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: Here we go. The home stretch. I hope you have all enjoyed so far. The conversation between Nambung and Harry about Fleur is inspired by a great conversation between Oliver Queen and Barry Allen on the excellent (first two seasons at least) CW Show "The Flash"

BEGINNING OF FINAL ARC: June 24th

Chapter 62: You Don't Choose your Family

June 24th, 1995

"Mr. Potter," Professor McGonagall said behind Harry. He turned to look at his grandmother. She looked uncomfortable. "The champion's family are here to spend the day. They are in the antechamber right now."

"Family?" Harry looked just as uncomfortable. "Uh, you and Akira are in here."

"This wasn't my idea," she muttered. "Come along now." Harry and Fleur got up from the table. Fleur's father had informed his daughter they would be attending the last task, and would spend time together then. Harry was looking forward to speaking with Laurent and Apolline with no one watching. They seemed like genuinely good people, and Harry felt like he could use a few more of those in his life. But his grandmother's behavior was odd.

As they entered the antichamber, Harry immediately registered Cedric talking to a man who looked nothing like him. His dark hair was clearly from his mother, who was fretting over him as Cedric smiled at her. Victor was in the corner talking quietly to two people Harry could only assume were his parents. Fleur stared off towards her family, and Harry was behind her when he was intercepted by a red-haired missile.

"Harry dear!"

"Ms. Weasley?" Harry was genuinely confused.

"We are here to cheer for you!" Ms. Weasley said, hugging him tight. Harry did his best to not go limp. Sure, it was nice to see her, but she was about as far from family as one person could be. He had not spoken to Ron about anything of substance for months. Sure, he and the twins were close, but they would have told him about this hare-brained idea. "Dumbledore said family could come-"

"This was Dumbledore's idea?" All of Harry's anger towards the headmaster flared at once. He pushed Ms. Weasley back. "He thought you were the family I'd want to see?"

"We are your family!" Ms. Weasley protested. Harry just sighed and shook his head. The red-headed man next to her stepped forward, extending his hand.

"Bill Weasley. Pleasure to meet you." Harry shook the man's hand. "I feel like I know you already. I've heard so much from all my brothers. Even Percy mentioned you in a letter." Harry instantly liked the newest family member. He had an easy charm that even the twins lacked. What's more, power rippled off him, real power, unlikely most English wizards. He had clearly worked on his craft substantially since leaving school.

"The pleasure is all mine," Harry said. "Thank you for coming to root for me."

"Of course," Ms. Weasley stuck herself in front of Harry. "Harry dear-" Harry's eyes widened and he had to stop himself from shoving her to the side. He walked right past her and bowed to the man who had just appearance. He straightened just in time to receive a hug from his old master.

"Hayashi san-"

"I think we can forgo formality today," Takashi Hayashi said, putting an arm on Harry's shoulder. "You are as tall as me now."

"It's good to see you," Harry said earnestly.

"I'm sure it is, but I am also sure I am not the one you really want to see. Akira did say it was time for your family to visit." Harry felt the pressure behind Takashi. "I was lucky enough to convince him he should come. Takashi stepped to the side and Harry managed to block the first few blows before a kick caught him flush.

Everyone in the room looked up at the impact sound only to see Harry fly across the room like a ragdoll, smashing into the far wall. In front of him was a wiry man with an amused look on his face. Wands were drawn instantly, only to be stopped by a laugh from the man. He surveyed the room as if he was a predator.

"Quite the greeting." Everyone turned to see Harry rising from the ruble of the cracked wall.

"Wanted to make sure you had not lost your edge," the new man said. Harry walked over and hugged the man. "My blood adopted son better not embarrass me."

"It's good to see you," Harry said. This was the family he wanted to see. Takashi had come through in a big way. "Come on, I'll make introductions." He guided the man over to the Delacours, all who still looked surprised. "Fleur, Gabrielle, Mr. and Ms. Delacour, this is Nambung Sa Bum, heir apparent to the premier of Korea, my master, and most recently my blood adopted father."

"It's a pleasure to meet you." His master shook hands with the older couple. "This is the girl?" Harry nodded, and for a moment, an overpowering magical pressure flooded the room, driving almost everyone to their knees. Fleur managed to stay upright for a moment before the power was too much.

