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 am well aware that the summer equinox was the 21st in 1995, and the final task is the 24th. Just pretend the equinox is the 22nd.
Chapter 61: The First and Last Dance
June, 1995
The end of the school year had snuck on him, Harry reflected as he dozed against the tree. Fleur was next to him, blowing small bubbles as she slept. Harry stretched a little, arching his back and extended his arms over his head. There were really only two pleasant months in the year and even that was not guaranteed. But with June had come the sun and the chance to store winter coats. Almost every student had taken the chances provided, and every spot outside was filled with students.
It was near impossible to find any privacy outside, so the PDA had slowed between Harry and Fleur. But instead of kisses, they had to chance to talk, more of an argument, about what the summer would hold. They had managed to stop it from becoming a serious fight when they first talked, but for a few days the relationship was frosty, to the point where Fleur spent a day eating with others, a rarity over the last few months. George and Fred actually went so far as sitting Harry down to tell him he had a hell of a girl, and not to hack her off.
He had taken the advice and had taken a long walk with her the next night, talking about anything that wasn't the summer, just getting back to the easy familiarity that had marked the last few months of their relationship. The next day they both cut class to have a long discussion about what their respective plans were. It was more about making their viewpoint clear to the other rather than trying to collaborate.
Fleur wanted to spend a decent chunk of the summer in France with her family. She had no intention of taking a job in France. She wanted to explore, and she couldn't do that chained to a desk in Paris. There were a few jobs that held her interest, but she hadn't decided. Remus, still staying in France with Sirius, had met her at the Delacour estate to discuss the possible as an enchanter. He had even offered to take some time in the summer to work with her, but that work would be done in France.
There were a host of reasons Fleur laid out for her to stay in France over the summer. She laid them out calmly, and Harry had to admit that what she said made sense. He would not begrudge her time with her family. He also understood Remus's skill with esoteric magic more than most. If Remus was willing to spend some time teaching her, it would be foolish to turn down the opportunity. The stars aligned for her to spend time in France, also taking advice from her parents as to what jobs she might enjoy.
For Harry the situation could not be more different. His summer plans included extensive travel, but none for pleasure. What's more, he did not know what the travel was, and would learn the day of, if not with less warning. That was how the Mibu Wolves combat arms operated, sometimes travelling halfway around the world on a moment's notice. And Nambung had promised Harry that he would spend time with his apprentice to develop his own specialty magic and continue to gain real life experience.
Nambung thought that Harry was close to taking the next step. He was already a match for most master levels, even though he not technically classified as a master. He would need to be a second dan black belt, which Nambung planned to have him test for in early July. The Mibu Wolf did not put much stock in things such as belt level. It did not change the fact that the man was the only 13th dan in taekwondo history, magical or otherwise.
Nambung had also promised Harry the chance to see some high-level matchups between officers of the Mibu Wolves and other talented members of special ops squads. There were also rumors that they would spend a little time in the rocky mountains with the Eagle family, an opportunity Harry couldn't miss. These training opportunities were critical for Harry, and the summer would give him a chance not only to break through to the next level, but realize if the life of a special ops member would be sustainable for the next few years.
The Mibu Wolves did not have tag-alongs. They were smaller than most squads, allowing for extreme mobility. If Harry decided to join them for the summer, it would be at least for a month, probably for the entirety of July and a non-insignificant part of August. He would barely be able to floo call Fleur during that time. But it was a once in a lifetime chance to truly immerse himself in magic at the highest level.
One advantage the couple had was that the summer was not make of break for them. Harry had shared with Fleur he doubted he would return to Hogwarts for his 5th year. It didn't make sense for him to lock himself in Scotland with, frankly speaking, mediocre wizards. If not for her presence, along with the tournament and the mystery that was the Vengeful Brotherhood, Harry would be out of Britain, not to return for years.
Despite the fact that the two could reevaluate and find a way to be together after the summer, it did not mean that they wanted to spend two months apart. But they were unable to come to a resolution of any kind. Eventually, Harry borrowed Akira's floo and went to visit his master and Takashi Hayashi.
Although he did not know where he would be at any time, he had agreed to spend July and the first 10 days of August with the Mibu wolves. He would meet Fleur in Paris on August 12th, and they would spend a week in France, before going to Italy for a weeklong getaway. They would use the end of August to discuss what the future would be for them.
They had avoided the possibility that their lives simply wouldn't be compatible. Both of them were driven, and compromise was not a common word in either of their vocabularies. After the discussion, Harry had gone to Minerva, and Fleur to her mother. Both adults advised patience. It would not do to panic and worry about the future. At the moment, it was best just to enjoy the month they had with each other, prepare for the tournament, and enjoy what was certainly the best year either of them had ever had as a student.
"Mwah?" Fleur had apparently awoken by Harry's catlike stretching. "What time is it?"
"Almost 8," Harry told her. The sun was most of the way into its decent, giving the courtyard they had been napping in a golden orange glow. "You should go get ready." Fleur nodded and rose, giving him a kiss on the cheek before sauntering away. It was Friday night, and Harry had spoken with Dumbledore the night before about giving the champions and a person of their choosing the chance to spend Friday night and Saturday away from the grounds if they so chose to. With the task on Sunday and no reason to aggravate Harry with the relationship better than it had been in months, Dumbledore was all too happy to agree.
