Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. No money is being made off this fanfiction.

Wow, thanks for all the great reviews and alerts(though I hope you would have reviewed). I hope you guys like this chapter.

Sakura Lisel: Actually, Petunia did hear his plea when Harry called for her but she didn't reply, abandoning him there. I hope that makes it clear.

obsessivegirl73: Yes, of course they are still going to have gabrielle.

HappyCthulhu(Did I get that right?): Maybe I can help with the time frame part. Harry is four, making Fleur seven which makes Gabrielle's birth when Harry turns seven. A beta, huh? Hmm, maybe later.

Yes, this is strictly going to be a Harry/Fleur story. I'll just spin it that way around even though it may be a bit difficult.

Also, some may complain about Dumbledore's OOC behavior in this chapter but not to reveal too much, it is all happening for a reason...


Harry Potter and the Path of Chaos

By DarkLordRising

Chapter 2

Part I: Consistent Behavior

Harry stared fearfully as he gazed at the doorway of Number 4. He reached up to knock but hesitated. An impatient sniff sounded from the man behind him. Harry sighed, resigning it all to be a bad dream as he knocked.

"Yes, who is i-YOU!" Petunia exclaimed, with widened eyes. "What are you doing here? You are no-"

"I believe this place is the home of Mr. Potter, isn't it, Mrs. Dursley?" The old man asked, placing a warm hand on Harry who felt an impulse to shrug it off.

"Y-You!" Petunia stuttered, unable to speak as Dumbledore carefully allowed himself inside and closed the door behind him.

"Harry," Dumbledore said, turning to the boy with a kind gaze. "I believe you should go to your room while I have a talk with your relatives." he turned a harsh glare at Petunia who whimpered.

"Yes, sir." Harry answered, obediently as he had been told to by the Delacour family.

"Good." Dumbledore went on into the living room, leaving Harry beside the stairs. Harry cringed as he heard the protests from his uncle and aunt along with his cousin and decided to listen in. He leaned forward and glanced at the keyhole.

"You have been most unhelpful," Dumbledore said. "I tried...really. What were you thinking leaving him alone?"

"W-We protest!" Vernon said. "This is illegal, my good man. I will not have that-that hooligan under my roof ever again."

"You will." Dumbledore said, glaring at Vernon with a cold expression. Vernon unconsciously leaned back in his chair. "You have ignored my request of keeping the boy on edge...Why?"

"It's not normal," Petunia answered. "The neighbor's would be suspicious if the boy is given more chores or starved. Even if the freak deserves it."

"Now, now, did you forget our agreement?" Dumbledore asked. "As long as Harry calls this place his home, the protections would protect you from any of our kin-"

"But not you!" Vernon protested. "I have had it. I will not have the boy. I am not a ruddy innkeeper!" Harry had a sudden urge to laugh at his uncle's statement but he squashed it down. Innkeeper's were supposed to be kind.

"The boy was beaten to point of a broken arm, elbow and a bruised knee." Dumbledore recited, ignoring Vernon's protest. "Why may I ask the proper medication wasn't given to him at that time?"

"You really think we'll answer that?"

"I merely want the boy on edge...a bit saddened at his life with you," Dumbledore said, shaking his head. "I would appreciate it if you would not hurt the boy physically in anyway that can not be healed. Even little beatings aren't fine. He is not to be harmed physically."

"This is not normal!" Petunia cried. "W-We don't want this...We don't want him." she spat.

"Harry Potter will continue to live here until his time at Hogwarts finishes," Dumbledore said with hardened eyes. "You will be sufficiently rewarded for his upbringing...keeping in mind my order's are followed. It was a happy mistake that the boy doesn't know about our kind and believes he was healed in a hospital. Needless to say, this mistake should never be made again..."

"Leave..." Vernon said, standing up to open the door. Harry barely had the time to scramble back into the cupboard.

"Very well," Dumbledore said, appearing in the hall. "But my wishes are to be followed to the letter."

"Boy?" Vernon called, when the door closed and Dumbledore had vanished. Harry fearfully opened the door.

