Note: A story that was nearly lost when my notebook PC crashed, luckily I had a partial back-up of it in my laptop… which was just fixed as it was also busted. I lost about 10+ stories just like this one when I lost my notebook PC, so you can hopefully imagine my frustration.

Lemons/Limes are inclusive in this story (though tastefully done) - viewer discretion is advised.

I didn't intend to add the lemon/lime it just kind of happened, I made sure to not include any vulgar or offensive words in it though. That is my first lemon/lime so tell me if it's decent, I had to make it quick and nondescript due to the setting it took place in not being too accommodating so I could not make it too heated. It would be listed under sexual themes probably, but does not even scrape explicit. I'll probably make another version of this story that is without the lemons. So please tell me how I did, I tried to keep it simple and make it quick so don't use it as a full blown example of my skill at them, but as more of a preview as to what I can do.

Warning: This chapter and subsequent story is to be rated accordingly for language, suggestive themes, violence, and potential gore. If at some point I do decide to incorporate lemons they shall likely be in their own separate story instead in order to not hinder the viewing pleasure of others, or I will give fair warning to their inclusion in a chapter, the romance and subsequent relationships though will still remain in the story…

Official Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any referenced or related works in that may appear in this story. If there ever is an OC inclusion in this or any of my stories, the resemblance of a name and/or physical appearance to anyone living or deceased is completely coincidental. The right of any pictures or art I will ever use go to their respective owners, if said artist would like the picture removed from my profile or story, for that is where it would most likely be, please say so instead of jumping to conclusions of infringement.


Chapter I


Inopportune Circumstances

~x~

The entire hall was silent as they waited with baited breath for the first name to emerge from the Goblet of Fire.

Three wizarding schools waited anxiously to know who would be representing them in this event. Beauxbatons, Durmstrang, Hogwarts; the three most prominent and well respected wizarding schools in all of Europe. They were collected together for the first time in nearly three centuries for a most glorious event.

The Tri-Wizard Tournament.

The champions of said tournament shall represent their school and if they were to emerge victorious…

Fame, fortune, and eternal glory would be theirs for the taking. Their name known the magical world over, ten thousand galleons theirs, and glory for both themselves and their school. The winning institution would also be able to claim the title of the best magical school in all of Europe and the Tri-Wizard cup, the title remaining theirs until the next tournament took place.

So it was with eager anticipation that the three schools awaited their champions to be summoned forth by the goblet.

Suddenly the flames from the goblet flared a brilliant crimson before procuring a single shimmering sliver of paper that was deftly snatched out of the air with a swiftness that belied the age of the aged man that did so.

After a moment's pause the wizened old man spoke up "The champion of Durmstrang is… Viktor Krum!" Dumbledore announced getting a roar of approval from the assembled crowd, namely Durmstrang itself and many of the students that followed the popular wizarding sport of quidditch.

Said young man soaked in the praise as he stood up and held his hands out in a grandiose manner for a moment, some money changing hands in the background as bets were paid in accordance to who they thought would be champion. The odds were five to one on Krum not becoming champion with a two to one for him doing so, needless to say the event of him being chosen was not entirely unexpected, but still readily welcomed by most.

The young man walked up to the Hogwarts headmaster who gave the young man a congratulatory firm handshake as he offered his congratulations, which was soon followed by Olympe Maxime, the headmistress of Beauxbatons. The headmaster of Durmstrang was nowhere near as formal as he laughed joyfully and swung his arm around the teen's shoulder in a one-sided hug as he led him towards the champion's antechamber. The young man beaming at his headmaster's praise and his eyes filled with determination.

Headmaster Karkaroff of Durmstrang returned a minute later with a large grin on his face. Nodding back to the headmaster of the host school, Dumbledore, the selection continued.

"The champion of Beauxbatons is… Fleur Delacour!" Dumbledore announced getting polite clapping from Beauxbatons as they tried to maintain an air of formality and decorum. The other schools were nowhere near as reserved as catcalls and whistling rang out from a number of the males as they could clearly recall the female's attractiveness.

Madame Maxime frowned at their crass and perverse behavior and looked toward Dumbledore to see if he would do anything to remedy it – only to see him smiling happily at the apparent support the schools were displaying to one another…the old fool.

Her frown deepened when the clapping and cheering tapered off and hushed whispers took their place as said champion failed to step forward. Looking through her students and even through the tables of the other institutions she grew slightly concerned as she could not spot said student.

She looked to the side just in time to see Barty Crouch Sr. trot up to Albus with his stubby little legs and whisper hurriedly into his ear before retreating back to his seat. At this point the whispering had reached a low thrum as many of the students looked around curiously and formulated theories on what could have happened to the wayward Beauxbatons champion.

Clearing his throat Dumbledore brought the attention of the great hall back upon him as the mutterings ceased and all eyes once more rested on him. They eagerly awaiting an explanation on the matter of the missing champion.

"It seems Ms. Delacour is currently unattended for, worry not as the inherent properties of the goblet shall ensure that she shall be here with us soon enough. In the meantime we shall continue on with the ceremony," he said as he decided to simply wait for the goblet to work its magic at the end of the ceremony and summon the girl here.

Madame Maxime looked a bit concerned for her student, but decided it was for the best to continue on with the ceremony for now. Fleur was going to get an earful from her for this, she better have a damned good reason for not properly representing her school. Needless to say she was most displeased with the whole incident.

At that point the flames of the goblet flared once more as it procured a sliver of paper of what could only be the Hogwarts champion.

"The Hogwarts champion is… Cedric Diggory!" Dumbledore announced causing the entire Hufflepuff table to flip out as they all stood up and started cheering loudly as one of their own made their way up to the stage. The other two schools looked on at the Hufflepuff table with amusement as they clapped politely for the now blushing boy, while a few of the other houses cheered and others politely clapped as well. Apparently the boy was quite well liked at Hogwarts.

He nervously shook the headmaster's hand as Dumbledore whispered a quick congratulations to him before the other two headmaster's congratulated him as well. He was quickly led to the champion's antechamber by both Lugo Bagman and his own father who had come for the occasion, Amos Diggory. His father looked quite concerned over the matter, but Bagman was more than enthusiastic enough for the both of them as he congratulated the boy.

"Now that our three champions have been decided, I would like to officially proclaim-" at this moment he was silenced as all the torches in the room where temporarily extinguished as the goblet pulsed once more as it's flames turned a bright crimson before it descended into a stunning amethyst color shocking the assembled crowd at the sudden development.

They could feel the goblet crackling with power for an instant before with a pulse of magic that caused a shiver to run down everyone's spines did a single tattered sliver of paper emerge forth, looking like a wayward ember as it crackled in the plume of smoke that had birthed it.

Too shocked was Dumbledore to snatch the paper from the air that it had time to flutter down all the way to the ground and rest at his feet. With great trepidation did he bend down and grab the paper with a shaking hand.

He did not even need to see the name to know who it was, he was almost sure it was the name of the wizard who the world seemed to revolve around the last few years, the same wizard that had faced trial after trial every year since their enrollment in Hogwarts.

