Disclaimer

I do not owe anything, it all belongs to the lovely Mrs Rowling. I'm just a happy soul who decided to take these amazing characters out for a walk. I promise to do my best to deliver them back in one piece.

Home Is Where the Heart's At

"Shouldn't they be here by now?" Harry and Fleur had been sitting outside Delacour Manor for at least thirty minutes, and still there was no sign of the others. Something must have happened. Harry knew it had been a bad idea to split up to begin with, he knew it.

"I'm certain zat zey will be 'ere any minute now, we just 'ave to be patient." Fleur tried to calm an obviously nervous Harry. "But what if something has happened to them? What if they got caught or something went wrong?" He replied. "Zen I am certain zat Clara will take care of zem." Fleur sounded convinced about this.

"You really have that much faith in her?" Harry couldn't keep his voice calm; he didn't know what he would do if something happened to his friends, if they got captured or worse. He looked up at Fleur with a fiery gaze, but all she did was to return it with a gentle smile and a reassuring look.

"I would trust 'er with my life… She is one of ze best duellists I've ever seen and zat is including myself." She said the last part in a mock serious tone, but as Harry didn't seem to find it near amusing she decided to use a different approach. "You know she promised me zat she would do 'er best to take care of your friends, she won't let anything 'appen to zem."

"How can you be certain?" He asked with a small voice. "I can't." She moved a bit closer to him as she changed her focus, looking up into the sky. "But zat doesn't mean I can't 'ope so." Harry released a silent breath and returned Fleur's smile. If something had happen they would have known and if Fleur had been the least worried they would have gone out searching for them.

"Quand on parle du loup." Fleur suddenly exclaimed her smile widening. "I think I can see them there by the forest edge." Both her and Harry rose to their feet but as they approached the three silhouettes in the distance Fleur's smile stiffened and Harry noticed that she started to quicken her pace.

"What happened?" Fleur asked as she reached Clara who limped slightly on her left leg, with drops of blood and dirt stuck in her hair. Fleur's heart was in her throat as she examined Hermione's features making sure nothing was wrong, before returning her focus back at Clara. "We got attacked that's what happened."

Harry's face whitened, but the way both Hermione and Ron were smiling at him told him that they were unharmed. "Attacked, what do you mean…?"

"Well, I was caught off guard, but to my fortune Mr. Weasley was there to save the day." Clara gave Fleur a reassuring smile as they started walking up towards the Manor.

"You should have been there mate, I was bloody brilliant - if I may say so myself." Ron's ears reddened as he glanced over at Hermione to receive her approval. Somehow Hermione seemed distant but as Ron addressed her she gave him a faint smile and a nod of her head as a sign for him to carry on. Her eyes then returned to the two figures walking in front of them; Clara flinched as Fleur tried to examine the wound in her scalp. Harry didn't know what it was, but something was off. Hermione seemed awfully quiet and as they kept walking towards the grand gate she avoided any kinds of questions concerning what had happened.

"Honestly Harry I don't know" she said before they were about to enter the gates. "Everything went so fast; one moment Ron said he thought that we were no longer alone, the next Clara was unconscious. I don't remember what exactly happened, or how Ron managed to save us, all I remember is feelings."

She tried to give Harry a smile, but she could easily see the worry reflecting in his green eyes. "Harry I'm okay" She gave his arm a reassuring squeeze but the scepticism remained in his features. "Honestly." He let out a defeated sigh and returned her smile, in the back of his mind he could register Ron's continuing joyful prattle. He put his arms around his two best friends' shoulders as the grand gate opened before them. They were both okay… and after all, that was the only thing that mattered.

"Bloody hell. I knew Fleur's family was loaded, but I mean look at this place! They've even got bloody birds running around their courtyard looking all fancy!"

"Peacocks Ronald, they are called peacocks." Hermione replied tiredly. Even though Fleur had left their company seeking an immediate audience with the family matriarch, Hermione couldn't help but to get slightly annoyed by Ron's obvious lack of tact. But she had to admit, he did have a point. Already now three different servants had greeted them, asking how they could be at their service. And the entry hall they had been asked to wait in was bigger than her parents' whole house.

"I suppose it has something to do with the fact that she belongs to one of the oldest and most respected Veela families in entire Europe." Both Hermione and Ron turned their heads looking questioningly at Harry. "What?" He asked with a shrug of his shoulders. "It was part of last year's curriculum."

Ron's jaw fell completely open and Hermione couldn't help but to raise her eyebrows. Never had she experienced either Ron or Harry staying awake through an entire History of Magic class, let alone acting the slightest bit interested in what Professor Bean actually taught them. But then again, she could not recall that Harry had ever asked for her help with the subject, so maybe she wasn't the only one following in class after all.

