(A/N: Version 0.8)
Chapter 28 - New Outlooks, part 2
Apolline led the group of four students through the Floo Network to the main Floo fireplaces of Beauxbatons on Tuesday morning. Madame Maxime was waiting for them and greeted them with a smile.
«Good morning, everyone. I'm happy to see you.» She did look and sound happy too. «Apolline, it's always good to see you. I assume you're here to register Gabrielle?»
«It is good to see you again as well. I am here for Gabrielle,» Apolline answered with a friendly smile, «but I'm also here for Harry, Hermione, and Ginny should anything unusual arise.»
«I understand. I thought we should talk and answer questions this morning as well as take a tour. After lunch, the exams will begin. They can stay here in the dorms or Floo back and forth each day, as desired, but they should be done by Friday afternoon.» The Headmistress looked at them all and the expression on the each of the student's faces made it obvious what they wanted to do.
Apolline could read their expressions just as easily. «They can stay to get a taste of life here as well as learn where everything is before September.» The students looked very pleased, while Apolline's turned more serious. «There is one thing we should discuss before all others, and we will need the utmost privacy.»
«As you wish - we should go to my office, but let me show you a few things on the way.» As the Headmistress turned and started walking down a corridor, she held out her hand and gestured around her. «As you can see by the marble and architecture, this version of Beauxbatons was created and built during the early Renaissance period. The original Beauxbatons was built in 790 AD, or about 200 years before Hogwarts,» she said smugly. «This newer version is several times larger than the original school and also better hidden in its present location in the valley. I'll show you outside later. We serve students from eleven different countries, twelve now with you joining us. That diversity gives us an open flavor that I believe you'll enjoy. Drawing students from more countries also means that we have a over double the population of Hogwarts at nearly 900 students. If you'll enter my office and have a seat near the fireplace?» She opened a large door and motioned them in.
Harry and the rest of the mates looked around as they walked, easily noticing the difference in look and feel of the school compared to Hogwarts. There was more light everywhere and combined with the lighter walls made the place feel brighter to the soul. Not that they had ever considered Hogwarts depressing, but it had a heavier feeling now that they had seen this. Harry and Hermione had seen the school before and had forgotten about the lighter feeling; Ginny was seeing it for the first time and liked it. Gabrielle had never visited the school before and was full of wonder in getting to go where her sister had.
The trio from Hogwarts also noticed that the décor was very different too. While there were pictures, there were fewer; there were more tapestries instead. The number of suits of armor were also fewer. Completely foreign to Hogwarts, there were large and small granite planters in small alcoves with plants in them. They had also not seen a single ghost yet.
Harry also noticed that the Headmistress's office was near the front door and that it was not hidden away from everyone behind a gargoyle, but the Headmistress was available after a simple knock on her door.
The bond-mates squeezed together on a sofa meant for three adults and waited anxiously as the Headmistress pulled her wand out and silently cast several white spells around the room for privacy. She then sat in a slightly large chair that matched her frame and leaned forward to the table in front of everyone.
«I have coffee, tea, and orange juice.»
Harry, Hermione, and Ginny took tea, while Gabrielle took the juice. Apolline asked for coffee, which the Headmistress poured for herself too.
«Now, what do you feel must be discussed first?» Headmistress Olympe Maxime looked at them all with interest. She looked at Apolline and was surprised when the woman looked at Harry.
«Headmistress, I don't believe this will affect our education here in any significant way, but we felt it was important that you know something about us.» Harry took a deep breath before he said, «I have an unusual magical power that I need to keep hidden, but because I have that power, I also have an unusual situation to deal with. This knowledge is hidden by Fidelius charms. Hermione?»
The Headmistress looked very surprised, but did not say a word.
Hermione shared her secret, followed by Ginny, and then by Gabrielle.
«So you see, Headmistress, we have a special relationship and where I go, the others will go too.» Harry paused at seeing the Headmistress's contemplative look, but he continued on when she did not immediately say anything. «We know our being together will be noticed sooner rather than later and that it might cause problems. While we'd rather not share the girls' secrets with the rest of the students, we are willing if that will make things easier.»
The Headmistress looked at Apolline, who nodded. «And how did this happen, because this sounds very, very unusual.»
Harry appreciated that she was approaching the situation so evenly. «I suppose you do deserve to know that as well, as you could then help to prevent me from bonding anyone else.» Harry shared his secret with her.
Hermione gave a brief description of her ordeal with the troll. Ginny talked about the diary and basilisk. Gabrielle added a few details about the second task.
Headmistress Maxime nodded slowly. «I now see why you wanted to come here, and why you mentioned the lack of safety at Hogwarts in our previous conversation. Have no fear, we have had nothing like any of that here at Beauxbatons during my time as Headmistress. In fact, I believe you would have to go back to near the founding of this school to find such perilous times. I do not believe you will bond a fourth young woman here. However, you do have a unique situation…» She trailed her comment off with a thoughtful look.
«We would prefer not to tell everyone here our secret, if possible. Do you know of a way because we can't think of any other?» Hermione asked her.
«It is unique, and yet, it's not too dissimilar from events in the past if we go back far enough … and it's also the truth in a way, just not the whole truth,» Maxime said softly, thinking out loud. She nodded to herself once and brightened a little, returning to her normal voice level. «Yes, I can understand your not wanting to share your secrets. Once some hear of them, they might wonder how to join you and I would believe you would not want that. Yes?»
«Yes,» all of the bond-mates answered.
Maxime looked to Apolline. «What would you think if we announced that these four were in arranged marriages due to old family obligations from a previous generation? While arrangements are not common here, they are also not unheard of. The fact that three of them come from England, a culture we study only lightly here, would hide the truth nicely. The only difficulty would come with the addition of your daughter, and how she came to be arranged.»
Apolline nodded. «Yes, that might work and I see the difficulty. The Delacours have not practiced arranged marriages for at least the last four generations and probably longer, plus how would our families have met being from different countries.»
