Disclaimer - I do not own Harry Potter and everything recognizable belongs to J K Rowling

Chapter seven – The Seer and the Scornful

Harry had had an extremely long and testing day, although his spirits were lifted slightly after catching up with his close friend and now professor. Hagrid had always been able to bring a smile to his face, even in the darkest of times.

Hagrid had also been the person to introduce him to the wizarding world that he now called home. Because of this, Harry held a special connection with him; he was almost that of a father figure. A constant within his otherwise scattered life.

After skipping lunch to avoid being bombarded with questions, his stomach was now grumbling loudly. It was as if his insides were holding a protest, willing to be replenished.

He knew that he needed to eat to keep his strength, tough times certainly lay ahead of him. He mentally sighed at the thought if the impending doom that was awaiting him in the great hall, Hermione Granger.

He was currently sitting on the astronomy tower looking out into the vastness before him; here he had a beautiful view of the lake and the mountains that surrounded the ancient school. Harry would often come here when his mind felt clogged and he needed time to reflect or if he needed time alone.

He hauled himself up from the floor and began traipsing his way from the tower down the winding staircase to the ground floor, before making his way to the great hall.

As he neared the doors, he could hear the usual bustle of conversation spreading through the high ceilings of the corridors, echoing as the bounced of the stone walls.

He entered to see the four house tables brimming with faces, with the added addition of several Beauxbaton and Durmstrang students. A smile slipped onto his face at the sight of Gabrielle, tucking into some kind of French cuisine at the Ravenclaw table that he thought looked quite revolting.

The second he sat down next to his two best friends, Hermione burst into action asking questions and demanding answers. He knew that this was inevitable, he had barely stepped foot in his common room and had been extremely secretive over the past week. This however didn't make her outbursts any less annoying.

He tried to block her out as best as possible, shovelling large piles of food onto his plate and simply ignoring her but it was futile. He knew that he owed his friends some kind of an explanation, but he really hadn't enjoyed the thought of doing so.

Just as he raised his fork to his face, Hermione slapped his shoulder. Warm stodgy pieces were now dripping down his robes, and he turned to her, a dissatisfied look on his face.

"Why aren't you telling us anything? You don't understand how worried I've been" she yelled.

"This is exactly why I haven't told you anything, you can't help playing the mother role" he replied, shooting her a mock glare.

"You can hardly blame us mate, you've been like a ghost the past few weeks, other than lessons nobody sees you" Ron added.

"It's not like I've been avoiding you" he lied

"I've just been caught up in something, and to be honest I couldn't have told you even if I wanted to"

"But we're your best friends Harry; you know we wouldn't tell a soul. You can trust us, you know that"

"It's not that I don't trust you Hermione, but until now I didn't really know what was going on myself" he quickly replied at seeing a look of hurt on her face.

"Look, if you really need to know so badly I'll tell you, but there's one condition"

"Anything" she said excitedly

"You're not allowed to interrupt me until I finish" he said seriously, he knew that she had a horrible habit of cutting people off mid-sentence so that she could ask a question or get her view across.

"I promise" she said in a truthful and innocent voice.

A look of delight spread across Hermione's face and she instantly opened her mouth to start firing questions at him. Before she had the chance however, Harry raised his hand, ushering for her to be quiet.

"Not now, I can't tell you with so many people around" he said as he eyed the mass of people around him, wordlessly explaining to his friends. This was certainly a conversation that he didn't want to be overheard.

"When?" she whispered cryptically causing harry to laugh at her, 'she's acting like were planning a heist' he thought to himself.

"What?" she asked in response to his sudden outburst.

"Nothing, nothing" he said trying to gain his composure.

"How about tonight at 10 in the common room?" he offered.

Hermione looked at Ron and at his confirming nod she agreed to the proposed offer, before giving them both a smile and standing, slinging her bag over her back as she walked off, a little bounce now in her step.

"Mental that one" Ron said matter-of-factly. Harry couldn't agree more.

The two of them conversed lightly for the next few minutes; it was just like old times.

"I still can't believe you don't have to do exams this year, makes me wish I was a Tri-Wizard Champion, even if it is stupidly dangerous" Ron said glumly, if there was one thing he hated above all, it was having to study.