Fleur and Harry had briefly discussed taking different people and then leaving the two to their own devices, but the idea had been quickly squashed. It was dishonest and there was no real reason. The two other people that needed time away from the school with the final task looming each had one person, and adding two more would complicate everything.
Victor, surprising absolutely no-one, would be spending the weekend with Luna. According to Victor, Luna had invited him to spend the two days at her home in Ottery St. Catchpole. Her home was called the rookery, causing Harry to imagine a giant rook, surrounded by tiny pawn-like structures. With Luna, who knew? But he knew Luna was very close with her father as her mother passed away when she was a child. This was a big weekend for Victor.
Cedric had taken the entirety of Thursday and most of Friday trying to decide who to take with him. Eventually, Jason had taken the choice out of his hand by saying he would be attending a special session for N.E.W.T. charms over the weekend. Only after Cedric invited Daphne to spend the weekend with him in London did it become apparent that there was no N.E.W.T. charm review that weekend. It was hard to see who was more smug between Jason who had fooled Cedric, or Daphne who had revealed to her dormmates that she had come up with the plan. Cedric didn't seem too upset.
Once Harry and Fleur had decided to spend the weekend together uninterrupted, some fairly interesting events had popped up as options for the two. Fleur's parents were holding a summer equinox ball Friday night. Harry was reluctant to attend a ball, but Fleur had been quite persuasive, and had also allowed Harry to plan what they would do Saturday. Harry had agreed, but told her he was going to surprise her.
Word of the ball spread like fiendfyre, eventually making its way to the Hufflpeuff common room. Upon hearing about the event, Daphne instantly persuaded Cedric to go and ask Harry to ask the hosts for an invite for Cedric and his date. According to Daphne, all the movers and shakers of the European Wizards Council and the EICW would be there, since Laurent Delacour was hosting the ball in his capacity as the Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation for the French Ministry.
After a distinctly odd discussion with Harry, Cedric reported back that Harry could not get an invitation, since he was not invited but rather was attending as Fleur's plus one. If Daphne was so inclined, she could reach out to Fleur for an invitation. Daphne was the one who wanted to go, after all, and it was Fleur's events. Both boys told their paramours, and satisfied they had done their duty, went off to fly, calling it job done.
Daphne screwed up her courage and went to ask Fleur for an invite. The French girl considered it for a second. Ever since an event regarding Astoria Greengrass, about which Harry refused to tell her, Daphne and Harry had seemed to find the easy camaraderie they had been able to work with earlier in the year. The picture of Harry and Daphne kissing in the courtyard was still burned into her mind.
But Fleur also knew Harry was, at best, conversational at French. Daphne was fluent, and a much better politician than Harry. She was raised in tradition, as was Cedric. While she was loathed to admit it, despite his power as a twice over lord and the boy-who-lived, Harry was ill-suited for the event. Cedric and Daphne would provide a nice escape valve if it became too much, and could help provide a buffer if Harry started to lose his temper. Fleur owled her mother to send Daphne and invite, and soon Daphne Greengrass, the Heir to Noah Greengrass and Cedric Diggory, the Heir to Amos Diggory (Head of the British Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures) would be attending the ball.
Harry returned to his dorm to get ready. Their invitation was a portkey set to go off at 10. The two couples would meet at Dumbledore's office at 9:55, and he would take the wards temporarily. Harry told Dumbledore he would just flash Fleur and himself back Sunday morning bright and early. He assumed Daphne and Cedric would make other arrangements, while Victor and Luna would just be able to apparate.
He looked at the two options Fleur had provided him. He had worn the muggle tuxedo at the ball, and it felt like it was trying to choke him to death. However, the green and blue robes felt like something Dumbledore would wear, not at all his style. Harry suspected he would stand out regardless, with Fleur on his arm radiating charm and class. He was also not blind to the fact that even though he was with Fleur, more than a few girls seemed appreciative of the results of his year long commitment to personal fitness.
Dean and Neville caught him staring at the outfits and added their two cents. Ron decided to loudly add his input, which caught the attention of Cormac McLaggen on his way down the stairs. Soon enough almost every Gryffindor boy 4th year and up was in the dorm, making a cacophony of noises, up to the point that Minerva appeared, afraid she would have to break up a fight. She sent the crowd on her way, glanced at the outfits, told Harry to put on the tuxedo and get going.
Harry made it to Dumbledore's office at 9:50. It had been a close call, and he had actually dipped into his physical magic to get dressed quickly. As he walked up the stairs past the gargoyle, he knew all the annoyance of the evening would be worth it. He barely looked at anyone else in the office as his eyes settled on Fleur. She was, in a word, perfection.
She wore a white dress that was held up by a single strap over her left shoulder, dropping perilously low. It cut off just below the knees. She wore both necklaces Harry had given her over the year, adorning her slender neck extremely well. But it was the look she gave Harry that promised intrigue and romance that left him a little weak in the knees. He glided over to her and kissed her gently on the cheek.
