A Life Triumphant
The beautiful French woman was puzzled. Standing beside her was the-boy-who-lived. A bit on the small side and dreadfully skinny, but with eyes that were vividly green and full of emotion and intelligence; and added to that was the untamed black hair that looked windswept in its wildness.
She'd read the books when she was younger, of course, as had most of the young witches that she knew. She had expected…more. "Surely, Madam Maxime, there has been some sort of mistake? How is this 'little boy' expected to compete against us?"
She glanced in his directions as she asked those questions of her Headmistress, catching a momentary look of pain from the young man in question. The look, however, had been fleeting and had been replaced by one extreme determination. He may be young, she thought, but with that look she'd seen she knew that he was definitely not a little boy.
"What is the meaning of this charade, Dumbledore?" asked the Headmistress of her counterpart.
"Indeed," growled the evil looking Karkaroff, "you wish to stack the deck in Hogwarts favor so that you may have a better chance of claiming the Cup."
"I did no such thing, Igor, and you know it. Harry, did you place your name in the Cup?" asked Dumbledore, looking at Harry.
"I did not Headmaster." he exclaimed. "Not only am I underage, I am also extraordinarily unprepared to be put in this position when compared to the Champions. I wish to be excluded from the competition."
"It might not be as simple as that, Albus."
"Barty?"
The tall, thin man had a look of anxiety on his face. It was obvious to Fleur that the man had no idea what was going on. "The Cup, regrettably for Mr. Potter, constitutes a binding magical contract from which there is no release. He must compete or lose his magic to the Cup."
"Forgive me, Mr. Crouch, but could I ask a question please?" asked Harry of the man.
"Certainly, Mr. Potter, please ask."
"This competition is only for those who are legally of age, is it not?" asked the young man. She seemed to think that he was far more mature than she first realized. It was a simple enough question but one, she surmised, that had implications greater than what was actually being asked.
"True, Mr. Potter, very true. I will do my utmost to try and find a solution for this mess that you find yourself in. I will even summon the Unspeakables to come and perform tests on the damned Cup!"
"Thank you, sir. Professor, may I return to dinner? I had not yet eaten when this occurred, and I'd like to eat something before heading back to my quarters. I imagine it will be a long night for me, trying to get my head around this…"
"Of course, Harry my boy, please. Return to your table, I will seek you out in the morning and discuss with you what we discover." Albus said, condescendingly she thought, to Harry. The young man looked around, a look of utter contempt on his face, before turning on his heels and exiting the room to head back out to the Great Hall. The look he had directed at her hurt her for some reason, and she cursed the uncaring words she'd directed at Harry earlier.
OoOOooOOoo
Harry prepared himself as best he could before heading into the Great Hall. He knew there would be some taunting. He just hoped nobody was stupid enough to curse him, with his being as wound up as he was he could end up hurting someone unintentionally.
The stares and glares aimed at him told the story, though. Here, once again, the sheep of Hogwarts were willing to punish him for something he had nothing to do with. "You always are an attention seeking git, Potter!"
Harry turned and stared at his former 'best friend'. He let slip a bit of magic behind his eyes, causing the intensity of the look to make the redhead cower back in fear. "Don't ever speak to me, Weasley." he said to the now cowering redhead. He glanced at Granger, who lowered her head in embarrassment and couldn't look at him. She'd surprised him with her seeming willingness to give up their friendship. He sighed and was saddened at the behavior of those he'd once considered the best of friends.
He kept moving towards the back of the Hall, deliberately, only stopping to glare at those that ridiculed him as he walked by. He came up to the solitary table at the end of the Hall which was small and with only a single seat, and sat himself down to try and finish his dinner. "Harry Potter sir, you've come back… I'll bring dinner to you now."
How he loved the little guy. Dobby had been a godsend to him. Once he'd been evicted from Gryffindor, it was the overeager elf that had helped him find rooms he could call his own. They'd both walked down deserted parts of the castle where they'd discovered a suite of rooms that he'd taken possession of. He and his small friend had taken great delight in cleaning the place up, polishing and dusting everything until it gleamed like new. Even the furniture had been given a make-over, giving him a cozy couch to lie upon, and an extremely comfortable wing-back chair he used for studying. Harry had insisted that Dobby take one of the spare bedrooms, for which the sobbing elf had thanked him profusely. In gratitude, Dobby had enchanted their rooms in such a way that nobody would know where they were.
As he reached for his bookbag, Harry noticed the shadow of someone approaching his table. He groaned, wishing that everyone would just leave him alone. He looked up and noticed the beautiful blonde witch approaching with a curious look on her face.
"Mr. Potter, I wish to apologize for my behavior from earlier. In my defense, and not much of one at that, I was extremely tense about being named Champion. My words hurt you, and I am terribly sorry about that."
"Ms. Delacour, is it?" he asked.
She nodded, "Yes, but please call me Fleur. May I join you?"
His eyebrows rose in surprise, but he managed to stand. "Dobby, could you manage another seat for Ms. Delacour…Fleur…please?" Dobby popped back almost immediately with a chair, and with an impish grin that Harry didn't catch, popped away. He reached out and pulled the chair out for her. "Please, Fleur, will you sit and join me?"
"Why thank you, monsieur Potter. Who knew that civilized gentlemen existed in Britain?"
"Semi-civilized, thank you very much, I am British after all." he said to her with a smile. "In all honesty though, no one has approached me in quite some time. You may find yourself at odds with the student population of Hogwarts if you're seen with me."
"That's funny, as I was thinking the same thing about the students of Beauxbaton. I'm not much liked there." she huffed.
"Really, I don't see how that's possible?" he asked curiously.
How much could she trust him, she wondered. "What do you know of Veela, Harry?"
"Not much if anything, really, are you saying that you are Veela?" he asked with interest. The look of genuine curiosity in his eyes took her aback. Most of the time when she revealed her nature the looks from men turned lustful, and she wasn't seeing that in his beautiful green eyes.
"I am half-veela; my Mother is a full-blooded Veela. My sister, Gabrielle, is also half-veela. We are descended from the Sirens that you may have heard about in Greek mythology. But where the Sirens song was their way of seduction, a Veela have an appeal that can be turned on and off. The younger we are, the harder the allure is to control, which is the reason why most of the students of my school don't like me very much. My allure slipped once, early in my first year. I entranced the whole male population of the school. It was not taken well by my female counterparts. So, I have been ostracized ever since. I've no one, apart from my family, who I can call friend. This is one of the reasons I wished to apologize to you for my rude manner with you earlier."
"I understand about not being accepted for who you are. It's been the same with me, here, at Hogwarts."
"Is this why you sit alone, in the corner, and not at one of the House table?"
He nodded at her, and she caught the look of anguish that passed across his features. "I was kicked out of Gryffindor during my second year. There was a rumor floating around that I was the heir of Slytherin. It didn't help that I am a parselmouth."
"You're a parselmouth?" she gasped.
"Yup, doesn't make me dark, though."
