Chapter 08

Harry woke up at Hagrid's hut, feeling the now usual pain in his limbs, while the smell of hot bread, honey, and tea filled the air around him. The boy could see some scratches on his arms and legs and even felt a little drained, but nothing compared to his night at the hospital wing after his name came out of the Goblet of fire, but enough to still feel tired. Almost immediately, a sting of guilt hit the boy, as he saw his giant of a friend. The book. Harry hadn't even opened the book yet. Like last time, Hagrid sat on the big chair, humbling a light happy song and preparing tea, waiting for the werewolf to wake.

"'ello lad, how ye doin today?" Hagrid laughed loudly. So loud it made Harry's head hurt a little.

"Really funny big guy," Harry said. " Hagrid, I am sorry, I didn't have the time to read your book…" The boy finished looking at the floor, a little ashamed.

"Is yer book now lad," Hagrid answered while he dropped some honey on a big slice of bread, with an understanding smile. "I understand, with all that tournament mess. But give it a try Harry…" Harry nodded, he really wanted to read, but things just happened at an astonishingly fast pace, as they usually did with him. Hagrid looked at him thoughtfully. "Harry, what ya remember from last night?" Harry looked at him confused. "Try to make an effort to remember what we did, would ya…"

Harry thought that Hagrid's suggestion was a little weird, but the boy had time until he would be able to move somewhat comfortably again, and he was feeling guilty about the book. Harry tried to concentrate, the last thing he remembered was the pain of the transformation. It felt like every bone in his body was being broken at the same time, and his skin was being ripped open from the inside before his mind went blank. Even remembering it sent shivers down his spine. "I don't know Hagrid, I can't remember…" the wizard sounded defeated.

"Try not to focus on the memories," Hagrid said, taking a loud sip of his tea. "But the sensations, that ye saw, ye ear, ye taste and especially what ya smell…"

Harry tried just that. It seemed really hard at the beginning. It felt like he couldn't grab the right sensations, but then, the boy tried to use the surrounding smells to help, just like he had last time. Harry focused on the scent of the trees and the dirt and felt a spark in his mind. Much like the feeling of remembering a dream than an actual memory, like when he saw the trees of the forbidden forest. The smell of the oaks and evergreens, the cold breeze, he wanted to run, to hunt… then he felt danger… spiders … himself… alone…

Hide…

Harry opened his eyes in awe of what just happened.

"How... Remus told me it was impossible to remember anything! It was far away, like a dream… but somehow I know it's a real memory!" Hagrid smiled at him. After that they ate in silence, Harry trying to process what happened, and the food made him feel better.

"What are you not telling me, Hagrid?" Harry finally asked, with a piercing look at his friend.

" I… Harry, I don't think you should let any of the other professors see ye, at least until lunch…" The half-giant looked concerned.

"Why?"

"Because, if that burger Snape sees ye that well, he might do something… I shouldn't be helping ye like that. They think you're cursed, but I don't!"

"I… sure Hagrid." "Weird." Harry thought. But Hagrid's worry looked all too real for Harry to ignore. Something was happening. In theory, only the headmaster, Hagrid, and Snape knew about Harry's condition. Maybe it was something about that.

"Oi Dobby!" Hagrid said out loud and the frantic house elf appeared with a pop.

"Yeas Hagrid sirs… HARRY POTTER SIR! Dobby is so happy to see the greatest wizards of them all Harry Potter!" The little Elf hushed and hugged Harry's leg with genuine happiness, scaring the wizard to death in the process.

"Dobby, what are you doing here?" Harry asked.

"Is works at Hogwarts now Harry Potter sir, what can Dobby do to helps you?" The little elf said, jumping with happiness.

"Can ya take Harry back to Gryffindor tower without anyone noticing?" Hagrid asked, with a big slice of bread in his hands.

"Of course, anything for greatest wizards of them all!"

Within a quick thought, Harry remembered his friends and his projects that needed a place and had an idea. The boy turned to the little elf and asked.

"Dobby, is there a place in the castle where I can meet with my friends without anyone noticing?"

"Yes, there is Harry Potter sir." Dolby answered.

"Can you take me there please?"

Dobby held Harry's arm and with a pop they were inside a dark corridor in a place of the castle that Harry had never been, a great tapestry of dancing trolls hanging on the wall in front of them.

"This is…" Dobby said pointing to the tapestry. "Is the coming and going room…"

.oOo.

Harry didn't show for potions that morning, and even knowing the reason, Daphne couldn't help but miss him. The school was getting really worked up with the tournament at this point. Most of the Gryffindor house was now openly rooting for Harry, although most still avoided any contact with the wizard. Sitting there with Tracey, Daphne remembered the night at the hospital again. The same way she did all through the weekend. Was she being serious or just teasing him? The Slytherin was not sure anymore. So much for an ice queen, she thought. Harry was making a real effort, if not to get closer, to at least have a peaceful coexistence with the students of her own house. The boy was serious about wanting to try and make changes. But, the things she heard him muttering while sleeping in his hospital bed were really troublesome. The pleading, the fear, the anger. Daphne had expected an arrogant, self-entitled wannabe hero, but found only a broken young man. The witch didn't know if it was the healer in her, but she wanted to understand and offer help.

The letter his father sent her this morning didn't help to ease her worries either. To her surprise, following Harry's move from last week, Hermione sat down with her and Tracey during class, getting an evil snare from Ronald Weasley and an approving nod from Longbottom. The lines kept being erased and redrawn between the students. Blaise also gave them an approving nod. The tall dark boy was proving to be an eager ally.

"That is new…" Tracey said to the Gryffindor witch. "Won't you get in trouble?"

