Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, all rights to the magical world is owned by J.K. Rowling
Chapter 3: the calming after the storm
The following morning Harry awoke from his slumber to see Gabby still sleeping next to him on the other side of the bed, going beat red he tried to release her hand to get off the bed which caused Gabby to stir awake.
"Harry?" she asked and looked over to the side Harry was sleeping saw him standing up.
"S-Sorry I didn't mean to wake you up," Harry said to Gabby as she got up and went round to Harry.
"It's ok, we probably should get up anyway," she said with a smile and held his hand.
Hand in hand they both went downstairs to see Mon and Apolline sorting out breakfast when they sat down at the dining table next to each other and then Fleur joined them on the other side of the table, Mon and Apolline placing bacon sandwiches out for everyone.
"I-I'm sorry about last night, I don't know what happened" Harry apologised and let go of Gabby's hand to eat.
Mon and Apolline sat down to join the three of them at the table.
"it's ok Harry, after what you have been through it is understandable that you will probably have nightmares, I just didn't think that you would have that much magic potential and that Gabrielle would be the one that calms you down" Mon explained to him as they started eating.
"What I was most surprised at is how easily Gabby was able to calm you down, she was there by your side when we got there," Apolline said looking at the two.
Harry and Gabby looked at each other and went two different shades of red. After everyone had finished eating Harry went back upstairs to put on the only clothes, he has with him, the large hand me downs from the Dursleys, once dressed Harry went into the library and started to look at the books in there but did not understand most of them because they was in French but he found what looked like a spellbook which was in English and sat down then he started to read it as best as he could.
Doing as guided in the book Harry followed his instincts and lifted his scorched hand and channelled his energy and said the incantation "Lumos" suddenly and dull blue light appeared at the end of his hand which surprised Harry and once the light went out, he done it again and then rand to find someone and saw Apolline and Gabby coming down the stairs.
"A-Apolline can I talk to you for a second?" Harry asked shyly and Apolline agreed and followed Harry into the library.
"What's wrong Harry?" she asked him curiously.
"I-I want to ask if this is normal?" Harry stated leaving her confused looking next to Harry. She saw a spellbook then went wide-eyed as Harry said "Lumos" and a blue light appeared in his left hand.
"Oh, my," Apolline says in French astonished by the fact that Harry did not require a wand to do magic.
"Harry, you need to be careful about doing wandless magic, some spells can cause harm if done wandless" Apolline explained her worry to him.
"so it's not normal then?" Harry asked as if he has done something wrong and the light started to go out.
"There is nothing wrong with wandless magic, it just shows how powerful you are, I just don't want you hurting yourself or becoming a target so let's keep wandless magic to only in the house, yes?" Apolline said with a smile as she pulled him into a hug reassuringly and Harry nodded in agreement.
Leaving the library everyone meets in the living room where once they are all gathered Harry and Apolline told everyone about Harry being able to do wandless magic and that Harry only found out by accident.
"that's great Harry," they all said in unison with a slight delay.
"shall we go and get you some new clothes and then we need to come back so Fleur can get on the carriage to get to Beauxbatons" Mon explained the plan for today Harry gave a confused look but agreed.
"We will be using the Floo network Harry you watch Fleur and Gabby then to make sure you get it correct for the first time you will go with Apolline," Mon said and Harry agreed.
Fleur took a handful of green powder and stepped into the fireplace and shouted "Place Cachée" and threw the powder on the fire pit and disappeared in a green fire.
Gabby stepped in and repeated the same process, then Apolline got into the fireplace and Harry followed and hugged her tightly and repeated the process and they burst into green flames.
When the flames dissipated Harry was in awe of what he saw wizards and witches walking around and socialising, some using magic others flying on brooms, when Harry noticed Gabby and Fleur he ran over and held Gabby's hand.
Mon appeared next to Apolline and they all started to walk to a tailor to get Harry some new clothes.
"I have noticed Harry does not seem affected by the Veela blood like others I wonder why that is?" Apolline said to Mon wondering if he knew of anything.
"no idea, but that's probably why he gets along with the two girls so easily. Maybe too easily with Gabrielle" Mon said with a smirk.
"It will be hard for them in two years when school starts, let's hope Harry doesn't have a nightmare at that time because boys' dorms are separate," Apolline said look at the two walking down the road hand in hand.