"Harry Potter" he said softly as he looked at the name in shock, his voice but a whisper.

Everyone knew something was wrong the moment the new champion came out of the goblet of fire. After all it was the Tri-Wizard Tournament, Tri as in three. For a fourth champion to participate was just, madness…

"Harry Potter!" Dumbledore roared as he looked around the room with a glare hoping to spot the boy and intending to find out why he would do something as foolish as put his name in the goblet.

People looked at his spot in the Gryffindor table only to find it empty, they all were soon looking around confusedly as they tried to spot this 'fourth champion', but did not see one forthcoming. I mean if he put his name in the goblet and went as far as circumventing the ward lines in order to get in, then shouldn't he at least be here in order to see the fruits of his labors?

There was something off about this…

Quickly a low din filled the room as excitement and outrage both mixed about the student populace, however the most prevalent emotion of all was confusion, where exactly was Harry Potter?

His friends had no clue, he hadn't been seen by his dorm mates last night, and he had been absent apparently for this morning's breakfast as well. It was as if he had disappeared overnight.

"Maybe he's in the loo," offered someone at one of the tables causing chuckles to ring throughout the hall, quickly others starting voicing their own idea of where the boy-who-lived could be and what he could possibly be doing that would prevent him from attending this event.

The headmasters were currently in a heated argument as the two foreign headmaster's accused Dumbledore of cheating in order to help bolster his own institution's chance for success. After all the boy-who-lived was famous all throughout magical Europe, his renown stretching far beyond Scotland and the British isles and they could not help but feel that Dumbledore was stacking the competition against them in a way.

At this point the schools had followed suit as Durmstrang and Beauxbatons were throwing around insults and accusations at Hogwart's for being cheats and having no honor. The Hufflepuff's were getting in on the action as they called out the Gryffindor's on them trying to outdo their house and accusing them of collaborating together to get one of their own into the tournament.

After a few minutes of arguing and the student's loud conversations did Dumbledore finally get fed up, "Enough!" he thundered as he addressed the hall once more, everyone going silent as they looked towards him, "This is a most unexpected and unprecedented development – and something that I can assure you shall be dutifully investigated, however us arguing over the matter solves nothing." He said causing the hall to silently agree with him

At this point the two other headmasters stood beside him to address the crowd and reinforce their authority as equals, "We have decided to forgo the rest of the formalities that normally follow the naming of the champions and have deemed it prudent to summon the two wayward champions now in order to get answers. Fleur Delacour as to her whereabouts and Harry Potter as to his participation." He said as the intricate carvings on the goblet started shimmering a burning golden colour before a bright flash of light momentarily blinded them all.

Blinking the spots out of their eyes it quickly became readily evident what had changed.

There in the middle of the hall was a king sized bed, now that in itself was odd – however it was the bed's occupants that stunned everyone speechless.

There in the bed was none other than Harry "James" Potter, naked, with three women with him. One flanking him on either side of him as his arms held them possessively against him, and the last one resting comfortably on his chest. All four of them were currently fully enveloped by the bedsheets which were the sole thing covering their decency at the moment and were sleeping soundly. They seemed relaxed and quite happy if the smiles on their faces as they slept were anything to go by.

Harry was drawing a fair deal of attention as they quickly noticed that he looked very different than what they had grown accustomed to seeing him. Gone was the scrawny boy that most of them had seen and grown used to over the years, in front of them now was a young man. His scrawny body replaced by one of a young man that had an athletic build and looked to keep himself fit. He was taller now, being the size of most six years as he stood quite tall for his age at 5'10. He was not wearing his glasses and his scar, his most readily identifiable trait, was faded rather that its usual angry red.

Most of their attention however currently lay with the fact that Harry Potter had three naked witches in his bed, three naked extremely attractive witches. At the same time…

"Dammmn!" Lee Jordan said aloud as he broke the silence and voiced their disbelief quite well. To think that the golden boy of Gryffindor was such a stud. Guess he wasn't as innocent as he had led them all to believe after all. This giving way to hushed whispering and curious glances to both the bed and the headmasters as they waited to see what was going to be done.

The headmasters on their end had frankly been stunned at the development, of the many things they had expected this sure wasn't it. Dumbledore for his part was looking at the scene oddly as if trying to decipher an extremely bad joke. I mean this couldn't be the kid he saw as almost a grandson, could it?

Stuck halfway between disbelief and denial he at the moment was simply too out of it to really deal with such a development.

Meanwhile Madame Maxime was wondering why only Harry had been summoned and where her champion was.


Light Lime

Suddenly a moan sounded off causing most of the students to shudder as they heard it, the girls due to how pleased and satisfied it sounded, while the guys simply thought it was hot.

"Ohh, that feels so good dear," purred the girl on top of Harry, she still out of it as she was still coming to "You're insatiable, but I do admit that feeling you slip inside of me is always the best wake-up call." she said seductively as she rocked against him slowly, leaving little doubt as to what she was doing to him underneath the covers.

No one dared breathe as they saw this happen before them with widened eyes, sure the act was not fully visible as the sheets still covered them and she was still resting on his chest as she did this, but the act even concealed left very little to the imagination.

It was at this point that Madame Maxime took on a horrified expression as she managed to place the voice with a name, yes it was not as accented as it usually was when she spoke English, but there was no doubt about it. The girl currently riding the young man in the bed was none other than Fleur Delacour, the representative of her institution in this tournament.

Any doubt in her mind on the girl's identity was banished the moment that she set her eyes upon the girls face for an instant and saw said girl's expression contorted in pleasure.

The boy at this point had slid his arms from his two other lovers and had his hands set firmly on her hips as he held her in place as she rode him – a pleased expression on her face as she gripped his shoulders tightly as he thrust into her. He apparently having woken up under her ministrations. It wasn't long after that the tables were flipped on her fully and before long she was pressed up against him and had her tongue lolling out of her mouth as she drooled all over his chest under his continued assault.

Due to her nature as a sexual creature, and he being her bonded and possessing such a large magical core, it ensured that she would be overloaded with pleasure each and every time they copulated. She wasn't complaining about it though that's for sure.

At this point most of the people in the room were blushing furiously at this while a few of the older students and prefects tried to run damage control with the younger students - they were mildly successful. Luckily most of the students had received some form of "The Talk" from their parents or Sex Ed. from the muggle educational system. Quite a few students however were looking on in near wonder at the sight as a lot of them were virgins, with veritably almost all the purebloods being so due to pureblood customs and traditions.

Each lustful breath that left Fleur's lips sounded like a mix between a purr and a moan, said breaths being forced out of her each time he thrust into her. At this point she had tired herself out and let him take control as she was still much too tired from the night's prior events to muster up the strength to keep up with him. The most she managed to do was a sporadic thrust of her hips every now and then. After a few more seconds they seemed to speed up in their efforts before he suddenly wrapped his arms tightly around her and thrust into her one last time before emptying out into her. Her back arching as she moaned out her pleasure at the sensation of being filled by her lover. She would have voiced out her feelings on the matter, but for some reason during sex her tongue tended to be numbed by the pleasure and her words sounded incoherent – so she simply opted to focus on the pleasure instead.

