Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Warnings & Spoiler Alerts: Please note that this story will deter from cannon heavily. I also have taken liberty with the Auror ranks and departments. Also, this story was written a long time ago but I'm now posting this here and to AO3.


BORN FOR YOU - Chapter Two: Departure


Harry sat on Ron and Hermione's couch, rubbing his sweaty hands back and forth on his jeans. He felt he was about five minutes away from an apoplectic fit. Ron was standing a few feet away still kissing Hermione goodbye, completely oblivious to his best friend's breakdown.

"Bye, love, remember to Floo Mum or Fleur if you need anything," Ron said to Hermione while she stood on the tip of her toes, her arms twined around his neck. "I'll only be gone a few days, just till I get Harry set up, then I'll come right back."

Harry wanted to tell Ron to stay. His place was with Hermione, especially now she was pregnant, but he couldn't. He needed someone to help him search for Draco, but more importantly, he needed someone to keep him distracted or he would go mad with his own thoughts.

He was the great defeater of the darkest wizard of their time, hell he had statues raised in his honor. But just thinking about speaking to Draco again made him feel physically ill. Some hero he was. Breaking the cycle of his own dark thoughts Harry listened to his friends once more.

"I'll be fine, Ron. Honestly, this isn't any different from when you have to go on overnight assignments," she said gently. "And you," she said, walking over to Harry as he stood to meet her. "Try not to be too nervous. I'd be lying if I said I thought things are going to come easily for you, but you can make it work, Harry, you just have to try. Really try."

"I will. I want too, want to make it work I mean," he said with a nervous smile. "I reckon we should be leaving, it's almost eight now."

Ron nodded, shuffling over to the fireplace and shouldering his bag. "Ready, Mate?" he asked, clapping Harry on the back. "You look like you downed a box of puking pastilles. Maybe that will garner some sympathy points from Fleur…"

"Ronald!" Hermione scolded. "Do shut up, and let Harry do the talking, he doesn't need you angering Fleur."

"Merlin! I was just saying."

Harry watched Ron step into the fireplace, activating it with a cry of 'Shell Cottage!'.

"It's alright, Harry, go on," she said while pushing him towards the Floo powder.

Harry was reminded of fourth year when his name came out of the Goblet of Fire and he was so stunned, Hermione had to push him to get up and walk to meet the other champions with Dumbledore.

"Don't worry, Hermione. I'll do what I need to do, I promise," he said, giving her a brotherly kiss on the forehead before grabbing his own powder and Flooing off.


Ginny sat in Bill and Fleur's cottage watching Victoire toddle around the room happily, while her mother sat, stony-faced, and stared at Ginny from across the room.

"It's good to see you, Gin," Bill said, trying to break the tension.

"I missed you too," Ginny said, giving him a small appreciative smile. No matter what Fleur's feelings towards her, Bill had always remained constant in his affection towards his little sister, even if he didn't approve of her and Harry's relationship. "Harry is on his way right now with Ron. We wanted to talk to you, well… Mainly Harry needs to speak to Fleur if that's all right?"

At the mention of her name, Fleur looked surprised. "'Arry needs to speak to me?" She asked, just as the Floo in the main room roared to life spilling Ron onto the floor, and then a moment later, Harry.

"Ron? Harry? What brings you both here?" Bill asked, still bewildered from hearing they were to visit.

"Hello, Bill," Harry said, giving him a clap on the shoulder followed by a hug. "I was hoping to speak to Fleur. That is if you're not busy. I see Ginny is already here," Harry said, nodding towards Ginny awkwardly.

Fleur and Bill both looked at each other, picking up the tension between the pair. "Please, 'ave a seat, Ron… and you too, 'Arry. I theenk you best tell us what is going on," she said, looking between him and Ginny.

Harry shifted in his seat wondering about the best way to tell them, he figured the best way was just to get it out there. "Well…yesterday Ginny and I talked. Talked about our future that is, and well, we decided we didn't have much of one." Harry said, quietly and almost apologetically as he knew his words would hurt Ginny. He had to admit, the failure of their relationship would always sting.