"Bloody hell mate, you've got more tricks up your sleeve than a boggart invited to a Halloween party!" Ron exclaimed with a soft chuckle and Hermione couldn't help but to smile. Then the doors were open and they were interrupted by an indiscreet cough as a sign for someone demanding their attention.

"I am here to inform you on Mademoiselle Delacour's behalf that hospitality, as result of your presence, has been granted." Once again Ron's jaw fell open as a clear sign of him not understanding a single word of what they've just been told. The elderly man who was clearly a butler to judge from both his exterior and behaviour, simply continued unbothered by Ron's clear confusion. "It is with great pleasure that I can announce that the Madame has granted you an audience. She will be expecting you tomorrow noon." He gave a slight nod of his head at the end of his sentence and made ready to turn around and leave.

"Pardon for my obvious interruption, but when will Ms. Delacour re-join us?" Clara asked. The butler eyes narrowed. "Mademoiselle Delacour is at the current moment occupied by an important council meeting and will not have the opportunity to reunite with you before nightfall." He made another attempt to leave, but was once again interrupted.

"Could I please then ask you to send her my regards. I have an important matter I must tend to so if you could, your friendliness would be most appreciated." A small smile spread across Clara's face as a sign of her gratitude; however the only thing she received in return was a pair of raised eyebrows. "I'm afraid you have to postpone whatever matter so urgently calls for your attention, no guests neither enters nor leaves Delacour Manor without the Madame's approval."

"Bloody hell, so what you're really saying is that we are trapped here until some old …" Ron stopped in the middle of his sentence after receiving a hard blow to the ribs. Hermione had known where he was going with it, and even though he did have a point she had to stop him before he turned their situation even more uncomfortable. The butler's eyes had narrowed even further and his mouth had been reduced into nothing more but a thin line.

"What my friend means to say is thank you, we appreciate the great hospitality that we are offered." Harry finished his sentence with an awkward smile, clearly lost on how he was supposed to save the situation.

The butler was still vigilantly observing them as he once again decided to speak. "One of the maids will show you to your accommodations. Feel free to use any facilities the Manor offers, but stay clear off the dungeon and throne room." And with that he turned on his heal heading towards the doors, but before he closed it behind him he called out one last thing over his shoulder. "I hope you will enjoy your stay here at Delacour Manor."

It was a short plump elderly woman who moments later showed them to their rooms. Unlike the butler, her smile widened by the sight of the group of young people. All the way up to their rooms she was happily chatting with them. However, she did not speak a single word of English, which luckily enough probably meant that she didn't understand a word either.

"Bloody hell!" Ron exclaimed as they headed up a grand marble staircase. "That git must be completely mental! I mean, what did he mean with nobody leave this place without some old bat's approval? Seriously." The old maid happily looked back at him, sending him a warm smile as if she thought what he said had been addressed to her. "Like I said, bloody mental the whole lot of 'em." He whispered through his teeth as he returned the old lady's smile.

Hermione felt the need to tell him off. Even though she agreed with him concerning the absurd conditions under which they were staying, it didn't give him the right to badmouth an old lady who had shown them nothing but courtesy. However, she was too tired to argue so all she gave him was a disapproving glare.

It was only moments later that they were shown their separate rooms. Hermione noticed the way Clara genuinely thanked the old maid and moments later received a hug; Clara's figure immediately tensed by the sudden intimacy, but after a brief moment she closed her eyes and kindly returned the embrace. She had been the only one speaking to the maid as they were shown to their accommodations. Hermione had been capable of grasping small fragments of their conversation, but not enough to understand everything.

Apparently the maid had lived and served the Delacours her entire life, just like her parents before her. She didn't have any children of her own, but it had been her taking care and raising not only Gabrielle, but Fleur as well; all she wanted was for them to be happy. She knew who Clara was; Fleur had told her about her. And as Hermione closed the door entering her room she couldn't help but to feel a slight sting of jealousy.

"So, do you have any idea what this meeting is about?"

It had been Gabrielle receiving Fleur after she had left the others in order to meet with her family. They were now walking arm in arm down to the council, where Fleur knew the room would be filled with kinfolk, some more friendly than others. Gabrielle had told her that after Fleur had left the day before; her mother, aunt, uncle and last but not least Grandmother, had clashed in a heated argument.

"Gabrielle! Do you know how furious mama would get if she found out that you had been eavesdropping!" Fleur had a warning undertone in her voice, she knew how hard her mother's wrath could hit if one was caught in breaking one of the most fundamental rules of basic etiquette.

"I know. Amelie also got upset when she found out." Gabrielle timidly replied. "She only got upset because she cares about you." Fleur explained with a soft smile. "Je sais." Gabrielle responded with her eyes looking down the floor.