"You are…" Harry didn't have the words.
"I love you," Fleur whispered in his ear, and smiled to herself as Harry blushed. It was good to see she still had that effect on him with three simple words. The blush was quite adorable, and it reminded her that despite his accomplishments and emotional maturity, Harry was still not yet 15. Well, Fleur corrected herself, that was technically not true. Harry had informed Fleur about the gates and how they worked. But they were a closely kept secret, so he would remain "14." Besides, it made keeping track of his birthday easier. Once he hit his majority at 17 it wouldn't matter anyways. He was technically already an emancipated minor, but what idiot would dare tell Harry he wasn't an adult or that he needed a guardian.
"Well now, shall we going?" Dumbledore was dressed in a robe covered in glimmering moons. Harry cocked an eyebrow. Dumbledore simply held up his invitation. Harry looked at Fleur, who shrugged. She doubted her parents would have invited Dumbledore had she not spent the year at Hogwarts. But they were still less than pleased with Madame Maxine "kidnapping" Gabrielle and sticking her in the lake without their consent, so inviting Dumbledore but not Maxime was a bit of a power play. Fleur could tell from the light in Daphne's eyes that she recognized it, even if she didn't know the reasoning.
Harry and Cedric were blissfully unaware, though Daphne resolved to tell Cedric later. Fleur had no such plans. She loved Harry dearly, but if he knew he was liable to say the wrong thing to the wrong person, potentially to stir up trouble, but more likely because he did not know an ounce about the political scene in France. It was nothing like Britain or Asia, though Fleur could happily admit that Harry's attempts to explain how the Asian Ministry and their country subdivisions left her more confused than before. Though she eventually came to the conclusion that if a life with Harry included the Mibu Wolves, she would have to learn sooner rather than later, since there were a few political animals in the group.
Dumbledore looked over the group of students carefully. The son of Amos Diggory, and the champion of Hogwarts, the daughter of one of the most powerful voices on the Wizengamot and a strong witch in her own right, and the Beauxbatons champion whose father would certainly be one of the favorites for the French Minister of Magic when Minister Dupont stepped down. Harry had managed to gather a rather impressive friend group entirely by accident.
There were times when Dumbledore couldn't help but compare Harry to Tom. The charisma and power was there in both of them, enough that Dumbledore had discarded the idea of making Harry his protégé earlier in the year. In the end, it didn't matter. If Harry was so inclined, Britain could be his in 5 years. But luckily, Harry was unlike Tom in some key ways.
If Tom had Harry's skills, he would run the school with intimidation and fear. With his connections, he would already be maneuvering for power after leaving school. With his lordships, he would be playing politics often and early. Harry had everything Tom would have killed for, but the way Harry had gotten everything was a blessing in disguise. The Lightning Lord's introduction to the world of special ops meant that Britain held no interest for the boy-who-lived.
Dumbledore understood Harry, perhaps better than any student at the school at the moment. Sure, Dumbledore had managed to defeat Harry in their spar. It had heartened Dumbledore that Harry had never aimed to kill him, and his magic was inventive but never truly dark. But Dumbledore would not get any stronger, and Dumbledore could already tell that in the last month, Harry had taken another step forward. There had been times where Dumbledore had suspected Britain was too small for him as a wizard hoping to grow.
But Britain was his home, and Dumbledore felt a responsibility to the land of his birth. So he stayed after the defeat of Grindlewald. It helped that he truly loved teaching. But right as he felt his commitment to his homeland gone, his friend and the previous headmaster, his good friend Armando Dippet had died suddenly, and Dumbledore found himself tied to England for good in the position of headmaster. He had lost the joy of teaching and the chance to go abroad seeking knowledge in one foul stroke.
Harry had no such ties to Britain, and certainly not an ounce of responsibility to Britain. The one reason Harry might stay past the year was the prophecy, though Dumbledore suspected that while Harry acknowledged the power of the prophecy, he might believe he had accomplished the task as a child, and that the burden, when Voldemort did indeed return, would be on others.
The fear was always there, since the beginning of the year, more so after the second task. Harry couldn't, wouldn't be controlled. His power and growth was near-inhuman, but he was not trending towards the path of power. Dumbledore had slowly come to the realization that if Harry disappeared from Britain, or even Europe for a time, he would breathe a sigh of relief.
Harry was quietly conversing with Cedric as Daphne greeted Fleur. There was an undercurrent of tension, and Daphne suspected it would always be there between her and the Veela. The one thing that might cool the relationship would be a formal commitment between either Daphne and someone or Harry and Fleur. Cedric had been thoughtful and charming, but showed no intention of starting a formal courtship, which was fine for Daphne. But it meant the Veela was far from friendly. It was clear she did not have romantic experience before Harry, and the fact that Daphne had "been there first" would be a sticking point between them. It didn't mean she couldn't at least try to place nice.
"I really appreciate you going out of your way to get an invitation for Cedric and me," Daphne told Fleur, who just nodded stiffly. Daphne sighed and looked away. Apparently now was not the time to try and build bridges.