"I never said you were dark, Harry. I was just surprised, as that talent is very rare."
"I know, and the fact that Voldemort was the last person we know of that can speak it…well, it didn't look too good for me."
"Wait, people thought you were dark because you can speak parseltongue? That's ridiculous! It's just a language, how could anybody see it as anything other than just that?"
"My former best friend, who is drooling over there at the moment," he said pointing at Ron, "was convinced that I was Voldemort's apprentice, or son, or something."
Fleur turned in her chair to take a look at the moron. "The one there, with the red hair, who seems to be ogling me like a piece of meat?"
"That's the one. He used to be my best friend. It was he that started the rumors, and also the one that got Gryffindor to chuck me out."
"Gryffindor…this is the supposed House of courage and chivalry, yes?"
Harry snorted. "Supposedly."
"And who is the young witch next to him? She looks so sad."
"Also someone I used to consider a friend, she's Hermione Granger, and she stood back and watched me get railroaded out of that House." he said, a bit of regret creeping into his voice.
"Did none of the professors help you? What of your Head of House?" she asked as she turned back and looked at him.
"McGonagall? She did nothing, which is something she seems to be really good at. She's done nothing to help me. I think she was glad I was out of her House. Although, she was concerned that she was losing her star seeker, far be it for Gryffindor to lose the Quidditch Cup."
"You're kidding, right?"
"Nope, I know for a fact that she was looking for a loophole in the rule books that would allow a student who had been cast out of a House to be allowed to play on a House team." he said sullenly.
"And the other Houses, why weren't you put into one of them?"
"Because no one wanted me to join their House, as if having the name Potter associated with their House would bring them shame or something. The Headmaster did allow for me to be resorted, with Sebastian's ruling being the final say in the matter. But Sebastian knew that putting me into another House would be disastrous, so it decided for me to be a Houseless student."
"Sebastian?"
"Oh, sorry, Sebastian is out sorting hat." she looked at him puzzled. "When we are first year students, on our first day here, it is Sebastian's responsibility to sort us into our Houses."
"Ah, a magical item, I understand now. So how have you managed, Harry, being a student with no House."
"Pretty well, actually; I found a suite of abandoned rooms that Dobby and I now occupy, so at least I have a roof over my head. I spend most of my free time on my schoolwork, which I would never have done had I still been in Gryffindor." He chuckled half-heartedly. "I suppose that is one thing to be grateful for. My solitude has allowed me a whole lot of time for studying, which in turn has allowed me to become the academic leader in my year."
"Harry, that is really sad. What does your family have to say about that?" She regretted asking that question almost immediately after seeing the look of anger in his eyes.
"They don't care, and as far as I'm concerned they don't matter."
She let the matter drop, for now anyways. Once he knew her better he would perhaps open up to her. She was amazed at him though, he was nothing how she imagined the hero of the wizarding world to be. He was kind and honest, two traits that she greatly admired. There was intelligence and curiosity behind those green eyes as well. And as far as she could tell so far, the 'little boy' acted and spoke more like a young man.
"How did your name end up in the Cup, Harry?" she asked.
"I don't know." he said as he ran a hand through his hair. "I would never want to be part of this tournament. The last thing I ever wanted was to be singled out like this. It will just raise the level of contempt I already get from this school and her students."
"Well, hopefully, the great Dumbledore will be able to figure out a way for you to get out of this. He is a great wizard after all; he will surely find an answer for you."
He looked at her, surprised, before he started giggling. The giggles soon turned into laughter. He held his belly as he laughed, and at one point she had to steady him lest he fall off his chair. "I don't think that's particularly funny!"
"Fleur, I'm sorry. Really, I am. I'm not laughing at you, what I am laughing at though is the thought that Dumbledore would come to my rescue. He's never done it before, and I don't expect that to change." he said as he regained a bit of control over himself.
"Why wouldn't he help you?"
"Look, Fleur, I like you and I am truly enjoying the chance to get to know you." he said gazing intently into her eyes. "But I don't know you that well and there are some things that I don't want to talk about."
"Don't know me that well, yet." she emphasized, also looking deeply into his eyes.
"That's true, but I don't see how that will change. We are competing against each other after all. How would it look if we became friends?" he asked with a smirk.
"I don't particularly care how it looks. I'd like to think that maybe we can build a friendship out of this set of circumstances we both find ourselves in. And as I don't really care what other people think, I hope you will allow me to get to know you better, Harry?"
"You mean that?" he asked, a look of hope on his face.
"Of course I mean it! I happen to think that we are both lonely people who need some human contact and interaction. As both our schools seem to hate us, it seems that we are perhaps stuck with each other."
"Well, yeah, I guess there is that. Okay, I'm game if you are. It has been a very long while that I've had a conversation with anyone."
"Harry, do you mind if I try something? It won't hurt, I promise, and I will only ever do it with your permission."
He frowned, wondering what she was asking of him. "What do you want to try?" he asked warily.
"I'd like to turn on my allure, briefly, to see how you react. If we're going to attempt being friends, I want you to know this side of me. And also, it would give me an idea of how to respond to you if I should ever slip-up in your presence."
Harry thought long about her request. He was curious, he admitted, and after deliberating with himself he thought it would probably be a good idea, if only to see if he could control himself around the French beauty. "Am I going to end up looking like Ron?"
She laughed, letting herself go, as she'd not had occasion to laugh like that in a long time. "Maybe, maybe not; it will all depend on your will and self-control."
He nodded in assent. "Just don't let me drool like that. It wouldn't look cool, and I have a reputation to maintain after all."
Smiling at him, she allowed a fraction of her allure to escape the hold she usually placed over it. She only let a whisper of it out, letting it out slowly so that he would have time to consider what was happening to him. She was immensely surprised when she saw no reaction whatsoever. "Is it working?" he asked her in a whisper.
Taking that as a challenge, she let about a quarter of her allure out, raising the output a little at a time. He, however, was just giving her a curious look, a look that quite frankly infuriated her just a bit. So she let go completely.
"Is this where I'm supposed to start hyper-salivating?" he whispered to her again. "Uhm, Fleur, if you're doing it you may want to stop. The whole male population of the school are about to start attacking each other and maybe even you."
She drew the allure back into herself, and closed her eyes as she tried to center herself. Harry was looking around the room, a big grin on his face. She turned around and noticed the school was staring at the both of them carefully, with looks of awed wonder on the faces of the boys, and looks green with envy on the faces of the girls. Even the professors looked put out, with McGonagall glaring furiously at Fleur. She glanced toward Harry, and was glad he had a huge smile on his face. "You weren't affected?"
"I suppose not, I'm guessing that that is an odd thing?"
"Really, really odd; I thought only my father was immune, and even he couldn't have held out if Mother was going all out on her allure. But you did…"
He shrugged, "I could feel it, mind you. It kind of felt like an anesthetic I once had when I broke my arm and the doctor was trying to set it. It made my mind a bit fuzzy, but I was still myself. That's what it felt like. Hey, that's your Headmistress walking this way, isn't it?"