After a few more seconds of the continued position did she finally slump once more against him, her head resting tiredly upon his chest as she panted out in exhaustion as she came down from her sexual high and finished carrying out her orgasm.

Light Lime End


"Haa–haa–haa, that was one heck of wake-up call my love, I've really missed this," she breathed into his neck as she nuzzled into him "Want to go for another round, we can wake the girls to join in if you want?" she purred as even though she was tired and a little sore she as a sexual creature was still driven to please her master and bonded.

"Maybe later dove," Harry said huskily, his voice surprising most of the crowd as it sounded much older and gravely than they were used to, it sounded almost nothing like him at all.

Meanwhile the nickname he used caused her to blush, the endearment was one that he had used since he had first set eyes on her full veela form which she had manifested when they bonded for the first time. It was an endearment that she loved to hear from him and one that never failed to set her heart aflame.

"In fact I better check the time to make sure we're not late," he said as he lifted his hand into the air and intoned "Tempus" in such a way that it caused the hairs in the back of the observer's necks to stand on end at the power it commanded.

Suddenly a number of sapphire rings appeared out of thin air above them as they filled themselves with symbols, stunning everyone at the uncaring display of wandless magic. As this happened a single thought came to Harry as he saw the roof above him, 'Where is the light coming from, I thought we turned off all the torches before we went to sleep?' he thought curiously before his eyes suddenly widened as he saw the time.

"Shit it's already nine, we missed breakfast!" he shouted causing the other two girls to stir.

"We what!?" Fleur shrieked in horror, Madame Maxime was going to kill her.

"We need to get going, we can still make it if I go into the kitchens and ask the house elves to cook us up a little something. Daph! Tori! We're late as hell! Do you remember where I-" suddenly his eyes widened before he pulled Fleur flush against him, not wanting an inch of her to be seen by those surrounding them.

"What happened 'Arry?" Astoria asked still half-asleep as she rubbed her eyes tiredly, she not having quite caught what he had said. Daphne did however and she quickly made to bolt out of bed before stopping dead in her tracks, she barely managing to avoid exposing herself to the multitude of people in the hall. Daphne looking at the crowd in front of her wide-eyed for a few stunned seconds before slowly covering her head with the sheets and then pressing herself to his side for comfort whilst sobbing softly into his flank in embarrassment.

"Tori please come over here," he said softly, his tone betraying none of his embarrassment or trepidation.

"Why?" she asked cutely whilst still doing as he said and cozying up to him.

"Tori, I don't want to freak you out, but we are currently surrounded by perverts and voyeurs that just saw me and Fleur have sex." He said causing both Fleur and Astoria to stiffen against him, while Daphne only cried harder at that. "I do believe that for reasons beyond my understanding we are currently in the middle of the Great Hall surrounded by all three schools instead of at the Room of Requirement." He said making them go horrified at the news "That or one of you has a fetish for exhibitionism and the room manifested it," He said jokingly, they knowing it was only an attempt to help them relax and to ease the embarrassment that was currently overtaking them, especially Fleur.

For veela like Fleur sex between them and their bonded was an incredibly intimate and beautiful thing, something that no one but those that were bonded together were allowed to see. Only those that bonded to Harry and shared their everything with him were allowed to even be in the same room as the two of them when they had sex. To think that someone had seen them in the act was…disgraceful. She felt as if she had cheated on her mate by allowing others to even glimpse upon what only he should gaze upon, to see expressions only he should see. After all only he was allowed to see her at her absolute weakest, in her most vulnerable state.

She wanted to lash out at the people here, scream at them for invading their privacy before burning them all to ashes with her passion fire. However she could not find it in her to do so – so overwhelmed was she by her guilt and embarrassment that all she could do was bury her head into his neck and sob.

"I-I'm so sorry Harry, I-I didn't mean to-" she managed to get out before she descended into sobs once more. Veela were incredibly empathetic and loving creatures, and as powerful as they were magically, they were quite sensitive emotionally.

"Don't worry about it love, it's not your fault. It's theirs," he growled out making the onlookers flinch at that "I hope you assholes enjoyed the show, you're all sick you know that," he said as he glared at them all hatefully.

"I mean how hard is it to do this?" he said angrily as he waved his hand and a curtain suddenly manifested itself around the bed concealing them from view.

All three girls were mortified, as far as they knew their social lives were now over. Daphne and Astoria could already see their house turning against them for hooking up with the golden boy of Gryffindor and the purebloods badmouthing them for being with a half-blood. Fleur on the other hand was near hyperventilating as she was freaking out due to the fact that she knew that most of the students would be calling her a whore or a seductress due to her veela nature. The mere thought of all the men that would no doubt be trying to bed her even though she was bonded was disgusting and she was sure that most people would think that she used her allure on Harry to force him to love her. With his fame this would be all over the papers in less than a week, she would be burned at the stake for this.

There was a reason they were all trying to keep their relationship secret, they knew the scandalous nature of their relationship and were trying to keep the whole thing as under wraps as possible. The girls weren't simply embarrassed, no they were also scared. Who knows how the wizarding community would handle this? With how volatile they tended to be at even the best of times they didn't know what to expect.

Harry had quickly set a few privacy wards and cast a ward line around the bed that would prevent anyone from entering for the next fifteen minutes, even if that someone was a person as powerful as Dumbledore.

After casting the spells he was confronted with the matter of consoling the three mortified girls, he himself while surprised at the event didn't feel as humiliated as the girls did, though he felt embarrassed for them. Truthfully he was more concerned over how they felt than what anyone else thought.

Quickly bringing them close he started trying to soothe their worries and calm them down enough so they could all figure out how to properly address this situation. However, with three presently crying and frightened females in his arms he had more important matters to deal with.


~x~

With the rest of the Great Hall

Chaos, sheer chaos was what filled the great hall. The purebloods were quite distraught over what the Greengrass sisters had no doubt done, in particular the Slytherin's looked to be the most disgusted of the houses. The Gryffindor's were appalled at what one of their lions was doing behind closed doors. The Ravenclaw's were a tad curious of a name he had dropped, the Room of Requirement, but asides from that were quite reserved when compared to the other houses as they wanted all the details before coming to conclusions on the matter.

The Hufflepuff's truthfully didn't know how to react – sure Harry had been chosen by the goblet and everything, but from what they could tell Harry had no clue that today was even the day that champions were to be chosen. Besides if what they had just seen was anything to go by Harry seemed to have more desirable things to do than participating in the tournament.

The Beauxbatons students were outraged at what their champion had done, with a few even trying to circumvent the ward lines to no avail. While the Durmstrang students were the most detached of the lot and were trying not to get involved as they had no actual stake in the issue.

However what had shocked practically everyone in attendance was the fact that apparently there was much more to Harry Potter than they had first believed. He had a vastly different appearance and personality than what they had seen before and was capable of abilities and skills that they had prior to this not known him to possess. Such as wandless magic and wards.

Even his friends were baffled as to this turn of events, they coming up blank when questioned by their dorm-mates on the matter.

