Chapter One: The Sad Life Of Harry Potter And James Black
Harry James Black-Potter had grown up hearing about his whore mother had slept around so much that she didn't know who his father was. That she chose the man with the name Sirius Black as his father, but married a drunk by the name of James Potter. James Potter had adopted James Black as his son Harry Potter while still allowing this Sirius Black fellow to have claim to James Black as his son. His Uncle Vernon called James Potter a cuckold, saying he wasn't even man enough to fight for the sole right to the child he adopted. Harry Potter's Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia made sure Harry Potter knew how much they despised who he was and what he came from. His Aunt Petunia let it be known that Lily was the favored child of her magical parents, that Petunia herself was a squib and hated the magical world that seemed to have betrayed her.
Petunia and Vernon had shown their displeasure for Harry Potter through physical, verbal, and emotional abuse. There was never a time passed where they didn't show him some displeasure at his presence. Harry Potter woke like he did most days, to Petunia slamming her hand against the door to his cupboard, "Get up Freak! You need to get breakfast ready before Vernon and Dudley get up."
She unlocked the latch of the cupboard to allow Harry Potter to crawl out. He was rewarded with a blow to the back of his head that knocked him to the ground. Harry Potter slowly rose from the floor, his eyes downcast as he walked into the kitchen to start cooking. He was in the middle of cooking bacon and sausage when his cousin Dudley came in and kicked him in the back of the knees, causing Harry Potter to spill the grease down his front, burning him and causing more scars on his already scarred body.
Dudley laughed and sat at the table while Harry Potter loaded the table with the food he had prepared for the family. Vernon came in just as Harry Potter finished loading the table, punching Harry Potter in the back of the head and kicking him in the ribs when Harry Potter fell to the ground. He sat at the table and shoveled food onto his plate as Harry Potter pushed himself off the ground. Thankfully his bones stopped breaking a few years back, or that kick would have cracked his ribs.
Vernon started eating, looking at Harry Potter, "Freak, start the dishes. I want everything spotless this time. Not like last time."
Harry Potter only nodded, not stating that last time Vernon and Dudley had dirtied the dishes after he cleaned them and blamed it on him. He knew it was no use arguing with them about that fact. He washed the dishes in hot water, the heat not bothering him as it once had. No heat seemed to bother him anymore. It still scarred him if enough damage was done, but it didn't hurt him anymore. He had just finished cleaning the pans he used for breakfast when Dudley and Vernon threw the dishes from breakfast at him to clean.
Petunia was more reserved with her plate and silverware, placing them in the water, "Come find me when you are done Freak. I have a list for you to work on outside today. Judges are coming soon, and I want you to have the lawn looking perfect."
Harry Potter nodded and started on the dishes, knowing not to ask about breakfast for himself. If he asked he surely wouldn't get anything anyway. They rarely fed him, but if he asked, they made a point not to feed him. As he thought this, Petunia slid a small plate with two pieces of burnt toast to him, and a small glass of water. Harry Potter ate quickly before it could be taken away, cleaning the rest of the dishes and putting them away before making his way to Petunia.
She handed him a list of things that needed done outside, all but throwing him out the door once he had the list. He heard the door lock behind him and knew he wasn't going back inside for some time. He stared racking the leaves and twigs from the yard before mowing. He knew if he didn't Vernon would beat him for the debris that would be scattered throughout the yard, unable to be picked up properly.
Harry Potter was lost in thought that he hadn't noticed the giant black dog that was watching him. Harry Potter had finished with the leaves and twigs when he noticed the dog. Harry Potter looked around to see if anyone was missing the dog before approaching it cautiously. He held out his hand palm down for the dog to sniff, trying to show he wasn't a threat to the beast. He had heard this was the best way to get a dog to trust you. He just hoped the dog didn't bite him for his trouble.
The dog licked the hand offered to it, moving forward and licking Harry Potter's face like they had known each other for a long time. The dog licked Harry Potter's scars, as if hoping that he could lick them away. Harry Potter knew his scars had marked him forever, Petunia and Vernon telling everyone that the scars were received when his mother and James Potter died in a car wreck. His left eye was covered in a large burn scar, and a jagged lighting bolt scar traced it's way through his right eye. Surprising the scars didn't affect his eyes at all, the brilliant emerald green was untouched by the violence.