Walking down Rue Girardon Harry see a shop that catches his attention, Cosme Acajor's wand shop and he stopped outside it.
"we will be getting our wands from there in a couple of years Harry" Gabby explained
After five minutes of watching someone get their wand from the shop, Harry and Gabby continued their walk to Maison Capenoir clothes shop.
Looking around the shop Harry notices that the clothes are priced as Bezant or Bz.
"that's the currency in the French wizarding world, Harry, select anything you want we can always come back later," Mon said to him and Harry selected the seven cheapest pairs of clothes he could find.
After paying and leaving the shop they made their way to the Floo network when Harry bumped into someone.
"Harry Potter, I'll be, I haven't seen you since you were a baby," the man said Harry looked up and see a huge person towering over him.
"what are you doing in France aren't you meant to be with the Dursleys?" the man said.
"I-I-I uhh" Harry stuttered as Mon came up and shook his hand.
"Hagrid it's been a while, Harry is living with us now due to unforeseen circumstances," Mon said, placing a hand on Harry's back.
"The minister has allowed it and has allowed Harry to get permission to attend Beauxbatons while he's here," Mon said to Hagrid.
"That's fine then I trust you and your family, I shall let Dumbledore know of the situation than when I return," Hagrid said and walked off into Griffon Buveur.
After returning home Harry and Gabby go off into the library and Fleur went upstairs to pack.
After ten minutes Apolline went to the library to start Harry's French lessons and found that Gabby had already started teaching Harry the basic understanding of French.
Around an hour later a carriage landed out front and someone got out.
"Fleur Delacour your carriage to Beauxbatons has arrived" a man shouted as they all gathered outside.
They all hugged Fleur and as she got to Harry, she gave him a tight hug.
"Be good Arry, I will be back soon," Fleur said to him as she let go.
"Au revoir Fleur," Harry said, causing her to smile as she got in the carriage.
Then the Abraxan galloped down the pathway and took flight heading out to the distance leaving Harry jaw dropped in awe from the sight.
"The carriage is enchanted on the inside to fit all the students inside; it looks similar to an old train where it has compartments inside but the big difference is that it flies in the sky and looks like a carriage outside," Apolline said to him as she places a hand on his shoulder.
"well done on learning some French, pronunciation could use some work but nevertheless well done, let's go practice some more," Apolline said leading Harry and Gabby inside.
-time skip Harry and Gabby's day of leaving for Beauxbatons-
The Delacour family was walking down Place Cachée when Harry spotted Le Corbeau Mystique pet shop and tugged on Apolline's sleeve.
"Maman, can I get Gabby a pet owl or bird as a birthday present?" Harry asked quietly.
Apolline looked at Mon and he nodded at her and they all went into the pet shop.
Walking through the shop Harry saw a common Adder which was coloured dark grey with black zigzags and the Adder perked its head up when Harry looked at it.
"whatsss wrong boy, never sssseen a ssnake before?" the Adder hissed.
"I have, just not an adder before" Harry replied the adders eyes widened.
"you ssspeak the tongue of the sssserpent?" the Adder responded surprised.
"yes, I have spoken to a python before, I wish I could be your friend but I'm here for something else, I'm sorry Mr black" Harry replied before walking off.
Apolline followed Harry surprised he was just talking with an Adder, by the door Gabby saw this and looked at Mon who nodded at her.
While walking through the bird and owl section he sees a great grey owl which catches his attention, walking up to it he sees it cocks its head at him.
"Can I get this one for Gabby? I think she might like it" Harry asked and Apolline nodded in agreement.
While paying she is amazed by how much Harry has changed in two years from being shy to more confident and knowing French.
The person behind the checkout tells them that the owl will be ready 20 mins for pick up.
When they get outside, they meet up with Mon, Gabby and Fleur and started to head to Cosme Acajor's wand shop, as they get there Gabby and Harry were the only ones to go in.
Inside shelves upon shelves as far as the eye could see with triangle cases on them some open showing wands some closed, a man appeared from around a corner of a shelving unit.
"ahhh, customers, welcome I am Cosme Acajor" Cosme introduced.
"hi, we are here to get our wands," Gabby explained to Cosme.
"well OK then, who's first?" Cosme asked Harry looked at Gabby.
"You go first," Harry said as he bowed holding his hands to the desk, Gabby stepped to the desk and blushed.