"Master," Harry gently chided. His master seemed to be glowing with raw magical power. Fleur managed to rise as the power eased.

"I like her," Nambung said. "Nice to meet you, Fleur." Fleur shook his extended hand, still a little unnerved by the man. She had heard figurative tomes about the man from Harry, but he was nothing like she expected. He was shorter than her, and didn't have the bulky build of some of the top aurors she had met. Granted, Harry wasn't bulky either, but this man didn't look like he could lift 200 pounds. It hadn't stopped him from hitting Harry harder than she had ever seen though. His magical pressure was also far beyond anything she had ever felt. Even though he was now hiding it, Fleur could still feel traces, and for the first time began to comprehend how large the world truly was.

She was a strong witch, and Harry was an unnaturally powerful wizard and genius level martial artists. Yet the man in front of her was so far beyond them, he wasn't even in the same galaxy. Harry told her his goal was someone he could never hope to reach, and she had scoffed at that. For a genius like Harry, with his power reserves, eventually he would reach his goal. Nothing would shake her belief in her paramour, but standing in front of this plain looking black haired man, Fleur understood what drove Harry.

"So, Hogwarts?" Nambung said. "Why don't you show me around?" Fleur's had to stop her jaw from dropping as Harry seemed to transform from warrior into little kid as he led his master and father away.

"Delacour!" Fleur saw her father turn to shake Takashi's hand.

"Hayashi-san." Her father responded diplomatically.

"We are here to celebrate family, Laurent, not to represent our governments," Takashi said with a laugh. "Ah Apolline, you grow more beautiful every day."

"Flatterer," Fleur's mother said with a laugh.

"I heard stories," Fleur heard her father stammer. "That was him?"

"The Mibu Wolf, in the flesh," Takashi confirmed. "At least until September. He will be the magical premier of Korea for almost two years. Time for the real next premier to become of age."

"I figured it was not a real change in the succession line," Laurent noted. Takashi nodded. "But we are not hear to talk to politics, as you said."

"Indeed," the Japanese man agreed. He turned and looked behind Apolline's leg, where Gabrielle was hiding. "Hello, little lady. You must be the famous Gabrielle!" Gabrielle giggled at that. "Come here and let me have a look at you."

"He really hid the philosopher's stone in the school?" Harry could only nod in assent. The two magical martial artists were sitting on a conjured bench in the infamous third floor corridor. "He's mad as a bat, that one. I heard from Minister Zhou he beat you?"

"Yeah," Harry admitted.

"Hey, it's good to lose to someone without a wolf on their body every now and then," Nambung comforted his son. "Trust me, you'll lose an awful lot this summer. It's the only way to really get better. Lose fights and fight for your life."

"I'm looking forward to it, assuming that today…" Harry trailed off.

"You are sure?" Nambung asked.

"No, of course not," Harry disagreed. "It's just a possibility. I have no proof, just that same itch. The one I felt at the end of first year and second year. I don't know how it all ties together, that's all."

"Well, if it your assertion turns out to be right, I'll hold up my end," Nambung promised. Harry nodded, and they grasped hand. "Today, one way or the other."

"One way or the other," Harry repeated. His master hauled him to his feet.

"I do have one more lesson for you," his master said as they wandered into the great hall.

"Hopefully it doesn't involve shoving me through any more walls and breaking bones," Harry joked.

"No, just breaking your heart," Nambung said, and Harry turned to him, seeing his master was deadly serious. "Harry, we have things planned this summer. Things that will be put in motion that will affect the wizarding world at large for years to come. I would like you to be a part of that world."

"I want that too," Harry assured his master.

"I know you do," Nambung acknowledged. "Fleur seems like a great girl. But you need to let her go, for both your sakes."

"What?" Harry was floored. Nambung made a policy of never getting involved in his personal relationships.

"If you really care about her, you'll let her go. It would be different if she wasn't a Veela, but even if she was a normal girl, I'd give you the same advice." Harry looked stricken, and Nambung sighed. It had been a hard piece of advice for him to take as well. When he had gotten it, he had not been in love, and Harry was already giving up more than Nambung had given up himself when faced with the same choice.

"I mean…" Harry couldn't find words.