The dog whimpered when the scars didn't fade away, and Harry Potter scratched him behind the ears, speaking in a gravely voice that showed both it's state of neglect and the abuse his throat had gone through, "I know buddy, I hate them too. But they aren't going anywhere anytime soon. If you stick around and out of sight, I may have a cheese sandwich for you."
The dog barked happily, following Harry Potter as he worked but staying away from the windows and Petunia's watchful eyes. A few hours after noon had passed, Petunia opened the back door with another small plate in her hand, "Come get your sandwich Freak! You can drink from the hose."
Harry Potter accepted the sandwich, ripping the sandwich into two pieces. He handed the larger of the two pieces to the dog, "Enjoy boy. You deserve it for helping me through the yard work today. I wish I could keep you, but Vernon and Petunia wouldn't allow it. I'm not allowed to have things that bring me joy. Freaks aren't allowed anything. I'm lucky they allow me to have clothing and what little food I get from them. You'd be better off without me in your life, I'd only bring my freakishness with me, and that's not good for anyone."
The dog licked Harry Potter once more and walked away, leaving Harry Potter to finish his yard work alone. Harry Potter didn't notice the pop that sounded in the driveway, or the man and woman approach him while he was working. He was surprised when a hand landed on his shoulder, turning with his hands raised to protect his face, fearing a fist being thrown at him. The woman scowled slightly, her mess of black hair falling in front of her face, "Why is he scared? What have they done to him?"
The man sighed, "I don't know Bella, but those scars weren't there when I last saw him. Either it was Voldemort's attack or these people treat him poorly. He admitted they hardly feed him and don't allow him to have possessions of his own."
The woman that had been called Bella frowned, "He never got the presents I sent to him? Why didn't anyone tell me? Who got them then?"
Harry Potter looked at the woman, "Anything coming to me Vernon and Petunia either destroy or give to Dudley. I never receive anything that they let me keep."
Bella looked outraged, "They deny him what is rightfully his. Sirius, we need to do something immediately. He needs out of here."
Harry Potter looked at the man she called Sirius, something clicking inside him, "Sirius Black? You are the man my Mom chose as my Dad?"
Sirius looked confused, "What do you mean chose? Lily and I had you before she married James, but there was no choice made to have you. We were young and didn't know any better, but you were loved by both of us and James. It wasn't an ideal situation honestly, but it was better than I deserved for the mistake I made. Can that be what you mean?"
Harry Potter shook his head, looking around as if expecting Vernon and Petunia to come from anywhere to punish him for talking to strangers, "I was told my Mom was a whore who slept around so much that she didn't know who my father was. She chose you because you were her favorite customer."
Bella laughed, but Sirius was furious, "They told you this? They told you that lie? What else did they tell you?"
Harry Potter backed away from his anger, "They told me she married a drunk named James Potter. He adopted me but still allowed you claim as my Dad. That was before the car wreck James caused by driving drunk. That's where I got these scars. At least that what I hear them tell others when they ask what happened to me."
Sirius looked at the woman he called Bella, "Take him back to Grimmauld Place. I have a few thing to talk about with these people. I'd prefer if Harry wasn't here."
Harry Potter shook his head, "I don't like Harry Potter. If you call me by my name, call me James Black. Harry Potter has to many bad memories attached to it. If you don't want to call me Freak and I don't like Harry Potter, then call me James Black."
Bella smirked, "The dragon James Black. Sounds strong. I like it Sirius. And it's a way to remember your friend. I'm sure Lily and James wouldn't mind."
Sirius looked at Harry Potter, no James Black, he looked at James with a slight smile, "I can do that for you James, if that is what you want. Would you please go with Bella while I talk to the Dursley's for awhile. I'll be back shortly, I swear."
Bella stepped forward, holding out an arm, "Grab hold James, there is a lot you need to know, and Auntie Bella will explain until Sirius gets back. I promise, I would never hurt you." The boy held onto her arm and in a loud pop they were gone. Sirius turned back to the house where he would hear Vernon and Dudley talking about the Freak and what they planned to do since Dinner wasn't prepared for them when they got home. With a savage grin, Sirius approached the back door, a stick in his hand.
Line Break
James had grown since he moved in with Bellatrix and Sirius. He had learned he was a wizard and a dragon, something in his blood from both his mother Lily and Sirius. They both passed the dragon gene to him, so he was a full fledged dragon, instead of a half dragon like Sirius. Lily had been from a bloodline of suijin, or water dragons, while Sirius fame from a line of hellkites. He learned to summon and control his abilities quickly, understanding why burns never hurt him and water was more a comfort than a burden.