"If I get in trouble, then doing this is even more necessary than we thought. Besides, you two are great at potions, so I think the three of us will make a good team." Hermione said with a wink at the blond, who rolled her eyes, but smiled back. Snape entered the room, and scanned the students with his blank emotionless eyes, he held his gaze a second longer on the three girls before turning to the board and starting the day's emotionless lesson.

"How's Harry?" Daphne finally asked Hermione.

Hermione bit her lips. Daphne was sure right there that Hermione knew about the werewolf's condition.

"He… was not feeling well, so… hum, he had to lie down. Might be better at lunch." The bushy-haired girl tried.

"Goodness Hermione, you are really a terrible liar…" Daphne shot and the other witch blushed making Tracey giggle. "Well, I will have to talk to him myself and figure it out then." The Slytherin witch sighed.

"I am sorry Daphne. I don't know what to say." Hermione whispered.

"This will only work out if you let me in entirely. I already know about his little… moon problem, I discovered it at the hospital wing." Daphne was now using her cold calculated tone. "I appreciate what you two are trying to do, but I don't like being worried and not being included in things. We are in this together, or I'm out"

"Are you worried about Harry?" Hermione asked with a raised eyebrow. Daphne didn't even change her expression, she just looked deep inside Hermione's eyes. "You should not worry about being included, Daphne," Hermione said with a shy smile. "The feeling is mutual. Trust is something Harry hardly gives away, and you earned it. The idiot probably thinks he is protecting us, keeping certain things to himself, but he will come around, or we will make him."

"Us?" Daphne thought before having to focus on the task Snape had just passed to the class.

.oOo.

Fleur didn't bother going to the Great Hall for breakfast that morning. As much as she enjoyed Gabrielle and Hermione's company, she was not in the mood that day. The veela barely had any sleep, knowing that Harry was out there, alone, she even heard him howl, making her body shiver in bed. At first, Fleur believed it was fear she was feeling, and kept thinking about the wards around the castle, the professors and aurors from the ministry ready to take action if needed. But later, she realized it was not it. Fleur was not afraid, not of Harry. The boy was out there, alone, the wolf she had been dreaming of for months was out there. It was frightening and exciting all at the same time. What could that mean?

The talk she had with Harry before the full moon made her feel good but in a weird kind way. They stood in each other's arms for a while just enjoying the proximity, and she could not deny she was enjoying it. At first, when she started talking to him, Fleur was afraid that her veela nature would take over and make her scream at the wizard. But it didn't. The girl remained in control, at least until that embrace. When Fleur felt his scent, Harry's body next to hers, his hands, one on her lower back and the other around her shoulder, the veela felt herself losing control of her aura. Letting go of feelings she didn't even know were there. Fleur stayed in Harry's arms for way more time than needed. Her allure was not affecting him, and it felt so good to know, so reassuring, he felt that way, not because of some stupid magic compulsion, Harry stayed there because he liked her, Fleur, not the veela. Then her heart started beating even faster, her breath became quicker, drinking on his scent and his emotions, and Fleur felt her arousal growing, feeling warm in her entire body, down to her center, the moisture between her legs becoming undeniable, the veela could feel his own aroused body, touching her just slightly, and she almost pulled him even closer, just to feel his hardness against her. At this point, Harry whispered softly in her ear, sending chills down her spine. "I wish I could stay here forever… but... the moon is about to rise, Fleur, I need to go…"

Gathering all her willpower, Fleur released him; the werewolf was blushing furiously, taking deep breaths too, but with a silly grin on his face. Fleur thought he looked too cute and felt the heat on her core growing even more.

"See you in a couple of days, we are going to own this tournament together!" Harry said before he left into the night.

The fact she had a private room now that she was the school's champion proved to be a blessing, as Fleur returned to the carriage in a hurry, her magic and senses on overload. It had been a while since her veela nature had hit her so strongly, that she had felt such hunger. Fleur only had the time to take her school leggings out after she closed and locked the door, before throwing herself in the bed. Her allure was raging in an intensity it hadn't for a long time, and when the veela touched her aching mound, she felt how wet her panties were.

"Oh Mon Dieu…" Fler moaned, why was that happening? Her mind went back to Harry sniffing her hair, the warmth of his body against hers, and how hard he was… hard for her, not her allure.

The witch spread her legs and imagined she was doing so for Harry, that he would be watching her with those predatory eyes, her pussy lips opening for him.

"He is so young…" Fleur moaned, her hands rubbing furiously against her clit. "Huuuum, I could… AAA teach him… so many things …"

It felt so wrong, and so exciting at the same time, Fleur bit her lip, moving her other hand under her dumped panties into her swollen pussy, and inserting two of her fingers inside herself. Finding a rhythm between the fingers inside her pussy and the ones on her clit, the witch rocked her hips, up and down, getting closer and closer, her mind lingering on the fantasy about her teaching Harry how to please a woman. She moaned and trembled, but it was a howling, Harry's howling, echoing through the grounds that finally pushed Fleur over the edge.

During the morning classes, Fleur thought a lot about the tournament, trying to distract her mind from the mixture of guilt and pleasure she was experiencing. The first task was a little more than a month away and would test their courage in the face of the unknown. The witch had no idea what that meant in the contest of the tournament, but she felt the need to create a training routine. The French witch knew she needed to give special attention to her weaknesses, Fleur knew she was fast and magically powerful, but her body was a little more fragile than the average person's thanks to her veela hereditary. Shields and resistance spells would be her starting point. Maybe Harry could help her. By the stories she heard, he was quite the fighter.