"You are to stay in your room throughout the day. You will only be let out at meal times which you would be in charge of preparing. You will do the garden everyday. I want it perfect..." Vernon said, gruffly. "We don't want you here and we know that you don't want to as well. Keep quiet and don't trouble us and we'll not bother you. Understand?"

"Yes, sir." Harry replied, meekly. Vernon nodded, walking away without another word. Harry sighed, climbing onto his small bed as he closed his eyes. He was asleep in a few minutes.


Harry opened his eyes. He was surrounded with darkness. He reached up and put on his glasses, glancing at the time. It was midnight. Without a moment of hesitation, Harry tiptoed towards the main door and opened it. There was a brief flash in the distance. If he strained his eyes, he could make out the robed figures. He smiled. The Delacour's had arrived. Just as they said they would.

Harry let out a deep sigh of relief. He had been a bit scared when Jean had told him that an old man would come and take him to the Dursley's and that he would have to listen to the old man.

Some of the tension had subsided when they had said that they would come and take him away at midnight but Harry still hadn't been too sure about it. Jean had then proceeded to use a spell on his forehead, winking at him and saying that it would protect Harry from lice. Harry didn't believe that at all and had been a bit peeved when they didn't tell him what the spell did.

Harry gathered all amount of control not to run to them, instead choosing to look around carefully to make sure that the occupants of Dursley house were asleep. Satisfied, Harry silently closed the door and tiptoed towards them. It would be bad if the neighbors heard him.

"'Arry?" Apolline called softly when he reached them. "Have you got everything?" Harry nodded. The moon bathed the area in light. He could make out Jean and Apolline flushed faces in the darkness. Apparently they had been walking a bit.

"Sssh!" Jean whispered, with a finger on his mouth. He offered his hand to Harry who accepted. Jean waved his wand at the door of Privet Drive but nothing seemed to happen. Jean on the other hand looked satisfied with the result and led the three into the dark night. After walking a few minutes in silence, Harry glanced at Apolline.

"Where are we going?" Harry asked.

Apolline smiled and whispered a single word, "'ome."

After they had turned a corner, Jean instructed Harry to grab an old shoe. Feeling a bit silly, Harry grabbed it and watched Apolline and Jean mirror him. With a small twist of light, the Delacour's and Harry vanished from sight.


Harry gapped at the scene before him. The Delacour's and he had just teleported in front of a huge mansion. Even though the mansion was modestly spaced and richly decorated, Harry barely spared it a glance as he turned excitedly to Jean and Apolline. They had just teleported! It was much more important than a house!

"We just teleported!" he cried. Jean and Apolline stared at him, wondering what teleportation was. When Harry explained, Jean in turn explained the principle and restrictions of Portkey's, sparking a small debate on Portkey vs. Teleportation.

"Come on," Apolline said, leading Harry towards the giant double door's before the conversation could go on. They were greeted by a small creature when they entered, making Harry's eyes widen in shock. To him, the creature looked like something out of a cartoon.

"Master and Mistress have returned," The creature said, bowing. Harry's eyes bulged as the creature's ears flapped and it's mouth widened into a sincere smile. "The house is being kept in pristine condition. Would you like anything, Master?"

"Good job, Doux." Jean said, switching to English so that Harry understood what their head-elf, Doux was saying. The elf reddened in embarrassment as its grin widened.

"Master is too kind to Doux, is there something Master desires for the evening?" Doux asked, again.

"I want the guest room next to Fleur cleaned and proper arrangements to be set up, we have a new guest that will be staying with us..." Jean said, clapping a hand on Harry who was still too amazed by the elf to speak.

The two steered him inside the mansion, navigating him through wide hallways and imperceivable rooms before they stopped beside a grandiose ball room which was also coincidently being used as a dining room. Fleur was nowhere to be seen as Apolline guided Harry towards a chair.

"Where's Fleur?" Harry asked, softly, still trying to process the information that an elf from Apolline's tales actually existed.

"She wanted to stay up to wait for you, 'Arry but she fell asleep..." Apolline said. "You must be hungry. Eat up!" she said, as an assortment of food suddenly appeared on the dishes before them. Harry stared at the variety of food, wondering if it really was polite to take a bit of everything when Apolline dumped most of it all onto his plate.