"No, I just have to battle dragons and swim under water for an hour. Honestly I think I'd rather take exams than have to deal with that again, and there's still another task left"

Ron seemed to ponder on his friends words before taking a final swig from his goblet and standing up.

"I better go; I have potions revision to do. I don't fancy getting on the wrong side of snape" he said as pulled his bag around his neck and exited the hall, leaving Harry to finish his meal in peace.

Harry crammed every last scrap of food on his plate into his mouth trying to fill the empty void of his stomach. When he was close to bursting, he pushed his plate away from him and sat quietly, letting the meal he had just devoured digest.

As he sat there, the plate before him vanished, along with the surrounding empty plates and goblets. 'Where do they go?' he wondered.

He was looking up at the high ceilings of the hall, magically enchanted to look like the night sky. Stars were shining brightly all around, the gentle haze of the moon seeping through the small clouds and a shooting star flying past every now and then.

His star gazing was cut short as a voice called out to him.

"Hi harry"

It was Ginny Weasley, the sister of his best friend. She had a small blush and a nervous smile on her face as she passed him.

"Hi" he replied curtly as he caught sight of his watch, he was due to be in detention in 5 minutes.

"Sorry, I have to go" he said to the nervous teen standing before him

He hurried to his feet, stumbling slightly. He shot Ginny a quick smile before walking hastily out of the hall.

Harry reached the Divination just on time, but what met him was a scene of complete destruction and desolation. There were burnt pieces of parchment and shards of glass littering the floor. Tables and chairs had been upturned and smashed to pieces and books had pages torn out and lay in tatters.

It was as if somebody had thoroughly ransacked the room. 'Surely a student wouldn't have done this?' he thought to himself.

The only recognizable feature was the rancid overpowering perfume smell emanating from the small fireplace in the middle of the room, billowing out soft grey smoke, intoxicating his lungs and senses.

He spotted a broom standing against a lone surviving table. Unfortunately it was not one that he could fly away on and right now, he would like nothing more than to be able to go far away from here, far from the daunting task that lay ahead of him.

'I'll never get all this done in 2 hours' he thought glumly as he looked around him. He had told Hermione that he would be in the common room at 10, which give him only 2 hours to complete this mammoth task.

Fortunately, just as this thought crossed his mind, another figure stepped out of the door across the room, brandishing another broom.

"Bit of a mess isn't it" come the voice of Seamus Finnigan.

"I'll say" Harry replied looking around at the room once again.

"I reckon it was Fred and George, only they would pull a prank like this. Can't say I blame them, Trelawney's a mad old bat, probably told them some rubbish she made up and it got them all annoyed"

Harry couldn't help but agree. He knew the Weasley twins were certainly capable of something like this, although he wouldn't class this as a prank, or at least not a funny one. He did know however that Trelawney was prone to spurting out false predictions; it was only a matter of time before she annoyed the wrong person.

For the next hour and a half, Harry and Seamus got stuck in to cleaning the battered room using the brooms provided. He would often mentally sigh, if only he knew a spell that would clean the room for him. 'Then again it wouldn't be much of a punishment if I could use magic' he thought to himself.

They managed to clear away most of the debris, depositing it into large black sacks that they found while having a snoop around their teachers office, looking for something to distract them and occupy a bit of time.

They had mended several of the chairs and tables, stuffing the detached legs back into the holes. Although they now wobbled on the uneven floor, it did the job.

After a quick break and a bit of light conversation, they cracked back on, piling the hundreds of books and glass balls back onto the shelves.

Nearly two hours had now passed and the two boys were thoroughly exhausted. They both took seats on the newly repaired chairs and sat admiring their hard work.

Just as Harry relaxed back into the soft cushions that topped the rickety old chair, he heard a strangled gargle. He looked to his side and fear and panic spread to every inch of his body.

Seamus was thrashing wildly in his seat, convulsing as he made pained choking noises as if he was swallowing his own tongue. Harry leapt out of his seat, pushing it away at the force of his departure, the chair once again breaking into segments.

He was at his friend's side instantly, but was at a loss as what to do. He went to reach for his friend's mouth, hoping to slant his head to help with his breathing, not knowing what else he could do to help.

Just as his hand reach towards the now blue face, Seamus took a large strained inward breath. His eyes shot to the back of his head, the whites of his eyes now displayed clearly like gems in the poorly lit room.

Harry was about to rush for help, when a low and winded sounding voice called out.

