A/N: I wished I owned Harry Potter. Alas, I do not. Ms. Rowling, I'd be happy to take it off your hands
A/N: I hope you didn't expect any of that, because I certainly did not. One of my favorite things is when I outline a chapter and then while I am writing it, the chapter takes on a life of its own and ends up somewhere drastically different than where I intended it, and that last one certainly did
I should also note as I look over some of my chapters, I feel like at times I'm really stretching or restricting myself to fit the word count into similar amounts per chapter. I doubt I going to jump to very low or very high extremes, but the chapter length will start to fluctuate a little more.
Hope you are enjoying!
Chapter 32: Coupling up
December, 1994
"Do you think I'll have to buy new robes?" Harry asked as he displayed his long black coat, white shirt, and black coat that the woman at Diagon Alley had insisted was all the rage that summer.
"I wouldn't," Lavender said, looking over his clothes. "We can work with this, and get it to with something with a little more color. All black and white is so dull, and I think you should go for wow. Though to be honest, if you don't tell me who you are going with, I won't be able to help you that much."
"Oh really?" Harry raised an eyebrow.
"Can't blame a girl for trying." Lavender had been trying to get the name of Harry's date from him for a few days now. Harry was not going to give in, but he did want Lavender's advice. It was the 24th and with one day until the ball Harry wanted to know if he needed to scramble to get different clothes. From the sound of it, he wouldn't need to grab his grandmother and floo back to Diagon alley. Luckily it was early in the day, so Harry would have a lot of time. "Do you at least know what color she is wearing?"
"Not a clue," Harry admitted. "Should I go ask?"
"God no!" Lavender practically screamed. "I'm sure that the girl has planned it out for days, and if you ask about that she might second guess herself. You will freak her out." Lavender looked him over, making Harry feel a little bit like a piece of meat. With startling clarity, Harry realized that some girls must feel like this all the time, and silently promised himself that he would keep his mouth closed before the ball. It was a nasty feeling. "Maybe you should go with dark blue."
"Harry, I need some advice," Neville said, bursting into their room. "Lavender?"
"Hey Neville, "Lavender said, not taking her eyes away from Harry's clothes which were laid out on his bed.
"Harry, what is Lavender doing in our dorm?" Neville asked.
"Well, I wanted to show her my outfit for advice, and the common room is too loud," Harry explained. "What advice do you need?"
"Well, I know McGonagall said the Yule Ball is a dance, but no matter how much I practice I can't get the hang of it," Neville told him. "I'm worried Hannah will be mad if I say I don't want to dance too much."
"That's a tough one," Harry said. "You don't want to look at her feet the whole night, but you don't want to step on her feet when you are looking in her eyes. If you want my advice, practice a little more, but if it is going well tomorrow, I'd just hold her close and sway. I've been told that seems romantic."
"Thanks Harry." Neville seemed very relieved. "I'll go practice some more then."
"I didn't know you had such a romantic streak," Lavender told Harry.
"Oh, I don't," Harry informed her. "That was just my best guess. To be honest, Neville doesn't really need advice. He and Hannah are almost sickeningly infatuated with each other. They are the perfect couple, but Neville just really needs confidence. If he goes to the ball with a plan, life will be much easier for him."
"That's a pretty complex analysis of Neville."
"He's my best mate," Harry said by way of explanation. "I wouldn't be much of a best mate if I couldn't calm his nerves a little bit."
"Good point," Lavender said. She held the black suit up and Harry grabbed it and held it next to him. "The all black won't do, even if I like the long coat. We need to change it."
"I feel like other boys will be wearing something similar," Harry protested.
"Exactly," Lavender said, her eyes alight. "But you are not some random guy. You are a tri-wizard champion, the conqueror of dragons. We don't want you in the same clothes. We want you to sparkle and stand out."
"No sparkles!" Harry informed Lavender emphatically. "There is no way I am going there with anything sparkly on my body."
"It was metaphorical," Lavender told him. "Go get me a plain shirt." Harry rolled his eyes but went and got Lavender a plain white t-shirt he used when he worked out. "I'm going to experiment with this," Lavender explained and she drew her wand. "Colovaria." Harry's once white shirt was now dark blue.
"Lavender!" Harry was shocked. He had really liked that t-shirt.
"Don't complain, I'll change it back at the end. Just hold that up against your chest. We are checking color." Harry obliged, but Lavender shook her head. "Give it back."
"I liked that shirt," Harry commented as he gave her the shirt back.