"She is very ill… isn't she?" Silence followed for a moment as Fleur considered whether or not to ask her sister how she had found out about Amalie's illness. Fleur knew that her parents had decided to try and keep both her and Gabrielle in the dark. Amelie had always been a part of her life somehow, it was always her kissing it better when she had hurt herself, her who had tucked her in before bedtime; making sure her feet was covered by the blanket so no monsters could come eat her during the night. Her parents had always told her how to act with dignity, to be proud of who she was, but it was Amelie who allowed her to cry, to be hurt and scared. She had always been a part of her life, it had always been her Fleur had spoken to when she felt like she had nowhere else to go. She was more than just a nanny, more than just a maid. But to Fleur's parents Amelie was nothing more than expendable.

"She is…" Fleur finally responded, feeling her grasp around her sister's arm tighten. "Why can't we help her? I mean, there must be something we can do right?" Gabrielle looked up at her older sister with hopeful eyes. "No, I'm afraid there is nothing we can do ma petit. She is a muggle and…there is nothing that we can do."

"But we know magic! Isn't there any kind of elixir or spell…?"

"We are not allowed to use magic on our servants or any other muggle for that matter. You know that." Fleur tried to reason with her younger sister.

"What is the point of knowing magic, if you are not even allowed to use it?" Gabrielle's eyes had turned to a fiery red but a single look from her sister and they turned back to their normal shade of blue.

Gabrielle had an easier time controlling her temper than Fleur had at that age, and still she had so much to learn, they both had. They were not like their cousins and other relatives. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that they were only a quarter Veela.

Fleur remembers hearing the spite in her Aunt Auréle's voice when she had openly challenged her mother's position in the council at the last family assemble. Like Fleur's grandmother, her mother had been bound to an ordernér, a non-Veela, as opposed to her two younger siblings who had been more fortunate in their bind of mate.

If Apolline would continue with her position in the council, being the next in line to become the matriarch of the clan, the blood would run thin. Their status in society would be reduced to nothing but a simple name. Dead ends; that was what she and Gabrielle had been seen as. This had only further been confirmed when Fleur had decided to declare her engagement to Bill. The relief in her mother's eyes when she had first met him, knowing that he couldn't possibly be Fleur's true mate. Hypocrite. Marrying an ordernér herself.

You can't decide who you are bound to, it simply just happens. No one knows if it simply is destined to be, a part of some grand cosmic design, or if it is a connection you make yourself somewhere, somehow through life. Fleur preferred the last possibility for some reason, maybe because it sounded more as if she had more influence on her own life that way.

"I think they've assembled the meeting because certain members of the clan are questioning your loyalty towards the family." Gabrielle brought Fleur out of her thoughts.

"Que?"Fleur asked with raised eyebrows completely flabbergasted.

"That's what Colette said." Traces of concern were in Gabrielle's voice and Fleur felt a sting of sadness over causing her sister so much worry. They were standing outside the grand wooden door leading into the throne room. Discouraging voices were already to be heard from the inside, and as always Fleur was conflicted whether to enter or simply walk away.

She looked down at her sister one last time before embracing her in a warm reassuring hug. "Don't worry ma petit, everything is going to be okay, I promise." She felt how her sister's delicate, slender arms tightened their grip further, not wanting to let go. Fleur knew that Gabrielle would be worrying no matter what she told her. She would go to one of the solitary studies in the east wing and wait, avoiding any kind of social contact until Fleur would enter and tell her what had happened. A part of her wished so badly that she could join her, not being forced to attend these ever so hostile and negative meetings. Things were a lot more simple back then.

Fleur released her sister and glanced down at her, sending her one last smile before entering the room, hoping that for once, the meeting would be brief.

"Oh Bonjour."

Gabrielle had been sitting by the window glancing down at the garden when the door suddenly had been opened. She quickly made a movement to leave, but something in the girl's blue eyes calmed her, somehow they asked her to stay. She was surprised when the girl approached her, asking if it was okay that she joined her in the room. Gabrielle didn't answer; she simply nodded while she shyly observed how the girl took a seat by the table.

"If I'm not mistaken, you must be Gabrielle, no?" Once again Gabrielle carefully nodded and this time a smile spread across the other girl's lips. "It's nice to meet you Gabrielle. Your sister have told me so much about you." Gabrielle's eyes widened by the mention of Fleur; this resulting in the girl's smile growing even wider, as she started to unpack something from her small leather pouch.

"One of the things she has told me is that you are a big fan of games, especially chess. Now I would like to hear if you would mind playing against me?" Gabrielle looked at the girl for a moment, but then she shook her head carefully to decline the offer.

"Well that's alright, some other time hopefully?" The girl kept smiling warmly at her as Gabrielle noticed that it was an actual chess game she was assembling at the table. The pieces were made out of glass and crystal. And to Gabrielle's great surprise they didn't try to escape when she placed them on the board. They simply stood completely still.

"My name is Clara by the way. It's a pleasure to meet you."