Revised: 6/14/2019

AN: Hi everyone, thanks for all the favs and follows, I've been a lurker on this site for a few years and finally decided to try my hand at writing something for a change. Any criticism is welcome as I haven't done anything like this before and definitely will make mistakes. Two things to note for now. 1. Assume the third task took place on June 1st instead of the 23rd, this is just to give me a couple weeks before the end of term. 2. Harry passing out on return from the graveyard throws off the timeline a bit with Moody, this will be resolved later. Other than that everything is canon unless specifically stated or implied. Enjoy the Chapter!

Despite the tragic events of the 3rd task, and the resulting chaos both within Hogwarts and the politics of Wizarding Britain as a whole, Harry found himself surprisingly level headed.

As soon as he was deemed fit to leave the Hospital Wing by Madam Pomfrey, he immersed himself into his work, both seeking to improve the aspects of magic he excelled in as well as furthering his knowledge in those he didn't.

For the next couple of days Harry spent the majority of his time researching practical ways to improve his skills in magical combat. Despite having many extremely competent teachers at Hogwarts in the base subjects that contributed to fighting with magic, there was no instruction in applying those subjects in an actual confrontation. That side of Hogwarts education was normally delegated to Defense against the Dark Arts, and even then, primarily in NEWT years.

Harry had been graced with more than a couple "unique" defense professors over the years, including Quirinus Quirrel, hosting a shade of Lord Voldemort. A fraud and overall narcissist Gilderoy Lockhart, Remus Lupin who, although extremely cordial and a competent teacher, was still a werewolf that ended up running loose on the grounds fully transformed due to negligence. Even this year, Hogwarts had been graced with a paranoid ex-Auror whose overly suspicious disposition and tendency to fling curses at the slightest provocation were more of a danger to the students than the man's enemies.

To be perfectly honest, Harry still had his doubts about Moody. There was something distinctly off about the man. Regardless, the school lacked any formal guidance for learning combat, despite having many competent instructors available—hell the Weasley twins had mentioned that Flitwick was a pro-circuit duelist in his prime. Harry had his work cut out for him to say the least.

Taking full advantage of his exemption from all classes and end of the year exams due to his participation in the Ministry's death-Tournament, he began compiling a list of texts covering subjects as ridged as formal dueling etiquette to more practical underhanded tactics that could be used in a bind.

Making use of full access to the Library's restricted section as a Hogwarts champion, Harry had discovered several tomes that referenced combat magic that by ministry standards would be considered illegal to use for the majority of citizens.

Hermione would probably know the exact laws much better than he, but as far as Harry understood, those not included in this restriction were magicals belonging to the upper echelons of the ministry. Aurors and certain department heads would be the most likely. It would make sense, considering the dangerous nature of their jobs.

By that logic was it so unreasonable for Harry to learn such magic himself?

For many days after the completion of the 3rd task the students of Hogwarts would find Harry holed up in a corner of the library, surrounded by stacks of weathered tomes, many of which had faded with age. On one such day Harry sat alone pondering why the magic he was researching was restricted in Wizarding Britain more than any other magical nation. His thoughts were interrupted by the thud of a bookbag hitting his tabletop. The young wizard glanced up to see his first two friends joining him at his table.

"How're ya' doing Harry? it wouldn't be Hogwarts without some excitement at the end of term right, mate?" Ron's joke fell flat, but both of their smiles didn't reach their eyes, revealing his callous words were simply a front. Harry peered at his two friends over his stack of books, noting that neither of them would keep eye contact for more than a split second.

What could be eating at them so much? It was curious enough that they hadn't visited him in the hospital wing, but now they could barely look him in the eye...

Were they having second thoughts about being seen with him? Harry would have thought being friends for so long they would know better than anyone what kind of danger that attention would bring. With the Dark Lord having truly returned, could he really blame them for their hesitance?