"Here we go." The envelope in Dumbledore's hand began to glow, and he waved his wand, casting a spell to lower the portkey wards for a minute. "Everyone grab hold." The four students locked arms and Cedric grabbed Dumbledore's free hand. With a flash they were all gone. It was a long trip, at least a minute, but they landed outside the Delacour mansion safely. Harry was on the floor, sprawled out muttering. "Are you okay?"
"The only kind of magical travel worth anything is a broom," Harry said, getting to his feet, getting a laugh from his fellow secret. "Oh, you got something to say?"
"Love, he is laughing with you, not at you," Fleur said soothingly. Harry stilled instantly.
"Sorry Cedric."
"No apology necessary," the 6th year teased. "Maybe next year I'll steal the snitch from you fair and square and we can reevaluate your viewpoint."
"Hey, I'm undefeated in games uninterrupted by dementors," Harry joked back. "5 for 5, though it is a small sample size. But I wouldn't hold your breath."
"About what?" Cedric looked genuinely confused. Dumbledore could see the small smirk on Fleur's face and the pained look on the 4th year Hufflepuff. It made him pause for a moment. He wouldn't dare to try and take a peek in Daphne's mind, but he had believed her affection for Harry was gone. It was not supplanted by Mr. Diggory, but apparently she knew Harry wasn't planning on returning, and it hurt her. It was possible she would just miss her friend, but with someone with her cunning and political acumen, it was hard to know. That did not even take into account her romantic past with Mr. Potter. She would have been a good match for Harry, even if he would have become dangerous in England from that.
"Papa!" Fleur raced across the wards, enveloping the man who had strode across the lawn to greet them. Cedric smiled at the display of affection. Although Fleur had loosen up considerably during the year, he genuinely liked the girl and was happy to see her so happy. He felt Harry tense at his side. "Any reason you are nervous?"
"I've never actually spoken to him before," Harry admitted. "The few times I've come here to train with Sirius and Remus, he has been away on business. I haven't been avoiding him, per say, but I wanted to figure out what Fleur and I were before meeting him. But now I'm meeting her parents… it's a little unnerving. I've got this stupid ball to worry about too."
"Don't worry," Daphne reassured him. "I'm sure you'll do fine. You make his daughter happy, and I suspect that's the only thing he cares about." Cedric and Harry looked at her questioningly. "What? I assume he isn't so different from my dad."
"Welcome all," Fleur's mother said, helping them across the wards. "Albus, it is pleasure to have you." The headmaster dipped his head in acknowledgement. "Why don't you lead your charges inside?" The headmaster beckoned to the students. "Ah, not you, Mr. Potter. I'd like the chance to chat with you for a moment." Harry looked a little wild eyed, and his panic seemed to increase when he saw Fleur and her father already headed back towards the mansion.
"Yes, well…" Apolline fixed Dumbledore a hard stare. "I shall see you later then, Ms. Delacour." Albus walked away briskly, and Harry fought every impulse in his body urging him to flash away and hide until the sun rose on Sunday.
"Am I so terrifying Harry?" Apolline asked mildly.
"Absolutely," Harry admitted. "I know more than most how terrifying your daughter is though, so perhaps we should walk and talk."
"Very well." Fleur's mother slid her arm through Harry as they strolled towards the party. "Fleur had told me of your summer plans together. We are excited to host you here for a time in August."
"I really appreciate it," Harry told the woman.
"Laurent and I have not given up on the hopes Fleur may remain in France for a time after graduation. In time she will travel, but she has only recently gained her majority. I do hope during your time here you see what France has to offer."
"I appreciate the…thought," Harry said, measuring his words carefully. "But I doubt I'm going to settle down anytime soon, and I suspect if I do, it will not be in France. Though if Fleur is with me, I see no reason you would be unable to see her often."
"Ah, that warms my heart," Apolline said with a smile. "I suspect my husband will try and corner you some time tonight. Do not let him scare you. We are both thrilled with how happy my flower is. We were nervous about her coming to England, and even more nervous when she was chosen. Proud of course, but nervous. But all of this has led to you, and for that we are almost as happy as Fleur. You will cherish her, I can see that in her eyes."
"My uncle by blood gave me some good advice," Harry said. "He and his wife were an arranged marriage, but they are so smitten with each other even to this day it's a little sickening. He said that his own father had told him to treat a woman like a person, then like a princess, then like a Greek goddess, then a person again. But he knew he found the right woman when he wanted to treat her like a goddess for the rest of his life."
"And you feel that for my baby?"
"I think I do," Harry knew Apolline would not be happy to hear Harry hedging his bets. "But I won't tie Fleur down until it's the right decision."
"Ah, so you know the importance of those three words," Apolline said quietly. They had arrived at the stairs leading to the ballroom, so Apolline released his arm. "Have a wonderful night, Lord Potter."
"No, I'm not here as Lord Potter, Lord Peverell, the boy-who-lived, the Heir apparent to Nambung Sa-Bum, or as a Mibu Wolf. Tonight, I am blessed to be the partner to Fleur Delacour." This got him the biggest smile so far. "Enjoy your night as well, Ms. Delacour."