She turned toward the front of the hall and saw the half-giantess walking toward her with an angered face. "She doesn't look happy, does she?"
Harry chortled, "No, I'd say she look really pissed off."
"Yeah, that's the impression that I'm getting too. Oh well, it looks like my evening is over. I thank you for allowing me to enjoy your company." she said as she stood and straightened her robes with her hands.
"Thank you, Fleur, for an interesting evening. If you feel like having an interesting breakfast, please consider joining me tomorrow morning. I would very much like to get to know you."
"Seven?" she asked.
He stood and bowed to her, rather poorly she thought; she'd need to remedy that. "My Lady, I will count the minutes until then!"
She rolled her eyes at him, but couldn't contain herself seeing the sparkle of mirth in his eyes. "You are a twit, Monsieur Potter. However, I too look forward to tomorrow morning." she replied, batting her at him coquettishly. "Madam Maxime, you've had a pleasant dinner I hope?"
"Fleur, with me, now!" she barked at her.
Harry leaned over to her, "Are you going to be in trouble?"
"Nah, what are they going to do, expel the Beauxbaton Champion? Will you?" she whispered back.
He smirked at her with that lopsided smile of his. "Nah, what are they going to do, expel the boy-who-lived?"
She laughed quietly at that, and turned to follow her Headmistress. She walked along the two tables, wincing at the looks of wanton lust from the boys in Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. As she walked by, she heard a small voice say to her, "Please don't hurt him." She fixed her eyes on the bushy haired witch, glaring at her for a long moment, before nodding her head once in acknowledgement. The redheaded menace came out of his allure induced stupor long enough to growl and direct a hate filled look at the young girl, who recoiled and dropped her head. There was a story there, she thought, one that she would need to get to the bottom of. There was a look of fear in the witches' eyes.
"Fleur!" yelled her Headmistress at her.
"Yes, Madam Maxime." she sighed as she turned to follow.
They both walked out of the hall and made their way to the carriages that they'd arrived in. "I'm disappointed in you, Fleur. After the events of your first year, I thought you had more sense than that which you displayed tonight."
"I am sorry Madam Maxime. It was more in the nature of an experiment, Harry and I had quite forgotten where we were at the moment I think."
"Yes, I saw you sitting with Mr. Potter. Don't you think that sitting with one of your competitors is a bit insensitive towards your schoolmates?"
"My schoolmates despise me, Madam, and you know it. I only entered my name into Cup to prove to myself that I am capable enough to handle the challenge. I do not do this for the glory of Beauxbaton!" she replied a bit hotly.
"Fleur…" sighed Madam Maxime.
"I know, I know, no need to remind me of the 'incident'."
"I had hoped that given the spirit of cooperation we wanted to establish you might have been a little more restrained."
"Madam, it took me all of two minutes to see that that spirit of cooperation that you'd wanted to establish between us and Hogwarts, and Durmstrang too I suppose, is not meant to be. The British students are too caught up in their bigotry and see us as interlopers, and the Germans are too isolated because of their Headmaster to genuinely want openness between any of us."
"And yet…"
"Yes?"
"Harry Potter, really Fleur, he's but a child?"
"I disagree, Ma'am. Yes, he may be only fourteen, but there's just something about him. I was rude to him during the Choosing, but he forgave me when I apologized. We had an interesting conversation during dinner. He is not at all like we, like I, expected him to be. There was none of the attention seeking brat that we'd been led to believe he was. I saw none of the braggart; he was rather genuine in his disgust at being named Champion." remarked Fleur.
"And you believed him when he said he didn't put his name in the Cup?"
"I do believe him. From what I could tell, the last thing that Harry wants is to be the center of attention. He was not very forthcoming with personal information, but I believe he will open up to me as our friendship strengthens."
"You intend to become friends with the boy?" Maxime asked incredulously.
"I do intend to become his friend. He was the first person I have ever met that seemed to really want to know me and not this face I carry around. And Madam, he seems to be immune to my allure."
"What? That's not possible! No one has the will power to resist the allure! Even Dumbledore looked smitten with you, and he's the most powerful man I know."
"And yet it is true. It started out as something that I was just curious about. I let loose just a fraction of my allure, increasing it slightly over the course of a few minutes. By the end, I was going full blast, and he was smirking at me. Smirking! Like I had just tried to tickle him or some such thing."
"You will be careful, please Fleur? I promised your father I'd look after you. It would get me into trouble if I happen to alienate the French foreign minister because of his daughter's rampant disregard for the rules."
"I promise, Madam. Like you, I would not wish to find myself on the other end of one of my father's lectures either."
OoOOooOOoo
Harry readied himself for class, taking time to soak in the hot shower, hoping to wash away some of the worry that was starting to creep into his consciousness. Harry had not given much thought to the fact that he was entered into the Tournament. He vowed to keep up with his studies, and double his efforts with the training he was doing.
Walking toward the Great Hall, he was still amazed at the willful mistreatment he would receive from the student body. He often wondered whether because he was 'Harry Potter" no one tried to physically bully him. Having a reputation for defeating Dark Lords certainly had its benefits. He wasn't worried though about physical threats from them and he could cope with the endless drivel that was directed his way most days.
He sat at his table, where Dobby had brought some eggs and bacon. He looked around, hoping that Fleur would show up. 'Too much to hope for I guess.' Shrugging his shoulders, he dug into his meal.
"Are you Harry Potter?" asked a young girl who seemed to suddenly appear at his tableside.
Harry looked up, and nodded his head. "Why yes I am." he responded. He was receiving odd glances from the House tables. Underage witches were an uncommon sight at Hogwarts, after all.
"Oh good, I didn't want to disappoint Fleur by going to the wrong table asking for you. My sister, Fleur, wanted me to convey her apologies for not being able to join you this morning. I think she did something bad last night and got into trouble. Madam Maxime is making her take her morning meal in the carriage."
"So you must be Gabrielle? Fleur mentioned you a last night. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in school?"
"Non, I am here to learn better English. I am home-schooled, at least until I turn eleven and can go to Beauxbaton."
"Ah, I see. You're looking forward to going to school there?"
"Yes and no. My sister will have already graduated when I finally get to go. I was hoping she'd flunk a few classes so that she could at least do a year with me because she had to repeat a grade. She said she wouldn't do that." she said with a cute little pout.
"Aren't you excited being here at Hogwarts, with all the different people and things to see?" he asked.
"I suppose so, why?"
"Well, it's the same with your sister. She's excited about being able to get into the world, as a grown up and seeing what that world offers her."
Gabrielle thought about that for a moment. Harry could almost see the steam coming out of the young girls' ears as she struggled with the concept of trying new things. "Okay, maybe you're right. I do find Hogwarts to be terribly exciting. And Fleur is a Champion! I will get to see her compete."
"Should we go and find your sister. I'm sure she's getting worried about where you are."
