Harry Potter and Morpheus's Plea

Rating: Teen

Warnings: Occasional bad language, action violence, fluff, spoilers for those who have not read the books & ooc main characters.

Standard Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling and do not own any of the copyrights to any borrowed characters or locations used in this work and this is not written for profit. All other known characters and locations borrowed in this work belong to their respective copyright owners.

Authors note: Wow, once again I am floored by the reviews coming in, I know this story might not be too everyone's taste, but too bad. I'm getting a lot more reviews telling me it's great so I'll keep writing it the way I'm planning on writing it. Now a few have been telling me to get on with a chapter of reactions so here we are as we mark the beginning of the next section of the tale.

Chapter 5: And the Truth Shall Set You Free

Alphonse Delacour sat in the stands set up besides the freezing lake with his wife fuming inwardly as he thought of the Triwizard tournament and its organisers.

'To involve willing participants is one thing, to take hostages is another, Gabbi and young Hermione no less? I swear if something happens at the third task, that will be the last straw.'

Cornelius Fudge moved among the four champions, spacing them out at regular intervals along the lake shore. Alphonse couldn't help but notice the strain on the man's face as he tried to act like his usual public self.

'In his position it is hardly surprising he is feeling the strain, I cannot believe Bagman could be so foolish, all the bludgers must have damaged his brain.'

The fallout from the article had been a massive blow to the British ministry, forcing them to extradite the disgraced wizard to goblin custody and make reparation payments to the tune of 20,000 galleons to the goblins and compensate the victims who'd been conned by the man. Already some on the Wizenagmot were calling for Fudge's resignation though he was managing to hold his post for the time being with the backing of his usual cronies.

A whistle blew and Alphonse directed his gaze back to the champions, watching his eldest daughter cast a charm upon herself and dive into the freezing water .Before noticing the young man who had been the catalyst for so much change for his family drink the contents of a glass phial, the effect quickly giving him gills as he followed suit.

'A distillation of the gillyweed plant, that is quite clever,' thought Alphonse feeling rather impressed despite his grim mood.

Apolline turned to face him from where she was sitting to his right, 'Will they be alright Al?'

'Yes poppete, if Fleur fails, her knight will succeed in saving Gabbi. If what I've learned of him and his history is any judge, he will not stop until they are both safe.'

Alphonse drew his wife close to his side as he felt her shiver and cast warming charms over them both and wrapped a blanket around their bodies.

'Thank you Al, but a swimming task in the middle of Febuary where the audience can't see what is happening? Honestly, who approved this? That Bagman perhaps?' Apolline huffed.

Alphonse chuckled at the put out look on his wife's face and thought of the hectic few days he'd had, using the chaos at the British ministry as an opportunity to carry out his own political manoeuvrings to help his daughter and her young knight past a lot of the difficulties he laid squarely at the feet of one Albus Dumbledore.

'Old fool, cannot see the trees for the forest anymore. I think his retirement would be the best for the greater good when this is over.'

Alphonse flooed into the Ministry that day and made his way up to the DMLE office and soon knocked on the director's office and was admitted to find his old friend Amelia Bones midway through a large pile of paperwork.

'Ahh, Alphonse, this is a pleasant surprise my friend, what can I do for you?'

Alphonse put his briefcase on the desk and snapped it open before pulling out a dossier full of documents he'd obtained from his contacts and a phial of memories which he passed over to his old wartime ally.

'We have a situation on our hands Amelia, one that will rock the magical community to ze core. My daughter recently came into the possession of some rather alarming information on recent events concerning young Harry Potter, zat with his consent she passed onto me. Events which I have reason to suspect have been covered up for reasons relating to Albus Dumbledore's so called greater good.'

Amelia's face had been hardened by long service to one of the roughest lines of ministry work but she was still shocked at the words coming from her French counterpart's mouth.

'How did she get this information in the first place? My Susan tells me he's normally tight lipped about his private life, and who can blame him to be honest. '

'It would seem Monsieur Potter took a great deal of offence to a comment Fleur made on ze night of ze champions selection and zen somehow managed to successfully cast ze plea of Morpheus on her. She owled me after she had spoken to him and got his consent and I was luckily able to open a dialogue between us and find him quite the sensible garcon. I wrote to a few old wartime contacts I still keep in touch with to do a little clandestine digging to verify a few facts he gave me but what was revealed was ze tip of ze proverbial iceberg I fear.'