«And why Gabrielle and not Fleur, who is the oldest?» Hermione added.
«Can we not tell the truth?» Gabrielle asked. «I became attached to Harry because of the Triwizard Tournament. There was magic involved that no one can explain, much like there was magic that forced Harry to be in the Tournament when he didn't want to. We can also say that it is something we do not want to talk about.»
«People will talk about it anyway, but it would serve as an explanation that they can understand.» Maxime looked at them all.
Harry saw small nods from his bind-mates. «We can agree to that.»
«I and my husband can as well,» Apolline agreed.
«Then we have a solution to the problem.» Maxime looked at each of the students. «I also thank you for telling me the truth so I can help you. Is there anything else special to discuss?»
«No, other than the usual need to watch over Gabrielle because she is a Veela,» Apolline replied, receiving a nod from the Headmistress, «although I'm sure Harry will do an admirable job. If you'll let me sign the papers for registration, I'll leave and not be in the way of the tour and exams.» A few minutes later, Apolline gave the bond-mates a quick hug and left via the main Floo.
Headmistress Maxime led the students around the school, letting them look in various rooms as they desired. The most different aspect from Hogwarts was the number of extra teachers. Most subjects had three teachers and some had four. Hermione was happy because it allowed for smaller class sizes and more individual instruction. The Headmistress also led them to one of the dorm areas on the third, and top, floor of the wing.
«Each major wing of the building has a dorm area on the top floor and this is the dorm area for the Red group, or as some call it, the house of Fire. As you may have heard from Fleur, the school is divided into four groups, each named after the primary color of an element of magic: White for air, Blue for water, Brown for earth, and Red for fire. Normally, we allow the students to pick what house they want until it is full for that age group, causing the houses to have about the same number students for each year. We start with the older students, those who want to switch houses each draw a number for the order of their choice. They can change houses through the years, or stay in the same house their entire time, and most do stay in their original house. Because all the choosing is done at the end of the year for the next school year, I shall assign you to the Red group because it is presently the smallest for your year.» She directed them around the large room.
«As you can see, there are a lot of tables for studying, as well as sofas and chairs around low tables for discussion or quiet reading. Or even games if all of your studies are complete,» she added with a smile before pointing to a door. «Each dorm area has dedicated chaperons to help you as needed, whether in school or personal matters. The chaperons are always a married couple and teach no classes. Don't worry about them being around you all the time. They are charged with being available and making random appearances. You may think of them as an aunt and uncle.
«The two double doorways lead to the corridors for the sleeping areas,» she pointed them out, «one for young men and one for young ladies. You may go look at one of each, if you like - although they are identical.»
The four each looked at one dorm room in each corridor, three of them finding it interesting that there were no charms to keep boys out of the girls' area - or the reverse. They were similar to the dorms at Hogwarts, although each room only slept four students.
«Are the rooms set aside for a specific year?» Hermione asked.
«No, any four students may share a room, although most rooms are filled with students from the same year. The exceptions are usually siblings.»
Ginny pointedly looked at Hermione, who gave a "you do it" gesture back at her. With a sigh at her suddenly shy bond-mate, she turned to the Headmistress. «Since it will be known that we are arranged, do you have separate quarters for that and is it possible for us stay in one?»
Maxime looked at them for a moment before she let out a deep chuckle. «I suppose I should have expected that, given that you are about to be sixteen through fourteen.»
«And twelve!» Gabrielle injected.
«I see the Delacour independent streak is alive in you as well,» Maxime said with mirth. «We do have a few married quarters for the unusual times that older students marry before they leave us.» She led them over to a door next to the chaperones' door. «Only because you are…» she struggled for a moment in choosing her words before she said, «magically married would I even consider this.» She led them into what looked like a small apartment.
The bond-mates noticed a small kitchen area in the corner, suitable for preparing hot drinks on the single burner. There was also a small sink and few cabinets. Small snacks could be prepared here but a normal meal for four would be a challenge in the limited area. There was a nice living area with a small fireplace, as well as a table that would seat four for dining and for homework. To the side was a door to a decent-sized bedroom and a door to a bathroom. It would be a cozy place for a couple, but too small for the four of them.
«Headmistress?» Hermione looked at the tall woman with an almost pleading look. «You said you had a few of these quarters. Do you have two of them side by side and could a door be opened between them, along with maybe a few small changes to better serve four of us? Because of the extra work, we'd be willing to stay here for the rest of our time to make it easier.»
Maxime looked at her for a moment before she chuckled and smiled again. «Perhaps. There is another room like this next door that is also unoccupied. What did you have in mind?»
Hermione pulled out her small notebook and a pen and began to sketch on the table. Gabrielle sat in a chair and looked on, while Maxime stood behind Gabrielle and looked down.
Harry went over to the window and looked out over the grounds, leaving the room situation in Hermione's capable hands. He did wonder how long she had been thinking about this sort of thing as she seemed very prepared for the idea of them living together here at school. He felt Ginny come up behind him and put an arm around his waist, looking out the window with him.
«What do you think?» she asked.
«It's all so very different from Hogwarts, and yet … and yet I will enjoy it here as long as we make a few friends.»
«I like what I've seen so far,» she told him before dropping to a whisper. «I know she's trying her best to make us like it so we'll come here. What do you think school will really be like once it starts?»
He understood her caution - about the school and the conversation - and glanced over his shoulder to see the other three still at the table talking. Also whispering, «If you remember, our tutor Luci was a little wary of us at the beginning; but we got along with her and were even her friends before we left after the second task.»
«You're right.»
Harry looked over again and saw that the other three were still busy, so he leaned down and quietly gave Ginny a short kiss. «I'm sure it all will work out.» He saw her smile and give him a mischievous look for the kiss.
«Harry?» Hermione called, causing him and Ginny to walk over. «What do you think of this?»