At lunch, Fleur was starving; the girl was so hungry she didn't even mind the food like she normally would. Fleur gathered Regine and Gabrielle at the carriage, and walked to the Great Hall, listening to the cacophony of languages and voices around her. This time, Harry was there, at the edge of Gryffindor's table, sitting alone, the other students of his house, a couple of seats away. The witch took a deep breath to control her anger towards some of those people, they could cheer for him because of house loyalty, but couldn't bother eating with him. Fleur sat down beside him, and Harry gave her a brilliant smile, making all her anger toward his colleagues evaporate.

"Hello, how are my favorite French witches today?" The boy asked in an unusual jovial tone.

Gabbriele giggled furiously and answered.

"Bonjour 'Arry."

"That was a terrible pickup line 'Arry." Fleur rebuked, looking at the young wizard with curiosity. Harry was supposed to be drained and ragged looking but was nothing like it. He seemed reassured of something.

"Can't blame a bloke for trying." The wizard shrugged. "And at least I am telling the truth. You really are my favorites." The girls smiled at him.

"You seem in an oddly good mood, given the situation," Fleur said, curious. "Not that I'm complaining, it suits you better…"

"Some things are starting to work out, it seems. I want to ask you three something. I'm creating a kind of defense group, with some very close friends, to help people be prepared when bad things happen. Hermione thinks this is a good idea, as I have experience with bad things happening. I would like to know if you want to join us. I think it will help with our tournament training too, and we could use the help of a future curse breaker." Harry said with a smile, remembering one of the subjects Fleur had told her in one of their previous letters.

"Sounds too fun to pass up for me." Said Regine with a grin.

"What is he saying?" Gabrielle asked in French. Fleur gave her a quick explanation. "Oui, oui, s'il vous plaît, Fleur." The young witch gave her sister her best puppy eyes. Fleur rolled her eyes and nodded.

"Cool, meet us tonight at…" Harry started saying, looking excited.

"'Arry, we can't leave the carriage after curfew. How are we going to make it?" Fleur interrupted.

"Don't worry, I will send someone to your room. No, not myself, although, it's not a bad...…" Fleur hit him in the arm and Regine laughed. It seems that the strangeness of the last days had finally gone away, much to Fleur's relief.

"Not yet 'Arry, maybe if you behave," Fleur said playfully.

At this point, Hermione arrived with the chubby boy. "Why can't I never remember his name?" Fleur thought. They joined the conversation and Fleur noticed the red-haired girl from the other day coming to sit with them, but the younger witch seemed to change her mind when she saw the French girls. Fleur even felt a little guilty.

.oOo.

The headmaster watched his boy from the staff table. Harry had been in Hagrid's hut all morning, seemingly drained. Perhaps the new dosage would do, for now at least.

But now the old wizard had a new concern, Harry was getting too close to the Delacour girls, specifically the older one. How much she knew of her parent's doings and aspirations was a mystery to him, and the headmaster didn't like those kinds of mysteries. Being a foreign student and daughter of an important politician, she was somewhat out of his reach, he came to like that even less. Perhaps Dolores's idea had its merits.

There must be something in the magic of those families that attracted each other, something very dark and dangerous. It was happening just like sixteen years ago. The headmaster needed to check if the Delacours had been in contact with the Greengrasses too, that would be disastrous. For now, Albus Dumbledore had decided to wait and see what would happen with the kids. His plans seemed to be working, the impostor was being under constant surveillance, and the order had even discovered some of its contacts, getting ever closer to Tom's hideout. At the right time, they would be ready to act.

Now he needed to find Sirius Black.

.oOo.

At the edge of the woods that surrounded the Bell family state, Katie Bell took a deep breath. Her hands caressing the old oak trees that kept her safe for so many years. She couldn't help, but feel a little sad about the decision she had finally made. But her inner wolf knew this was the right choice, and denying it would bring only more suffering, to much more people than herself.

"Want to tell me what's happening, little puppy." Her grandfather, Benjamin Bell asked her with a voice full of concern as he approached, Benjamin Bell was a tower of a man. Even missing his right arm on shoulder high, with a tall strong build. His gray hair was cut just above the shoulders, and his almost totally white beard was short but full. His eyes were of a very light brownish color, almost yellow, shining with an almost predatory gaze.

"I haven't been a little puppy for a while, grandpa," Katie answered with a smile to the man that had always been her family's rock.

"Indeed…" Benjamin placed his one hand over her on the tree bark, covering it entirely; Katie could feel his warmth, and also the calluses of years of hunting and caring for his pack. "But that doesn't mean I can't be worried about you." The old werewolf looked deep into her eyes. "You hunted with us this night, but you were not truly there; I could feel that your heart was elsewhere."

"Grandpa… I found an alpha… and I decided to follow him…" Katie looked him in the eyes, almost defiant.

"The boy you told me about? Potter?"

"Yes… I can't let him go; I can't leave him alone anymore. My heart keeps calling, and my howls try to reach him." Katie said blushing at the admission.

Benjamin stayed silent, looking at the big tree. Katie tried to read his eyes, but her emotions got in the way.

"I've heard the boy is quite powerful. I need to ask, is it his power that is bringing you to him?" Benjamin finally asked.

"No… he is powerful, that is true, but he is also so much more. Harry is kind, passionate, and protective. There is also darkness in him, it is true as if he has been through hell and back, and yet he always tries to do what is right…not for him, but for the otters. But I can see it is taking a toll on him. I want to help him fight this darkness, and I don't want him to be alone anymore."

Benjamin sighed.

"You must do what you think is right. Your resolve and your instincts had always been your forte. But please remember, we will always be your family and you will always have a place with us. I just ask you, to run with us one more time before joining him. For me and your mother."