"Think of it as a sacrifice for your date," Lavender told Harry. "What color next?"
"How about light blue?" Harry suggested, and Lavender performed the charm again. As she held up the shirt to look at it, Hermione burst into the room.
"Harry, I need, Oh!" Hermione jumped back half a step as she realized Harry was not alone.
"I know I invited Lavender up, but this is a boys dorm room. Don't worry about it at this moment." Harry said. Hermione blushed a little. "What's up?"
"You know I agreed to go with Cedric, right?" Harry nodded. The Hufflepuff champion had told him two weeks ago with a giant grin on his face. Harry found himself surprisingly happy. He genuinely liked Cedric, and while other boys might try and take advantage of his new-to-romance best friend, Cedric was sure to be a gentleman. What's more, if Cedric suddenly changed character and acted like an ass, Harry would have many chances to pay him back. "He told me we will have to do one dance with just the champions and their dates on the floor."
"Sounds about right," Harry said.
"What if I tense up, and forget how to dance? What if I freak out and ruin the night? Harry, I can't imagine dancing with every eye in the room on me."
"Hermione, I'll be with you waiting to go in. We will do some calming exercises before we go in. You'll be fine, I'm sure Cedric will make sure you are ok." Hermione nodded and gave Harry a quick hug before leaving. "Who's next?" On que Daphne walked in. "I swear I didn't do that."
"Hey Harry," Daphne said, tugging at her collar. "Can we talk for a moment?"
"Of course," Harry told her. Daphne looked pointedly at Lavender. "Oh. Hey Lavender, do you mind giving us some space?"
"No problem," Lavender said, heading into the bathroom.
"How do you know she won't eavesdrop?" Daphne asked.
"Oh, there is no way to stop her from eavesdropping, but now she will keep whatever you say to herself."
"Huh." Daphne favored him with the hint of a real smile. "So I was planning to go home for Christmas, but a few days ago someone asked me to the ball and I said yes without asking you. I just wanted to make sure that's ok."
"Daphne, I know we said we would be friends when we broke up but we haven't done a good job of that. Let's try that now. First, you definitely don't need my permission to say yes. Second, I hope you go, and that you have a great time."
"Thanks Harry!" Daphne said, clearly excited.
"If you don't mind me asking, who is your date?"
"Blaise Zabini." Harry tried to keep his face expressionless, but clearly some of his distaste showed through. "You don't like him?" Daphne asked. "Even if we aren't dating, you know your opinion matters to me."
"I'm just surprised. My few interactions with him have not been great."
"He isn't like the other guys in my house," Daphne explained.
"Then I hope you have a great time." Daphne nodded and left, though Harry could tell she was a little hurt.
"Well done," Lavender told him.
"I know you and Dean will have a fun time, but I'm hoping-"
"Say no more," Lavender said, tossing him the shirt. "I'll keep an eye on her."
"Much appreciated," Harry said. "It's still weird for us." He held the shirt up and both he and Lavender frowned.
"So not light blue."
"Ok, so what else?"
"Well," Lavender said, grabbing Harry's face, "maybe we could try and match it with your eyes. I've always thought your eyes were your best feature."
"Hey, what would Dean think?" Harry said with a small laugh. Lavender grabbed the shirt and waved her wand.
"Colovaria." She looked at the shirt and smiled. "There." She handed it to Harry, who looked at it quizzically. "Honestly Harry, while I have appreciated getting to know you, there is no world in which we could work out. You are far too much trouble. I'd get exhausted just dealing with your clothes."
"Thanks," Harry said, a wry smile on his face.
"Look, all I'm saying is I get how Daphne was feeling," Lavender said. Harry's smile turned sour. "I know it's a rough subject, but you did ask for a female perspective." Harry had briefly discussed Daphne's reasoning for the breakup with Lavender at the advice of his grandmother, who had pointed out that he might not be able to move on until he really understood why Daphne's had broken it off. The discussion had not gone well, and he had cut it off almost immediately.
"I never ask for the trouble," Harry pointed out. "It's just my luck to be in the middle of the action."
"No, but you certainly could have dealt with the dragon in a way that wouldn't make her worried that she'd have to be the one crying over your body." The two glared at each other, the argument still a bit of a sore spot for the two. Eventually, Lavender pointed at the shirt. "You know what, I like that. Go try it on." Harry nodded, accepting the blatant subject change and a minute later stepped out of the bathroom with the green shirt. "Not bad, but maybe we should do darker. It will really make your eyes pop."