Sirius allowed him access to the Black family Grimoire, as well as the Potter family Grimoire, telling him to learn what he could before he started school. He was also given the class books from year one to catch him up to the second year when he would start. Bella and Sirius helped him when they could, and soon he was prepared for Hogwarts. His first year there, he impressed the staff by finding and protecting the Sorcerer's Stone from a spirit of the Dark Lord that killed Lily and James Potter and scarred him forever. He managed to subdue a cerberus pup, quell a patch of devil snare, catch a flying key, played a gave of wizard's chess, killed a troll, solved a potion puzzle, and fooled the Mirror of Erised. In the end, the Stone was defended by James Black, a True Born Dragon. The spirit was defeated, and James won House points for Gryffindor.
In his second year at Hogwarts, Year Three for the other students, James had entered the Forbidden Forest to find Aragog the acromantula and ask about the Chamber of Secrets. In the end he had to kill the beast and most of the nest to successfully escape. With the information he needed, James faced a wraith of the same Dark Lord he defeated for the Sorcerer's Stone. The wraith summoned a basilisk, which James fought with the Sword of Gryffindor. With help from the Headmaster's phoenix Fawkes, James defeated the basilisk and survived a bite from the creature. With the very fang he pulled from his arm he destroyed the wraith of the Dark Lord and rescued a female student.
Now was his third year at Hogwarts, a Fourth Year student. He had just turned fifteen and was given the best gift he had ever been given. Bellatrix had bought him tickets to the Quidditch World Cup. He would be going with Sirius and his cousin Nymphadora Tonks, camping overnight before and after the match. James was currently dressed in his usual clothing, long shorts and a short sleeved shirt, both lined with dragon hide for protection and durability. He pulled on special sandal shoes so his talons would destroy them, as well as fingerless gloves before pulling on a hooded robe that he used as a coat.
He walked downstairs to see Bellatrix and Nymphadora talking quietly. Bellatrix didn't like that her sister married a muggleborn wizard, but loved her niece as much as she loved James. He hugged his Aunt when she held her arms out to him. He didn't like much contact with people, but always gave his Auntie Bella a hug when she asked for one. She had been tortured like he had be her husband and his brother. They would abuse her and force her to do things that she didn't want to do. She had gone to jail for her crimes, but when it was proven she had no choice and did it against her will, she was released into Sirius' custody. He helped her as best he could, but it was James that helped her the most.
Nymphadora smiled at her cousin when he pulled away, "You ready Jamie? Looking forward to your first professional quidditch match?"
Bellatrix frowned at Nymphadora, "His name is James, not Jamie. James is a strong name, a powerful name, don't cheapen it by calling him Jamie."
James smirked, "I agree, but I can't get her to stop. I'm just glad others don't call me Jamie, it's just her." Nymphadora stuck out her tongue at James, but he kept his smirk, "No thanks, I use toilet paper."
Nymphadora gagged suddenly, causing Bellatrix to laugh, "I have to remember that one when Andi comes over. That's a good one James."
Sirius came up from the basement with Remus Lupin, "What's a good one? I'm always up for a good joke."
Bellatrix smirked, "Stick your tongue out at me, like your teasing me." He did as requested, and Bellatrix looked him dead in the eye, "No thanks, I use toilet paper."
Remus laughed at the joke, and laughed even harder at Sirius' face as what she said finally sunk in. Sirius smiled, "Who said that? Please let it be James."
Nymphadora scowled, "Why couldn't be me? I'm funny too you know. I learned for two Marauders, just like Jamie. But I never get praised like he does."
Bellatrix sneered playfully at Nymphadora, "Maybe it's because you call him Jamie instead of James. Everyone else calls him James, why don't you?"
Nymphadora sighed, "I wanted to be special to him, someone different from the rest of you. I was hoping he would enjoy being called Jamie by me. It made me feel special."
James reached out and patted Nymphadora on the back, "You can call me Jamie if you want, I don't care honestly. Just be prepared for everyone to correct you when you do. Apparently it's a big deal to be called Jamie."
Remus shook his head, "Dear me, showing favoritism already. First he only hugs Bella, now he allows Nym to call him Jamie. What does he do for us to show we're special?"
James laughed, "Padfoot calls me Pup, and you call me Cub, Moony.. I think that's pretty special, don't you?"
