Chapter 10:

Harry was still unhappy about his meeting with Dumbledore, and a letter he had received had done nothing to calm his ire. It had read:

Dear Harry,

I need you to understand that when I had you evicted from the country, I acted hastily, for which I must now apologise, I was pressured by several groups and they demanded you leave, being the Minister is a very stressful situation you must understand!

We need you back; surely you understand that your feelings are below that of the whole Nation, possibly even the world. I acted as I did for the greater good, and I don't regret my actions, merely feel I was mistaken. I do hope that you will return hastily, Please remember the lives that you place in risk because of your childish desire to be independent.

I hate to use this tone, but unless you arrive back hastily, I may be forced to take actions I disapprove of. I do not desire this in the least.

With Hope

Albus Dumbledore,

(Supreme Mugwump, Chief Warlock of the Wizard Gammot, Minister for Magic)

Harry was nearly spitting with rage, and not even wanting to give Dumbledore a proper reply, Harry had merely replied with one of his prewritten fan mail replies,

Dear Albus

I thank you for your correspondence; I read it and appreciated the comments made. I hope that you make it to the next match, Have a good day.

Harry Potter

He had enclosed an autograph, and sent it off the day before, not by Hedwig, but by a different Post Owl. Today was Saturday, and one of his Day's off, Gabrielle was still at Beauxbatons and He was planning on Floo calling her that evening.

He was currently in his new flat, a very expensive luxury muggle property, with one wall entirely made of glass, overall it was very light and open, with a very good view over the city of Bordeaux. He was in the living room, watching the muggle television, when he heard the doorbell. The Flat had Compulsion wards, so was well protected, and as he opened the door, he saw a face completely unexpected.

"S-Sirius?"

"Hello Pup!" Harry blinked, in shock, before jumping forwards and grabbing his godfather in a tight hug. Sirius hugged back just as tightly, and eventually they broke apart.

"I thought you'd forgotten me! It's been almost 8 months since you left!" Harry laughed

"I've been trying to break off all ties with England for a while now, but come in, come in!" Sirius did so, whistling appreciatively at the flat.

"Nice digs, being a pro sportsman pays well I take it?" Harry laughed, and nodded. Sirius wandered around, looking like a kid in a sweet shop at all the things he could see.

"How did you find me Sirius? I haven't told anyone about this place, it's me and Gabrielle's, not even her parents know about it!" Sirius grinned,

"Harry, I knew you would be in Bordeaux, and quite frankly you stink just the same as James always used to, I just followed the smell!" Harry laughed, waving his wand to turn the kettle on.

"So, what brings you to France dear Godfather?" Harry asked, Sirius turned grave; his smile faded and was replaced by a frown.

"Dumbledore sent me. Told me to persuade you to return, he's getting desperate, I told him that you clearly didn't want to, I only came as I haven't seen you in so long!" Harry scowled.

"That man doesn't get a hint, after the way he's treated me and Gabi, you'd think he'd get a clue!"

"Where is you wonderful woman anyway?" Sirius asked

"Beauxbatons, she's learning for the two of us." Harry answered distractedly. Sirius nodded,

"I still get confused by the fact that your only a kid still, earning more in a week than I've got in my whole life, having your face splashed around the tabloids, and hearing kids claim that they want to be you when they grow up, it makes me think your older. I'm glad you're not though!" Harry laughed, and Sirius grinned.

"erm, how desperate actually is Dumbledore? I mean, he seems to be pretty efficient as Minister, but you know, what extent does he want me back?" Sirius frowned

"Look, at the moment he won't try anything, but I'm sure that he will soon, he's got it into his head that you're the only who can save the world, He's going to do something stupid, soon, I can feel it, and I pity you if he goes completely wacky. He told me to tell you that all your money, Heirlooms, title and social position will be returned, as well as the fact that you will be lawfully allowed in the country." Sirius finished and gazed at Harry.

"You can tell him, and quote me here, To Fuck off out of MY life." Sirius grinned,

"I'll do just that and right now, could I pay you a visit soon, I don't know, tomorrow for Dinner Maybe?" Harry nodded

"Sure, Gabrielle can come over; I can't believe that you haven't met her yet!" Sirius grinned, they embraced, before he went over to the door, stepped out and disparated.

xoxOxox

The next day found Harry in somewhat of a panic, He was expecting Gabrielle round any time soon, and he knew from their time together that her cookery skills were worse than his. He had promised Sirius dinner, and so far he had decided that there would be carrots. He could cook those. "God... Someone save me!"

"I can save Harry Potter sir, if he needs food to be cooked for him sir." Harry looked around, there on the rug stood Dobby, he grinned down at the elf, before laughing

"Dobby, could you please cook me a meal for 3, and do the generally important things there involved... Please!" Dobby smiled

"It would be a pleasure Mr. Harry Sir. Dobby will cook... Duck, with asparagus and carrots, perhaps with a side of potatoes, then some canapés and champagne to start, and then a black Forest gateau for pudding... if that is acceptable?" Harry nodded, giving Dobby thumbs up and going to pick up Gabrielle,

"Sirius is coming to dinner, if that's Ok?" Gabrielle smiled,

"Your criminal godfather, who's trying to kill you?" Harry grinned

"The one and only, come on, I thought I would take you shopping for a new dress." Gabrielle looked disbelieving, before she hugged him tight. I Love You!

I love you to, now come on, before I change my mind...

