once both were seated, Pettigrew said, "I'll allow you

to erect the privacy charms."

Malfoy merely cocked an eyebrow, but still cast the

charms.

"Good," said Pettigrew. "Now we can speak freely."

With his wand still drawn, Malfoy turned it on

Pettigrew. "Who are you, to know that phrase?"

Knowing which phrase Malfoy referred to, the one

Voldemort told him to include in a letter he'd sent to

the man opposite, Pettigrew smirked and said, "The

one who gave it to you in the first place. He's back

and he wants to see you."

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Chapter 443

Malfoy froze on the spot. Though of pale skin already,

he still managed to turn even paler.

"He's back?" he quietly asked.

Pettigrew nodded. "And wants to see you."

He then slipped a small card out of his sleeve and slid

it across the table. It was the size of a muggle

business card. Though neither knew it, that's exactly

what it looked like, except it had no writing on it.

Instead, a pin similar to the one Pettigrew wore was

pinned through it.

"A portkey," said Pettigrew "It is timed to

automatically activate at ten minutes to the hour of

seven in the evening, tomorrow evening. You are to be

wearing it as I wear mine. No one else is to be in your

presence at the time. And you are not to be holding

your wand in your hand when it activates. Finally, you

are to speak of this with no one, not even your wife or

son.

"If you do not adhere to these instructions, your life is

forfeit. Do you understand these instructions as they

have been given to you?"

Sliding the card to himself, Malfoy nodded and quietly

said, "I do." His voice did have a little break in it,

though.

Pettigrew gave another single nod and started to slide

out of the booth. Just before he left, he quietly said,

"Pura regula." {Latin: Pure rule}

"Pura regula," muttered Malfoy. His mind was on other

matters, though. And his response was more of the

knee-jerk variety.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

When the other Heirs joined the Potter three, they

were all curious as to what had led to Harry being

called to the Headmistress's office. However, he only

told them that someone important from the Ministry

came to give him some important information that was

for his ears alone. Then apologised he couldn't share

due to secrecy charms.

All of them then dropped it, but Neville did later look

at Harry with curiosity.

Once they were sitting for dinner, Neville asked, "The

matter in the Headmistress's office. It wasn't because

you made the Ministry look like idiots again, with the

Second Task?"

Harry smiled and replied, "No. It had to do with why

Dumbledore has always had such a focus on me. It

was about why Dumbledore was doing all those

things over the past three years. They were tests for

me and those who were my friends."

Neville stared back for a few moments and said, "He

was testing you, why?"

"That's part of what I can't tell you, Nev," he replied.

"Sorry."

Neville just nodded and said, "If I ever get my wand on

him―"

Harry wanted to tell him he'd never get the chance,

but it was not his information to share just yet. First

chance he got, though; he would. But, he'd also try

and make sure his friend's parents were also there

when he did, as it was just as important for them to

hear.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

The next evening, a few seconds past 6.50pm, Lucius

Malfoy appeared on a lawn before a dilapidatedappearing old tudor-style wooden manor-house

As he got his bearings, he heard a voice from behind,

"Good, you're here."

Spinning around and reaching for his cane, he froze

when he saw who it was. "Pettigrew?!"

"Lucius," smirked Pettigrew. "I certainly hope you

weren't planning on getting yourself killed by drawing

your wand from that cane."

Malfoy immediately pulled his hand away from the

grip, but didn't say another word.

Indicating the manor, Pettigrew said, "He awaits you,

inside. You are to lead and I shall follow."

Turning to look back at the old manor, Malfoy turned

more fully and began to walk up the slight incline of

the lawn to the main doors. While he was doing so, he

was making sure within his mind that all his secrets

he did not even want the dark lord to know were

locked behind as impregnable shields as he could

erect.

Voldemort had made no such requirement for Malfoy

to lead, but Pettigrew like the idea of Malfoy having to

succumb to his orders. It made him feel quite pleased

he was able to 'lord' it over the pompous prick.

Following the quiet directions from Pettigrew from

behind Maloy made his way through the manor, up the

stairs, down a hallway and told to wait outside a door.

It made his skin crawl, knowing a threat stood that

close behind him and he couldn't 'order' the man to

walk before him.

He could see the room he was directed to was one of

the few rooms in the manor that actually had lighting.

The flickering told him a fireplace was within, at least.

Before entering, though, Pettigrew quietly told him.

"Wait here." Then slipped past him, entered through

the door and quietly closed it behind him.

As Malfoy worked on controlling his breathing

through light meditation, he waited.

Seconds later, Pettigrew was back, opening the door

and gesturing him within. As he passed, Pettigrew

snatched his cane out of his hands.

Malfoy was about to snarl at him when Pettigrew

smirked back and said, "His orders."

Feeling somewhat naked without his wand, Malfoy

walked to where a large wing-backed padded chair

was placed, slightly turned to the fire. Next to it sat a

small occasional table with the top level with the arm

of the chair. There was no other furniture in the room.

'I'm expected to remain sta- no, I'm expected to kneel,'

thought Malfoy. He was glad he had the forethought of

placing cushioning charms on his knees.

Moving around the chair, giving it a reasonably wide

birth, he came before what he thought to be his fully

reformed master, with his head bowed.

'Kneel, Lucius," came the voice he had come to both

loathe and love. However, the voice sounded quite a

bit more sibilant and of a higher pitch than he

remembered from more than a decade past.

Malfoy instantly dropped to his knees, still looking at

the floor.