Sirius barked out laughter, "He's got you there Moony. You are the only one who calls him Cub, and only I call him Pup." He turned his attention back to James, "You ready? I'll be apparating us there."
Nymphadora and James stepped forward and gripped Sirius' arm as he popped away from Grimmauld Place and into the campground. Sirius showed them to their tent, magically larger on the inside, with three bedrooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen. James saw the door with his name and opened it to see it looked like a smaller version of his room at Grimmauld Place. He checked the drawers in a dresser to see them filled with clothing similar to his. He smirked at himself, "That's why Sirius told us not to pack anything. We already have everything we need."
Nymphadora was suddenly standing in the doorway to his room, "Come on Jamie, we have to collect water and firewood. Sirius told me to drag you along if I had to."
James smirked slightly, "Alright, I'll help weak little Nym if I have to. Should have known she needed a dragon to help her with this task." He removed his robe and followed Nymphadora to the tap for water. James noticed many people watching him carry multiple buckets of water easily. Nymphadora rolled her eyes as she followed with buckets of her own.
James then went for firewood, following the map Sirius had given to him. He soon was carrying multiple bundles back to the tent himself. He stumbled slightly as someone bumped into him violently. He heard who it was fall on the ground roughly, and concentrated on his dragon tail to help them to their feet. He retracted his tail only to hear a female voice call out to him with a slight French accent, "Wait, please don't go yet."
James turned to look at the girl, not surprised by what he saw. He rolled his eyes, "Look, I have a huge load of wood here. If you must be in my company, follow me until I can drop these off."
The girl gave him a slight smile and walked to him, her french accent coming in clearer now that she was closer, "Thank you. I really appreciate it. I was being chased by some overly aggressive men. I think being with you will keep them away until I can get back to my Papa and Maman."
James continued walking, "So, you must be a veela, huh?" When she gasped slightly, he chuckled slightly, "Don't be surprised. You saw I was a dragon. Did you think I didn't study other magical creatures with human bodies?"
The girl relaxed slightly as she stepped closer to James, placing a hand on his elbow to give the illusion that they were together, "Is that you aren't affected by my allure, your stygian nature?"
James snorted, "No, not really. My dad is a dragon and affected by the allure of veela. We ran into the Bulgarian cheerleaders and he almost completely shifted to show them what they could have if they bonded with him. I guess I'm just lucky when it comes to my natural mental shields."
The girl smirked at his words, "Your dad sounds like quite the character. How will he react when I walk into your camp? Will he let you help me?"
James walked into his campsite and unloaded the wood in his arm, "It appears he isn't here, so you are in luck. Now, let's get you back to your campsite safely."
The girl looped her arm though his, for the first time noticing the scars that were scattered across his skin. She was about to ask about them, but thought about if it was here with the scars, would she appreciate some stranger asking about them. Instead she looked into his emerald green eyes, trying to see past the scars on his face. She noticed the stygian feature that most dragons had, slightly slitted pupils, "My name is Fleur Delacour. It's a pleasure to meet you."
James nodded, "Harry Potter, but I prefer James Black if you don't mind." He started walking through the campsite, following where Fleur led him, "So Fleur, you didn't seem surprised when I told you my name. I saw your eyes tracing my scars when you looked into my eyes."
Fleur sighed heavily, "I recognize the jagged one from the stories about you. You got it from the killing curse you survived that night. The burn I was surprised by. I thought dragons were immune to the affects of fire."
James kept his eyes forward, "Not all dragons are immune to fire. Some have an affinity to water instead. I happen to be the offspring of a suijin and a hellkite, both water and fire. I only had limited affinity to both elements as I grew up. Until I inherited my full affinity, I was damaged and scarred by fire and other burns. So while I won't scar now form fire now, I'm stuck with these scars for the rest of my life because I wasn't born with full affinity."
Fleur sighed, "I sometimes wish I could have scars. I want something that can permanently mar my beauty. Maybe then men wouldn't throw themselves at me all the time."
James sighed, surprised when Fleur stepped closer and pulled his arm slightly more to her chest, "Being scarred is something no one should wish for. You get judged unfairly for how you look. People envision stories of their own design, and they usually aren't good. Even those that believed I was in a car accident thought a drunk dad crashed the car."
Fleur kept her eyes on the crowd around them, "How are they staying away from us? It's almost as if something is repelling them."