"I do not understand, 'Arry. Do you mean you are not togezzer anymore?" Fleur asked, with a confused shake of her head.

"Yes, we decided it would be best if we parted ways, romantically that is. Things just haven't been right since..." Harry stopped talking and looked down at his hands. What was he supposed to say? Things hadn't been right since when? Since the beginning, if he was honest. His head jerked up in surprise when Fleur abruptly stood and she yelled at him from across the room.

"I can not believe what I am 'earing, 'Arry. We need to talk, in private I theenk. Join me outside," she ordered, already on her way out the front door. Harry scrambled to his feet, gave Ron and Bill searching looks before they shrugged and he hurried to follow her.

She didn't stop until she was well away from the house. Finally stopping only a few feet from the ocean's edge, she spun around quickly, slapping Harry across the face with a resounding crack. "Give me one good reason. Just one and you only get one chance. French women are impatient, 'Arry, do not keep me waiting long," she said, before walking about twenty feet away from him and then sitting down in the sand.

Harry didn't even bother to reach up and rub the sting away from his cheek. He knew he deserved that, he was lucky she was giving him the time he needed to form a coherent response. He didn't want to lie to her, so he couldn't say he was madly in love with Draco.

He knew he cared for him, and after everything that had happened, Harry wasn't sure he had ever been in love. Not with either Ginny or Draco. He cared for them to be sure, but in love? He just didn't understand the difference, and Hermione assured him there was one, repeatedly.

His feelings for his Veela mate were decidedly more passionate than his feelings for Ginny if his recent dreams were anything to go by, but he didn't know if that was enough to convince Fleur of getting a second chance.

Harry walked over and flopped down in the sand, bringing his head down into his hands rubbing his head. He didn't know what to do. He was a normal twenty-four-year-old man with flaws and worries same as everyone else. Defeating a Dark Lord certainly didn't make him prepared for the perils of love any more than the next man.

He suddenly felt the sand shift next to him. He looked up and saw Fleur sitting beside him before he looked down again, trying to hide his embarrassment. He felt an arm go around him, pulling him into her side with a quick squeeze before letting him go.

"Oh, 'Arry. You are so emotional right now zat you are practically broadcasting your thoughts," she whispered, trying to soothe him. "It is alright, you do not need to know everyzing about love, or anyzing for zat matter. You just need to know what you want and not let anyzing else get in ze way. The world is not your responsibility anymore, love must take priority. Do you want Draco? To be with him as husbands should be?" She asked him.

Harry could only nod, not daring to speak yet for fear his emotional state would erupt again, sending his thoughts out for everyone to hear. What if the others had heard or felt his emotions as well? He felt embarrassed and exposed.

"'Arry, can I ask you what made you change your mind?" she questioned, genuinely curious.

"That's the thing. I didn't change it, Ginny did. She brought up the whole thing and ended our relationship. If it had been up to me we would still be together. Arguing, laughing and then arguing some more," he confessed, finally looking up into Fleur's face, seeing the frown marring her beautiful features. "I know I'm indecisive, or more like I know what I want but I can't hurt others to get it, not like I did to him. I know I...desire Draco more than I do Ginny recently, but I couldn't leave her. I don't have anyone except for the Weasleys and Hermione, you know, and how could I hurt her like that, especially when everyone but you and Bill disapproved of him so much for all the things he did."

Fleur nodded thinking carefully on what she would say next, she was still angry but she needed to put that aside and remember Harry wasn't the only one at fault, that he and Draco together had made the mess that was their non-existent relationship. "You say you only 'ave ze Weasleys and you did not want to lose them by choosing Draco, but, 'Arry, Draco chose you. 'E lost his Fazzer and his Mozzer, and in the end, he ended up exactly what you did not want to be, alone. At least if you would 'ave gone with your 'eart you would 'ave had each ozzer. I also 'ave to say I do not believe the Weasleys would 'ave abandoned you, 'Arry, not for a moment, you did not give Molly or Arthur a chance to show you zey would support you."