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Chapter 444

"Master," he softly said. "For many years I have

awaited―"

"Sssilencccce," the voice snapped.

He instantly obeyed.

A long moment later, the voice said, "You may look

upon me, my slippery friend. Look upon what I have

become."

Malfoy allowed his eyes to rise. Finally they were on

the small homonculus form. He was horrified.

"M-master!" he blurted.

"This is what I have become, Lucius," said Riddle.

"For me to regain my true form, I have already devised

a solution. It is already in play.

"First, though, tell me of what you have been up to

these past thirteen years. If I am unhappy with what I

hear... have no qualms, you shall be punished."

It was more than three hours before Malfoy was

'allowed' to leave. When he did, he could barely walk

from repeated Cruciatus curse exposure and had a

massive headache from repeated Legilimency attacks.

However, he also had his own task to complete. One

he both didn't know how to accomplish and thought

endangered his life so effectively he did not see a way

to survive it.

His biggest problem was how he could get into

Hogwarts with the dark mark on his arm. The dark lord

would not remove it and only smirked when he

claimed so. From the... man's... reaction, he expected

Malfoy to figure it out on his own.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

As the time to the March sitting of the Wizengamot

approached, on the Saturday before - the thirteenth -

Harry had already been alerted to a meeting of the

Alliance having been called, just as with the previous

month. This time it was being held at Bones Manor

and again during the afternoon.

The Heirs all trooped up to the Headmistress's office

and flooed direct from there.

One of the main items of business was the escape of

Dumbledore from auror custody. And Harry had to

firmly bite his tongue from saying anything. Just prior

to the meeting he told both 'his' girls that they weren't

to talk about it and both replied they wouldn't.

However, the full Alliance all agreed that, if

Dumbledore was spotted, Marchbanks would be

immediately alerted so that Harry's whereabouts

could both be confirmed and his security alerted.

It was during the meeting he also learned that his

personal protection had again been increased. But

their location would only be made known, even to him,

when he was away from the castle. He was also told

that same security was watching over both his girls

and Astoria, which allowed him to breathe a sigh of

relief.

He'd be willing to 'allow' it to continue if it meant his

girls and protectee were also protected. He knew there

was no risk to them from Dumbledore, but it meant

they'd be protected from Malfoy and his ilk as a 'side

effect'.

Because Daphne was now under concubinage with

Harry, it was Astoria who sat behind her father during

the meeting; even though that wasn't the case at the

previous meeting. Daphne was with Hermione and the

other 'ladies' in their own meeting.

Samuel told him after the meeting that her mother

insisted and Samuel admitted to not wanting to sleep

on the couch in his study for something so minor.

When Harry chuckled in amusement, Samuel said,

"Just you wait until it's your turn, Harrison. We'll see

who's laughing then." But, Harry was glad to see there

was no spite in the man's voice or expression when

he said so.

"You may rule the family, Lord Potter," the man had

added. "But, it is the ladies who rule the manor... and

the bed."

That shut Harry up. And it was Harry's subsequent

expression which caused Samuel to grin back.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Three days later and because there were no criminal

matters to deal with, Harry was able to stay later for

breakfast before making his way back to the

apartment to change into his Wizengamot robes.

By the time he was changed, classes had already

started; so he met no one on the walk from the Lords'

Quarters to the Headmistress's office.

Less than a minute after arriving, he was escorting

Lady Marchbanks - not Headmistress Marchbanks -

across the floor of the atrium to the security gates.

Again, he was immediately surrounded by aurors.

Almost snarkily, he said to Lady Marchbanks, "Look

how important the aurors consider you to be, My

Lady; to have all these strapping young aurors escort

you."

She cackled in amusement and gave him that little

arm tap she appeared fond of using. Only one of the

aurors, he saw, turned a smirk on him.

Harry had to admit, at least to himself, he loved

making the old witch laugh. Her laugh sounded like

the old crone witch that used to appear in Bugs Bunny

cartoons he very occasionally managed to get to

watch at the Dursleys.

That led him to thinking about them. He'd try to

remember to ask Madam Bones about the result of

that matter, when he had a chance.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

With no prior criminal case, Harry had settled into his

seat to wait the meeting out until it came to the

second reading of the Bill on Ministry inspections of

commercial sales of potions ingredients.

He'd spent a little time, here and there, writing down

his 'speech' as a speaker against. He even researched

how the Statute was first posited and implemented,

together with the why's. And included that, where

relevant, in his speech.

When it came time, he was surprised to discover he

wasn't that nervous at all. Daphne had told him he

wouldn't be if was prepared.

After the second reading, the Chief Warlock called for

a speaker against and Harry rose to be recognised. No

one else did. The looks of surprise on other faces led

him to believe no one thought someone would speak

against the matter moving to become a Statute; or, in

this case, an amendment to an existing Statute.

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Chapter 445

And Harry laid it all out for them. He spoke of the

reason for the Statute existing in the first place, the

arguments put for its implementation, even the

arguments that had been put against its

implementation. Then covered the period since the

implementation, including the significant drop in

hospital admissions from contaminated potion

ingredients, which showed the existing Statute was

effective.

However, he even covered how parts of the mover's

arguments were sound, in that there were procedures

that had arisen in the Ministry's handling of such

inspections that had become too onerous.