Showing up with an upperclassman's corpse couldn't have endeared him to many people, despite holding none of the blame. He could only imagine what kind of eyes Cho would look at him with now. A few months back and the thought would be devastating, but Harry found that he had other things on his mind these days.

"Why are you holed up in the library mate? You were lucky enough to not have to sit exams, might as well take advantage of it, right? You're turning into another Hermione!" Ron's viewpoint was a bit presumptuous but not unexpected, and Hermione made her displeasure at the callous statement clear.

"There's absolutely nothing wrong with my diligence for schoolwork Ronald, and I'm glad to finally see Harry taking his schooling seriously! What are you studying anyway, Harry? Ron does have a point, you don't actually have to sit exams." Hermione's curiosity was poorly hidden, so he decided to indulge her.

"I'm revising the last four years I've spend here first, though that's only out of necessity. I need a stronger foundation if I'm going to be learning more lethal magic from now on." He held up some of the older tomes. "I can't expect to survive what's coming by wading along hoping for the best without actually putting some effort in."

Hermione, who after mentioning revising looked ready to join in, became a bit more wary having heard of the way the staff spoke about so called 'dark magic.' Ron however, having been raised with certain preconceptions was much more vocal in his response.

"Harry, what are you talking about? You can't learn those spells, you'll go dark!" the redhead said in outrage.

"What does that mean, exactly?" Harry queried, having been curious on the subject for a while but not having a reason to pursue an answer. "Does what you call 'dark magic' actually effect someone's judgement? Is it addictive? Does it actually harm the caster?"

"Well… you know… If you use dark magic you can never go back! Everyone knowns that!" Ron sputtered not expecting Harry to refute his claim.

"Who is this 'everyone' Ron? 'Cus that certainly not something I know. You gotta' understand that not all of us were raised in this world, some things that you take for granted are entirely new concepts for some of us." Harry stated logically, and while Ron looked skeptical, Hermione seem a bit more curious at the questions he was asking, her naturally analytical mind seeking answers to things she didn't understand. "Think about it, Hermione, in the nonmagical world if someone broke into your home you would be allowed to defend yourself with an equal show of force, right? How is this situation any different? The Death Eaters come in holding nothing back, if we want to survive, we have to do the same." He said impassionately.

"If you say so mate," said Ron, looking thoroughly unconvinced.

"If you think that's necessary Harry," Hermione said, finally speaking up with a sideways glance at Ron, wary of agreeing with Harry too much. She eyed the books of a darker nature in the pile with some distaste, "Just be careful, you know that certain magic is forbidden for a reason, you wouldn't want to lose yourself to power you know." Ron nodded along with her the minute her reluctance to learn darker spells was mentioned.

Harry was slightly irritated by the lack of faith but dismissed it as a lost cause. It seemed despite Hermione's inquisitive nature, her trust in authority figures still held a bit too much sway in her decision making. Perhaps in time she would lose that tendency, however Ron's point of view was too ingrained in his upbringing to be altered by anything less than a huge upheaval in his life, and frankly, Harry hoped his friend never had to experience something so traumatic.

The duo stayed with him joking lightheartedly for a couple more minutes but soon made up an excuse to leave. Oh, how the times had changed! Harry chuckled lightly at Hermione, making an excuse to leave the library while he remain diligently studying. He watched their retreating forms with a pang of hurt, knowing and understanding why they were acting so distant, yet wounded by it all the same.

Harry's reluctance to pursue any more restricted magic due to his friends' reactions was curbed by an unexpected source.

"For someone exempt from finals 'zat sure is an impressive pile of books 'Arry Potter" said a teasing voice from over his shoulder.

Glancing up to meet two cerulean blue eyes he took in the dazzling form of Fleur Delacour looking down at him. A small smile played at her lips.

"Today, the Triwizard Cup! Tomorrow, the World!" Harry replied, grinning maniacally.

Her smile split into a crooked grin, further enhancing her beauty. "You know it's not very nice to brag after victory Monsieur Potter" she joked with a pout.