James barked out a laugh, "It's kind of the opposite of your allure. It's an ability known as menace. I can project it around me and someone near me, and those who are near are compelled to stay away through fear."
Fleur smiled, "Menace, sounds like an ability I would love to learn. I wonder if there is a spell that is the equivalent of your menace ability."
James shrugged as they moved closer to the quidditch pitch, "I don't know.. I guess if there isn't you can always try to develop one. New spells are invented all the time, so you could possibly create one."
Fleur stopped in front of a tent, "This is my family's tent. Would you like to meet them? My sister idealizes you. She desperately wants to meet the Boy Who Lived."
James sighed heavily, his eyes going between the tent and Fleur, "I guess I could meet them. I'm not good with new people though. My menace makes the interactions awkward."
Fleur approached the tent, holding the flap open and smiling at James, "They will not care about your menace. My mother and sister are veela, and my father is at least resistant to the allure. I'm sure he will be just as strong against your menace."
James tried to center himself, pulling in his menace to try and lessen the affect. He walked in inside with Fleur to see a tent much like the one Sirius had bought for them. A man looked up from the newspaper in his hands with a smile, "Fleur, who's your friend?"
Fleur watched as her sister walked out of the main room and stopped as she looked at James, "Harry Potter! You found Harry Potter!"
Fleur laughed, shaking her head, "He prefers James Black, Gabby. I ran into him when some men started coming after me. He escorted me here safely using his ability known as menace."
Her mother stood, "So it's true? You are stygian, a dragon in human form?" James nodded slightly, causing the woman to grin slightly, "You are also resistant to the allure? That's a heaven send."
Fleur shook her head, "No Maman, he is fully immune. When I ran into him, I was knocked down and lost control. He wasn't affected at all. I even tried it on the way here, he didn't react at all, like he felt nothing from my allure."
James smirked, "You can try again if you like. Mr Delacour can point his wand at me in case I do anything stupid. Aim for my eyes, and used a lot of your magic. I have a natural resistance to most magic, and my eyes are my weakest spot."
The man pulled out his want, "It's up to you Apolline. I'll protect you if he does anything wrong. I know how rare it is to fine someone fully immune, and I know you are tempted to test him."
Mrs Delacour, who he now knew was named Apolline, nodded. After a few minutes she looked at James, "Nothing. No reaction."
Fleur smiled, "I radiated my allure as well, he didn't feel two veela venting their allure on him fully. I told you he was fully immune."
James was suddenly tackled by a blur of platinum blond hair, tiny arms wrapping around his waist. He heard the young girl firing off something in the French language, "Can I keep him? I'll take care of him, I swear. Let me keep him."
Fleur sighed heavily while Apolline laughed at her youngest daughter. Fleur knelt to look at her sister, "He isn't a pet Gabby. He is a stygian, but also a human. Would you like someone treating you as an animal?"
The young girl's eyes went wide as she looked up at James, "I'm so sorry. I wasn't thinking and I said something horrible."
James shrugged as he patted the young girl on the head, "I don't understand French, so I don't know what was said. I'm sure you didn't mean it, so you are forgiven."
Mr Delacour looked at James, speaking in French, "You are lying. I can't read your mind, but you face showed recognition of what she said. You don't have to lie to us young man, we aren't here to hurt you."
James looked unsure, but answered in perfect French, "I just didn't want her to worry about what she said. I'm honestly not offended. I know she didn't mean anything by it."
Apolline smiled warmly, speaking in English with a heavy French accent, "I like him. Polite, kind, and honorable. I wish there were more like him out in the world."
Mr Delacour stepped forward and held out a hand, "Sebastian Delacour. It is nice to meet a young man who would treat my daughters with the respect they deserve. I hate to see men drooling over them all the time, but it is rare to develop the resistance to the allure, and even more rare to find someone completely immune. I would like you and your family to come join us for dinner. I want to meet the man who made you who you are."
James felt nervous, knowing Sirius didn't have the resistance, and if asked he would reveal James' past with the Dursley's. He tried very hard to bury that part of his life, and feared what would happen if it was dug up again. He looked at Sebastian and nodded slightly, "I'll ask. But I warn you, Sirius isn't immune to the allure, he isn't even resistant. But with you watching him, as well as myself, it should be fine."
The young girl reached out and gripped James' hand tightly, "I want to walk with you. Please say it's okay. I want to see this menace in action."