Amelia's surprise rose even more, but her face hardened as she skimmed the documents in the dossier.

'Why now? Why wait until now to contact me?'

'Because zere are two ozzer matters of import that we must discuss relating to zis issue and if we can deal with zem while the bulk of ze ministry is too distracted to notice it would be better for all involved. Afterwards ze rest can be dealt with at out leisure once we involve Monsieur Potter directly as his testimony will undoubtedly be vitally important in deciding how best to proceed in solving ze crisis Albus 'as created.'

'Our first issue is zat Fleur has chosen to bind young Harry to her as her knight, zis being done to save his life as she has sensed something terrible in zat scar which I will fully explain in private later, hopefully with imput from ze both of them as Veela are much better informed in zeese matters zan I. Because of zis, young Harry will now fall under ze jurisdiction of ze Fench Ministry Veela Liaison Office Regulation 7 subsection 3. In zat as an underage orphan who has been bound by a knighthood bond, he is to be fostered by the parents of ze veela who bound him until he is old enough to wed ze veela. Unless an approved guardian is already in place who can assist him to understand ze ramifications of ze bond. When I spoke to ze goblins in ze probate department at Gringotts they revealed zat his legal guardian is none other zan Sirius Black, who is still bound by ze godfather ritual.'

Amelia's jaw dropped, 'but that would mean he couldn't have betrayed them or he would have died from the penalty….Oh Merlin! Bagman being guilty of trying to cheat goblins is one thing, a wrongful imprisonment scandal like this is another, have you spoken to him Alphonse?'

'Oui, I sent him an owl with a communication mirror and after persuading him to come to France I had him escorted across ze channel by muggle means. He presented himself at ze ministry in Paris yesterday where he requested political asylum and was formally questioned under veritaserum. Ze memory transcript is in ze phial and he is now in a safe place and has already reluctantly agreed to sign over guardianship for ze time being while he undergoes medical and psychological treatment for his ordeal and ze matter is being formally settled with your government.'

Amelia quickly retrieved a pensieve and soon entered the swirling substance landing in what looked to be a standard auror interview room seeing Sirius in a chair with two French aurors standing beside him, while Alphonse was carrying a vial that Amelia recognized immediately as Veritaserum.

'Monsieur Black, you have consented to ze use of Veritaserum for your questioning, but be aware zat anything you say shall be considered evidence in a court of law. Do you understand and consent to zis?'

'Yes, I'm glad to see the French do things by the book even if the English don't, so let's get on with it director.'

'Oui, Jacques, administer ze serum.'

Amelia watched as Sirius was dosed, andhis eyes developed the unfocussed look of a subject under the influence.

'Very good we shall start with ze standard questions, what is your name?'

'Sirius Orion Black.'

'Which house were you in at Hogwarts?'

'Gryffindor.'

'Good, very good, now to business, were you ever a Death eater or a Voldemort sympathiser?'

'No, never, I'd had enough blood supremacists and dark arts at home growing up, I'd never join them.'

'Were you ze secret keeper of ze Potters?'

'At first I was, but after the death eaters started paying too much attention to me James and I switched to Peter, so I could act as a diversion to throw them off the scent and make sure they couldn't torture it out of me.'

'What did you do when you found zat ze Potters had been attacked?'

'I went to Peter's house and found him gone and then realised what he must have done and what I'd inadvertently put in motion. In my rage, I went looking for Peter and found him a few days later in Manchester. He shouted to the whole street about how I had betrayed Lily and James and I drew my wand to curse him. He must have drawn his behind his back, and blew the street apart, and escaped in his animagus form.'

'Peter Pettigrew is an unregistered animagus?'

'Yes, he along with myself and James Potter succeeded at becoming animagi during our time at Hogwarts, Peter can transform into a common garden rat.'

'Why didn't you explain all zis at ze trial?'

'There wasn't a trial, when the aurors got there, they just led me away and stunned me once the muggles were out of sight. When I woke up I was in my cell at Azkaban and the only thing that kept me sane was the thought that I was innocent.'