"Beware of the one-legged man, on the night of the full moon; the dark lord will rise from bone, blood and flesh, greater and more powerful than before"

As soon as it had started, it seemed to end. Seamus give a large cough, expelling the air that had been hitched in his lungs and throat, his dark brown eyes flickering back to the front of his head.

"What are you staring at Harry?" he asked in confusion, his friend was standing over him with a look of panic strewn across his face.

"Me? You don't realize what you just done?" Harry retorted in a stunned tone.

"What you talking about?"

"You just...well you sort of collapsed and started shaking, and then you..."

"And then I what? What are you piping on about?" Seamus interjected.

"You give a prediction..."

Seamus looked at Harry for a few seconds before bursting into laughter.

"Good one Harry, perhaps the fumes have gone to your head"

Harry was lost for words, he had seen a similar thing happen to Professor Trelawney the year before, and Dumbledore had told him that is was in fact a real prophecy.

Seamus had now gone back to cleaning the last few remnants of dust that lay on the floor, completely oblivious to the incident that had occurred only minutes prior.

After several moments of standing bolt upright, shocked to the core as he replay his friends words in his mind, he turned to him, and croaked in a quiet voice.

"Are you a seer?"

Seamus turned to Harry, the broom in his hands acting as a crutch as he laid his weight against it.

"You can't be serious? I'm as much of a seer as Trelawney is, the mad old bat" he said mockingly, before sending Harry a joking wink.

Was this all an elaborate prank Harry wondered? It was certainly something that his friend would find amusing. Before he could think on it any further, Professor McGonagall came through the door.

She took in the sight of the now neatly furnished room, the floor bare of any parchment, books or glass, the tables and chairs now upright and fixed and the shelves neatly filled.

"That's good work boys, now off you go, it's getting late"

"About time" Seamus exclaimed, almost throwing the broom in his grasps up against the wall and wiping his sweaty brow, gaining the stern gaze of his teacher.

As the two boys started to leave, McGonagall called out.

"Mr Potter, a word please"

Harry stopped in his tracks, turning on his heel to face his teacher.

"Yes Professor?" he asked politely.

"Professor Dumbledore has asked to see you tomorrow, whenever is most convenient"

"Did he say what about?" he asked a little hesitantly, he had figured it wouldn't be long before his headmaster would want to talk to him about Gabrielle, after all, he must of found out by now.

"No, but I'm sure that you have an idea of what it is he wishes to speak to you about" she said in a stern knowing voice.

'Does she know too?' He wondered to himself.

He nodded to her and she began to walk out of the office, but as she reached the door, he called out.

"Professor"

McGonagall turned on her heels much the same as Harry had before replying.

"Yes Mr Potter"

He wanted to tell her about what had happened only several minutes before, an unyielding sense of foreboding was filling his mind, but was it wise to ask her about it? Perhaps it would be better to address the situation with Dumbledore he concluded mentally.

"Never mind"

She give him a quizzical look, studying his expressions as if looking for an answer, before pursing her lips and continuing out of the classroom.

Harry looked down at his watch to see that it was now past 10, and he was late for his meeting with Hermione and Ron.

He raced down the dizzyingly spiralling staircases leading him down to the ground floor, glad to be away from the putrid smelling classroom. He continued along a dark corridor, the gentle light from the moon glaring through the unkempt windows, filtering just enough light for him to find his way along the winding path, before making his way back up the moving staircases towards the Gryffindor common room.

After several minutes, he finally reached the portrait entrance the sealed the common room.

"Password?" it yawned, waking from its sleep.

"Banana Fritters" he replied.

The door swung open revealing the glow of red coming from the Gryffindor house banners that adorned the walls all around the common room, almost giving a sense of heat and welcoming.

He stepped in to see his two friends sitting on the large red studded sofa, facing the enormous decorative fireplace, a small fire still blazing away in its midst.

They turned at the sound of the portrait swinging open to see Harry walking in; looking somewhat more beat down and tired than earlier in the day.

"About bloody time" Ron moaned.

"Sorry, I got held up by McGonagall"

"What did she want?" Hermione interjected.

"Never mind that, let's get on with this, I need to sleep" he said tiredly as he took a seat next to the others.

Harry was thankful that the common room was empty; nobody would be able to eavesdrop on their conversation. 'The less people that know my business the better' he thought.