She hugged him tightly with tears in her eyes.

"Of course grandpa…"

.oOo.

My name is Christopher Bell,

"I wonder if he is Katie's relative…" Harry thought as the smell of old paper hit him.

As I write those words, I complete 254 years of life, 206 of those as the Alpha of the most powerful pack in the entire of England. I have been bitten by my own mother at age five and took the role of the Alpha after my grandmother passed away. Now I prepare the groundwork for my son to take the role after me, as even our kind can't live forever. My objective with this tome is to shed some light on myself and my kind, and what it means to be magic's hunter. Throughout all my years, I had seen many people come and go from the pack, both wolves and non-wolves. Some of our cubs had gone to create packs of their own, but so strong are our bonds that most only leave us at the time of their death.

Harry was astonished. Seated in the tree trunk where he had talked with Hermione, he turned the page. A book written by a werewolf. One that seemed an important one. How could Hagrid have come into possession of this?

Most of the "normal" wizardry society has labeled our kind as dark creatures, little more than monsters to be suspected on a daily basis and feared at the high of the moon. The big bad wolf of their kid's tales. Although it is true we possess an undying rage Inside us that can easily drive us to violent behavior (but isn't that true about any normal wizards and non-magical humans too?) And the sins some of our kind committed are amongst the most terrible imaginable (I will delve more on that later) I honestly don't believe that is the reason they had ostracized and hunted us. The real reason is more subtle, and because of that, way more dangerous.

We see magic differently.

Normal wizards often see magic in black and white, light and dark. Champion of the light, dark Lord. They rely on their limited vision to make sense of the world and magic around them.

Magic speaks to us differently, it speaks to us through colors that only we can understand, it flows through us in scents so unique that the average wizard would go crazy just to imagine, we can hear magic singing, we can taste it and we can relinquish it when it kills. To us, magic is not black or white, not some shades of gray or light and darkness. To us, magic is that and much more, magic is vibrant, creator of life, and harvester of death. Magic is alive (and I am pretty sure it is female.)

"Hermione will like that" Harry thought. Still mesmerized by what the book in his hands was saying.

That is the reason I think they really fear us and label us as dark creatures. Haven't they done the same with all other magical sentient creatures? They had done the same to the veela, the fey, the goblins; they almost exterminated the dragons, the most ancient of us all. They fear the difference.

Now, for one to understand us, first he needs to understand the most important thing to our kind. The reason for our world.

The pack.

.oOo.

"HEY Potty!" Hermione turned around to see Draco Malfoy holding a cardboard box in his hands. The blonde walked toward Harry and Hermione with a slick, evil grin. "Look what the owl brought me this morning, do you want one?" The boy shoved his hand inside the box and took a pin, just like the one pinned on his robe. The circular object was blue and yellow, almost twice the size of a galleon. Printed on it was the smiling face of Cedric Diggory, and the words written with shining magical letters read, "support Cedric, the true Hogwarts champion"! Hermione saw that Crablee, Goilee, Parkinson, and Millicent were all wearing one like that, just like some other Slytherin students too, but to the witch's relief, fewer people than she expected. "I did those to show my support to the true Hogwarts champion, and look, that is not all!" Draco touched the pin he was wearing, it made a swirling move and a whistle sound as the colors changed to red and gold, with an image of Harry's angry head in it, and the shining words "Potter sux!". "Cool isn't it, here, you can have one for each of your lesser blood friends!"

Hermione looked at Harry. The girl was fuming, her cheeks turning red, but the young wizard only shook his head. Harry was not biting the bait. Hermione knew he didn't want to risk detention today.

"Hey, Greengrass!" Draco theatrically called turning to the black-haired girl leaving the classroom with Tracey and Blaise. "Want one? Show some house and school loyalty, here…" Draco smirked and moved to place the pin on her chest. Hermione could feel Harry tensing beside her, the warmth emanating from his body was almost like standing close to a flame. That was the line it should not be crossed anymore, she could see his protective instincts kicking in. Katie was right. Harry gave a step closer to them, and Hermione herself tensed.

But Daphne was faster, with a quick movement the Slytherin girl aimed her wand at Malfoy's manhood, making the boy stand cold, and hissed at him.

"If you ever try to touch me again," Daphne's voice sounded cold and controlled, making it even scarier, "I will curse your little balls so badly that your mother will have to endure your joke of a father one more time just to ensure that your weak bloodline won't die…"

Draco was flushed red with rage, Parkinson, Crablee, and Goyle drew their wands, as did Tracey and Zabini, Hermione saw Harry moving even closer, and so did Draco. The look on the blond boy's eyes was a mixture of rage and fear.

"Enough of this!" Minerva McGonagall's voice echoed through the corridor. "Malfoy, remove yourself and your stuff from here before I vanish it. I will not tolerate any more conflict between students." Hermione noticed that all bottoms reverted to support Cedric as soon as the professor walked in, Daphne collected her wand, and Draco moved to the great hall with a furious gaze both at Harry and the Ice Queen.

After making certain Daphne, Tracey and Blaise were not being ambushed, Hermione and Harry continued their path to Gryffindor's common room.

"We need a training plan for our little defense project," Harry said on the way. "And a training schedule. Maybe you can work that out?" He asked her with a knowing smile. He really knew her, Hermione though, she loved scheduling things.

"Of course, I will, but before we need to know at which level each one of us is, then we can divide ourselves into training tiers, each tier learning from the above and teaching the below. I believe you and Fleur will be in the top tier. We go from there."

"Sounds good! You are brilliant, I am lucky to have you!" Hermione waited for the "but I am not that good line" from Harry, but it never came. "About Ron…" he asked instead.