Harry gave Fleur a small smile, even as she broke his heart a little bit more with each word. "You say he chose me but he didn't, you know that, not to mention his family."

"Draco will never be his fazzer, 'Arry, not ever. You should 'ave realized zat the night you were on ze astronomy tower."

Harry flinched as he remembered the night Draco had tried and failed to kill Dumbledore. "He never had it in him to do something like that, he could be mean as hell, but not that..." Harry stopped talking as what she said sunk in. "How did you know about that night on the tower? I never told you about that, only Ron, Hermione and high-level Order members know exactly what happened," he asked, bewildered.

"Draco told me 'imself," she said, defensively as she stiffened.

"But… how? You only met him a few times, why would he tell you something so personal… oh… oh my God!" Harry said, going pale. "You've been in touch with him this whole time, haven't you? You know where he is."

"Please calm down, 'Arry, Draco is family…"

"So because you both share Veela heritage means you automatically become chummy with each other?" He asked, a bit hysterically.

"No, 'Arry! It 'as nozing to do with our 'eritage. Draco is family because 'e is your husband. The Weasleys are your family, are they not? Which means Draco is my brother-in-law in everzing zat matters. I was not about to abandon 'im when 'e 'ad lost everyzing else already!"

Harry felt sick as her words shamed him. "I'm not angry or anything, just surprised. Does Bill know you're friends?"

"Yes, 'e is very fond of Draco, despite ze incident with Greyback. We did not tell anyone because believe it or not, I did not want to 'urt Ginny's feelings. She would not 'ave took kindly to us being friends with Draco," she tried to explain.

"I'm glad," he said as she gave him a puzzled look. "That means he at least had someone. I know he's probably made friends where he is, but I'm glad he had you as well."

Fleur gave him a sad smile. Part of her wanted to tell Harry how bad it had been in those early days and the other half didn't want to pile more guilt on top of him. Then there was Draco. She was sure he wouldn't appreciate her telling Harry about his private life. He definitely wasn't going to be happy about what she was going to do next.

"Alright. I will tell you where 'e is, but I want you to promise me zat you will bring him 'ome. He is 'appy where 'e is, but 'e has not been back 'ome since...well, since he left."

"What about his parents?"

Fleur shook her head. "Draco refuses to see zem."

That news certainly shocked Harry. "I will. I promise," Harry said with conviction. "If he accepts me I'll make sure to bring him back. Even if it's just for a visit and we end up living where he is now."

"You would leave everyzing? Your job as an Auror and the Weasleys to live with Draco on ze Veela settlement?" She asked in surprise.

"I think... I think I would consider it at the very least. It would be harder for him to acclimate to wizarding London again. People are still very bitter over the war."

Fleur nodded, satisfied with his promise and his willingness to give for his mate. "Draco is living in a Veela town called Elessar. It is a small town about an hour outside of ze large city of Valendil. Veela towns are not like wizarding towns, 'Arry. They are well guarded and normally only Veela mated to ozzer Veela live there, or Veela who 'ave experienced Tuor," she said, with a slight shudder.

"Tuor? What's that?" Harry asked never having heard the word before.

"Tuor means 'incomplete' in ze most basic sense of ze word to our people. It is a name we call Veela who 'ave lost their mates, whether by death or rejection. They are ze ones who end up alone. Only by returning to their people and receiving ozzer Veela magic, can they heal and survive ze separation. Until ze seventh year comes and zey can live on their own, but you already know zat part."

"Oh, so Draco is a Tuor? And he was healed? He's fine then?"

"Oui," she answered simply.

"I've read so many books back then, how come I never heard of this before? At first, I thought only the bond could ground a Veela to this world or they would die, I mean, it's why we bonded before I had to leave."