'Very well, zat will do for ze time being, Gaston, administer ze antidote if you please.'

Amelia exited the memory shaking her head

'Bloody Crouch, and damn that fool Fudge, I swear if I had any idea…Well, you did the right thing coming to me Alphonse. I think our best bet right now would be to pay a quick visit to the Offices of Child Welfare and International Magical Cooperation, fill the guardianship forms in and then bury them among the paperwork, maybe muddy the waters by adding in a routine complaint about the tournament officials at the IMC. Things are a madhouse right now so I doubt if anybody will notice until it's too late to stop it. Especially if we have the guardianship file restricted as pertaining to sensitive ICW matters, which they do. Even if the Black situation blows up in our faces, legally we can't arrest him now because as you know, magical France revoked the extradition treaty after that awful mess in 81, and his claim of asylum was perfectly legal under ICW regulations.'

'Damn blood purist bigots, zat muggleborn witch was defending 'herself.'

'I know that and you know that, but back then the hardliners had even more power than they do now, luckily the ICW put up enough of a fuss that they had to let her go. I don't blame your government for revoking extradition as a protest. But now's not the time to talk about that, let's get on with this.'

Alphonse smiled as he thought of that day, the paperwork had been filed at both the French and British ministry and he had no little doubt anybody in England would be able to stop the change of guardianship in time. Though the contents of the young man's file proved rather odd, and gave him more reasons to feel suspicious of Albus Dumbledore's actions. While Alphonse was satisfied he'd done what was necessary he knew he'd be in for a tough time explaining his actions. From Fleur's letters and the few contacts he'd spoken too he could tell that young Harry had an intense dislike of things being decided for him with no consideration being given for his own opinion. But he was confident that he would eventually manage to help him understand that he and Fleur had both acted only to make the best of a situation that by rights should have been explained to him and rectified years ago.

His musing was interrupted by a nudge from his wife and a chorus of cheers as he watched Harry and Fleur break the surface together holding a young red headed boy and Gabrielle between them. Alphonse rose from his seat and held a hand for his wife before walking swiftly towards the pair who were being fussed over by the school matron. As they moved closer Viktor Krum and Cedric Diggory appeared, both holding their respective hostages before all were huddled together and checked over.'

Alphonse paid little attention to the judges and as soon as he was able he drew Fleur aside noticing the scrapes and bruises marring her skin and asked,

'What happened flower?'

'The grindylows attacked me papa, Harry came and helped me escape them and we worked together to finish the task.'

'That was a clever plan of his using Gillyweed extract, not that the bubblehead charm was a bad idea, and it worked quite well for you.'

'Yes, Harry owl ordered the plant, I suggested he make the potion to help im ingest it easier.'

'Well the tournament matters little flower, at least you're all safe now. I think it is time we all explained ourselves to Monsieur Potter though we both know he will be angry with us, I have permission to take both of you and Gabbi back home for a few days, officially for recovery and family business.'

'Yes papa, that is long overdue, I have hated having to keep secrets from him and the bond should be strong enough to protect his mind now. But he will need someone else he trusts beside him to help him adjust to this.'

'Yes, I have considered this and his godfather is waiting for us, but be aware this will not be easy for him. Is there anyone else close who might also assist?'

Yes papa, Hermione Granger, is closest friend would be a good choice. But how will you convince Hogwarts to release them both?'

'Leave that to me, while Dumbledore seems rather negligent in his interpretation of the laws, Minerva McGonagall isn't.'

So later on that day after changing into dry clothes and being urged to pack a bag with a few days' worth of clothes, Harry found himself and Hermione being led into Professor McGonagall's office by Fleur.

The stern witch wore a determined expression on her face as she surveyed them.

'Alphonse contacted me and showed me some of what he's found, and for what it's worth I'm sorry for all that I'm responsible for, especially your first year with that infernal stone. I warned Albus, but he wouldn't listen to me, I don't know why he acted as he did, but I can only hope he'll finally see reason. Now Harry, I know what is coming will be a shock and you will not like a lot of what you're about to learn. Which is why I have allowed Miss Granger to accompany you. But know that what has been done recently was done only to help you and that you need never see those horrid excuses for relatives again.'