Going outback Cosme brought out three different boxes, 10-inch vine wood unicorn hair wand, 9 1/2-inch ivy wood dragon heartstring wand and a 10-inch elm wood Thunderbird tail feather wand.
Gabby picked up the first wand.
"hmm, vine wood unicorn hair, give it a flick" Cosme suggested.
With a flick of the wand the first three shelves emptied them self's, Gabby placed it back down and picked up the next wand.
"ivy wood dragon heartstring" Cosme announced.
Once again Gabby gave a flick but this time a window behind them smashes, suddenly a box on a shelf starts to shake and rattle, Cosme goes to the box and reads the inscribing's on it and passes the box to her.
"Mahogany Veela hair, 10-inch, give that a flick" Cosme said removing the other three wands.
As Gabby picked it up the air around the wand brighten and as she flicked it the boxes moved back on the shelves.
"I think the right wand has found you, now monsieur Potter your turn" Cosme goes out and selects one box and places it Infront of him.
"I found this one on the floor trying to slide over here, in all my years I've never seen anything like it, 11-inch willow wood, horned serpent horn," Cosme said in a curious tone.
Harry picked it up and it gave out a low hiss only he could hear, with a flick the end of the wand brightened into the Lumos spell.
"hmm, that is the first Horned serpent wand that I have sold and definitely the first I've seen trying to get to the wizard, I should imagine great things await you monsieur Potter," Cosme said as he walked them out of his shop.
When they get outside, they notice that it is only Fleur and Apolline waiting for them.
"where's pere?" Gabby asked curiously.
"he had to go back to take care of something he should be waiting for us at home," Apolline said to them and they nodded and headed to Maison Capenoir to get their robes for their first year at Beauxbatons.
"he went to get the snake for you to take home," Fleur said in a low whisper which made Gabby smile as they walked into Maison Capenoir.
Deciding to wait for the person in front to finish with the shop owner Harry has a look around when he hears complaining coming from the front desk.
"I'm sorry I don't understand can you slow down please," a female voice says on the verge of tears when Harry goes to investigate.
"hi there, may I ask what's wrong?" Harry asked to see a 4'7 girl with brown hair the same age as him and Gabby, she turns around to see Harry.
"I have just moved here so my French is limited can you help me explain I need robes for Beauxbatons academy of magic please?" the girl asked and Harry nodded and then spoke in French explaining when Apolline and Gabby came over.
The shop owner leaves to go outback.
"them French lessons really paid off then I take it, Harry?" Apolline stated with a smile.
"yes, they did thank you maman" Harry said with a smile.
"thank you, I'm Hermione Granger, thank you for helping me," Hermione says as the shop owner comes back with her robes.
"you're welcome I'm Harry, Harry Potter, and this is my family, Gabrielle, Apolline and Fleur," Harry says introducing them.
Hermione went wide-eyed.
"your Harry Potter? But I thought you were in England?" Hermione question.
"I-I was but found myself here for due to certain circumstances lead me to be living with the Delacour family here in France," Harry said nervously as he held to Gabby for reassurances.
Hermione took her robes and left saying thank you to Harry and the Delacour's and left, Harry went to sit down leaving Apolline to deal with the shop owner.
"you ok Harry, that's the most contact you have had with anyone who isn't one of us and mentioned England, going by your reaction I'm guessing memories got brought up," Gabby asked as she hugged Harry helping him calm down.
Harry just nodded and hugged her back as Fleur and Gabby returned with the robes and they left heading back home.
At home, Monsieur was waiting by the fireplace for them all to return when suddenly burst of green fire appeared and they returned one by one with Apolline returning last, Mon leaned in to whisper to Harry.
"in the library, your gift for Gabby is in there," Mon said to him and Harry smiled.
"Gabby can I borrow you for a second in the library?" Harry asked.
Gabby nodded and followed him into the library as the others stood in the doorway.
"Gabby, you are my best friend and you have been there for me since I met you, and-and I really appreciate that more than I can put into words English or French, I got you a birthday present sorry it is late" Harry said as he passed her something under a cloth when suddenly a hoot came from underneath.
Gabby went wide-eyed as she lifted the cloth off finding a birdcage underneath and inside was a Great Grey owl, unable to contain her excitement, she places the cage down and gives Harry a hug and a kiss on the cheek sending Harry 20 different shades of red and then turns red herself when she turned around to see the others there.
"I have something for you as well, follow me" as they walk out of the library Gabby has the owl cage in her hand and they go to the kitchen with Mon leading the way.