He looked at the sketch she had made for a moment. «I would be fine with that. I'll assume you and Gabrielle are fine with it too. Ginny?»
«Yes, I think that could work well.»
Hermione tore the paper out of her notebook and handed it to the Headmistress.
«I'll make the structural changes and let the elves do the rest,» the Headmistress said. «I believe we're done here and there is one more thing to show you before lunch. I believe this will affect you the most, Miss Weasley, as you're the only one taking Muggle Studies at the moment.»
«I am,» Ginny answered as they were led our of the Red group area.
«Headmistress?» Hermione asked to get her attention. «You haven't mentioned anything about how the houses compete against each other.»
The woman chuckled deeply again. «No, I haven't because it is different here than at Hogwarts. The houses here are to create smaller groups to live together and for a surrogate family. It is also so you have a group to help you in case there is trouble. However, the groups do not compete against each other for something like your House Cup at Hogwarts. The groups also help to define who can play on which of the various team sports and clubs, but there are no house points awarded here as at Hogwarts.
«You are expected to participate in class. If you cause trouble, you will be given demerits. For every three demerits you will have to perform a work for the school that usually lasts for two or three hours - and I monitor the demerit list most carefully. Ten demerits will cause you to be sent home for a week, with me accompanying you for a conversation with your parents. Twenty demerits in a single year will cause you to be expelled permanently, although I doubt I will have to worry about either of those last two with any of you. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I've never had to expel anyone, and I've only had to suspend one student in my thirty-two years as Headmistress.»
«Thank you,» Hermione said, sounding a little lost. One of her favorite activities, earning points for her house, did not exist here.
Down on the ground floor, the Headmistress led them to a special corridor. «The classrooms in this area are for Muggle Studies.» She opened a door that had a sign over stating: The Village. Inside the doorway was black. «It's a portal to another part of our property, just step through it.»
They all stepped through one at a time. To the older students, it was like passing through the portal at Kings Cross to Platform 9 ¾. They found themselves under a covered pavilion with two small houses on the left and two small stores on the right, all of which would fit in a small country town in England or France, depending on the architecture. There was also a small automobile in the driveway of one house.
«This is on the edge of our property and our wards are minimal here, so please do not come here without a teacher,» Maxime told them.
She had barely finished speaking when a middle-aged wizard Apparated in with his wand drawn and held ready. He lowered it when he saw her. «Headmistress, I was not aware anyone would be here today.»
«My apologies, Pierre. I should have warned you that I was giving a tour today. Students, this is M. Pierre Lammon, part of our security staff.»
The four greeted him and he returned the greetings before Apparating away.
«As you can see, we have security here and they do monitor the Village we have constructed.» She turned to face the buildings. «Now, I was going to tell you that this is a new addition to our school, built about a year and a half ago. By being under minimal wards, we can make fully functional Muggle houses and businesses. They have electricity and most items found in a normal environment. It was paid for and built by some Muggle-born alumni who thought we should teach more realistically. So far, it has been well received and the overall grades in Muggle Studies have increased since it has been added.»
«I have enjoyed staying at the Grangers' Muggle house so I know what one is like,» Gabrielle said, «but this makes me want to take the course.»
The Headmistress smiled. «You may do so when you reach your third year. I can say that enrollment for Muggle Studies has increased since this has been built. Come, let us return to the main building of the school for lunch.»
They had lunch at a round table that sat twelve. Joining them were a few of the professors that would be testing them.
That afternoon, they started on the exams: first year end-of-year exams for Gabrielle and fourth year end-of-year exams for the other three. After dinner, the three older ones also took the Astronomy exam and practical portion after it became dark.
After their last exam on the first day, they returned to the Red group's common room to find Gabrielle reading one of Ginny's romance books for fun. Harry gave each a hug and kiss good-night before going to the first boy's room to fall into an exhausted sleep; the girls were similarly exhausted and went to the first girl's room. None of them wanted to push any rules and get into trouble by sleeping together - before they had their private rooms.
The rest of the week was easier: one subject in the morning and one subject in the afternoon.
Friday afternoon, the Headmistress led them to the room they would be staying in during the school year. «I hope this will work for you.»
They walked in to see a room much like Hermione had drawn. The first room had very little changed, except that the bathroom no longer opened to the main room, but to the bedroom. There was also a door in the right-hand wall. Walking through it they found three bedrooms and an over sized bathroom that three girls could share and not get in each other's way, as well as a small common area with another study table.
«It's wonderful,» Hermione gushed while the others enthusiastically nodded, «but we don't know if we passed or not. What if we didn't?»
The Headmistress chuckled. «Mlle Granger, I have not been informed about your exams that were taken today, but all of you have passed the rest of your exams and with high marks. Therefore, I have no doubt the exams taken today will be passed as well.»
«I told you that you'd do well,» Harry said joyfully as he gave Hermione a hug, then Ginny and Gabrielle. He turned to the Headmistress. «Is there anything else we need to do before we return in September?»
«There are a few papers for you to take with you and to sign, along with your parents. Follow me please.» She led them back to her office, where she handed them a stack of forms, which included their book lists. She also found a new sheet on her desk and smiled when she saw it. «Your final grades.» With a flourish of her wand, she transferred them to four different pieces of parchment before giving one to each student.
Harry saw he made all Outstandings, except for History and Arithmancy, where he made Exceeds Expectations. It was no surprise to him that Hermione made all Outstandings, except for her Exceeds Expectations in Defense. Ginny made Outstandings except for Exceeds Expectations in Ancient Runes, History, and Muggle Studies. Gabrielle, having the shortest time to study since she started trying to learn her first year material at the beginning of March, made Exceeds Expectations in all subjects except for Defense and Charms, where she made Outstandings. They were all happy with their scores.
«You have achieved your goals,» Maxime said with a smile. «Gabrielle will begin the second year and the rest of you will begin the fifth year. Please owl me the signed forms by the first of August, which includes permission to draft your Gringotts vault for the stated tuition amount. Other than that, you may travel to Beauxbatons however you wish as long as you arrive between one and six in the afternoon of the third of September. Dinner will start promptly at half past six.»