Harry was confused, 'what is she talking about? Seriously, no Dursleys ever?'

Fleur saw his confusion, 'soon Harry you will know everything, I promise. Now I know you áve used ze floo before, our destination is ze French embassy, from zere we can pick up our portkey, and now please follow me.'

Harry watched as both Fleur and Hermione took floo powder and were swept away in the green flames. Taking a pinch of the powder from a pot on the mantelpiece and called out the destination. 'French Embassy.'

As the spinning stopped Harry found himself falling out onto a rug in a large space full of fireplaces where witches and wizards were periodically entering and exiting. Fleur held out a hand and pulled him to his feet with a teasing smile on her face as Hermione beat away the soot on his shoulders.

'Zat was a bad landing 'Arry, we weel need to practice zat, ze trick is to keep walking as you exit.'

A jolly looking portly man came up to him and held out his hand to shake,

'Monsieur Potter and Mademoiselle Granger, it is an honour to finally meet you both in person, my name is Alphonse Delacour. I know zat you both must have many questions you want to ask and I will be happy to answer zem all, but for now, let us proceed for we only have a short time before Albus notices your absence from ze castle. Once across ze border he will not be able to interrupt our discussions without causing an international incident.'

'What exactly is going on here? Why would he want to stop me leaving if McGonagall says its fine? What could be so bad for him?'

He led the way to a nearby desk where a short exchange with a witch led to some parchment being scrutinised and a photo being looked at before the witch cast her gave over him before they were stamped and filed. Hermione and then Fleur were then asked to show their wands which were placed on a brass device which produced little slips of parchment, before their wands were given back. An empty bottle of butterbeer was passed over to Alphonse before they were waved through.

Harry turned to Hermione, 'why didn't the witch ask for your papers?'

'I'm a dual citizen Harry, all I need to do is show my wand which is registered in both countries.'

'Oh, that makes sense I guess.'

Alphonse led the way into another room nearby before beckoning all of them close and bidding them to touch the portkey which soon activated with the usual pulling sensation. Harry found himself flat on his back in the middle of an opulent room, a click nearby indicated the opening of a door and Harry watched as an unknown woman who looked like Fleur's elder sister walked in, and incredibly behind her came a very familiar looking black dog. The woman gazed down at him with a smile on her face before walking over and holding out her hand.

'Oui, ze sensation does take some getting used to Monsieur Potter. It is good to finally meet you, I am Apolline Delcaour, Fleur and Gabrielle's muzzer.'

Harry took the outstretched hand and was helped to his feet as he said, 'it's nice to meet you Madam Delacour.'

''None of zat mon garcon, you saved our Gabbi and ave done so much for Fleur.'

Sirius transformed into himself in that instance and pulled him into a hug, 'good to see you Pup, you definitely know how to pick them, a veela no less? Your old man would be proud of you.'

Harry blushed, 'will you ever be serious? And what are you doing here anyway?'

'Nope, as to why I'm here, you're in for a few nasty shocks so Alphonse thought it best if you had people you know you can trust around you to help keep you calm, which is why Hermione is here. He had me snuck over the channel and I claimed asylum here to get me away from the risk of getting kissed and because he needed my help to try and fix the mess a few other people have made. So now Fudge can't get me, and I'll be free to get the help I need even if I can't go back to England. But seeing how many idiots are in charge back there France is looking like the better option for me right now, especially if all the witches are as hot as the ones I've met so far.'

Alphonse glared at him, though Harry could see the amusement is his eyes.

'That's great news Sirius, but seriously, what is going on? Everyone seems to think I'm going to explode.'

'Come on through pup, it's time you learned just how mucked up things have gotten.'

Sirius led the way out of the room they'd landed in and Harry followed the others into a comfortable sitting room filled with tasteful and comfortable looking furniture. Harry sat down and watched as the others took their seats around him, Fleur and Hermione beside him on a couch as Alphonse turned to face him and passed over a phial of potion.

'Harry, zis is a mild calming draught, what you are about to 'ear is going to shock you a great deal. Zis potion will make it a little easier to keep your composure while we talk. Once we are finished, zere is a spell shooting range in ze room across ze 'all, we are under wards so nobody weel detect any spells you cast and I find it a very effective stress relief.'