"Harry you are my closest friend and I have been wondering what to get you for at Beauxbatons when we get separated and I think this is the right gift, Happy birthday," Gabby says as she lifts the lid off a box that is sitting in the centre of the table and the adder lifts its head up.
"ahh issss it morning already?" it hisses and looks around seeing Harry.
"I did not exsspect to sssee you again, boy who can ssspeak to snakesss" the adder said to Harry.
"at least now we can be friends is it ok to call you Mr. black or just black unfortunately I am not good at giving names" Harry explained to the adder in agreement.
"yesss you can call me black" it agreed and slithered to Harry.
"and thessse people? Are friendsss?" black asked.
Harry shook his head.
"they are family, especially the owl, owl is family, not food" Harry hissed and the snake nodded.
"Harry no matter how many times I hear you speak parseltongue it still amazes me," Gabby said and Harry hugged her and gave her a peck on the cheek.
"thank you, Gabby it means so much to me, even though I loved your present last year I don't know how I can thank you for black here," Harry said and hugged her tighter.
Mon looked at the time.
"you three better get ready the carriage will be here anytime now," Mon said which cause Harry and Gabby to split apart and take their animals upstairs to get ready.
Harry was the first to be packed and finished as he returned downstairs in his uniform, light blue button-up classic collared shirt under a light blue blazer with a white trimming on the edges, a dark blue necktie, light blue trousers and dark blue and grey shoes with the Beauxbatons emblem embroidered on his left pocket, using the locomotor charm he learned from the Delacour library to move his trunk which has black on top of it he goes and stands in the hallway and talks with Mon and Apolline finding it hard to contain his excitement.
When Fleur appeared next in her uniform, light blue button-up classic collared above the knee length dress under a light blue blazer with a dark blue trimming on the edges with the Beauxbatons emblem is embroidered on her left pocket, also using the locomotor charm to move her trunk except Fleur learnt it in her second year of Beauxbatons.
As she comes down the stairs Harry goes a slight shade of red noticing how good she looked in her uniform, he snaps out of it when she stands next to him and tells him he looks dashing making Harry blush slightly.
When suddenly Gabby appears to come down the stairs in the same attire as Fleur but something pulls Harry towards her as he sees Gabby bring down the owl cage first and goes back up for her trunk, he rushes to her side.
"If you would allow me, my lady," Harry says as he bows just out of earshot of the others causing Gabby to go 50 different shades of red starting at light peach Harry uses the locomotor charm to move her trunk.
Standing by the door they heard the carriage land and went outside.
"carriage for Fleur Delacour, Gabrielle Delacour and Harry Potter" the attendant shouted.
One by one they said goodbye and got their trunk onto the carriage when Harry went back to them.
"Maman, pere, I don't know how I can thank you for these past three years since you took me in, I never knew the love of a family till then and thank you," he said as he gave them both a hug and got on the carriage and followed Fleur and Gabby to a compartment.
Three hours into the ride they start to see mountains above the clouds as Harry looked out in astonishment with Gabby someone opened the compartment door.
"do you mind if I join you three?" a female voice asked.
"Hermione? Sure I don't mind" Harry said and looked at Gabby and Fleur who both agreed and they spent some time talking about trivial stuff and helping Hermione brush up on some of her French.
Then someone knocked on the door handing out the daily prophet newspapers which Harry started to read and tremble, this causes Gabby and Fleur to look at each other knowing the only reason Harry would physically start trembling.
"what's wrong Harry? Why are you trembling?" Hermione asked and looked at Gabby and Fleur.
Authors notes: I would like to thank everyone for the support whether that is through following the story or putting it in their favourites as well as the reviews.
And I have just realised the French translation for mum is maman and dad is pere… welp I learnt something new xD.
I would like to thank rb2312 for the suggestion of adding Hermione in as a friend to Harry and the others.
As you can probably guess I have chosen on the pairing I am going for it will be Harry and Gabrielle and some Fleur flirting thrown in, a little bit of flirting never hurts anyone … I think.
I hope you all have enjoyed this chapter this one has been interesting to writing figuring how it will match in with the plot but I do believe I can make it work and probably have.
Somehow, I am managing to write more for these chapters than I am able to for my university course which surprises me I thought these were going to be shorter than 2000 words not nigh on 4000 xD just goes to show what I enjoy more lol.