"Eat up!" she commanded, forestalling his protests with a hand.

Harry obliged, a bit nervous at first before the atmosphere relaxed as the topic moved to Quidditch and magic in general. Harry was in the middle of discussing what was the better position to play in Quidditch with Jean when he yawned.

"Bed..." Apolline said, glancing amusedly at his empty plate. Jean led him out of the dining room and towards the guest-room that had been prepared for him. Harry was a bit happy to note that it was exactly opposite Fleur's. Now they could even play in the night!

Harry started when Jean rolled the rug over to Harry's neck and lightly pecked him on the head. Jean smiled, wishing him a good night before leaving. Harry blinked tiredly, storing away the information that he had just been tucked in for the first time in his life. He was asleep within minutes.


"Maman?" Fleur cried, arriving to breakfast with an excited aura. "Is 'Arry here?" Apolline nodded tiredly, rubbing sleep from her eyes. Fleur nearly giggled in happiness as she ran off to find the Delacour's newest guest.

"Whazz goin on?" Harry gasped, as he jerked awake. Fleur screamed, making Harry echo her. Calming down, Fleur glared at Harry who glared back.

"Don't ever do that again!" Harry muttered.

"How was I supposed to know waking you up was taboo?" Fleur asked.

"W-What?" Harry asked, confused by the foreign term.

"Taboo; restricted," Fleur explained, narrowing her eyes. ""Arry?" Harry looked up.

"Do you know how to write?" she asked.

"Y-Yeah." Harry hesitated.

"Write good morning on zis page for moi." she demanded, handing him a piece of parchment and a quill from the unused desk on the far end of the guest room. Harry hesitated, glancing at the offered parchment before sighing. He was sure they were going to send him back to the Dursley's now. They wouldn't want someone like him.

"I-I don't know how..." Harry relented.

"Merde..." Fleur muttered, caught off guard. Harry seemed pretty knowledgeable when they talked to him but to think that a four-year old didn't know how to write was beyond her. She had started to write the minute she was able to speak French properly. "We will 'ave to talk to maman and papa about zis..."

Harry nodded stiffly. She didn't want him here now. He was sure of it. He was glad he hadn't unpacked the clothes Apolline had given to him yesterday night. He would have to return them now.

"Come on!" Fleur said, grabbing his arm and dragging him down to the dining room. He was halfway through the aforementioned room when Jean and Apolline's raised eyebrows reminded him that he hadn't worn anything over his night suit. In his hurry, he had forgotten to put on the night robe Doux had supplied him sometime last night.

"Maman, papa!" Fleur said, turning to them. "'Arry doesn't know 'ow to read and write!" she nearly shrieked, horrified that such a great error had been made on her part. Harry looked down at the floor, a bit ashamed.

"Of course not, Fleur." Apolline told her, gently. "'is education is one of ze many things zat have been neglected by 'is relatives. We will discuss zat later...What do you have planned for ze day?"

A bit placated, Fleur nodded before perking up as she tilted her head to the side.

"We will go shopping for clothes, 'e will need a 'aircut, ze Delacour signia must be imprinted on 'is robes, we should start preparing 'is new wand, 'e will need some books to learn spells, 'e must be registered at Beauxbatons-" Jean interrupted her daughter's rant with an amused smile.

"My dear, you can't possibly do that in a day!" he said. His wife and daughter turned to him with a surprised expression.

"Of course we can, papa. Maman and I did more zan zat yesterday..."

"O-Oh! Err...Carry on then."


Chapter 2

Part II: Confrontation

Jean sighed, leaning back in his chair as he stared at the fireplace.

"I take it the plan worked then?" Frank asked. His face appeared exhausted as if he had been up all night.

"Yeah," Jean replied. "Dumbledore took the bait. I still can't fathom that a man of his stature practices illegal Legilimency on unsuspecting people like that...If Harry hadn't been protected by the spell..." Jean shook his head.

"Responsibility...it drives a lot of us to believe what we do is for the good." Frank murmured. "Still, I can't believe how Mr. Budding found out about Dumbledore's Legilimency obsession..."