She bit her lip, making Harry blush. Interesting….

"I don't think it is the right time, Harry, especially after that hideous piece at the Prophet. He needs to come around on his own." Hermione was secretly relieved for not having to deal with the red-haired boy anymore. Harry was doing better in classes, and she got to spend time with him by herself, without being constantly reminded of what a bastard Ron was. But she knew it hurt Harry. "I will talk to Katie." She thought. "Maybe she can help me tell him what happened in a way that will not make Harry go after Ron and hurt him."

Harry then started talking about Christopher Bell's book and how it was changing his views, how he could feel what he was writing about, and it was fascinating, almost as fascinating as hearing him talk. "Dammit, Hermione." She mentally hit herself in the back. "There you go, acting like a little girl in love again, get a hold of yourself!"

"Harry, Hermione!" Katie entered the common room; she was finally back from home. The young woman kissed Hermione on the cheek, making the girl blush in surprise, and a hug on Harry pressing her entire body on him, so they could feel each other in a not friendly only way. People around the room looked at them, but Katie didn't seem to care. Harry blushed furiously, trying to hide his erection from the hug, but smiled, Hermione thought the embarrassment made him even cuter.

Instantly, images of the two persons in front of her bombarded Hermione's brain, and she felt the already familiar warmth of her arousal between her legs. They both looked at her at the same time. Harry seemed confused; Katie just gave her an evil smile. Hermione realized they smelled it. They knew.

.oOo.

Bellatrix rested her head on the wall of the dark cell, there were no windows, so she couldn't tell what time it was, or even if it was day or night. It was part of their punishment at this hell hole to let them go slowly insane. "Good", she thought, it helped with her act of playing the insane woman. Bellatrix Lestrange was far from insane. The witch was mischievous, calculating, and intelligent. She found out her act helped her not only to survive but to thrive amidst some of the sickest men she ever knew. Because of this, she could work with no boundaries, killing, torturing, and raping… and she liked it. She felt empowered, and excited, seeing all those men and women trembling at her name. But now it ended, she was stuck here, abandoned. Alone.

"Why did you follow Voldemort?" Bellatrix didn't know what scared her the most, the casual mention of the Dark Lord's name, or the deep feral voice saying it with so much ease, in a tone much calmer than she even believed possible coming from a monster like him. But her trained mind quickly put the surprise aside and got a hold of the situation.

"Why do you want to know, beast!" Bellatrix said angrily to the wall behind her. The low laughter at the other side was even scarier than before, when did Fenrir get so controlled?

"Because I am bored, bitch!" The last word resonated through the walls, making the woman tremble, how that animal dared call her that. Even so, there was something in his voice, something deep and unsettling, that she had only felt in the dark lord's voice before, something almost compelling. "Don't even try to fool me bitch." There was that word again, she was fuming now, clenching her teeth. "I can see right through your act."

Bellatrix stayed in silence for a while. She felt angry, but also lonely. Something was compelling her to answer, she was not sure if it was the monster's voice, or her own will to talk to another person. Even if he was not entirely a person at all.

"Some… people need to be put in their places." The witch started. "There is an order in this world, and some are born to serve the others. The dark lord was powerful enough to impose that order."

"Bullshit…" His deep voice simply echoed through the wall, hitting her like a punch. "I didn't ask for his bloody stupid pureblood propaganda pamphlets. I can smell your lies, I am asking about the murders, the torture, I am asking about Bellatrix!"

The woman closed her eyes; this was not the Greyback she knew. This one was way more frightening, but also more interesting. She kept going.

"At first I thought it was about getting revenge on the world. I was a woman, a pureblood, I was taught pride, but was sold like a milking cow by my sister…"

"And then…" The beast giggled.

"And then I discovered what I liked." Bellatrix smiled, an evil and lively smile, and she almost felt the grim coming from the other side of the wall. "And you, beast, why did you serve the dark lord?

"There is where you are wrong, bitch… I never served the little Voldemort." Bellatrix was both scared and intrigued as to how someone could treat the dark lord so lightly. "I approached him when he was young and you were just a child. I had a deal with him." Shivers went down her spine…

"Why?" Bellatrix asked.

The monster laughed a bestial laugh.

"I like them young…"

.oOo.

Fleur, Regine, and Gabbriele were waiting in the older girl's room. They had conjectured how Harry was going to take them to the castle's seventh floor. Invisible cloak? Apparating? All seem so unbelievable, but the truth was going to show itself to be even weirder. About forty-five minutes after curfew, Gabbriele was getting impatient when they heard a pop in the room. The most weirdly dressed house elf they had ever seen appeared in front of them. He was wearing one sock of each color, and a jersey with Harry's name and number over him, tied by a rope on his waist. But his jumpy attitude was even weirder.

"Hellos! My name's is Dobby," The weird elf presented himself with an exaggerated bow to the girls. "Mister Harry Potter sir asked me to take his flower and her friends to him." Gabrielle was ecstatic, jumping with an enormous smile, Regine couldn't handle herself and started laughing.

"This guy of yours is really full of surprises all right! Let's go, flooowwer." Regine dragged the last word looking directly at Fleur, who seemed torn between disgust and amusement at the little creature in front of her. Fleur gave Regine an evil look and sighed, accepting the hand the weird elf was offering. In a blink of an eye and a pop, they found themselves in a dark corridor with a big tapestry on the wall. Gathered there were Harry, Hermione, Katie, the chubby boy (how was his name?), and Daphne. There were also three more Slytherin students she didn't know and the red-haired angry girl.

