Harry Potter and the Reaper's Horde
A/N: So this is my first fic... P.s. Review! This fic is going to be purely HP/FD.
Super! Harry, AU.
DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter franchise is owned by J.K.ROWLING. I do not claim to own any character (unless it's an OC).
Parts of the story might be taken from books, proper credits will be given, where due.
CHAPTER 1: Where It All Began.
Fleur Delacour sat on a rock facing the Black Lake, watching the sun set. It had not been a good day.
Apparently, the marriage contract submitted by the Malfoy family, to her grandfather, demanded that once she turned 16, she was to be the bride to some brat, a few years younger than her. It was believed that the contract was signed under duress, but did that matter now?
No, it didn't.
It may have been her grandfather who was made to sign the contract, under duress, but it was her life, her life that was being given up.
The term 'bride' was a loosely used with the Malfoys. She knew that they only wanted her for her father's money and maybe because she was part-Veela. She knew what awaited in her future. Even on the continent, there were hushed whispers of the under handed tricks the Malfoy patriarch had used to accumulate his wealth.
It wasn't that the family was known only for its deceptions, no, the Malfoys were infamous for their intolerance for anything not of 'Pureblood'.
But, did that matter now?
"Not one bit!" Fleur thought bitterly.
That was not how she had envisioned her life. No, she had dreams, and those needed to be fulfilled.
"But what was the use of these thoughts now? Now, when she, and her family couldn't fight anymore, just watch in dismay as she gave away her life, to fulfil the wishes of some brat.
Now, that she thought about it, her thoughts turned darker with dejection and dismay. The ceremony being held tomorrow, might as well be her funeral. She knew that she had to escape it, one way or the other. Now that she thought about it, the Black lake waters, calm and deep, seemed alluring. So did the Forbidden Forest on a full moon night, no less.
At least, she would be free and it would be her choice.
With that thought, she broke into tears, tears of sorrow, rage and dismay.
Rage, that her once promising future, her dreams were being torn apart by some godforsaken contract. Dismay that her shackles were almost upon her. Sorrow of never being able to see her family again. Of never having the choice of choosing her own path.
Thoroughly burnt out by the dark thoughts running rampant in her mind, Fleur had just stood up from her perch atop the rock, when she felt it.
She didn't know what caused it, but her mind, tired as it was, was suddenly tingling with a deep primal fear, as if whatever caused it was some malevolent force out to hunt tonight.
Now, fleur felt something entirely different from the dismay and rage that she was previously feeling, now she only felt fear, and a sudden urge to hide. Acting on that urge, she ran for cover. Only that cover was the Forbidden Forest.
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With Harry Potter.
Harry Potter, 13 and orphaned, was meditating in a clearing very near to the Forbidden forest. While the Forest was a dangerous place to be near at any time, dusk was a particularly dangerous time. Yet he sat here meditating, for that was his way of keeping his cool at Hogwarts.
While, he felt at home in Hogwarts, it was tiring to deal with all the pointing and staring that occurred every time he interacted with the student body at large.
At least the students were yet to arrive. With all the drama occurring at Privet drive , the Headmaster had thought it better to bring Harry to Hogwarts early, even if it was by only a couple of days. So here he was, meditating, it had become something of a routine to him. While the place was dangerous, he was not alone. Hagrid's hut was only a stone's throw away from where he sat and Hagrid had roped in his , acquaintance, for lack of a better word, to help keep an eye on harry as he meditated every day.
Professor Dumbledore had commented on how beneficial it was for him to meditate, about how it focused his mind and magic.
The situation with professor Dumbledore had baffled Harry quite a bit. On one hand, he respected the man very much, not for his exploits, but for his wisdom, but, on the other hand this was also the man responsible for sending him to the Privet drive every year.
Unable to decide what he wanted to do about it, Harry had settled into something of a frigid, distant respect for the Headmaster.
While every day, he felt some measure of peace when he meditated, today, Harry was restless. It felt as if his magic was alight with the restlessness. It seemed as if the Forest itself was tensed, as if expecting something. For once the meadow was quiet, too quiet. Nothing moved, not even the chirp of insects could be heard. Instead of calming him, this had Harry even more tensed.