Accusations were flying as Hogwarts student's accused the half-veela champion of having seduced Harry, with the Beauxbatons students rebutting the statement by pointing out that two of their own had also been in bed with Harry as well.

The headmasters had managed to wrap their heads around the situation and were providing the four students the privacy they deserved – while they argued amongst one another of course. Well really it was simply the bewildered Madame Maxime panicking with Dumbledore refuting every wayward statement that left her lips.

Karkaroff was too busy making sure none of his students didn't do something stupid, he would rather see the other two institutions have their name dragged through the mud for this and laugh about it than have to deal with this disaster in the making.

He had already prepared his statement to the press when the news reporters came to question him about the incident;

"I knew there was something off about the whole event the moment Ms. Delacour's name was called and she did not present herself, this was further compounded upon when Hogwarts somehow got their hands on a second champion for their school, a champion that was also absent. Albus thankfully was more than willing to cooperate on the matter and decided to summon the wayward champions to the hall. What we didn't expect was young Mr. Harry and Ms. Delacour to be coupling together – or for two more partners, both female, to be with them as well.

I myself have nothing to comment on the matter other than it was unexpected, rather what has confounded me is this business of a second Hogwarts champion, as to me it seems like a blatant disregard of the rules. Even with this sudden turn of events I can assure you that the Durmstrang champion, Viktor Krum while surprised, relishes the competition. There is something to be said for quality over quantity after all. Durmstrang is keeping things under control, I only hope that the other schools can get their act together for the first task and bring their best to the table, for we shall be bringing ours."

Both Hogwarts and Beauxbatons were going to get crucified in the papers for this no doubt, but for now he took comfort in the fact that his school was not the one on the chopping block. Now he just needed to make sure that Krum didn't screw this up and they by default would win the popularity contest.

Wizards were predictable creatures, their reactions even more so. When they found out that Hogwarts had two champions they would be labeled cheaters and dishonorable and when they discovered that Fleur was part veela they would call her a slut and a seductress. Those negative images would transfer over to the schools and bam! There goes their reputation. Now even if they lost they won, with their two champions together the two schools would be seen as collaborating in the tournament and with the stacked odds on Hogwarts' part then it simply made the whole incident that much more scandalous.

All things considered this actually worked to his advantage and he wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. He actually respected the young man for how he handled the situation, that and having gotten that many women to share a bed with him without them tearing each other apart in the process. There was something to be said about how charismatic a man had to be in order to do something like that, either way he would withhold his opinion on the young man until he managed to glean a better picture of him. For now he would amuse himself with observing Dumbledore and Olympia bicker with one another.

-x-

Inside the ward lines, on the bed

Harry was furious, never had he expected his carefully laid plans to be destroyed in such a foolish manner. One single miscalculation had caused over three years' worth of planning to go up in smoke in an instant, and now because of that his girls would pay the price for his stupidity.

He knew of how narrow the magical community's views on magical creatures were and of how they would jump at the chance to tear Fleur down for their relationship. If not for their age difference then definitely for the allure that veela possess – they would accuse her of taking advantage of and manipulating him. This heedless of the fact their relationship was one that was years in the making and that he was one of the handful of people on the planet that was officially documented (in France) of being immune to the veela allure.

As for the Greengrass sisters it was even worse as at least for Fleur they had her parent's approval to be in a relationship. Normally the Greengrass sister's would never be allowed to talk to him, let alone be together in a relationship with him. First they would become social outcasts in their own house and then their family would be hit by the full weight of their actions as they experienced the full brunt of it both financially, and socially. They would then do one of three things; forbid them from ever seeing him again, banish them from the family, or attempt some mad gambit in manipulating him and attempt to secure the Potter fortune before banishing their daughter's from the family anyways.

All three's social lives were over and soon they would be under the scrutiny and mercy of the press, where they would no doubt be slandered to hell and back. Sure he was used to it and had grown accustomed of having the world against him, but he wanted them to be happy, to enjoy their youth and live their own lives to the fullest. He did not delude himself on how far-reaching things like this were, very few people would be willing to hire them in the future when they graduated from their schooling after word of this got out. They would be outcasts of most social circles, any careful friendships they may have forged would be almost instantly severed after this for some reason or another.

Truly it broke his heart to think that it was due to their relationship with him that this had happened, he had tried to not love them for he knew the pain that he could inadvertently cause them, but neither party could truly keep themselves away from one another. If they had accepted and embraced their love then who was the world to deny it to them.

Well he would not stand for it, he had not carefully preserved this love for so long to simply give up on it at the first sign of things going wrong. He could fix this, he had to. He would not let them down, this was just another obstacle for them to overcome. Who cared what others thought, what did it matter if others disapproved, when had he ever cared?

No, the only thing in this entire world that mattered to him were the girls in his arms at the moment, crying their hearts out in sorrow.

Tori seemed composed for some reason, however Daphne and Fleur looked as if their entire world had come crashing down around them – and all things considered it likely had.

Deciding to remedy the situation he sent his love for them through their shared bond, this causing them to gasp in both surprise and pleasure as the sensation filled them. It was akin to experiencing a point blank Patronus, at least one from a normal wizard. Harry was in a league of his own, having vanquished over a hundred dementors but with a single spell last year.

Looking up into his smiling face they could not help but feel that everything was going to be okay.

"We're going to get through this – trust me," he said gently to them causing the dam to break as they were overcome by emotion before both Daphne and Fleur launched themselves towards him and clung to him as if their very lives depended on it. The simple words being exactly what they needed to hear. Astoria only looked on with a small smile as this happened as she rested calmly beside him.

"Don't worry we're going to be okay, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks as long as we have each other. Sure things may look a little bleak now, but if you place your trust in me I promise not to let you down. As long as you're by my side I will make sure that nothing will ever happen to you." He said comfortingly as he cast a gentle look towards the two girls.

His gentle words and the love he was displaying over the bond caused Fleur to revert back to her base veela form as her arms slowly became wings and her feet talons. Her long silver-blonde hair slowly giving way to a beautiful snow-white colour with two tufts of hair on her head. The illusion over her eyes slipping as well, revealing her sapphire blue eyes to have a white cross in the iris. Fleur having entered her base form being a sure sign that she was taking his every word to heart and was attaining a sense of peace.

She didn't notice the change as it had been an instinctual shift, but Daphne did.

"Fleur your wings," Daphne pointed out causing Fleur to gasp out in surprise at that as she looked over herself.

"Oh, I'm so sorry I didn't mean to, it was just the bond," she said apologetically, she knowing that most humans despised when veela and sirens showed their real forms.

"No it's fine, I've told you before dove I love the real you, just how I love the human you. You are the girl I fell in love with and the fact that there are so many different facets to you only endears me that much more to you." He said comfortingly as he drew her up onto his lap as he held her, he knowing that her base appearance was a sensitive topic for her.

"So you like my wings?" she asked shyly as she self-consciously folded the wings around herself

"Of course I do, they're a part of you, and just like I love you I love them as well," he said with a loving smile as he ran his fingers gently over her primaries, causing a shiver to run down her spine at that "They're beautiful and only help make you look more divine than you already do, how many guys do you think can say they are married to an angel?" he asked with a small smirk causing her to blush and duck her head at his words.