Harry gave Fleur a smile that she earnestly returned. It was weird how she felt like they could almost communicate without exchanging a single word. Gabrielle ran and hugged Harry, storming him with a barrage of words both in English and French.

"Hum, Potter, why are we here in front of a wall?" The tall and dark-skinned Slytherin boy suddenly asked.

"Allow me…" Harry said, and walked over the tapestry three times, when suddenly, without a sound, a big double door appeared behind it. Everyone looked astonished. Harry opened the door and invited them in.

"Harry, what is this place?" Hermione asked as they entered a big room with some chairs, many training dummies, and a big duel ring in the corner.

"Dobby called it the coming and going room. As he explained to me, the room adjusts itself accordingly to what the person in front of it needs. Once the door is closed, no one else can enter until we leave. I tested it a couple of times, and got a replica of the Gryffindor common room, the burrow, and even a small pool!" Harry said excitedly to the amazed little student group.

"But there is nothing about it in Hogwarts a history…" The bushy-haired girl whispered. Fleur was astonished. Gabrielle didn't leave Harry's side, holding his left hand and Fleur approached them both to the right.

"Ok, I am not very good with this. But…" Harry started, talking a little louder so everyone could listen to him and pay attention to his words, Fleur could see a subtle change in his posture. "Well, You were all called here because I trust and care about you, and we are here to learn, not only how to defend ourselves, but most importantly, how to defend those we care for. Saving last year under professor Lupin, the defense classes we had here were all a joke at best. I know many people don't believe me, but Voldemort isn't finished…" Fleur noticed some of the people flinching at the name, interestingly, Hermione, Katie, and Daphne kept their cool. "He will be back and I want to be prepared this time, and I need you to be prepared as well." Fleur watched Harry, and it was amazing. His aura had changed, emanating a sense of leadership and strength, the other people couldn't help but listen. Even her. "Even if for some reason any of you here don't believe me, you all need to learn how to defend yourselves and those you care for. The staff of this school doesn't care half of the time, or even cover for some dangerous entitled individuals. The people in this room are friends and people I trust and I hope to bring more with time… we need to prepare and better ourselves, screw house rivalries, or blood status, we are the change we are waiting for. We need to be more for those we love. We are not pieces being played by others, we are not stories to be told, we are our own selves, we must show that we are awake and we are in control! I will not let Voldemort or anyone else for that matter take anyone from me anymore, and I hope you are ready for that too." Silent nodes, Fleur saw Hermione and Katie smiling. Daphne looked cold, but her eyes were shining at the wizard in front of her. Here was the Harry they loved. "Before we start any questions?"

"Hum… why are French Blondie and her friends here? This doesn't concern them, we are your friends!" The red-haired girl asked, with a voice full of venom and, Fleur noticed, a little of jealousy. Fleur gave her a fierce look, even if her own reaction had been exaggerated the other day, the little girl was starting to push it. Fleur was about to speak, but Harry was faster.

"Her name is Fleur and you know it, Ginny. She is a friend, and you are naive if you think this fight doesn't affect her as much as us. She is also the top duelist in her school, and I believe she can help us a lot. I know she can help me a lot." Harry smiled at Fleur and looked back at Ginny. "If we start with this kind of attitude between ourselves, we are doomed to fail." The red-haired girl, Ginny looked embarrassed under Harry's hard look. Fleur also felt a little ashamed of her previous attitude and made a mental note of apologizing later. "Any other questions before we start?"

"Is it true you can perform a corporeal Patronus?" Tracey asked.

"Well… yes… it's no big deal…" Harry shrugged.

"Shut the fuck up Harry, of course, it is! Show us!" Tracey said.

Harry drew his wand, Fleur saw the concentration on his eyes for a moment, and he looked at her. Was he using her as a happy feeling? The wizard waved his wand and said the incantation. "Expecto patronum."

A burst of light came out from his wand and ran around them, as the powerful form of a great dire wolf started to form. It was beautiful and powerful, the beast encircled the group a couple of times then stopped and touched his enormous head to Harry's forehead, before dissolving in a silent howl. Fleur looked at Harry in awe; even now he was full of surprises. What an intriguing person. But he looked confused.

.oOo.

Harry proceeds to separate them into pairs in order to test their skills in a friendly duel. As they prepared, Fleur approached him and lightly touched his hand.

"Are you OK 'Arry? You look a li'ee confused."

"I'm ok," He answered, sounding less confident than he wished for. "Just a little weird. Have you ever read about a Patronus changing form before?"

"Yours changed?" Fleur asked.

"Yes, it used to be a stag, today it was a wolf…" Harry sounded a little ashamed, but he didn't even know why. He felt strange talking about something so intimate with Fleur, yet he felt the French witch could understand him.

"Well, I think you, Harry, changed, and your Patronus reflects that, don't you? The wolf is incredibly fitting to the Harry I know…" The girl gave him a predatory smile that sent shivers down his neck.

"You're probably right, but I think I will miss Prongs…" Harry looked at her confused face with a little sadness. "The stag was my father's animagus form… it was somewhat of a connection I had with him… I know it sounds silly..." Fleur gave him a nice, caring hug, Harry let himself dive in her scent, letting it make him calmer. When they finally parted, she said.

"Maybe it happened because you are ready to move out of his shadow. I am not saying to forget them or not to honor their memory, but maybe it is time for you to be your own man. To make them proud by being 'Arry Potter, not le survivant."

Harry took it to heart, and after a deep breath finally said, with a smile of his own.

"Thank you, that actually… helped."

"Are you sure it was not all a plan for me to hug you again?" Fleur said with a mischievous grin 'You could have just asked…".

"I cannot deny nor confirm such a statement," Harry said proudly, "but that hug helped me a lot too…" This time he was the one with a grin.

