Author's notes:

Standard disclaimer, I own nothing. It all belongs to JKR.

This is just a little something that bit me after reading a number of similar stories and I thought I'd give it a try. You can assume the story is canon compliant up to the just about the end of Harry's rescue of Ginny in Chamber of Secrets. It goes AU when he falls unconscious before Fawkes arrives to drip tears in the wound on his arm.

This is a stand alone story not related in any way to any of my other works

I'm going to be posting very short chapters. Don't worry though, the story is complete and I'll post a chapter a day.

Enjoy,

Sorcerer's Muse

Finally, Peace.

Chapter XXIII

You Are. Fix Yourself

"Harry," Lis said a week later. "Should we go?" Harry smiled internally. He'd joined Lis for dinner with the full complement of Delacours at the Delacour estate and had been playing the smitten sop from the moment he'd placed his hand in that of Collette Delacour. The looks he'd seen out of the corner of his eye from the female Delacours he wasn't currently engaged with and their father were bordering on evil before they'd even sat down to dinner. He thought Lis was going to lose it when he'd hurried to pull chairs out for Gabrielle and Fluer and then sat down himself without so much as a glance at his girlfriend. He'd dropped forks, spilled wine and all in all made himself look the utter cad.

"Perhaps you might give us a moment alone with our daughter before you leave for the night, Harry," Joseph said. There was a tone that brooked no argument from either Harry or Lis in his voice.

Harry stood and held his hand out to Lis. She took it and came willingly into his arms and the deep kiss he pressed to her lips. Pulling back he rested with his forehead bowed against hers. "How long do you think before they catch on?" he asked.

Lis reached up and palmed his cheek. "Honestly, I thought the chair incident. But then even the dropped cutlery and spilled wine didn't give them a clue."

"I thought that was pretty good myself. But I have to admit I'm starting to have trouble coming up with new ways to look a fool."

"I can't believe you tripped yourself into the wall." Her fingers slid over the knot on his forehead."

A snort and then a slow chuckle drew their attention. "Finally got it, Dad?" Lis asked.

He stood and held a hand out to Harry. "A well executed counter attack, Harry."

"Thank you, Sir," Harry said shaking his hand.

"Wait just one moment," Fleur said.

"Do you mean to tell me this has all been an act on your part?" Gabrielle demanded.

Harry pulled Ginny in front of him, her back to his chest and his arms around her middle he pressed a kiss to the back of her head. "Gotcha, Gabs," Lis grinned.

Gabrielle crossed her arms over her chest. "That was mean," she huffed.

"You deserve it, the way you're falling out of that dress."

"I am not falling out of my dress!"

Collette stepped between them. "You are. Fix yourself. Amaryllis' boyfriend has more than proved himself good enough for your sister. You as well, Fleur.

"If it is not bothering him, what does it matter?" Gabrielle retorted.

"A very good point my sister," Fleur agreed. Regardless of their displeasure both sisters adjusted their tops, though they didn't bother hiding the action from Harry.

As did their mother, Harry ignored them. She took Lis' hands in hers and kissed her on each cheek and then the lips. "I am very happy for you, my Daughter."

"Thank you, Mum."

Collette then turned her attention to Harry and for the first time addressed him in English. "Monsieur Potter," she held her hand out. "I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

Harry took her hand and raised it to his lips. "I am honored to have earned your approval, Madam Delacour."

He let her hand go and Fleur stepped in front of her mother with her hand out. "I should have remembered our last meetings, Harry Potter."

Harry took her hand and raised it to his lips as well. "I'm glad to see you're well, Fleur." She smiled that blinding smile of hers and Harry turned to Gabrielle.

She held her hand out to him as well. "If you hurt my sister, I shall flay you."

Harry chuckled as he raised her hand to his lips. "And I believe you." He didn't think it wise to tell her she was only the second most frightening person to level that warning on him.

Lis giggled as she collapsed in the bed beside Harry. "That, was brilliant."

"You think?" Harry asked. He'd been having second thoughts since they'd left the Delacour's. She pushed him to his back and climbed on top of him. Straddling his hips she leaned down with her hands braced either side of his head. Her hair spilled down, cocooning them both. Harry's breath caught. She was wearing a simple cotton halter pajama top and matching shorts and whatever concern he had regarding her family fled his mind. She was just so damn beautiful. And her lips were on his and he was lost for however long they kissed before she was laying sprawled across him as his fingers combed through her hair. "Lis," he said quietly.

"Hmm?"

"I… love you," he said, barely above a whisper. She stiffened and he had a moment to fear he'd pushed too far when she was braced over him again. Her eyes, chocolate brown flecked with gold glowed with something Harry couldn't identify but knew he liked and then she was crawling up his body to kiss him again. Harry rolled them and she was pushing at the hem of his shirt.

"Take it off," she demanded huskily. Harry sat up and quickly discarded the offending item and then they were both frantically stripping out of the rest of their clothes. Just as quickly they both stilled, eyes locked together. She suddenly looked so vulnerable he nearly cried out for the pain of it.

"So beautiful," he whispered. His words unfroze her and her hand was on the back of his neck, pulling him with as laid back on the bed. "Stop me now," he whispered, hovering over her.

"Never," she answered. And he was inside her and they moved together. It was slow and near silent and her body convulsed under him as they climaxed together. Rest was but moments and she was rolling him to his back. His hands were on her hips and hers gripped at his shoulders as she rocked on him and this time, as he lifted her off the bed she was crying out. And then she was collapsing on top of him, panting, a thin sheen of sweat causing her to shiver and he was pulling the blanket over them. Stillness came and his hand rested on her back and with him still inside her she knew there would never be anyone else. "I love you too, Harry Potter." Harry only kissed the top of her head.

And peace took them to slumber.

Author's notes:

I like to think of the Collette Delacour as a bit like professor McGonagall. When she tells you to jump, you do it and assume no matter how high you do jump it isn't enough.