"Apolline, Mr. Potter."
"Then it must be Harry to you as well." Apolline pressed a kiss on his cheek as Fleur made her way over to Harry.
"I hope mama didn't scare you too much."
"She wanted something," Harry confessed. "But I'm not sure what it was. She's quite clever. She asked me a few questions she knew I couldn't answer, and it doing so seemed to get something."
"Behind every great man is an even greater woman. Papa will be the first to admit he would not be where he is now without my mother's help."
"Do we need to be formally announced?" Harry moaned as they stood on the top of the stairs."
"Yes," Fleur said, her mouth barely moving. "Now, what title would you like to use?"
"I told you already, just Harry Potter. I'm here as your plus one."
"And I told you, I know that, and I appreciate that, but I'd like you to choose one. Otherwise I'll tell him to announce you as the boy-who-lived." Harry gave his girlfriend a flat stare. "Can you not just do what I tell you this once?" Harry sighed and nodded, though Fleur saw the mischief dancing in his eyes. "I suppose it would be too much to ask you to choose a reasonable introduction."
"Far too much," Harry told her as he leaned back from whispering to the herald at the top of the stairs, who had just introduced the Lady Greengrass, heir apparent to her house, and Lord Cedric, also the heir apparent. The herald seemed to be having a panic attack as Harry grinned.
"Harry…" Fleur's tone had a hint of warning, though it was overwhelmed by her curiosity. "What did you tell the poor man?"
"Something fun," Harry's eyes had a twinkle Dumbledore would have envied. "Let's go, my flower." Harry led Fleur to the edge of the stairs.
"Announcing Ms. Delacour, daughter and heir apparent to Laurent Delacour, and Harry Potter, the blood adopted son of Lord Nambung, the heir apparent to the premier of Korea." Fleur allowed Harry to guide her down the stairs, holding back her shock. The floor was totally silenced by the announcement. The ramifications of the blood adoption were cataclysmic. Harry Potter would certainly be leaving England, but this was a move that could totally shift the power of international politics in a way unheard of.
Fleur did not know all that much of Harry's master, and apparently, new father. She had deduced a few things, but Harry was tight lipped about his time he spent with him in the line of duty and as his master. She did know that much like his apprentice, he abhorred the limelight. For him to adopt Harry based on their close relationship was not all that surprising, even if it was unexpected. But for him to assume a noble seat, especially one that had a line to the magical premier of Korea…something big was going on. Harry had played them all, and Fleur was equal parts frustrated and proud. With one announcement, Harry had broken the minds of all attending the ball.
He would command the evening. He had told Fleur that he didn't like to play politics, but he had still gotten an instruction it. Harry had undersold his lessons dramatically. But even the best lessons could fail without perfect execution. Harry simply glided past a few people wishing to greet him, guiding her to her parents. He kissed her mother's hand and shook her father's hand.
"Mr. Delacour, thank you for allowing me to accompany your daughter to this wonderful event. I can only hope that the new year's ball in Paris has the same delightful atmosphere." Harry spoke confidently without even the slightest hesitation in his French. Fleur could barely stammer a greeting to her mother as Harry guided her to the dance floor.
"Harry, you know what you just did?"
"Of course," Harry said, drawing her head to her shoulder. "I hope you don't mind. Remus filled me in on your father's potential bid for Minister. I figured I'd lend a hand. It's the least I could do."
"Harry," Fleur buried her head in his neck. "You know Minister Dupont has no plans to step down, and enjoyed widespread support." Harry just smiled at her. "You know something?" Harry just smiled wider. "You can't tell me, can you?" Harry's smile vanished and his face had a pained expression.
"You know I'd love to discuss this with you, flower, but I just can't."
"It's ok." Fleur planted a gentle kiss on his neck to show him he wasn't upset, and Fleur felt hidden tension flow out of Harry's body. "I do wish you would have told me about the blood adoption."
"It just finished this morning," Harry explained. "For someone in Nambung's position, it's a complicated process, especially since I wasn't there in person. There were some tough conditions attached, but this will open a bunch of options for me."
"Like leading the Mibu Wolves," Fleur pointed out mildly.
"Beautiful and brilliant." Harry gave Fleur a kiss that left her breathless. "It's a possibility. It would allow me to stay with the unit while giving me a lot more personal autonomy. Nambung has been the Wolf for 4 years. He is chafing at the bit, but he dares no leave without a successor. We can talk about it tomorrow. For now, why don't we do a little meet and greets, and then do some serious dancing, if that is good with you." Fleur nodded eagerly. "Who shall we go dazzle first?"
The next morning Fleur awoke to an empty bed. Normally she might be a little peeved, though Harry's tendency to wake early left her between a rock and hard place, as she was not a morning person. But his performance, composure, and charm offensive to help her father last night meant that she owed him big time. Not that it would actually change how she treated him. Nevertheless, she would have to find a creative way to ensure she showed how much his actions the night before had meant to her and her family.
