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Chapter 12.
Fourth Year.
Task and Change.
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Finally, the time for the first task came.
Harry and Lucy entered the competitors' tent and saw Fleur in a corner. She looked nervous. When she saw the twins a few meters from her, she shuddered.
"Now now, my dear, there is no need to feel nervous," said Lucy.
Harry approached her and looked in her eyes. Her pupils were dilated and she begun to breathe faster. Harry felt her veela charm, similar to his own, but different and much, much stronger. It was starting to go out of control. The other male champions started to feel it. Harry grasped her shoulders and stared in her eyes. He pushed at her with his own magic, trying to calm her.
Fleur licked her lips and closed the distance between her and Harry. She shuddered again when she embraced him. Feeling her magic relax slightly, she gave Harry a peck on the cheek. Half a minute later, her magic was under control. "I'm sorry," she said, putting her head on Harry's shoulder. "I don't know what came over me. I was already nervous, but when you two came in, I just lost control."
Lucy put a comforting hand on her back, rubbing it in an attempt to relax her. "Don't worry. It was probably our aura that caused all this. We are particularly strong, and we spend a lot of time with vampires. I think they rubbed off on us. Because of that we have something similar to a diluted veela charm. This happens sometimes when we meet a new, stressed, young vampire."
"Oh. In any case, thank you for calming me," said Fleur. She gave no sign of wanting to break contact with the twins. She actually burrowed deeper in their embrace. "This feels so nice. I can't remember the last time I felt so peaceful."
None of the three champions paid any attention to the glares of the other two French champions, Cedric and the three Durmstrang champions.
Five minutes later, Bagman entered and explained the first task. Each one of the champions drew a small sculpture of a dragon, by lottery.
Harry and Lucy got a Hungarian Horntail. Fleur got a Common Welsh Green.
Harry was to be the last competitor. He sat in a chair, closed his eyes and relaxed. Lucy was the first competitor and Fleur was the second.
Harry smiled inwardly at the success of their plan. Lucy got the egg, and nobody even knew how she did it.
Fleur used her broom to steal the egg. The other competitors followed in her steps, with various results.
Finally, Harry's turn came. He heard the commentator's voice. "And ... Harry Potter, the twin of Lucy Potter! Let us see if he has the same plan as his sister. Ms. Potter succeeded in her task flawlessly, but nobody knows how. Perhaps if we pay close attention to Mr. Potter, we will find out."
Harry approached the dragon slowly. The dragon was nervous because of the noise of the crowd. His senses extended towards the dangerous creature. Harry observed something strange. The unbreakable chain that was supposed to keep the dragon from getting free wasn't unbreakable.
Harry drew his wand and cast a temporary muffling ward around the dragon, so it would not be angered by the sound of the crowd. Then, he pointed his wand towards the Forbidden Forest. Twenty seconds later, two flying cows were approaching at a great speed. Harry slowed them and moved them towards the dragon, who was eyeing them hungrily. As soon as the cows came in reach, the dragon started to feed.
Seeing that the dragon was no longer a danger, Harry relaxed slightly. He conjured a disillusioned snake and ordered it to get the egg. Then he disillusioned the golden egg. Thankfully, the dragon failed to notice anything strange.
The invisible snake slithered towards the egg. It wrapped itself around it and came back. Harry picked the egg from the snake and banished the creature. He disillusioned the egg and walked towards one of the dragon handlers.
It was Charley Weasley. "Harry mate, that was cool," he said.
"Thanks, Charley. Can I ask you why the unbreakable chain is not unbreakable?"
"What?"
"The chain keeping the dragon in place, it's just a normal chain."
Charley paled. "Are you sure?" At Harry's nod, the dragon handler looked as if he was about to faint.
He signaled to three of his colleagues and told them what Harry said.
"That's impossible," said one of them.
Another handler went towards the dragon and cast a spell at the chain. He came back and the dragon handlers had a silent conversation.
The four dragon handlers brought a new chain with them and chained the dragon with it.
Harry and Lucy got 40 points. So did Krum and Fleur. Cedric got 38 points. All of the other students completed the task as well, but they all had fewer than 35 points.