"You need to let it go, for her as much as yourself," Nambung persisted. "You know I will not force anything on you. But the duty of the wolf is never to themselves. The wolf has a duty to the pack, and the world. I'll tell you what was told to me. You make your own choices, including mistakes. But men like us don't get the girl. And you care about her. More than you have told her." Harry nodded mutely. "Is it fair to ask her to wait?"

"Harry!" Cedric called out, waving him over from the Hufflepuff.

"I'll go speak to Takashi." Harry nodded dumbly. "You don't have to decide anything right now, son. For now, focus on the task ahead. But it is my duty to inform you, if you still want the role." Harry nodded, but Nambung could tell his son's focus was thrown. He had done his duty as a master. Now was time to screw his head back on.

The sound of a smack reverberated through the hall. Harry staggered back from the force of the blow. His mind was clear now, his father grinning at him. Harry shook his head, finding it truly quiet.

"Thanks," Harry thanked him honestly. Nothing his master would have said would have shaken him out of his funk, and he needed to be focused. "You have the scroll?" Nambung patted his jacket pocket. "One more time."

"If the watch cracks, I give the scroll to your grandmother. Only those on the scroll can follow. I'll keep Takashi from messing everything up." Harry nodded, and a tear dripped from his eye. He threw his arms around his master quickly, and then withdrew just as quickly. Nambung just watched his apprentice walk over to his friends, all of them instantly asking a flurry of questions.

"I'm sure being a parent is very new to you, but you certainty take a hand's on approach," Takashi commented, coming up from behind him.

"In poor taste," Nambung shot back. "Besides, he is my son now. I do know him best."

"Don't tell me you gave him the duty of the wolf speech now? Before an incredibly dangerous task where he does not know what he will face?" Takashi groaned. He knew his friend all too well. "What were you thinking?" Nambung didn't say anything. "You were thinking, right?"

"Of course I was."

"What are you two planning?" Takashi said suddenly. "You know something." His friend didn't say a word. "You and Harry figured out something about who stuck him in the tournament." Again his friend was just silent. "And you didn't feel like informing me? What if I step in and stop this right now?"

"I won't let you." The power crackled from both of them as Nambung met his eyes. "This is Harry's decision, and I will honor his wishes. He is an adult, and he can make his own choices."

"Even with his time in the gates, he isn't even 16." Takashi snapped. Nambung didn't back down. "I don't know what is going on, and at this point, I don't know I want to. But if anything happens to him, I will never forgive you." Takashi stalked away, leaving Nambung to his thoughts. Only one pair of eyes was on them.

Hermione Granger had only had eyes for Harry once he re-entered the hall with the mysterious stranger. She had kept her eyes on the two older men even once Harry had departed to speak to the other champions congregated around the Hufflepuff table. She had that creeping sensation that came with the territory of being Harry's friend. The sensation that something big was about to happen.

She had felt this way before in first and third year, and was sure that if she had not been petrified, the same shiver would have run down her spine the second year when Harry and Ron headed to the bathroom in their second year. It truly was par for the course for close friends of Harry Potter. You were guaranteed insanity on Halloween and at the end of the year. It happened every year like clockwork, and Hermione suspected that this year wasn't done with Harry yet.

She had not been able to spend a lot of time with him over the course of the month. He was training hard with the professors and other champions, preparing for a task unknown. But Harry had spent his last week back in his dorm room, and Hermione had managed to get some quality time with her best friend the last few nights. Harry seemed relaxed, more so than normal for a mysterious magic task, but Hermione could see the inklings of stress.

It took her most of the night to see where the stress was coming from. Harry wasn't every truly worried for himself. Even in previous years without his new talent and skills, Harry didn't worry for himself when he went after Sirius, the stone, or the basilisk. His concern was for the others in danger. Now, Harry wasn't worried about himself in the task. But his girlfriend and two very good friends (themselves dating girls Harry was quite fond of) would be danger, and Harry didn't know if he would be able to protect them. That was what made Harry stressed.

Hermione tried to talk it through with Harry. The professors had a chance to assess all four of them, and the task had been made even before a month of tough and intensive training. He might not love an organization chaired by Dumbledore, and she was willing to admit Dumbledore had flaws. But she got Harry to admit in return that Dumbledore would never intentionally risk the lives of students. He wasn't above tough tests, but the ICW wouldn't let him truly endanger children. He believed in himself to get through the test, he should at least afford his fellow competitors the same respect.