Harry drank the proffered potion and felt the effects wash over him, 'How bad can it be?' he thought

Alphonse sighed as he began to speak, 'Bon, now Arry, zis story begins a few months before you were born, a prophecy was given to Albus Dumbledore by a young seer being interviewed for a job at Hogwarts concerning ze birth of one who would hold the power to defeat ze dark lord at the end of July zat year. We don't know exactly what it says as Sirius urged your parents to keep ze words quiet for safety. But what we do know is zat a death eater overheard ze first few lines before being thrown out from ze pub where ze seer was staying at ze time and reported back to his master. A massive 'unt for mothers and children born around zat time began and ze dark lord in time turned his gaze to your family. You know what 'appened next, but what we now know because of your use of ze plea of Morpheus is ze means ze dar lord used to stave off death. From ze vision of your battle in ze chamber against ze shade zat you showed Fleur. It was made clear to her zat 'e 'as created several dark artefacts using portions of his own soul, zese are known as 'Orcruxes. As long as even one exists, ze dark lord can potentially be revived into a physical form. But most disturbing of all, is zat ze night e attacked you, we suspect zat a portion of is soul which by zen 'ad become so unstable by 'is use of zis magic was blasted off and took refuge in ze only living being in ze 'ouse, you.'

Harry's mind was reeling and despite the potion he choked, 'What! I've had a bit of him in me this whole time?'

Harry flashed back to when Dumbledore talked about how he suspected Harry got his parseltongue abilities and had a nasty suspicion.

'Dumbledore, he knows doesn't he? He's known all along?'

Alphonse nodded gravely, 'Oui, if 'e did not know all along, 'e would 'ave worked it out when you gave him ze remains of ze diary. But what we believe is zat 'e 'as been setting you up to act as a martyr, a tragic hero to be used on his own stage, self-fulfilling zis prophecy in ze way 'e believes it should be read, ready to be sacrificed at the opportune moment before 'e speaks 'is monologue at your gravesite.'

Harry felt as if the room was spinning as all of his respect for the old man drained away to be replaced with shear disbelief and horror before he felt Fleur's and Hermione's arms wrap themselves around him and he came back to the present.

'Why? Why would he do that? Surely there's another way to get that thing out of my head besides me getting killed?' Harry choked out.

Apolline spoke up, 'because in 'is arrogance 'e sees no ozzer way besides 'is own for dealing with ze problem. If 'e ad realised zat ozzers could assist 'im in fixing ze problems 'e 'imself 'as created zen 'e would 'ave known to seek out other experts on ze subject. Ze veela community for instance 'as for as long as zeese abominations 'ave existed we 'ave made it our errand to seek zem out and destroy zem as well as ze knowledge of zeir creation. We 'ave a means to remove ze 'orcrux from your scar and Fleur 'as already enacted it, 'owever it weel come at a price.'

Shear relief flooded Harry, the mere thought of any part of that monster in his head made him feel contaminated, and he asked,

'What is it? Considering she's effectively saved my life, it can't be that bad, can it?' Harry looked around at the adults, and at Fleur who looked very scared suddenly.

Fleur took a deep breath and began, 'Arry, veela can use a special power to bind zeir love to a single chosen mate, zeir mate gains a boost of power, speed and strength. Ze bond cannot form from nothing and so if ze chosen despises ze veela it would not work, but 'it does mean that both veela and zeir chosen can never truly love anozzer. Ze 'orcrux could not live inside a soul bound in such a way and so when I realised what lives in your scar after you used ze plea on me. I used the only means available to spare you from ze fate I believed zat ze 'eadmaster 'ad laid before you. But in doing so, I stole your chance to choose your own love, I could tell zat Hermione loves you. But I áve effectively taken you from her and I'm so sorry for doing zat, but ze alternative was far worse and I could never 'ave lived with myself for condemning you to zat.'

Harry was speechless as he tried to digest what he was hearing, turning his head to face every occupant in the room who all looked just as shocked as he felt.

'Is she right Hermione, do you…?' he asked Hermione in disbelief.