"Therefore," he said, coming to a close, "I understand

Lord Strickland's clear frustration with the current

inspections by the Ministry as they are, today, carried

out. Instead of scrapping or making significant

alterations to the existing Statute, as this Bill

demands, I recommend the Ministry inspectors,

themselves, have their procedures inspected and

audited toward better handling of such inspections

and, of course, corruption.

"Chief Warlock, House Potter thanks you for this

opportunity to present its views."

And sat.

The entire chamber was silent. It took a long moment

before the Chief Warlock said, "Errr... thank you for

those views, Lord Potter. Do I have a speaker for?"

In the end, the Bill lost. Strickland wasn't happy, but

another immediately suggested a motion to have

Ministry inspectors inspect the Potion ingredient

inspectors, 'as Lord Potter suggested'. The new

Minister was very quick to agree, without it needing to

go to the vote. That seemed to placate the older Lord.

This time, Harry was happy to hang back and speak

with other members, both about his speech and about

his views on other matters. His normal response was,

"As it is a busy time at the moment, perhaps I can

impress upon you the need to write down your

thoughts and owl me with them. I promise to pay them

due attention."

As Harry left, again escorting Lady Marchbanks, she

asked, "When you promised to pay matters due

attention, what did you mean by that?"

Harry smirked, mimicked opening a letter and said,

"Ah! From Lord Parkinson." Then mimicked screwing

it up into a ball and lobbing it. "Bin! That's rightful due

attention to something Parkinson wants."

Again she cackled, which had Harry grin.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

As soon as they returned to the castle, Harry was

about to leave when Marchbanks said, "Stay a while,

Lord Potter. Tea?"

Surprised, Harry gave a shrug and said, "Leave and

miss the chance to have tea with such a wonderful

lady? Perish the thought."

Again with the cackle.

As she called for an elf to serve tea, there came a

whoomph from the fireplace and Sirius stepped

through. "Hi!" he cheerily said.

"Sirius!" said Harry, laughing. In a stage whisper he

said, "I think Lady Marchbanks is trying to seduce me

with tea."

That had the woman laugh again, but also Sirius. Her

cackling was in great counterpoint to Sirius's barking

laughter.

"Don't ever change, Lord Potter," she managed to get

out.

"Score!" cried Sirius.

A moment later Marchbanks flicked her wand at him

and he was spitting up soapsuds.

The look of shock on his face had Harry laughing.

Meanwhile, their tea had arrived. Harry noticed four

teacups. 'We're waiting on one more?' he thought.

Harry cast a finite at his godfather, which had the

soapsuds vanish.

"Lady Marchbanks!" said Sirius. "Really?!"

"You deserved it," she smirked. "If not this time, then

another."

He seemed to think about that, as he moved to sit next

to Harry. "True," he muttered, as he sat.

There was another whoomph of green flame from the

fireplace and Samuel Greengrass stepped out.

"Aaaand, here comes the reason for the fourth cup,"

said Harry.

When Sirius gave him a funny look for the odd

comment, he smirked and pointed at the tea service.

Marchbanks, who saw it, looked for herself, grinned

and laughed, "Well spotted, Lord Potter!"

Once everyone was seated, Harry said, "Alright, Lady

Marchbanks. Perhaps someone can now come clean

as to why I've been shanghaied into a meeting?"

Watching it happen, Harry was quite shocked when it

was as if someone had doused everyone with cold

water. Mirth suddenly became serious business.

"An... issue has arisen," said Samuel.

'No kidding,' thought Harry. 'Your reactions told me

that.'

"Well, don't go casting about the forest, willy-nilly," he

said. "How can I help?"

"You?" asked Samuel. "What makes you... oh. Of

course. Why else would we have you in the meeting."

Harry just cocked an eyebrow back with a slight

smirk.

Samuel looked uncomfortable and not wishing to

explain. Sirius, however, did. But, even then, he didn't

get directly to the point.

"Harry, an issue has cropped up relating to what

happened during the Second Task," he said.

"What?" he asked. "Did Bagman decide he couldn't

live with the shame of being a daft moron and tried to

top himself? I say 'tried', because he probably

couldn't get that right, either."

That had Sirius give a snort of amusement.

"No, pup," he replied. "It has to do with the young lady

you rescued from the lake."

"Fleur?" he asked. "Is she alright? Did she suffer from

complications?"

Sirius sighed and said, "Yes, she's currently alright.

However, there were... are... complications... or, rather,

unforeseen complications because you saved her

life."

Harry frowned and held up a finger before tapping it

with the index finger of his other hand. "Point." Then

used that second finger to circle around the first from

above. "Sirius."

That had Marchbanks give a snort of amusement and

for Sirius to grin for a moment before the grin

disappeared from his face again.

Instead of then answering, Sirius looked at

Marchbanks with a pained expression.

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Chapter 446

"Alright," said Harry. "Now, I'm worried."

Marchbanks asked, "Lord Potter, what do you know

about Veela?"

"Always pretty, stacked in all the right places,

supposedly have something called an allure, which is

supposed to turn men into gibbering idiots," he

replied. "Doesn't work on me. Yet another mind magic,

I suppose; and I'm, therefore, immune."

Marchbanks sat back and said, "I'd forgotten you

claimed that immunity from magics of the mind. So,

it's true."

Harry just nodded back.

"No effect, at all?" she asked.

"I get slightly woolly-headed for a few moments, but

it's easily ignored," he replied.

"What do you think of her, Pup?" asked Sirius.