"Sure," Harry said as Lavender changed the color again. "Lavender, I know this is probably a bit sexist, but are you doing this as a favor or do you want to work in fashion after we graduate?"
"That's not sexist," Lavender said, as she twirled her finger. Harry obliged, and he saw a satisfied look on her face. "I don't know. We have counseling next year, so I figure I'll start to think about it more seriously then, after seeing my OWL scores. As a whole, I do enjoy color changing and getting people to look their best, so maybe. What about you?"
"Well, I was thinking auror but Remus pointed out that I would be the worst auror in history."
"I'm sorry, who is Remus?"
"Right," Harry said, smacking himself on the head. "I don't think you ever met Remus since he left last year. My parents were very good friends with Professor Lupin, and his first name is Remus. I've stayed in touch with him, and he is actually at school for the moment, helping me with the tournament. He made the point that aurors have to take commands, and as you so aptly pointed out I tend to do things my own way."
"That's an understatement," Lavender told him. "So, can I change the color of your robes? I like that they are similar to our robes, and I think if we make shirt the shirt isn't too bright, it should look very dashing."
"Go ahead," Harry said. Lavender nodded and grabbed the clothes and began casting. "Have you managed to keep track of all the couples?"
"Just about," Lavender said, still casting. "Curious?"
"About more than one thing," Harry admitted. "But give me the list first."
"Sure. Me and Dean, you and who knows." Lavender glared at Harry who shrugged. "Can you give me a hint?"
"Fine," Harry said. "I promise you will be shocked." Lavender gave him a half growl. "Well, now Daphne and Blaise."
"Yeah. Draco and Pansy." Harry made a face. "Go figure, right? Hermione and Cedric. They would be a really good couple. Happy you gave them your seal of approval." Harry nodded. "I hear Ron is going with Padma Patil."
"From Ravenclaw?" Lavender nodded. "Huh. Would have figured he would go with Parvati."
"No, Parvati is with Seamus," Lavender told him. "Then there is Neville and Hannah. The twins are going with the chasers, and Katie is going with Cormac McLaggen."
"That asshat?" Harry asked. "He is also going on and on about he would be a better keeper than Wood."
"Well, he is good looking," Lavender explained. "From what I hear, it's not like they are dating. Listen, tons of girls are going with guys just because it's a little weird to show up on your own. It's not like Susan is going to start going out with Ernie McMillan, but that's her date."
"Right," Harry said. "That was the last person I wanted to ask about too."
"That does seem to cover our little group," Lavender agreed. "Any more queries?"
"Why does everyone come to me for advice and what seems like questions about permission? Ron asked me about his date yesterday, and Cedric caught me after breakfast. My first relationship is kind of famous for burning out in less than a month. Malfoy has tried to make fun of me more than once."
"And you let him get away with it?" Lavender said, surprised.
"The first time," Harry said. "It would have made unnecessary trouble for Daphne. The second time he went after Daphne, so I took steps. He won't bother her anymore," Harry said, his face dark and serious. Lavender shivered a bit. She knew Harry was a dangerous wizard when annoyed, and never wanted to be on his bad side. But she had never seen the look in his eyes in any of the previous years. She wouldn't pretended to be extremely close to the Gryffindor seeker, but the few times she saw that look in his eyes, Lavender turned and walked away. No point in getting caught in a crossfire. But it reminded her there was a reason that Harry was in first in a tournament famous for killing its champions.
"Regardless, why do people ask my advice?" Harry continued.
"Well, you may not realize it, but you are kind of the leader of our little band," Lavender said. "Cedric is two years older than you, and he respects immensely. Everyone sees you walking around with Krum like old buddies, and you are clearly close with the best defense teacher we have ever had. McGonagall and you are much closer too, and you are winning in the tournament."
"But my relationship was a catastrophe."
"That's an isolated incident," Lavender told him. "Not to mention Daphne is gorgeous. I'd kill for her hair." Lavender tossed him the now dark green robe. "Harry, you are remarkably naïve sometimes. You know that almost any girl would give anything to be your date, right? Right now, you are probably the most respected and admired wizard in the castle. Your advice and good opinion matters to an awful lot of people, especially to your friends."
"Lavender, you never cease to amaze me," Harry said with a smile. "I assume you have some ball preparations to make yourself, so I'll let you go." Lavender gave a half curtesy and left. Harry heard her say hi to Ron on her way down the stairs Harry flopped down on his bed and gave a half wave to Ron as the red-head went over to his own bed. He closed his eyes for a half second but soon enough exhaustion overtook him and he was lightly snoring.