Gabrielle paled a little. "You think so? I don't like it when she yells at me."
Harry laughed. "No, I don't think anyone likes getting yelled at. Especially by someone they care about, right?" He stood from the table and reached out a hand for hers. She smiled widely, and grabbed Harry's hand.
"Harry, why aren't you drooling?" she asked as they walked hand in hand towards the exit.
"What do you mean?" he asked curiously.
"Look at the boys." she said. "I'm only eight, so my Veela allure is very small. But those boys are still affected. Why aren't you?"
"Honestly, I'm not really sure. What do you think?"
"I think it's 'cuz you're a knight. Knights are noble and kind, they don't act like boys!"
"Well then, Lady Gabrielle, let us find your sister, shall we?" he said with a bow to his companion.
"You're a silly man, Sir Harry." she said with a delighted giggle.
OoOOooOOoo
Fleur sat at one of the picnic tables that the French elves had set up for the Beauxbaton contingent next to the carriage. It was a bright sunny day, although cold by her standards. But she closed her eyes and lifted her face to catch the warmth of the sun. Madam Maxime said that winter in the Scottish Highlands came early, and she wanted to enjoy as much of the sun as she could.
Taking a bite from her buttered croissant, she looked toward the castle. It was a grand building, imposing in a stark sort of way. It was then that she noticed the messy haired boy walking towards her, a bundle in his arms.
"I do believe this belongs to you?" he said with a bright smile.
"Gabrielle?" she whispered, afraid to wake her sister up.
Harry nodded at her. Fleur stood and gestured to him to follow her. They made their way into their carriage, and Harry was openly amazed at the beauty of the interior of the coach. "I love magic." he whispered to himself.
"Here, Harry, put her down here." she said as she led him into a beautiful bedroom with two twin beds. Fleur pulled back the covers on one of the beds, and Harry gently rested his cargo upon it. He unbuckled Gabrielle's shoes and gently took them off her. "Sleep well, Lady Gabrielle." he whispered as he covered her up.
Fleur indicated with a nod of her head that he should follow her. With a final look at her sister, she quietly pulled the door closed behind her. "What happened?" she asked.
"What, with Gabrielle? Nothing really, she came to my table during breakfast. We talked for a bit before I offered to walk her back here to you. She was so precocious, questioning everything she saw as we walked around the castle. I think she may have tired herself out, so when she asked me to carry her, I did. At some point she must have fallen asleep."
"She asked you to carry her?" she asked in wonder.
"Yeah, why, is that weird or something?"
"A bit, more curious than anything else; she's not very open with many people outside our family. As she's Veela too, well, people sometimes react strangely to us."
"Ah, I see." he said, before chuckling softly.
"Something amusing?"
"Just thinking that we make quite the trio, stared at everywhere we go. People reacting strangely to us seems to, unfortunately, be our lot in life.
"True, although I had never thought of it from your point of view before. Has it always been like that for you as well?"
"The first time I went to Diagon Alley I was mobbed. Literally mobbed; it was a good thing that it was Hagrid with me that day as he had to pick me up, put me on his shoulder, and drag me out of there. Needless to say, I haven't been back there since."
"Hagrid?"
"Yeah, he's our Care of Magical Creatures Professor. Half-giant and the gentlest man I've ever met. Also someone like us, who gets stared at wherever he goes. Luckily for him, he's been at Hogwarts for decades and most people know him from their time at school. So he doesn't get bothered too much with the staring and all, excepting the first years when they first get to the castle." Harry glanced at his watch and stood. "Dinner?"
Fleur smiled at him, "Of course. I have classes until six; I'll meet you there at say, seven?"
"Good, I am enjoying our conversations, Fleur. I hope to continue them." he said with a genuine smile.
"Away with you, Mr. Potter; I shall see you at seven. Gabrielle may want to join us, if that's okay?"
"Sure thing, until tonight then."
OoOOooOOoo
"A word with you Harry, if I may?" asked the Headmaster.
Harry frowned, but followed behind. "Any luck in getting to the truth behind my inclusion in the tournament?"
"Not as of yet, Harry; Mr. Crouch has Unspeakables working on the problem at the moment, but they seem to be as stumped at this predicament as the other professors."
Harry was surprised to see Snape and McGonagall waiting on them at the foot of the stairs heading to the Headmasters office. He hadn't spoken to his former Head of House in quite some time, aside from the occasional question during his Transfiguration class. As for Snape, he had no interactions at all with the man. He had withdrawn himself from potions class after he was kicked out of Gryffindor and had been taking private lessons in his suite. The four headed up the stairs, Dumbledore taking his seat at his desk while the professors took seats at either end of his desk.
"Sit, Harry, please."
"I'd rather not, Headmaster."
"As you wish, Harry, as you wish. I have brought you up here to see if we can discover how we can help you get through this tournament."
"I don't understand, sir? I thought the tournament specified that the champions are to stand on their own."
"That is true, but as it seems that you must remain in the tournament, I thought it best to see if we can help you out. As you are Houseless, we know that you have no support system. No Head of House to turn to, no Housemates to help you…"
"And I'm okay with that."
"Really, Mr. Potter, the Headmaster only wishes to make sure you can find the help of Hogwarts when you need it." added McGonagall sharply.
"Forgive me, Professor, but why do any of you even care? You didn't care when I was kicked out of Gryffindor?"
"Arrogant child..." sneered Snape
"And him, what makes you think that I would accept any help from a Death Eater?" he said pointing at Snape.
"Why you little…"
"Severus!" said Dumbledore harshly. "Harry, I must insist that you show Professor Snape a degree of respect."
"Insist all you want, Headmaster, it's never going to happen." he replied tersely.
Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling as he stared at Harry over his half-moon glasses. "Am I to understand then that you do not wish our help? We could be helpful to you, Harry; this tournament will be fraught with danger after all."
"Danger, really? Like the danger of facing a troll, or Quirrelmort, or a basilisk, or group of dementors? Is that the kind of danger you're talking about? Because if that's the kind of danger I'll be facing then I think I'll be alright. No professor helped me then, and despite your offer I doubt any professors will help me now. I've been on my own for two years, and have neither asked nor been offered any help with my current situation at school."
"Mr. Potter…"
"No, Professor McGonagall, I will not accept any help. You've all made it abundantly clear to me that none of you want me in this school. Once I pass my O.W.L.S. I will be out of here and out of your hair." Harry stood from his seat, trying to reign in his emotions. "Thank you for your time, Headmaster."
The three professors silently watched the young man head out of the office. "Well, that went worse than I expected." said Albus.
Minerva sighed. "And what did you expect? You left him with no support system in the school. He's had to grow up in a very short amount of time. I told you to let me intervene, I told you that Mr. Weasley was lying and instigating Gryffindor. And despite that, you let Harry be blackballed by my House."
"He's nothing more than an arrogant brat!"