"Most of ze books on Veela are written by outsiders," she told him with an air of disapproval. "They are not made aware of everyzing."

That was a bit disconcerting Harry thought, had Draco known any of this? If he had known all that seven years ago then there would have been no reason for them to marry.

"What do you think I should do, Fleur? The seven year marker for the bond is over in two weeks. I don't know if I should show myself to him and use our bond or if I should wait and let him make his own choice."

"I can not tell you what to do, 'Arry. Only zat Draco felt much betrayed by you. Your bond is weak after all these years, so I do not know if even ze bond can help you now. If 'e is of a mind to push you away zat is. He will always be 'appiest with you, love only you, but Draco is still Draco and he is nozing if not stubborn."

Harry felt his blood run cold. "Are you saying that I have no chance? That even with the bond Draco might not have me?"

"Do not look so depressed, 'Arry! You 'ave love on your side! Say you two never met before and you saw him for ze first time, what would you do if you wanted to be with him? How would you let him know of your interest?"

"Err… I guess I would try to talk to him, ask him out on a date?"

"Oui! You must show him 'ow you feel by spending time with him. You will probably, what is it zey say, you will 'ave your work cut out for you. Just to get the first date, 'Arry," Fleur teased.

"Oh, God." Harry hung his head and stared at the sand. "I'm complete crap at that kind of thing. What if I say something stupid or do something wrong? Aren't there certain rituals I have to follow?" Harry stopped talking and felt his defensive wall come up when he realized Fleur was laughing at him.

"Oh, 'Arry, you 'ave always underestimated yourself. Look 'arder and you will see. Your faults are also a reason why Draco will love you, because you are you, and zey are part of you. Just try your best and 'e will see your sincerity, even if you are, what did you say... Oh, yes, crap at courting," she said with a decisive nod.

Harry sighed still looking a bit doubtful but feeling better all the same. "So how do I get to Elessar? Is it far?"

"It is not so very far. It is about three Apparition checkpoints from ze Transportation offices at ze Ministry. You will 'ave to go to Valendil first to obtain permission to go on to Elessar. It should not be difficult, seeing as you 'ave a Veela spouse zat resides there. If you left today you could be in Elessar by tomorrow. Oh, also be sure to retain a room in Valendil for tonight, the road to Elessar is going to be about a four or five-hour walk for you."

"Walk? I thought you said it was an hour away from the city. Won't we just Apparate there like we do to Valendil?" He asked.

"There are no Apparition points from Valendil to Elessar, 'Arry. And you can not Apparate there blindly, you 'ave never been, you could end up Merlin knows where!"

"But what about the residents? Surely they don't walk hours from town to town."

"You think like a muggle, 'Arry," she told him as she laughed. "Veela can fly zere in a portion of the time or if 'zey are part wizard or have wizard spouses 'zey can Apparate if 'zey 'ave been zere before. The city and towns you are going to are almost purely Veela so zis is not a problem for us. You will see what I mean when you arrive at Valendil."

"But what about Flooing or a Portkey?" Harry questioned her, legitimately curious.

"Ah, 'ose are purely wizard concepts. Veela only use 'ose when ze distance is too great to fly or if we live in wizard communities like I do with Bill. Some very influential families 'ave Floo networks but it is rare."

"Is there anything else I should know? Anything I should look out for?" He asked, standing up to make his way back up to the house.

"Hmm, most Veela speak English, but you and Ron may want to 'ave a translation charm cast on you at ze Transportation office just in case. Some of ze very old Veela still speak ze old language. Also be aware zat Veela are very proud. Don't let Ron's mouth get you into trouble."

"I will. Fleur, how can I ever thank you? For supporting me I mean, even after everything."

"Just bring him 'ome, 'Arry. Zat is all, I know Draco misses 'is maman."

Harry reached down to help Fleur out of the sand and they started walking back up to the cottage. By the time they walked through the front door, Ron was already standing with his and Harry's packs in hand.