It had been a breath of fresh air to have a night to talk with Harry, just the two of them. So much had happened this year. Every year at Hogwarts seemed to have some crazy attached to Harry. But this year had taken first prize by a country mile. Once again, her best friend was wrapped up in every ounce of mystery and intrigue. And at the end of the year, sitting and joking with him, Hermione was reminded that while the exterior changes, Harry was the same humble, self-sacrificing, clever, and unbelievably brave boy who shoved his wand up a troll's nose all those years ago.

But as Hermione stared at the man she knew was the center of Harry's changes she felt like more an outsider than ever. She had always been at his side when he went into danger. As long as she was not physically petrified, before this year, Hermione Granger had always followed Harry Potter. This year, time and again she was left on the sideline. She might not be able to go with him into the last task, but she would figure out what was going on.

It took all of 5 minutes for Hermione to come to realization that Harry's master probably knew she was trailing him. He was a quick walker, and after his third pause to tie his shoes, Hermione realized his shoes did not, in fact, have any laces. She managed to keep her blush down as she peered out from behind the pillar she was hiding behind and he met her eyes. He just waved her forward and sat on a bench he conjured with a wave of his hand.

"Hello," the man said simply. "Am I correct in my assumption that you are the best friend of my son? You would be Hermione."

"Yes sir," Hermione croaked out.

"Oh, none of that sir stuff," the man told her.

"But you are the premier of Korea! Or will be soon enough," Hermione corrected herself.

"Then the correct address would be your grace," the man corrected her. "But you are Harry's friend, so Nambung will have to do. Nambung Sa-Bum in formal settings, but we are just here to chat, and I do hate formality." He gestured to the space on his conjured bench. "Please, join me. It will be hard to have a conversation about your suspicions about me while you trail me." Hermione knew surprise was showing on her face.

"How did?"

"I am a world class legilimens and could take any information from your mind without you knowing," Nambung told her. "But in this case, it was written all over your face. You suspect I am up to something, potentially leaving Harry at risk?"

"Yes," Hermione admitted.

"You have a good intuition." The man looked her up and down. "Learn to trust it, and it can be a powerful weapon. I guess after spending enough time with my troublesome apprentice, you get at least some sort of a sixth sense for danger. And you have been with him through it all. He was adamant that in first and second year, he would not have survived without you."

"He saved me just as much," Hermione protested. "Hey! You changed the subject!"

"I guess I did," Nambung said, leaning back on his forearms. "You suspect I am doing something that will endanger. You are right, of course." Hermione gaped at the man. He had just admitted it, straight to her face. She had to find Harry. "You might want to wait on running off to tell Harry though." Hermione froze in her place. "It was his idea, after all."

"What?"

"Oh, come now. In all of your crazy adventures, have you ever truly been able to sway Harry when he is convinced he is right?" Hermione had no choice but to sit and listen. "I sat and listened to his reasoning, and what is going to happen today is his choice. It fits a few criteria."

"A few criteria?" Hermione asked.

"I'm sure after all of this, Harry will tell you all, all the truly important people in his life. I'm sure you'll be in that grouping." The man smiled at her. "Be happy, Ms. Granger. Things are happening now. The world, I'm told, is like that. Centuries pass when nothing happens, and then in a few short years events of such tremendous importance take place that the world is never the same again."

I think that if I had my choice, I'd prefer one of those quiet centuries," Hermione responded.

Oh, no," Nambung said, his lips drawing back in a ferretlike grin. "Now's the time to be alive, to see it all, to experience it, to impact it. That makes the blood race, and each breath is an adventure. Your race is just starting." He looked down at a watch. "Now, the task will be starting soon. You don't want to be late."

"What about you?" Hermione didn't even know if she blinked, but the air in front of her was vacant, a gentle breeze stirring. "Freaky," Hermione muttered to herself. She had seen Harry's movement so fast the eye couldn't track it before. But he had explained there was a speed beyond his. He called it godspeed, movement so fast the eye couldn't even register movement. That must have been what she had seen. But his advice was still valid, so Hermione ran off towards the great hall.

Nambung simply slipped from the shadows, alone in the courtyard now. Harry had pinpointed the girl as one of four people who could throw his plans into chaos. Takashi and Akira would bear constant watching, and he now knew why his apprentice had pointed out Hermione. He looked up in surprise as he saw the fourth enter the courtyard.

