A Veela in Need

No doubt most of you know about my defensive soul bond story. That is still my main story, so don't worry about lack of updates. I have far too much free time on my hands and I love writing. So enjoy this, there aren't enough Harry/Gabrielle fics, and yes, I do know how to get around the age gap. It's all about the time period, and the fact Gabrielle is just a tiny bit older than she is in canon :P

Harry Potter was depressed. He came out of fighting Voldemort a hero. He went back to school for his final year and aced his N.E.W.T.s. He became an Auror, and in an extremely short space of time, became head of the department and was responsible for putting a great deal of the remaining Death Eaters behind bars. It became literally impossible for Harry to get any more famous. Every girl wanted him, and every guy wanted to be him. But he wasn't interested. He knew most girls were in it for the fame, or the money, which he had a ridiculous amount of thanks to numerous family fortunes he gained from being the Head of the Black family. He lived in Grimmauld Place, turned into a glorious house by Kreacher, who has turned into a fine house elf. All of this would have made a typical guy happy, and Harry was happy, for a while. He came out of his shell, being able to enjoy life, he accepted his greatness, instead of trying to convince himself of mediocrity. He picked things up with Ginny almost immediately after the Battle of Hogwarts. He loved her, he gave himself to her. And then, tragedy struck. Ginny was taken from him, by a Muggle car no less. Harry was taught to drive the Muggle way, thinking it useful, and decided to train Ginny in driving too, so they both could. She had passed her driving test. They were both over the moon, so over the moon in fact, Ginny wanted to take a drive to get some food from the shop round the corner. She didn't even need to make the trip at all, driving or not. She didn't make it back. Harry blamed himself for her death, he shut himself off from everyone, not allowing anyone to visit him. His hygiene was becoming awful. Simply put, he was absolutely devastated. He couldn't even see a light at the end of the tunnel. He carried on at work like a robot, barely talking to anyone. Suffice to say, everyone was extremely worried about him. But he allowed no-one in the house. He was alone, and he was depressed.

Harry downed his fifth shot of firewhiskey that evening. The bottle was almost empty, he would have to get more. The burning sensation just wasn't there any more. He was too used to it, still, the Firewhiskey contained a tiny bit of comfort, he needed it. It was the month after Ginny's death, and Harry still hadn't done anything or seen anyone. He attended Ginny's funeral, but left almost immediately after the proceedings, not wanting to linger any longer than he needed to. There was a small voice in his head, saying Ginny would not have wanted him to be like this, she would have wanted him to find a new woman, someone who could look after him, but he ignored it. The firewhiskey meant a lot less emotional pain.

His fireplace flared green, Harry rolled his eyes, it was probably something unimportant. To his surprise, Kingsley Shacklebot's head appeared in the fireplace. Harry bent down to greet the Minister for Magic. Kingsleys face was grim.

"I've had a call from the Aurors in France" Kingsley said in his slow measured voice. "They need backup and now. The remaining Death Eaters have decided to attack the French Ministers château in Normandy, and the Aurors need help. Since you know long distance Apparition, do you think you could go?" He asked.

Harry sighed. "Who's the French minister again?"

"A man called Dominique Delacour" Kingsley said.

Harry's eyes widened. The Delacours were the heads of France? He knew them quite well through Fleur, but he hadn't seen them in a while, the Death Eaters just made things personal.

"I'll go" He said simply.

A look of relief appeared on Kingsleys face.

"I'll send the others over by International Portkey." He said, and his head disappeared. Harry sighed as he got up, he may have been depressed, but there was still a part of him that strived to help those in need. He grabbed his wand, and thought of Monsieur Delacour's large Château, which Harry had visited once before. He turned on the spot, and vanished.

Harry opened his eyes and took a lungful of air. There was a group of about 10 people in Death Eater robes, who had just broken the wards on the house. They then rushed in, overwhelming the defence that the French Aurors had set up. Harry shook his head. He knew the French were quite inexperienced in fighting the Dark Arts and he knew they would pay for that mistake sooner or later. He rushed towards the house, not bothering to wait for backup. He didn't like to brag, but after a course in advanced fighting, he took on a group of at least 8 Death Eaters and won, single handedly. He wasn't worried for his own safety, he was worried for the safety of the people in the house. He shook his head again as he passed the bodies of the Aurors that had tried to defend the house. He burst through the front door, and in the main entrance, he saw 8 of the Death Eaters crowding around something. They turned around at the sound of him entering. He quickly bowled them over with a blasting curse, and proceeded to fire off Body Bind curses to keep them in check. His heart caught in his throat as he saw the sight in front of him. Both Monsieur and Madame Delacour were dead, in each others arms. He checked their bodies. They were still warm, meaning the death had only been seconds before. He started to go red with anger. As far as he was concerned, he had failed them. He turned around to go report to Kingsley when he heard a scream from upstairs. He cursed as he remembered the Delacour's daughter Gabrielle, who must have been home for the summer. He dashed up the stairs as fast as he could, knowing he only had seconds before she ended up with the same fate as her parents.