They all stood and looked around at each other awkwardly, Ron being the one to break the tension. "Bill, Fleur why don't you walk me outside? I'm sure Victoire would love to be outside in the sun anyway, wouldn't you Vicky," he said, scooping up his niece while she giggled. "Harry, meet me when you're ready," Ron mumbled, giving Harry and then Ginny a sympathetic look before walking outside.

Harry didn't know what to say. Ginny was still sitting on the couch, shifting like she was uncomfortable. She was, uncomfortable that is. Fidgeting and tucking her hair behind her ears was always a sign of her nervousness.

"I honestly don't know what to say," Harry said as he sat on the couch next to her.

"You don't need to say anything, really. This is going to be awkward, Harry. No way around it as I can see it, and don't worry about mum and dad. I'll talk to them, they will understand," she whispered, giving him with a small smile.

"And you, what are you going to do now?" he asked knowing she would probably get angry, but needing to know anyway. He was surprised when all she did was sigh and shake her head at him.

"I'm going to be fine, Harry. I've been in touch with the Holyhead Harpies again, they are still interested. So I may get to go into professional Quidditch," she told him with a proud smile.

"That's brilliant, Gin. How long have you been in touch? Is anything finalized?"

"Not so far, they contacted me two months ago in March. I have a meeting with their Manager next week for a trial with the team. I'm hoping things will go well."

"That really is amazing. I never did think a job of shuffling paper at Gringotts suited you, you're much too— "

"Temperamental?" She interrupted, with a wicked grin.

"Yeah," Harry agreed, smiling back at her as he got to his feet. "Something like that."

She rose alongside him and walked him to the door. Before he went outside she grabbed his hand. "I would hug you goodbye but I don't think I want to suffer a zap from your bond. This isn't goodbye anyway, Harry."

"You're right, this is…just until later. I promise I'll stay away until we both become more accustomed to this, Ginny, but we will see each other again and as friends," he said, squeezing her hand.

"I know, if there is one thing I have learned over the years it's that you would never hurt me, not intentionally. Now go on, they're waiting for you, you know."

He slipped his hand from hers and made his way out the door and into the sunlight. Ron was waiting patiently, talking to Fleur and Bill. When he saw Harry, he turned from his family and waved goodbye.

Ron jogged up to Harry, throwing his pack at him. "Tired of holding that," he grumbled, teasingly. "Are you ready to go? Fleur has let me in on some of what you said. Where we need to go and how to get there mostly. Since we're off to the Ministry why don't we go to the Burrow first and then we can Floo directly into the atrium from there with Dad's connection? I don't fancy flushing myself down a toilet today."

Harry laughed and nodded his head in agreement. A moment later he watched Ron Apparate off to the Burrow with a crack. Harry took a second to look back at Bill and Fleur and waved before he followed.


Harry stood in line with Ron at the Transportation Offices. He was hot, he was sweating, he was being pushed against people he didn't know, in short, he was miserable. They had been in line for almost three hours and he feared by the time they had their turn, he would be too tired to Apparate the several times it took to get to Valendil.

"It's almost noon, at this rate we won't get to Valendil until well in the afternoon," he said. The only indication that Ron had heard him was a grunt, which Harry knew to be agreement.

Number 5,394 please step up to desk 139, number 5,394.

Ron kicked something non-existent with his feet, slouching and looking severely bored. "I've heard them Sonorus at least a few hundred different bloody numbers, what's our number again?"

"You sure you want to know?" Harry asked, not one trace of amusement lacing his voice.

Number 5,395 please step up to desk 34, number 5,395.

"Perhaps not," Ron muttered, rubbing his eyes. "This place makes me want to kill myself, Harry. It has to be the most depressing place on earth, who the hell could work in this department?"

Number 5,396 please step up to desk 2, number 5,396.

"No idea," Harry replied.