"Harry said you were special," Nambung said.

"You could say so," Luna Lovegood said. "I know what you two are doing, after all."

"And you are not going to tell anyone?" Nambung pressed. He didn't bother questioning the girl. Something told him she did indeed know.

"Of course not," Luna said with a small laugh. "It's Harry's plan, after all. Besides, my boyfriend is competing, and I certainly don't want him winning if Harry is right. I suspect that the cup at the end will be covered in Heliopaths. Harry can deal with those, no problem."

"Heliopaths?"

"Yes, Heliopaths." Luna confirmed. "Now, you have talked to everyone you have to. Would you mind just popping us over to the task. I'd like to kiss Victor good luck."

"Why not?" Nambung's lightning crackled around them and they simply appeared at the quidditch stadium. A giant screen was suspended in the air, divided into four sections. The champions were all standing at the bottom of the screen. Luna hurried over to the champions while Nambung climbed high into the stands. He nodded at Harry, who nodded back, and leaned back making sure everything was in his eyeline.

"Welcome to the final task!" The doddering old fool called and the stands erupted in cheering. "Here to explain the task is Ludo Bagman!" The crowd cheered again as some random wizard stepped forward.

"The final task is threefold! First the champions must enter the chamber of fear and emerge only after confronting the horrors within. Then they will face the chamber of the monster. Each champion will face a fearsome beast based on the order they emerge from the first chamber. That portion of the task will be broadcast on these screens."

"Pointless," Nambung muttered. This was all a waste of time. He was tempted to take a nap, but he just wanted to confirm there were no surprises.

"You are showing a startling lack of concern for your son," Nambung heard from next to him. He turned a baleful eye on Akira. "None of this will be easy."

"The third and final part of the task has been tailored to each individual champion's unique skills in the chamber of logic!" The man now called. With that Nambung tuned him out and turned to face the young Japanese man.

"It is precisely because he IS my son that I have no concern," Nambung said. "I am extremely fond of Harry, but I did not adopt him because of fondness. I am not driven by stupid emotions by that. There are a million ways he could have stayed in my life that wouldn't drag him into other business. Don't pretend it hasn't occurred to you that there is a very simple way to end this tournament."

"So why?"

"Because my son asked me to let this play out." Nambung stared Akira down. "Akira, you are one of the brightest young men I have had the pleasure of knowing and instructing. It is precisely because you are so bright that you couldn't begin to understand what Harry and I are doing. He is only starting to touch on the talent he has, and I don't mean his magic."

"Want to spell it out for us challenged mere mortals?" Akira shot back.

"Most people see events as cause and effect. Something happens, and it leads to something else. That's how they see the progression of time. Harry has the potential to see beyond that. To not get bogged down in something so painfully boring. Today Harry will probably be faced with a choice. Whether or not he can live in the world I do."

"You are being more abstract than normal," Akira pointed out.

"If you were a non-wizard, what would you be most concerned about?" Akira cocked his head in confusion. "Armies and weapons wise, I mean."

"Nuclear proliferation, I suppose," Akira answered.

"A reasonable answer. The correct answer. But not my answer. The world I want Harry, the world he needs to enter doesn't have such trivial concerns."

"Weapons that could wipe out the planet are trivial concerns."

"You launch a nuclear weapon and hundreds of thousands die," Nambung stated. "Cause and effect. Scary, sure. Powerful, without a doubt. But he can do more, see more."

"What exactly would he be seeing?" Akira pressed.

"You can ask him after today," Nambung deflected. "But I suspect he will be successful. After all, he is my son."

"Of all the options you chose, blood adopting him…"

"Surprised you, did it?"

"I lost 100 galleons to Yui because of it," Akira responded. Nambung just laughed. "Oh, that's funny?"

"Objectively? Not particularly. But to me specifically, its hilarious. You know you will have to make a decision about her soon enough."

"Don't remind me," Akira said. A canon sound jolted them both from their reveries. "Looks like they are starting." Harry ducked into a door that opened up underneath the screens. "The ICW thinks it will take Harry 3 hours to finish his tasks."

"It might…" Nambung settled in his seat, high above all the students. "The die is cast now. It's Harry move now. Might as well settle in and watch my son compete." Akira sighed and after a moment sat next to the magical martial arts master.