He took a deep breath before plunging into the story of what had become of him, however after only a few short moments, Hermione made to talk.

She instantly stopped and realised her mistake at the disgruntled look on his face.

"Sorry" she muttered under her breath, pulling her fingers across her mouth in a zipping motion before Harry continued.

For the next 40 minutes, Harry told the two attentive teens everything that had happened to him. They had both been shocked into silence at the mention of the bond and continued to sit silently for the duration, listening intently to everything he was saying, and hanging on his every word.

As he finished, Hermione had a look of utter shock on her face, appearing to be in an almost trance like state. After a few moments, she see seemed to click back to reality, resolving to jump straight into questioning, predominantly about Dumbledore.

As Harry answered her relentless questions, he couldn't help but notice the silence of his red headed friend. Looking at him, he saw that his face held an expression of resentment.

"What's wrong with you" Harry asked nonchalantly.

"Trust you to hook up with one of the prettiest girls in the school" Ron spat.

Harry was shocked at his best friend's reaction, of all the things he had expected of him, this was the very last thing that he would have thought him to say.

"I didn't exactly ask for this you know" he said almost questioningly.

"No, everything good just happens to be put before you, the Chosen One, the tri-Wizard Champion and now this"

"You think I want those things, you think I want to be expected to take on Voldemort? You think I want to risk my life fighting against creatures that want to kill me?" he retorted.

His anger had begun to bubble within him. His best friend, someone who he whole heartedly trusted and relied on was turning his back on him again.

Ron seemed to blush a little at the allegations, but he was in a spit of rage and couldn't stop himself.

"I don't see you complaining about your new little lover, everything good always happens to you, and what am I? Harry Potter's poor pathetic friend. I don't see beautiful girls falling head over heels for me"

"So you want a 10 year old girl to fall in love with you? Is that what you're saying, because I'm sure we can find a couple of first years for you? I didn't know that was what you were into" Harry laughed at Ron as he finished, he couldn't help the jibe, he was too astonished at his friend to care.

Ron's fists were now curled into tight balls; his eyes had closed into small slits, only the rage and expanding veins within them now visible as his anger swelled within him. His nostrils were flaring and his face was bright red, making him look like a volcano about to erupt.

He leant forward slightly as if taunting Harry to repeat his words, before jumping up and striding to the door, wrenching it open and disappearing up the steps to his dorm.

Hermione had been silent during the whole of the heated argument, too appalled at Ron's words to intervene. She finally found her voice a few moments later as Harry shuffled along the chair, trying to capture some of the warmth that the now dying fire was emitting.

"I don't know what's gotten into him; he's been a total nightmare lately. It's been terrible without you around, all he does it make digs at me and Viktor"

"He's just bitter and cold hearted, and nothing burns like the cold" He replied cruelly.

"Harry, that's not true and you know it, he's just a little upset that's all"

"Why can't he just be happy for me, he's supposed to be my best friend" he said almost sadly as he stood up.

Hermione looked sympathetically up at her best friend, she knew how much he cared for Ron and that at a time like now, he needed him more than ever.

"I think I'll sleep elsewhere tonight, he'll probably try and strange me in my sleep" he finished with a small laugh.

"Harry" she called after him worriedly as he walk away, back towards to the portrait door.

He turned around slightly, a smile on his lips.

"I'll be fine, I'll see you tomorrow"

He turned back around, opening the door and walking away from the common room and his friend.

'I can't be dealing with him, I have more important things to consider now' he thought as he clambered back down the stairs and towards the ground floor.

He walked fruitlessly around the frigid corridors for long minutes, his mind still brimming with anger and frustration at the unreasonable actions and words of his best friend.

He laughed as he thought about those words. 'Best friend?' he thought. 'Some best friend he is'

Another several minutes of aimless wandering was achieved before an idea popped into his head, almost as if a light bulb had sparked into life within a dark crevice of his mind.

He quickly scurried thought the darkness, finding his way as if there was a map imprinted in his eyes. The halls now bearing almost no light as the illumination from the moon was stifled behind the thick grey pillows that were the clouds.

He shortly found himself at a door; he placed his fingers upon the handle, sliding the latch off its holder allowing the door to open quietly, hoping that there were no occupants inside.