The Headmistress led them back to the main Floo so they could return home.
Back at the Delacours, both Jean-Aimé and Apolline were waiting for them. «How did it go?» Apolline asked excitedly.
«We all passed!» Harry told them, causing the parents to hug them all.
«That is good, because we'll have guests for the weekend,» Jean-Aimé told them jovially.
«My parents?» Hermione gasped.
«They and Sirius, since all three wanted to congratulate you.»
«But why? I mean, we didn't have our scores until just before we left,» Hermione asked in puzzlement.
Apolline chuckled. «Hermione, you should have more faith in yourself and all of you. They knew you'd pass just like we did.»
Hermione looked down bashfully. «Well, I thought we'd pass, but you can't ever really know beforehand.»
They all heard the sound of the Floo flaring and turned to see Fleur coming out, and she was sporting a big smile. «I have the job!» Everyone gave her a hug.
«What will you be doing?» her mother asked as they all settled into seats.
«I was hoping for a full-time job as a Curse Breaker, but I didn't get that,» Fleur told them, only a little disappointed. «Instead, I'll be working with some of their more important clients - especially those who don't like working with goblins - and coordinating banking activities for them. In addition, if they need cursed objects worked on, I'll be doing that for them, and be training to be a full-time Curse Breaker. I might also travel to some of their other branches to do work there at times for similar reasons. They said that with hard work I should be trained and able to transfer to the Curse Breaker job I want in about two years. The pay isn't as much as I'd like, but it's enough to have my own small flat in Paris and all I need to live with a little left over.»
«Or you could stay here and Floo to work every day to save your money,» her father pointed out.
«Perhaps,» Fleur acknowledged, although she did not sound thrilled with the idea. The girl missed the amused and knowing smile of her mother.
After dinner, they talked about Beauxbatons some more, with Jean-Aimé telling about his days there as well. Apolline did not go to Beauxbatons, being raised in the Veela colony, but she had visited the school many times during Fleur's years there.
At bedtime, Harry spent some time with Gabrielle, snuggling and telling her how proud he was of her for her good exam scores. His time with Ginny was spent mostly snogging with some time talking about how he felt about it all. Time with Hermione was half talking and half snogging. He also was a little adventurous and let his hands roam from her back down to the top of her derrière. Hermione surprised him by not only not protesting, but by doing the same to him.
Saturday morning, Dan, Emma, Sirius, and Remus arrived, the werewolf being available to come only at the last minute. They were very happy for the bond-mates for doing so well on their exams. Forms for school were signed and sent to the Headmistress. Everyone was happy for their plans working out.
A month later and the day of Harry's birthday, the bond-mates all packed a small bag to get ready for their day trip. Harry was excited and wore sandals for the first time. He felt a little naked without his wand, but it could not be helped at the moment.
Apolline also packed a bag, but hers mostly contained their lunch. It also had all of their wands in it. She pulled out a long wooden cooking spoon. «Everyone, come grab hold.» When they did, she touched her wand to the spoon and with a little magic, the Portkey activated. A few seconds later, they all found themselves in a ring of tall bushes.
She looked at them all sternly to impress the seriousness of her message. «Remember, even if this area is fairly isolated and private, Muggles will be present and we must act like them. I have your wands should an emergency arise. If so, come running to me. Otherwise, stay where I can see you and have fun. Oh, and don't forget the suntan lotion, especially you Ginny.» The redhead nodded and Apolline led them out of the hidden area that had a permanent Muggle-Notice-Me-Not ward on it, as this was the preferred beach for those wizards who lived in the area.
As Harry stepped out of the bushes, he got his first look at the ocean, or actually the Mediterranean Sea in this case. He had always wanted to come to a place like this and it was part of his birthday present from Jean-Aimé and Apolline.
They would have a party this evening at the Delacours where Dan, Emma, and Sirius would come, as well as Neville and Luna. The idea was to celebrate all the birthdays today, since only Harry's, Neville's, and Ginny's were during the summer. Their two Hogwarts friends would also be staying for the next week.
Apolline led them across the beach to a place that had a few shady trees together and not many people nearby. Not that there were many people on this beach, but there were enough that someone else was always in view. She pulled a large towel and small canvas covered frame out of her oversized bag and set them down, so that she would be sitting on the towel and leaning back against the canvas chair back. She watched the kids set their things down about three meters away and in the sun. Their desire to be a little on their own amused her.
A quick look around satisfied her that there were no immediate threats nearby. She was always on the lookout for dangers to her daughter, and now for her three "new children" also, although they were less likely to attract unwanted attention.
The moment she had been anticipating finally happened and she was not disappointed. No matter how much Hermione might doubt herself, the effect of her removing her cover-up was pronounced. Harry froze and stared at her. Compared to many bikinis, Hermione's blue one was modest; but it was obvious that Harry like her in it.
Gabrielle pulled her cover-up off next and Harry did notice. Her red bikini was also fairly modest, but it captured Harry's attention as well. It was all the mother could do not to laugh as she watched the young man try to figure where to look, all without looking like he was gawking - which he was.
Hermione managed to inadvertently resolve his difficulty by handing him a bottle of suntan lotion and telling him to put some on himself. Harry seemed to have a hard time with that as he watched all the girls put theirs on. When she finished, Hermione turned Harry around and put some on his back. Ginny stood in front of him and had him do her back. Gabrielle did the same as Ginny, not wanting to be left out.
With their lotion applied, Gabrielle pulled some plastic buckets and shovels out of her bag and took Ginny down to the edge of the wet sand. Ginny was all smiles as she left with the younger girl, enjoying her first time at the beach as well.
Hermione laid out her blanket and then laid face-down on it. "Harry, come down and put lotion on my back. Be sure to rub it in well."