Apolline stepped forward, "I would as well. Allow me to extend the invitation to your father personally. Do you mind escorting me?"
James looked nervous, "I've never tried with two people before. I'd prefer just one until I can properly test with two people, in a safe place."
Apolline nodded, looking at her daughter, "Do you mind letting me take this one? There is plenty of time for you to walk with him later Gabrielle."
The younger girl looked hurt, looking up at James with watery eyes, "You promise you'll walk with me later?"
James smiled at he patter her on the forehead, "Of course young one. I'd be honored to walk with you." He turned to Apolline and extended his arm, "Mrs Delacour, for the menace to protect you, physical contact is needed. Will you take my arm?" He then looked at Sebastian, "I'm sorry Mr Delacour, but this is better than holding her hand."
Sebastian smiled kindly, "Please, call me Sebastian. Mr Delacour makes me feel old. I understand, and thank you for asking her first. I also accept you apology. If physical contact is needed, I would prefer the arm to holding hands."
Apolline took James' arm, pulling him close, "Please, call me Apolline. I look for Sebastian's mother each time I hear someone call me Mrs Delacour."
James smiled at her, "Yes ma'am. Shall we go?" He released his menace, watching as Sebastian back away slightly. James gave him a weak smile, "I'm sorry sir, I should have warned you before releasing it."
Sebastian shook his head, "Quite alright young man. It's surprising, I can't feel her allure at all. It's like your menace masks it entirely. I wish I could study the affect, perhaps find a way to shield future veela for their protection."
Fleur smiled, "I plan on creating a spell for it, then enchanting artifacts with the spell so I can protect myself and Gabby. If it is successful, maybe I can sell them to veela for protection."
Apolline smiled at James, "Let's go talk to your father before it gets too late." James escorted her out of the tent, Apolline amazed that everyone refused to look at them entirely. As they walked, people moved out of the way, avoiding eye contact with both of them. She sighed in perfect contentment, "I have never felt this protected since before my allure activated. I wish it could always be like this."
James smiled at her, "Help your daughter complete her research on the spell and enchanting. When the shield is made, request one. I know she said it was only for her and her sister, but I'm sure she would make you one as well."
Apolline pulled him closer to herself, but not as close as Fleur had, "You are an interesting young man. You care for others more than most people care for loved ones. It's nice to have someone worry about me like you do. I hope this isn't too forward, but I would like to extend an invitation to you and your family to join us this Yule holiday if at all possible. I want a friendship to develop between our two houses."
James smiled at her, "I would like that, but there may be a problem. I have an aunt that doesn't like to leave the house. She was tortured and raped by her husband and his brother. She doesn't like new people because of how she was treated. Sirius doesn't like to leave her alone by herself, and her sister Andromeda may not be able to watch her over the holiday."
Apolline nodded, "I understand. Will you at least try and come. The offer still stands, with or without your father."
They came to the Black tent and James stepped inside. Sirius looked up from the stove and smiled, "Already found yourself a woman James? And such a lovely one as well."
James rolled his eyes, "No Padfoot, this is Mrs Delacour. She comes with a request from her husband and their daughters."
Apolline stepped forward and extended her other hand, still holding onto James since his menace seemed to be keeping his father calm, "We would like your family to have dinner with us tonight. James knows where the tent is when you are ready." She looked at James with a pleading look, "Can you please escort me back? I don't feel safe by myself."
Sirius shook his head, "Is that the reason for your menace, you found a family of veela? I never thought the menace would protect the bearers of the allure."
James rolled his eyes once again at his father, "Padfoot, I'll be back for you and Nym after I take her back."
Sirius shook his head, "Nym found another place to stay tonight. You know how she is with men."
James shook his head, "She's going to catch something one of these days if she isn't careful. I'll be right back."
James escorted Apolline back to her tent, heading back to the Black tent for Sirius. Both men showered and dressed in semi-formal clothing before heading to the Delacour tent. Dinner was pleasant, James using his menace to keep Sirius in line. He didn't notice the way Fleur was looking at him while they are and talked. Gabrielle had sat beside James at the beginning of the meal, and by the end she had wormed her way into James' lap. Before James and Sirius left, both Apolline and Fleur gave James a hug, Fleur kissing him on the cheek. Gabrielle launched herself at James, kissing him many times on both cheeks. Sirius teased James on the way back to the Black tent about Fleur and Gabrielle. James ignored the man, heading straight to his room and changing before falling into bed.