As he edged inside, his hopes were dashed as he saw the small oil lights still flickering silently upon the walls, casting shadows upon the dank stone walls.

'Perhaps it's always like this, I better check, I have nowhere else to go' he thought hopefully.

He was currently in the room that had been previously assigned to Gabrielle after her attack. He knew it was rude to intrude, especially if the room was occupied. But there was only one way of finding out and his adventurous personality had won him over again.

He walked to the foot of the bedroom door, pushing it ajar slightly, creaking quietly under the weight of the heavy laden wood door as he peered inside.

As his eyes adjusted to the dark, he could just make out a figure, furled under the thick blankets. Just as he laid eyes upon the unmoving body, he did a double take, his eyes widening in surprise. Upon the pillow lay the long silver-blond hair, hair that he could distinguish anywhere, the hair of Gabrielle.

A warming sensation captured his cheeks and a smile graced his face as he silently crossed the room to the still figure of the girl he had quickly come to adore and grow close to.

He could hear her small and unlaboured breaths as her chest gently rose and fell. He didn't know why she was here, but he was glad she was.

He slipped off his robes and shoes, neatly hanging them on the back of a chair, before gently pulling back the covers and slipping into the bed. Furrowing close to her, he felt the heat radiate from her body, warming him instantly, the realm of sleep and dreams welcoming him as his closed his eyes and drifted off.

Harry was walking up a set of spiralling stone steps, moonlight piercing through the large intricate stained glass windows, guiding a path for him. Within his grasp lay the small hand of Gabrielle, her fingers wrapped tightly around his own.

As the steps levelled out, they stepped into the vast astronomy tower and continued to walk to the ledge. The both sat, their legs dangling over the edge, gazing up at the stars that littered the night sky.

Gabrielle rested her head firmly on his shoulder, scooting in closer to him to close the small gap that lay between them, wanting to be as near to him as possible as she squeezed his hand.

She tilted her head as Harry looked down at her, both looking longingly into each other's eyes. All fears and worries cleared their minds as they become lost in one another. They moved their head closer, their lips almost touching as their eyelids fluttered shut.

Just as their lips met gently, a bang was heard. Both of them turned their heads towards the source of the sound quickly, bumping their heads in the rush. They both giggled quietly before their carefree happiness was wiped off their faces at the sight of the obtruder.

Dumbledore stood at the mouth of the door, his wand raised, a look of determined indignation and unadulterated rage contorting his wrinkled old face.

As he took slow steps towards the two teens, Harry reached for his wand but it was in vain. A dazzling surge of green light had filled every inch of the room before striking Gabrielle.

Before Harry knew what had happened, he heard the pained gasp next to him. As he turned it was to the sight of Gabrielle falling backwards over the edge of the tower. He reacted as fast as he could, taking grip of her hand, but as quick as he had caught her, she slipped from his sweat ridden palms.

He watched as she fell, almost as if in slow motion. Her long silver-blond hair being blown upwards in the rush of cold air, her usual bright silver eyes now lifeless a dull. He cried out as she fell further and further, seeming to disappear into a haze before hearing her body collide with the ground...

THUD

Harry woke with a start, his eyes snapping open and his heart beating wildly in his chest as if trying to escape. His entire body was soaked in sweat and his breathing was laboured.

'Oh thank god, it was only a dream' he thought thankfully, as he went to rub his eyes.

As his fingers reached his eyes, it was to the shock that his face was covered in tears, as if his very soul had been crying at the pain felt within the dream.

There was a small glow now coming through the windows, and checking his watch he saw that it was 5:30AM. He slipped out of the bed, thankful that Gabrielle had not been woken by his abrupt actions.

He made his way to the en-suite that the room offered, closing the door behind him. He turned the large brass taps on the basin, splashing his tear soaked face with cold water, willing the dreams away from the forefront of his mind.

He decided that he would stay up rather than return to the horror of his nightmares; he didn't think he could bear to see that again.

After several minutes of trying to compose himself, he exited the bathroom and made for the chair on which lay his robes. He slipped them onto his still shaky body and kicked on his shoes, figuring that he could meet his headmaster this morning, getting the worst of the day out of the way quickly.

This usually simple take had now become a much more daunting one, having to face the man that he had seen only minutes before in his dreams, attacking Gabrielle as if he was blood drunk and possessed.