"And you, Death Eater, I advise you to keep quiet. You call him arrogant, but do you even understand what that word means? I don't see him exaggerating his own worth, I don't see him extolling his abilities to everyone within hearing range unlike some blonde haired ponce that you watch over. Harry is humble, and he's unassuming. He is the best of us, and yet we treat him like some sort of pariah!" she yelled at the two men.
"Now, Minerva…"
"No, Albus, enough is enough. That young man has had a horrid life by anyone's standard, and yet we keep piling on to his misfortune. It's like you expect him…"
"Minerva?"
"That's it, isn't it? You want him broken, don't you? You want him to crawling back up here and beg for your help, right? Well, I can tell you that that is never going to happen. I will no longer be a party to this. I only hope Lily and James will forgive me for the atrocious way that I have behaved toward their son." She gathered herself and exited the office, the anger evident on her face. It was only when she had left the room that she allowed the sob that she'd been holding in to escape her body. With tears in her eyes, she made her way to her office.
"I fear she may be right, Severus. I don't think Harry will break, despite our attempts to do so. I'm beginning to think that my plan to separate him from everyone he counted on may have backfired on us."
"What do you mean, Headmaster?"
"We expect that young man to save us from Tom. I don't think that we've given him any reason to help us at all."
"But he must, all our hopes for banishing the Dark Lord ride on his shoulders."
"Be that as it may, Severus, he has no reason to sacrifice himself for us. He has no reason to fight for us. We've not given him a single reason to be our savior." Albus took off his glasses and set them on the table, rubbing his eyes as he tried to expel the dark thoughts.
ooOOooOOoo
The Veela was running late to her dinner appointment with Harry, something she'd have to apologize to him for. But she'd been investigating the enigma that was Harry Potter. Fleur always thought that the moniker the-boy-who-lived was a misnomer. Yes, he'd lived, but he'd lost his parents in the process. From the books she'd read about his childhood, he'd been raised in the lap of luxury, his every whim catered to by an army of elves. But she'd seen the threadbare clothing he was wearing, she'd noticed the ill fitting glasses; this was not someone who'd grown up with a sliver-spoon in their mouth, quite the contrary. Hogsmeade weekend was in another couple of weeks, she'd have to make sure to take him shopping. It was the least she could do for him, she thought. Plus, with their growing friendship, it would be another way to get closer to him. Hopefully he'd open up a little more to her.
He seemed a young man with a lot of secrets. She wondered how he could still be so kind and optimistic despite the treatment he seemed to be receiving from the school and his peers. She'd asked around about him, and was surprised at what seemed the deep division that existed in the school regarding Harry. The Slytherins, of course, despised him, as did most of Ravenclaw House which had only a solitary member support Harry, and that unusual blonde Ravenclaw was also ostracized by her House. Hufflepuff was a different matter, though. Cedric Diggory, their Champion, defended Harry vehemently. His was about the only voice in Hogwarts that had a kind word about Harry and as he was well liked in his House, many of the 'Puff students listened to what he said and also agreed with him. But, as Hufflepuff was seen as a lesser House, no one really listened to them.
Gryffindor was a very split House. A very small group of them tried to help and stand up for Harry, only to be shot down by the majority that wanted Harry out of their House. That small group had been bullied into silence, some of them even being beaten into accepting the status quo. The mere mention of Harry's name had either caused the Gryffindors she spoken to either cower in fear or be angered by the subject. With many questions still circling her mind, she made her way to the great hall, eager to spend some time with the mysterious enigma that was Harry Potter.
She was surprised to see Gabrielle already accompanying Harry at his table. She approached quietly, not wanting to interrupt the apparently deep conversation the two were having.
"But that doesn't make any sense…"
"What doesn't make any sense, Gabbi?"
"How do you play quidditch without brooms? Muggles are strange!"
Harry laughed, "It's called football for a reason. Tell you what, if you and your sister agree, I will see about going into the muggle world and taking you both to a football game. The only way you'll ever understand is if you see it for yourself."
"You promise? I would love to go!" she said excitedly.
"I promise. Now all you have to do is convince your sister."
She frowned, "That may be difficult, as 'no' seems to be the standard answer she gives to anything I ask of her."
"She just wants you protected, Lady Gabbi, that's what big sisters do."
"I know…it's just annoying sometimes."
"Listen, you are still young, and you have your whole life ahead of you. Plenty of time for you to learn and experience the world around you; don't be so quick to grow up."
"I see you've managed to enchant my sister, Mr. Potter. Please forgive my late arrival, I was detained by something I couldn't get out of." said Fleur as she walked up to the table.
Harry stood up to greet her, "It's good to see you again, Fleur. Will you join us? And don't worry about being late; I had the Lady Gabbi here to keep me company. I was just trying to describe the muggle game of football to her. She's under the impression that playing quidditch without brooms is rather strange."
"Well, isn't it?" she said as she sat.
"Not you too?" he said with a frown. "I guess I will just have to make some time to take you both to a game one of these days."
"Really, you'd take us into the muggle world?" she asked curiously.
"Sure, why not? It could be a lot of fun. Besides, knowing about muggles will stand you in good stead if you ever find yourself needing to distance yourself from the magical world." he said with a grin. "Also, I believe that you'd love going shopping there. Clothing is more varied and much more reasonably priced than anything you'd find in magical shops."
"Shopping?" she asked with a huge smile.
"Oh, now you've done it, Sir Harry. You said the 's' word. Now you'll never hear the end of it." moaned Gabbi.
Harry laughed at the sight before him. Two Veela's sat before him, one wearing a frown on her pretty face, the other with a look of longing on hers. "I suppose I set myself up for that one. But it's alright; I would love to take both of you shopping sometime."
"There is a Hogsmeade weekend coming up; maybe you could take us then?" asked Fleur.
"Why, Miss Delacour, are you asking me out on a date?"
Fleur felt her cheeks heat up, "No!" she responded heatedly, which caused both Harry and Gabbi to laugh at her.
"I'm sorry, Fleur, I didn't mean to embarrass you like that. Yes, there is a Hogsmeade weekend coming up, and if you can get permission from your Headmistress, I would love to take you both shopping. We could make a day of it?"
"Hmm, well, don't do the teasing thing too often. I will speak to Father; if I happen to frame it as an educational outing he should be more receptive to the idea of me and Gabbi leaving Hogwarts with you. He should then be able to convince Madam Maxime. You can arrange it?"
"Shouldn't be a problem." he said confidently.
"Well, then, I believe that the Delacour sisters are looking forward to spending the day with you, Mr. Potter. You'll excuse me if I concentrate on my breakfast now? I have a long day of lessons ahead of me, something I don't fancy doing on an empty stomach."
"Sure thing, enjoy your dinner. Call for Dobby if you need anything else. I've got to head to the library to catch up on some homework. Breakfast?"
Fleur nodded to Harry, a mouthful of chicken keeping her from replying. Harry chuckled at her, "I'll see you at seven, then. Hope you have a nice night."
"He's really nice, Fleur. Why do people look at him like that? It's almost as though they hate him or something." Gabbi said to her sister as she watched the good-hearted young man walk away.