Gabrielle was scared witless. Her parents had told her to wait upstairs while they took care of the problem. The noises she heard were horrible. The screams from downstairs where the Aurors were overwhelmed, and she swore she heard the screams of her parents. She wanted more than anything to see if they were OK, but she saw two Death Eaters walk up the stairs as she peeked outside her room. They spotted her, and she ducked back into her room, trying to hold the door closed. Tears were running down her face as the Death Eaters blew the door open. She backed away from them, eyes wide in fear. She tripped and fell down, losing one of her heeled shoes as she tried to scramble into the corner of her room. The Death Eaters laughed at her. One of them raised their wand...

"Stupefy!" a voice screamed, as Gabrielle watched the Death Eaters crumple. Relief washed over her as she checked for her saviour. She gasped in recognition. Harry Potter was standing in front of her, his wand raised still.

Harry ran into the room, and saw two Death Eaters closing in on Gabrielle, who had huddled into a corner. One of her shoes was missing, and Harry spotted it on the floor in front of her. One of the Death Eaters raised his wand and Harry reacted instantly and stunned them both. They crumpled. Harry started to take a step towards her. She had tears running down her face, but that didn't stop her ravishing beauty, her silky blonde hair, her beautiful crystal blue eyes, her enticing curves, her shapely breasts... Harry shook his head, he knew she was part Veela, and didn't want to get enticed. He walked up to her.

"Are you OK?" Harry asked. He didn't even know if she spoke English or not.

"Yes, thank you." Gabrielle said shakily. Her English was surprisingly perfect. Harry picked up her shoe, and without saying a word, placed it on her dainty foot. She stood up. She seemed to study him carefully, before letting out a sob and threw herself into his arms, crying quite heavily.

"You saved my life again, I can't ever repay you!" She sobbed into his chest. Harry just stood there, mechanically rubbing her back, holding back the news she would not want to hear. Harry held her at arms length and looked directly into her gorgeous eyes.

"There's something...you have to know" He began, not wanting to be the person to break the news to her. "You're parents...didn't make it." He sighed. He saw her eyes fill with tears once more, and she threw herself into his arms again, crying even louder. Seeing the devastation in front of him, nearly set Harry off. He simply rubbed her back, knowing it was best if she let out her emotions now, instead of bottling them up. He heard a large crack outside, and he rolled his eyes as backup arrived far too late. He put his arm around Gabrielle, and led her downstairs. She saw the bodies of her parents and burst into tears again. She ran out of Harry's embrace and knelt down beside her mother's body, weeping. Harry got a surge of anger and he ran outside to meet the incompetent fools that were his Auror department. Some more French Aurors had also arrived. The English Aurors saw their boss stomping towards them and gulped. Harry's temper was feared in the Ministry. He faced them and glared.

"What time do you call this?" He said, sounding oddly like a mother. Before anyone could answer, he started bellowing.

"THERE ARE 12 PEOPLE DEAD IN THERE. THE FRENCH MINISTER FOR MAGIC, HIS WIFE AND 10 AURORS! THERE IS NOW AN ORPHANED GIRL WITH NO PLACE TO GO IN THERE WEEPING OVER HER DEAD PARENTS! ALL BECAUSE YOU COULDN'T GET HERE FAST ENOUGH! I WANT YOU ALL TO MAKE YOURSELVES USEFUL AND CART THE DEATH EATERS OFF TO AZKABAN BEFORE I TAKE YOU THERE MYSELF!"

At his words, the Aurors literally ran towards the house and instantly started a clean up, not wanting to get in Harry's bad books more than they already were. He spotted a beginner Auror, Auror Abercrombie, who was visibly shaking. He turned towards him, and he froze. Harry's face softened a little.

"Bring Minister Kingsley here, I need to speak with him about what happened and what will happen to the French Minister's daughter." The Auror nodded and vanished. Harry sighed and made his way back towards the house. After witnessing Gabrielle's devastation like that, it reminded Harry of himself, just one month earlier. He related to her pain, having watched many people die over the course of his lifetime. He knew she had no place to go. Since the Chateau was the place of a Death Eater attack, no-one could inhabit it for up to a year after the attack, all family assets would also be frozen in case the Death Eaters took over the family. It was a new law that was passed by the MEU (Magical European Union). Fleur and Bill would probably take her in, but he knew they were going through rough times after a recent pay cut in Gringotts bank. He was tempted to take her in himself, but he didn't know the laws for immigration, and it was her choice above everything else. Two days earlier, and he wouldn't have cared. But the recent events woke him up, and saw it wasn't only him that suffered in the world. Hermione and Ron would probably smile at a bit of the real Harry returning, but he shoved those thoughts aside, as the Minister appeared before him.