Harry thought about it for a few moments before he

replied, "When I first saw her, I thought she was a bit

of a haughty bi... errr, person. Then came the night of

the draw from the Goblet and, when I was sent into the

antechamber off the Great Hall, she called me a

'leeeetle boi'. I was right tempted to drop trou, point at

my groin and ask, 'Who you calling little?'."

That had Sirius and Samuel laugh. Even Marchbanks

appeared amused.

He continued, "After the First Task, though, she

voluntarily came over and apologised to me for her

behaviour and remarks. She was the only one who did

of the three. Hell, she's the only one who did of all the

students who treated me with contempt that three

weeks. She had my respect, for that.

"After that, I didn't interact with her for the remainder

of the time I was in the castle before heading for

Hermione's place. And didn't see her again until the

night before the Second Task.

"If I remember correctly, we talked a bit about the

Task, that night.

"Then I didn't talk to her again until after she'd woken

or been revived in the hospital tent after the rescue.

She was a lot more pleasant to me, then. And

Hermione and Daphne also seemed more comfortable

with her."

That had the three adults all look to one another

again.

Samuel said, "It is serendipitous you are immune to

her allure, Lord Potter."

Again, Harry frowned at how none of the three could

seem to get to the bloody point.

"Alright," he firmly said. "You've all set the scene;

now, please stop dragging your proverbial feet and

get to the point."

Samuel said, "I think I should be the one to start,

since I was the one who was first contacted."

That had the other two nod.

Looking to Harry he said, "As Lord Black mentioned,

there has arisen an... issue... that is related to you

saving the life of Miss Fleur Delacour, of-age student

and current Beauxbatons Champion of the Tri-Wizard

Tournament."

When Harry's frown at him deepened, he was quick to

continue, "As a... pardon me, but it's relevant...

magical creature, Miss Delacour and her magic are

more in tune and connected to magic that are we,

wizards and witches.

"If you were to give a vow on your magic, but not your

life, if you broke that vow you would be stripped of

your magic. However, at your age, the chance of you

dying from that loss is rather insignificant; unlike

someone of Griselda's age. And that's because you

are not sustained by magic. It's only an extension of

you.

"For Miss Delacour, however, she is a creature of

magic. If she was to give a similar vow and break it,

the loss of her magic would kill her. A vow on her

magic is also a vow on her life."

Confused a little, Harry asked, "She's given a vow on

her magic and it relates to me?"

"No. I was just using a vow as an example of how

intrinsic magic is to a Veela compared to a witch or

wizard."

Harry nodded and said, "Oh-kay... I get that."

"Good," said Samuel. "Because a Veela is more in

tune with magic, magic has a stronger effect upon

them. Its demands can be and are greater that it is for

normal witches and wizards."

He hesitated a long moment before he said, "That

leads us to last Sunday afternoon. I was contacted by

Jean-Paul Delacour about an issue that has arisen

relating to his daughter, Miss Fleur Delacour. And it is

related directly to you and your actions regarding her

at the Second Task."

"What?" pressed Harry. "Magic thinks she should

have died so it's killing her?"

"That's... not far off the mark," muttered Sirius.

"Not quite," said Samuel. "Because you saved her life,

magic has deemed she now owes you a debt."

"Greeeeaaat," sighed Harry. "How much does she

have to pay me?"

"No, Harry," said Sirius. "The debt is not a financial

one. Because you saved her life, in a way, her life now

belongs to you."

Harry was a long moment, attempting to parse that,

before he shot to his feet and bellowed, "WHAT?!"

None of the adults even reacted. Clearly, this was

expected.

"Harry," said Sirius, "Please sit down. There's more

you need to hear."

"MORE?!" he bellowed. "Is magic saying I must do

something with this young woman's life?"

"Lord Potter," said Marchbanks, quite sternly and

getting Harry's attention. She then pointed back at his

chair, jabbed her finger at it and commanded, "Sit!"

Harry glared back for a long moment before he said,

"No. Not yet. I need to be on my feet. It helps me

think."

As Harry began to pace behind the other two Lords

Samuel said, "In a nutshell, Lord Potter... from what

we have so far discovered... Miss Fleur Delacour of

the Venerable House of Delacour owes you a Veela life

debt."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------

Chapter 447

"She owes me nothing!" Harry snapped back. "I did it,

because it was the right thing to do!"

"And therein lies the problem," said Samuel. "You did

it simply because you could. You did it without

thought of what it could mean to you; how you could

benefit from it. You did it in a purely altruistic sense."

Confused again, Harry stopped and looked at Samuel.

"Hunh?"

"Harry," said Sirius. "Because you saved that young

woman's life, without thought of how it could benefit

you to do so, magic has deemed she owes a debt to

you."

Harry thought for another long moment, trying to

figure out how to get out of it. Eventually he asked,

"How do I... absolve her of the requirement to pay it?"

"You can't," said Samuel. "Magic has deemed it so."

In frustration, Harry threw his arms in the air and spun

about as if to leave, before spinning back and saying,

"Un-fffflipping-believable!"

Lowering his hands and carding his fingers through

his hair on the way down, he eventually sighed and

asked, "How does she pay this... debt."

Again, the three adults looked to another before Sirius

quietly replied, "We've checked. We've done our

research. There's only one way... two. Slave bond or

concubinage."

Throwing his hands in the air and stomping around

again, Harry exclaimed, "Oh! How... fffreaking...

wonderful! This poor girl is going to be forced to...

to―"

"Have sex with you," said Marchbanks.