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The next day, Fleur came to the library. She came to Harry's table and bit her lip.
"Hi Harry."
"Hi Fleur. Do you want to sit down?"
"I do not want to intrude. I heard that this is your private table and you rarely let other people sit with you."
"That's true, but you are not other people. Here, sit," said Lucy.
Fleur sat down between the twins and smiled sadly at the rest of the girls.
"You know me and Harry. This is Ginny. She's a third year Hufflepuff. Daphne and Tracy are fourth year Slytherins. Hannah and Susan - fourth year Hufflepuffs. Luna - third year Ravenclaw. And Su Li - fourth year, Ravenclaw." All of the girls smiled and nodded at the French girl, who looked surprised.
"Hey, why are you looking so surprised?" asked Lucy.
"Well, I am a veela," said Fleur as if it would explain everything.
"Yes, we know."
"How can I explain? Ever since the Change... veela mature from child to adult in less than a week. When that happens, our charm becomes active. Suddenly, in only a few weeks, males loose 50 IQ points around you. And the females hate you instantly. I had a lot of friends before the Change, mostly girls. After I matured, all of them became jealous and hated me. And the few boys I knew kept looking at me as if I was a piece of meat."
Lucy gave the veela a hug. "It's ok. We're not like that."
"I know. Usually when I sit with girls, it takes less than five seconds for them to start giving me cold glares and veiled insults. This is nice. But I don't understand how ... why?"
"Me and the girls like to share," whispered Lucy in Fleur's ear.
"Oh," said Fleur glancing at Harry.
"And we all have increased resistance to things like veela charm or vampire compulsion."
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The next day, Fleur brought her little sister Gabrielle.
"Hello. Gaby wanted to meet you."
"Hi Gaby," said Lucy. She introduced the group to the young veela and told her to sit with them.
"Where?" asked Gaby in a strange voice.
"Wherever you want."
"Really?" asked Gaby smiling mischievously.
"Yes," replied Lucy, wondering about the smile.
"Thanks." Gaby jumped in Harry's lap, shocking all the girls except Fleur, who groaned in exasperation.
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In the middle of December, the twins went to the lake for the second task. Narcissa had informed them that every competitor would have to rescue someone important. While this was not new information, because they opened the egg underwater and heard the riddle; she did get one very important thing. The prisoners would be dosed with the draft of living death.
They were all concerned that someone tried to kill Harry in the first task, so they thought that it might happen in the second task as well. As such, they thought they must be prepared for anything. Fleur was informed of the potential danger and they all decided to stick close to each other.
The nine competitors aligned on the edge of the lake.
When the signal to start the task came, Krum partially transfigured himself in a shark. The rest of the competitors cast bubble-head charms. Harry, Lucy and Fleur cast spells to keep the water from their clothes. Then they conjured three sea-serpents and cast a spell to enlarge them. The last spell they cast made them grow gills. They dove under the water and grabbed their mode of transportation - the snakes. Soon they saw one of the French competitors. She was attacked by grindylows. They helped the girl, who continued toward the village.
When they saw the underwater village, Lucy signaled the other two.
"What is it," asked Fleur.
"I don't know exactly, but there is something out there."
"Is it dangerous?"
"Perhaps, I do not like the look of that village. It is the perfect place for an ambush."
They waited a few minutes, scouting around. The other competitors had already rescued their prisoners.
"At least now we won't have others to get in our way," grumbled Lucy.
After conjuring three more sea-serpents for the prisoners, the three champions went towards the center of the village. They cut their prisoners free. Harry had Daphne, Lucy had Ginny and Fleur had Gabrielle. As soon as they got free, large explosions detonated in the village. The mermen went berserk and Harry had to put a shield around them to stop their aimless attacks.
Lucy gave the three prisoners the antidote to the draft of living death and put bubble-head charms on them. They all grabbed their sea serpents and sped towards the surface.
Just after they exited the village, a large numbers of grindylows started to attack them, but a few large area concussion spells discouraged them easily enough.
When they were half way to the surface, one meter spear-like fishes started to attack. They were so fast and agile that spells could barely hit them. The only thing that saved them was the twins' inhuman reflexes and their hastily erected shields.