"What's the situation?" Kingsley asked urgently.

"The French Minister is dead, along with his wife, and 10 French Aurors" Harry said and Kingsley cursed. "I'm having the Aurors clean up and cart the Death Eaters to Azkaban"

Kingsley nodded. "Excellent job Harry, Why did you call me out here?"

"We need someone to discuss the issue with the French Ministry, and we have a problem in the form of Gabrielle Delacour, who now has no place to go due to her house being attacked by Death Eaters, leaving her unable to live there. Her family's assets have also been frozen for the same reason. She has family in Britain, but they are going through a rough time financially, and have had to move to a smaller apartment with next to no room."

Kingsley nodded "I would usually leave this to the French Ministry..." He began.

Harry cut across him "I understand that sir, but the French Ministry is going to be busy dealing with the death of it's Minister. I've come up with an idea, but you might not agree"

Kingsley nodded again. "Go on..." he said slowly.

"I could take her in." Harry said. "I feel partially responsible for not acting quick enough, and Grimmauld Place has at least 12 bedrooms. I'm not sure about the laws on magical immigration though."

"I could easily get her a visa in a couple of days due to the fact I'm minister. If she agrees with your proposal, it should be allowed. I don't see any law against it, especially if she's at the age of majority."

Harry nodded. "I believe she's 17 next month sir."

Kingsley nodded again. "Right, I will go to the French Ministry and inform them properly of what's happened. If you could deal with the cleanup and Miss Delacour, I think we can call it a day."

Harry nodded "Bye, Minister." He said.

Kingsley nodded once more and vanished in a swirl of robes.

Harry sighed as he made his way back to the house. The Aurors had finished their cleanup and left Gabrielle with her parents. She was sitting on a chair nearby, staring at the bodies with tears flooding down her beautiful face.

Harry conjured a chair and sat down next to her.

"I need to talk to you about what happens now" He began. Gabrielle simply nodded in reply.

"Since this house has been subject to a Death Eater attack, no-one can live in it for a year and all your family's assets have been frozen to stop Death Eater access. Unfortunately, this cannot be undone. I know you have Bill and Fleur, who live in Britain, but they are going through a rough time financially, and have had to seek smaller living space. So, what I've proposed is, that you stay with me for a while."

Gabrielle looked at him for a moment, before more tears started to form and she hugged him again.

"Oh, Thank you! Thank you! I was so worried I would have nowhere to go, I thought I would be homeless, you keep saving me!"

Harry felt his voice crack with emotion as he looked at her.

"Do you wish to pack some things then?" He asked.

She slowly nodded as she went upstairs to her room. Harry smiled, he was glad to at least make her slightly happy. He really felt her pain. Harry looked at the bodies of Monsieur and Madame Delacour. He sighed, as he conjured a sheet and covered them up. He sincerely hoped that the French Ministry would deal with the arrangements for a funeral. That would be too much for such a young girl.

Soon, Gabrielle came downstairs holding a suitcase and a large bag. She looked at her parent's bodies again, and another tear fell down her cheek as she blew them a kiss. Harry then motioned for her to take his arm and she obliged, as he apparated back to Grimmauld place. As soon as he arrived, he dropped Gabrielle's arm and called for Kreacher, who appeared instantly.

"What is it that master requires?" Kreacher asked.

"I need you to make up a bedroom for my guest. Please make it the one next to mine, she wont want to be alone." Gabrielle blushed at his words as she looked around, obviously impressed with Harry's house. Kreacher bowed low and vanished, leaving Harry with Gabrielle. He led her into the lounge, where there was still a nearly empty bottle of Firewhiskey sitting on the table. He led her to a sofa and sat her down, and he plonked himself down next to her.

"Are you OK?" He said.

"No" Gabrielle admitted. "There's a lot going on here I don't understand, and a few things I need to explain to you." She paused for a moment. "Don't you have a girlfriend?"

Harry's stomach knotted at her words and he didn't answer. Gabrielle's face fell as she saw his reaction.

"I'm sorry! I didn't know..." She began.

Harry hushed her.

"It isn't your fault. You couldn't have known. Don't worry about it."

She visibly filled with relief at his words. She turned away, obviously embarrassed by something.

"What's the matter?" Harry asked.

"I need to tell you something really important" Gabrielle said. "But I know you're going to hate me for it"

Harry paused. What could make him hate her? "What is it? I promise I wont be angry."

She sighed once before continuing. "Remember you saved me during the Triwizard Tournament?" She asked.

Harry remembered well and he nodded. "But you weren't in any danger..." he began.