Apolline almost laughed as she watched Harry try to figure out how to follow the command without doing something that he thought Hermione would not like. She finally had to hold the magazine she had pulled out in front of her face to hide her amusement.
"Harry," Hermione finally said, taking pity on him, "straddle my body and sit. That will allow you to reach all of my back." He very tentatively did as he was told and sat on the small of her back. "Move further down, Harry."
"Err, you mean…" He did not seem to be able to finish that statement.
"Yes, sit on my derrière. It won't hurt me." When he moved, she reached back and unsnapped her top to pull the straps out of the way. "Be sure to get it all so I don't get burned. Take all the time you need."
Apolline realized what the girl was doing and was of mixed minds about it. She finally decided that they were getting older and had been very responsible so far, so she said nothing.
Hermione felt like she could purr at the moment. Harry was doing more massage than anything at the moment and it felt really good. Her plan to move things along between them a little was also working very well. They were, perhaps, going a little faster than she had planned last year, but it was only a little faster she assured herself quickly. "Be sure you go all the way to my bikini bottom," she told him softly, and then felt his hands move in that direction.
"Are you looking forward to the party tonight? This will be your chance to celebrate with your parents," he asked her.
She was pleased that he was able to carry on a conversation while doing this, as it showed he was comfortable with her like this. "That will be nice. Do you look forward to everyone getting together, especially Neville coming?"
"Yes. I'm really curious about his news too. He said it was important."
"Maybe it's about Hogwarts. I'm sure his Gran must have had a Board of Governors meeting by now. Don't forget to do my sides too," she told him to see how brave he was. To her good pleasure, he followed her directions before moving to the top of her shoulders and neck.
After a moment, Hermione realized that Harry was only pressing on her upper shoulders and his hands were no longer moving. Wondering what had gotten his attention, she turned her head from the side to look forward and up, and saw Ginny kneeling on the sand with Gabrielle, facing the other way. Even to Hermione it seemed like the girl had the perfect derrière and legs, which were only made better by the bikini bottom she was wearing.
Realizing that she had made progress today, but that there was still competition that she could not totally win, she told him, "Why don't you go over and spend some time with them, Harry?" She felt his hands suddenly move to the middle of her back.
"I, I can still stay here with you for awhile." He sounded embarrassed.
"You could, but go help them build their sand castle. You could also play with Gabrielle in the water, but be sure you stay in the shallow part so she doesn't get uncomfortable." She felt him shift and then kiss her on the back of her jaw near her ear.
"I'll be back soon and I'll pay more attention to you then."
She watched him walk over and drop in the sand next to Ginny. He was talking with them both, but it was obvious he was checking out the redhead, undoubtedly comparing the two of them. She sighed at the unfairness of life at times. A voice startled her.
"It's hard to share him, isn't it?"
Hermione reattached her bikini bra strap and rose to lean on one elbow to look behind her to Apolline, sitting in her white one-piece, her baby-bump just starting to really show. "Most of the time it's not, but sometimes…"
"Sometimes you wonder if you can hold his attention like the others?"
After a moment, Hermione nodded. "You saw how he just acted, and I could tell Ginny wasn't trying to show off. Then Gabrielle is a Veela and when she grows up…" Hermione sagged and looked depressed.
Apolline patted the sand next to her. "Come over for a few minutes." She watched the young lady, for she was now, move her towel over and take a seat so they could talk a little more quietly. "Hermione, I'm sure you'll think I'm not the best person to tell you this, being a Veela myself, but don't doubt yourself so much."
Hermione looked incredulous at that statement.
"I'm serious. You have nothing to worry about. You were facing the wrong way at the time, but when you took your cover-up off, Harry literally froze as he looked at you and I could see his eyes look you up and down. There was no doubt that he liked what he saw."
"For now," the girl shot back. "In a few years, Gabrielle will grow up and then it will all be over."
"Hermione! Don't be stupid! It's beneath you." Apolline said sharply, although she kept her voice down. At the girl's shocked looked, the woman sighed. "I know you're feeling inadequate, but that's not reality. When you say that, you make Harry out to be a very shallow person, someone who only looks at the outside, and not very loyal … which is the exact opposite of how he really is.
"Look, Harry is a boy and he will notice pretty girls, which includes you. Yes, Harry notices and watches you, I've seen him do it. He does think you're pretty. I'm also sure that part of that is because of the person you are. Harry notices the part of you on the inside that's pretty too. And in case you've forgotten, Harry is very loyal to you." She watched as the girl hung her head and thought.
"I know you're right, but it's hard to feel that way sometimes."
Apolline patted her hand. "I know it is. It's a burden of girls all over the world."
"But…" Hermione started to object.
Apolline chuckled and stopped her. "It's true for Veela girls too. We have our insecurities too, although they may be a little different from yours."
They both heard a loud laugh and looked up to see Gabrielle squeal in delight as Harry tossed her into the air in waist deep water.
"Give them a few minutes and then go join them," she encouraged the girl. "And Hermione? Don't forget that Harry sees each of you differently. You're each unique and special, and he needs each of you. I suspect you know more than I do, but from what I know of his early childhood, he deserves all the love he can get."
"Thank you," Hermione told her mother-in-law, or that's the only way she could think of the woman. With a lighter heart, she rose and walked to the water, passing Ginny who was still happily playing in the sand as she watched Harry and Gabrielle in the surf from time to time.
Hermione helped Gabrielle gang up on Harry to dunk him under the short waves. After a few minutes, Gabrielle had had enough of the water and went back to where Ginny was. Hermione pulled him a little further out so he was chest-deep in the water and jumped up to wrap her legs around his waist. When his hands went around her, she kissed him deeply.
Amused, he asked, "I enjoyed that, but what was it for?"
"I want you to know that I love you."
"That's good, because I love you too." He kissed her back as passionately as she had kissed him a moment ago.