Fleur doubted that it was part of his actions, but his father would certainly not be giving Harry the threatening father speech, though Fleur would have roasted him alive if he even tried. It wasn't like Harry needed protection from her father, who had never been much of a fighter. He just didn't deserve it, after all he had done for her. And what he hoped he would do in the future. The revelation that he would have more personal freedom as the head of the unit, and that it was a real possibility made Fleur's heart sing. Had they perhaps stumbled upon a perfect compromise by surprise? It would bear discussion after the tournament.
Harry returned 15 minutes later, a small cut above his right eye. He was covered in sweat, and despite the cut and what looked like a bruise by his right ribs when he removed his shirt, he had an irrepressible smile covering his face. He vibrated briefly, the cut vanishing and the bruise fading away. No matter how many times Fleur saw his instant heal, it amazed her.
"I hope my father didn't give you those wounds," Fleur commented gayly.
"No, Remus and Sirius," Harry confessed. "I went over to the Black property this morning. It's a real nice piece of property. Sirius and Remus have been training hard. They both had martial arts experience as teenagers, which I forgot until Remus hit me in the ribs. It was a real good fight. They work extremely well together. Almost as well as the twins."
"I didn't know that was possible," Fleur quipped.
"It's certainly unique. But they are a dangerous combo."
"Still, I would doubt they could truly harm you," Fleur commented.
"Oh, I put some pretty heavy restrictions on myself, for obvious reasons that will become apparent soon." Harry told her. "But they are still tough. I don't know there is a pairing of teachers that could beat them. Maybe Akira and Flitwick, but I'm not sure." Fleur nodded thoughtfully at that. "Regardless, all the jitters should be gone."
"You don't count Dumbledore?" Fleur inquired as the realization he had left him out hit the French girl. Harry made a face at that. "Are you still upset about it?" Harry had caved a few weeks after his spar and told his girlfriend about his loss, even if he avoided specifics. Reliving the fight had allowed him to come to terms with, to a point. He was frustrated by it, but he could deal with the frustration well enough.
"Of course I am," Harry admitted. "But it's time to move on, or a fact simile for it. He's still stronger me, even though I've improved since our fight. I have no idea what his specialty magic is. It was like he knew how to counter everything I did with minimum effort. No matter what spell I use, or how I fight, there is a counter. He had the right answer to everything."
"The right answer…" Fleur mused. Then her eyes lit up. "Wait here!" She burst out of the room. Harry just shrugged and hoped in the shower. He had just gotten out was throwing on his clothes for the day when Fleur burst back in, holding a loose piece of paper. "Harry, I copied this out of the family diary. Take a look at this."
"The answer talker ability?" Harry looked down at the paper. "In my travels I encounter a powerful man, who I could never defeat." He cocked an eyebrow at Fleur. "What is this?"
"The memoirs of one of my ancestors. Keyed to Delacour blood. Just read it." Fleur insistently pointed at the paper. "I think it might be what Dumbledore can do. Obviously the name does not matter much, what he calls it is irrelevant."
"You can't copy someone else's specialty magic," Harry told her. "That's why it's called specialty magic."
"You mean to say in the whole history of wizards, millennium's long, not one single wizard has developed specialty magic that is similar to another's?" Fleur arched an eyebrow after her statements. "Seems unlikely. While it probably is not the exact scope of Dumbledore's powers you can still read it. I assume from your clothes that I should wear something nice, but not overboard" Harry nodded and just read as Fleur got ready.
The paper did indeed contain something eerily similar to what he had faced in his fight with the elderly wizard. Certain phrases popped out to him. Knew exactly how to counter, along with the line, beyond frustrating to see nothing I cast hit him. Harry knew that Dumbledore did not know the four-headed hydra spell. It was impossible to know since it had only been created in January. But yet he had the perfect counter to one of Harry's most powerful spells. If there was anything similar to Dumbledore's magic, it was this.
But like all magic, it had a weakness, one that Harry believed he could exploit. He had managed to land a hit, right at the end. It had taken a powerful illusion, but he landed an attack. Dumbledore hadn't been able to react fast enough to his top speed. So there was a way to defeat him, but it required another rare magic, one that Harry desperately wanted to attain. His master had tried to explain that not even he could learn it, although it was indeed possible. Alexis Bracken's godspeed technique. Movement so fast the eye couldn't even perceive the movement.
Harry knew he was fast, even among the Mibu Wolves. His agility and top speed was among the top 5, and his acceleration was perhaps in the top three. It was his best physical attribute, and his calling card. But no matter how he trained and Alexis's advice, he had not managed to attain the perfect speed technique. Maybe this summer he would focus on it. Perhaps it was foolish to focus on a technique purely because it could defeat the headmaster of a school he would not return to, but Harry knew in his heart of hearts that he was nothing if not annoyingly stubborn.
"This ok?" Harry turned as saw Fleur wearing a light blue dress that made her eyes pop. He walked over to her and hugged her gently.
"You look stunning. Now hold on." Fleur complied, and the customary flash of lightning enveloped the two.
"So are you going to tell me what surprise you have in mind?" Fleur asked. "I am surprised you chose to spend the day with…" Fleur looked around seeing at least 15 people. "Harry, why are there so many people here."