"We all have contacts in place, Frank..." Jean replied. "It's how we got to the top, isn't it..." Silence reigned as the two drank from the glasses.

"You think he will find you?" Frank asked.

"Undoubtedly," Jean replied. "Even though he believes that Harry doesn't know of magic and that I was just a friendly visitor, he will try and make me back off...He wouldn't want me gaining control of Harry again..."

"Hmm..." Frank closed his eyes. "Look at the bright side, at least he doesn't know that Apolline and Fleur are involved..."

"I am afraid, Frank..." Jean whispered. "Afraid that he will do something to me..."

"Why?"

"He didn't have any tracking charms or wards on Privet Drive. Sure it was an advantage in getting Harry out from his grasp but it's not a good sign. It's like he believes he's going to cut off all loose ends..." Jean hesitated. "If something happens to me, nobody would be there to take action against the Dursley's..."

"Nobody knows where Harry Potter lives after all," Frank agreed, turning to his friend in concern. "Are you prepared?"

"Yes." Jean replied. "I have taken every precaution I can given what we know of the man through Lionel's connections but still-"

"It's not enough..." Frank said, standing up. "Look, get some sleep. It will do you a world of good."

"Funny, I was about to say the same thing," Jean replied when Frank yawned. "I need to finish off some paperwork. I'll have time for a nap later."

Frank nodded, smacking him on the shoulder in goodbye before he stepped towards the fireplace.

"If he does get to you, just kick him in the balls. It's the most effective." he chuckled. Jean nodded.


Jean looked up from his desk as Doux entered the study.

"What is it?" he asked.

"A visitor is being asking to meet you, sire" Doux said. "Shall Doux tell guest to wait?" he asked, glancing at the enormous amount of paperwork on Jean's desk.

Jean sighed. It had better not be another reporter. He had had it with them trying to gather information on the recent ICW meeting in Germany. He was not going to disclose any secret details and discredit the Family name.

"Who is it, Doux?" Jean asked.

"The guest is saying his name was Al-Albusse Dumblydoor, sire" Doux said, mispronouncing the unfamiliar word. Doux had only recently started learning English so as to make sure Harry wouldn't feel left out.

Jean stopped. The quill in his hand dripped ink on the parchment, ruining the precious Ministry Document. He hesitated. So, the old man had found out about him. Jean sighed, nodding his head.

"Send him in, Doux..." Jean said. "-And make sure we are not disturbed."

"At once, sire." Doux said, bowing as he left.

Jean hesitated when Doux left. Perhaps it would be unwise to face Dumbledore alone. He shook his head. No, he couldn't call Frank or Lionel. He couldn't reveal his hand too early. Even having Apolline near him would be calling for a mishap. Thank god, she and the kids had gone to the Ally for a spot of shopping and wouldn't return till late.

The door opened as Jean looked up. Albus Dumbledore calmly walked in, his expression neutral. His long white bear clashed terribly with the purple night-robe he was wearing. Jean crinkled his nose in disgust. Didn't the old coot know to display proper manners before the Head of the Delacour Family?

"My apologies, Monsieur Delacour for bursting in unannounced..." Dumbledore said, sitting down without an invitation. Jean nodded stiffly.

"Yes, I was quite surprised to hear from you, Mr. Dumbledore." Jean said, pointedly turning to the parchment before him. "What business do you have with me?"

"I assure you, Monsieur, that the matter is of the utmost importance." Dumbledore said, calmly waving his wand at the mountain of paperwork on Jean's desk. It vanished with a brief pop and re-appeared on the floor beside a bookshelf. The quill flew out of Jean's hand and landed on top of the paperwork. Jean's lips tightened but he didn't comment.

"That can wait until later, Monsieur..." Dumbledore said. "This can not."

"What seems to be irritating you so, Mr. Dumbledore?" Jean asked.

"I believe you have made acquaintance of one Mr. Potter, is it not so?" Dumbledore asked.

"Oh! him! Yes, sweet boy. A bit shy but...I didn't tell him about magic of course since I do know about the Statue of Secrecy that Britain practices...so, I am wondering why you, A Ministry Official, are here...I hope I didn't break any other laws..." Jean trailed off, a practiced sheepish expression on his face.