"I-I'm not an angel," she replied demurely, a small blush gracing her cheeks at his sincere compliment

"You're right you're not an angel, you're my angel," he said drawing her in for a loving kiss as he took her lips, the action causing her eyes to widen in surprise and the two tufts of hair on her head to stand on end before she closed her eyes and melted into the kiss. She wrapping her wings around him and he wrapping his arms around her, deepening the kiss as she simply let all her worries…fly away.

"You know it's like you two are trying to make me jealous, if I weren't so sore from yesterday I would show you what for Harry." Daphne said tiredly as she held her fist out in a threatening manner

"Aww, leave them alone Daph, don't you see that he and Fleur are having a moment. They're just so cute together! I always enjoy moments like that and that's why…*click*…a picture is in order to capture the moment!" Astoria said excitedly as she took a picture with a magical camera that she had procured from… somewhere.

"Yeah, we can label it the kiss that sealed our fate, or the calm before the storm." Daphne quipped sarcastically causing Astoria to pout.

"You're such a wet blanket Daph, always raining on our parade" Astoria whined cutely

"Well if you didn't notice we're currently in the middle of the Great Hall, surrounded by hundreds of people, with only a curtain between us and them. Oh yeah and most importantly – we're still naked!" she exclaimed as she gestured to her own state of undress

Meanwhile Harry and Fleur had already broken their kiss and were currently trying to blink the spots out of their eyes from the camera flash.

"Tori you have to warn us when you do that," he lectured only to get a mischievous smile from her causing him to sigh, "Well did you at least get a good picture of me and Fleur?" he asked curiously

"Sure did!" she said happily with a large smile

"Ohh, let me see!" Fleur said giddily as she held her wings out to Astoria as she was still in her avian form and wanted to stay on his lap. Astoria scooting over showed her the picture and before long the two were talking amiably over it and giggling.

Daphne looked frustrated at the blatant disregard for the issue at hand and was about to speak up before Harry gave her a look – beckoning her over back to his side she looked at him curiously. He then laid back down leaving Fleur straddling him as she continued her conversation with Astoria, Daphne seeing this followed suit and laid down so that their faces were only inches apart.

"Daphne before you say anything let me just say that both Fleur and Astoria are perfectly aware of the situation we find ourselves in, we each have our ways of dealing with it, this is theirs." He said as he gestured to the two girls that were talking to each other with smiles on their faces "Rather than worrying too much on the matter they have decided to trust my judgment on it and placed their trust in me. Now I know that you at the very least want some answers as to what we're going to do now and how we're going to address the situation. I'm happy to inform you that I have already planned for an instance where our relationship was discovered in a negative manner, as this very well could be." Harry seeing the two other girls paying attention to what he was saying decided to continue.

"We're going to disregard our prior plans completely and are going to discard our public masks that we have developed over the years. We're going to come out with it and be brutally honest about our relationship, hopefully this will be enough to throw most people off their game long enough for us to get stuff in order. They know virtually nothing about the real us so with a little bit of posturing we can keep them off our backs long enough to set things in motion."

"Daphne, Tori, tonight we're sneaking out of Hogwarts through the One-Eyed Witch's Passage before word of this gets out to your parents. We will then sneak into your home, take all your possessions, before going to Gringott's and finalizing our marriages with the consent forms you two managed to trick your parents into signing. We should then get both standard consent dowries of 10,000 galleons and your personal vaults will be deposited the allotted galleons that they are keyed to receive each year until the age of majority, which is normally at eighteen. Since I have been legally emancipated ever since I married Fleur I will then adopt both of you into the Potter family as my wives emancipating you as well.

Now it is likely that Fleur has been chosen as a champion for the tournament somehow as that is the only logical explanation as to why we're here, so I will take liberty of mailing her mother and securing a legal representative before coming back here. As I know for a fact that she didn't put her name into the goblet, isn't that right Fleur?" he asked the awestruck girl, prompting her to nod as she was listening intently to his carefully laid plans.

"We will then arrange an exclusive interview with the Daily Prophet and present the existence of our relationship first, hopefully before any wayward letters reach them. I will then bribe a journalist/editor to ensure that it will not be portrayed as scandalous as it would be otherwise and force the entire issue into a back page column rather than a front page story. I would rather keep the front page story as the champions that were selected rather than draw too much initial attention to us."

"We will continue to live our lives as we see fit, but if the pressure the magical world places on us becomes too great I already have a set list of properties in the muggle world that the Potter family owns that we can retreat to. Plus the Potter family fortune is more than enough to financially support us all for a good while, even if we aren't too careful with it. So if worse comes to worst we could always simply leave the magical world and elope, we only keeping in touch with Fleur's family and pending if he's trustworthy or not, Sirius." He finished, the girls all looking at him slack jawed at that.

"Wow" Astoria said simply, she pretty well summing up what the other two were thinking.

"Yeah, no kidding – you really thought this through didn't you?" Fleur asked him getting a happy nod from him.

"So any questions?" he asked with a large smile as he looked towards them

"Only one, how are you not in Slytherin?" Daphne asked in wonder of her boyfriend, now soon to be husband pending the success of his latest plan.

"Simple, because someone that is cunning and ambitious does not label himself as such and no one would expect a Gryffindor to be so." He replied, causing her to blink in surprise at the simplistic yet intelligent response.

"I love you," she said out of seemingly nowhere as she pulled him into a hug causing him to laugh at her reaction. She was then joined by a happy Astoria who hugged him as well and a giggling Fleur who enveloped all three of them with her wings lovingly.

They remained like that for a while, simply basking in the others presence – all things considered they couldn't help but feel that everything was going to be okay.

"As much as I would love to remain in this position we only have four minutes left before the ward lines I set up fail and need I remind you girls of our current state of dress, or lack thereof." He reminded, causing them to blush before untangling themselves from him.

"So how should we present ourselves?" Astoria asked curiously, sure Harry had already explained their plan for the long run, but not really what they were going to do about the situation at hand.

Smirking at the question as a mischievous look entered his eyes they could not help but feel a bit excited about what they were going to do, "You just leave that to me" he said playfully

-x-

Outside the ward lines surrounding the bed, in the Great Hall

Albus was looking at the ward lines outside the curtain appraisingly along with professor Vector and both had to admit that they were impressed. The ward lines what they lacked in longevity and long-term duration it more than made up for it in short-term effectiveness and strength. Even Albus would be hard-pressed to circumvent these wards or brute force his way through them, the fact that they were cast wandlessly making it all the more impressive.

The hall had been silenced by the headmasters after they had declared that they would withhold any opinion on the matter until they could question said students directly. From what Albus and prof. Vector had determined these wards ran on a time factor rather than a magical power one, which meant that it would dispel itself after a certain amount of time passed.

He could attempt to overwhelm the wards magically but the risk involved in such a procedure was not worth the benefits as the wards were already near magical capacity. Such unwarranted action could cause them to potentially overload and likely lead to some quite… explosive results. Other than that he felt they deserved their privacy at the moment as they made themselves presentable – or at the very least decent.