"What the hell are these things?" asked Daphne.
"I don't know. But don't get hit. That nose, needle, spear or whatever it is, can probably cut us in half. And it might be poisoned too," said Lucy.
Just then, another wave of the spear-fish attacked. Four of them slammed in a shield and broke it. Two more took advantage of the fact and sped towards Gabrielle's unprotected back. Harry hissed a command and the sea-serpent rolled and took a sharp turn towards Harry. The first spear-fish slammed in Gabrielle's serpent, killing it. The second one locked on Gabrielle, but Harry managed to hit him. Harry sheathed his wand and grabbed Gabby. Suddenly, a spear-fish slammed in Harry's back. Lucy immediately sent a cutting hex, killing the fish, and then she reinforced the shield.
"Harry, are you okay?"
"Yes."
"I think it's poisonous," said Fleur. "It ki...paralyzed Gaby's serpent."
"I'm fine," said Harry. "I'm immune to most poisons."
"Shouldn't we pull out the spear?" asked Daphne.
"No. It will do more harm if we do that," replied Harry. "Just cut the fish from the spear."
Lucy sent a cutting hex, leaving only a five centimeter shaft.
"Now, these things annoy me too much. I'm done playing nice."
"Harry and Lucy began conjuring black serpents. After two minutes, there were a few dozens of them."
"Kill the spears," hissed Harry.
Immediately, the black serpents lunged at the surrounding spear-fish. The serpents were twice as large as the fish, faster and more agile.
They watched for a few minute as the serpents slaughtered the sword-fish. The task was made easier because the fish tried to attack the humans and mostly ignored the serpents.
Harry and the six girls surfaced the water, just before the one hour limit. The twins and Fleur dispelled their gills and the sea-serpents took them to the edge of the lake. Harry climbed out of the lake with Gaby still in his arms. The crowd gasped at the protruding spear and the blood.
Madam Pomfrey hurried to treat Harry, but was pushed aside by two of their own healers. "We'll take care of them."
Harry and the five girls were ushered in a tent prepared by Narcissa.
Harry sat on a hospital bed, Gaby still in his arms. Fleur came to take her and Gaby grudgingly let go of Harry.
"My Lord, you are in no danger," declared the healer who looked at the wound. "It did not hit any vital organs. If we pull it back, it'll only make more damage. We'll have to push it forward."
The spear was driven forward, and a healer healed the wounds. "There, you're all better. Tomorrow, it will be completely healed. Even the scars will be gone."
Alicia kneeled in front of Harry, revealing her neck. "There is no need to wait for tomorrow, master."
Harry nodded and smiled in gratitude, biting the vampire and dranking deeply. The infusion of blood healed him completely.
"You're a vampire." said Fleur in a wondering tone.
"We forgot you didn't know," said Lucy. "We are part vampire. Does that bother you?"
"No, not really." Gaby struggled in Fleur's grasp and was released. Immediately, she dashed in Harry's lap, snuggled and started purring.
Alicia looked carefully at the girl. "There's something wrong with her."
Fleur examined her from a distance and groaned. "The Change has begun. She is maturing. Since her veela side is so strong, she is maturing earlier than I did."
"But why now. And why is she behaving like that," asked Lucy.
"Since she has a life debt to Harry now, there is a link between them. She is binding herself to him. She is choosing her mate... The link is still new. It can be broken it if you wish, but the consequences for Gaby will be quite bad. I would ask you to let the bond continue. I know it is selfish of me, but..."
Lucy put a finger to her mouth, cutting her words. "Of course we will. We like Gaby a lot. We do not have a problem with her bonding. The only potential problem is not us, but her. Harry is not monogamous. As long as she can accept our relationships, there is no problem."
"I somehow doubt there'll be any problems with that," muttered Fleur.
"Good, then it's settled," said Lucy. "I have a question though, how long is she going to be grafted like that to Harry?"
"It's advisable they stay in close proximity until she matures. That means about seven days. It is advisable to spend most of the day by her side."
"Then, she'll have to sleep in our quarters," said Harry.
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After Harry was healed, Narcissa went to give a statement to the public outside. It was decided that she would inform the reporters about the attack. She would not give any details, but she would hint about the possibility of an assassination attempt.