"I take it your family hasn't met the boy?" Dumbledore asked, after assuring Jean that he hadn't.

"No. Fleur and Apolline are away on vacation and I am hoping that appeal gets approved soon so that they get a great welcome home present. My wife and I have been trying, you see..." Jean said. Dumbledore nodded, the twinkle in his eyes growing brighter at the mention of the last part.

"I wouldn't worry about the appeal now, Monsieur. However I am a bit surprised that you wish to take him away from his loving relatives..." Dumbledore asked, tilting his head. Jean smile didn't wane.

"Legilimency won't work on me, Mr. Dumbledore..." Jean said.

"Loving relatives?" Jean continued, ignoring Dumbledore's expression of shock. "The boy told me a lot about his treatment at the hands of his guardians...I was under the impression that by usurping your authority as guardian, I was helping the boy." Dumbledore's eyes narrowed.

'So he knows the boy's my guardian...' he thought, staring silently at the man before him. 'It's a good thing he didn't tell his family then. Perhaps, I should give it another try...'

"How indeed?"

"By rescuing him from those relatives of his, of course." Jean replied, ignoring the mental probe sent his way.

"Rescuing him?" Dumbledore retorted. "I assure you, Monsieur, the boy is quite happy there and I would wish you would stop trying to take a little boy away from his loved on-"

"Oh! Drop the act, Dumbledore!" Jean snapped. "We both know that he is starved and beaten at that house. You and I both know that if you really wanted to help the boy, you would have agreed with the decision. He will be much happier here, you know that!"

"The boy's happiness is of no concern to you, Mr. Delacour" Dumbledore said, the twinkle in his eyes had vanished. "You are not the boy's guardian."

"And neither should you be!" Jean snapped. "You are unfit to be the guardian when you continue to make sure that the boy is unhappy at his relatives house..."

"I repeat, the boy's happiness is of no concern to you, Mr. Delacour." Dumbledore said. "There are greater things at work here that you wouldn't understand. It is for the greater good-"

"Oh, shut it!" Jean interrupted. "That line may work on your lapdogs at the Ministry, Dumbledore. They won't work on me. Why shouldn't the boy be happy? Why shouldn't the boy live a little? What is the good in stripping a little boy of his happiness?"

"You continue to oppose me?" Dumbledore asked, softly. "Even when I have explained my reason to you?"

"What reason?"

"It is for the greater good of Wizarding Britain if Harry Potter is raised by the Dursley Family," Dumbledore said. "There are some greater things at work here, Monsieur Delacour. Leave this matter alone. Harry Potter is of no concern to you. You would not understand..."

"You call that a reason?" Jean retorted, disbelievingly. "It is for the greater good for a country if a boy is beaten and starved by his relatives?"

"I have spoken to them. They are ashamed of their behavior and will rectify it immediately-"

"Right!" Jean nodded. "And you'll be plotting your own death by the time you turn a hundred and fifteen." he retorted, sarcastically.

"You don't believe me?" Dumbledore asked, a bit surprised at having his authority challenged. Nobody had called him a liar before. Even underhandedly.

"Of course I don't!" Jean said, mockingly raising his left eyebrow.

"So, you will continue to oppose me..." Dumbledore said, softly.

"Yes." Jean replied with a sigh. "Now, it will be for the best if you would lea-" Jean made to stand when Dumbledore pointed his wand at him.

"I had hoped for it not to happen like this...I had hoped you would come to your senses. But you can't convince everyone what you do is for the greater good...It is just as Severus told me...I should have expected resistance..." Dumbledore mumbled, a bit unsettled.

Jean hesitated, slowly reaching for his own wand while Dumbledore was distracted with his inner monologue.

"I am sorry to say, you're family will not be getting that welcome back present..." Dumbledore whispered with a sigh, stopping Jean in his tracks. His wand was just inches away from his hand.

"Obliviate!"


A/N: The next chapter's gonna have three parts to make up for the cliffhanger. Reviews and Suggestions are always appreciated. Hope you all liked this one.