He swiftly tried to push these thoughts to the back of his mind; it would do no good to have these images coursing through his mind as he spoke to Dumbledore, of which the discussion would without doubt be about Gabrielle.

He moved to the side of bed containing the small figure, still sleeping soundly and at ease. He stooped low, kisser her head, mentally saying the words.

'Good morning Beautiful'

Just as these thoughts sounded in his mind, she began to stir a little. She turned to face Harry, her eyes still closed but a small smile upon her lips.

"Good morning 'arry"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to make you" he said as he brushed her hair away from her eyes.

"Itz fine" she said, her smile still in place and her eyes still closed.

"How did you know it was me?" he asked curiously as the sight of her closed eyes.

"I heard you"

"But... I didn't say anything"

At this, her eyes snapped open in surprise.

"You didn't? But I heard you, you zed... you zed good morning" As she finished she blushed a little, seeming shy at finishing his words.

"No, I didn't, I was thinking it though"

She shuffled around a little, choosing to sit of the edge of the bed before looking up towards Harry.

"It must be what Fleur zed, ze mental link"

"I guess it's possible" he replied, seeming to think of another explanation, but coming up empty handed.

"Well" he said excitedly

"Perhaps if it is, we can learn how to use it properly and then I won't get so bored in classes" he said, a grin slipping on his face.

"Of all ze possible uses and you want to talk in class so you don't get bored?" she said in a jokingly stern voice, before starting to giggle, causing Harry to follow suit.

"I've got to go and see Dumbledore, he's asked to see me. If you're not here when I get back, I'll try and sneak out to see you later ok?"

"No need" she replied simply.

At the look of slight hurt and rejection on his face, she smiled before continuing.

"Madame Maxime has zed zat you are welcome in our carriage whenever you like, she called it... special zircumstances" she finished with a large smile on her face.

Harry couldn't help but smile back; he had certainly not expected this from the giant Headmistress, as far as he knew, she wanted his head mounted on her wall.

"I better get going" he said softly before placing a gentle kiss on her forehead

Just as he reached the door to leave, Gabrielle spoke up again.

"'arry"

Turning on his heels to face her, he replied.

"What's wrong?"

"Ow iz it zat you are being so brave?"

Harry was a little taken back at this question.

"What do you mean?"

"Well with everyzing zat has happened, you have been forced into a bond zat you did not ask for, to someone who is feared and hated in zis country. Everyzing is going to change, are you not scared?"

Harry thought on this for a few moments, if he was honest with himself, he hadn't given the future a great deal of thought. He did however know that he faced uncertain and tough times ahead of him, and these thoughts alone were enough to scare him.

"I know I didn't ask for this, but I also know that change can strike like lightening, there is nothing more unpredictable than life" he said, sending her a small smile before continuing.

"Being brave isn't about being unafraid; it's about functioning through the fear. I do not consider myself brave" he said wittily, stepping towards her.

"But having you by my side is a big help" he finished as he approached her, pulling her to stand and enveloping her in a loving and tender embrace. They stayed there for long minutes, their arms wrapped tightly around one another.

As they pulled apart, their foreheads touching and their hands moving down each other's backs softly, he pulled his hand to her face, gently brushing her soft unblemished cheek. He stroked her long silky hair behind her ear as their eyes closed and their lips connected.

For a few seconds, they simply stay there, their lips lightly touching one another before Harrys hand raked through her hair and pulled her closer, their lips locking, the feeling of fire welling up within his body, once again spreading to every part of his limbs.

They had become lost in one another, neither ever wanting the feeling to end.

When their lips finally parted, they looked deep into one another's eyes, both feeling as if they had spilled their heart and soul into one another.

"I have to go, I'll see you soon, I promise" he whispered lightly into her ear.

Several minutes later Harry had arrived at the stone gargoyle, feeling as though nothing would ever be able to dampen his spirits.

"Password?" the gargoyle croaked.

"Lemon drop" he said happily.

He made his way to the top of the steps, a bounce in his every stride. Once he reached his headmasters office door, he noticed that there were two voices coming from within.

As he stepped away from the door, he noticed a small lunar chart on the wall beside it. His heart dropped a little when he saw the date of the next full moon. It was the same day as the final task.

His mind begun racing back to Seamus' words, running them through his head trying to make sense of it all.