Harry spun on the spot and stared at her. His

expression was one of horror. "No!"

"Harry―" started Sirius.

"No!" said Harry, cutting him off. "No... no... no... NO!"

Feeling himself starting to hyperventilate, he began to

pant as his chest felt tight and his heart felt as if it

wanted to escape through his ribs. "I... I gotta―"

He spun towards the door and began to run. Then...

blackness.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

When he came-to later, he was looking into the eyes,

up close and personal, of medi-wizard Robinson. And

he tasted the remains of a calming potion in his

mouth.

He was again sitting in the chair before Marchbank's

desk with both Sirius and Lord Greengrass beside

him.

"Yyyuck!" he said, trying to clear the taste from his

mouth by using his tongue to wipe all the inner

surfaces clean.

Robinson backed off a little and, with a smirk back,

said, "Nope. Medi-wizard Robinson; not 'yuck'."

Harry just gave him a filthy look, which only had the

man grin wider right back.

The man cast a couple of healer's charms on him and

said, "He's a lot calmer now. The developing panic

attack is gone."

Harry, who'd been thinking, moaned, "Oh, God!

Hermione's going to kill me!"

Confused, Sirius asked, "Why?"

Harry gave a slight snort of amusement and said,

"She always told me my 'saving people thing' was

going to get me in trouble, one day. Well, it seems that

'one day' is here."

With a sudden thought he sat up straight and said,

"Oh, Fleur! I forgot what this means to her! She... does

she know what this means?"

"Harry," said Samuel. "I think you need to know more

about what this means for a Veela; for Miss Delacour."

"I think I already know that," said Harry. "It means she

has no choice, whether she likes it or not, but to strip

naked, lie on her back, spread her legs―"

"Lord Potter!" barked Marchbanks. "You will not be so

crude in my presence!"

Harry cringed, blushed and looked sheepish. He

muttered, "Sorry, Lady Marchbanks."

"Harry, magic is not that cruel," said Samuel. "Yes,

Miss Delacour will have to... you know. But it will not

be like that for her."

When Harry turned an almost pleading look on him, he

said, "Her magic is urging her to do this. And, as she

is so in tune with her magic due to her heritage, this...

will not be unwelcome to her.

"Actually, it's been her recent behaviour which

triggered the investigation into what was discovered."

When Harry looked even more confused, Sirius said,

"She's pining for you, Pup. Apparently, you are about

the only thing she talks about of late. She wants to be

with you. She's driven to be with you... that way."

"Is there no way to free her of this... compulsion?" he

asked.

Samuel replied, "We've been searching for the past

few days to find a way. However, Lady Apolline

Delacour, her mother, gave us a couple of English

translations of a book on this very subject. The only

way for her to be free of this, is to die.

"Actually, if she doesn't... meet... the conditions of the

debt soon, she will die. But only after she first goes

mad from the unfulfilled need to... mate... with you."

"So," sighed Harry. "We have to have sex or she

dies?"

"It's more than that, Harry," said Sirius. "The bond is

for life. Yes, she has to have sex with you or she will

die. However, she will also die if she's not with you all

the way through life."

With the jerk of shock from Harry, Sirius was quick to

clarify. "I do not mean you have to keep having sex

with her over and over again, day after day. No; I

mean, she has to consider herself part of your family,

as mentioned before, like a concubine... or slave."

"Definitely not a slave," muttered Harry.

After it went quiet for a while, Harry said, "We have to

have a family confab. We need to get together with

Hermione... Hermione's parents... Daphne... You and

Adeline, Samuel... You, Sirius... Hell, even Fleur's

parents. Maybe they can explain it to Hermione and

her parents. I certainly can't! Can Fleur be there

without trying to jump my bones, or something? I'm

already thinking Wendell is immediately going to

clean his gun and sharpen his shovel, when he hears

about this."

Sirius said, "A family... confabulation... sounds like an

excellent idea, Harry. Good name for it, too."

Samuel said, "Hmm... Tell me when and where and I

think I'll have no problem convincing the Delacours to

attend."

"And I'll organise the time and place and the

Grangers," said Sirius. "I think my place can host this.

"Besides, I want to show my godson and his two

ladies what my new home looks like before they come

for a visit next summer."

After organising things a bit more, Harry left. He was a

bit reluctant, though; knowing what he'd be facing.

"Problem, Pup?" asked Sirius.

"Hermione," he sighed. "I... don't know how I'm going

to explain it to her."

"I will, as her magical guardian," he said. He turned

back to Marchbanks and asked, "Do I have your

permission to address family business with my

magical ward, Miss Hermione Granger, before I

leave?"

"You do," she nodded.

"Thank you," he immediately replied.

Rising, he walked with Harry out the door. "Come on,

Pup. Cheer up. What's the worst that can happen?"

"I don't know," replied Harry, as they walked out the

door. "But I'm sure Hermione will exceed even my

expectations."

As the door closed and they heard Sirius's laughter as

the two went down the stairs, Marchbanks smirked at

Samuel and said, "That went about as well as I

expected it would."

The hidden auror in the room immediately removed

her invisibility charm and said, "I'll need to alert The

Boss as to the change of circumstances relating to

Lord Potter."

"It won't happen for a while, dear," said Marchbanks,

unsurprised to find the young woman there, while

Greengrass was. "Two or three weeks, is my guess."

The auror nodded and said, "In that case I can hold off

on alerting her until shift change. However, I should

go catch up with those two." And indicated the door.