"Oh, I didn't tell you?" Harry laughed a little. He waved his wand, and his collared shirt and jeans instantly morphed into a three piece suit. "Sirius and Amelia are tying the knot today, and I wanted us to be in attendance." Fleur went wide eyed. "I know, right? Great surprise."
"Sure," Fleur said, eyeing him. "And what would you have done it I wore a white dress?"
"I would have torn it off you," Harry said with unusual bluntness. "Don't tell me you don't like the surprise."
"No, love, it's great," Fleur reassured him. "This is why you went easy on Sirius and Remus?"
"Can't have the groom and the best man with black eyes," Harry agreed. "Come on. There is a little breakfast reception for the wedding party and our plus ones. Remus and I are standing with Sirius. I believe Abigail Greengrass and Susan arestanding with Amelia. They got an auror they both named Kingsley to do the ceremony in English, and then they will be bound by someone from the French ministry, which I believe may give them citizenship in France. It's all a little complicated for me. The important thing is that Amelia will become Amelia Bones-Black by day's end, and they can get to work on kids."
"Is that so important?" Fleur asked, although she knew the answer.
"Absolutely," Harry confirmed. "I don't want anything to do with the black line, but if they didn't have kids, I'd have to take the house on, since I don't want Draco to have it. Besides, the black line has some…onerous rules. It would be a major pain."
"And you have a connection the line?"
"Through my paternal grandmother. That, along with Sirius as my godfather makes me eligible. I believe I am currently listed as his heir, which is why I have made a concerted effort for him not to get killed." Harry withdrew a small package from his suit pocket. "I got them a special wedding gift. Charmed bracelets. It won't protect them from a serious curse, but lesser hexes and jinxes will have their effects lessened. They are powered by ambient magic."
"Harry," Fleur looked at him curiously, "that is a precious gift. Where did you acquire those?"
"I actually got them as a gift in February from someone I helped out," Harry explained. "Taking hexes isn't really my fighting style, so I have been saving them for a special occasion."
"And you didn't want to give your girlfriend one?" Fleur's excessive pout showed she wasn't really mad.
"They are a matched set," Harry explained. "Only for couples bound my magic. In case I need to remind you, we are not there."
"Not yet," Fleur said quietly, although she could tell from Harry's eyebrow raise that he had heard her.
"Come on," Harry said, grabbing her hand and starting to guide her to a nearby tent, "breakfast is waiting for us. We should eat relatively quickly so Remus and I can go make sure Sirius doesn't try and run away. Though the thought of Amelia chasing him down and putting him in chains for the ceremony is funny." Fleur's magical laughter filled the air as they walked towards the pavilion.
"I can't thank you enough for coming," Sirius said, tugging at his collar. "I know that we have not had the chance to grow as close as I would have hoped this year,"
"You have nothing to apologize for, not anymore," Harry assured his godfather. "This year has been full of insanity, that's for sure. It's not like you can come back to England any time soon, so this summer made more sense for us anyways."
"I heard you'll be in France some of the summer?" Sirius asked hopefully.
"That's the plan," Harry told him. "Look sharp now." The music changed, swelling into the bridal march. All three men turned to see Amelia smiling at Sirius as an older man Harry didn't recognize walked her down the aisle. Harry and Remus both took a step back as the man handed Amelia off to Sirius.
"Dearly beloved," Kingsley started. "We are here today to witness the binding of Sirius Orion Black to Amelia Susan Bones." Harry smiled at that. He had not known Susan was named after her aunt. He shot Susan a smile, who smiled back. He could tell Susan was thrilled for her aunt. They were extremely close, and Harry knew Sirius had spent some time with the Hufflepuff at the bequest of his soon to be bride to make sure they got along. Susan had nothing but glowing reviews.
The dark skinned auror was a skilled orator, and was quickly able to precede to the vows. There were not a lot of people at the ceremony, which allowed it to precede quickly. As Harry surveyed the meager crowd, he realized that the lack of guests was a stark reminder of what the war had taken from everyone. The Bones family was down to two, and the Black family was now Sirius alone.
"Now, I believe the couple has now prepared vows," Kingsley said, stepping back a few feet.
"Sirius," Amelia started. "When I met you when we were in Hogwarts, I could barely stand you." The crowd, as small as they were, chuckled at that. "Even now, you infuriate me like no one else can. When I learned there was even the chance you might be innocent, it was like I was reborn. Being an auror and protecting Britain was always important to me. Thank you for coming back, and reminding me that there is more to life than work. Thank you for make me whole again. I love you so much." More than a few were wiping tears at that.
"Amelia, losing you was the hardest thing I ever had to do," Sirius told his bride, his eyes only on her. "Despite the fact it might have cost me everything, I had to see you when I had the chance. I love you because even though you still had feelings for me, you had to arrest me in December. I love you even more that you were willing to give me a chance."
"Not because I might have been a criminal and have betrayed my friends. That's not the chance you gave me. You give me a chance every day, to become a better man, to become a man that deserves you. Britain's loss is my gain, and my only job now is to make sure that you never regret a day we spend together. I love you Amelia, and I'll do my best to prove it every day."