-O-O-O-O-O-O-O—O-O-O—O-O-O—O-O-O-
Hundreds of miles away, a green fire flared, and Fleur stepped out of the fire. She stood there, looking around at Chateau Delacour for half a second before she felt a sharp impact around her midsection as Gabrielle smashed into her.
"Hello," Fleur said, giving her sister a hug in response.
"A dragon!" Gabrielle said, hugging the older girl. "And you beat it!"
"I just put it to sleep for a brief time," Fleur said with a laugh. "I came in last."
"Is Harry Potter truly one of the champions? He looked so handsome in the newspapers," Gabrielle crowed. Fleur gave a small smile. Ever since Fleur had written to Gabrielle about the younger champion, Gabrielle had been devouring stories about the boy wizard. Fleur had known about the story about the disappearance of You-Know-Who, but she did not know that whole hosts of literature about the boy who lived had been created.
Gabrielle was convinced that one book that suggested Harry lived in a castle and was trained in magic by Dumbledore and a host of dragons was the truth. His performance in the first task had only heightened her interest. If Fleur had not known the truth, she might have believed it too. It was clear that nothing was farther from the truth, and in their interactions, Fleur had not learned much of Harry's life from beyond Hogwarts. Fleur knew if she wanted to get closer to him she would have to learn about his life outside of Hogwarts, and she was resolved to seek out his best friend, a girl named Hermione after the ball if things went well, and she continued to be drawn to Harry.
"Ah, hello," Fleur heard as the main door opened. Apolline Delacour strode over to her daughter and hugged her. "Here to pick up your dress?" Fleur nodded, and her mother smiled. "As it so happens, we have something else for you to. Your father and I would appreciate an explanation before we give it to you as well."
"I'm sorry?" Fleur said, following her mom into the house. "What do you mean?"
"I believe your mother would like confirmation of a letter we received from a beautiful snowy owl a few days ago," she heard from Laurent Delacour, who walked down the stairs to give his daughter a hug. "From a certain Harry Potter, who asked us to give you this." Laurent withdrew an item from his jacket pocket, and Fleur and Gabrielle gasped. It was a gorgeous necklace, pure white pearls and with a few glittering diamonds. "Apparently, he did not want to presume too much, and in his letter he expressed concern that it might not match your outfit."
"It is gorgeous," Gabrielle said. Then she turned to her sister and smacked her. "You did not tell me he was your date!"
"It was rather sudden," Fleur said, gently taking the necklace from her father. "This must have cost a fortune. He should not have done that."
"I said much the same thing," Laurent said. "His owl is quick, and he sent back, saying he knew that you wanted it to a special night, and if the necklace helped I shouldn't worry about it. You are really going to the ball with him?"
"Yes," Fleur said. "I hope my dress matches the necklace."
"I had to get a new one, but it looks lovely," her mother said. Fleur blushed and looked down, and Fleur felt her mother's eyes on her. "Love, why don't you and Gabrielle go get the dress."
"Hm?" Apolline Delacour fixed her husband with a serious gaze that spoke volumes "Oh. Of course. Gabi, come along." Gabrielle raced up the stairs with her father trailing behind the excited young girl.
"Now Fleur, we must talk," her mother said. "When we discussed this earlier, I believe I cautioned you against going. Your allure may make you irresistible."
"Harry is not like that," Fleur explained. "He has been trained in the Hayashi school, and can resist my allure even at full blast,"
"Hayashi?" Her mother had a thoughtful look. "I have not heard from him in a few years. I did not know Harry spent time Japan."
"Apparently, his master spends every summer in England, and his son is teaching at Hogwarts for a year." Fleur said by ways of explanation. "According to Akira, Harry is quite talented, and his mental strength is unparalleled."
"And you believe that this mental strength is a sign," her mother asked.
"Mother, I have met many amazing men over my life. I have never felt like this before," Fleur said, unable to contain her excitement. "I'm sure some would accuse me of being attracted to his fame, but it not like that. It is his kindness, his strength, his mind, his bravery. He is making me go crazy!"
"Go on."
"When he is around, I feel tongue tied, like I am under a spell he has put on me. Every time I look into his eyes, I feel entranced. When I see him talking to other girls, I get angry, and when he is not around he is all I can think about. For the first time, I understand what you meant when you said I would be drawn to my mate. Mother, I think I am falling in love with him."
"Really?" Her mother had an amused look on her face. "You are sure this is not a little crush? This is your magic reacting?"