Opening his eyes after a few futile tries to meditate, harry put on his glasses and looked around. Even Fang seemed tensed. The large boar hound sat as alert as Harry had ever seen him.
"Mr. Potter, I think it's time we headed back isn't it?", Firenze asked him. Harry quietly cursed under his breath about being startled, but nodded all the same and started walking alongside the centaur to Hagrid's hut.
"Sir, if I may ask a question …", Harry ventured, unsure about how to address the centaur.
The centaur just looked at him and nodded, "What is happening in the Forest?" Harry asked bluntly, and upon realizing, hastily added, "Sir".
"That we don't know, Mr. Potter, only thing we've gathered is that something seems to be headed our way. Something momentous." answered Firenze, solemnly.
"Firenze! Good ter see ya, my friend!" Hagrid greeted them, "lets head to the castle 'arry . "
Harry nodded and started heading towards the castle as Hagrid related his greetings to Firenze.
He was a little way away when he heard Firenze calling out to him, he looked back to see the centaur headed towards him at a brisk pace with Hagrid.
Just as the duo reached him, Firenze began "Take care, Mr. Potter, Mars is unusually bright today.", as he finished, Firenze all but turned around and ran towards the Forest. At this strange turn of events, Harry looked to Hagrid for an explanation. Hagrid just waved off his concerns saying that Firenze was needed by the herd.
Harry was walking back to the castle with Hagrid, engaging in small talk, when it happened. Harry just stopped walking and stood still, it took a few moments for Hagrid to realize that his young charge had stopped walking.
Harry had stopped walking, something was off with his magic, like it was telling him to go the other way, towards the Forest. Just as he was about to ignore this strange feeling, he saw a vision. The vision was gone in a moment, but what it had shown him, had made Harry realize just why he was needed there.
So, he ran, towards the lake, to where he was needed.
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With Fleur.
She knew something was coming her way and she ran. She ran for cover to the edge of the forest, so she could hide. Even if she was contemplating jumping into the lake, she just knew, that she didn't have it in her to cross that line. So wand in hand, she ran for cover.
Just as she was about to duck behind one particularly thick bush, she felt something grab her arm. Felt, but didn't see. Whatever it was that grabbed her, had grabbed her wand arm. Its touch so cold that it burned against her skin. She saw her wand clatter to the ground and with it her last hope was gone.
"At least I will be free…", that was her last thought as she felt this thing beginning to sap her energy, she felt extremely tired. Just as she was about to faint she heard a voice, it sounded desperate, but she didn't recognize it.
All she saw was a flash of silver, it lasted for a moment and then it was gone, both, the silver fire and the being sapping her strength. Unable to remain awake anymore, she fainted.
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With Harry.
He didn't know who she was or even where she was, all he knew was, that she needed help. So he ran, letting his magic guide him to where he was required. Just as he reached the edge of the forest facing the lake, he saw her, held in midair, something, silvery flowing from her into that black 'mist' that held her up.
He didn't know what to do, or what this mist was, so he tried the first spell that he remembered.
"Stupefy!"
That caused the thin stream of silver exiting the girl get noticeably broader, as the spell passed through it. All he could do now was watch as this girl died. He didn't know why, but Harry felt an overwhelming need to save her.
As the creature hastened whatever it was doing, Harry desperately racked his mind for anything he could do to help, but to his dismay, he came up with no solution. Just as the creature was about to kill her, Harry's wand reacted to his emotions. On its own accord, it pointed towards the black mist and shot out a torrent of silver-gold flames that seemed to hurt the mist enough to drive it away from her. His work done, Harry stumbled towards the girl. The flames seemed to have taken their toll on him, as mid-way he slumped to his knees, exhausted. He could her the noises in the distance, at least they were safe now. Harry had passed out from exhaustion by the time Dumbledore and McGonagall reached them.
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Author's Note: And that's all for now! Hope y'all like the rewritten chapter!