It was then that the wards started to crack as everything inside them seemed to shift and distort. Suddenly the wards fell leaving behind four individuals that looked very much different than everyone was accustomed to seeing them as. Having transfigured the matter inside the ward lines to make clothes, they stood there understandably looking a bit peeved at the situation they found themselves in.

Astoria was currently wearing a cute black sleeveless dress with frills that fit her perfectly, knee-high black stockings, and elbow length satin gloves that were lined with cashmere. A simple black choker around her neck with a small silver cross set on it completing the ensemble. Her black hair which before had only been shoulder length now reached all the way to the back of her knees, it looking like a cascade of ebony that shimmered lightly as the light struck it. Her eyes now a stunning emerald which looked eerily similar to Harry's own.

Daphne looked more mature than before and stood at 5'8 in height. Her blonde hair seemed to be a few shades darker from its previous pale blonde, it now reaching to her hips. Her eyes had gone from their original emerald color to a stunning amethyst with hints of pink in it. She wore less extravagant clothing than her sister, namely a black skirt with emerald green accents and a white top that had a black school sleeveless jacket over it. Said jacket being buttoned up to the collar and having the Slytherin crest emblazoned over her breast pocket. Finally to end the ensemble she wore an emerald green tie loosely around her neck. Overall she had a look between sexy and tomboy that was undeniably attractive.

Fleur contrary to the other girls and Harry who looked older actually looked a bit younger, her cheeks didn't seem as shallow as before and her complexion looked even fairer if possible. Her blonde hair seemed a tad thicker than before and was loose from her usual braid, she letting it cascade freely down her back in waves of gold that reached down to her waist. However her most stunning change was her eyes, the sapphire blue orbs now having a white cross cutting across the pupil, something that stunned those that were in the know on its significance.

She was the tallest of the group at 5'11, gone was her usual haughty demeanor and in its place was the confidence and civility of a young lady. The arrogance she possessed before being replaced with an air of understanding and love. She seemed to be glowing as a faint silver outline encompassed her, it causing the room to become strangely airless and everything to grow distant. However instead of her beauty overshadowing the others in her group it instead complimented the party of four beautifully as each individual's presence was further complimented and enhanced by her aura. She was wearing a sky-blue mini dress that perfectly accentuated her curves and outlined her figure nicely. A white choker in conjunction with white opera length cashmere lined velvet gloves and baby blue heels finishing the outfit elegantly. The outfit while elegant still retaining a core of her school uniform minus the cape and slight design alterations.

Finally there was Harry, undoubtedly the most radical of changes out of the four. Gone was the scrawny insecure boy that they had all grown accustomed to over the last three years, and in his place stood a young man that had an air of confidence about him. He seemed strong and not only in the physical sense either, he seemed like an individual that could handle himself properly in whatever situation might present itself. His frame was athletic in the sense of someone that was well toned rather than buff. He was taller, standing at a respectable 5'10 now that years of negligence had long since been melted off him. His eyes which so often had gone unnoticed behind his glasses now surveyed the room around him with the undying scrutiny of someone that was used to having anyone and everyone be his enemy. They glowing an ethereal emerald green that promised pain to any that dared earn his ire.

Having discarded the usual robes he was wearing a black long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves having been rolled up part-way to the elbows, showcasing his well-defined forearms. He wore black pants along with a pair of dress shoes and an accompanying black belt with a silver buckle. A chain from a pocket watch hung loosely by his side. Finally he was wearing a crimson tie inlaid with golden accents that hung loosely around his neck to add some color to his ensemble.

However it was the feeling he gave off that caused many of those in the hall pause as an overwhelming sensation not too unlike that of Fleur was emanated from him. It feeling akin to the sensation a patronus gave off with how it seemed to overwhelm them with a feeling of peace and tranquility.

Slowly a smirk found itself on Harry's face at the stunned silence that followed their appearance – the sheep weren't bleating. Deciding to get the ball rolling he addressed the one that had likely been the cause of their current dilemma, the shepherd.

"So headmaster I feel inclined to ask as to why we have been summoned in such an unorthodox manner such as this? As you may have so far have determined we weren't exactly expecting anyone to drop in… or for us to drop in rather." He said smoothly as he held out his hands in a non-threatening fashion as he approached Dumbledore, his mate and girls at his side.

Harry knew that the ball was in his court, people wouldn't know what to expect after seeing such radical changes. He needed to present a strong front for both himself and the girls, especially in front of the student body. An initial confident assertive approach followed by trying to get the authority figures on their side, they needed to take care of the big fish while hopefully stalling the sheep from taking action before they were ready. The longer people remained as mere observers in this game the longer he would have to put his plans in motion. So a bit of posturing, false confidence, and intimidation was in order. They were already expecting the unexpected, so why not play all that curiosity and uncertainty up as much as possible – after all few things were as feared as the unknown. Fear makes even the most powerful of individuals wary, and uncertainty was something that he could take advantage of.

"H-Harry is that you?" Dumbledore asked, honestly surprised at how he was acting

"The one and only, though it's odd, you act like you weren't expecting us. I figured you brought us in for a reason other than being late for breakfast, but I should have expected as much." He replied with a steadily growing smirk before his expression hardened, "You seriously better have a good reason for summoning us like this, I don't take kindly to being screwed over like you just did to us by painting a target on our backs with this stunt." He said with a mild glare, shocking the old man at that.

"What happened to you my boy, you know that I would never-" Dumbledore started before he was stopped by a raised hand from Harry.

"I don't want to hear it, I've played your games and followed your rules to the letter for the last three years." He said causing the Dumbledore to go wide-eyed at what he was getting to, "The stone first year, the chamber the second, and Black the third. I've done everything that was expected of me with the singular understanding that my private life remained as such, by not respecting the one thing I am entitled to you just broke the most important rule of all – don't fuck with Harry Potter." He growled, his scalding green eyes glaring at Dumbledore with enough malice to put the man six feet under as his magic crackled in the air around him.

At the proclamation Dumbledore's expression hardened as he decided to address the issue at hand properly and explain the situation.

"Fine – Harry, you and Ms. Delacour have been selected as champions for the Tri-Wizard Tournament" he said as he got to the thick of it.

Harry blinked in surprise at that as his anger at the old man was replaced by confusion, this being further displayed by him tilting his head slightly to the side.

"Umm, pardon me if I'm wrong but did I just hear you say that both Fleur and I are participating in that insane death-trap of a tournament. The same tournament that the last time it was held all competitors died because of a cockatrice getting loose and killing everyone and was then banned for three centuries afterwards." He said as he vocalized his discontent, the reply causing Dumbledore to raise a brow

"I'm to presume that you and Ms. Delacour had no interest in participating in it?" he asked, earning a disbelieving look from Harry.