It was now clear that the mission of the fake One-Eye Moody to help Harry or Lucy to win the tournament and use the cup as a port-key was abandoned. Voldemort realized that the chances of getting the twins as an ingredient in his ritual of resurrection, was slim to none. Most likely, he decided to kill them and the tasks were the perfect way. In the first task someone removed the unbreakable charm on the chain that shackled Harry's dragon in the arena. And in the second task, someone tried to kill them again by using water creatures. The third task would most likely have another attempt; probably one of their fellow champions would try to 'accidentally' kill the twins in a duel.
After the crowd dispersed, their bodyguards escorted Harry and the girls, including Fleur and Gabrielle, to Harry's quarters. Lucy, Fleur and Harry - who was carrying Gaby, went to the twins' bedroom; the other girls, decided by unspoken agreement, that they would stay away for a while.
Harry put the sleeping young veela on the bed, smiling at her look of contentment.
Fleur stared at the bed for a few seconds. "I should probably go. Um, see you tomorrow."
Lucy's hand clamped on Fleur's arm. "You don't have to leave. You can stay ... with us."
The sudden contact made Fleur bit her lip in need and desire until she drew blood.
Lucy kissed Fleur, savoring her sweet taste. "You belong to us, with us. You know it. Gaby is not the only one who is binding herself.
"No. I have more control."
"Yes you do." Lucy licked her neck, making the veela groan. "With us, there is no need for control. Let it go."
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Two days later, Harry left for dinner with Fleur. Lucy remained with Gaby, to keep her company. The young veela was asleep most of the time. She would wake up only for necessities, eat for five people, and then she fell asleep.
Harry and the inner circle sat down by Fleur, at the Ravenclaw table.
"Fleur!?"
Harry winced at the squeaky voice in disgust.
Fleur looked at the author of the voice with even more disgust. "Yes?"
"Hi... I ... I'm Ron Weasley. Do you... um ... want to um ... go to the ball with me?"
"No."
Ron looked crestfallen. He opened his mouth but was interrupted.
"Really Weasley, do you even have robes," Malfoy sneered.
Ron reddened in shame at the taunt.
"Do you really think you could have any chance, Weasley?"
"I don't see you doing any better, Malfoy."
"Is that so? Ms. Delacour, would you go to the Yule ball with me?"
Fleur looked at the Malfoy heir and shivered in disgust. "No."
"What?" Malfoy looked shocked at her expression. "Do you know who I am?"
"She told you no, Draco. Now, sod off."
"Stay out of this Potter. This is none of your business."
Harry sighed in exasperation. 'I humiliate Malfoy all the time. But he always comes back for more,' thought Harry. "Yes it is, Draco. Now, don't make me repeat myself."
"Malfoy, I already have a date," said Fleur.
"Who?"
Harry smirked at his fellow Slytherin. "Me."
"You? But aren't you going with Daphne?" whined Malfoy.
"It's none of your business; now, will you get out of my sight, or do I have to do something drastic?"
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A few days later, Harry woke up hugging an unfamiliar girl.
The girl turned and smiled happily. "Master."
She looked like Fleur, only more beautiful, if that was possible. Where Fleur was tall, Gaby was petite, like Su Li. And her scent was intoxicating. "Gaby? ... you changed ... You look wonderful."
"Thank you master," she whispered breathily. "I am glad you like my new look."
Harry caressed her cheek, making Gaby shudder...
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On December 25, Harry and the girls arrived at the door to the great hall.
Mcgonagal was at the door and looked surprised at the group.
Harry had Fleur on his right and Gaby on his left. Lucy and Ginny were hand in hand; the same with Daphne and Tracy, Susan and Hannah, Su Li and Luna.
"Mr. Potter, I see you dance partner is Ms. Delacour. But who is the other lady."
"Gabrielle Delacour." After the change, Gaby looked even more beautiful than Fleur.
"Ah, Ms. Delacour, I see you went through the Change. I was wondering why you disappeared after the second task. Unfortunately, you cannot enter. The same goes for Ms. Weasley and Ms. Lovegood. You must be at least fourth years."