"Cretin…" she said softly.

Harry blushed and moved to the front. "Ok, let's start. Neville and Tracey first. Remember, minor hexes and shields, this is a friendly duel to determine where each person stands only."

Harry had based his pairings in accordance with what he had seen from his friends in defense classes, and he knew from the letters they exchanged, that Fleur was Beauxbatons duel champion. Regine and Gabrielle were mysteries to him. Harry watched as Tracey quickly defeated Neville, though he could see that the boy really held back because of his shyness. It was something he would have to work on. Then he moved to Gabrielle and Astoria. Harry was actually happily surprised by Gabrielle, who won against the older girl and showed great knowledge of duel techniques. Fleur explained that their parents trained both of them from a very early age.

Ginny defeated Blaise, even if barely, Daphne won against Katie, her shield work and her legendary stingers being put to work. Hermione had a hard time with Regine, the older girl clearly had knowledge of more advanced duel techniques but managed to defend herself with proficiency as Hermione probably had more practical experiences in fighting than any other there, save himself. All the time Harry took notes. As they finished, Harry had a list of all of them, listing their strengths and what he thought they needed to work on; he was dividing them into groups when Fleur touched his shoulders. He turned to see a predatory fire in his eyes, that made her even more beautiful to him.

"We are not done yet 'boy'," Fleur said with an evil grin. "Don't you think you will escape me?" The veela pointed at the ring. Everyone else was watching them. "I am dying to see the true 'Arry, after all those stories… we can really learn about someone in a duel, don't you think? And I really want to learn about you 'Arry." Fleur said in his ear now, sending shivers down his spine, awaking the wolf.

Harry responded kindly.

"Why do I feel you witches are trying to literally kill me?" They walked onto the ring, all eyes on them; Fleur tied her platinum hair in a ponytail, moving with grace and speed. She gracefully assumed the dueling position, looking right at his eyes."Shit," Harry thought. "She looks beautiful and dangerous…" The werewolf looked at her almost perfect stance, perfectly balanced, ready to attack or block, even now he couldn't find a breach. Her wand slightly pointed down. He felt a little ashamed of his own slope position, but that too was an act and She probably knew it. Harry realized he felt excited about this.

It was also the first time he dueled after being bitten. The wolf was eager to prove himself. Harry could also smell her excitement, and hear her breath. "Maybe this will even things out for me, otherwise I am pretty sure I didn't stand a chance." The wizard thought, feeling a smile on the corner of his mouth.

They bowed at each other, as Remus had taught him, without removing his eyes from the opponent. It proved to be the right thing to do, less than a second later Harry dodged to the right, feeling the air movement produced by the ropes of her non-verbal incarcerous spell, Harry promptly respond with an Impediment Jinx of his own, moving to the left as Fleur conjured a shield. A stunner hit the ground where he was not a second before, his reflexes started running at full speed.

To the watchers, it was almost like a dance, as they moved around and with each other. Harry looked like he was flying through the ring, relying more on dodging with his newfound reaction speed hovering up and down, left and right, as Fleur looked like a fey or a goddess at the center of a worship ritual, surrounded by the light of her shields, and the repealed spell's sparks flying around her as she gracefully rotates to accompany her partner's fast movements around her. Even with the speed and the lights, Harry looked at her in awe, with the movement of her hair accompanying her own, flying behind her, shining like silver reflecting the light of the spells, and he could see she was smiling and realized he too was smiling. Then he saw a breach in her defenses and quickly stepped closer to her, only to realize it was a trap.

"Expelliarmus!" They both said at the same time. Their breaths were fast, both their hearts pounding, at mere inches of each other, their bodies almost meeting when they stopped. They laughed, and each hand back the wand they got to its owner.

"I guess it's a tie…did you learn what you think you would?" Harry asked.

"For now… and I have even more questions..." Fleur answered, getting even closer.

They were disturbed by Gabrielle's happy cheering and babbling in French. Harry looked at the other students, breathing fast.

"That was amazing!" Blaise said in awe. "You were both so fast, and silent… wow…"

"It was actually … beautiful!" Daphne complemented.

Harry and Fleur both blushed. Gabrielle hugged both of them.

"Well…" Harry said, still a little ashamed. "I think that, based on what I have seen, we can work on the strengths and weaknesses of each one. We meet again in two days; if you have some other people in mind, let me know so we can discuss bringing them in. Dobby." The elf popped into the room. "Please help everyone back; I need to go to the hospital wing with Daphne."

.oOo.

Daphne and Harry came back to the hospital wing under the wizard's invisibility cloak. They walked side By side, their shoulders and arms touching. Harry was still worked up a little from the amazing duel with Fleur, and Daphne couldn't miss the opportunity to see the silly smile on his face. Harry was one of the few people Daphne felt like she could lose up a bit along with Tracey and maybe Hermione.

"Enjoying yourself Potter?" Daphne asked in a teasing tone, rubbing her fingers on his hand.

"Hey," Harry said, blushing a little. "In my defense, any bloke would, being this close to a beautiful witch like you. And Last I remember I am still a guy." The wizard laughed at his own cheekiness. "I am awful at this…"

"If you behave I may let you hold my hand…" Daphne whispered.

"Tease!" The boy rolled his eyes.

"Am I?" Daphne thought. The girl couldn't deny, that she was the one enjoying herself, but her mind kept coming back to their kisses… she brought herself even closer to him, feeling his warmth next to her, feeling protected. As they reached the hospital wing, Daphne checked to see that madam Ponphey had already gone to bed. There were no patients in serious conditions right now, only a Durmstrang student who got too close to the screaming bulbs sleeping soundly, and the wards would let her know if something happened. Daphne then cast a quick tempus, checking the hour. "We still have five minutes, let's get to the fireplace and I will set the wards."