"Now the exchange of the rings." Remus took a ring out from his pocket and gave it to Sirius. He took the ring and gently slid it onto her finger. Amelia did the same. "Very well. Do you Sirius Orion Black take this woman, Amelia Susan Bones, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in heath, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself solely unto her for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," Sirius said, a huge smile breaking across his face.
"And do you, Amelia Susan Bones take this man-"
"Absolutely," Amelia said, cutting off Kingsley. The auror just smiled and motioned forward the binder, who raised his wand and waved it twice. The rings glowed and then flashed. Harry shielded his eyes, but the flash dimmed and the binder nodded dutifully.
"I pronounce you man and wife. You may-" Amelia stepped forward and firmly kissed Sirius, who dipped her and kissed her back heartily. "Kiss the bride," Kingsley finished lamely. The assembled crowd rose and cheered at the passion the couple showed.
Eventually the party was winding down. Despite the crowd of less than 40 people, it had been a crazy day. Harry found himself outside leaning over a balcony, trying to clear his mind from the shots of fire whiskey that had been forced down his throat by an overemphatic old friend of Sirius's.
"Come out here to get away?" Harry turned and saw Susan approaching. He just gave her a smile. "Hell of a party."
"Yeah," Harry said, moving to give her half the railing. "I'm happy for them. Hopefully your aunt can keep Sirius in line. If anyone can, she can. Though it's a shame the DMLE will be without her services until Sirius is cleared."
"Oh, she's not too sad about it," Susan told her classmate. "I asked her about it. She said she gave 18 years of her life to Britain. It's time she took 18 years for herself. Besides, you know her and Sirius. Do you really think they'll stick around the house being domestic for long?"
"Funny you should say that." Susan and Harry turned to see Sirius stick his head out. "Hope I'm not interrupting."
"Shouldn't you be with a Ms. Amelia Bones, Mr. Amelia Bones?" Harry joked. Amelia poked her head out from behind her husband. "Congratulations, god aunt." Amelia opened her arms and Harry hugged her. "Keep an eye on him for me," he whispered.
"Of course," Amelia whispered back.
"We came out here for a specific reason," Sirius started. "Then we've got a honeymoon to get to after the final task."
"Yes, you do," Harry said. "So don't let us hold you up."
"Well, it's funny you mention god aunt and being domestic," Sirius started nervously. Harry looked confused, then he heard a shriek from Susan.
"No way!" Susan threw her arms around her beaming aunt.
"Did I miss something?" Harry asked.
"Of course I will!" Susan nearly screamed. "Oh auntie, I'm so happy for you."
"What your god sister has already discovered is that there was a reason we moved the wedding forward two months," Amelia said over her niece's shoulder. Harry raised an eyebrow in question and as Susan stepped back Sirius slipped one arm around Amelia and placed the other over her stomach.
"We found out two weeks ago. Amelia wanted to fit into her dress, so we moved the wedding up." Harry's eyes went wide.
"Then truly congratulations," Harry said, pulling Sirius into a hug.
"Harry, I know I wasn't much of a godfather to you," Sirius started. Harry tried to cut him off, but Sirius persisted. "I always regretted running off after that rat. But you still turned into the person you are. I know you don't plan to stay in England after this year." Susan looked surprised at that. "But if I'm not cleared, I hope that you can find your way to the Hogwarts express in 11 years, as well as France occasionally."
"What your godfather is stumbling through, and failing to do, is to ask you if you and Susan will be godparents to our child," Amelia said.
"Of course," Harry said with a smile. "I'd be honored, Amelia. Thank you so much." After a tearful goodbye from Susan and a few more congratulations, Harry left the happy couple to their celebrations. He would not have missed the wedding for the world, but he did have a long day coming up.
He was awoken by the sun the next day. He rolled over and was surprised to see Fleur had risen before him. He silently rose from the bed and found her on the balcony, eyes closed. He slipped behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She barely reacted and Harry sighed heavily.
"Nervous?"
"Of course," Fleur told him. "I have no idea what to expect. And the task will have to be hard, even for you."
"Fleur, do you think if I really wanted to, I could keep you from showing up today?" Fleur looked back at her boyfriend curiously. "Since I am willing to let you go, why don't you share the same confidence in yourself that I have." Fleur just smiled. "Come on, the floo will only be open in a few minutes, and I'd prefer to not have to burn power flashing through the Hogwarts wards so early."
He had a few minutes alone on the balcony to collect his thoughts. The last task was certainly a trap of some kind, even if he did not know the specifics. The one thing his master knew for certain was that while the Vengeful Brotherhood was behind the attacks, they didn't want him dead. They wanted him captured for something. They had also not placed his name in the cup.
At this point, there were no signs of who would put his name in the cup. He didn't know, and frankly, he didn't care. It would all end today. Harry had his suspicions, of course. He just chose not to share them with anyone but his master. Today would be the end of it. The competition would end, and Harry was sure he would finally meet the mastermind of the craziest year of his life.