"I don't know, Gabrielle, but it is something that I will find out. Now, you should head back to the carriage, you know how vexed Madam Maxime will get with you if you miss your curfew."
Gabbi sighed as she stood from the table. "Harry said I shouldn't be in a hurry to grow up. But, I do sometimes wish I was old enough to not have to go to bed so early."
Fleur laughed at her sister, knowing exactly how she felt. "He's right, you know."
"I know, still, it doesn't stop me from wishing it every once in a while."
ooOOooOOoo
Gathering her things after her last class the next day, Fleur headed down towards the Hogwarts library. She was intent on finishing the homework that she'd been given, but needed the resources of the library to complete her writing.
The Hogwarts library was truly a magnificent thing. No other school in the world held the collection of magical books that it contained. She was studious girl at heart, so she'd immersed herself in her studies. Having no friends, no social life to speak of, she'd decided early on in her first year to become an outstanding student. She'd aced her O.W.L.'s, and with the N.E.W.T.'s slowly approaching, Fleur had deepened her regimen of study. With the scores she expected to receive, finding an interesting career was foremost in her thoughts.
She noticed out of the corner of her eye the approach of the young bushy-haired witch. She seemed to be clutching the books she was holding like a lifeline, held tightly against her chest. Her head was down, but Fleur could tell that she was taking in her surroundings and making sure that they were alone.
"Miss Delacour?"
"Yes, is there something that I may help you with?" she asked curiously.
Barely raising her head, and looking around the now deserted library she replied. "My name is Hermione Granger."
"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Granger; would you join me?" she said indicating a chair next to her.
"Thank you. Forgive my forwardness, but I wish to know what your intentions are towards Harry."
Fleur raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "I have no intentions towards him other than becoming his friend, Miss Granger."
Hermione seemed to relax at that statement, letting out a sigh of relief. "Good, it's been too long since he's had anyone to talk to."
"He spoke of you, you know?"
"He did?" she asked in disbelief.
"He said you two used to be very close. He said that with deep regret, I think."
A tear escaped from Hermione's eye, "We were very close. He saved my life you know? He rescued me from a troll that had gotten into the school in our first year."
"Harry battled a troll? As an eleven-year old?"
"It was the most amazing and stupidly heroic thing I have ever seen. Without thought or care for his own safety, he risked his life to rescue me." Fleur noticed the look of, what was it, awe or maybe longing?
"And yet despite that, you seem to have abandoned him."
The pain displayed in the young witches face was clear for everyone to see. "I did."
"And yet you still care about him enough to ask about my intentions toward him? Most unusual, Miss Granger."
"He was the best friend I ever had. The best friend I will ever have. I didn't deserve him." she explained sadly.
"Don't worry, Hermione, I will do as you asked and not knowingly hurt him. My sister seems to have adopted him as an older brother, so that's at least two people that will look out for him." she said. Eyeing the young witch before her carefully, Fleur came to a conclusion. "Why didn't you tell him that you are being physically abused?"
Hermione's eyes shot up to stare at Fleur. A look of horror and shame on her face, "How could you possibly know that?"
"Don't think that just because I am blonde that I am stupid. My Aunt had an abusive asshole for a husband; she acted no too dissimilarly to the way you are behaving now. Eyes always downcast, shielding yourself with your books, extremely aware of your surroundings…need I go on. I realize I don't know Harry that well just yet, but I don't doubt for a moment that he would have helped you, saved you even. You knew him best; do you honestly think he would let anyone suffer what you've obviously been suffering? You should tell him, Hermione."
"I can't…I betrayed him…he will never forgive me. I accept this as punishment for abandoning him when he needed me most."
"No one should accept this as punishment. If you don't tell him, then I will." she threatened.
"No! You can't! They will go after him!" she shrieked at her.
"They, who is 'they', Hermione?"
"All of Gryffindor." she whispered.
"Why is there such hatred for Harry in that House?"
"It all started in second year, with the whole 'heir of Slytherin' problem. Ron Weasley was convinced that Harry was the Heir of Slytherin, and with Harry being a parselmouth, he was able to convince a lot of people to his side. I tried to defend him, I tried so hard…" she cried. "But I was taken aside by some of my year mates, Ron, Seamus, Lavender, Parvati…a few others. They dragged me to an abandoned classroom and beat me up pretty severely. Even then I wasn't going to betray Harry. It wasn't until they threatened to hurt him that I gave in to their demands, and added my voice to theirs in wanting Harry kicked out of Gryffindor."
"It may not seem like it, but that was a brave thing for you to have done."
"Really, because it sure doesn't feel like it; what kind of person does it make me? I betrayed my best friend!" she sobbed. Hermione could no longer contain the shame and heartrending sadness she felt, and completely broke down into tears.
Fleur, in an effort to comfort the young girl, rose from her chair and made her way to her. She placed an arm around the girls shoulder in support. Hermione looked up to her, tears marring her face, and crushed Fleur in a deep embrace. As Fleur wrapped he arms around Hermione, the bushy haired witch grimaced in pain as she pulled away from her.
"Hermione?"
"It's nothing." she said softly.
"Come with me!" she snarled, grabbing Hermione by the hand and yanking her out of the library. She half dragged her to the Beauxbaton carriage, ignoring the pleas from Hermione to be released from the death grip her hand had on hers. She went to her room, and sat the girl down on her bed before closing the bedroom door and casting a locking charm on it.
"Disrobe." she said gently. "You are injured my dear, and I can't help you if you don't let me see to your wounds."
"I can't…"
"Yes, you most certainly can." she said in a stern voice.
Reluctantly, Hermione stood and started to undress. Fleur's eyes widened in astonishment as she took in the myriad of bruises that stood out in sharp contrast to Hermione's pale skin. She waved her wand, casting the healing spells that would hopefully offer her some relief. "Why haven't you gone to the nurse, Hermione? These are severe; you might even have a cracked rib or two. And this cut is deep; whatever healing spell you cast on it wasn't nearly strong enough. It's reopened, and has stained your clothing."
"I was 'warned' not to go to Madam Pomfrey. They said that they would hurt me even worse. They said they'd go after Harry next. I can't…I won't, let that happen. Ron saw me say something to you that night you broadcast your allure in the great hall, and rightly assumed I mentioned Harry."
"Oh, Hermione, I don't think you know Harry half as well as you think you do. I believe he would have gladly suffered any attack on his person if it spared you any pain. Now, I want you to take a shower, the bathroom is just over there. I will have our elves clean your clothing for you and have it ready by the time you are done." She watched with sadness as Hermione headed to the bathroom.
"Dobby?" asked Fleur aloud, hoping Harry's friend would respond to her.
"Miss Flower asking for Dobby? How may Dobby help?"
"I need to speak to Harry right away, is there any way you could have him come here to the carriage. Or better yet, have him meet us somewhere private where we won't be disturbed."