"You're part right" Gabrielle replied. "The others weren't in danger. But I was"

"How?" Harry asked.

"Merpeople and Veela are enemies in the natural world. The merpeople of your lake saw a chance to kill a Veela and they were going to take it, when you rescued me."

The full weight of Harry's actions was now on him. No wonder Fleur was so relieved when Harry saved Gabrielle.

"You also saved my life today. There is this custom due to my Veela heritage. If a person is to save a Veela's life twice. The Veela...owes their life to that person."

Harry wasn't quite following. "Like a Wizarding debt?" He asked.

"No... It's much more than that. If a Veela owes a person their life. It is literally their life. The Veela...chooses that person as their mate"

As she said those words, she seemed to cower away from him, like he was an animal about to strike, but she kept an eye on him and waited for his reaction. Harry sighed and covered his face with his hands. He felt overloaded. He was still recovering from what happened to Ginny. Then he watched 12 people die when it was his job to protect them. He thought he was doing the right thing by bringing Gabrielle back with him, but this revelation complicated things. She was beautiful, yes, but he felt guilty because of Ginny. She would probably be egging him on at this point. She would have probably been upset with how he took her death. She would want him to be happy, but was this too soon?

"I'm sorry" Gabrielle said, standing up. "I can tell you don't want me here, I'll leave" she started walking out the door. Harry stood up and grabbed her arm.

"What are you on about? Of course I want you here. I'm sure you're a lovely person Gabrielle, and one I could probably fall in love with, but I'm still confused over Ginny's death. You're revelation just...shocked me that's all."

Gabrielle's eyes filled with tears again, but these were tears of joy as she basically jumped into his arms. "You're so nice to me!" She sobbed.

Kreacher took that exact moment to return.

"Your room is ready miss" He said, bowing low at her. "If you would like, I could show you to it."

Gabrielle turned to Harry, and he knew what she was going to say before she said it. She needed comfort, and she certainly didn't need to sleep alone.

"It's OK Kreacher. I'll take it from here. Could you take some night clothes from her luggage and place them on my bed?"

"Of course, Master" Kreacher bowed again, and disappeared.

"You've just had a traumatic experience" Harry said to Gabrielle. "I know from experience, it's always good to have someone there to comfort you, so you will sleep in my bed tonight."

Gabrielle's eyes lit up again and she hugged him once more as he led her upstairs to his room. He showed her into his en suite bathroom to get changed, while he stayed in his room. He quickly stripped down to his boxers and climbed into bed. He was still of two minds about the whole situation. Was it right to sleep in the same bed as Gabrielle? He had done it before with Hermione, but only for warmth and emotional comfort. He sighed as he laid back. He was tired. It had been an extremely long day.

Gabrielle closed the bathroom door and sighed. Half from grief for her parents, but also half in happiness as she was sharing a bed with Harry Potter, the boy she had dreamed about ever since she was 8 years old. She had always dreamed about him saving her from evil, then the two of them going to his bedroom. Sure, the more graphic part of the dream wasn't going to happen. But, she got most of it. She slipped off her heels, and pulled her dress over her head. That evening she was planning to go to a formal ball with her parents, but alas, she didn't. Secretly she was pleased as she didn't like being in public due to all the looks she got, but then she felt guilty again and more tears rolled down her cheeks. She pulled a nightgown on, grabbed her clothes and opened the door to Harry's room.

Gabrielle walked in, holding the clothes she was wearing and wearing a silk nightgown that would have made any man drool, including Harry if he wasn't so confused. That didn't stop him from staring with his mouth wide open though. She giggled at his reaction and placed her clothes neatly on a chair near Harry's bed. She shyly made her way to the bed and crawled under the covers. She wanted nothing more than to crawl into his arms, but he might reject her. She didn't want that. So it was with immense surprise that he wrapped his arms around her and crawled up against her. He must have been really lonely to do that to someone he didn't know that well. Ginny's death must have hit him hard. She felt his groin against her back and blushed, but before she could say anything, he was fast asleep. She wanted to cry over the loss of her parents, but Harry's embrace was so comforting, she closed her eyes and was also asleep.

Yeah, I'm writing a Harry/Gabrielle fic. Shoot me. I dare you :P I might as well tell you I support multiple pairings when it comes to Harry Potter. Harry/Ginny Harry/Hermione Harry/Gabrielle Harry/Luna and even Harry/Susan Bones due to a couple of Harem fics. I refuse to put Ron and Draco with anyone because I hate them so much :P Harry can have the lot as far as I'm concerned. Anyway, when I upload the next chapter for the Defensive Soul Bond, I will mention what I'm about to say. It's a little challenge for my readers. I want you to read this and DSB, and find something I mention quite often. It's a clue to my personality. I will have you try and guess that :P

Good luck :D

P.S. Anatomy.