"No, that's not true," Fleur admitted. "I'm not falling in love anymore. I'm already there. I love Harry." She blushed and sat down. "Wow."
"Was that so hard to say?" Apolline said. She had known it was coming from her daughter's first letter, the moment that the mysterious boy had brushed off her allure on Halloween. Finally, her daughter had found someone, and Apolline knew she would need to have Laurent reach out to his Japanese friend to get the measure of this young boy soon. For now, she was just thrilled that her daughter looked happier than she had in years.
"I was afraid," Fleur told her. "Saying it aloud would be admitting it. He is just so amazing, I feel like I won't have a chance to make him mine. If I was not a Veela, would he even notice me?"
"You are the champion of your school," her mother reminded her. "Besides, if he asked you to the ball isn't that a clear sign that he is interested?"
'It's more complex than that," Fleur said, and spent a few minutes explaining to her mother how Harry had ended up as her date. "I don't know how he feels."
"Well, the ball would be a great chance to find out," her mother said. "It sounds quite fortuitous that the day you really met him was the day he became available. You say your friend Susan is interested as well? You know I like Susan and her aunt very much. That speaks to the character of this young man."
"He is amazing," Fleur told her. "It really is not about him as a wizard, or as a celebrity. Mother, his accomplishments would amaze you. He had killed a basilisk and can create a Patronus so strong that it is literally solid."
"No," her mother scoffed. Fleur just stared at her, conveying sincerity with her eyes. "That is impossible!"
"What is impossible?" Laurent said, coming down the stairs holding a black bag.
"You daughter is convinced that her date killed a basilisk."
"Ridiculous, but not impossible," Laurent said with a speculative look on her face. "I heard a few students at Hogwarts were petrified two years ago. That would explain it."
"But for a second year student to kill it?" Appoline said.
"Stranger things have happened," her husband said.
"He was trained by Takashi," Fleur's mother mused.
"He was?" Laurent was clearly surprised. "I'm surprised my friend never told me. Nevertheless, if the boy was trained by Takashi, he would have a better chance than most."
"He only started that training recently, this summer," Fleur told her father. "Do you remember Susan Bones?"
"The niece of Amelia?" Laurent asked. Fleur nodded. "Yes, she is a delightful young woman."
"She told me, and Harry didn't deny it. Susan wouldn't make it up. I've touched his Patronus too. It is warm, and very solid."
"A basilisk is one thing, but a solid Patronus is indeed impossible," her mother said. "I would have trouble believing he can even cast a corporeal Patronus. Many of the strongest wizards and witches I know can't cast a corporeal Patronus, let alone a solid one which has never been done."
"Why would I lie?" Fleur pointed out.
"I would very much like to meet him in the near future," Laurent said. Fleur turned to him, her eyes blazing. "Would you deny me that chance?"
"I do not want you to scare him off," Fleur told him.
"I am sure if the boy can face down dementors and a snake that can petrify its victims he can stand meeting a politician." Fleur's eyes flamed, but she grabbed the dress bag and stormed off. "That was interesting."
"She is already head over heels," his wife told him. "If you do meet him and he seems to be a good man, we should start planning the wedding."
"The boy is 14!" Laurent snapped.
"The younger the better," his wife said calmly. "We will get his guardians to sign off. We would probably have to wait until after the tournament, but I'm confident your daughter can convince him."
"She is a child," the French politician said.
"She will be adult in the eyes of the law at year's end," Apolline said. "Besides, if this boy is so amazing, he might escape her grasp. Why deny your daughter the chance to be happy?I'd prefer for the child to be born in wedlock." Her husband glared at her. "What? I know Fleur wants to be a mother, and it's hard enough for Veela to have children. Don't be a child Laurent."
"They are young, and will still change as people," her husband said. "It would be foolish to act on feelings that have not been around for a long time. If the boy is 14, he might be entirely different person in one year, let alone 15 years. And children? Don't be ridiculous. He is a student Apolline." His wife just huffed at that and they sat in uncomfortable silence.
"I expect Fleur will want your blessing," Appoline said with a wave of her hand "not your permission. If that is the case, you will give it to her." Her voice had the steel of command, not a request.
Well," Laurent said, and then went over to the fireplace, "we shall see." He knew that if his wife and daughter put on pressure on him and if Fleur appeared truly happy that it was a moot point and that he would accede to the demand and give his blessing, though he would resist his daughter having children at such a young age vehemently. He lit the fire and tossed some powder in. "Takashi Hayashi!" It took a few minutes, but then his friend's face appeared.