"Dobby will speak to Harry Potter sir. Dobby is back soon." said the elf before vanishing with a pop.
Fleur knew that Harry would be worried, not only about her, but also about Hermione when he found out about the hell her school life had become. She could see no answer for the young witch though, as she needed to remain at Hogwarts until at least her O.W.L.S. Leaving any earlier than that would mean being obliviated of the knowledge of magic and the school.
"Harry Potter sir wishes me to take you someplace safe." said Dobby when he returned a few moments later.
Hermione, now cleaned and looking a bit healthier, came out of the bathroom. Dobby's demeanor changed the moment he saw her.
"Dobby will not take mean Grangy to Harry Potter sir! Mean Grangy bad to Harry Potter sir!"
Hermione started sobbing at hearing that. She fell to her knees, holding herself, as she lost what little sense of hope she had.
"Dobby, please, there is much to her story that you don't know. Harry will want to know what happened to Hermione. Trust me, please?" asked Fleur of the elf. Reluctantly, Dobby agreed.
"You will not hurt Harry Potter sir ever again!" he said as he grabbed Hermione's hand and held out his other for Fleur to grab. Fleur grabbed the elf's hand and they were popped away.
ooOOooOOoo
"Fleur?" asked Harry as he rose from the comfortable chair he was sitting in; setting aside the book he'd been reading. "Is everything alright, Dobby said…"
Harry noticed the young woman kneeling next to Fleur, sobbing quietly. What caught his eye though was the unmistakable bushy brown hair that hid the face of the crying girl. "Fleur?" he asked again, a hint of anger in his voice.
"Nothing in Gryffindor is as it seems, Harry. Listen to Hermione. Try to remember the friend you once had, and not the girl you think betrayed you." she pleaded.
Harry sighed deeply, "Miss Granger, you wished to speak to me?" he asked in a cold voice.
Fleur rolled his eyes at him, Harry caught it though. He just held up a hand, asking her for her silence.
"Harry…" began Hermione.
"I will only ever allow being called Harry by those I consider friends; do you honestly believe that I consider you a friend, Miss Granger?"
Hermione shrank back as if slapped. She raised her head and looked into those cold green eyes that had, once upon a time, looked at her with far more warmth. "Mr. Potter, all I ask is for you to listen to my story. If after I tell it you still never wish to speak to me again, I will certainly abide by that wish."
Fleur reached out to Hermione, and helped the girl to her feet. Hermione held on to Fleur as she was led to the sofa where she and the French witch took a seat.
"Where are we, Harry?" asked Fleur curiously.
"In an abandoned wing of Hogwarts; Dobby and I found it after I'd been tossed out of Gryffindor." he said quietly, casting his gaze at Hermione, who shrank back from the look and tried to hide behind Fleur. "As no House wanted me, the Sorting Hat classed me as a Houseless student. I had no wish to be in what the Headmaster called the "houseless" dorm, which I believe have never been used before in the entire history of the school. And so, here we are. I think I did quite well, it took some elbow grease and a lot of help from Dobby, but we've managed to turn in to a home."
"That is quite amazing, Harry."
"Miss Granger, your story…" he said, once again pinning Hermione down with those green eyes.
"Do you know what happened the day you were tossed from Gryffindor, Mr. Potter?" asked Hermione. "Ron, along some of the other second years, started badmouthing you to anyone and everyone that would listen to them. I defended you, as did Neville. We both stood up for you when no one else would, not even the twins, who we'd thought would be on your side no matter what. Neville was the first to crack, though, and I mean that quite literally. Did you ever wonder why he ended up in the infirmary the night before the House meeting? Ron, Seamus, and Dean jumped him! They broke three ribs, concussed him, and re-broke the wrist he'd injured first year."
Harry's eyes widened in surprise, "Ron…?"
"Yes, Harry, Ronald bloody Weasley beat Neville up so badly that the poor boy refused to speak up for you because he was terrified!" she cried.
"Why did he never say anything to me? He knows I would have helped him." questioned Harry.
"Anyone who knows even the slightest bit about you, Mr. Potter, know that you would have placed yourself in harm's way to protect someone who needed protection." replied Hermione. "The same thing happened to me…"
"Hermione?" asked Harry quietly.
She dared a look at Harry, and could see in his eyes the compassion he had for anyone needing help. "Lavender and Parvati cornered me in the girls' bathroom, cast a petrifico on me, and dragged me to the unused Gryffindor Head student room. The twins had passed along the password to Ron. And he, along with a bunch of others took turns punching me. Only on the body, though, because Ron was afraid that you'd notice any bruises on my face."
"Hermione, you must tell him everything." pleaded Fleur.
Hermione nodded at her, and turned once more to Harry. "You had been my first real friend, Mr. Potter, the only one whom I could count on to be by my side. So despite the beating I received, I told them all to go fuck themselves, I would not be abandoning you!"
"And yet at the meeting, you did abandon me to the cowardly lions." he countered.
"The rest of the group that had been manhandling me left, as they'd all had quite enough of hitting me. Ron stayed behind. He told me that if you were not chucked out of Gryffindor at the meeting he would rape me and stab you in the back."
"He said what?" Harry asked in an icily cold tone.
"Seeing your lifeless body with a knife sticking out of your back was my nightmare that night and for many nights thereafter. It's probably still my boggart too. And so I did what I thought was logical. I snubbed you, and endorsed the House in blackballing you from Gryffindor. I thought it was the only way to protect you." she finished in a soft voice.
Harry stood from the chair, pacing back and forth in front of the two frightened witches who had no idea how he was going to react. "You should have come to me." he said quietly.
"And to see you then killed by that backstabbing bastard! NO! I would have rather endured being violated by that red headed bastard than see you dead!" she said with conviction.
"And for two years you have carried this around? For two years you let me believe the worst of you?"
"It meant you were alive…"
"And why do you look now as though you've been put through the ringer?" he asked he with concern.
"I said something Ms. Delacour here," she said, indicating the witch she was still holding on to, "the night of the selection. I always do my best to make sure I'm not being watched. I let my defenses down, I guess. Ron must have seen; he must have overheard what…who… I was talking about and ran back to Gryffindor carrying tales. Ron and his bunch of bullies took their turns beating me, again."
"Stand up." Harry said brusquely.
"What?" asked Hermione, the fear obvious in her voice.
"I said. Stand. Up!" he repeated with more force.
Hermione looked toward Fleur, who was staring daggers at Harry. She slowly stood, holding Fleur's hand.
"Come here." he said now in a much gentler tone.
"What?" she asked confused.
Harry stood before her, a sad look on his face, as he slowly extended his arms out to her. "Come here." he repeated.
"But, Mr. Potter…"
"Oh, for the love of Merlin! Would you stop that Mr. Potter horseshit and come hug me already!"
Did she hear him right? Hermione lifted her eyes to meet Harry's; the look of disdain that she feared would be there was nowhere present in his gaze. He looked at her with compassion and concern, the kindness that she had missed from him all this time shone sincerely on his face, and it was all directed towards her: Hermione Granger, betrayer of friends.