After several minutes of pacing up and down the hallway thinking of the potential prophecy that had been made to him, the door opened and a rather rugged looking man, although smartly dressed stepped out with Dumbledore just behind him.

"I hope to hear from you soon Marty" Dumbledore called to the man, who's hand raised up and waved as he walked away.

"Ahh Harry, you're up early. Please come in"

They both stepped into the office taking their respected seats, Dumbledore as usual sitting behind his desk.

"Thank you for coming Harry, I thought we might discuss a few matters"

Harry simply nodded in response, prompting his headmaster to continue.

"After you departure the other night, Madame Maxime endeavoured to telling me about everything that has happened. I am happy to say that with the help of an old friend, I may have found a solution to your little Veela problem and the bond that was so unceremoniously bestowed upon you"

"Wait, what do you mean problem? And solution?" Harry asked, confused at his headmasters words.

"I mean Harry, that there is a way that I can release the bond that is tying you to young Miss Delacour. It pains me to see you going through this, being forced to do things that you neither want nor asked for. With the use of Legilimency however, I believe that I can help to release you from this bond"

"Wait what do you mean not what I want? Sorry sir, but you seem to be labouring under some sort of misunderstanding. I am doing nothing with Gabrielle that is against my wishes. It was as little her fault or choice to bond with me as it was mine" he said shocked at what his headmaster was telling him, perhaps Fleur was right, perhaps he didn't know him as well as he though.

"Harry please, you have to understand the repercussions of what has happened. Do you not wish to live a long and happy life, filled with the pleasures that come to most?"

"What part of my current situation will stop me from leading a normal life filled with pleasures? I will have somebody by my side that love me unconditionally, not for who and what I am. I may get married and have children, and I will be happy. So please, enlighten me on what I will be missing out on?" harry retorted angrily, he couldn't believe the nerve of the old man before him, making accusations on matters that he didn't understand.

He wanted nothing more than to leave, the mood that he had entered with had now been ripped to shreds by a man that he had considered his mentor and friend. Before he had the chance however, Dumbledore spoke up, a solemn look upon his now ancient looking face.

"Strong words Harry, but not your own. You are but a puppet in a tangle of their strings. You are a kind and caring young man, but they have distorted you mind and emotions, you are a slave in your own body"

"A slave?" Harry spat angrily.

"Tell me professor; is it slavery when you get what you want? I know exactly why you want to help me. I know that it is you that condemned the Veelas to being considered dark creatures."

"Harry, Please..."

"No, I always thought of you as a leader, someone who would fight for equality. You always told me that everyone deserved a second chance. You even helped me free Dobby and Buckbeak, so why condem..."

His speech was cut short as a blinding blue light stuck him square in the chest, knocking him forcefully into the back of his chair.

"Finite Incantartum" Dumbledore had bellowed, as the spell had left his wand from his outstretched hand.

Harry instinctively drew his own wand, but was frozen in shock at what his headmaster had just done. After a few moments, he regained his composure and held his wand tightly in his hand, pointing directly at the age old wizard standing before him.

"What the hell do you think you're doing you crazy old oaf?" He shouted furiously.

His wand hand was gripping so tightly that his wrist had begun to shudder, while his other was balled so tightly into a fist that his nails were now digging into his palms, small drops of crimson blood seeping from the wounds.

"Im sorry Harry, but I had to check you were not under the Imperious Curse, I now understand that Veela magic is far more powerful than I had anticipated"

Harry stood appalled at the man before him.

"Are you insane? You're nothing but a hypocrite and a liar. People think that you are a hero; they think you are strong, but strong men don't put others down, they help lift them up. You are no hero, you are a monster" Harry roared.

"Sometimes Harry, it is the monsters that win" Dumbledore replied coolly but with a hint of malice lacing his words.

"One day Professor, a pollination of happiness will blossom within your hands, and just as you are satisfied it will wither and turn to ashes before your very eyes, and I will be there to watch as you scatter along with them" He bawled out scornfully, before turning his back on his headmaster.

He raced down the steps, his mind and body choked in a fit of rage. He headed quickly out of the castle towards the refuge of the Beauxbaton carriage. Everything Fleur had said was true; he knew that only they would understand his feeling, and he knew that he had to protect Gabrielle before Dumbledore could get to her. 'I can't let my dream become reality' he thought defiantly.