"Then go, dear," said Marchbanks.

The young auror quickly made her way out of the

office to catch up with Sirius and Harry.

"How long was she there?" asked Samuel.

"She came through the floo from the atrium a few

moments before I did," smiled Marchbanks.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------

Chapter 448

As the time was for the lunch period, Sirius and Harry headed

directly to the Great Hall. Once there, they quickly found both

Hermione and Daphne and asked them to come up to the

apartment.

"Harry?" asked Hermione. "Has something happened?"

"We will discuss it in the apartment, Hermione," he firmly

returned. "Do not, at the moment, badger me on this. Please."

After being told off for forgetting herself and bombarding

Harry with questions after and on top of running through the

castle from Arithmancy to the apartment only a couple weeks

earlier, Hermione had definitely taken it on board and was,

again, trying to think things through before acting... or

reacting, in this case. She didn't press.

The walk to the apartment was in silence, with Daphne's only

sign of concern a slight beetling of the brow and Hermione's

was her customary nibbling on her bottom lip.

Once inside, Harry asked Sirius, "Could you tell the girls? I

need to get changed out of my Wizengamot robes."

"Thanks, Harry," Sirius snarked.

"Your magical ward," said Harry, as he walked to his bedroom

door. "Your responsibility to inform and educate her."

Harry took his time getting changed, but not into school robes.

He only had Potions after lunch and had already decided to

skive off it. This was too important a subject to leave it partly

explained.

When he came out, Sirius was explaining about Fleur's Veela

life debt to Harry. Harry stayed well out of it. Instead, he

walked into the small dining room and called for Dobby.

Soon, he had a bit of a scrumptious feast for a lunch laid out

before him.

He was just about to dig into it when...

"Harrison James Potter!" yelled Hermione.

With a sigh, he set his cutlery back down, rose from the chair

and walked back into the living room.

"Not my fault!" he quickly said.

Hermione was glaring at him while Daphne looked sad.

"You will do right by Fleur," Hermione demanded.

"I've been trying to get out of it," he defended.

"Then, stop," she said. "According to Sirius, if you don't allow

this to happen, Fleur dies."

"I know," he sighed. "But that does not mean attempts should

not be made to find a workable solution. I... am furious... that

saving Fleur's life has put the poor girl in this predicament."

Hermione turned to Sirius and asked, "Do you have a copy of

that book?"

Sirius pulled it out of his pocket and handed it to her. "I

expected you to ask for it."

Accepting it, Hermione said, "Daphne and I will read this, then

pass it on to Harry to read."

Sirius nodded and said, "In the meantime, both Lord

Greengrass and I will continue to search our own family

libraries for anything that may head this off without the young

lady losing her life in the process."

Harry offered, "Search the Pottermore library, while you're at

it. You have my permission."

"Will do, Pup," Sirius replied.

Harry was watching Daphne and could see how glum she was.

"Daphne?" he asked, concerned. "What's wrong?"

She was hesitant to reply, but eventually did. "If Fleur

Delacour becomes your concubine, where does that leave

me?"

"Nothing changes for you," said Harry. "There is no limitation,

under law, for me only being allowed one concubine. If

anything, because the Venerable House of Delacour is located

in France, it changes nothing with regards to bloodlines."

That had the blonde clearly relieved.

"You do not need to worry about that, Daphne," he said. "I

made a promise and I will, come Hell or high water, honour

it."

"Why aren't you in school robes?" asked Hermione.

"I'm skiving," he firmly replied. "I've just had one hell of a

shock. Please don't hold it against me."

"Hermione," said Daphne. "He's right."

Hermione huffed and said, "Fine. I'll collect and collate for you

notes for the classes you missed and any details about

assignments."

"Thank you," he said. "Now, I haven't eaten yet. So, I'm going

back into the dining room to eat what Dobby's laid out for

me." And put actions to word.

After a tour of the apartment by Hermione, Sirius left a little

while later. His final words were, "We may have to ask

Headmistress Lady Marchbanks to provide a four bedroom

apartment for you."

"Not 'may'... 'will'." Harry firmly replied.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Harry didn't hear anything back about Fleur, or anything else

of specific note from outside the castle, until the next

Thursday. Then he and his two ladies were told to make ready

for a meeting on Saturday afternoon, after lunch, away from

the school. Again, they'd be using the floo in Marchbanks's

office to travel.

When that time arrived, the three were dressed quite well for

lunch, with all three dressed in smart upmarket wizarding

casual. The rest of the school noticed.

Once lunch was finished, Harry gave Marchbanks a nod and

she gestured them up to the head table to her.

As they arrived there, she quietly said, "You know what the

password is to get into my office. I can trust you will simply

pass through and touch nothing that doesn't belong to you?"

"Of course, Headmistress," all three replied.

Sitting back again, she made 'shoo' gestures and a little louder

said, "Off with you, then, dears."

Five minutes later, they were stepping out of the floo into a

very tastefully decorated welcoming room that appeared to

double as a small library.

Sirius and Remus both walked in with wands drawn.

As soon as both groups saw each other, wands were

resheathed and hugs were exchanged. Even Daphne found

herself shocked by being suddenly grabbed by Sirius and

dragged in for a hug. After first rolling his eyes at Sirius's antics

Remus only smiled and shook her hand after Sirius released

her.

"Now," said Sirius, rubbing his hands together in glee. "I asked

for you three to come a little earlier so I can show you each

your rooms I've set aside for you."