"Of course not, I don't have a death wish and neither does Fleur! I mean who the hell signs a liability waiver that states that the organizers of the tournament are not responsible for anyone being injured, maimed, killed, or otherwise eaten by any creature magical or non-magical! Only an idiot would willingly place themselves in harm's way like that!" he exclaimed

At what he said numerous students across the hall voiced their outrage at what he was insinuating, "Oh shut up! If you think placing yourself in harm's way and putting your head on the chopping block is perfectly fine then go right ahead, be my guest! What I just said still stands. In fact rather than having a Minotaur ground you into paste for some reckless act of stupidity, you should just pull out your wands right now, reducto your skulls, and spare us the suspense!" he shouted back at them causing them to go quiet at that.

"How does this even work? Harry is in the same year as me, he shouldn't be eligible to participate in the tournament since he's still a minor." Daphne inquired as she voiced her confusion on the matter

"She's right, also 'Arry was with us the entire day yesterday, there's no way neither he nor I could have gotten to the hall to submit our names into the goblet without the other knowing." Fleur explained with a small blush on her face as to what exactly they had been doing for most of the day yesterday.

"That still doesn't eliminate the possibility of you placing both your own or this boy's name in the goblet." Madame Maxime said condescendingly as she looked at Harry with a glare.

"Boy? Boy!? I can assure you my lady that I'm no boy! I don't blame you for your unawareness however due to all the idiotic and half-baked titles that I have been given over the years! But I assure you madame that contrary to what those titles may have you believe I am no boy, as the ladies behind me can surely attest to." He said with a smirk as said girls blushed crimson at his words.

"He sure isn't, but if that's him as a boy I can't wait for him to be a man." Astoria said perversely as she stared at his crotch unashamedly.

"Tori!" Daphne shouted out in embarrassment at what her sister had said

"What, it's true!" she shouted back

"You're ignoring the fact that 'Arry has numerous fans that might pull off something like this and a number of people that have a vested interest in getting him killed." Fleur said with a glare at her headmistress

"I don't want to hear another word from you young lady, you have brought shame upon our school with your actions on this day!" Madame Maxime chastised her

"I what!?" Fleur roared in outrage at what her headmistress was insinuating

"I'm more than understanding of your heritage as a veela and have ensured that your education proceeded unhindered all throughout your tenure. However, if you wish to behave like a common harlot and bed a boy three years your younger then you're mistaken if you think I will let such behavior continue." Madame Maxime reprimanded her

At this Fleur looked near apoplectic with rage as evidenced from her losing control of her allure and causing nearly half the male populace in the hall to fall unconscious from the aura she was exuding. Slowly her true form started to bleed through as her fingers shifted into talons and feather's started melting out of her skin as her anger grew.

"How dare you-" she started shouting back only to be stopped by the outstretched hand of her mate and an imploring look from him that instantly caused her to calm down.

The message was clear 'Please, don't do anything we'll regret. I'll handle this, trust me.'

Madame Maxime watched with a raised eyebrow as her student went from looking like she was about to snap, to looking almost apologetic instantly. However, she knew it wasn't to her, but to the young man currently in front of her. At first she had thought that Fleur had been the one to initiate the relationship and manipulated him with her allure in order to bed him for his fame, but she was starting to doubt this the more interactions between the two she observed.

As the young boy turned to her his imploring look turned to a furious glare that actually caused her pause.

"Apologize" he said harshly, it being more an order than anything.

Taken aback at the young man's brash statement she could scarcely contain her incredulity at what the he had said "E-excuse me?" she asked in clear disbelief.

"I said to apologize, this is a consensual relationship. I have been together with Fleur for a number of years and bonded to her since my initial maturity at twelve. I'm immune to the veela allure and have been legally emancipated and registered at the ICW, we for all purposes are married as far as magic is concerned. As for bringing disgrace to you and your school that is incorrect, if anything it is you and Albus' fault for summoning us to the Grand Hall without prior notice. We were simply spending time together after being apart for so long before you interrupted us. Attendance to this event was optional and as there are no classes today we were under no obligation to attend the choosing of the champions. I'm remaining civil simply due to our present company, but I will have you know that your words hurt Fleur deeply as she looks up to you as mother figure of sorts. So I implore you to mend your relationship with Fleur as I don't want to see her in pain because of this, because of me." He said sincerely, his initial glare giving way to a pleading look, "Please".

If Olympe hadn't been surprised before she was now. The boy had laid it out straight and put everything on the table for her. Apparently this was not a fling as she had first expected, but rather a real and lasting relationship that had been in the works for years. If he was registered at the ICW and emancipated then it was likely that Apolline also already knew of their relationship, so she decided to concede on the matter.

Looking towards Fleur she felt a pang of guilt to see the girl was apparently quite distraught over the whole ordeal and was being comforted by the black haired girl while the blonde haired one glared at her. She had hardly considered the girl's own feelings on the matter, or how she might have been affected by the current situation she found herself in. From what she had determined many of the factors that led her here were beyond her control as she seemed to have been trying to keep this relationship of hers under wraps.

"Fleur I do admit that I may have perhaps been a bit too harsh and quick to judge on the matter. Your bonded has pointed out some striking key-points that while I have yet to confirm would explain and justify much of your situation. I said things I didn't mean and shouldn't have said which were uncalled for. So I guess what I'm trying to say is that… I'm sorry." Madame Maxime said sincerely, causing a teary eyed Fleur to look up at her in shock as she said this.

The moment she finished Madame Maxime was immediately enveloped in a hug by the much shorter woman, Fleur burying her face into the Madame's snow coat as she attempted to wrap her arms around the much larger woman to no avail. Cautiously the older woman attempted to wrap the girl in an awkward hug due to their height before settling to simply patting her head comfortingly. There was something to be said at how height differences made physical interactions a bit difficult.

Harry looked at the scene fondly, happy that his mate and her mother figure reconciled before the relationship between the two became too strained because of a misunderstanding and a few harsh words.

Dumbledore however was looking at Harry inquisitively, he had cast a privacy ward around them after the initial outburst from the students at Harry's earlier proclamation. From what he had determined from the short exchange there was much more to Harry than he had ever known. Apparently Harry had been in contact with the magical world prior to his tenure at Hogwarts and knew of his subtle guidance in the last three years of his life. He knew he had pushed his luck with that not too subtle hint last year regarding the usage of time turners. This would make the prophecy a bit more difficult, he might need to step up his plans a bit.

It was at that time that Snape decided to make his presence known as he walked through the privacy wards.

"What do you two think you're wearing, have you two not only lost your decency but any sense of tact as well? What were you thinking associating yourself with a Gryffindor – Potter of all people no less?" Snape sneered as he addressed the two Slytherin's state of dress, he casting a side glare at Potter only to find it met by the boy's own.

"First of all it's not like we had any time to get dressed in the first place, we had to do with what we had on hand at the time so we were forced to transfigure our clothes, as the Hogwarts standard robes have a patent lock on them transfiguring them is impossible without a patent permit for it. Secondly our relationship with one another has nothing to do with house affiliation, but the feelings we hold for one another. All things considered however this isn't really the sort of conversation to have in the middle of a crowded hall, I suggest we move to a more accommodating location at a later time if necessary." Harry interceded as if the girls were the ones to tell Snape off then he could take disciplinary action of his own accord, but if it was Harry then at most he could deduct points and report his infraction to his head of house along with offering a detention notice.