"I was thinking," Harry said as he watched her, waving her wand around the fireplace, again stunned by how beautiful she looked, just like he did in that second-year train encounter. "Maybe we can use that room for you to teach me to."

"That sounds good," Daphne answered in her analytical tone.

"What do you think I need to learn?" There was a real curiosity in his voice.

"Next year, you can apply for emancipation." The witch started, sitting at his side. "The usual age is seventeen, but under unusual circumstances like yours, it can be lowered to sixteen. Although a lot of people will not be happy by seen the Potter's wizengamot sit occupied again"

"You are saying that after this summer I would never need to come back to the Dursleys again?" Harry's face was so hopeful, Daphne thought it looked like a child desperate to run away, her heart felt heavy, how can the prideful young man she just witnessed revert like that? His self-esteem really was destroyed.

"You need to learn how to present yourself to the Wizengamot first to present your case. The actual structure is not like the books you read, not since the last war. Some families lost too much, others gained too much power. You need to learn the pureblood costumes, even if you don't like them, actually, most of the wizards' costumes so you can navigate around them without being crushed. It won't hurt to learn how to drink and how to dance too…"

"Dance? I can't dance!" Harry sounded scared.

"After what I saw tonight I really doubt it." Daphne smiled at him.

"Why do I have to dance? What does it have to do with politics?" Harry looked sincerely confused.

"Harry, you are the heir of two ancient noble houses… you will need to learn how to behave with the ladies, there are other forms of politics beyond the Wizengamot. More subtle, but maybe even more powerful, making alliances and supporting other families, remember that our political system is two hundred years behind, and wizards gave a lot of importance to bloodlines and magical power, and you have both.."

"You are talking about marriage…" The wizard whispered.

"You might even consider more than one."

"Why would I get married, divorced, and married again? Isn't it better to make the first one work?"

"I mean at the same time Harry." The girl chuckled at him.

"Is that even legal?" Now he was scared, and she thought he looked cute like that. "Well, it doesn't matter now, I am much too young… also," Harry leaned closer to Daphne. "I know how to behave with the ladies, especially when they are not teasing me."

Daphne leaned even closer, her deep blue eyes fixed on his.

"You wish, Potter…"

As if a hint had happened, the fireplace lifted by itself with green flames, catching both teens' attention, a man's head appeared through it.

"Hello, father," Daphne said after recovering from the scare. "Harry, this is my father Arthurs Greengrass."

"Hello Mr. Greengrass, it is a pleasure finally meeting you," Harry said politely.

"It is my pleasure to see you again Harry, you became quite the notable young man. I know you must have heard this all the time, and it must not be pleasant, but for a second I felt like I was seeing James again. But now I see much of Lily in you… but I digress, just a second, they are almost ready." The stern face in the fires concluded.

"They?" Harry looked confused.

With another green flash, the head of Sirius Black appeared aside from Arthurs's.

"Really complex this untraceable double floo don't? Hello, pup!"

"Sirius!" Daphne could hear the warmth of Harry's voice. "Are you ok? Where are you? It's so good to see you!"

"It's good to see you too, pup. I needed to check on you after this tournament bullshit. How are you holding on?"

"Well, apart from someone sabotaging the tournament, probably to see me dead, things are getting… better, I think." Harry shrugged.

"Are you preparing yourself? I will not lie pup, you have potential, but you do need some damn good training! Sometimes you are sloppy as hell."

"I know, Remus told me that last year. The Beauxbatons champion, Fleur, will train with me." Sirius and Artus looked at each other through the flames; Sirius looked like looking at someone behind him.

"Maybe I can help with that too," Sirius said, and Daphne could feel the innuendo in Sirius's voice and rolled her eyes.

"Harry, who do you think put your name in the Goblet?" Arthurs asked.

"I have no idea. Maybe a follower of Voldemort, someone like Lucius Malfoy. He had interfered at the school before in the third year."

"It is possible…" The man wondered.

"Harry," Sirius said after a couple of seconds, sounding worried. "I believe you received a notice from the ministry of what I did… first I would like to say I am sorry."

"Why are you sorry for adopting me?" There was real concern in his voice, Daphne noticed.

"Don't think for a second I don't want you both as an heir and as a soon, pup! I am sorry because I did it behind your back. Because with this I became just another grown-up bastard trying to control your destiny, I will understand if you got mad…"

"No Sirius, I am not mad at all. Please don't think like that… for once I am happy someone did it. But how did you manage it?"

"There was never a trial. I survived that hell hole without being convicted. That meant, for the magical records and Gringotts, that I retain some of my rights as the head of my house."

"Sirius adopting you," Arthurs continued. "Creates a cabal magical proof that he was never convicted. With that, the new chancellor of France, Jacques Delacour, can start a political asylum process, and I will move a petition to his case to be reopened in the next Wizengamot meeting. It will not be easy, quick, or pretty, the persons who wanted Sirius looked up in the first place will fight against it"

"And also important." Sirius said. "With that, having an able, but not of age heir, the Black family accounts became blocked. Narcisa and that trash of a husband of hers cannot touch the Black family assets to promote their pureblood agenda, or to help Voldemort."

Harry took a moment to soak things in. He may be able to help freeing his godfather and become free of Vernon Dursley at the same time.

"Does Dumbledore know about all of this?" Harry finally asked.

Sirius looked deep into his eyes through the floo, with a severe expression.

"Harry, Dumbledore is the reason why I am hiding…"