Spinning about and starting to walk back to the door, he called

over his shoulder, "This way!"

Remus just gestured for them to follow Sirius and then

brought up the rear.

They were shown Hermione's room with attached ensuite

first, as that was the first they came to. But, instead of

heading back out, Sirius led them to another door on the side

wall furthest from the stairs.

After opening it, he gestured them all through. "And this is

Harry's room!" he happily declared.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------

Chapter 449

It was decorated exactly as Harry ordered. White

ceiling and cornices, cream coloured walls and dark

red wooden furniture. It also had a red and gold

comforter on the queen-sized uncanopied bed. And

the ensuite was in plain white walls with cream

fixtures.

He then led them to a door opposite the one they

entered through and Sirius said, "And, finally, this is

Daphne's room. It was in a more 'wizarding' style, with

lots of green and silver. Both Harry's and Hermione's

were in 'muggle' style.

Standing in Daphne's room, Harry said, "Sirius;

they're brilliant! Thank you!" And gave the man

another hug. Hermione and Daphne, not to be

outdone, also gave him hugs; with Daphne a lot more

eager to do so after discovering she had her own

room.

Sirius was beaming in happiness at all three.

Daphne turned to Harry and said, "Don't even think

about using that door between your and my room until

I'm ready, either."

"Or the one between ours," Hermione was quick to

add.

"Take a look," said Sirius, indicating the door in

question. "Double locks; one for each side."

Both girls checked them out, before turning back to

Sirius and again saying, "Thank you."

Sirius nodded and said, "Now, let's go and explore the

rest of the house." He cast a quick Tempus and

added, "We've still got ten minutes before Hermione's

parents turn up."

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

After trooping right up to the attic and down to the

basement, with Sirius pointing out his and Remus's

rooms; together with what other rooms were for,

including guest rooms; they returned to the

welcoming parlour - as Sirius called it.

Their tour included the actual library, which was about

ten times larger than the few shelves on the wall

cases in the welcoming parlour would at first indicate.

Right on time, Wendell and Monica stepped out of the

floo into the room. Harry was just a bit miffed they

were so much more elegant at it than his own stillslightly-stumbling on occasion efforts. Surprisingly,

both were wearing 'wizarding casual'.

Hermione was quick to give a little girlish squeal and

dash forward to give her parents a long hug each,

before Harry stepped forward to hug Monica and

warily shake Wendell's hand.

"It's good to see you both," he said to them. There

was only a little trace of nervousness in his voice.

"Relax, Harry," said Monica. "Sirius has given us

some idea of what's going on. He also made sure to

tell us you aren't at fault in this.

He gave a nod of relief before turning to indicate

Daphne. "Wendell, Monica, this is Daphne of the

Noble and Ancient House of Greengrass. She is the

young lady who has found herself in a concubine

agreement with me and under my protection."

Turning to indicate the Grangers, he said, "Daphne,

this is Doctors Wendell and Monica Granger,

Hermione's parents."

As they exchanged greetings, with Monica

comfortably drawing Daphne into a hug and shaking

Wendell's hand, Harry breathed a slight sigh of relief.

It was easy to see that neither Granger parent was

disapproving of her.

Sirius said, "Remus, would you mind escorting our

guests to the formal dining room while I await the rest

of our guests?"

Remus gave a slight head nod and said, "Of course."

Then he turned to the Grangers, gestured to the door

and said, "This way, please, folks."

Everyone, bar Sirius, followed him out.

They didn't need to go far, though; only to the room

next to welcoming parlour, the formal dining room,

where things had been set up to meet and talk.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

While they were in the formal dining room with its

sixteen-seater table and chairs, no one sat. They

stood in a somewhat circle and chatted. Except for

Harry's short time speaking with Wendell at the

February session of the Wizengamot, it was the first

time in two and a half months Hermione and Harry had

a chance to speak in person with Hermione's parents.

And they didn't want to waste it.

Harry was also pleasantly surprised how well Monica

and Daphne seemed to get along so quickly. But, even

Wendell was easily opening up to her. Mind you, once

away from other Slytherins except her sister and

Tracey, Daphne was quite the emotionally open young

lady.

After a couple minutes, Monica dragged Hermione and

Daphne away for a quick 'girls talk', leaving Harry and

Wendell to talk one-on-one. Remus had already

returned to the parlour to await the next guests with

Sirius.

"I'm sorry about this, Wendell," sighed Harry.

"For what?" asked Wendell. "Rescuing a young lady,

who would have drowned if you hadn't acted as

quickly as you did?"

"If I'd known a life debt would have been the result―"

he began.

"You still would have acted," Wendell firmly cut in. "It

is in your nature to help others, Harry. From what

Monica and I have come to understand, the life debt

would not have been created if your intent was

untoward."

Harry sadly nodded and said, "Yeah. But, if I had

known about it, I could have done something that

would have made it so the debt would not have been

created. Had evil thoughts, or something."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------

Chapter 450

Wendell chuckled and said, "Somehow, from my

limited understanding of magic, I do not think trying to

fake your intent would have worked."

Harry gave a slight shrug and said, "I still think it is

unfair for Fleur to be forced into this... arrangement."

"And what about you being forced into this

arrangement?" asked Wendell.

"I'm not," Harry replied with a firm shake of his head.

"It will not harm me if I do not go ahead with this."

"But it will harm her if you don't, right?"

"Yes," he sighed. "I'm told it will slowly start to drive

her mad, before it finally kills her."