Snape while furious at Potter's backtalk had to concede on certain points on the matter and actually respected him a bit for standing up for one of his snakes like that. However he would not let such actions go unpunished.

"Fine we can continue this at a later time as there are more important matters to attend to like your rule breaking," he said earning a glare from Harry at that "However I will be taking one hundred and thirty-five points from Gryffindor for that shameful display in the Grand Hall. I will also be assigning three weeks of detention to the Greengrass sister's as well as speaking with your head of house to get the same punishment extended to you." Snape said with a threatening glare only to get a raised eyebrow from Harry.

"Only one hundred and thirty-five points? How about this; you cut the girls detentions out of the equation and blame it on me, double that point deduction for the Gryffindor house, and finally I personally volunteer to those three weeks detention and save you the trouble of processing it." Harry offered causing Snape to go wide-eyed and look at him in surprise

"You would gamble two hundred and seventy of your houses points and accept your punishment just like that?" he asked honestly surprised at what he was hearing

"Of course, do you honestly think that those numbers matter to me? The point system was invented to encourage house rivalries in the belief that a competitive educational environment would encourage students and motivate them to do better. However it has been twisted over the years, no longer is it simply a way of seeing how you stack against the competition, instead it's now a contest to see which one's the best. Students pressure each other to do well and punish those that don't, intelligence and skill should not be measured and yet they are, failure instead of being built upon is reprimanded. I'm already going to be hated either for those I have chosen to associate with or for my part in this competition, as it is one more reason for them to hate me is acceptable if I can take a little bit of that pressure from those I care about." He said as he gazed deep into Snape's eyes, his intelligent emerald eyes peering deep into Snape's aching soul as he brought forth recollections of Lily. It was those eyes, those same eyes…

"But you would know wouldn't you professor? The feeling of wanting do anything for those you love, the pain of loss you experience when they are away from you for any given length of time. Of how the house system can tear lovers apart, of how this society condemns love in favor of blood." He said knowingly to the now trembling Snape, the man being assaulted by numerous memories of "his" Lily at the proclamation.

"How do you know these things?" Snape asked with a trembling voice, for the first time since he had last confronted the dark lord he was frightened. His occlumency barriers were at full bear and the boy was not using legimancy, yet he could read him better than he could himself. This was something he simply could not understand, something that was beyond him.

"I know a great deal many things Serverus. I can see it in your eyes, the pain of loss. You're a broken man that has lived long past his final days in order to find redemption for your sins. You can see her now can't you? Standing before you once more – so young, so full of life. As pristine as the day you first laid eyes upon her…" Harry breathed, his voice but a seductive whisper that ensnared the mind as Serverus' eyes dulled and tears fell from his eyes.

"She's so beautiful." Severus mourned, his voice thick with emotion. He seeing her standing before him just as she was the day she died. An angel of such beauty and splendor it was a wonder he had not taken his own life to simply bask in her presence in death.

"Your tears speak for you, love is a powerful thing Serverus - it binds people, even in death. Your love as unrequited as it may have been left its mark upon her and shaped her into who she became. So I ask you Serverus – would you want her any other way, do you not want her to be happy?" Harry asked softly, at this point Daphne was subtly tugging on his shirt hinting him that he may be going too far, but he knew that things like this needed to be seen through. He needed Snape for his plans, it was vital to the Greengrass sister's continued safety that he be empathetic towards them. He had not expected Serverus to be as susceptible as he was to the art, but allowing a suggestion to go unfinished was a dangerous thing – one that could have horrible repercussions for the caster on the long run if not executed properly.

Serverus at the question had a hundred wistful imaginings of a smiling Lily flitter momentarily through his mind, her laugh ringing through his memories like the most angelic of melody's and her emerald green eyes haunting his every thought. Now in tears at what he had done, at what he had lost, he was overcome in sorrow as he truly mourned Lily's death for the first time in over a decade.

Dumbledore looked on at the interaction in growing shock and trepidation. Never had he seen Snape look as weakened and fragile as he did now, every single word that the boy spoke seemed to pull at the man's heartstrings and crumble his emotional barriers to dust. It was like the boy knew exactly what he needed to say to break the man, it was one of the most disturbing things he had ever seen.

"I do!" Snape bawled out, all he had ever wanted was for Lily to be happy. He loved her so much it hurt, but if she was happy then he could continue on living with that knowledge in mind.

"Then let her go," Harry whispered causing the man's eyes to widen at that as something inside him snapped and years of pain and regret came crashing down upon him in the weight of a single decision.

"Harry I think that's quite enough!" Dumbledore exclaimed as he grabbed the boy by the shoulder and twisted him around, this being just in time to catch a glimpse of his eyes.

They weren't human…


~x~

Author's End Notes:

If you're wondering on why I decided to make Astoria a Gothic Lolita… I don't know, honestly it just sort of happened. -_-

To answer some questions, no Harry cannot simply cast a mass obliviate upon everyone in the hall. First of all; Dumbledore, a lot of the professors, and some of the upper years would likely not be affected by such large-scale magic as it would have to be diluted down to encompass a larger range of people. The professors also would not stand for Harry performing mind-magic without the consent of the people whose memories he would be manipulating. Finally there is also the fact that some of those students are from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons, if Harry attempts to do that to a student from a foreign school he would be looking at an international incident where the ICW would be forced to step in. Harry may be powerful, but he knows his limits.

Harry did not perform any sort of Mind Arts in what he did to Snape, rather what he did is more empathetic in nature and has to do with emotions. I will say this, the skill is tied to his eyes and at this point is centered on eye-contact. Snape is a master occlumens, mind magic is largely ineffective against him. More details on his eyes and other skills or abilities he might possess shall be revealed in later chapters so please bear with me.

I won't give Harry any family titles beyond Potter and Black. As for the Black title it's mostly just a formality and won't be attached to his name. The reason I gave it to him was because I thought he should have been given the title in canon after Sirius died as a way to remember and honor his deceased godfather. Harry will not be heir to some ridiculous number of made up families in my story, that's just unrealistic and disruptive to the plot. Harry shall now and forevermore in my story be named Harry Potter, Black will not be part of his name.

I hate plot holes and/or continuity errors, so if you spot one in any of my stories then please tell me so I can fix it. Also Harry was posturing for most of this chapter as he wanted to present a strong front for the girls, what you saw when he was together with the three of them was for the most part his real personality.

I say all this not to explain my story, but to address that I know that the fandom is plagued by a large amount of stories where Harry is rich, has a million titles, and is hideously OOC to the point he is apparently the only half-way competent person in an otherwise mentally incapable world. I simply don't want people to stereotype any of my stories based on the works done by other authors. I write what I would find interesting and if I wanted something like the previously aforementioned I would just read one of the many fics like it on the site. (That's not to say I wouldn't enjoy reading one, just that I would not enjoy writing them.) I mean if I'm going to pour my heart into a story and dedicate so much time to it, I want it to be special you know? ❤

Anyways I'm sorry for wasting your time and I just want to inform you all that final exams are fast approaching for my courses so my updates are going to be slowing down for a little bit. However it'll pick up again right after so don't fret. :)