"She is here as my partner," said Harry.
"Mr. Potter, you already have a partner."
"Gaby love, do you want to come with me to the Yule Ball?" asked Daphne.
"I would be honored."
'See? It's resolved," said Harry.
"Ms. Greengrass, she must be invited by a boy. I'm afraid they will have to find a date to enter. The same goes for you too, Ms. Potter; you will have to find a ... male partner as well. Most of them already have one. Perhaps Mr. Weasley..."
"No. There is no rule that says that I must go with a boy."
Mcgonagal grimaced. "You are right Ms. Potter, but you can't go with a girl as your dance partner. It is not proper."
"We do not care, professor," said Harry. "We will do as we please, like we always do." And Harry swept past the spluttering professor.
The students' eyes bulged at the procession of one boy and ten girls. Dumbledore especially, looked with disapproval at the twins.
Harry smirked at Malfoy and his date Pansy. Weasley was in a disgusting robe, dateless; he stopped glowering at Granger and Krum and started to glower at Harry for a few seconds. Then he started to stare at Fleur and Gaby, forgetting Granger.
Harry spent the whole night dancing with his girls, paying no mind to the glowers of the male population, and the jealousy of the female population.
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Next day, the twins were called to Dumbledore's office.
"What do you want headmaster," asked Harry coldly, the moment he set foot in Dumbledore's office.
"Harry, my b..."
"Mr. Potter."
"Mr. Potter. I hoped you got past your grudge..."
"I didn't. You tried to put me in Azkaban. You tried to mind-rape me. I no longer consider you an ally."
"What can I say? I did not intent to put you in Azkaban."
"Yes, you did. I am not stupid. You did not want Narcissa to be present when you called the aurors. You tried to evict her, knowing that she was trying to protect me."
"I am sorry. I can only hope that you will forgive me one day. I make mistakes, just like anyone else. You must believe me. I only have your best interests at heart," said Dumbledore in a grandfatherly tone and sparkling eyes.
"What do you want, headmaster?"
"I am worried about you; more precisely I am worried about Ms. Potter. Last night, you both came to the ball accompanied by a girl. You are only forth years, but you stand to inherit a great deal. You both have the responsibility of producing an heir. I am sure you - Mr. Potter have some candidates among your many female friends, but your sister lacks any male friends. I can introduce you to some very good boys, from good families. It would be a good..."
"Headmaster, are you matchmaking?" asked Lucy in a cold voice.
"You could call it that, Ms Potter."
"My lack of male friends is none of your business. We will produce an heir without your meddling. Good day, headmaster."
'What is he thinking?' Lucy asked Harry a few minutes later.
'An heir.'
'An heir that would inherit our vast fortune.'
'If we kill Voldemort and die in battle, Dumbledore could try to use his influence and gain control of our heir ... if we had one.'
'He would mold and use it, like he tried to do with us.'
'One day,'
'Dumbledore,'
'Voldemort,'
'And all our enemies,'
'Will die,'
'By our hand;'
"One day..."
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Author Notes: First of all... I know Fleur has a French accent... but me and the French language aren't good friends. So, by author decree... I decided that Fleur can somehow speak accent-less English.
A little explanation about the duration of memory integration... since there was a question about it. In chapter one, they only sucked the "vampire instincts" witch are not too many... so it didn't take too long. From Dumbledore (and Voldemort) they took a lot of spells and whatnot... so it took longer.
Why does Lucy not control people (the way she did in the prologue with Ms. Figg)? Because it is easy to control a squib... a wizard however, it might be quite a bit harder. The control might be broken somehow. Obliviators and Legilimans can control people too... and you can also use an Imperio (and it's easier). The twins are not evil... just have a ... Nietzsche-an philosophy. They could easily use Imperio on enemies... or even on innocents in some few special cases... but only on a good reason.
Next chapter... the third task ... there will be some dueling. One might wonder what will happen in an duel between the twins... I can only say that there will be a bit of high-level transfiguration... and I will do it in the most amusing way possible. Voldemort and the DE will not be pleased.
How was this chapter? I ... kind of feel conflicted about it...
Like always, reviews are much appreciated.
Published: October 06 2008
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