I can see your mind you muppet, and I will embarrass the hell out of you should you even consider changing it. Harry grinned, before engaging her in a deep kiss.

They later were to be found standing in the Gucci store in Milan, Gabrielle surrounded by plastic wrapping, trying on dress after dress, whilst harry looked on. "Honey, I've got some stuff to wrap up, before we head home, if that's cool?" She nodded distractedly, and Harry slipped out, heading to places unknown...

When he got back, Gabrielle had chosen a dress for the night, it was midnight blue and strapless of the shoulders, the back was covered in intricate patterns and the front hugged her chest closely, accentuating her curves before it eventually flared out, ending just below the knee. Harry looked her up and down, nodding, and drawing her in closely, careful to keep his mind shielded, he kissed her gently on the lips,

"You look beautiful, come on, let's go home!" He took her hand and led her out to the street before they disapparated, back to the apartment. Dobby had outdone himself, the flat had low lighting, and there were candles set out, the main table had a white cloth over it, with places for 3, delicious smells wafted from the kitchen, where they could see Dobby running around wearing a ridiculously big apron, and a chef's hat.

"Let's go to the living room, wait for Sirius, he should be here soon." He took her hand and gently led her to the sofa. Once inside, he turned to her,

"Gabrielle, I love you, more than I can say, I've known you for a little over a year, but it seems like so much longer, I've grown to want you, to need you, and to love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and without or without the bond; my feelings would be the same." She gasped, as he got down on one knee, "Gabrielle Marie Delacour, would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?" He withdrew from his pocket and velvet box, inside of which was a ring.

"I... I... I will, Harry, of course I will," he grinned, stood up and slowly slid the ring onto the third finger of her left hand. It was a beautiful piece, platinum, with a large sapphire in the middle, surrounded by diamonds which were surrounded by small rubies, all held in a delicate golden framework.

She looked up at him, and he looked back, "I love you Harry, never forget that, I would never leave you" he smiled softly back, before kissing her softly on the side of the mouth. At that moment the doorbell rung, and Dobby hurried to answer it. "Ahh, Mr Black sir, Mr Harry and Mistress Gabrielle are in the living room."

"Thank you elf," Sirius walked in, looking at the two of them, "young love, nothing better in the world!" he walked over and gave Harry a hug, before turning to Gabrielle,

"Ah, Godson, I'm proud of you, catching a Veela with your first cast, impressive stuff." Harry smiled, before Sirius cast an appraising eye over his fiancé,

"You know Harry, that ring she's wearing is on a very important finger, is that a mistake or what?" Harry shuffled his feet and Gabrielle looked down, "Harry, did you propose to Gabrielle?" Harry looked at him and nodded,

"yeah, about 20 seconds before you came in... yeah," Sirius pulled Harry into a tight hug, and laughed,

"Good for you pup, congratulations both of you!" they walked into the dining room, where the lights of Muggle Bordeaux could be seen spread out before them, they took a seat, and Dobby began to serve the sumptuous array of foods, they chatted easily, and Gabrielle's eyes kept on flitting down to her hand, where she would hold it up to the light, admiring how the light reflected across the polished surfaces.

After the meal was over, they continued to chat, Sirius brought up Dumbledore. "Harry, Dumbledore has requested that you visit him today, come back with me, and sort this whole thing out, just make peace, I implore you, it's hard for me to see my young godson, my only family left, have to fight like this, please, just come back with me, for 10 minutes, just to talk."

"I just want Dumbledore to leave me and Gabi alone, and if I must visit the manipulative bastard, then that's fine." Sirius visibly sighed in relief. And they both stood up, Harry thanked Dobby, and the three of them headed towards the fireplace. Throwing in some floo powder, Sirius called,

"Number 12 Grimauld place!" Harry and Gabrielle stepped in, threw in some powder, and with a shout span off, headed into the lion's den.

They fell out, landing gracefully on their feet, Sirius was standing directly in front of them, "I'm so sorry Gabrielle, Harry, I'm..." what he was about to say was lost over the sudden shout of Spells and jinxes that the dozens of witches who were concealed behind disillusionment charms suddenly shouted. Harry threw up a shield, saving the two of them from the initial volley; he drew his wand and sent dozens of curses at anyone he could see,

More spilled in through the doors, "Gabrielle get down, now!"

"I can fight, Harry, let me fight!" Harry responded by forcing her down with his hand, before sending a bolt of electricity to a figure he could just about make out. there was a scream as the figure fried. "Hastis Glacis!" he cried and a spear of ice shot out of his wand, he felt a curse hit his back, his legs began a complicated tap dance, he collapsed, and from his position on the floor, saw two figures dragging a kicking and screaming Gabrielle away, "Gabrielle, GABRIELLE!" he screamed

"HARRY, help me," Harry panicked

"I will find you, whatever it takes, I Love You, and I will find you." He was about to say some more when he was hit in the face by a petrificus Totalus jinx, and his his whole body froze, and he collapsed to the floor. He was lying face down on the floor, only able to move his eyes when he saw a familiar white bearded face appear above him.

"Hello Harry, good to have you back with us! I think you need some time to cool off, before we have another little chat like this one. Do you agree?" there was a pause before he continued "Now Harry, you didn't act very well today did you, you've seriously injured several people, including your best friend Ron. That was stupid. We will have to continue this chat later on." Harry could do nothing as the manipulative bastard above him drew his wand and began sent a bright jet of light down at him, before his mind went dark, and his eye's closed.