She leaned her forehead against his and sighed contentedly, enjoying him holding her and bobbing in the waves. A motion out of the corner of her eye caused her to move her head to see. There was a boy standing in front of Ginny and Gabrielle, and neither girl looked happy. "Harry, I think we need to return quickly."
Harry turned his head and took the scene in. In a split second, he let go of Hermione and made his way back to shore as fast as he could. He saw Ginny give him a look of relief for his presence while Gabrielle was glaring at the boy.
The boy had medium brown hair and looked to be fourth year, or maybe fifth if he was shorter than average. Like all the other boys on the beach, he was only in a pair of swimming trunks. He was also talking in French to Gabrielle and ignoring Ginny.
«Why won't you talk to me? I've been waiting to talk to you…»
«Who are you and what do you want?» Harry said a little gruffly.
The boy turned to him and gave him a look of contempt. «Go away, I'm not talking to you. You have your own girl.»
«Gabrielle, do you wish to talk to him?» Harry asked kindly.
«No. He is being rude and will not go away when I asked him to go,» she said, her voice rising a little in volume in her anger.
Harry looked at the boy. «There is your answer. She wants you to move along.» The boy looked back at him, sizing him up as well as looking dismissive. It was a look he had seen on Draco Malfoy many times.
«I think not, nor do I think you can make me.»
He could not help it, Harry laughed. «Then you are an idiot.» The boy's expression turned angry. «I could make you. But even if I could not, there are four of us here against only you. If that is not enough, then know that her mother is over there watching us, and I know for a fact you do not want to make her angry if you value your life.» Harry kept his eyes on the boy.
The boy glanced towards Apolline and involuntarily took half a step back at what he saw.
«But I will let Gabrielle make you go away so you understand never to bother her again.» Harry looked at the little Veela and smiled.
Gabrielle's eyes widened as she understood. She gave the boy with an angelic look and sweetly said, «It would please me greatly if you left now and did not return here all day.»
Harry let the allure wash over him without effect as he watched the boy's eyes glaze over before he numbly nodded and turned back the way he had come and walked away quickly. Harry dropped to the sand next to his youngest mate and gave her a hug, wondering how many more times in their lives he would have to defend her. «Good job. You shouldn't do that to someone unless you have to, but for times like this, you have my permission.»
Hermione dropped down to the sand next to Ginny. «Use your power wisely, and that was a good job.» Gabrielle beamed at her.
«Come have lunch,» Apolline called, causing them all scampered over to join her. «Are you all right, my little one?» she asked her daughter.
«Yes. Harry gave me permission to make him go away,» the little girl said smugly.
«Well done,» was all Apolline said before she started to pull the food out of her bag.
The incident behind them, they all enjoyed lunch, talking and laughing. At the end, Hermione whispered to Ginny. With a grin, the redhead grabbed Harry's hand and pulled him up before she pulled him to play in the sea, laughing all the way.
Harry spent more time playing with Gabrielle and then Hermione. When he took a short walk down the beach with Hermione, Ginny made sure to stay close to Gabrielle.
«Gabi?»
«Gin?» Gabrielle said teasingly.
Ginny chuckled. «Today's been a lot of fun, hasn't it?»
«If you don't count the idiot who wouldn't leave me alone, yes.» Gabrielle sat up straight, pausing in her task of lining her ever increasing sand castle with shells for decoration. «It's not fun for me that Harry will not look at me like he looks at you and Mia, but I've learned I'll have to wait, even if I don't like it.»
«Mostly,» Ginny conceded, but an impish looked slowly came over her.
«What are you planning?» Gabrielle asked, knowing that look.
Ginny casually glanced around them to again make sure no one was near. «Have you notice how Hermione has been acting today? She's been a little different.»
Gabrielle dumped some more damp sand for a new tower as she thought about it. «You're right. She's been more … more forward?» She looked at Ginny who grinned back at her.
«She has and not just today either. We were talking the other night after you had gone to sleep, about what school would be like with our own rooms.»
«I can't wait for that,» Gabrielle said with a large grin, losing her control of her Allure a little.
«Gabi, focus!» Ginny said softly but urgently.
Gabrielle blushed went back to working with her sand after bringing her Allure under control again. «Sorry.» She looked back up very intrigued. «What did Hermione say to you?»
«It's all right, you're getting better at controlling it.» Ginny look around again, trying to be a good big sister and guard. «I asked Hermione why she had pushed to get our own set of rooms and she pointed out to me that there would be no one to tell us not to sleep with Harry there.»
As expected, Gabrielle perked up, a large grin slowly forming.
Ginny's voice dropped to a whisper. «Mia seems more willing now to do, you know, things. She doesn't like to talk about it, but I can easily guess at what she's not saying. We can't be too obvious, but we need to encourage Harry to go a little faster.»
«Going faster helps you, but not me,» Gabrielle whispered back.
«Gabi, think about it. If Harry goes further sooner, it helps us too. However far he'll go this year, we can later point out that we should be able to do the same thing at the same age. That applies to you too.»
«Hmm,» Gabrielle thought about the idea. «So, you mean that if we can get Harry to do something when he's fifteen instead of when he's sixteen or seventeen, then we can convince him and Hermione that we should be able to do it when we're fifteen as well.»
«Exactly,» Ginny said conspiratorially. «And since Harry is a teenage boy…» She looked at Gabrielle to finish it.
«He'll probably go along,» the little Veela said with her own smile, which dropped after a moment. «But how do you know it will work?»
Ginny shrugged as she looked around again and spotted Harry and Hermione returning. «I can't guarantee it, but it is very likely to happen and more so if we try to help it along. But you must remember, we can't be too obvious.»
Gabrielle nodded with a smirk that was anything but innocent.
When the two older ones returned, Ginny convinced Harry to rub her back like he had Hermione's earlier in the day. She made sure to compliment him on his touch.
The rest of their afternoon at the beach was delightful and they all would have preferred to stay, but they had a party to go get ready for.