"Laurent?"
"Hello Takashi."
"To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"We need to talk about one of your students." Takashi's face betrayed concern. "A certain Harry Potter."
"Stand back," Takashi said. Laurent killed the fire and stepped back. A moment later the fire flared and Takashi stepped out, brushing himself off. "Hello Apolline."
"Hello. So, you took him on as a student."
"He is a talented young lad," Takashi said, taking a seat. "What surprised me was how well he got along with my son. They became quite close. Harry also received some specialized instruction this summer, from the man who is now his true master."
"Specialized?" Laurent asked.
"Yes. Nambung Sa Bum stayed with me this summer, and he is quite fond of the boy as well." The face of the two elder Delacour's went white.
"That man is a monster. Please tell me Harry is not like him."
"They are similar in that they have similar attractive qualities," Takashi said with a laugh, "although I do not thing Nambung is a monster. Harry does not have that viciousness or disregard for human life that makes some see Nambung as a monster. I tend to think that he is more like a necessary evil. But for Harry, might I ask what your interest in him is?"
"Our daughter has met him at the tournament," Laurent said.
"Ah yes, congratulations on that," Takashi said. "It is quite an honor. Akira let me know her performance against the dragon was quite impressive. I'm sorry to say the best she will be able to achieve is second. I would ask your daughter not to tell him, but my son says Harry is most likely a genius. He will be one of the more powerful wizards in the school by years end, not to mention his physical fighting prowess which I'm told has grown in leaps and bounds."
"What do you mean?" Apolline asked. "About being a genius."
"Well, there are 4 levels of skill and talent," Takashi said. "Most people, like you and I would be classified as normal. The level above that is genius, around .05 percent of the population, who are naturally gifted. They are stronger, faster, smarter, and more magically powerful. With the right training, they are nearly impossible to stop. My son is close, but not truly a genius, still normal. I suspected in time, Harry will surpass him. Perhaps before the end of the year with the right motivation and training."
"Then there are prodigies. These are less numerous and are unmatched in a single field. They varely widely in strength. Some may be weaker than your youngest daughter, and some may be my equal."
Then finally, there are naturals. They transcend talent and are incomparable in almost everything they do and all abilities and skills they posses. Nambung is the only one I have ever met, though he may be a prodigy as well as a natural. I suspect that Dumbledore is probably a genius, for comparison. Harry is on that level as well. Although Akira says his brother isn't interested, Harry will win the tournament."
"So Harry will become one of the strongest wizards in Britain based purely on natural talent?" Apolline asked
"Of course not," Takashi replied. "While natural talent plays a role, there are other factors, namely accumulation of knowledge, accumulation of experience, and quality of instruction. Harry would become one of the strongest wizards in Europe and Asia if he moved to Asia to complete his training with Nambung. Assuming he stays in Britain, I could not begin to guess at whether or not he would or even could fulfill his potential."
"That's all well and good, but that's not really my interest in him," Laurent said. "My daughter has heard some crazy stories about him, involving a basilisk. She also says he had a solid Patronus." Takashi looked at Laurent, his eyes questioning. "So?"
"I guess they are crazy stories," Takashi said, and Laurent sagged in his chair. "I haven't heard about the solid Patronus though. I'll need to ask Akira, but it's probably possible. It was close to being solid over the summer."
"What?" Appoline shouted. "That's crazy."
"No, the basilisk was crazy," Takashi said. "Must have been more than 20 meters. He stabbed it with a sword. I almost lost my mind when I saw his memories of the fight. Granted, he had the help of a phoenix, but it was still shocking. I have not seen the like. I could not have shown that much courage and fight at 40, let alone 12."
"If my daughter was interested, would she be in danger?" Appoline asked quickly.
"Is she?" Appoline nodded in response to the question. "Well," Takashi said, "Harry is certainly in the center of the action. But I know it is hard for Veela to find appropriate mates, so I will say this. Harry is an exceptional young man who I respect very much and am proud to call a student and friend. While I would not have imagined it, now that you have brought it up, I think they would be very happy together. I'd encourage your daughter to pursue him, and I'll give Akira a heads-up as well. He's a little over-protective."
"I would hope my daughter would not be in danger," Laurent said.
"The world is a dangerous place, and your daughter never struck me as someone who would want to stay on the sidelines," Takashi said. "If she wanted a partner to stand at her side in the face of danger, Harry is as good a choice as any."