"You don't think you maybe could… you know?" Ron trailed off giving Harry a secret look while pointing to his own forehead. He immediately stopped when Harry gave him a withering glare that would rival Mrs. Weasley on a bad day. "Alright, no need to get your knickers in a twist," Ron snorted, trying not to laugh.

Number 5,397 please step up to desk 154, number 5,397.

"Harry? Harry Potter? Merlin's beard, it that you?"

Harry turned around and couldn't help but smile as a wave of nostalgia came over him when he saw Dennis Creevey shuffling through the crowd towards them.

"Dennis? What are you doing here?" Harry asked.

"Oh, I work here, well not out here in front, but in the back controlling the Apparition points; sometimes I work the Portkey areas too," he said happily.

"I can't believe you work here," Ron said, incredulously. "It's a complete madhouse!"

"Oh, it's not so bad really, not where I am. Though I agree it is a bit chaotic up here," he laughed. "So, you're here, I take you two are traveling?"

"Yes," Harry confirmed. "We're on our way to Valendil, though we're about two hundred numbers away still."

"Two-hundred? Harry! You're not serious." Ron said, hysterically. "I really wish you hadn't said that out loud, Mate."

Dennis laughed at Ron's despondent look and couldn't help but take pity on him. "Come on you two," Dennis said, motioning for them to follow. "I'm sure no one will mind letting you go through without waiting, considering who you are."

"We can't do that!" Harry protested while Ron looked like he would murder Harry any second. "Look, Dennis, I appreciate the offer, I really do, but I don't like to use my name like that."

"Who said I was talking about you? He's a bit full of himself isn't he?" Dennis said, winking at Ron. "I was talking about the great Ron Weasley, of course, he's a war hero you know."

Harry couldn't help but laugh and nod his head in agreement, while Ron looked relieved. They followed Dennis to a desk that just finished sending an older couple through to their journey points. "Hey Vamella," Dennis said, addressing a pretty blonde witch behind the help desk. "This here is Ron Weasley and err…Neville Thomas, my friends from school. Think you could get them through? Their number is really far off."

The girl looked up at Ron excitedly while Harry shrunk himself off to the side, hiding his face behind an Apparition safety pamphlet. "Wow! Ron Weasley! You fought You-Know-Who with Harry Potter himself. It's an honor to meet you."

"Well, you know, did what we had to do… and… yeah." Ron said, turning beet red. Harry was holding onto the pamphlet trying not to shake with laughter.

"So, Vam, think you can?" Dennis asked. "I'll buy the first round tonight at the Leaky."

"Oh, alright. What is your destination, Mr. Weasley?"

"Valendil," Ron said.

"Will you be making the return trip back through the Ministry?"

"Oh, we may be. Not sure when our trip will be ending so we're kinda flying blind right now."

"I completely understand. Just remember you can use the Apparition points you used to get to Valendil to return, but only on the odd minutes of the hour for departures. The even minutes are only for arrivals. Be sure to remember, we don't need any accidents or splinching on our hands," she said with a smile.

"Of course not, even times for arrival, odd for departures, got it."

"Wonderful! Now if you'll just step through the fourth door to your right, there will be someone to explain the traveling process in more depth. Have a pleasant and safe trip Mr. Weasley, and you too, Mr. Thomas."

Ron nodded while Harry put himself behind Dennis as all three of them walked toward the fourth door.

"Alright, this is where I leave you," Dennis said. "Have a safe trip and come by and see me sometime, we should all go for drinks soon, yeah?"

"Sure thing, Dennis, thanks for helping us through. We really appreciate it, Ron especially," Harry teased as Ron cuffed him on the shoulder.

"Don't think on it, see you two later then," Dennis remarked, waving before getting lost in the sea of people on the other side of the desk.

"Wow," Harry said, "He was almost—"

"Calm?" Ron offered.

"Yeah, not nearly as excitable as he was in school," Harry agreed.

"Well maybe since he always was so damn chipper, this place doesn't make him depressed like a regular person; it just makes him… normal," Ron said with laughter.