"And that means you are forced into this

arrangement," said Wendell. "You would never allow

that to happen when you could prevent it; such as this

case, right here. As I said, it's in your nature."

That had Harry thinking over the man's words. It didn't

take him very long at all to figure out he was right. He

did nothing wrong and, even if he'd known about

Veela life debts, he'd have still done everything

exactly the same. He couldn't not.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

Once the Greengrasses arrived escorting the

Delacours; with Fleur also, surprisingly, in

attendance; they sat down at the table. No one,

though, really knew where to start.

Harry looked to a very nervous Fleur and said, "Fleur,

I'm really sorry this has happened."

Surprised, Fleur shook her head and replied, "Not

your fault, 'Arry. It is... magic... taking its due."

"It's still very unfair on you," he quietly said.

"For Veela, this 'as always been a... risk," she replied.

"I do not... begrudge that."

He nodded and turned to Sirius. "Sirius. Find

anything?"

"A lot, but nothing that will get Miss Delacour out of

this with her life," replied Sirius. "And that includes

the library at Pottermore."

When Harry turned to Samuel, the man replied, "Same

as Lord Black, I'm sorry to say."

Harry sat back and carded his fingers through his hair.

Finally he sighed and said, "I cannot... will not... just

sit back and let you die, Fleur. I just can't.

"What do we... I... need to do to make this work?"

There was a very slight pause before Fleur

immediately broke down, sobbing. Her mother, sitting

to her left, immediately wrapped the girl in her arms.

Her father, sitting to her right, slumped slightly and

looked at Harry with gratitude. Clearly heartfelt, he

said, "Merci, Lord Potier. Merci. Thank you for my

daughtair's life."

Trying to make light of how the older man's words

made him a little uncomfortable with his clear

gratitude, Harry said, "Well, I couldn't just let her die

when I went to so much trouble to save her from the

lake, could I?"

The comment at least earned him a couple of smiles,

albeit weak ones.

Sirius spoke up. "Though it's kind of pointless," he

said. "I'll contact Ted Tonks, Law wizard of Record for

the House of Potter, so he can draw up a set of

concubine contract documents. At least, that way, no

one from outside this group can question it."

Harry nodded to him and said, "Thank you, Sirius.

That would be appreciated." Then was lost in thought,

for a few moments.

"Something has been bugging me," he said. "How is it

that medi-wizard Robinson wasn't also, or either, the

individual targeted by the life debt?"

"Becuz it wuz 'is duty, as a... medi-'ealer, to werk 'ard

to safe my... Fleur's life," replied Apolline. "'Is oathsworn duty... exempted 'im."

"Whereas, I had no such obligation," nodded Harry.

"Thank you. I understand better now."

Looking around, he asked, "Is there anyone who has a

problem with this? Now's the time to speak up. If you

want to speak privately, we can do that too."

All he got back were head shakes in the negative;

though there were a few sad faces.

Looking back to Jean-Paul first, he then turned to

Apolline and asked, "When will Fleur... I mean... how

soon―"

"The soonair zee bettair," she replied. "'Owevair, eet

weel need to be within zee next couple of weeks. In

zee meantime, eet would be best eef she wuz to move

een weeth you, 'Er-my-onee and Daph-nee as zoon as

eez possible.

"Zee closair she ees to you, zee more she weel be

able to control zee... urge."

"It's just that... ummm―" he tried before his blushing

got away from him.

"You are not ready for... zat," said Fleur, who had

managed to get herself under control again. "I know."

When he gave her a curious look, she gave a watery

smile and said, "It is part of being Veela, 'Arry. We can

tell when we are... physically close."

He smiled back.

"Nice to know," muttered Wendell.

Harry knew to what he was really referring; he and

Hermione.

"What about schooling?" asked Hermione. "You're in

seventh year, right?"

"Eighth," she replied. "However, it is zee same as your

seventh year. It is my final year."

"Yes," nodded Hermione. "Surely, it is far too late to

consider switching schools. I, for one, don't want you

to miss completing your education."

"Neither do I," agreed Harry.

"I will arrange for French tutors for 'er," smiled JeanPaul. "I do not believe your 'eadmistress, unlike

Dumbledore, would refuse."

"No, I don't think she will," agreed Harry.

Sirius said, "I'll ask Griselda... Headmistress Lady

Marchbanks... to move these three into a four

bedroom apartment in the Lords' Quarters, where

they're currently in a three bedroom apartment. It

won't take her long to achieve."

"Then that just leaves a date," said Harry.

"It can be today, Lord Potier," said Jean-Paul. "We

already haf Fleur's... effects with us. Anything elz she

might need, can be zent. I would not like to see my

daughtair in pain for one day longair."

"Wow; okay," said Harry. Turning to Sirius he said,

"Can you contact Headmistress Lady Marchbanks

now?"

Sirius gave a nod, rose and said, "On it," before he

walked from the room.

Harry then turned to Hermione and Daphne to see how

both of them were handling it. By the expressions on

their faces, a lot better than he was.

When he turned back to Fleur he said, "I'll tell you the

same thing I told Daphne and Hermione already knew.

Believe me when I tell you, this does not mean you

have to say goodbye to your family. If anything, it

means your family just got a great deal bigger.

"I expect you to remain in contact with them to let

them know how you're doing. If you don't and I get

letters of worry from them, I shall be cross with you. I

also expect them to remain in regular contact with

you.

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