Harry saw her blush, 'yes, I never realised until she told me, but yes Harry I do love you, I think I always have. But, my mother always told me that if you truly love someone then you should be happy to see them happy, even in the arms of someone else. Otherwise it is nothing more than an obsession that will destroy you in the end. Fleur might have pushed herself between us, but she saved you from being used as a sacrificial lamb by Albus Dumbledore which is much worse and frankly unforgivable,' she finished with a glare.

'I….I…Really don't know what to say, I can't believe Dumbledore could be that callous and Mione, really I'm touched, if I'd known…. ' Harry said.

'It's alright Harry, you're in shock, and it'll take a while to process everything,' she said as she leaned into his side.

Harry turned to Fleur, 'why didn't you say anything before?'

Fleur sighed, 'I wanted to tell you 'Arry, I really did but I couldn't, because I did not know 'ow you would take eet and with ze tournament, and you already 'aving so much on your mind, you might 'ave collapsed. But more gravely, because zere are zose in ze castle who could steal ze truth from your mind. If ze wrong person were to read what I came to understand from ze visions you showed me, zen ze consequences could be disastrous. One benefit of ze bond is zat it affords protection from zose who would steal ze knowledge from you. Now ze bond is strong enough your mind should be safe.'

Harry looked around the room as his mind reeled at what he was hearing, he knew he should be feeling angry at her for effectively tearing him and Hermione apart and ruining his chances at choosing his own love. But when he thought of the suddenly increasingly more sinister sounding headmaster who'd been planning on sending him to his death instead of trying to fix things he couldn't bring himself to get angry at her. He knew that Fleur had acted for the best and that her reasons had been good ones. As even if he and Hermione had come together in the future, with the horcrux in his scar the outcome would have been inevitable and having Hermione mourning his early death was an image that made him shudder.

Harry sighed and turned to Fleur, 'it's alright Fleur I forgive you and accept this, you only did what you thought was right to save me, and while I hate people meddling in my life you did have a good reason for it. But try not to do something like this again, I don't know if I can take it.'

She broke down crying and Harry hesitated for a moment before pulling her into his arms. How long they stayed there like that, he wasn't sure but eventually Fleur drew away, a watery smile on her face.

'Merci 'Arry, I promise I weel never keep secrets such as zis again.'

Harry turned back to the adults who all looked quite relived and asked, 'did the Weasley's know any of this?'

Sirius answered, 'while Molly and Arthur have long been resolute supporters of Albus, I don't think he actually conspired with them, there's no way Molly or Arthur would have gone along with a plan that would knowingly send you to your death. Albus has always acted more like the puppet master, pulling strings from the shadows to get people to do what he wants to fulfil his schemes.'

Alphonse added, 'ze main problem lies in zat 'e no longer seems to see ze people around 'im as people, more as pieces in a game to be directed on a whim in order to win 'is war.'

'Can we deal with all of this in a better way than what he wants?'

'Oui, eet weel take some planning and ze involvement of more people, but I do believe zat we can solve ze issues zat plague you in a much more efficient way.'

'One last question, Professor McGonagall said that I'd never need to see the Dursleys again, how is that possible if Sirius can't legally take care of me.'

'Ah, now zat is because of a set of laws on ze French statute book, eef a minor is bound by a veela, zen ze family of zat veela are obliged to foster ze bound wizard until majority eef zeir is no guardian in place who can assist him in adjusting. So because of zis, you can now live here in ze summers and weel never need see zose batards again. With ze confused state of affairs with Sirius's status, we decided it would be best if we were to enact zat law with regard to you. Zis way, Albus cannot dispute your placement and send you back, nor weel he have any right to interfere in your affairs outside ze school. If 'e tries, zen you can legally withdraw from 'Ogwarts and attend a French school as you will be conferred French citizenship. Zough it may seem presumptuous of us, we did not wish for Albus to be able to interfere and Sirius weel be around as much as you wish zough 'e still needs to attend 'is therapy.'

Harry was shocked, but grinned, finally so many dreams were starting to come true.

'No, I don't mind at all, this is great, thank you Alphonse.'

'Bon, now I think zat will do for now 'Arry, why not go blow up some targets non? I shall send for you three when it is time for dinner.'