At four, a group arrived in the entryway of Chateau Delacour. The bond-mates all greeted Dan, Emma, Sirius, Neville, and Luna. All five were to stay for the next week, so they each had a bag with them.
As soon as Harry finished slapping his best male friend on the back and telling him to leave his bag there, he pulled him through the house towards the back porch. "So, what's your big news that you wouldn't tell me in a letter?" There was no missing Harry's enthusiasm causing Neville to chuckle.
"This is about the conversation we had with your Gran, isn't it?" Hermione asked almost as anxious.
Neville chuckled again and even Luna gave an usual smile. "Harry," he asked, "how do you live with someone who's always right? You mustn't have an ego anymore."
"Well, I do have several people to keep me in line," Harry said good-naturedly as they all sat on the porch, each in their own chair for once. "So? Is Hermione right again?"
"The Hogwarts Board of Governors have made so many changes to the school that it'll be a real shock to many people."
"Do tell," Ginny commanded him, leaning forward in her eagerness.
"Apparently, they solicited letters from recent graduates and talked to some of the other schools - including Beauxbatons - to get ideas. Then they inspected the school, including all the professors. The biggest news is that Dumbledore has been sacked," Neville said with a straight face, waiting for the reaction, and he was not disappointed.
"Yes!" Harry shouted over the girls' "What?"
"Why haven't we heard about it in the newspaper?" Hermione asked.
"Gran said that the Board wanted to wait until the first of August to get everything in order first. So it'll be in the Daily Prophet tomorrow," Neville said before his looked turned even a little more joyous. "They also sacked Snape, Filch, Trelawney, and Binns."
The bond-mates sat there with incredulous but happy smiles. Neville told them about the rest of the changes, including that Sprout would now be Headmistress. "So, do you wish you had stayed now?" he asked mischievously.
Hermione and Ginny looked torn, but Harry shock his head. "I'll still miss you mate, but even if Dumbledore has been sacked, he's still in England, so I'll be glad to be here.
Neville looked crestfallen. "I had hoped you'd be lured back." When Luna held out her hand, Neville shock his head with a small grin and fished a silver coin out of his pocket and handed it to Luna.
Hermione harrumphed, but the rest looked amused at their friends betting on the outcome.
"I would have asked for kisses," Gabrielle stated.
"Oh, I get those anyway," Luna said, causing Neville to turn red and all four bond-mates to chuckle or giggle.
The group had fun talking until it was time for dinner. When Sirius walked through the room, Harry pulled him over to the side for a slightly private conversation.
"Sirius, will you teach us to Apparate while you're here this week?" Harry almost begged. He had noticed that his godfather rarely denied him anything, especially when teaching magic.
However, Sirius looked torn about this one and contemplated his godson for a long moment. Clapping his hand on Harry's shoulder, he said gravely, "I think we should wait until next summer." When Harry started to beg again, he hurried on. "You're only fifteen now and they normally don't teach it until you're about to turn seventeen, so my conscious can take teaching it when you've only just turned sixteen. Also, there's the safety issue. If you don't fully grasp it while I'm here, I don't want you practicing on your own and possibly Splinching yourself, or Merlin forbid, one of the girls doing it and you having to deal with the fact that you have to watch them suffer until help can come."
Harry hung his head and nodded slowly, understanding that Sirius did have a good reason to tell him no. He would be devastated if the one of the girls Splinched herself.
"I'll tell you what, I'll plan to be with you for two weeks next summer and that will be the focus of our time together. I'll even try to get Moony to come along and help. How's that?" Sirius looked at him hopefully.
Harry's face lit after his dejection. "That'd be brilliant," he said as he moved forward and gave his godfather a hug, which Sirius returned, slapping his godson on the back.
After Sirius had left the room, Harry walked back over and sat down on the sofa. While the others had continued to talk, it had been impossible for the others not to overhear parts of it.
"Good try," Ginny said softly with a grin.
After dinner, presents were exchanged between all the teens since only Neville, Harry, and Ginny had their birthdays in the summer. So they celebrated all six birthdays on Harry's day, and essentially Neville's since it was only yesterday. Gabrielle made a big show of her present from Harry: a three compartment trunk just like the other bond-mates already had. There was also cake and ice cream and lots of talking and laughing.
At bedtime, Apolline showed Neville and Luna to the guest bedrooms, one floor above the Delacour family, on the second floor. Dan and Emma, as well as Sirius, had their own rooms on the second floor.
Down on the first floor with the Delacours, the bond-mates all changed into their pyjamas. As Harry was about to crawl into bed, Hermione slipped into his room and grabbed his hand, pulling him quietly back to her room.
Harry was surprised by that, although he was very appreciative of her birthday kisses. He was also surprised that she spoke very little, acting more like Ginny normally acted. He spent a good twenty minutes with Hermione kissing, as well as caressing her back, sides, and derrière. Not once did she try to stop him and she returned the same.
The door opened and a little blonde head came in. «It's my turn,» she said imperiously as she grabbed Harry's hand from Hermione's hip and pulled him out of the room. Harry barely had time to blow a kiss at a silently chuckling Hermione, a sight that he enjoyed and planned to do again soon.
Gabrielle took him to her room and shut the door. Inside, she pushed Harry onto the bed and then crawled into his lap and gave him a hug, but not let go so she could hold him and let him hold her. They whispered into each other's ears, talking about the day, school, and Gabrielle wishing she was old enough to be doing what Hermione was, causing Harry to chuckle and kiss her cheek.
She worked up her nerve, which was not all that hard, and whispered, «I bet Hermione would do a little more if you wanted.»
Harry pulled his head back and looked at her, questioning her statement in his mind. «Do you really think so?» he asked unsure of his own guess to that question.
Gabrielle almost grinned, but held it back. «She is about to be sixteen and I could see that she liked your hand on her hip.» She avoided the question, trying to maneuver him to the idea she and Ginny wanted - which she did not feel was a bad thing as they all would benefit from it.