"My apologies, Miss Delacour, I forgot my manners, and if it makes any difference your ferocity in the tournament was only matched by your beauty while out of it." The younger boy responded keeping up the formal charade.

Now Fleur was not someone inexperienced in receiving compliments. The cheezy one-liners spouted by the weak-willed fools worshiping her beauty were merely a formality by this point. However, the witch was caught off guard by the compliment from the boy who had shown her nothing but respect since they'd met, even if she hadn't done quite the same.

It was more flattering more than she cared to admit.

Covering her blush, she quickly changed the topic. "So why are you really surrounded in books, 'Arry? Something tells me world domination isn't high on your list of priorities, at least for now."

His mood darkening a bit from the playful banter between friends, Harry acquiesced, "Well, for the past couple of days I've been researching different ways wizards go about fighting…" He paused thoughtfully, before waving a hand over the table. "These books specifically are from our library's restricted section, this has probably been my most productive year at Hogwarts, considering the tournament and all, but with everything that happened at the graveyard I have even more of an incentive to really get used to fighting other wizards, not just completing tasks." Fleur listened pensively while he finished his explanation. "Some of these spells are somewhat… questionable in nature." Harry glanced at the silver haired girl as he finished his explanation, looking for the reactions he got out of Ron and Hermione but found none, instead he found Fleur staring back at him with a calculating look.

She finally spoke, "Why are you researching 'ze dark arts, 'Arry?" she asked simply. The look in her eyes told him that this was not an accusation, merely curiosity regarding his motives.

He took a moment to organize his thoughts before answering. "When I was in the graveyard with Voldemort," Harry began, recalling his brief skirmish with the dark lord, "he was firing spells off faster than I could even think to shield all of them."

Harry laughed humorlessly, as if a shield spell would have stopped the man…

"The gap in knowledge between us was too high... Before I can even think about improving my own ability and developing my own style I need to be aware of the magic he can use, even if it means mastering some forms of magic some would consider too dark for a student to know."

Fleur pondered his thought out answer before responding with a smile and nod, " Je suis d'accord, 'Arry, it almost begs 'ze question as to why 'zis curriculum isn't taught to Hogwarts students in 'ze first place, you'd 'zink with a powerful dark lord on the rise, understanding dark curses and 'ow to counter 'zem would be on 'ze list of things to teach non? I mean you even 'ave a subject literally called Defense against 'ze Dark Arts, for Merlin's sake!"

The French witch's small rant in his defense brought a grin to Harry's face, and with it, a sense of acceptance and friendship he had thought would be lost along with his best friends. "Do you mind if I join you in your research? I might be of some 'elp from my extra years of schooling" The older witch said, interrupting his thoughts, "I will be pursuing a mastery in enchanting but may be able to help since dueling is taught in 6th and 7th years at Beauxbaton."

Harry smiled and motioned for her to join him, scooting over to make room. For the next couple of hours, the pair poured over books, often discussing different facets of magic that Harry had always been curious about. He found quickly that his new friend was a well of information and somehow managed to not be conceited about it. That was not all the pair spoke of, however, often trading tidbits of their experiences over the years back and forth between studying. Fleur's adoration of her younger sister was apparent the more she spoke of her and giving Harry a glimpse of the charming and caring girl behind the mask of beauty.

In response Harry shared some of his more lighthearted experiences from Hogwarts, his first experience riding a broom, playing Quidditch, meeting his godfather, (although he refrained from going into too much detail on that for obvious reasons.) They fell into easy conversation and lost track of time before being eventually kicked out of the Library at closing time by Madam Pince.

After walking the French witch to the entrance to the castle, they bid each other farewell.

As Harry watched Fleur's retreating form as she headed towards the Beauxbaton carriage for the night, he couldn't help but notice the slight sway in her hips; although his feelings for Fleur at the moment were purely platonic, Harry was not beyond admiring her alluring figure as she waltzed back to her carriage. The day had left Harry in a surprisingly good mood and he was for once looking forward to what the next day would bring.