Harry shook his head and went through the door; he saw several circles on the ground, reminding him of Apparition lessons at Hogwarts.

"Where are you off to, boys?" A man asked while ushering them both into one of the rings.

"Valendil," Harry replied.

"Alright, Valendil it is then," He responded. Then the man waved his wand around a sheet of paper before lowering it to wave it around the circle they were standing in. "Looks like that's three Apparition points boys, that makes two long-distance jumps, one from this point and one from the next until you get to the third and final point. Just tell the others at the next point your destination, and you'll be sent right on to Valendil. Remember to only turn on the even minutes and keep your hands and luggage in the circles, they help boost your long distance travel and will direct you to your destination," the man explained.

"Now, on my mark turn, and don't fight the magic that guides you or you could end up Splinching yourself," he clarified. Harry thought this was a crazy way to travel while Ron looked like he was having no reservations at all, which was surprising since he was the only one of his friends who had ever actually been Splinched.

"Ready?" The man asked. "Alright, here we go… one…two… three… mark!"

Harry turned with a crack and instantly felt the sick feeling he always experienced while Apparating. Just when he was starting to wonder what was taking so long he spat back out into some unknown location and another man counted down for them to spin again. This time Harry was prepared for the longer travel time, and when they arrived in the middle of a forest, he could only assume they were in Valendil since they were ushered off the point and were told to take the path till they reached the city.

"Wow, wouldn't want to do that every day but that wasn't too bad," Ron turned to say to a slightly green Harry. "Right, I forgot magical travel doesn't sit well with you, let's go over here and sit down for a bit."

Harry followed thankfully for the break. He sat down and leaned on the old tall tree and grabbed a bottle of water out of his pack.

"That was insane," Harry said between deep breaths and sips of water. "I don't know what's worse, that or Portkeying."

"Definitely Portkeying, that makes even me sick. So what's the plan from here? Fleur didn't say much, only we have a journey ahead of us."

"She said we would need to get rooms for the night because it's a four to five-hour walk from here to Elessar. She was right, there is no way I could walk five hours after all that nightmare. We also need to get permission to travel to Elessar."

"Five hours, huh? That's quite a trip," Ron said, thinking out loud. "Where do we go to get permission?"

"I've no idea, Fleur didn't say. Maybe some kind of wizard embassy? We can ask someone at the hotel," Harry proposed while standing up and shouldering his pack once again. "Let's go, I'm starving and there is no telling how far we will have to walk to find lodging."

They walked down the tree-shaded path until Harry could see a large door starting to take shape. It was massive, at least the size of the front doors into Hogwarts Castle, if not larger.

"Look at that!" Ron said in wonder. "What do you suppose we do? Knocking seems a bit ridiculous doesn't it?"

Harry was just about to agree but stopped when he saw the massive doors open inward as if welcoming them on their own. All they could see inside was sunlight; it was spilling out of the doors, beaming onto the shaded forest road almost blinding them.

Ron and Harry looked at each other, knowing they both were thinking it was suspicious. It could be harmless, but where they came from, doors that opened by themselves and beckoned you inside practically screamed dark magic.

"Well, what do you think?" Ron asked.

"I don't know. Fleur said it was well guarded so I sort of expected to see guards at the entrance. We'll just have to go through, the men at the Apparition point said this was the way."

"There probably are guards, we just can't see them. Well, go on then," Ron said.

Harry hesitated for just a second more before walking forward until he was through the doors on the other side, Ron right behind him. What they saw astonished them both.

Harry knew he must look ridiculous, standing in the doorway, looking around trying to grasp the scope of what he was seeing, and all with his mouth hanging wide open.

"Bloody hell," Ron murmured. "Veela don't do anything by halves, do they?"

Harry nodded his head in agreement. As far as he could see there were large stone and wood towers of incredible varying height. Massive balconies and indoor rooms completely exposed to the outdoors. It was like every building was made for indoor and outdoor living combined, which made sense, seeing as Veela could fly.