While Harry thought about that, the door opened and Ginny came in. When Harry looked at the door, Gabrielle grew bolder still and craned her neck forward and gave him a chaste kiss on the lips. Harry pulled his head back to get away from her, but she impishly grinned at her victory - or really both victories. He shook his head and she crawled around him to her bed and pushed him up from behind.
Silently laughing, Ginny grabbed his hand and pulled him out of Gabrielle's room, and to his surprise, into his room and shut the door. She maneuvered him to his bed and then lay down beside him, propped on one elbow. The first thing she did was to give him a searing kiss before she leaned back up and looked at him. Lightly, she ran her fingers over his chest.
"This has been a great birthday," Harry said with a large and sort of goofy grin, as if unable to believe his good luck.
She lightly kissed him before saying, "I expect some special time on my birthday, as I'm sure the others do too."
"I'll be happy to," he said as he snaked his arm under her to reach her back, and force her to lean down for another kiss, which she happily gave.
"So," Ginny started to ask with eye practically glowing with excitement, "did you like what Hermione had to tell you tonight?"
"She didn't say much of anything," Harry told her, pulling her down for another kiss.
Ginny's look turned to one of puzzlement after the kiss. "She didn't tell you what we had decided?"
"What have you decided?" he asked, not pulling her down for a kiss now.
She closed her eyes and slowly shook her head, causing Harry to concentrate on her hair and the motions it was making.
"I thought she'd really do it after the way she's been acting today," she muttered.
"What?"
At his confused expression, she decided she was going to have to be the one to explain and wondered if Hermione had done this on purpose.
"I don't know if you've realized it, but Hermione is somewhat shy when talking about," she paused and did her best not to blush, "intimate things." She noted that Harry still looked confused. "Haven't you noticed that the closest she'll get to discussing what we'll be doing is talking about our schedule? Or does she talk about what you two will be doing when it's only you?"
Harry was still wondering what they were talking about until she said "our schedule". He was able to avoid blushing on his own by looking at the ceiling. Clearing his throat quietly, he said, "No, any discussion of that, err, nature has always been, err, non-verbal. And no, we haven't done anything that you and I haven't done." He finally looked at her face. "So what did you and her talk about?"
Studying him for a moment, she decided that she was going to have to meet the dragon head on. "Will you let me say everything before you respond?"
He nodded.
"Right," she said, looking across the room for a moment to draw in her courage before looking at him. "The most important part is that we want you to know that it's all right and that you don't need to feel embarrassed when you touch us accidentally, whether in normal activity or when we sleep together." When he looked confused, she knew she would have to say it. "There have been times when you've had your hand on our breast, normally when we sleep together. Hermione and I don't mind and it is … pleasant, although it would be inappropriate for Gabrielle for the next couple of years."
Harry's eyes had gone wide as she became more specific. "I, I, I," he stammered, not able to say anything meaningful because his brain had shutdown.
Ginny grinned and put a single finger over his lips. "Shush, I'm not done. Now, we know you didn't mean to do it, that's why I said accidentally. The two of us are getting older and we're fine with it." And she was fine with only the occasional touch, although she was mostly certain she was not ready for it to go any further at this time - although maybe by Christmas…
She grinned now as she realized she had the perfect opportunity to help her and Gabrielle's plan along. "That leads me to another thing you need to know. I know that you noticed Hermione being more forward today."
Not wanting to say anything, he nodded.
"She won't say it, but she's planning to giving you a belated birthday present, which you should consider working on too so that you can return the favor and give it to her by her birthday."
"Huh?" This was such a confusing conversation to him. Why couldn't she just plainly say it, he asked himself, forgetting how embarrassed he was by her bluntness only a moment ago.
"Harry," she said disappointedly, "what's the next step in the relationship, in becoming more intimate?" When he did not immediately answer, as clinically as possible so as not to become embarrassed, she said, "She wants to do a little exploring with you, without wearing shirts."
He now understood and blushed at her frank description.
She mentally laughed at his embarrassed expression, yet one also filled with desire. She ruthlessly repressed the question of wondering if he was be as desirous of that part of their relationship when the time came. Ginny knew she barely filled her A-cup bra while Hermione would probably have to get C-cup bras on their next shopping trip. She was only about to be fourteen, so there was the chance that she still might grow into a B-cup. Instead, she consoled herself with the fact that Harry liked to run his hands over her derrière when they were alone.
Harry had tried to respond several times while Ginny had been thinking and finally replied very dryly, "I, I think that would be, err, lovely."
She almost laughed at his enthusiastic expression contrasted with his severely understated tone. "I'd suggest you work up to it, letting those accidents become a little more frequent so that it's a natural thing to do by the time her birthday comes. We'll be at school and in our new rooms, so it should easy to do."
With a grin and a self-assured look, he slowly nodded, plans whirring through his mind. He was so caught up in considering the rapturous event, he was surprised completely when Ginny passionately kissed him. His surprise was only momentary before he fully responded to her.
When she finished the kiss, she leaned back up. "Unfortunately, our time is about at an end." She kissed him deeply once more before getting up and opening the door slightly. By the time she had returned and snuggled with him again, the door opened fully and two other girls came in, closing the door behind themselves.
Ginny whispered very softly as she only had a last couple of seconds to say something for his ears only. "Don't tell her before you do it." She was pleased that he only nodded his agreement.
"Happy birthday again," Hermione said as she slid under the covers, giving him a quick kiss.
«Happy birthday,» Gabrielle told him as she slipped in and between him and Ginny, placing her head on his stomach.
«Thank you Mia, Gin, and Gabi. This has been the best birthday ever,» he told them honestly.
«It will be better still one day,» Gabi told him, causing light giggles from the other two, and forcing Harry to suppress a groan.
To keep them all out of trouble, the girls quietly arose at dawn and returned to their bedrooms.
(A/N: And that's the last of the summer.)