"I don't deserve that…" she started to say before Harry marched up to her and wrapped his arms around her. The feelings that she had missed for so long had finally made their way back into her life, and all it took was a hug from her onetime best friend. She was now safe; safe from all the abuse she'd endured.
"I'm so sorry Harry…so sorry…so very sorry." she sobbed into his chest.
"Shush, now, my Hermione. Those bastards have laid hands on you for the last time. Dobby!"
"Harry Potter sir, I have already moved Miss 'Miones' things into the spare bedroom. Should I send for littlest professor?"
"If you don't mind Dobby? And I think you might as well grab Professor McGonagall too." Dobby bowed and disappeared.
"Harry?" the witches asked in unison.
Harry chuckled a bit, "I've made some friends since my time away from Gryffindor, Hermione. Friends that can see what's really going on in the school."
"Harry?" asked the diminutive Charms Professor. "Miss Granger? Miss Delacour?"
"Professor Flitwick, sir…" said a dumbfounded Hermione.
"What's going on Harry?" asked the stern looking woman who'd also just popped in.
"Professor McGonagall," started Harry, "how much bullying is going on in Gryffindor? How could you let that happen to children under your protection?"
"Nonsense, Professor McGonagall would never let that happen, Harry, and you know that!"
"I do know that they bullied me, it stands to reason that that bullying found its way to other people. I understand Neville was seriously injured a couple of years ago, why am I just hearing about this now? How could you think that it would be okay to not tell me that my friends were being abused because of me?"
The shame on McGonagall's face was plain for everyone to see. "I was ordered to ignore everything happening in Gryffindor. More, I was told I'd be fired if I didn't go along with the plans he'd set up for you."
"I take it you mean Dumbledore?" asked Harry.
Minerva nodded. She pulled her wand and conjured a chair into which she plopped into unceremoniously. "Since that terrible October night, the Headmaster has been manipulating your life in such a way that you'd follow the path he'd set before you. If I had to guess, I'd say it has to do with the Dark Lord somehow. I also think that he plans on using you as some sort of jumping board to garner more accolades for himself. It's sick, and disgusting, and twisted. He gave me no leeway when it came to you; it was his way and his way only. Even the bastard Snape had more say in your life than I as your Head of House did."
"I see," said Harry thoughtfully, "And the members of Gryffindor that are being abused by their housemates? What of them?"
"I've been ordered not to help them as well."
"Minerva, these are children in your care. How could you possibly do that to them?" Filius asked angrily.
"At first? It was difficult, but as the years dragged on it became less so. To my utter shame, I have brought disgrace unto a once noble House, and all because I believed in the venerable and respected man that is Albus Dumbledore. I'm more sorry than I can say, Harry. You were right; we follow the man like sheep and never once question his motives. And Filius, please, I could do without the condescension, especially from the Head of House where most of the bullies in school are."
"What?" stammered Flitwick. "Not possible, my prefects would have brought that to my attention."
"Not when they're also involved, sir." added Hermione.
"Miss Granger?"
"All your prefects are involved in the bullying sir. You don't believe me? Do me just one favor tomorrow, follow Luna Lovegood for the day. See what she has to put up with on a daily basis."
"You're serious, aren't you?" he asked.
"Yes, sir, I am. Luna is the sweetest and kindest person in Hogwarts, if a bit odd, and also one of the highest performing students in the school. Don't you find it strange that she hasn't a single friend in your house? If I had a chance to befriend her I would, in a second, because intelligence like hers is a gift that shouldn't be wasted simply because it's misunderstood."
"I helped her once, did you know that Hermione?" Harry asked. "It was last year; I found her wandering the hallways very late at night. All she was wearing was a threadbare blanket that she'd pilfered from a broom closet. Naked, cold, afraid, it was heartbreaking. I got her some clothing and sat and spoke with her all night. She said Ravenclaw had played a joke on her, pushed her out of the Crows Nest and left her to her own devices. Sir, in the muggle world that would be considered sexual assault; but not in our world apparently; and she didn't report the incident, I take it?" Professor Flitwick could only shake his head in disbelief.
"What the fuck kind of school are you people running here?" yelled Fleur in contempt.
"Miss Delacour..." started Minerva.
"No, this is wrong. It is the responsibility of professors to see this kind of injustice punished. You all speak of the supposed superiority of British Magical society, but in the few days I have been here I have seen nothing but bigotry, violence, harassment, bullying, hostility..." she cried. Harry walked to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She turned to him and cried into his chest, deep sobs of anguish at what she was hearing.
"Has it always been like this, ma'am?" asked Hermione.
"No, Miss Granger, it has not. In fact, most of this started in 1981. Interesting, don't you think, Harry?" asked McGonagall.
"Hermione, who else in Gryffindor is being harassed as you are?"
"Neville, for sure, we try to help each other out when we can. I couldn't tell you about anyone else. Anyone who stood up to Ron was put on the list of people to be abused. Most of those on the list just gave up, and have become just like him. Professor, House Gryffindor is more Slytherin than anything else. And I don't mean cunning and ambitious, either. All those things Ron used to spout about how Slytherin was evil is exactly what Gryffindor has become."
Minerva sighed in frustration. She had to come up with a plan, some sort of solution that would see her house become once again what it was intended to be. "Harry, I take it you wish Miss Granger to become houseless as well?"
"Yes, ma'am, and Neville as well; Professor Flitwick, after you follow Luna, and if you find that what Hermione has told you about her is true, please release her from Ravenclaw and allow her to come here as well."
"I will do as you say, Harry, as long as I am convinced with the veracity of Miss Granger's claims."
"Fleur, I hope you won't mind keeping all this secret for a while?"
"For you, no Harry, I don't mind at all. But keep in mind that my father is a powerful figure in France and in the world wizarding community; he will take very seriously anything I have to say about the deplorable state of the school and this country. He wanted an honest impression of Hogwarts, given the praise it is often given as being the best magical school in the world. If that is not true, then your Dumbledore has been lying through his teeth to the ICW Educational Board. If all the things I have seen thus far are only the tip of the iceberg, then you've had hundreds of students that are not receiving the education they deserve. Were it not for the tournament I think I would immediately leave this place." she said angrily.
"Okay, Harry, what do we do? Everything revolves around you. What do we do?"
A/N
Call this a flurry of typing, midnight ramblings, or simply a need to get an idea out of my head. Keep in mind that I probably won't work on this for the foreseeable future as I desperately want to finish the other two stories I have going. I suppose I just posted this because I wanted to, hoping people might just enjoy it even if it's a while before it gets continued and let me know whether they see whether an actual story can come from it. I intended, as I started, for it to be a Harry/Fleur, but the fanficker (?) in me just sees H/HR whenever he writes, I was thinking of changing it to that. Have Fleur as a big sister/mentor, you know? Plus, putting it up means I can free up some space on my entirely too antiquated laptop with its laughably miniscule memory.