"Look, Harry," Ron whispered in awe.

Harry followed Ron's line of sight and he could see what the redhead was so taken by. Veela were flying from building to building, landing and then taking off again. It was a beautiful sight to behold.

"Their wings, I thought they would be more like a birds," Ron muttered. "But they are more like scales than feathers. Almost like a fish or—"

"Dragon wings," Harry offered as he looked up at the shimmering colored wings of a Veela male taking back off into the air. He noticed that each Veela's wings were different, like hair on humans. The Veela were all blonde but their wings were each distinctive in coloring and size.

"Come on Harry, we must look like idiots standing here gawking," Ron chided, moving forward onto one of the main roads.

The roads were filled with merchants, selling everything from food to handmade goods. Parent's shopped while children ran around the streets chasing each other. It was like a massive Diagon Alley, Harry thought.

As they made their way deeper into the city, Harry noticed that they were being stared at by quite a few people. It must seem odd, he thought, Two human wizards among so many Veela. "This must be how Fleur feels living among our kind," Harry ventured.

"Probably," Ron agreed. "Look, Harry, there's a restaurant. Let's stop for some food and we can ask them about a place to stay. This place is enormous; there must be at least two inns on just this one street alone."

Harry grunted in agreement and made his way into the restaurant. Like the other buildings, it was made as both an outdoor and indoor space. The room was elegant in a rustic way, large slabs of wood for tables and stumps for backless chairs.

Harry made his way over to a table and took a seat, thankful to finally be sitting somewhere for more than five minutes. From the look he saw on Ron's face, he could tell he was exhausted as well. Long distance Apparition took a lot out of a wizard.

They sat at their table waiting patiently for their waitress. They had already been given menus, served cold water and some kind of green juice. Harry had no idea what it was and supposed it was something local.

When their waitress came around to take their requests, Harry just quickly pointed something out on the menu, so hungry he didn't care what it was. By the time they had finished eating, they both seemed happier and Ron suggested a nice, long nap. Harry couldn't have agreed more.

"Excuse me," Harry said, grabbing the attention of a waitress walking by "we were wondering if you could direct us to a hotel?"

"Hotel?" She questioned.

Ron snickered at what he liked to call, Harry's Muggle showing through. "He means an inn; we need to find rooms for the night."

"Oh! There is one just around the corner, to your right. It's called The Champion. It's the only two-story building on the street so you can't miss it, it's so much shorter than the rest. Owned by a human wizard they say," she told them, before shuffling off to serve other people.

Harry turned to ask Ron if he was ready to go when he saw his friend with his head cocked to one side, staring at the waitress with a dreamy look on his face.

"Ron," Harry said but received no answer. "Ron… Oi! Snap out of it. Ronald!"

"Huh! What?" Ron mumbled as he snapped out of his Veela induced trance. "Bloody hell, that's not going to happen the whole trip, is it?"

Harry laughed, "I hope not or we won't get very far. Keep yourself together would you? I don't want to have to explain anything to Hermione, like me having to stun you to keep you off the pretty Veela girls."

Ron sputtered indignantly. "I would never… I can't believe you would imply that I would do that. You know how they affect me. I can't help it, I mean look at them; they're all wearing those shirts that expose half their back and shoulders, even the men. Not a robe in sight."

"I'm sure a robe would be a hindrance when they need to bring out their wings to fly, but I can see your dilemma," Harry chuckled, grinning and looking around, getting an eyeful of beautiful men and women everywhere.

"Let's go, I'm tired and I want a bath," Ron complained, he stood and led the way off to the inn they'd been directed to.

Harry followed silently all the way to the inn. He seemed somewhat calmer about what he needed to do the next day. Maybe he was just tired, or maybe it was being within miles of his mate, but he felt like he could do anything to get back what once was his.


Merry Christmas everyone and comments welcome. :) Thank you to DreamsReality for editing this chapter.